The Two River area has an array of concerts, shows, bazaars and other fun events for the holiday season. Here is a selection of events in the area this week:
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
The Atlantic Highlands Historical Society will host a holiday performance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, by the Henry Hudson High School A Cappella Choir, directed by Cody Holody.
Attendees will be able to enjoy holiday songs and refreshments in the decorated Strauss Mansion, 27 Prospect Circle. The mansion will be open at 7 p.m.
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The adult and children’s choirs of St. Agnes Catholic Church will present their 18th annual Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16.
The choirs will be directed by G. Thomas Elliott and accompanied by organist Corina Pauta.
The church is located at 103 Center Ave., at the corner of Avenue C.
COLTS NECK
Colts Neck High School is hosting the Jingle Bell Walk, a 5K Stroll for Sandy at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, to help raise money for disaster relief efforts.
The 5K walk will start and end near the track where vendors and crowds will gather. Jersey Strong T-shirts and food and drinks will be available.
After the walk, music and entertainment will be provided.
Prizes will be awarded at 11 a.m. for best holiday-themed costume for a group and individual.
Walkers are encouraged to bring food for The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and unwrapped presents for Toys for Tots.
The preregistration fee is $20 and race day registration is $25. Children 10 and under walk for free.
Corporate donations and sponsorships are being sought.
All proceeds will be donated to the schools in Monmouth County as well as the township’s adopted town of Union Beach.
LITTLE SILVER
Red Bank Regional (RBR) has the recipe to usher in the holiday season with fabulous music, dance and art.
The RBR Academy of Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) will present a Holiday Showcase, at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14-15, at the RBR Theatre at 101 Ridge Road in Little Silver.
The presentations are unique and feature different works each night. The performing groups include the RBR art, drama, creative writing, instrumental music, piano, photography and vocal majors with the chamber singers, concert choir, concert bank, harp ensemble and string ensemble.
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.
MIDDLETOWN
Centrex Sports Club is offering holiday cheer for those less fortunate and for those families who were affected by Sandy, with a free brunch and other holiday activities from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 15. Santa Claus will arrive by fire truck from Middletown Volunteer Fire Company 1 and will pose for photos with the children.
State Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr. and his family will be joined by township elected officials as they and club representatives distribute toys from the club’s annual drive.
Centrex is located at 500 State Highway 35 in the Union Square shopping center.
FAIR HAVEN
The Fair Haven PTA’s biennial house hour will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, and will include a Super Storm Sandy relief fundraising effort designed to assist local victims with replacing kitchen and household items lost in the storm.
Tour attendees will be encouraged to donate new kitchen essentials and much needed gift cards for home-goods stores. There will be donation boxes at each of the eight tour homes. These donations will be given to Sandy Family Match to distribute to local victims of Sandy.
Tickets to Fair Haven’s First Floors are $50 and will be sold, beginning at 10:30 a.m. the day of the tour, at 248 Kemp Ave. and 85 Grange Ave. No children will be allowed on the tour and participants will be asked to remove their shoes.
RED BANK
A Christmas Carol will be presented at the Count Basie Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. The play is a production of the Nebraska Theatre Caravan’s national tour. A cast of two-dozen actors with a live orchestra will faithfully portray all the beloved characters from Dickens’ 1843 novel.
Their voices and lively dancing render traditional carols like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Away In a Manager” and “Here We Come A-Wassailing” as a musical theater treat for the entire family.
This production recreates Victorian era London with more than 100 costumes, a set evoking a Currier and Ives print and ghostly special effects.
Tickets are $49.50, $29.50 and $19.50 and are available at the theater box office at 99 Monmouth St. or by calling 732-842-9000.
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The festivities continue all month throughout town.
Every Saturday through Dec. 22 from noon to 3 p.m. shoppers can enjoy the sounds of the season from the Holiday Harmonies. Traditional carolers, choirs, brass bands, rock, folk, jazz and blues musicians will bring holiday tunes to the sidewalks of Red Bank.
Classic horse and carriage rides will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22, sponsored by Pauline Poyner and Red Bank RiverCenter.
A new event – “We Double Dog Dare You Scavenger Hunt” – will allow participants to visit the 50-plus businesses involved to search through Sunday, Dec. 16, for a hidden holiday character inspired by the holiday classic movie A Christmas Story. Shoppers will gather stamps on their hunt for every character they find, and once 15 are collected, they can be entered to win a Red Bank prize package.
The movie theme continues with the return of the popular, window-decorating contest. Businesses have been invited to decorate their windows using any holiday movie they choose. Shoppers can vote online at www.ACoolLittle Town.com through Sunday, Dec. 16, for their favorite windows.
Pictures with Santa will be available from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and Sunday, Dec. 16 by, TSS Photography at The Galleria, 2 Bridge Ave.
Free parking continues in borough parking lots through Christmas Day, courtesy of the Borough of Red Bank.
In a program that captures the heart of the Christmas story, the 50-voice Tower Hill Choir presents “A Spiritual Christmas,” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank (Tower Hill), 255 Harding Road.
The choir is under the direction of Adam Peithmann, the church’s director of music ministries.
RUMSON
The English Speaking Union will be holding its annual holiday repast on Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Rumson Country Club, 163 Rumson Road.
Libations will be served at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. traditional English Christmas dinner and entertainment at 8 p.m.
The organization’s scholarship winner, Evelyn Giovine, will provide a special holiday program.
The cost is $60 per person for members and $65 for nonmembers. Wine will be provided at the table, and a cash bar will be available throughout the evening.
All are welcome; the dress is black tie optional.
A silent auction, with half of the proceeds to be donated to local storm relief efforts, will be featured.
Additional information is available by contacting ESU President Richard Biernacki at 732-787-2217 or emailing esupresident@ comcast.net.
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Claddagh na nGael is hosting a Christmas social/fundraiser to benefit Sandy victims from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec 16, at Molly Maguire’s Blackpoint Inn, 132 East River Road.
The event will be an afternoon of Irish music and family entertainment. With as many as 20 musicians expected, children and student musicians are welcome to the open session. New unwrapped toys will be collected for distribution to children whose families were hit hard by Super Storm Sandy. The toys will be donated to Project Paul, which operates the largest food pantry in Monmouth County helping approximately 1,600 individuals a week.
Donations for the organization will also be accepted. Checks should be made payable to Project Paul.
Those who can’t afford a toy or monetary donation are invite to bring their families and listen to the good music.
Information about Project Paul is available at www.projpaul.org.
