the Arts
Rock the halls!
      Upstairs opera, downstairs rock. On a recent afternoon, those were the sounds coming from the Count Basie Theatre's Cool School classes. In the Basie studio space, aspiring opera singers attended a master class with Michael Capasso, general director for Dicapo Opera Theatre. The 90- minute workshop allowed students to perform opera selections and be critiqued.
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Scenes of Christmas past
      Anyone whose roots go back a few years in Red Bank remembers when artist Lloyd Garrison painted scenes of the town perched in his studio above Broad Street. Garrison's paintings depict Red Bank, Shrewsbury, Holmdel and Rahway from the early 1960s to the present day.
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In the Arts
      Nancy Scharff will perform in concert in "The Joys of Christmas" Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. A talented singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter and composer, Scharff's Christmas concert is for the entire family. Audience participation is a highlight of her concerts.
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The pied piper of book lovers
Pat Squire's book talks draw a loyal following
BY KATHY HALL Correspondent
      When Pat Squire retired from teaching third grade in suburban Philadelphia, the energetic "60- something" signed up for water aerobics, joined a chorus, took a class in bird watching, volunteered as an after-school tutor, taught a Bible class, visited museums, spent time on long walks and short trips.
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Art Forms wraps up R.B. run
      Art Forms gallery in Red Bank will be open only a few more weeks before it closes its doors on Monmouth Street Jan. 5. At that point, the gallery, which specializes in 21st-century contemporary American art, will have a new address, online, at www.artformsgalleries. com.
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Arcadian Chorale premieres lost cantata
      For many, the delight of the holiday season lies in the surprises that it brings: festive decorations, special foods, and of course, presents.
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Deck the wall
      The Laurel Tracey Gallery in Red Bank is holding its annual "Holiday Selections" exhibition of works by some of the gallery's most popular artists. Each painting is custom framed. The show runs from Dec. 3-31. The "Holiday Selections" show can be viewed online by going to www.laureltraceygallery.com and clicking on current exhibition.
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