'Airplane!' kicks off a new movie series, and more things to do this weekend at the Shore

Editor's note: The Audra McDonald concert scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 21, at the State Theatre in New Brunswick has been postponed.

Surely they can't be serious.

Middletown Arts Center launches Movies at the MAC with three separate programs spotlighting comedy, theater and music. The Classic Comedy Movie Series, Broadway Matinee Film Series, and Monday Night Music Club at the MAC will each feature monthly screenings, with discounted tickets available for MAC Members.

The comedy series celebrates the likes of Mel Brooks, Steve Martin, Monty Python and more. Middletown comedian Vinnie Brand, owner of the Stress Factory Comedy Club in New Brunswick, serves as host. The series takes off with "Airplane!" at 7 p.m. Saturday. Movies coming up include "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" on Feb. 17 and "Caddyshack" on March 16.

The MAC Broadway Matinee Film Series celebrates the Great Bright Way, and you can say "Willkommen" at 2 p.m. Sunday with "Cabaret." Upcoming films include "Grease" on Feb. 18 (the 70th birthday of John Travolta) and "Rent" on March 10.

Monday Night Music Club celebrates enduring concert films from Led Zeppelin to Talking Heads to U2. Brookdale Public Radio 90.5 The Night air personalities serve as hosts, warming up the crowd with a brief discussion about that evening’s film. All shows are at 7 p.m., starting with "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" on Jan. 29.

Upcoming films include "Gimme Shelter" on Feb. 19 and "This is Spinal Tap" on March 11. (The editor would like to thank the series for including Depeche Mode's "101" in this series. It's showing Dec. 16, so mark it on your calendars.)

All tickets are $10, $5 for members, and can be purchased at the door. For more information, including a list of all films, visit middletownarts.org.

Go: Movies at the MAC, Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., $10, $5 for members; 732-706-4100, middletownarts.org.

Here are more things to do this weekend in and around the Shore, including the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company in Toms River.

Cocoa Crawl in Red Bank

Stroll the streets of downtown Red Bank during the borough's first Cocoa Crawl, taking place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

More than two dozen businesses will participate, with restaurants and cafes offering "a steady stream of sippable sensations and chocolate delights" and stores featuring "sweet experiences and cocoa-powered merchandise," according to Red Bank RiverCenter.

There is no charge to attend, but participants can purchase cocoa, other libations and items at each store.

Participating shops include Sickles Market, Fourchette, Toast City Diner, Prep Coffee, Patrizia's, Neapoli, Chocolate Works, 26 West on the Navesink, Basie Center Cinemas, Open Heart Yoga, and the Red Bank Artisan Collective, among others.

Go: Red Bank Cocoa Crawl, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, downtown; redbank.org.

Bob's Birthday Bash

The Bruce watch will be on at Bob's Birthday Bash at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.

On the he-will-be-there side of the ledger, Bruce Springsteen has performed at 12 of the previous 23 Light of Days, all unannounced. E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg is the show's headliner. Plus, frequent collaborator Joe Grushecky is also playing.

On the he-won't-be-there side, the Boss is still technically recuperating from peptic ulcer disease, even though he's made played a few surprise events, including the Stand Up for Heroes benefit in November.

We can all but guarantee that Light of Day founder Bob Benjamin will be there, saying hello to attendees from his wheelchair.

“It never gets tiring,” said Benjamin via email. “Meeting the fans inspires me onto next year’s work.”

Willie Nile, Low Cut Connie, Dramarama, Remember Jones, Fantastic Cat, Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan, Williams Honor, Ben Arnold, Joe P, James Maddock, Lisa Bouchelle, Adam Ezra, Miss Emily, Amanda Cross with Derek Cruz, and Jake Thistle are also on the bill.

Go: Bob's Birthday Bash, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $59.50 to $425.50; thebasie.org.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company comes to Toms River

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company presents "Red Firecrackers" — the story of Nian and the origin of Chinese Lunar New Year customs — at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts in Toms River.

The production features dazzling props and colorful costumes, plus music, acrobatics and dance.

In the legend, a group of villagers working, dancing and praying together defeated a terrifying monster.

The story highlights the intrinsic value of coming together, courage, hard-work and ingenuity. It also explains some of the origin of the tradition of the Chinese Lunar New Year, when everyone is wearing red, giving red envelopes to children, putting up red decorations, and setting off firecrackers.

The performance is suitable for children 6 to 15.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company offers programs for educational settings, community organizations and main stage venues. It was founded with the vision that the immigrant’s journey of crossing cultures and adapting to a newhome provides endless inspirations and opportunities for creative expressions that can enrich the humanexperience. More information is at nainichen.org.

Go: "Red Firecrackers," 1 p.m. Sunday, Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, 1 College Drive, Toms River, $15, $12 for children; 732-255-0500, grunincenter.org/event/nai-ni-chen-dance-company-red-firecrackers/.

Keith Calmes in Barnegat

Guitarist Keith Calmes performs a free concert of gospel music at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Barnegat Friends meeting house.

A teacher at Wall High School, the classically trained Calmes has studied with jazz master Jim Hall, played in rock bands, and opened for Surf legend Dick Dale. A deep interest in Indian rhythms has led to studies and performances with percussion virtuoso Selvaganesh Vinayakram and his family band.

Calmes has degrees from California State University, Northridge; Juilliard; and USC. He also studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston and Musica en Compostela in Spain.

Those who cannot attend the show can stream it on Zoom. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElf-2qqzstGtROop3dwx8wka3R1Zlcv7DW#/registration.

Go: Keith Calmes, 2 p.m. Sunday, Barnegat Friends meeting house, 614 E. Bay Ave., Barnegat, free; events@barnegatquakers.org, keithcalmes.com.

Audra McDonald in New Brunswick

Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald performs at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. McDonald will be joined by music director and pianist Andy Einhorn.

McDonald has won Tony Awards for her work in "Carousel," "Master Class," "Ragtime," "A Raisin in the Sun," "The Gershins' Porgy and Bess" and "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill." In addition to her six wins, she's been nominated four other times, most recently for "Ohio State Murders," which ended its short Broadway run on Jan. 15, 2023.

On television, she was seen as the Mother Abbess in NBC’s "The Sound of Music Live!," and won an Emmy Award for her role as host of PBS’ "Live From Lincoln Center." She's been on "Private Practice" (ABC), "The Good Wife" (CBS) and "The Good Fight" (Paramount+). On HBO, she plays Dorothy Scott in "The Gilded Age."

On film, she has appeared in "Cradle Will Rock," Disney’s live-action "Beauty and the Beast" and MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic, "Respect." In 2015, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama.

Tickets range from $49 to $99.

Go: Audra McDonald, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, $49 to $99; 732-246-7469, STNJ.org.

Sarah Griesemer and Chris Jordan contributed to this story.

Have an event coming up at the Jersey Shore? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at bcanacci@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore things to do includes new movie series in Middletown