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"Midnight at the New Dawn" to Have World Premiere at Kelsey Theatre

(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.



Tony Award Winner Ali Stroker to Lead Basie Center Community Conversation on Mental Health and Well-Being

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts welcomes Tony Award-winning actor, author and advocate Ali Stroker for a Community Conversation exploring mental health, well-being and the power of the arts on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at The Vogel. The event begins at 7:00pm.



Daily Edition 09-30-26

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!



The Newton Theatre presents Big Apple Comedy Club 68

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Big Apple Comedy Club returns to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, November 28, 2026 at 8:00pm. This laugh-packed night features four, hilarious comedians coming to the stage for one epic night. Don't miss Olga Namer, Jeff Norris, Nick Telleli and Ruperto Vanderpool.










FEATURED EVENTS


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.

 

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.

 





EVENT PREVIEWS

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

To narrow results by date, categories,
or region of New Jersey click here.
(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.

(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.

(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.

(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?"

(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



(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.



(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.



(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.







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 09-30-26

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.