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SOPAC's Doors Are Open: The Venue Reaffirms Its Commitment to Artists and Community

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is open, and it remains a home for artists of every discipline. As SOPAC continues its 21st season, the nonprofit venue is reaffirming its mission of bringing the performing and visual arts to South Orange, Maplewood, and beyond.



The Third Annual Circle Theater Festival to take place at AMT Theatre

(NEW YORK, NY) -- The third annual Circle Theater Festival in a three-week limited engagement at AMT Theatre. Performances begin Monday, October 26 and continue through Sunday, November 15. The festival reaffirms its commitment to raw, immediate storytelling without commercial dilution.



NJPAC presents comedian Pete Holmes on January 14th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Comedian, actor and podcast host Pete Holmes brings his stand-up to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Thursday, January 14, 2027 at 8:00pm. The performance will take place in NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.



Roxey Ballet's "Dracula's Lair" returns to New Hope for Halloween

(NEW HOPE, PA) -- This Halloween season, Roxey Ballet Company presents Dracula's Lair: Immortal, an unforgettable immersive experience that blends haunted attraction, live theatrical storytelling, and breathtaking professional dance into one haunting journey. Tours take place October 23, 24, 30 & 31 at 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm from the Mill Ballet School.



Adelphia Orchestra to Start 73rd Season: "America @ 250"

(NORTHERN NEW JERSEY / NEW YORK CITY) -- The Adelphi Orchestra, northern New Jersey's premier chamber orchestra, is getting ready to kick off its full 73rd consecutive concert season, headlined by the grand theme "America @ 250." Led by Principal Conductor Kyunghun Kim, the 2026–2027 season celebrates America's Semiquincentennial alongside historic artistic collaborations, featuring acclaimed competition winners, dynamic symphonic programs, chamber music outreach, and opera, choral, and ballet productions across New Jersey and New York City.










FEATURED EVENTS

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.

 

Laura Mann & Ben Arnold

Friday, October 02, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

Laura Mann has been following her passion for music since picking up the guitar at age eight and performing professionally as a teenager. Guided by legendary songwriter and producer Robert Hazard, she launched her career in Philadelphia and appeared on Star Search. Throughout her career, Laura has performed with artists including Warren Zevon, Dave Mason, and Ronnie Spector, collaborated with acclaimed songwriters, and developed a long-standing creative partnership with Charlton Pettus of Tears for Fears.

 

W.A.S.P. 1984 to HEADLESS

Saturday, October 03, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ

With Special Guest KK’s Priest



 





EVENT PREVIEWS

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

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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.


Courage, Choice, and What Comes Next with Dystopian Icon Veronica Roth

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Join Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series, for a virtual discussion on Thursday, October 1, 2026, presented by the Ocean County Library. Get a sneak peek at The Sixth Faction, the highly anticipated novel by one of the most iconic young adult authors of a generation. The event begins at 7:00pm.


Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Comedy Night with Jonathan van Halem on October 1st

(PITMAN, NJ) -- Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents a Comedy Night with Jonathan van Halem on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 7:30pm. Special guest Kirsten Michelle Cills will open the night.







LATEST FEATURES

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

(MEDFORD, NJ) -- South Jersey Pops presents Stage Fright - The Soundtrack of the Mysterious on Sunday, October 25, 2026 in the Lenape High School Auditorium. This is a family-friendly celebration of the Spooky & Strange. Showtime is 3:00pm.


(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Combine a Jersey diner, four couples, and a live-streaming video series and you have Midnight at the New Dawn, a new comedy making its world premiere at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College's West Windsor Campus with performances from October 16-18, 2026.



(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage presents Murder at the Palace - a roaring 20's murder mystery - on Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. All proceeds benefit the artistic and educational programming of The Growing Stage.



(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- New Jersey vocalist, bandleader and former Trans-Siberian Orchestra featured vocalist Chris Pinnella will bring his acclaimed 14-piece Big Band Project to the Grunin Center for the Arts in Toms River on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 7:00pm for a special benefit concert supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and its charitable work throughout the Diocese of Trenton.



(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.







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

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* Top 15 Most Read Stories from the Past Week

Daily Edition 09-30-26

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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