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Passaic County Arts Center to Host America's Tapestry

(HAWTHORNE, NJ) -- Passaic County Board of County Commissioners will host America's Tapestry, a nationally touring exhibition commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, at the Passaic County Arts Center at the John W. Rea House from October 26, 2026 through January 31, 2027. One of its thirteen panels tells a story that belongs to Passaic County.



 

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The LoLo Show explores the intersection of family and media

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Lambertville Halloween Film Festival Celebrates Five Frightful Years

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- The Lambertville Halloween Film Festival (LHFF) returns for its 5th anniversary edition, October 16–18, 2026. Three days of horror, thrills and Halloween spirit kick off Friday night with the Monster Bash, the festival's opening party.



Centenary Stage Company's Annual Fringe Festival Returns in November

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's annual Fringe Festival returns this November with three intimate, unconventional, and thought-provoking theatrical experiences. Featuring Too Fat for China, Ghost Dance: Picture of a Madman, and Unseen, this year's festival explores adoption, art and mental illness, and the often-unseen people who make the magic of theater possible.



State Theatre New Jersey presents The Temptations & The Four Tops

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents The Temptations & The Four Tops on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 6:30pm. Two legendary Motown groups share the stage for one unforgettable night of timeless hits, smooth harmonies, and classic soul.



The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents "Almost, Maine"

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Lord Stirling Theater Company will present Almost, Maine in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center across two weekends from October 16-25, 2026. Almost, Maine by John Cariani is a charming, heartfelt, and irresistibly whimsical comedy that explores love in all its surprising and transformative forms.



The Love of Soul Tour comes to Prudential Center on May 22nd

(NEWARK, NJ) -- GRAMMY® Award-winning vocal powerhouse, Fantasia Barrino, brings the Love of Soul Tour to Prudential Center on May 22, 2027 at 8:00pm with Anthony Hamilton and October London. The evening will showcase the signature sounds and celebrated hits of three chart-topping artists, promising a memorable night of live entertainment.



Wharton Arts Launches 2026–27 Season Under New President & CEO Carol Chickering Burden

(BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ) -- Wharton Arts, a leading provider of community music and creative youth development in New Jersey, has launched its 2026–27 Fall/Winter season under the leadership of new President & CEO Carol Chickering Burden.



Def Leppard, Goo Goo Dolls, and The Struts to play shows in NJ, NYC, and Philly in 2027

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Global icons and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Def Leppard will tour in 2027 with 4-time GRAMMY-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls and very special guests The Struts. The 45-date tour includes shows at the Prudential Center in Newark (March 13), Madison Square Garden in NYC (June 23) and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia (June 27, 2027).



Bergen County's Art in the Park takes place on Saturday

(PARAMUS, NJ)  -- Bergen County has announced the 61st Annual Art in the Park, a free outdoor art exhibit and concert that showcases the vibrant and diverse artistic talent across the region. The event will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 11:00am to 3:30pm at Van Saun County Park in Paramus.



Daily Edition 10-08-26

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

Tom Papa: Grateful Bread Tour

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ

With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country, finding success in film, TV, radio and podcasts as well as on the live stage. He is a regular guest on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast and late-night TV shows.



 

A Beat of Our Own

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ

From the Tony Award-winning producers of Hadestown comes A Beat of Our Own — a brand-new musical comedy that pulls you straight into the pulsating rhythms, kaleidoscopic colors and raw energy of competitive bhangra dance. 



 

The Moth Mainstage

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ

It’s a completely singular experience to be in the room and watch real people take the mic and share unforgettable stories from their own lives.



 

An Evening of Drink Flights and Tasty Bites to Benefit Union County Performing Arts Center

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ

Join us for our third annual Flight Night: An Evening of Drink Flights and Tasty Bites to Benefit Union County Performing Arts Center!

 

Vivid Stage presents B.I.N.G.O. (or Brittney Isle’s Nice Geriatric Orgy)

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Oakes Center
Summit, NJ

Barb desperately needs friends. That’s why she moved to this 55+ community in the first place. So what better way to meet new people than to join a good old fashioned Bingo Night? When Bingo Night turns into a full-blown orgy, Barb must decide: does she stay in her safe, predictable world? Or does she play a new game of chance and truly live before it’s too late?

 

Halloween Handbags & Bingo

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
Middletown, NJ

Join us for a hauntingly fun night of Handbags & Bingo featuring Cash Prizes and Designer Handbag Raffles!

 

ReelAbilities: ReelShorts: Beyond Expectations

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 10:00am
Kean Stage - NAAB Auditorium
Union, NJ

ReelAbilities authentically showcases disability experiences and talent both on screen and behind the camera through award-winning short and feature-length films. Each screening at Kean University includes disability-led discussions that foster community dialogue, challenge stereotypes and promote access — fulfilling ReelAbilities’s mission of reframing disability through powerful storytelling.

 

ReelAbilities: Disposable Humanity

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Kean Stage - NAAB Auditorium
Union, NJ

ReelAbilities authentically showcases disability experiences and talent both on screen and behind the camera through award-winning short and feature-length films. Each screening at Kean University includes disability-led discussions that foster community dialogue, challenge stereotypes and promote access — fulfilling ReelAbilities’s mission of reframing disability through powerful storytelling.

 

ReelAbilities: Opening Night: Lone Wolves

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Kean Stage - NAAB Auditorium
Union, NJ

ReelAbilities authentically showcases disability experiences and talent both on screen and behind the camera through award-winning short and feature-length films. Each screening at Kean University includes disability-led discussions that foster community dialogue, challenge stereotypes and promote access — fulfilling ReelAbilities’s mission of reframing disability through powerful storytelling.

 

Street Survivors - Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience

Friday, October 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

Nationally touring act, Street Survivors, a Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience pays homage to the legendary southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Recreating the look and sound of the band and playing classic hits such as "What's Your Name", "Gimme Three Steps", "Sweet Home Alabama" and the rock classic anthem "Freebird", Street Survivors is an audience favorite. Come join us as we go back in time to the early seventies and listen to the foot stompin music that brought Lynyrd Skynyrd to fame.



 





EVENT PREVIEWS

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East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The Martians are coming... to New Jersey! East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast from October 8 to November 1, 2026. The play was adapted by Joe Landry from the novel by H.G. Wells. It was inspired by and including the Mercury Theater on the Air's infamous 1938 radio play.


Penn Live Arts presents the East Coast Premiere of "UnRavelled"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Penn Live Arts presents the East Coast premiere of UnRavelled, a multi-media theatrical production that sheds a new, empathetic light on dementia. Conceived and written by Jake Broder, UnRavelled tells the story of scientist-turned-painter Anne Adams and composer Maurice Ravel, both affected by frontotemporal dementia. Performances are October 8-11, 2026 at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.


The Road Company presents "Shrek the Musical"

(WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ) -- The Road Company presents Shrek the Musical across three weekends from October 8-24, 2026 at the Grand Theatre. Everyone's favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning, smash-hit film.


Learn How Artist Robert Rauschenberg Reinvented Postmodernism with Smithsonian Curator Carolyn Russo in Virtual Discussion on October 8th

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Join Smithsonian curator Carolyn Russo as she talks about her book, The Ascent of Rauschenberg on Thursday, October 8, 2026 in a virtual discussion presented by the Ocean County Library. Explore the towering legacy, unexpected inspirations, and creative heights of Robert Rauscenberg (1925 – 2008), one of American's most influential artistic icons. The event begins at 2:00pm.


Vanguard Theater presents "Pipeline" by Dominique Morisseau

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater presents Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau from October 8-25, 2026. In this play, Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher, is committed to her students but desperate to give her only son Omari opportunities they’ll never have.







LATEST FEATURES

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

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Oliver! across two weekends from October 16-25, 2026. A beloved musical based on Charles Dickens' timeless novel, Oliver! tells the story of a young boy searching for home and belonging.


(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Dunbar Repertory Company presents Ntozake Shange's FOR COLORED GIRLS Who have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf at the Middletown Arts Center across two weekends from November 7-15, 2026. This is the groundbreaking "choreopoem" – a spellbinding collection of vivid prose and free verse narratives about and performed by Black women. The production is directed by Darrell Lawrence Willis, SR.



If you're looking for something fun to do this Halloween season, The Wag has the show for you. Bring your family and friends to The Wag's Halloween Spectacular! They're bringing the show to Middletown, Lakewood, and Tuckerton in the next few weeks.



(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) presents Broadway's Rock of Ages Band in Concert on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 8:00pm. They will be supported by The 1970s Midnight Rock Show.



(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the Tony® Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, for three performances from October 16-17, 2026. Jersey Boys is the true behind-the-music story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.







LATEST COLUMNS

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "The Only Man to Make It Through the Dance" by Jake Thistle

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "The Only Man to Make It Through the Dance" from "A Stranger By Design," the latest album by Jake Thistle.


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 10/01/2026

What do you call a rocker by night who pays tribute to multiple classic rock bands and someone who has done children's music during the day? You call him Paulie Z that's what.


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.

* 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 10-08-26

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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