Member Events

Broadway, television, and film star Robert Neary creates an unforgettable tribute to one of the greatest recording artists in history. Two hours packed with 24 classic hit songs, nostalgia, multimedia, stories, trivia, and a finale that is pure Broadway caliber, this is a true immersion into Neil Diamond’s life and career. Critical praise all across the internet and social media has called this show “the most authentic and professional tribute to Neil Diamond and delivers nothing short of a true Neil Diamond concert experience.” With over 40 years in the entertainment business, Robert has 3 Broadway leads and over 60 major guest-starring television and film roles to his credit. He created this incredible show in 2019 and perfected it during the pandemic along with NY’s premier band, The Mystic. Now in its fifth year, “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience” is selling out venues all over the US, and there is no end in sight!

More Info

After 13 years living in Philadelphia, Delwin Fiddler Jr., a champion grass dancer, embraces indigenous culture by returning to his ancestral home on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. Leaving his big city life behind, Delwin aims to protect his centuries-old Lakota heritage and heal from family tragedy through his passion for dance. Join us for a film screening with a post-show talk with Delwin Fiddler, Jr. This film screening is made possible through generous funding from the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Tours program of Mid-Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

More Info

Join Duo Radliff-Niessen, consisting of the renowned violinist Robert Radliff and Dutch pianist Sharon Niessen, for an extraordinary performance at the Grunin Center for the Arts, with masterpieces of Beethoven and Brahms. Radliff, a celebrated performer with orchestras such as the New Jersey Symphony, the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, and the Curtis Institute Orchestra, brings his extensive experience and passionate playing to the stage. Radliff’s performances have captivated audiences across the United States and worldwide, and has collaborated with some of the most celebrated classical artists such as Yo Yo Ma, Jamie Laredo, and Itzhak Perlman. Niessen, praised for her expressive playing and virtuosity, captivates audiences with her interpretations, having performed internationally with orchestras like the Philips Symphony Orchestra and Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands, and collaborated with renowned musicians such as world champion whistler Geert Chatrou and recording artist Dutch flutist Ilonka Kolthof. As a duo, Radliff and Niesssen blend their dynamic artistry. With their international career spanning prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, this concert is sure to be one of the highlights of the season. This event is funded by the Ocean County College Foundation.

More Info

The first Glenn Miller Orchestra did not make it at all. It was a total and absolute economic failure. But Glenn knew what he wanted, held to that dedication, and relentlessly worked to succeed. He launched his second band – the one that lives on today – in March of 1938. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been a “hit” ever since. The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930s and ’40s. A matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts, and the drawing power at theatres, hotels, and dance pavilion, built and sustained the momentum of popularity. Glenn disbanded his musical organization in 1942 at the height of its popularity to volunteer for the Army. There, he organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen performing numerous live and radio shows. On December 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single-engine plane from Europe to precede his band to France, disappearing over the English Channel, never to be seen again. The army declared him officially dead a year later. With the release of the major motion movie The Glenn Miller Story featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson in 1954, interest and popular demand led the Miller Estate to authorize the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra. On June 6, 1956, and under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley who had become the unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Glenn’s disappearance, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its first concert and has been on the road ever since. Other leaders have followed Ray including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Larry O’Brien, and Gary Tole, and tenor saxophonist Dick Gerhart. Since January 2012, vocalist Nick Hilscher leads the band. Today, the 18 member ensemble continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements both from the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. Additionally, it also plays some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound. Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra today is still the most sought-after big band in the world.

More Info

About the OCC Foundation Concert Event Since 1965, the OCC Foundation has proudly served the Ocean County College community, supporting thousands of deserving students. Over the past 60 years, we’ve awarded over $22 million in scholarships and special program funding. Your generosity continues to make a lasting impact, supporting initiatives like the Helping Hands Food Pantry, the Blauvelt Speaker Series, the Global Travel Experience, select programming at the Grunin Center for the Arts, the Robert J. Novins Planetarium, and the Veteran & Military Resource Center (VMRC), resources for Athletic programs, and support for many other college and student-led programs. About Chris Botti GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti has been one of the most popular instrumentalists in the world for nearly three decades; he’s collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and others; he’s topped the jazz charts with numerous albums, earned multiple Gold and Platinum records, performed with symphony orchestras and on prestigious stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House. In short, Chris Botti really needs no introduction. Yet with his Blue Note Records debut, he’s offering one anyway. Vol.1 is in many ways a fresh start for the trumpeter. Having successfully crossed over from jazz renown to pop stardom, Botti’s first album in more than a decade finds him crossing back, with a small group project focused on acoustic jazz and classic standards. “I turned 60 in 2022, at a time that seemed like a restart for so many things in the world,” Botti says. “I wanted to strip away all the orchestral arrangements and special guests and focus more on my playing, the playing of my band, and these jazz classics that we always love playing on stage.” While Botti could boast of the major names with whom he’s shared stages, this project allows him to share his enthusiasm for the jazz greats past and present that excite him – his conversation is peppered with references to everyone from Miles Davis to Keith Jarrett to Pat Metheny to Brad Mehldau. He points to landmark albums like Davis’ Kind of Blue, John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, or Metheny’s duo outing with Charlie Haden, Beyond the Missouri Sky as models for the kind of “lifestyle” music he set out to make – music that is exquisite on its own but can also set the scene for a coffee shop or hotel lounge, instantly generating a sophisticated mood. Of course, Botti couldn’t have found a more ideal home for this artistic rebirth. Blue Note has been a standard-bearer of jazz throughout its storied history, and the trumpeter found a receptive partner in label president Don Was. “Anyone that’s lucky enough to say they’re on Blue Note Records should be pinching themselves,” Botti says. “It’s a fantastic honor. I had great runs on Verve and Columbia, so it’s amazing to now arrive on the most famous traditional jazz record label.” Sponsors Event sponsorships are available through the OCC Foundation.

More Info

Yates Musical Theatre for Children returns for another year of tradition with A Christmas Carol. This show is a musical adaptation of the tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who hated Christmas. On Christmas Eve, three ghosts take him on a journey. During his nighttime reflection into the past, the present, and the future, he witnesses the lives of his poor office clerk, Bob Cratchit, and the crippled Tiny Tim. Yates Musical Theatre has brought these unforgettable characters from the page to the stage. They’ve added a melodious score and wrapped it all up in a beautiful holiday present of a production. Join us for this heartwarming theatre experience that will put everyone in a holiday spirit. Please note that it is the Grunin Center Policy for all Family Shows that all attendees, regardless of age, require a ticket.

More Info

Come along for an unforgettable evening of music, cheer, and holiday spirit as the OCC Concert Band presents The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. This festive concert brings together a dazzling collection of your favorite seasonal tunes performed by the talented members of the OCC Concert Band. From classic carols to contemporary arrangements, plus a visit from Santa, the concert will fill the air with warmth, joy, and celebration.

More Info

About the Show It’s another year of the rousing review that celebrates the most wonderful time of the year: Broadway for the Holidays 5! Returning by popular demand, this festive extravaganza brings the magic of Broadway to the holiday season like never before. Join OCC students and community members for a journey through the beloved songs and timeless classics that capture the spirit of the holidays. From heartwarming ballads to toe-tapping showstoppers, Broadway for the Holidays 5 promises an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family. Performances Friday, December 12, 2025 7:30 PM Saturday, December 13, 2025 2:00 PM Saturday, December 13, 2025 7:30 PM Sunday, December 14, 2025 2:00 PM Friday, December 19, 2025 7:30 PM Saturday, December 20, 2025 2:00 PM Saturday, December 20, 2025 7:30 PM Sunday, December 21, 2025 2:00 PM

More Info

Presented at 1pm and 4pm Join Ballet for Young Audiences as they present another year of this Grunin Center holiday tradition. This child-friendly production of The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, the favorite godchild of Herr Drosselmeyer, a mysterious clockmaker who helps to transport Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to a special realm. This condensed version of the ballet is narrated to help young ballet enthusiasts enjoy the performance. Please note that it is the Grunin Center Policy for all Family Shows that all attendees, regardless of age, require a ticket.

More Info

For four decades, Cherish the Ladies has been one of the world’s most celebrated Irish music ensembles, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide with their exhilarating blend of traditional Irish music, captivating vocals, and dynamic step dancing. As the Boston Globe puts it: “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do!” This Grammy-nominated group has blazed a trail for women in the once-male-dominated Irish music scene, leaving an indelible mark with 18 critically acclaimed albums, thousands of concerts worldwide, and over 300 performances with symphony orchestras. Led by the charismatic flute and whistle virtuoso Joanie Madden, a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Award winner, Cherish the Ladies showcases a spectacular mix of virtuosic instrumental talent, beautiful vocals, engaging arrangements, and stunning step dancing. Their ongoing success as one of the world’s top Celtic groups is rooted in their ability to seamlessly blend the best of Irish traditional music, song, and dance into a vibrant, entertaining experience. This holiday season, Cherish the Ladies presents their beloved Celtic Christmas program, a festive and family-friendly concert featuring their signature sound on classic carols, including “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “The First Noel,” and “Silent Night.” Each song is beautifully arranged to showcase their Celtic instrumentation, rich harmonies, and remarkable step dancing. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this annual Christmas tour has been complemented by four acclaimed holiday albums: “On Christmas Night,” “A Star in the East,” “Christmas in Ireland,” and “Christmas Live from County Clare.” The concert features an outstanding lineup of musicians, including Joanie Madden on flute, whistles, and vocals; Mary Coogan on guitar and mandolin; Mirella Murray on accordion; Nollaig Casey on fiddle; Gabriel Donohue on piano; and lead vocals and guitar by Kate Purcell, Don Stiffe, and Bruce Foley. Adding to the magic, extraordinary step dancers elevate the performance with their athleticism and artistry. This year, audiences will enjoy the talents of five-time World Champion David Geaney, two-time World Champion Tyler Schwartz, All Britain Champion and Riverdance alumnus Noel Spillane, and Nathan Pilatzke, a four-time Canadian Stepdance Champion and Chieftains alumnus. Together, they’ll create an unforgettable evening, guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!

More Info