Centennial Celebration – Count Basie Center for the Arts
COUNT BASIE CENTER ANNOUNCES 16-MONTH LONG ‘CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION,’ MARKING 100 YEARS OF COMMUNITY IMPACT AND ENTERTAINMENT
Walk Of Fame installation, collaborations and community partnerships highlight historic venue’s century in Red Bank
(RED BANK | July 10, 2025) Ahead of its 100th birthday on November 11, 2026, the nonprofit Count Basie Center for the Arts has announced a 16-month long ‘Centennial Celebration,’ commemorating the organization’s century-long presence in Red Bank and impact throughout the Garden State.
At a kickoff event this evening, a dramatic vignette voiced by comedian Jon Stewart traced the landmark theater’s place in the region’s history, while Basie Center Chairperson Jeremy Grunin, President / CEO Adam Philipson, organizational leadership and others revealed key ingredients of the Centennial Celebration, including:
– The installation of the Count Basie Center Walk Of Fame, honoring area artists whose early performances on the historic Basie Center stage gave way to worldwide fame and recognition. The induction of the Walk’s first performing artists – William James “Count” Basie and a surprise performer to be revealed later this summer – will take place September 25.
Walk of Fame
Honoring artists whose early performances on the historic Basie Center stage gave way to worldwide fame and recognition.
The induction of the Walk’s first performing artists – William James “Count” Basie and a surprise performer to be revealed later this summer – takes place September 25.
Community Collaborations
Brix City Brewing
CentenniALE
Monmouth Arts
Stamped Stories
A Shared Universe PodcaStudio
Coming 2026
Count Basie Center Façade
ARTIST: Michael White
Michael White is a Red Bank artist specializing in architectural renderings. He is the artist of the Count Basie mural in Red Bank, and has made murals for the Lion Match Building in NY and the Long Island Railroad.
michaelwhitestudio.com
JOIN THE CELEBRATION
Since 1926, our historic, Spanish deco-inspired theater has had many names. However, one thing is clear: this building, first known as Walter Reade’s Carlton Theater and now standing as a living monument to jazz giant William James “Count” Basie, has always served its community.
Today, the Count Basie Center is New Jersey’s most prolific nonprofit performing arts center, driving creativity, community service, and economic prosperity for the region. In 2025-26, the Basie Center will host its Centennial Celebration, a 16-month long event rich in celebration, collaboration, community partnerships and special events.
In honor of our Centennial, we invite you to become a founding member of the Count Basie Center’s Century Club, an assembly of 100 individuals whose pledge of $1,000 a year for ten years will be recognized throughout the Centennial Celebration including:
• Invitations to special events
• Invitation to and VIP Seating at the 2026 Count Basie Birthday Celebration and concert featuring the Count Basie Orchestra
• VIP Seating at Walk of Fame unveils
• Recognition on the exclusive Century Club plaque that will hang prominently within the corridors of the historic theater including an invitation to its reveal
• Invitation to special Membership events … and more
Help celebrate the Count Basie Center’s Centennial by honoring the past, rejoicing in the present, and looking forward to a bold and creative future in which everyone can experience the healing power of the arts.