IN THE ARTS The annual January Invitational at the Art Alliance of Monmouth County gallery in Red Bank is "Artist Collaborative." All work submitted must be collaborative pieces created by two ormore artists working together. The exhibit will run from Jan. 5-30. An opening reception will be held Jan. 5, 6-8 p.m. Manipulated photographs by Estelle Knizewill be featured in thewindow during January. The gallery is located at 33 Monmouth St. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Formore information, call (732) 842-9403 or visit www.art allianceofmonmouth.org. Middletown Main Library will host the December edition of the "Last Thursday Poetry Reading and OpenMic" Thursday at 7 p.m. Featured poets will be Adele Kenny and Deborah LaVeglia. Kenny, author of 21 books of poetry and nonfiction, is the poetry editor of "Tiferet:AJournal of Spiritual Literature." LaVeglia, author of "TheVigil," has been published in numerous literary and poetrymagazines. Moderated by local poet Gloria Rovder Healy, the series is free and open to the public. Readings will be Podcast and available on the library Web site, www.mtpl.org. For more information, call (732) 671-3700 ext. 320 or e-mail programs@mtpl.org. The library is located at 55NewMonmouth Road. An exhibit of recent abstract paintings by Oceanport artist James Kent is at Cask 591 restaurant, 591 Broadway, Long Branch. The exhibit is on view through Jan. 27. For information, call (732) 571-8848 or visit www.Cask591.com. Tri City Jazz, a local jazz quartet featuring Chris Andreach, saxophonist, from FairHaven,will performat theRecklessEstate, 164 Broad St., Red Bank, on Friday, 8:30-11 p.m. Admission is $10. BYOB; light refreshmentswill be served. This is a Jersey Shore Jazz andBlues Foundation-sponsored event, with all proceeds going to the foundation'sYouth Scholarship Fund. Tri City Jazz performs jazz music in a wide variety of styles, ranging frombe-bop standards to the avant-garde and originals. More information about TriCity Jazz can be found at www.tricityjazz.com TheChildren'sEntertainment Series at the Eatonton Playhouse is presenting the holiday show "The Hobo & The Miracle" through Dec. 30. Performances are Dec. 26, 27, 29 and 30 at noon. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" will open Jan. 12 and run until Feb. 3, with performances Saturday and Sunday at noon. Tickets for both shows are $12. TheCountBasieTheatre is holding its annual "Take a Chance for Tickets to the Theatre" raffle Monday, Dec. 31, at 9 p.m. The "Take a Chance" raffle winner will receive two tickets for every showin 2008. The seats will all be located in the first ten rows, and the winning tickets are transferable. Only 1,000 tickets are being sold at $50 each. Thewinner need not be present at the drawing. Raffle tickets can be purchased in the lobby during shows, and are also available by calling the box office at (732) 842.9000, by e-mailing raffle@countbasietheatre.org or by downloading the order form from www.countbasietheatre.org. Compiled by Gloria Stravelli