Commission delivers music, culture to Monroe community

MONROE — The township’s Cultural Arts Commission was born more than a decade ago as a way to bring residents of all ages together.

The League of Women Voters was looking for a way to unite the “fragmented” municipality of gated senior villages and other residents, said Nancy Gunkelman, a commissioner member since the beginning.

“There seemed to be no way of unifying the community,” she said. “If we had cultural events accessible to everybody, this would be a really enjoyable thing for our community.”

The Township Council adopted an ordinance establishing the commission back in 1998.

Much of Monroe’s senior population still appreciates live performances, Gunkelman noted.

“These were people who were very culturally aware and active,” she said. “They went to Manhattan to see Broadway shows, operas and symphonies. Now that they are getting older, they no longer want to do that. They would prefer to have this accessible in their own community.”

The commission has three major events scheduled in the upcoming months. First up is a performance by the newly reconstructed Nelson Riddle Orchestra, slated for 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at the 900-seat Richard P. Marasco Center for the Performing Arts at Monroe Township High School. Riddle, a well-known orchestra leader, worked with many vocalists of the 1950s and 1960s, including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and later, Linda Ronstadt.

“His music is well known for being very melodic, very evocative and very nostalgic,” Gunkelman said.

Riddle’s son Christopher, who has taken over his father’s work, will conduct the orchestra.

General admission tickets for the event are $28; $24 for commission patrons; free for students.

A juried community arts show will be held in October at the Monroe Township Library. A juror will examine all submitted works and decide which will be exhibited at the show.

“It’s open to anyone,” Gunkelman said.

Those who want to submit their work for consideration should bring it to the library by Oct. 13, she said.

The third event takes place at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31 when the Chinese Shangri-La Acrobats troupe will perform at the arts center.

“They are only in the country for a limited time,” Gunkelman said. “They do things that will put you on the edge of your seat.”

Some of the commission’s past performances include a Russian ballet troupe and singers such as Richie Havens and Judy Collins, she said.

“It’s been a lot of fun for me meeting these people,” she said. “Some of them are divas, some of them are really nice human beings.”

Havens even took time out for a meetand greet after his performance and signed autographs, Gunkelman said.

The Cultural Arts Commission gets its funding from a variety of sources, including the township, Middlesex County, the nonprofit group Patrons of the Arts and the OceanFirst Bank Foundation.

“Without that, there is no way we could bring in the kind of quality programs we have,” Gunkelman said.

For more information, call 732-521- 4400, ext. 134, or send an email to monroetownshipculturalarts@ comcast.net.