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Events This Week in New Jersey from September 29 to October 5, 2026

Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from September 29-October 5, 2026 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.



 

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Stress Factory Comedy Club presents Bill Bellamy

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Stress Factory Comedy Club presents New Jersey native Bill Bellamy from October 1-3, 2026. Using his experiences growing up in Newark, Bellamy started doing stand-up while he was a student at Rutgers University.



This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from September 29 to October 5, 2026

Here is a look at shows taking place from September 29 to October 5, 2026 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.



John Pizzarelli presents "Dear Mr. Bennett" at Grunin Center on Friday

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Grammy Award-winning producer and guitarist extraordinaire, John Pizzarelli presents "Dear Mr. Bennett" at Grunin Center for the Arts on Friday, October 2, 2026. See John salute the legendary Tony Bennett and celebrate over 60 years of unparalleled artistry. Showtime is 7:00pm.



MPAC presents The Commodores on Thursday

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents The Commodores on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 7:30pm. One of the greatest Motown and R&B / funk artists of all time, The Commodores have influenced artists both young and old, and in all genres with their classic songs.



Stone Pony Summer Stage presents Rise Against with Alkaline Trio on Saturday

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Summer may be over but The Stone Pony Summer Stage isn't done yet. On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the stage hosts Rise Against with Alkaline Trio and Teen Mortgage. Gates open at 5:30pm; showtime is 6:30pm.



CarteretPAC presents Lonestar on Thursday

(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Lonestar on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 8:00pm. Lonestar is a celebrated American country music group that captured global attention with their timeless ballad "Amazed," a crossover sensation that spent 9 weeks at No. 1 on the country charts and 2 weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts.



Classic rock comes to the Broadway Theatre of Pitman this weekend

(PITMAN, NJ) -- Classic rock comes to the Broadway Theatre of Pitman this weekend with performances by Crazy Train - America's Ozzy Tribute on Friday and Separate Ways, a Tribute to Journey on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Both shows start at 8:00pm.



The Wellmont Theater presents Switchfoot on Friday

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Wellmont Theater presents Switchfoot on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band has spent nearly three decades cementing their place as one of alternative rock's most enduring and impactful acts. Anberlin will open the night.



SOPAC presents a screening of Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul on Wednesday

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents a screening of Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 7:00pm. This is a documentary film directed by GRAMMY and Emmy Award winning filmmaker James Keach. A short acoustic set by Junior Mack will kick off the night.



Phish to Play Three Nights at Boardwalk Hall

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Phish is playing three nights at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City from October 2-4, 2026. While Saturday night's show is sold out, tickets remain for the other two shows.



The Doobie Brothers play Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena on Friday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena presents The Doobie Brothers: Walk This Road Tour on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 8:00pm. A limited number of tickets are still available for the Grammy Award-winning, Platinum-selling, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame legends.



This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place September 29 to October 5, 2026

Here are previews of plays taking place from September 29 to October 5, 2026 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview.



The New Jersey Play Lab presents All Exits! - A statewide play reading series

The New Jersey Play Lab presents All Exits! - A statewide play reading series which will take place in Cape May, Beach Haven, and Milford from October to November 2026.



Daily Edition 09-29-26

Here is the morning update from New Jersey's arts newswire. We regularly publish between 8-15 new articles and news reports each day. Nobody covers the Arts throughout the Garden State like New Jersey Stage!










FEATURED EVENTS

The Drew Forum presents: Mike Breen & Walt “Clyde” Frazier

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ

Join acclaimed New York Knicks broadcasters Mike Breen and Walt “Clyde” Frazier for a conversation moderated by Alan Hahn about their more than 25 years as broadcasting partners, featuring behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on the Knicks’ magical 2026 championship run, a preview of the upcoming season, and their take on the state of the NBA. A must for all basketball fans!

 

Maria Muldaur With Pianist Bruce Katz

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

Few artists have traveled as many musical roads—or done so with as much authenticity—as Maria Muldaur. Best known for her Grammy-nominated 1974 hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” Muldaur's remarkable career spans more than six decades and encompasses blues, folk, gospel, jazz, jug band music, R&B, and Americana. Emerging from the vibrant Greenwich Village folk scene of the early 1960s, she performed with the Even Dozen Jug Band and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band before launching a successful solo career.

 

Lonestar

Thursday, October 01, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ

Lonestar is a celebrated American country music group that captured global attention with their timeless ballad “Amazed,” a crossover sensation that spent 9 weeks at No. 1 on the country charts and 2 weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts. Known for blending heartfelt storytelling with a polished pop-country sound, the band—comprised of Dean Sams, Michael Britt, Keech Rainwater, and Drew Womack—has left an indelible mark on the genre boasting a staggering 22 top ten singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including 10 that reached No. 1.



 

The Commodores

Thursday, October 01, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ

One of the greatest Motown and R&B / funk artists of all time, The Commodores have influenced artists both young and old, and in all genres with their classic songs. With a brand that is bigger than ever, The Commodores continue to blaze trails all over the world. One of the most successful vocal groups of all time, The Commodores continue to thrill audiences with their Greatest Hits Tour – Live!



 

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

Friday, October 02, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ

Blues-rock powerhouse Kenny Wayne Shepherd celebrates 30 years of his groundbreaking debut Ledbetter Heights with a milestone tour coming to State Theatre New Jersey. In this electrifying live experience, Shepherd and his band perform the landmark album in full, along with a second set of career-spanning favorites that showcase his signature blend of fiery guitar work, blues tradition, and rock energy.



 

Graham Nash – Live on Tour 2026

Friday, October 02, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ

“There are concerts. And then there are musical events that come across as transcendent experiences, celebrations of songs and sounds and stories that have endured for good reason, live shows that enter the space of the sacred.” – Miers on Music (2025)



 

I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce

Friday, October 02, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ

Critically acclaimed actor Ronnie Marmo, with the blessings of Kitty Bruce (daughter of the late Lenny Bruce), along with the Lenny Bruce Foundation, proudly present “I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce,” directed by Joe Mantegna.



 

John Pizzarelli presents “Dear Mr. Bennett”

Friday, October 02, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
Toms River, NJ

Grammy Award -winning producer and guitarist extraordinaire, John Pizzarelli salutes the legendary Tony Bennett celebrating over 60 years of unparalleled artistry. From Bennett’s ’50s pop hits like “Because of You” and “Rags to Riches” through his timeless classics of the ’60s such as “I Wanna Be Around” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” to his remarkable collaborations with Bill Evans, Pizzarelli’s trio will bring these iconic songs to life once again. The evening will also highlight Bennett’s incredible revival in the ‘90s while Pizzarelli weaves in personal anecdotes and stories that reveal the man behind the music.

 

Dora and the Lost City of Gold - A Sensory Friendly Movie Experience at UCPAC's Hamilton Stage

Friday, October 02, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ

UCPAC’s Sensory Friendly Theatre movie screening of “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” is a digital presentation specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. Supported in part by funding from the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the NJEDA’s A.R.T. Phase II Grant Program.  Learn more about Sensory Friendly Theatre events.

 

Dora and the Lost City of Gold - A Sensory Friendly Movie Experience

Friday, October 02, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ

UCPAC’s Sensory Friendly Theatre movie screening of “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” is a digital presentation specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. Supported in part by funding from the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the NJEDA’s A.R.T. Phase II Grant Program.  Learn more about Sensory Friendly Theatre events.

 





EVENT PREVIEWS

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Riverview Jazz Presents Three Free Concerts in Jersey City This Week

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Riverview Jazz will present three free concerts in Jersey City parks this week, bringing a diverse lineup of salsa, Latin jazz, big band, world music, classical and gypsy jazz to outdoor spaces throughout the city.


SOPAC presents a screening of Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul on Wednesday

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents a screening of Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 7:00pm. This is a documentary film directed by GRAMMY and Emmy Award winning filmmaker James Keach. A short acoustic set by Junior Mack will kick off the night.


Mason Gross School of the Arts presents AJAYE in concert on October 1st

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Mason Gross School of the Arts is set to host a live concert by Nashville-based acoustic singer-songwriter AJAYE on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. The free concert of original music, which will also include a short performance by a Rutgers music student, singer-songwriter Sam Tunkel, will take place at the intimate Victoria J. Mastrobuono Theater, part of the Mason Gross Performing Arts Center on the Douglass Campus.


Centenary Stage Company's Young Audience Series presents "Grace for President"

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Young Audience Series presents Grace for President, October 1-5, 2026 in The Little Theatre at Centenary University. Based on the beloved children's book by Kelly DiPucchio, the musical follows Grace, a spirited young girl who has a big question when her teacher displays a poster featuring every U.S. president: "Where are the girls?"


NJ Rep presents "Nacho Ate Superman"

(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company presents Nacho Ate Superman from October 1-25, 2026. This is a comedy by Michelle Kholos Brooks about a sunny, laid-back, progressive beach community that becomes a lot darker as next-door neighbors clash over an incident involving their pets.







LATEST FEATURES

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY | KIDS

(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Lonestar on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 8:00pm. Lonestar is a celebrated American country music group that captured global attention with their timeless ballad "Amazed," a crossover sensation that spent 9 weeks at No. 1 on the country charts and 2 weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts.


(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts' "Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon" series brings a century of jazz history to the stage this fall with a celebration of Louis Armstrong's groundbreaking Hot Five recordings, featuring trumpeter Andrew Stephens on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 3:00pm.



(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Beloved singer/songwriter/rocker Willie Nile will perform a special solo "Storyteller" show at Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 8:00pm. Local favorite Robinson Treacher will open the show. The show marks the kickoff of the third season of Split Level Concerts at the Arts Center. The concert series highlights renowned Americana and contemporary folk musicians in a uniquely intimate setting.



(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Laura Mann and Ben Arnold on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 7:30pm. These are two artists with strong roots in the Philadelphia music scene.



Indie-folk duo Lace and Lee are in the middle of another run supporting Five For Fighting while preparing for the release of their debut EP, Mirror Mirror, due November 27, 2026.







LATEST COLUMNS

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "In Another Life" by Deardarkhead

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "In Another Life" from "The Pendulum Swings," the first album in 26 years from the Atlantic City rockers Deardarkhead.


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 09/24/2026

"Oh gosh, what would you like to know?" Responded Los Angeles based singer-songwriter and touring artist Paula Fong as she discussed the upcoming October 2 release of her first full-length album, "A Bird on the Wing."


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Mountain Walk" by The Beagles with Joy

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Mountain Walk," the third single from "Listen for a Moment," the new LP by The Beagles with Joy.

* Events This Week in New Jersey

* This Week in Music

* This Week in Theatre

* Top 15 Most Read Stories from the Past Week

Daily Edition 09-29-26

Here is a look at the articles published yesterday. The Daily Edition comes out Monday through Friday with a recap of articles published Friday through Sunday on Mondays.



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