Entertainment & the Arts
Monmouth County is a
mecca of cultural and
creative opportunities.
Dynamic galleries, outstanding performances,
artistic businesses and a multitude of festivals
create a colorful palette for both locals and
visitors. Get in the know on everything creative
in Monmouth County through Monmouth Arts
and discover the MoCo Arts Corridor, packed
with great cultural experiences. What to do?
Bayshore Region
Aberdeen, Matawan, Holmdel, Middletown, Keyport, Union
Beach, Keansburg, Hazlet, Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and
Sandy Hook
The Bayshore Region boasts three very active arts councils—in
the Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Keyport—each of which
locally fosters creativity and community in their respective
towns. Enjoy theatrical productions at Monmouth Players, the
County’s oldest community theater, and take in an art class or
a show at the Middletown Arts Center, an award-winning, stateof
the-art facility. Art classes and gallery exhibits should not be
missed at Keyport’s Artspace 88. Stop by Water Witch Coffee
in the Highlands, where caffeine, community and art connect.
Bring the entire family to FilmOneFest, a celebration of the shortshort
film that takes place the third Saturday in July in the scenic
and historic Atlantic Highlands Marina.
Coastal Region
Sea Bright, Rumson, Fair Haven, Red Bank, Monmouth Beach,
Little Silver, Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, Oceanport, Eatontown,
West Long Branch, Long Branch and Deal
Monmouth’s Coastal Region is filled with countless arts and
entertainment options. The Axelrod Performing Arts Center in
Deal, Monmouth University’s Pollak Theatre and Center for
the Arts in West Long Branch, and the New Jersey Repertory
Company in Long Branch produce year-round productions
from local playwrights as well as interpretations of well-known
theatre. Red Bank—home to the Monmouth Film Festival,
Count Basie Theatre, Two River Theater, Bow Tie Cinema, Jazz
Arts Project, Phoenix Productions, Indie Street Film Festival,
Company of Dance Arts, Tower Hill Concert Series, multiple
art alliances and community music organizations—is the go-to
spot for nonstop arts action. Looking for visual arts? This region
has numerous galleries and museums that feature changing
exhibitions: the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury, Beauregard
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EXPLORE THE MOCO ARTS
CORRIDOR
Monmouth County is a cultural destination of choice, and MoCo is
your pathway for exploration. The MoCo Arts Corridor, the 40-plus
towns from Matawan to Manasquan that define the arts-rich region
of Monmouth County, is conveniently accessible from New York
City and northern New Jersey by NJ TRANSIT, the Garden State
Parkway or ferry. MoCo is home to more than 75 arts groups,
1,200 artists and 2,080 creative businesses, making it easy to
find exciting art events and destinations—eclectic art galleries,
theater, exhibitions, museums, film festivals, public art, dance
performances, concerts and historic performing arts centers.
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind art experience, purchase a unique piece
from a local artisan and dine on local cuisine throughout the
MoCo Arts Corridor. MoCo includes major hubs such as Asbury
Park, Long Branch and Red Bank as well as smaller towns with
vibrant arts communities such as Atlantic Highlands, Keyport,
Highlands, Belmar, Manasquan and Freehold. Many of these
towns have active arts councils that promote the local art scenes
and produce art events for residents and visitors.
Photo by Shannon Rednour
48 www.sparkvisitmonmouth.com
Photo by Michael Franken
/www.sparkvisitmonmouth.com