(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents the monthly MAC Music Café, an afternoon of live music performed by top-notch musicians, on Sunday, April 23rd from 4:00pm-6:00pm. April’s singer-songwriter showcase features local talent Andy Judkis, Neil Kessler, Paul During and Daniel Ravaglia. The concert will take place in the MAC theater. The event is free with a suggested donation of $5.
Andy Judkis was born and raised in Pittsburgh, but events led him to the Jersey Shore in 1981, where he has lived ever since. Andy has been playing guitar since junior high but his interest in songwriting resurfaced during the recent pandemic. He retired from teaching high school at the Academy of Allied Health and Science in 2021, and since then has been working with renewed gusto on playing, singing and writing. Artists who have not covered his songs include the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley and countless others.
Neil Kessler has been writing songs for most of his life and after a long hiatus, has returned to performing regularly in various venues, singer-songwriter showcases and open mics around New Jersey. Neil’s songs reflect his varied musical interests and are a mix of pop, rock, jazz and folk, and strive to offer musical twists that will set them apart. Along with lyrics that reflect his experiences and observances about everyday life, these stories offer familiar characters and situations that are relatable to most listeners.
Paul During is an avid music listener and supporter of original music. He began playing guitar at a young age and played with a few basement bands. In his late 50s, he picked up the guitar again and joined song circles, writing and covering various songs. Many have classified his musical compositions as a form of prog rock. He is a huge fan of the Allman Bros and Led Zeppelin. Much of his influences have come from Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Renaissance, Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull.
The Middletown Arts Center is located at 36 Church Street in Middletown, NJ (next to the Middletown train station). Free parking is available onsite with additional free parking available in the station-metered lot on weekday evenings after 6:00pm and on weekends.
The Middletown Arts Center (MAC) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art facility that offers performances, exhibits, classes, demonstrations and camps centering on the arts. Its convenient location across from the Middletown train station on Church Street enables easy access and its expanded MAC Annex is minutes away at the Middletown Reformed Church’s Education Building. The MAC is operated by a non-profit 501c3, the Middletown Township Cultural and Arts Council which is dedicated to bringing quality arts programming and events to Middletown and surrounding communities.
