ALLAN AMATO
KEVIN SMITH
Filmmaker Kevin Smith and newscaster Pat Battle will be among the award recipients at Monmouth Arts After Dark, The Art of the Impossible — this year’s edition of the annual Monmouth Arts fundraising gala, taking place at the Wonder Bar and Tim McLoone’s Supper Club in Asbury Park, Sept. 28.
Smith — known for films such as “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Chasing Amy” and “Dogma” — will receive the Artistic Achievement Award (Excellence in the Arts).
Battle, co-anchor for NBC 4 New York’s “Weekend Today in New York” and the station’s senior New Jersey correspondent, will receive the Artistic Achievement Award (Journalism).
Also, podcaster, graphic designer, entrepreneur and Kevin Smith associate Ming Chen will achieve the Maverick Award; Sea.Hear.Now festival and Asbury Park Music + Film Festival producer Tim Donnelly will receive the Illuminator Award; and Wonder Bar manager Debbie DeLisa will receive the Business Leadership Award.
Also, the women’s grant-making collective, Impact 100 Jersey Coast, will receive the Community Service Award.
The Wonder Bar will host a “Smoke & Mirrors VIP Cocktail Reception” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with music by singer-songwriter Pamela Flores. A “Supernatural Dinner Celebration” follows at the nearby Tim McLoone’s Supper Club from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with magic and illusions by Jeanette Andrews and Brandon Williams, and music and visuals by video DJ Atom Worth.
“Our mission remains to help local artists and arts organizations within the county,” said Monmouth Arts executive director Teresa Staub in a press release. “We are proud that all funds raised from this event will support the local arts community.”
Past Monmouth Arts honorees include Blondie, E Street Band members Max Weinberg and Jake Clemons, Bon Jovi member David Bryan, actor Vincent Pastore, and chef David Burke.
For information, visit monmoutharts.org/the-art-of-the-impossible.
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