IN THE ARTS

All four original members of Asia - Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer & John Wetton - will perform at the Count Basie Theatre onWednesday,April 16, at 8 p.m. Drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes, The Buggles), and bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, RoxyMusic, Uriah Heep) play all of Asia's own hits, like "Heat of the Moment," "Only TimeWill Tell," "Here Comes the Feeling," and "The Heat Goes On," plus songs like "Video Killed the Radio Star." Tickets are $100-$25 at the box office, 99 Monmouth St., (732) 842-9000 or www.countbasietheatre.org.

The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts in Long Branch, in conjunction with Monmouth University's Urban Coast Institute and the Two River Film Festival, is presenting the second annual Ocean Film and Arts Festival April 11-25. The multivenue festival includes SICA's "Ocean Art Show," a juried show of contemporary artwork in all media that investigates our ever-changing relationship with the oceans and shores.An opening reception will be held April 13 at 3 p.m. at SICA, 20 Third Ave., Long Branch. For information, call (732) 263-5662 or visit www.sica.org.

E Rick Rinaldi, musician, composer and songwriter, will perform in concert at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on May 3. The "Where Rivers Run" concert is a theatrical performance of classic symphonic rock music backed by the magic of the symphony; Rinaldi and five skilled musicians and vocalists produce the sound of a full orchestra, offering up a blend of alternative, classic rock, smooth jazz, New Age and R&B. A tour dedicated to the United States Armed Forces, "Where Rivers Run" leads audiences throughAmerican history from the Roaring '20s to Sept. 11 up to the present. Each musical performance is complemented with video or still photography. The concert will take placeMay 3 at 8 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre, 99Monmouth St. Tickets are $55-$30. To order tickets, call the box office at (732) 842-9000 or visit wwwt.countbasietheatre.org.

Does the matchmaker get her man? Come see "Hello, Dolly!" and find out. Spotlight Players, Matawan community theater group, is presenting this well-loved musicalApril 11 at 8 p.m. andApril 12 and 13 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Route 34 and Franklin St. Matawan. The songs are memorable, the costumes are colorful, and the antics are fun! Of course, Dolly gets her man … and you'll leave the theater humming the music and enjoying the happy ending! Ticket prices: $18, $15 students and seniors. For more information visit www.spotlightplayers. org or call (732) 583-7874.

It's a house-rockin' time on Friday, April 11, as legendary bluesman Hubert Sumlin, the Billy Hector Band and BBQ Bob & The Spareribs perform a bevy of blues in support of the FealGood Foundation. The concert will take place at The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, located at 121 Brighton Ave, beginning at 7 p.m. Sumlin has received numerous Blues Music Awards, a Grammy nomination, and a spot on Rolling Stone's Top 100 Guitarists list. His touring and recording partners have included music icons Howlin'Wolf, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Levon Helm, Muddy Waters, James Cotton and David Johansen. A minimum donation of $15 per person is required to attend. Ages 18 and up to enter. All of the proceeds benefit the foundation, which helps 9/11 rescue workers. Advance tickets available online at ticketweb.com.

The Ruth Crown Memorial Art Show will run through April 25 at the main branch of Middletown Township Public Library.Artwork bymembers of the Art Society ofMonmouth County is on display. The library is located at 55 NewMonmouth Road. For directions, call (732) 671-3700, or visit www.mtpl.org/aboutus3.htm. Library hours:Monday- Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1-5 p.m. TheArt Societymeets the third Wednesday of each month at Monmouth Beach Cultural Center in Monmouth Beach.

When Allan Felix finds himself divorced and lonely, he has more than his friends on his side - he has the shade of Humphrey Bogart inWoody Allen's hilarious comedy "Play It Again, Sam" running every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. through April 26, with a Sunday matinee on April 13 and 20 at 2:30 p.m., at FirstAvenue Playhouse, 123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors for Thursday evening and Sunday matinees only. For information and reservations, call (732) 291-7552 or visit www.firstavenueplayhouse.com.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will performat the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on Friday, April 18, at 8 p.m. The leading female rock vocalist of the 1980s, Pat Benatar is a certified rock 'n' roll superstar, an eight-time Grammy nominee with an unprecedented four Grammy Awards in a row for Best Rock Performance (female) and six platinum and four gold albums to her credit. With husband Neil Giraldo on guitar, hit singles such as "I Need a Lover," "Heartbreaker," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," "Hell Is for Children," "We Live for Love," and "Love Is a Battlefield" became anthems for a new attitude. Tickets are $100-$42 at the box office, 99 Monmouth St., (732) 842-9000 or www.countbasietheatre.org.
- Compiled by Gloria Stravelli
Designed by Eileen Russell-Gerber