Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and more things to do this weekend at the Jersey Shore
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Red Bank Catholic High School senior Madeleine Carpenter has curated an Ecuadorian art exhibit to be featured at Frameworks Gallery, 135 Monmouth St., in Red Bank. The opening reception takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
The idea of an exhibit, running through Oct. 27, came to the Monmouth Beach teenager after a visit to Ecuador last summer. She grew up surrounded by her Ecuadorian grandmother’s art collection, often wondering what many of the pieces signified.
In Ecuador, she was able to research and meet with several artists, and discovered what an incredible collection of pieces her grandmother, Berthalina Vincent Moore, brought to New Jersey over the last 50 years.
“Growing up surrounded by these pieces in my grandma’s home, I never understood what they really were," Carpenter said in a news release. "They mostly just scared me or were in the background. However, going to Ecuador and speaking with these artists, I learned their significance. They are powerful expressions of a country’s historical oppression, geographic importance, and a look into day-to-day life.
" ... They were the same paintings on the walls of my mom’s childhood home," she added. "Learning about them helps me connect to my family’s heritage."
The title of the exhibit “Con Ojos Propios” (“Through our Own Eyes”) stemmed from an interview Carpenter did in July 2022 with Pablo Cabrera, an Ecuadorian artist and professor. Cabrera expresses the importance of the country’s art community to break free from the tradition of following European influences, and encourages Ecuadorian artists to create their own aesthetic using their own perspective and experiences.
The exhibit includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics and tapestries, most of which are from Moore's collection.
Moore migrated to the United States in the 1960s. In addition to Cabrera, Oswaldo Guayasamin, Eduardo Kingman, Gonzalo Crow and Jose Unda are some of the Ecuadorian artists in her collection.
Carpenter has invited young artists to display some of their pieces, to showcase the next generation of talent in Ecuador.
“While I have a very diverse group of friends, no one I grew up with was Ecuadorian," Carpenter said. "I wanted to curate this exhibit to show my friends and the community the richness of the beautiful pieces that I grew up with. I see no better way to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by showcasing the work of these amazing artists."
Teachers looking to take their students on a guided tour during school hours should email maddiemcarpenter@gmail.com.
No RSVP is necessary for Friday's opening reception. Ecuadorian food and drinks will be served, compliments of FUZE eatery in Eatontown.
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15.
Go: “Con Ojos Propios” (“Through our Own Eyes”), through Oct. 27, Frameworks Gallery, 135 Monmouth St., Red Bank, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, free. The opening reception, also free, takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday; 732-219-6688, @con_ojospropios on Instagram.
Here are more things to do this weekend at the Jersey Shore and beyond:
Latino Festival in Freehold
From noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Monmouth County will be hosting its annual Latino Festival, with plenty of fun for the whole family. There will be music, Latin food, special attractions and cultural offerings.
The festival, which takes place in Freehold’s Hall of Records parking lot, celebrates the diversity and contributions of Latin Americans.
Founded in 2005, the Latino Festival is celebrating 18 years of attracting more than 5,000 visitors every year.
Go: Latino Festival, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Hall of Records Parking Lot, 1 E. Main St., Freehold; 732-677-6488, lfomc.com.
Asbury Hotel: Pool parties and more
Whether you’re attending Sea Hear Now this weekend Asbury Park, or looking to catch a bit of the action from outside the venue, The Asbury Hotel is offering a variety of events to keep the vibes going throughout the music, art and surfing festival.
On Saturday and Sunday, festival attendees and visitors can enjoy live music and lite bites at the hotel’s rooftop bar Salvation; pool parties; a Silent Disco (that's when everyone is wearing headphones while dancing to the beat); and specialty spa service popup on the Baronet rooftop.
You can buy The Asbury Oasis pass for $35 per day and have access to the pool, Salvation, Soundbooth and Baronet from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You also can join Living Lux Cryolite for yoga on Baronet at 8 a.m. for an Oxygen bar, gravity chair, Liba light, and a la carte enhancements, and outside The Asbury in the "CRYO" Trailer (services available at various price points, the hotel says).
From 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, you can head to the nighttime pool party with DJ Mick Hale, Soundbooth (the lobby-level bar) or Salvation. From 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday, visitors can take part in the “Shake It In Silence” Silent Disco on Baronet for $25, or you can check out the Indie-Dance Party at Asbury Lanes (no cover), 209 4th Ave., from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
There's an afternoon pool party at 2 p.m. Sunday with DJ Shawn Francis. From 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Sunday at Asbury Lanes, Judo Chop, and Surfing for Daisy perform, followed by the Lucky Strike All-Star Jam featuring surprise guests — and there's going to be a lot of them in town. The free show is hosted by Rachel Ana Dobken.
Go: The Asbury, 210 5th Ave., Asbury Park, various events and activities from 8 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday; theasburyhotel.com. See a complete schedule of weekend events here.
Wind & Sea Festival in Port Monmouth
Monmouth County Park System’s Wind & Sea Festival offers coastal activities for the whole family from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Bayshore Waterfront Park in Port Monmouth.
Visitors can try fishing, kite flying, seining, shell painting and more. The event also offers Kayak Nature Tours of Sandy Hook Bay every 30 minutes from 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. These free tours are open to ages 14 and older (those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult). Space is limited.
Festival goers can also see sand sculptor John Gowdy at work, get their face painted, and go on a Selfie Scavenger Hunt.
Most activities are free, but some may have a fee, according to a news release. Free parking is available at the Belford Ferry Terminal, 10 Harbor Way, Belford. A shuttle bus will transport visitors to and from the ferry terminal to Bayshore Waterfront Park.
Go: Wind & Sea Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth; 732-842-4000, MonmouthCountyParks.com.
Point Pleasant Beach seafood festival 2023
The 45th annual Festival of the Sea will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday in Point Pleasant Beach.
There will be over 200 crafters and vendors, and some of Point Pleasant Beach’s most popular restaurants serving plenty of seafood and other delicious bites. There will also be a beer and wine garden.
Enjoy live music, games and other family friendly activities.
A free shuttle service runs from noon to 7 p.m., with stops at Point Pleasant Borough High School, Arnold and Ocean avenues, Central and Ocean avenues, Baltimore and Broadway, and Washington Avenue and Route 35 north.
The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 17.
Go: Festival of the Sea, downtown Point Pleasant Beach, 601 Arnold Ave.; 732-899-2424, pointpleasantbeachchamber.com/event/seafood-festival.
Red Bank Chamber Music Society concert series
The Red Bank Chamber Music Society opens their 2023-24 season schedule at 4:30 p.m. Sunday featuring the New York City-based group Frisson performing six pieces at Trinity Episcopal Church in Red Bank.
The program will feature Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings in E-flat. Written by Mendelssohn when he was 16, the Octet is considered by many to be one of the most impressive works of art of any kind created by someone so young, according to a release from RBCMS. Seamlessly merging the forces of two string quartets, the piece exemplifies the exuberance and joy of youth, the release adds.
Also on the program will be pieces by Richard Strauss, Maurice Ravel, Vincenzo Bellini, Astor Piazzolla, and Georg Frederic Handel (arranged by Johan Halvorsen).
The concerts are free (no tickets necessary) to all thanks to donations from Red Bank Chamber Music Society members. To learn more about the society, how to become a member, and to see their complete season schedule, visit rbcms.org.
Go: Red Bank Chamber Music Society presents Frisson, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Trinity Episcopal Church, 50 White St., Red Bank, free; rbcms.org, frissonensemble.com.
Mathis House celebration in Toms River
The Mathis House, 600 Main St. in Toms River, just turned 125 years old. This Bed & Breakfast and Victorian Tea Room, built in 1898, was known as the Mathis-Berry House, named after the owner Thomas Mathis, a Mariner who sailed around the world and was a prominent political leader.
Today, The Mathis House, an 8,500-square-foot home, hosts a year-round Bed & Breakfast, a full service restaurant, and offers five luxurious suites. To celebrate its birthday, the Mathis House is hosting a celebration with live music at 9 a.m. on Sunday, as well as on Sept. 20, Oct. 11 and 25, for $25.
Breakfast, served on a charcuterie board, includes a slice of frittata, French toast, fresh fruit, a warm scone with clotted cream, bacon and sausage, coffee, tea and orange juice.
Make reservations by calling 732-818-7580. More information on the home is at mathishouse600main.com.
Go: Mathis House birthday celebration breakfast, 9 a.m. Sunday, as well as Sept. 20, Oct. 11 and 25, 600 Main St., Toms River, $25; 732-818-7580, mathishouse600main.com.
Inked Out New Jersey
Prepare for a weekend of ink, music, fun and artistry as the 23rd annual Inked Out New Jersey Tattoo and Concert Series comes to the Meadowlands Expo Center from Friday to Sunday in Secaucus.
Presented by renowned tattoo artist Mario Barth of Starlight Tattoo, the weekend will host more than 400 tattoo artists from around the world, and present music from DJ Aero, Brent Woods, Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz.
Also on stage is Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat, Phil Lewis of LA Guns, and a special guest appearance by Sebastian Bach, the original voice of Skid Row.
Tickets range from $27.48 for the tattoo festival only to $75 for a Weekend Everything Pass. Show hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Concerts run 9 to midnight Friday and Saturday, 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Go: Inked Out New Jersey, Friday to Sunday, Meadowlands Expo Center, 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, $27.48 to $75; https://inkedoutnj.com.
'Peter and the Wolf'
Pushcart Players, New Jersey’s award-winning touring theater for family audiences, will present “Peter and the Wolf” at 4 p.m. Saturday at The Citizens Bank Theater in Succasunna.
“Ours is a tantalizing version of the classic Russian folktale,” said Paul Whelihan, producing artistic director, in a news release. “It beautifully brings together all the elements of growing up: daring, defiance, confidence and courage."
“Peter and the Wolf” is the story of a spirited young boy who confronts the dangers of the forest with bravery, creativity and leadership. Set to the music by composer Sergei Prokofiev, each character is represented by a different musical motif.
Tickets are $20, $15 for kids 4 to 18.
The production is directed by Whelihan; book and lyrics are by Pushcart co-founder Ruth Fost; orchestrations and additional music are by Tony Award winner Larry Hochman.
Go: "Peter and the Wolf," 4 p.m. Saturday, Citizens Bank Theater, 72 Eyeland Ave., Succasunna, $15 to $20; 973-945-0284, https://roxbury-arts-alliance.ticketleap.com, pushcartplayers.org.
Gabriela L. Laracca contributed to this story.
Have an event at the Jersey Shore? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at bcanacci@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Things to do in Jersey Shore: Pool party, seafood festival, tattoo
