Fair Haven Festivities
Residents of the Two River Area have a full array of events, including concerts, tree and menorah lightings, visits from Santa, shows and bazaars, to help get them in the holiday spirit. Here is a selection of some of the events occurring this week:
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
Celebrate the holidays with a very special concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, presented by the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council. The Sergio DuBois Trio offers an evening of favorite jazz and holiday compositions. Guests will enjoy fine music, sparkling holiday refreshments, and conversation in an elegant Victorian home in Atlantic Highlands. DuBois, a keyboard artist and composer, will be playing with bassist Gary Mazzaroppi, who toured with the Lionel Hampton Big Band for five years, and Brazil-born drummer Maurício de Souza, an accomplished musician, band leader, and composer. Tickets for the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council’s Living Room Jazz Holiday Concert are $20 and are available online at aharts.org, or at the Painted Frame, 78 First Ave.
LITTLE SILVER
The Red Bank Regional High School will hold a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, with piano, harp and the concert choir. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. The concert will be held at the RBR Theatre, 101 Ridge Road.
– * –
The Inter-District Choral Festival will be held at Red Bank Regional High School at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18. Admission is free. The concert will be held at the RBR Theatre, 101 Ridge Road.
MIDDLETOWN
The annual Holiday Train Ride will be held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The trip features visits from Santa and friends, jugglers, holiday caroling, clowns, magic and goodie bags. Trains leave from and return to the Middletown train station. The ride is free for children younger than age 1, but a ticket is still required. Registrants will be assigned a specific car on the train at the time of registration. Preregistration is required. Tickets, which are $15, can only be purchased in person at the recreation office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted
– * –
Poricy Park Conservancy is expecting a visit from Santa from 1 to 3 p m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Poricy Park Nature Center at 345 Oak Hill Road. Children can have their photo taken with Santa and make a craft in the classroom. The Nature Center will be transformed into a winter wonderland with holiday music, candy canes and refreshments. The fee includes visit with Santa, candy canes, craft for first child and one photo, either group or individual. Fees are $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers and $2 for craft activities for additional children.
While visiting, Poricy Park, guests are invited to stop in to the 26th Annual Holiday & Craft Shop held at the Annex. The shop will run daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 15. The Nature Center Gift Shop also will open during Santa’s visit for unique gifts and birdseed.
RED BANK
Christmas carols of French origin will be featured in a traditional program of Lessons and Carols to be presented by the 50-voice Tower Hill Choir, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, 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. Each musical selection illustrates a portion of the Christmas story, with moods ranging from joyful to contemplative. Works include “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella,” “A Maiden Most Gentle,” “Il Est Ne” (“He is Born”), and “Ding Dong! Merrily on High.” The choir will be accompanied by an orchestra of local musicians. Lessons and Carols is an event in the Tower Hill Concert Series. It is presented free of charge; an offering will be taken to defray series expenses. The church is handicapped-accessible. For additional information on Tower Hill Concert Series events, call 732-747-1348 or see www.tower hillchurch.org.
– * –
Experience the holiday season past and present as the New Jersey Chamber Singers presents Noel: Then & Now at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Red Bank United Methodist Church, 247 Broad St. Advance tickets are $15 and $20 at the door. Student tickets are $5. Tickets can be purchased at www.njchambersingers.org. The candlelit concert program seamlessly juxtaposes ancient and modern carols to invoke a sense of awe and mystery.
The New Jersey Chamber Singers (NJCS), under the direction of Reid Masters, is one of the premier vocal chamber ensembles of the Jersey Shore. Founded in 1978 by Dr. Jeffrey Unger for the sole purpose of providing quality performances of choral music written for the small ensemble, NJCS has presented concerts throughout New Jersey and beyond.
– * –
There is free parking at all parking meters and borough-owned parking lots through Dec. 25.
– * –
Pictures with Santa will be available from noon to 4 p.m. through Dec. 22 at The Galleria, 2 Bridge Ave. The annual event is sponsored by The Galleria and TSS Photography. Photo packages will be available for purchase.
The streets of the borough will be alive with music from noon to 3 p.m. each Saturday through Dec. 21 as traditional carolers, choirs, brass bands, rock, folk, jazz and blues musicians bring holiday tunes to the sidewalks of Red Bank.
– * –
Free horse-drawn carriage rides through the downtown business district will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 21 at two locations: 11 Bridge Ave. and 26 Broad St. The rides are sponsored by Pauline Poyner of Coldwell Banker and Red Bank RiverCenter.
UPPER FREEHOLD
The Monmouth County Parks System will present an edible history program for adults about plum pudding from 1 to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15, at Historic Walnford, 62 Walnford Road. The program is for those who have ever wondered what went in to a plum pudding. Attendees will learn about steamed puddings from humble hearth cooked winter fare to an elegant Victorian holiday treat. There will be a review of historical recipes and ingredients along with sampling a taste of the past. Recipes will be available who want to try to make plum pudding at home.
Additional information is available by visiting www.monmouthcountyparks.com or calling 732-842-4000.
