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Asbury Park boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette has announced a partnership with Newark-based New Jersey Performing Arts Center [NJPAC]. The agreement will not only increase the entertainment bookings at Convention Hall and the Paramount Theatre, it will serve as an opportunity to grow the operational capacities of the historic venues, according to a news release.

Madison Marquette Project Director George H. Ladyman Jr [at right] said the alliance came in part through a long friendship with NJPAC’s Executive Vice President and Executive Producer David Rodriguez.

“The launch of NJPAC’s bold new programming and branding aligns so well with our guests and community of music, and early-adopters.” Ladyman said. “Madison Marquette is thrilled that NJPAC will begin to bring its outstanding performance, arts education and multi-dimensional programming to the Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall. And we are honored to bring our Asbury Park Boardwalk programming into Newark at NJPAC.”

The collaboration’s first joint venture will be an evening with celebrity astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson on Dec 13 at NJPAC and Dec. 15 at Convention Hall, located at 1300 Ocean Avenue.

“It’s not our intention to present only single events during the current season,” Rodriguez said. “We want to help support the city as an entertainment destination for decades to come, not just in terms of programming for its unique venues, but by bringing the arts into the schools and homes of families throughout Central New Jersey.”

NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber said the partnership aims to boost the number of nights venues will be active, while broadening audiences diversity.

“Making the arts an integral part of the cultural landscape and neighborhoods of Asbury Park is an opportunity we find irresistible,” Schreiber said. “Finding common ground among the city’s many populations through artistry, and providing captivating experiences for those audiences, is built into NJPAC’s DNA. Our vision with Madison Marquette is to make clear the diverse opportunities for entertainment 12 months a year.”

The initiative includes an arts learning and neighborhood engagement component that will focus on meaningful connections with Asbury Park residents.

Having previously presented SchoolTime assembly programs in Asbury Park, NJPAC Arts Education is in the planning stages with Lakehouse Music Academy to deepen a relationship with the Asbury Park School District in order to facilitate field trips to attend shows, NJPAC organizers said.

Discussions also are underway with city leaders and residents to introduce NJPAC’s Books on the Move, a youth program that brings dramatic readings to libraries, churches and community centers.

There is a transportation planning initiative for senior citizens who wish to attend performances in Newark and discussions on holding its free “Jazz Jam Sessions,” dance classes, open-mic talent shows, and panel discussions in Asbury Park.

And, the inclusion of Asbury Park in R.A.M.P. [Recorder Arts for Musical Pathways], a program for third-graders to learn to read music and play recorders. The course culminates in a concert performed by more than 2,000 youngsters, with professional accompaniment at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall.

“Ever since the revitalization led by Madison Marquette, visitors to the Boardwalk area have increased to more than 1.5 million each year,” Rodriguez said. “Asbury Park is the birthplace of many rock’n’roll ‘firsts,’ and the Arts Center is proud to help forward that tradition by bringing a wide diversity of top-name artists to its legendary venues and arts-related programs into its schools and community.”

The new collaboration lineup includes:

An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson: The Search for Life in the Universe on Dec 15 in Convention Hall; tickets are $49-$89.

“NY Kings of Comedy” with Capone, Talent, Rob Stapleton, Mark Viera and Drew Frasier, Feb 14 at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $29.50-$49.50, on sale beginning Nov. 3.

Comedian Paula Poundstone, March 24 at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $25-$55, beginning Nov 3.

Let It Be: A Celebration of the Music of the Beatles on April 13 at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $39.50-$59.50, on sale Nov 10.

All shows begin at 8 p.m. and tickets are available via ticketmaster.com.

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