IN THE ARTS

Portuguese fado phenom Mariza comes to Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University in West Long Branch Saturday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. Fado, which translates to "fate" in English, is a sometimes controversial style of urban Portuguese folk music full of great and uninhibited emotion which evolved among the working class in the early 19th century. The 33- year-old Mozambican-Portuguese Mariza uses her strong contralto and dynamic stage presence to create a contemporary take on the genre, which has expanded the fado audience and influence around the world and made her a multiplatinum-selling recording artist. Prior to the concert, at 7 p.m., the documentary film "Mariza and the Story of Fado" will be screened in the theater. Tickets are $48 - $24. To purchase tickets, call the box office at (732) 263-6889 or buy online at www.monmouth. edu/arts.

Three of the most popular teen idols of the late 1950s and 1960s will reunite on the stage of the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank Friday, Oct. 12, at 8 p.m. The Golden Boys - Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell - will. Tickets: $150-$45 at the box office, 99 Monmouth St., (732) 842-9100 or www.countbasietheatre.org.

The Monmouth Symphony League will hold its annual luncheon fundraiser to benefit the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra Sunday, Oct. 14, at 11:30 a.m. at the Deal Golf and Country Club. The event will feature classical guitarist Keith Calmes, as well as a raffle and gift auction. Proceeds from league events support the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra, which opens its 59th anniversary season at the Count Basie Theatre Sunday, Oct. 21. Cost of the luncheon is $45. Reservations must be made prior to Friday, by calling Joan Berzansky at (732) 531-0601.

Author and independent historian Karen L. Schnitzspahn of Little Silver will receive the Jane Clayton Award Oct. 13 at Archives and History Day, to be held at the Monmouth County Library in Manalapan. The award is given annually for outstanding efforts to promote and preserve the history of Monmouth County. Schnitzspahn has produced more than half a dozen books on the history of the Jersey Shore. She will sign copies of her publications, including her latest work, "Stars of the New Jersey Shore: A Theatrical History." The 12th annual Archives and History Day will run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to the public. For a complete schedule, see www.visitmonmouth. com/archives.

Gerd Nowaczyk The Monmouth Conservatory of Music's Faculty Recital series will present a piano concert by Gerd Nowaczyk Saturday, Oct. 13, 4 p.m. at 50 White St., Red Bank, in the back of Trinity Church. Nowaczyk will treat his audience to a varied program of music by Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Glass, Mozart and Schoenberg. Presented by the conservatory with no admission charge; no reservations required. For more information, call (732) 741-8880, or www.monmouthconservatory.org.

Fall under the spell of love as First Avenue Playhouse presents "Bell Book and Candle" by John Van Druten Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. through Oct. 27, with Sunday matinees Oct. 14 and 21 at 2:30 p.m. at the playhouse, 123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands. At the center of the classic romantic comedy is the witch Gillian Holroyd, who decides to cast a love spell on her handsome neighbor. This enchanting romantic comedy asks the question, "How much are you willing to change for the one you love?" Tickets are $20. For information and reservations, call (732) 291-7552 or visit www.firstavenueplayhouse.com.

The Friday night jazz series at the Joyful Noise Cafe in Asbury Park continues: Oct. 13, Lady Laranah Phipps; Oct. 20, Rodney Williams Quiet Storm; Oct. 27, Gregg Gambone Trio. BYOW. The cafe is located at 1400 Asbury Ave. For more information, call (732) 774-5006.

The Great Glass Garden fundraiser will return to the Middletown Township Public Library Oct. 18- 21. The collection of glass art inspired by autumn is presented by the Library Foundation. The artists and foundation will share equally in the proceeds. Kicking off the sale, which was a great success last year, will be a preview Oct. 18, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Admission is free. The sale runs Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. Master glass artists will be represented. Prices range from $25 - $600. The library is located at 55 New Monmouth Road in Middletown.

Compiled by Gloria Stravelli

Artist Broeck Steadman Landing on the Moon and working in the International Space Station are just a few of the many out-of-this-world thrills at "Blast Off!," a new exhibition on space exploration that is set to "lift off" in the Becker Children's Wing at the Monmouth Museum Oct. 14. Be the first to tour the exhibition at a preview party Oct. 13, 3 to 5 p.m. and enjoy special activities including StarLab Planetarium shows, space food tastings, and spacesuit photo ops. The Monmouth Museum is located on the Brookdale Community College Campus, Newman Springs Road, in Lincroft. The main gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call (732) 747-2266, or visit www.monmouthmuseum.org. Julie Budd will appear in concert at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center of the Jewish Community Center in Deal Park Saturday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. Back by popular demand, Budd's credits range from television to film, to the New York stage, from symphonies to the top casinos and showrooms in the country. She has co-starred with legends like Frank Sinatra and has performed her own one-woman show at Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall, The London Palladium and Tel Aviv's Israeli Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $26; $54 patron seats, which include a dessert reception and preferred seating. To purchase tickets, call the box office at (732) 531-9100 ext. 142 or e-mail to: lgoldfarb@jcca.org.