Press Releases

Manasquan, NJ - On Thursday, June 25th, over 220 guests arrived at The Mill at Spring Lake Heights to honor Father Alphonse Stephenson at Algonquin Arts� Annual Gala. Thanks to the generous donations of the attendees, Algonquin Arts netted over $80,000 that evening.

The event, hosted by Jack Ford, featured a cocktail hour, a four course dinner, dessert, and plenty of entertainment, including performances by Don Pippin, Lee Roy Reams, and Kevin Spirtas. Guests had the opportunity to bid on unique items and trips in a silent auction, as well as bid in a live auction for the chance to win a one week trip to Florence, Italy, courtesy of longtime friends and supporters of AA, Pat King and David Clark.

The winning bid reached $18,500 after a five minute battle between many interested bidders. After bidding, Pat King, the donor of this auction item, offered the same trip to the under bidder if they were willing to meet the winning bidder�s price. The under bidder accepted the offer, which resulted in a total of $37,000 raised on that auction item alone. In addition, the silent auction brought in $56,350 and another $19,100 was received from sponsors, underwriters, and donations.

The night was topped off with a modern version of the number, One Singular Sensation, where dancers from Dan Baris�s Ocean Dance Force surprised guests by entering the hall as they danced down the isles to the stage in the front of the room wearing blue top hats and matching dresses. Guests joined in to sing along and cheer before the night ended.

The 2009-2010 Season is now listed on the Algonquin Arts website. For more information on upcoming performances, contact the box office at 732-528-9211 or email [email protected]. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, located on 173 Main Street in Manasquan, NJ.

Algonquin Arts was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization to provide cultural enrichment and educational enhancement of the highest quality for the residents of New Jersey�s central region. Programming of Algonquin Arts is made possible as a result of the continued philanthropic support of private citizens and organizations such as New Jersey State Council on the Arts, OceanFirst Foundation, New Jersey Cultural Trust, Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, PNC Foundation, Manasquan Savings Bank, Woman�s Club of Brielle, Bank of America, Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation, Investors Savings Bank Charitable Fund, Verizon Foundation, Janice & Jules Plangere III, as well as many generous individuals and local businesses.