Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, Middletown photo exhibit & 8 other things to do this weekend

It’s that time of year – Jersey Shore Restaurant Week is back.

The 10-day celebration of local chefs and restaurants kicks off Friday and runs through Nov. 14. More than 50 restaurants in Monmouth and Ocean counties will participate, offering three-course prix fixe meals ($24.21 or $34.21) for lunch, dinner or both.

A handful of restaurants are taking part for the first time: Belmar Kitchen by David Burke, Anthony’s Seafood Restaurant in Lacey, Solo Trattoria in Freehold Borough, The Robinson Ale House in Long Branch, Jersey Shore BBQ in Point Pleasant Beach and B2 Bistro in Toms River.

For a list of participating restaurants and menus, visit jerseyshorerestaurantweek.com.

Photography exhibit in Middletown

About 40 New Jersey photographers representing the photo collective Black Glass Gallery will exhibit this month at Middletown Arts Center.

The opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, and the exhibit runs through Nov. 30. Refreshments will be served at the reception. Musician Astronaut Jones will perform.

Members of BGG, as the collective is called, encompass different levels of technical skills and professional experience but are united in support of each other, according to a news release. BGG was formed five years ago in Asbury Park. Membership is from throughout the state, but the group is limited to help foster learning.

“Natural landscapes, moments of memory, and the small details of life will be among the images shown,” said Suzanne Spitaletta, president and founder of Black Glass Gallery, in the release. “ ... In your own travels through the state, you may remember a few of these places. But you might see how each photographer interprets familiar places differently.”

The show is the third year BGG has exhibited at the MAC. Due to the pandemic, last year's exhibit was virtual. A sampling of BGG images can be found at blackglassgallery.com.

The center is at 36 Church St. For more information, visit https://middletownarts.org/category/exhibitions/.

The Back Road Ramble at Screamin’ Hill Brewery

Screamin’ Hill Brewery at Bullock Farms is asking folks to step up in the fight against hunger this weekend.

The brewery is hosting its first Back Road Ramble, a slightly uphill .05K speed-walking relay race supporting Farmers Against Hunger at 11 a.m. Saturday at 83 Emleys Hill Road, in the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township.

Each four-person team will be briskly walking approximately 168 feet. Registration, $120 per team, includes a T-shirt, pint glass and magnet for each competitor. All participants must be 21 or older. Dogs and strollers are not allowed. Walkers will create their own race bibs. Costumes are encouraged, and there will be prizes for outstanding costumes and bibs.

Don't want to cook?: 10 Jersey Shore restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner

Check-in begins at 10 a.m., and the race starts at 11 a.m.

Attendees are asked to bring donations of nonperishable food items.

For more information, visit screaminhill.com/the-back-road-ramble.

Asbury Park Monologues at Asbury Lanes

Have something to say? Now's the time.

The second annual Asbury Park Monologues, a judged competition show, will take place at 8 p.m. Friday at Asbury Lanes, 209 4th Ave. in Asbury Park. The event will feature between 25 and 30 contestants performing 1- to 3-minute monologues or songs.

Delevantes return: New album co-produced by E Street Band's Garry Tallent

The competition is open to anyone 17 and older. Judges include Casey Jost of TruTV's "Impractical Jokers: Inside Jokes"; actor and filmmaker Heather Brittain O'Scanlon; and actor and producer Justin L. Wilson.

The entry fee for performers is $40. Tickets to attend cost $12 in advance, $18 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit asburyparkmonologues.com.

Annual Jewish film festival at Rutgers

The Rutgers Jewish Film Festival kicks off Sunday and runs through Nov. 21, with film showings and discussions taking place both virtually and in person.

All films will be available via Virtual Cinema, with five screenings presented at Rutgers Cinema, 105 Joyce Kilmer Ave. in Piscataway, and Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau St. in Princeton.

"The festival features a diverse array of award-winning international films from the United States, Israel, Germany and Switzerland, as well as engaging online discussions with filmmakers, scholars and special guests," according to a news release from the Rutgers’ Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, which is sponsoring the festival.

'This is twisted': Fred Schneider of B-52's wants you to see this underground classic

Featured films include "Wet Dog," based on Arye Shalicar’s autobiography "Ein Nasser Hund"; the East Coast premiere of Israeli documentary "Muranow" from director Chen Shelach; the New Jersey debuts of Israeli films "Marry Me However" and "Yerusalem: The Incredible Story of Ethiopian Jewry"; and director Becky Tahel's "American Birthright," among others.

Tickets to watch films virtually cost $11 each, with an all-access pass available for $95. Tickets for in-person screenings are free, but must be reserved online in advance.

For more information, visit BildnerCenter.Rutgers.edu.

Sam Evian at The Saint in Asbury Park

Written and self-recorded in the Catskills, Sam Evian just released his new album "Time To Melt" on Fat Possum Records.

The singer-songwriter comes to The Saint in Asbury Park on Friday.

According to press materials, the album "celebrates the beauty of small-town living on the East Coast." It features "soulfully psychedelic pop gems ..., a testimonial to the life and wisdom to be found when you give yourself the mercy of space."

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Here's everything you need to know

His single “Easy To Love” is described as "an exultant ode to finding a new paradise outside of the city, an idyllic setting where you can plant love and literally watch it bloom." He recently released the song "Never Know."

Special guests at The Saint are Liam Kazar and Moonwater. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets for the 18+ show are $15, $17 on Friday.

The Saint is at 601 Main St. More information is at thesaintnj.com/.

Soul Festival 2021

Who will be the stars of tomorrow in Asbury Park and beyond?

Soul Festival 2021, taking place at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Ghost Harbor Creative in Asbury Park, might provide the answer. The lineup is stacked with up-and-coming talent: Lexx Banko, Ryver Bey, Camo, Forest Puppies, Tragedy Monroe, Drea, King Grovey, Joscil Jackson and more.

There will also be art, food, vendors and more. The day is sponsored by Soul Plated catering of Brick.

“Fans can expect a day of love, fun, and unity,” said Warren Worthy of Soul Plated via email. “We have great local musicians performing, great vendors, and even greater vibes!”

Worthy is high on Camo — he's his stepson. With fellow pre-teener Ryver Bey, the little ones are coming up big at the Jersey Shore.

Ghost Harbor Creative is at 714 Bangs Ave. Tickets are $10 and more information is at ghostharborcreative.com.

'Destination Motown' at the Strand in Lakewood

Hear the greatest hits of The Temptations, the Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops and more at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Ave. in Lakewood.

The Sensational Soul Cruisers, an 11-piece band, will perform “Destination Motown,” a multi-media show described as a cross between Kool and the Gang, Chicago and The Temptations.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $30 in advance, $42 on Saturday. For tickets visit Strand.org or buy them at the box office from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday or 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The box office will also be open two hours before the show.

The COVID policy is proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to door time. All patrons are required to wear a mask at all times unless eating or drinking. Those under 12 are not required to show a test but must wear a mask.

Beastie Boys tribute beer returns from Source Brewing

Did you miss Source Brewing’s canned tribute to the Beastie Boys when it returned to its Colts Neck tasting room last month? Thanks to app-based service Tavour, you have another shot at scoring some Intergalactic this week (or early next week).

Intergalactic, part of Source’s Artist Tribute Series, is a 9% ABV Imperial India Pale Ale featuring Galaxy, Mosaic and Citra hops.

Ocean County: Craft breweries collaborate to support Habitat for Humanity

“I wanted that beer to be dank on the nose, but I wanted it to be sweet and juicy on the palate, and be complex, because I think that represented the Beastie Boys extremely well and who they are, what their music is," Source founder and managing partner Philip Petracca said when the beer debuted in 2020. "Because on the surface you get something — so if you just smell the aroma on that you’re like, ‘Wow, this is a pretty dank beer’ — but as soon as you drink it and as you’re drinking it there’s a lot of complexity and a lot of harmony with that chaos, and that’s some of the things I thought would serve a tribute to the Beastie Boys well.”

Intergalactic made a sold-out return in October, and will be available in four-packs along with a commemorative glass.

For your chance at scoring the beer, customers should download the Tavour app, enable notifications and enter code “intergalactic” on the promos page to receive a push notification when the beer is available for purchase (app users will be the first to know).

Art at the Toms River library

Self-taught artist Ronald Cappuccili creates paintings to make people feel good, and his work is on display through December at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library.

The collection consists of watercolors, inks and acrylics of various subjects, according to a news release from the library.

“I just want people to relax a moment and feel good about something they see,” Cappuccili said.

His art is displayed in the library's second floor gallery. Admission is free.

The Toms River branch is at 101 Washington St. More information is at 732-349-6200, ext. 5100, or by visiting theoceancountylibrary.org.

Alex Biese, Sarah Griesemer, Chris Jordan and Gabriela L. Laracca contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Things to do in NJ: Jersey Shore Restaurant Week is Nov. 5 to 14