IN THE ARTS

Before Hollywood bad boys were even a possibility, there was Michelangelo Merisi de Caravaggio, a brilliant artist with a violent temper. His work was the subject of renewed interest by both collectors and art scholars in the 20th century. His work will be explored at a multimedia presentation and multicourse dinner Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Georgian Court University Adventures for the Mind and Palate series on the campus at 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, in the North Dining Room.

Presented by Lisa Festa, assistant professor of art at the university, the dinner lecture will treat attendees to a multicourse Italian dinner, including salad, pasta and entrée, while they listen to traditional music selections. During dessert and coffee Festa will offer multimedia presentation of the artist's work. Tickets are $30 per person. Details: (732) 987-2263.

A doo-wop show will be performed at the Strand Theatre, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Scheduled to perform are Elsbeary Hobb's The Drifters featuring current members Peter Lamarr, Patrick Alan, Rohan Delano Turney and Victor Bynoe; Arlene Smith's Chantels, and Vito Picone and the Elegants.

The Drifters, the longest running band in pop history still performing live, have produced over 50 hits worldwide including "There Goes My Baby," "Up on the Roof" and "Under the Boardwalk."

The Chantels were one of the first female R&B vocal groups to have nationwide success with their hits "He's Gone," "Maybe" and "Every Night (I Pray)."

The Elegants led by original lead singer Vito Picone will perform their No.1 one hit "Little Star." Details and tickets: (732) 367-7789 or www.strand.org.

Latin gospel group GB5 featuring the Guttierrez Brothers from California will perform Sept. 15 at the Lakewood Branch of the Ocean County Library, 301 Lexington Ave., at 1 p.m. The band's performances showcase a love of groove, harmony, rhythm and blues, and Latinfused gospel influenced by The Winans, The Jackson 5, Take 6 and 4Him. All are welcome to attend this performance, which will include light refreshments. Details: (732) 363-1435 or www.oceancountylibrary. org.

The Ed Pocer Swingtet will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 19 as part of Ocean County College's (OCC) Midweek Jazz Series on the campus, located at 2 Campus Drive, off Hooper Avenue in Toms River.

Ed Polcer Swingtet features the seasoned and highly respected cornet player Polcer, who was a fixture at New York City jazz clubs for years. He eventually led the band at Eddie Condon's for a decade. The Swingtet includes Ken Peplowski (clarinet and tenor sax), John Cocuzzi (vibes and piano), Frank Tate (string bass), and Joe Ascione (drums).

The Midweek Jazz Series will continue Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. with Kevin Dorn's Traditional Jazz Collective. The band features Kevin Dorn, a versatile drummer who has performed with several jazz and swing bands.

He gained national attention while drumming with the Jim Cullum Band in San Antonio, heard by radio listeners across the country.

His Traditional Jazz Collective has regular gigs in Manhattan, and drew appreciative audiences at the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in Connecticut and the Bickford Theatre in Morristown. The members of the band are close followers of early jazz and capture the intensity and spirit that made the first recordings of this music such a revelation to listeners.

Pianist Derek Smith will perform Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. Critics have said that Smith is "fiery," "passionate," and has "an evil left hand." He has been heard with such diverse company as the Modern Jazz Quartet, Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and Burt Bacharach.

His keyboard work has figured in three modern movies, on the "Tonight Show" with Doc Severinsen's orchestra, and in concert with such notables as Frank Sinatra, Luciano Pavarotti, Sammy Cahn, Placido Domingo, and Steve Allen, to name a few.

Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. Marlene VerPlanck Returns will entertain audiences at the college Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. Reviewers have described VerPlanck's voice as "one of the wonders of the Western World."

Tickets for all performances are $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Details: (732) 255-0500.

Artists, musicians and vendors of all types are invited to submit information about their talents and services to Main Street New Egypt (MSNE) for a community database for MSNE sponsored events. Each year MSNE holds various events on Main Street. This year MSNE held New Egypt Day in May and will hold a Fall Festival Nov. 4, and an Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 1. The events are held outdoors for the most part and are held rain or shine.

MSNE is also looking to create a summer long program of events to be held next year. A Farmer's Market, concert series, art exhibits, street theatre and other activities are being considered.

MSNE is a recognized Main Street organization pursuant to state and national guidelines. Its mission is to help with the comprehensive revitalization and management of Plumsted Township's New Egypt Main Street business district.

Details: (609) 758-7539 or (609) 758- 6990. To register, mail contact and background information to Peter Ylvisaker at Main Street New Egypt, 31 Main Street, New Egypt 08533. E-mail pylvisaker@mainstreetne.org.

Aspiring young musicians can have the opportunity to gain exposure and make a name for themselves at the

Rock'n Music Idol charity event sponsored by Rock'n Music Academy, 500 Highway 35 south in Middletown. The competition is a search for New Jersey's most impressive musicians in the categories of guitar, bass, drums, keyboard/piano, vocals, and vocals/instrument.

Rock'n Music Idol is open to New Jersey students ages 7-17 and split into three age brackets, 7-11, 12-14, and 15- 17. Winners for each instrumental category will be selected in each age bracket. The competition follows an audition process where contestants are judged by professional musicians based on style, originality, and technique. The event will culminate with a live finale, where the finalists will perform and the Rock'n Music Idols for 2007-2008 will be selected,

The winners of the competition will receive professional recording studio time during which they will write and record an original song with professional songwriters. The song will be produced on CD and released to radio stations throughout the state. In addition, the winners will receive full press coverage, a professional photo shoot, and the distinguished title of "Rock'n Music Idol 2007-2008."

Following the competition, Rock'n Music will award multiple scholarships to New Jersey high schools for higher education in music and arts. There is a $20 entry fee for the competition and contestants have up until Oct. 25 to enter.

For complete Rock'n Music Idol 2007- 2008 info, including the official entry form and audition dates and times, visit www.RocknMusicAcademy.com.