The grounds of the Strauss Mansion in Atlantic Highlands are once again alive with music this summer.
Hosted by Monmouth County jazz singer Audra Mariel, the Music at the Mansion concert series launched in 2015 at the Prospect Circle home from 1893 that now serves as the headquarters for the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society.
After taking most of 2020 off, save for a few outdoor fundraiser shows in the late summer, Music at the Mansion has returned for a series of outdoor concerts.
“We’re getting to share music with the community, which is what it’s all about,” Mariel said.
Music on the Mansion happenings offer two sets of music, always on the last Thursday of the month with additional concerts on other evenings that will serve as fundraising concerts, with ticket sales split between the Historical Society and the Books and Breakfast Program from Turning Point United Methodist Church in Trenton and Urban G.R.A.C.E. Social .
Upcoming concerts include: Thursday, July 15, fundraiser with the Digba Ogunbiyi Quartet and Trio Joe (rain date July 22)
Thursday, July 29, The Music of ‘Twin Peaks’ with Rolando Alvarado and an all-star band, plus an opening set from Martin Howth (rain date Aug. 5)
Thursday, Aug. 12, fundraiser with Joe Accurso and Audra Mariel
Thursday, Aug. 26, the Digba Ogunbiyi Quartet
Thursday, Sept. 16, fundraiser with Kasey Jean and The Wright Trio
Thursday, Sept. 30, Trio Joe
Doors for each show are at 7 p.m., with the music starting at 7:30. Tickets, $20 per person per event, are available at ahhistory.org/gift-shop . Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic meals to enjoy on the Strauss Mansion lawn.
“I try to make it eclectic,” Mariel said of the booking strategy for Music at the Mansion. “It started strictly as a jazz series, and I try to kind of pepper the season with other styles of music as well.” There are (still) a lot of jazz acts that play. I would say the unifying factor is that they’re just really wonderful musicians, but everybody brings something unique to the table.” The Strauss Mansion Museum, 27 Prospect Circle, Atlantic Highlands. For more information, visit ahhistory.org . Alex Biese has been writing about art, entertainment, culture and news on a local and national level for more than 15 years. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: All that jazz: Strauss Mansion comes alive for Atlantic Highlands concert series