In the Arts

On Sunday, from 1-5 p.m., five bluegrass, country and folk bands will present a stage show and jam session at Embury Methodist Church, Church Street, Little Silver. Admission is $5 and $4 for members of the Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Association of New Jersey. For more information, call (732) 787-1891 or visit www.newjerseybluegrass.org.

John Padovano, the Ironbound Crooner, will perform at the Berkeley Carteret Oceanfront Hotel, 1401 Ocean Ave., in Asbury Park. The Fair Haven singer/songwriter will present “Songs from a Boardwalk Music Hall” on Jan. 14, 9 p.m. to midnight. For information, call (732) 776-6700 or visit www.johnpadovoano.com.

The Eatontown Playhouse will hold auditions for young people ages 5-18 for productions of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and “Hansel & Gretel” on Monday, Jan. 16, from 5-6:30 p.m. The playhouse is located at 37-13 Route 35 north. For information and directions, call Debby at (732) 888-0339.

“Critics Select ’06” is on exhibit at The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts in Long Branch through Feb. 19. The second annual installment of the “Critics Select” exhibit is curated by D. Dominick Lombardi, who challenged seven art critics from throughout North America to choose underrepresented artists in specific geographical regions who exemplify the spirit of contemporary art today or represent new trends in art. The opening reception will be held on Sunday, from 3-6 p.m. Gallery hours at SICA, 20 Third Ave., are Wednesday and Thursday, 1-5 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Soar Productions, a new community theater, will present its debut production, “The Ugly Duckling,” a children’s musical fable based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. The children’s classic has been adapted by Gerry Cullity, who has also written the music and lyrics. The cast includes Jessica and Chelsea Courtney of Long Branch, Molli Cohen of Rumson, and Nicholas O’Neill of Eatontown. Performances will be held Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., Jan. 21, 27 and Feb. 4, and Sundays at 3 p.m., Jan. 22, 28, at the Community Fire Co., Appleton Avenue, Leonardo, between Route 36 and Leonardville Road. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling (732) 471-8268. First responders and active military receive 20 percent discount on up to four tickets.

“Exhibition 2006,” a photography show by The Friends of Photography camera club, is on exhibit at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center through Jan. 28. The cultural center is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A reception, open to the public, will be held on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. For information, call (732) 544-8269.