Count Basie Center for the Arts Launches “Back To The Basie” Initiative
(MAY 17, 2021 | RED BANK) The Count Basie Center for the Arts today launched its “Back To The Basie” initiative, anticipating increased capacities and a resumption of normal operations following more than a year of shuttered and reduced operations as a result of the COVID-9 pandemic.
“Vaccinations and a year of careful preparation and research have brought us to the precipice of allowing our patrons, students and community back to the Basie,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “The last 15 or so months have been a challenge for our nonprofit organization, but with support from the community and an array of performing artists, we’ve been able to squeak by with drive-ins, outdoor concerts and limited-capacity shows onsite.”
“Like Broadway, we’re preparing for full operations come fall. The light at the end of the tunnel is near. We’re excited to get back home and to finally unveil our expanded facility to the entire Basie community.”
Four new shows were announced today for the Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre:
Comedian Nate Bargatze (Late show on 10/3/21)
Bianca Del Rio (10/27/21)
MasterChef Junior Live! (11/15/21)
The Price Is Right – Live (2/23/22)
Tickets for each of these shows go on sale this Friday, May 21 at 10am. Count Basie Center members get first access to tickets for most shows – visit www.thebasie.org/membership
These shows join an already-stacked lineup at the Basie Center’s historic theater:
Sept. 11: Comedian Vic Dibitetto
Sept. 24-26: A Chorus Line (Phoenix Productions)
Sept. 28: Christopher Cross
Sept. 29: Masters Of Illusion
Sept. 20: Tommy Emmanuel, CGP
Oct. 2: Oh What A Night Of Doo-Wop & Rock n’ Roll
10/3: Comedian Nate Bargatze (7PM / 9PM)
Oct. 5: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Oct. 6: Robin Trower
Oct. 7: Monty Python’s John Cleese
Oct. 8: David Sedaris
Oct. 10: David Foster
Oct. 15: Josh Gates
Oct. 16: Train (Count Basie Center For The Arts Gala)
Oct. 17: Pilobolus Dance Theater
Oct. 19: The Monkees Farewell Tour w/ Michael Nesmith & Micky Dolenz
Oct. 22: Comedian Jay Leno
Oct. 23: Comedian Vic Dibitetto
Oct. 24: RAIN, A Tribute to The Beatles
Oct. 26: Cat & Nat Reunion Tour
Oct. 29: Johnny Mathis
Oct. 30: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Nov. 12-14: ELF, The Musical (Phoenix Productions)
Nov. 19: Paul Anka – Anka Sings Sinatra
Nov. 20: Disney Princess: The Concert (2PM / 7PM)
Nov. 30: Celtic Thunder Ireland
Dec. 1: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Dec. 2: The Midtown Men: Holiday Hits Live
Dec. 3: Comedian Howie Mandel
Dec. 4: Holiday Doo Wop
Dec. 5: Hot Tuna; Acoustic & Electric
Dec. 17: Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
More shows will be added in the coming weeks for what is anticipated to be the busiest season in Basie Center history – including standing-room and seated performances at The Vogel, the Basie Center’s second performance venue which opened last October.
Tickets to all performances rescheduled during the shutdown will be honored on their new dates. Though all performances are subject to state and federal restrictions, patrons can buy in confidence knowing tickets for shows postponed or canceled for any reason can be exchanged for a Basie Center credit or refund.
Concerts On The Green
In addition to its theatre performance, the Count Basie Center proudly presents its Concerts On The Green series at Suneagles Golf Club in Eatontown. The summer season opened this past weekend with two sold-out shows from Bobby Bandiera, and continues this weekend with two nights of Citizen Cope and comedian Mike Birbiglia on Sunday. Additional Concerts On The Green performances will be announced in the coming weeks.
May 21/22: Citizen Cope
May 23: Comedian Mike Birbiglia (SOLD OUT)
May 28: Wynton Marsalis / Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet
May 29 / 30: Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (May 29 SOLD OUT)
June 2,3,4: Brian Fallon (SOLD OUT)
June 5 – 5PM/8PM: Almost Queen (SOLD OUT)
June 10/11: Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers (June 10 SOLD OUT)
June 12/13: Get The Led Out (June 12 SOLD OUT)
June 16: Judy Collins
June 17: CSNSongs: Celebrating The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (SOLD OUT)
June 18: Dead On Live
June 19 – 5PM/8PM: Almost Queen (SOLD OUT)
June 22/23: Indigo Girls (SOLD OUT)
July 2: Brian Kirk & The Jirks: That 70s Show (SOLD OUT)
July 8: Glen Burtnik’s Summer of Love Concert (SOLD OUT)
July 9/10: Grace Potter
July 11/12: Lettuce
July 16/17: Max Weinberg’s Jukebox
July 18: Eaglemania: The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band
July 20/21: Tedeschi-Trucks: Fireside Live (SOLD OUT)
July 23/24: Jorma Kaukonen
July 25: Marc Cohn
July 29: Dramarama
July 30: Dar Williams
July 31 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Steve Trevino
Aug 1: Destination Motion, starring the Sensational Soul Cruisers
Aug 5: Watkins Family Hour, ft. Sean and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek
Aug 7 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Iliza Shlesinger: Back In Action Tour
Aug 11: Tusk: The No. 1 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Aug 13: Pink Martini (SOLD OUT)
Aug 14 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Chris Distefano
Aug 19: Songs In The Attic: The Music of Billy Joel
Aug 21 – 7PM/9:30PM: Anthony Rodia
Aug. 25: CSN Songs: Celebrating The Music of Crosby, Stills Nash & Young (On sale 10am Friday)
Aug 26: The Weight Band
Aug 27: Comedian Tom Papa
Sept. 10/11: Bobby Bandiera: Mixtape Vol. 1 (On sale 10am Friday)
In addition, the Count Basie Center is presenting outdoor, onsite performances on the new William James and Catherine Basie Plaza. The Concerts On The Plaza series, presented by Hackensack-Meridian Health, will feature up-and-coming comedians and musicians:
June 11: Comedian Mike Vecchione
June 12: Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son (SOLD OUT)
June 13 – 5PM/8PM: Ace Enders of The Early November (SOLD OUT)
June 18: Comedian Tammy Pescatelli
June 26: Latewaves
July 24 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Shayne Smith
Additional Concerts On The Plaza performances will be announced shortly.
And, of course, socially-distanced, indoor performances continue at The Vogel, the Basie Center’s new performance venue, which opened last October:
May 20: Chris Pinnella: A Night Of Classics (RE) Imagined
May 21: Moroccan Sheepherders
May 22: Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater
May 23 – 3PM/7PM: Bobfest: Celebrating Bob Dylan’s 80th with Pat Guadagno and Tired Horses
June 4 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Dave Attell
June 5: Bob Burger & The Red Shoes: The Music of Elvis Costello
June 6: Low Cut Connie (Solo) – 90.5 The Night Listener Appreciation Event
June 11: Matt O’Ree Band Does Led Zeppelin
June 12: Almost U2: Achtung baby 30th Anniversary
June 18/19/20: Lakehouse Music Academy Big Gig
June 25 – 7PM/9:30PM: Comedian Dan Soder (SOLD OUT)
June 26 – 11AM: Draw with Mr. Mike
June 26 – 8PM: Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown
July 7 – 7PM/9:30PM: A Celebration of James Yaylor, Carly Simon and Carole King
July 9: Comedian Dan Lamorte
July 10 – 4PM/8PM: Willie Nile
July 23 / 24: Waiting On Mongo (On sale 10am Friday)
July 30: Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience
Sept. 13/14: Geoff Tate of Queensryche (Sept. 13 SOLD OUT)
For more information on the Back To The Basie campaign, the Basie Center’s Concerts On The Green at Suneagles Golf Club, The Vogel or Concerts On The Plaza, visit theBASIE.org.
