(LONG BRANCH, NJ) — Monmouth Arts presents the inaugural “Culture Around the Corner,” a FREE three-day multicultural festival scheduled for October 2 through October 4 in Long Branch. The festival will celebrate New Jersey’s cultural traditions and creative communities with music, dance, food, visual art, artisan experiences, and family-friendly programming.
This festival’s lineup showcases a vibrant mix of artists and performances, including the Long Branch High School Dance Group; Jersey Shore rapper Chris Rockwell; Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise; the Baila Society Sunset Salsa Dance Party; Mary Cross; James Dalton; and many others. The festival aims to bring Monmouth County’s diversity to life through various global traditions, including Afro-Brazilian capoeira and Jewish choreographies.
“Culture Around the Corner truly is an event where there is something for everyone,” said Teresa Staub, Executive Director of Monmouth Arts. It is an extraordinary mix of artists and traditions that encapsulate Monmouth County’s vibrant spirit.
Presented by Monmouth Arts, the event receives support from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s A.R.T. – Phase II Grant Program.
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FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday, October 2: Kickoff celebration at Slocum Park and Long Branch Free Public Library (328 Broadway) featuring live performances, music, dance, and a community art exhibition.
Saturday, October 3: Main festival day at the “Art Yard” at Union Avenue Municipal Lot (13 Third Ave) with live performances on two stages, global food, an artisan market, hands-on art-making, and a Kids Zone.
Sunday, October 4: Folklife Village at Whitechapel Projects (15 Second Ave) with food vendors, artisans, live performances, and family-friendly activities.
Admission is free, encouraging community members to explore the diverse arts and traditions of New Jersey.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
Long Branch Library (328 Broadway Street)
5:00 pm — OCEAN AVE STOMPERS: New Orleans-style brass band bringing funk, soul, and joyous rhythms.
5:40 pm — DESEREE SPINKS & RYAN GREGG: A mix of original songs and covers through expressive vocals and dynamic piano.
6:25 pm — BAILA SOCIETY SUNSET SALSA DANCE PARTY: Featuring lively salsa rhythms and movement.
7:15 pm — WILL EVANS: A Rhode Island-based artist blending folk roots with engaging live looping techniques.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
Long Branch Bandshell (3rd Avenue and Broadway)
11:30 am — JAMES DALTON: Blending folk, Americana, and blues with engaging storytelling.
12:15 pm — THE HELLENIC DANCERS OF NEW JERSEY: Celebrating Greek folk dances and music.
1:00 pm — DIGBA OGUNBIYI QUARTET: Contemporary jazz with West African rhythms.
2:00 pm — ATLANTIC WATCH PIPE & DRUMS: Bringing the stirring sounds of bagpipes and drumming.
2:30 pm — KUF KNOTZ & CHRISTINE ELISE: Uplifting hip-hop and soul blend.
3:30 pm — SHARQI DANCE: Showcasing Egyptian-style belly dance.
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SATURDAY, OCT. 3
LIBERTY PARK – MAIN STAGE (Liberty Street and Union Avenue)
11:30 am — LONG BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL DANCE GROUP: Celebrating creative performances from students.
12:45 pm — PREDATOR DUB ASSASSINS: Reggae fusion band from Asbury Park.
1:30 pm — AI-NENE, GYPSY ROMA: Romani music ensemble representing cultural traditions.
2:00 pm — NUSPACE: Energetic music mixing rock and funk.
3:00 pm — MARY CROSS: Jazz and soul vocalist with rich performances.
4:00 pm — ALEXANDER SIMONE & WHO DAT: Showcasing soulful grooves from Asbury Park.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Whitechapel Courtyard (15 Second Avenue)
11:20 am—HAWAIIAN HULA DANCERS: Emphasizing storytelling through graceful dance movement.
11:50 am—XYLOPHONE OF WRENCH: Asbury Park’s Mark Davis showcasing artistic performance.
12:25 pm — NEELIMA RAJU: Kuchipudi dance performance by an acclaimed artist.
1:10 pm — JOHN PRONTO: Folk and Americana singer-songwriter sharing intimate stories through music.
1:55 pm — THE RICHIE OLIVERA FLUTES: Andean music showcasing traditional flutes.
2:40 pm — KYLE MOYER: Frontman of Spyne! delivering alternative rock and grunge sounds.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Whitechapel (15 Second Avenue)
11:20 am — VIVA VALLENATO TRIO: Celebrating Colombian folk music with vibrant rhythms.
12:00 pm —RAAS AND GARBA FOLK MUSIC & DANCE: Exploring traditional Gujarat performances.
12:25 pm — CHIARA MARIA: Jazz vocalist blending various influences.
1:10 pm — BOTTLE DANCERS USA: Jewish dance troupe performing energetic choreography.
Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info
1:55 pm — CAPOEIRA SOL NASCENTE: Afro-Brazilian martial arts and cultural performance.
2:40 pm — CHRIS ROCKWELL: Rapper, poet, and artist from the Jersey Shore bringing powerful performances.
Monmouth Arts was founded in 1971 to support artists and arts organizations in Monmouth County, highlighting local talent and promoting creativity.
The NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) focuses on sustainable economic growth and community development across New Jersey.
click here for more information
Humor, Babes, Wisdom, Brevity>
NYC Musical Marathon & Jack Dallas presents H. B. W. B.
Humor, Babes, Wisdom, Brevity
Wednesday, September 02, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Divinity Hall @ Centennial AME Zion Church
5 Lewis Place, Closter, NJ
H. B. W. B. – Humor, Babes, Wisdom, Brevity
Sun Ra Arkestra
Thursday, September 03, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ
The legendary Sun Ra Arkestra returns with exuberant cosmic jazz — a stirring blend of big‑band swing, free jazz, bebop, spiritual jazz, and Afrofuturist spectacle. Formed in Chicago in the mid‑1950s as the vehicle for the visionary composer Sun Ra, the Arkestra has spanned seven decades, touring the globe and inspiring generations with its bold, otherworldly sound.
A pioneer of early synthesizer use and the free‑jazz movement of the 1960s, Sun Ra combined musical innovation with a spiritual mission—using positive vibrations and music to uplift the universe. The Arkestra’s theatrical live shows fuse space‑age improvisation, singing, dancing, chanting, and Afro‑pageantry, and helped define Afrofuturism in music and performance.
