Oct. 29 fundraiser will recognize musicians, author, community supporters
By Mary Ann Bourbeau
ASBURY PARK – It’s going to be a funkadelic celebration in Asbury Park when Monmouth Arts hosts its annual fundraiser Thursday, Oct. 29. “Bring on the Funk: Where the Arts Get Down” starts with a “Get Up Offa That Thing” VIP cocktail party in the Drawing Room at the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel, followed by a dinner celebration at Asbury Lanes.
The event celebrates how the arts can bring people together and energize the creative community. Sponsorship supports programming that brings creativity and community together all year long. Guests will step into a full funk experience with immersive projections, bold visuals and soulful music that will keep the energy high all night long. Attire is funky chic – and sequins are encouraged, organizers said.
“This is our largest fundraiser of the year supporting Monmouth Arts’ work throughout Monmouth County,” Teresa Staub, executive director, said. “As the county’s leading arts organization with more than 55 years of service, we make the arts accessible to everyone, support local artists and arts organizations and bring meaningful arts experiences into our communities.”
Gala proceeds help fund programs such as Creative Expressions, which brings free visual arts experiences to underserved populations, including individuals facing mental health challenges. Monmouth Arts also supports arts education and emerging artists of all ages.
DJ Derick Braxton and DJ Wes will spin the vibrant rhythms of Parliament-Funkadelic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Prince, Kool & the Gang, and Chaka Khan. The Asbury Park-based five-piece band, Des and the Swagmatics, will perform for the crowd. Emcee Stephen Rubino leads an evening of funky surprises, a silent auction and a show-stopping James Brown impersonator bringing the Godfather of Soul to life. C.P. Lacey has captivated audiences as a James Brown impersonator for more than three decades. He was a longtime featured performer at the legendary Apollo Theater.
The auction will feature a wine pull and 50/50 raffle tickets. Prizes include theater, symphony and museum tickets; dining options; travel getaways; a parasail adventure; and more. The silent auction and raffle are also open to non-attendees.
Honorees
This year, Monmouth Arts is honoring artists, storytellers, cultural institutions and community leaders whose “creativity and contributions have made a lasting impact and represent the many ways the arts enrich our culture, strengthen our communities and inspire generations,” organizers said.
Musician George Clinton is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Music Award. The songwriter, producer and cultural icon’s groundbreaking work with Parliament-Funkadelic transformed funk into a globally celebrated genre. As the architect of the P-Funk sound, Clinton fused elements of soul, rock, R&B and psychedelia to create an unmistakable musical style that has influenced generations of artists. His career has earned him induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins will receive the Outstanding Musical Achievement Award. She recently opened for Stevie Nicks’ arena tour. Atkins also headlined a series of residency shows in Nashville, where she recorded her latest album, “Drama,” with producer Pat Sansone of Wilco. Atkins has been described as possessing “the bleak vision of Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen; the darkly mysterious girl group-on-acid musings of Julee Cruise and composer Angelo Badalamenti; the sorrow of Patsy Cline; the rock-ballads of The Pretenders; and the ’60s psychedelia of Love and Nuggets.” Bruce Springsteen once said Atkins possesses “a truly singular voice.”
Bestselling author Harlan Coben will receive the Outstanding Literary Achievement Award. Coben is a New York Times No. 1 bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels have been published in 46 languages and are bestsellers in more than a dozen countries, with 100 million books in print worldwide. Coben is also the creator and executive producer of many television shows and the host of the CBS/Paramount+ original series “Harlan Coben’s Final Twist.”
Dorothea Bongiovi is the recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award. She co-founded JBJ Soul Kitchen with her husband, rock icon Jon Bon Jovi, and serves as program director of the pay-it-forward community restaurant model that serves in-need and paying customers. With locations in Red Bank, Toms River and on the campus of Rutgers University-Newark, these restaurants have served more than 250,000 meals. Bongiovi is a recipient of the New Jersey and National Jefferson Award for Volunteer Leadership. She also received a Silver Stevie Award, which recognizes women in leadership roles.
PNC Bank Arts Center is the recipient of the Distinguished Cultural Landmark Award for its enduring impact on the region’s cultural arts landscape. Since opening in 1968 as the Garden State Arts Center, it has remained one of New Jersey’s most iconic live entertainment venues. Designed by architect Edward Durell Stone, the open-air amphitheater has welcomed generations of music fans and hosted legendary performers, including Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Pearl Jam, Dolly Parton and countless others. The venue draws more than half a million visitors annually through concerts, community programming and seasonal events such as the Magic of Lights holiday spectacular.
“We wanted this year’s honorees to reflect the many ways the arts shape our lives, our communities and our culture,” Staub said. “We’re recognizing George Clinton for his extraordinary influence on music and his place in music history as the Godfather of Funk. Harlan Coben has made an incredible contribution to literature, bringing stories to readers around the world. Nicole Atkins is being honored for her musical achievements and her Jersey Shore roots. Dorothea Bongiovi, founder and program director of JBJ Soul Kitchen, is being recognized for her outstanding community service and the organization’s work addressing food insecurity and serving people in need. The PNC Bank Arts Center is a distinguished cultural landmark that has brought generations of people together through live music and performance,” she said.
“Together, these honorees represent the power of creativity, the importance of giving back and the lasting impact that arts and culture can have on a community,” she added.
The VIP cocktail party starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel. The Funkadelic dinner celebration begins at 7 p.m. at Asbury Lanes. Tickets are $225 for dinner and $275 for dinner and VIP cocktail party. Visit monmoutharts.org for more information.
The article originally appeared in the October 22 – 28, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
