(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College has announced an all new, exciting lineup of shows and special events for spring 2024, jam-packed with music, family fun, and spectacular performances from artists around the world.

This season, the Grunin Center presents performances from CelloGayagaeum, The Princeton Singers, The Doo Wop Project, Time for Three, and The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, as well as an “Ella the Early Years” tribute by chanteuse Amanda King, the 25th anniversary of “Rhythm of the Dance,” and a celebration of the music of the Fab Four in The Weeklings’ “BeatlesBash!”

Families can enjoy the dazzling origin story of the Chinese Lunar New Year in “Red Firecrackers” (January 21); “Buckets N Boards,” a hilarious and high-energy show full of ridiculous songs, tap dancing, inventive instrumentation and a variety of musical talents (February 24); 123 Andrés, the Latin Grammy-winning husband and wife duo known for their interactive shows and songs that blend Spanish and English (March 3); and the return of kindie music phenomenon Twinkle Time (April 3).

The Grunin Center continues its tradition of showcasing extraordinary classical musicians in its “Afternoon Recital” series, featuring performances by Pine Street Winds (January 26), Emiko Edwards (February 16), Nina Siniakova and Arturo Delmoni (March 8), Margarita Rovenskaya (April 5), and Awadagin Pratt (May 17). The popular “Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon” series also returns with Sentimental Journey Big Band on April 28, James Austin, Jr. on May 19, and a tribute to legendary pianist Bill Evans by The Joel Zelnik Trio on June 2. 

The OCC Repertory Theatre Company will present “Rabbit Hole,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire, from February 16-25, and Oscar Wilde’s comedic masterpiece “The Importance of Being Earnest” from April 12-21.

Finally, the OCC Foundation’s Blauvelt Speaker Series returns with thought-provoking conversations with Dr. Jeffrey Morton (Febuary 26), Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter (April 3), poet Reginald Dwayne Betts (April 10) and actor John Leguizamo (April 24).

Tickets for all events are on sale now and can be purchased at grunincenter.org. Order subscriptions for all of your favorite shows for additional savings! Subscriptions can be purchased online, at the Grunin Center Box Office, or by calling 732-255-0500. Group rates and discounts for students and military/veterans are also available for certain shows.

For nearly 60 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that prepare and empower diverse learners to contribute to and succeed in global societies. OCC invests in and fosters academic, economic, and cultural excellence, and ensures financial strength by generating new revenue streams, engaging in national and international university and corporate partnerships, and cultivating a technologically progressive and entrepreneurial spirit.