(RED BANK, NJ) -- The "Golden Celebration" for Monmouth Arts will honor influential contributors, supporters and members of the arts including Chef David Burke, musician Jake Clemons, actor Vincent Pastore, restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach and the Junior League of Monmouth County.  The celebration of 50 years of art will take place on Friday, September 23 in The Garden at the Blu Grotto in Oceanport, New Jersey.

The evening’s musical guests will feature the Moroccan Sheepherders. Ticket prices start at $185 and further information, including sponsorship opportunities, can be found at monmoutharts.org/goldencelebration. 

"For 50 years, Monmouth Arts has made the arts possible in Monmouth County," said Teresa Staub, Executive Director, Monmouth Arts. "Since our inception, we have supported thousands of artists, arts organizations, students and art affiliates through unique arts programming, a wide array of services, and millions of dollars in arts funding. The 'Golden Celebration' this September promises to be the arts' biggest night of the year. The event will welcome and honor some of the most inspiring and recognizable creatives, supporters and stars that have impacted Monmouth County. We will not only celebrate our organization's many accomplishments, but also pay tribute to all those who made our work possible."

“Golden Celebration” Honorees:

David Burke - Award: Artistic Achievement in Culinary Arts. Blurring the lines between chef, artist, entrepreneur and inventor, world-renowned David Burke is a leading pioneer in modern American cuisine. Raised in Monmouth County, NJ, he has launched dozens of restaurants and food related businesses across the globe. He has authored two cookbooks and competed in two seasons on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. Chef Burke makes regular appearances on major news networks and is often sought after by top journalists as a hospitality spokesman. Chef Burke has been a lifelong collector and supporter of contemporary artists. He often incorporates original works of art as part of his restaurants’ décor and concepts. Throughout his career, Chef Burke has led by example and maintained a strong charitable presence within the communities where his businesses are located. Internationally awarded, celebrity chef David Burke is a culinary artist, entrepreneur, inventor, and an art collector with unbounded imagination and an endless hunger for knowledge.

Jake Clemons - Award: Artistic Achievement in Musical Arts. Gifted singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Jake Clemons is a magnet for positive energy and emotion, consistently sharing stories and thoughts about life, his beliefs and experiences through music. Jake’s vast array of musical endeavors over the last 12 years have made him a familiar figure around the world. During that time, Jake has released three albums and one EP and toured the world to perform his music with The Jake Clemons Band as well as touring and recording with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Jake has also recorded and/or performed with Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, Tom Morello, Prophets of Rage, Roger Waters and US Girls.

Vincent Pastore - Award: Artistic Achievement in Performing Arts. Vincent Pastore was a former nightclub owner in New Rochelle, New York, from 1967 to 1987. He left the club business to pursue an acting career when he was 42 years old. His first film True Love, a 1989 American comedy starring Annabella Sciorra, won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1989 Sundance Film Festival. Vincent worked as a day player for many years and did extra work until he landed a co-starring role in The Jerky Boys: A Movie with Alan Arkin and the 1996 HBO television movie Gotti, alongside Armand Assante. In 1999, Vincent was cast in The Sopranos, where he played the character Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero. In 2008, the cast of The Sopranos won a SAG for outstanding ensemble in a drama series. His film credits include Made, Revolver, The Hurricane, Deuces Wild, and Serving Sara. Other television credits include Witness to the Mob and the Practice. Recently Vincent appeared in Hulu’s Wu-Tang Clan: An American Saga, Hawaii Five-0, and Blue Bloods. Upcoming films include Don Q with Armand Assante, Tim Bogarts' film Spinning Gold based on the life of his father Niel Bogart, and presently he is working on Gravesend, a TV series about the Brooklyn mob. Vincent's Broadway credits include Chicago, Bullets Over Broadway, and Off-broadway credits Lamppost Reunion and Queen for a Day. He is the co-founder of the Renegade Group with Maureen Van Zandt.

Marilyn Schlossbach - Award: Humanitarian Award. Marilyn Schlossbach transcends the boundaries of the kitchen as an entrepreneur, mother, and active citizen spearheading social and environmental initiatives. Her passion for travel, the arts, and the ocean has created a unique culture of elevated vacation cuisine, reflected in her restaurants, venues, and projects, Langosta Lounge, Pop’s Garage, White Chapel Projects, Salt Water Market, Asbury Park Yacht Club, Food For Thought By The Sea, Cocoa Boat Chocolate and Oshin Oil.  Marilyn’s community-driven work goes beyond her restaurants, advocating for sustainable agriculture, accessible culinary and hospitality training, and dining destinations that help underserved communities flourish. 

Junior League of Monmouth County - Award: Community Service Award. The Junior League of Monmouth County is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The JLMC's 200 members live in both Monmouth and Ocean counties and annually give over 20,000 hours collectively to the community. Following in the footsteps of the League’s founders since 1939, today’s JLMC members are at the forefront of tackling society’s thorniest issues—addressing and acting as advocates on an array of critical issues including period poverty, teen self-esteem, food justice, and human trafficking among others—for the express purpose of enhancing the social, cultural, and political fabric of our society. The JLMC is 100% volunteer run and relies on the dues of its members and the support of the community to continue its work. 

As the largest fundraiser for Monmouth Arts, the annual gala supports programs and services that enrich the local arts community, including grant opportunities, marketing support, art exhibitions, professional workshops, and programs like the Monmouth County Senior Art Show, Monmouth Arts Teen Arts Festival, and Creative Expressions Arts and Wellness Program.  Past honorees include Deborah Harry, Danny Clinch, David Bryan, Maureen Van Zandt, Bobby Bandiera and Diane Turton.

Monmouth Arts would like to thank our sponsors and partners including Victoria A. Perry, Circle BMW, Grunin Foundation, Manasquan Bank, Monmouth University, New Jersey Natural Gas, Hatteras, Cathy and Tom Sivo, Magda and James Muka. A special thank you to our Official Award Sponsor Hot Sand.

Monmouth Arts is a leading, independent 501c(3) arts advocacy organization that delivers needed programs and services to artists, member organizations, and arts affiliates to ensure the arts thrive in and throughout Monmouth County. As Monmouth County’s official county arts agency, its mission is to enrich the community by inspiring and fostering the arts. Monmouth Arts's programs are made possible in part through funding from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Commissioners, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.