Nearly 200 people attended a special "Festival of Books" event at the Jewish Community Center in Deal on April 25, Holocaust Memorial Day. Author and architect Daniel Libeskind (l), whose design was selected for the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, spoke about his book "Breaking Ground." During the book signing, Libeskind, whose parents were Holocaust survivors, met Holocaust survivor Adam Boren, Rumson, author of "Journey through the Inferno," a book about his concentration camp experience. "Wait Until Dark" will be performed at the Phoenix Studio Theatre, 111 Monmouth St., next door to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on Fridays and Saturday, May 12, 13, 19, 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 21, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15. For reservations, call (732) 747.0014.

Dunbar Repertory Company will present "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" by August Wilson May 12-21 at Audrey W. Clark School, 192 Garfield Ave., Long Branch. Directed by Dunbar founder Darryl Willis Sr., performances are Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. Tickets are $16, $13 seniors and students. For tickets and information, call (732) 775-3300.

Monmouth University will present a recital with Elena Urioste on violin and Hugh Sung on piano on Friday, May 12, at 1 p.m. The concert is part of a classical series featuring musicians from the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Tickets are $22 and $20.

The Orchestra of Saint Peter by the Sea will perform a spring concert, "Opera and Pops," under the direction of the Rev. Alphonse Stephenson on Friday, May 12, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30. Performances are at Pollak Theatre, West Long Branch. For tickets, call the box office at (732) 572-3483.

The Canning Company (SICA's Cafe) presents acoustic music in an intimate venue in "Folk You!" a musical presentation from Blow Up Radio.com. Performers range from singer/songwriters to bands doing rare "stripped down" performances." On Saturday, 8-11 p.m., Jim Testa & John Raido, Chris Pierson, Mazeffect, Scruff (from Kohuff), Jeff Devito (from Particle Zoo) and Michelle Vecchione will perform. $5 cover. SICA is located at 20 Third Ave. in Long Branch. For more information, visit www.sica.org.

Phoenix Productions will hold auditions for the musical "42nd Street" on Monday, May 15, from 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, May 20, 11a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Phoenix Studio Theatre. All parts are open for the production, which will be presented in July. Auditioners should prepare a song from a musical, wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to dance, tappers should bring tap shoes. Can't make those dates or interested in working behind the scenes? E-mail:ellen@mon-mouth.com or visit www.phoenix-redbank.com

Monmouth County Arts High School will present the 2006 Student Festival on May 14, 7-9 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. Performances will include music, theater, dance, visual arts and the written word. The arts high school is based at The Arts & Education Center, 154 Main St., Matawan. For information, call (732) 566-2787.

The Monmouth County Arts Council will hold its annual Arts Education Awards on Tuesday, May 16, 6-8:30 p.m., at the Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank. The awards honor schools and educators in Monmouth County for outstanding arts programs and practices. For information, call (732) 212-1890 or visit www.monmoutharts-council.org.

New York-based rock accordionist Julz A is on tour and will make a stop in Red Bank on Saturday, May 20, at 8 p.m. to play at the Internet Cafe at 1 W. Front St. Known around New York City as accordionist, vocalist, percussionist and composer, Julz A (aka Julian Hintz) performs in a wide range of musical styles. Julz A, whose newly released solo CD is titled "Squeeze Rock," uses the accordion as a central figure in the rock riffs of fundamentally alternative rock/hip-hop music. For information, visit www.julz-a.com.

The Monmouth Symphony Orchestra will perform in concert on Sunday, May 21, at 3 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank. Preconcert lecture at 2:15 p.m. Roy Gussman conducts Bizet's "Suite from the Fair Maid of Perth" and Vaughn-Williams' "Symphony #2 (London)." Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for senior citizens, $5 for students. For tickets or information, call (732) 842-9000 or visit www.monsym.org.

Trustees and friends of the Monmouth Museum will host "Four Decades of the Monmouth Museum," a tribute to Dorothy "Mike" Morehouse, May 20, 6-9:30 p.m. at the museum, located on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. Morehouse has been president and CEO of the museum for the past 26 years. Tickets are $125-$5,000. Guests are encouraged to dress in attire from the past four decades.

Celebrate Spring with the Friends of the Monmouth Museum at "Beyond Expectation." Jennifer and Glen Axelrod will open their home and gardens in Colts Neck on May 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mahzu's Japanese restaurant will provide the delicious Asian menu. Two lectures are planned: Jenny Axelrod will talk about women's role in preserving the home and cultural identity of her people at 11 a.m., and at 3 p.m. Rosemary Pappa will offer a lecture on the art of feng shui. The cost for the day is $40, $35 for museum members. For reservations and additional information, call (732) 747-2266.