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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...9-19-24


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 09/19/2024

Rock On! This Week

"Four-and-a-half hours with no break; we always try to make it shorter but we can never seem to do so," laughed Leslie Mandoki as he joked about the Mandoki Soulmates set length, discussed their latest all analog release "A Memory Of Our Future,"  his time behind the Iron Curtain and more.  

For more than three decades, Mandoki has surrounded himself with some of the world's most renowned musicians. Music luminaries such as Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, Cream's Jack Bruce, Peter Frampton, Al di Meola, Greg Lake, Chaka Khan, Eric Burden and many, many more have all been part of the Soulmates; whose brand of Jazz-Rock with a progressive twist has not only set the standard for live performance acts but harkens back to a time when creators made "Statements" with their art. 

So, to understand the why and how he put this ever changing project together, we need to go back to Leslie's youth and the events that changed his life; forever. 

"The idea goes back to when I was 16; the worst year of my life," he began slowly. "My father died, he lost his fight against cancer and on his deathbed he said, "Promise me my son, that my grandchildren are never going to need to show papers" and I said, "Daddy, it is the Iron Curtain, we are living under the occupation of the Russians and it was awful times behind the Iron Curtain." My daddy said, "That's nothing for you my boy, you are gonna leave and you should live your dreams and you should not dream your life." So, it took me about six years, I was about 22 and I was one of the leading, if not the leading voice of the anti-communist, anti-Russian student movement. So, I escaped through the tunnel, I almost got killed and I survived. I was touching down in a refugee camp in Germany and the American re-settle officer asked us; "What the Hell are you planning to do in the free world? I understand that you're escaping Russian oppression and communism but what is your plan in the free West?" I told him that I was planning on starting a band with Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce and Bobby Kimball and he looked at me like I was totally crazy. So, as I promised my father, I was living my dream and not dreaming my life. So, I started a band with Ian Anderson, the late Jack Bruce and Al di Meola which was fantastic. The band then was growing and growing and now after 31 years, I'm very happy to have made all of these wonderful records and it has been really great."



 
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"A Memory Of Our Future" revisits the "Warmth" of analog and vinyl recordings as both are totally in such form and the question for some may be; Why? Well, as Mandoki explains, the idea just kind of came up while on tour.

"Well, we were out touring in Europe on an anniversary tour celebrating 30 years of Soulmates and it was very special because on the last album, "Utopia for Realists,"  there are some songs about old rebels and some new rebels and one of the major songs on the album at the end is called, "The Torch" because it's kind of the old rebels handing over the torch to the young rebels. They kept on telling us, "You're not going to pass over the torch because the road has all of this division and we have to change something about it before we pass on the torch" and I just kept writing new songs and my dear friend Ian Anderson, the mastermind himself, he said, "You know, we are all aging very differently." So, I said, "OK, my way of aging is just to keep writing and writing" and then Tony Carey came up and said, "I really desperately hate you" with this big smile on his face and I said, "What's up?" He said, "You write like you're 22 years old" and that was the background of it. So, I just kept writing and writing and I think it was Al di Meola who came up with the idea, he asked me, "What about your basement in the studio? You never sell anything; do you still have your wonderful analog equipment?" I said, "Of course" and we hadn't used it for more than 20 years and so we came home from the tour and we had a look at the two-inch analog tape recorders and we realized that it would be a wonderful idea to get together and record all of the new stuff analog and it was just our love of it and that's what it was all about."

Never shying away from standing up for freedom or writing songs to reflect his "Socio-political" opinions, Mandoki recognizes that we here in the U.S are in troubled times and hopes that his music can serve as a source of unification. 

"It sounds easy but the music is complex," he said, "We all know that we are living in a labyrinth of crisis and there is crisis and we strive to be the torch at the end of a dark tunnel; especially in America, you feel that you are living in a great divide. The division is horrible but the same thing goes on in Europe but music is the greatest unifier, so we need to stand up and say it out loud; read the titles of the songs and hear the album and that's why we do this thing."

So, how does he construct his material?

"I wouldn't say I construct my songs, we are going through these colorful ways so to say; our music is just reflecting that. I'm always saying that I'm not really writing the songs, I just have to write them down because life is really writing the songs; it's happening around us and it comes out as music at the end of the day. Honestly, I'm not really constructing my music, it just comes to me organically. I just write it down, it just happens to me. I've lived a kind of radical intense life and this intensity just brings me songs that are asking to be written through situations that happen. So, this is duly important, that's what I do and it's essentially how it works; whatever comes to me."

Yes, terms such as  "Intense" and "Radical" pretty much sum up Mandoki's past; a past which tells a story that would take up more space than this column is allotted which is why he has also authored books depicting the more than 30 years of Soulmates; one of which is part of this recent release. What is life like now for Leslie?



 
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"It's not the complex now; you know? I'm living a pretty ordinary life. I wake up in the morning, I work hard, I need about two big mugs of coffee, my digital morning papers and then depending on the kind of weather we have, I paddle my canoe about 20 minutes on the lake by where I'm living to another place and then get out and walk uphill and then all the guys come in who are running the management part of my company like the touring and media parts and then the other guys come in like the studio engineers and such. So, I have kind of an ordinary life; of course things are around me but I have my ideas and then everything is taken care of and put down and that's what I do."

Seems his "Radical" days are behind him and that things have calmed down; or are they?

"The beauty of it; I really see that we should only do this if we have something to say. If I had one wish, it'd be nothing special, just keep getting onto one more song, one more album, one more tour, just keep getting on because the world is waiting for an answer and we are just trying to create the answer and as I said before, we are living in this great divide and we should offer an answer for it." 

To discover more about Leslie Mandoki and the Mandoki Soulmates, please visit https://mandoki-soulmates.com/home-2

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!



This week's event listings


Ace Cafe 
15 Market Place New Hope, PA
Thurs. 6 p.m. Bike Night
Wed. 6 p.m. Ford Night
Al's Airport Inn
636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton
(609) 883-5252 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Jessica Stanley
Sat. (12 p.m.) Acoustic Brunch w/ Jessica DiDonato (5 p.m.) Jerry Monk
Sun. (12 p.m.) Sunday Brunch (7:30 p.m.) DJ Justin Macellaro
Mon. 5 p.m. Bud Belviso
Tues. 7 p.m. Brian Elliot
Wed. (3 p.m.) LGBTQ Happy Hour (7 p.m.) Jessica DiDonato
Aristaeus Brewing
2475C Big Oak Road Langhorne, PA 
(215) 757-2337
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Fri. 4 p.m. "Oktoberfest '24 Weekend" 
Sat. 12 p.m. "Oktoberfest '24 Weekend"
Sun. 1 p.m. "Oktoberfest '24 Weekend"
Arm & Hammer Park
1 Thunder Road Trenton 
(609) 394-3300
Sat. 12 p.m. New Jersey Fall Festival "Riverfest"  
Arts Council of Princeton 
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-8777 
Thurs. (2 p.m.) Nathan Jackson Totem Pole Demonstration (7 p.m.) Story & Verse: A Poetic and Spoken Word Open Mic
Fri. 9 a.m. Nathan Jackson Totem Pole Demonstration
Sat. 11 a.m. Family Workshop w/ Nathan Jackson
Sun. 12 p.m. Princeton Community Chili Cookoff (Takes place at Updike Farmstead)
Mon. (3:30 p.m.) Reading: "Raven and Fog Woman" w/ Sarah Rivett (6 p.m.) Nathan Jackson Totem Pole Demonstration
Tues. 9 a.m. Nathan Jackson Totem Pole Demonstration (6:30 p.m.) "Artist Talk" w/ Nathan Jackson, Christopher Green, Adam Welch
Wed. 7 p.m. JAM: Jersey Art Meet-Up
Artworks Trenton  
19 Everett Alley Trenton
(609) 394-9436  
Sat. 12 p.m. Art All Day
Ashlynn Distillery 
32 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Cecil & Carl
Fri. 7 p.m. Cara Cartney
Sat. 7 p.m. The River Dogs
Sun. 3 p.m. Cecil & Troy
Wed. 6 p.m. Cara Cartney
Bent Iron Brewing
70 Extonville Road Hamilton
Sat. 4 p.m. The Successful Failures
Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Fri. 7 p.m. Polish Nannies
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Tues. 8 p.m. / Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
Ages 21+
Bit-hin' Kitten Brewery
58-B East Bridge Street Morrisville, PA
(267) 799-5348
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzo
Bordentown City
Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
Fri. 7 p.m. "Frightening Fridays!" Haunted History Tours. $20
Sat. 12 p.m. Bordentown Walking Tours. $20 
Boro Bean 
9 East Broad Street Hopewell 
(609) 466-6681 
Sat. 11 a.m. John Abbott  
Bowman's Tavern 
1600 River Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Patrick & Debra
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Bennett Lee (8 p.m.) Bob Egan 
Sat. 7 p.m. Dave Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Bill Avayou Trio (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Tues. 6 p.m. Sam Ryan
Wed. 6 p.m. Liz DuFour
Broken Goblet Brewing
2500 State Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 812-5653
Thurs. 7 p.m.  Mike Estabrook
Fri. 8 p.m. Country Night w/ Matt Freedman
Sat. (12 p.m.) Trauger Biergarten (7:30 p.m.) "Crystal Ship" Doors Tribute. $21.73, $29.34, $32.60, doors open at 7 p.m., ages 18+
Sun. 11 a.m. School of Rock Newtown: "Nirvana and Arena Rock"
Bucks On Bridge
25 Bridge Street Lambertville
(609) 483-2615
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Poetry Night 
Tues. 5 p.m. Chess Night
Wed. 6 p.m. Trivia 
Burlington County Prison Museum 
128 High Street Mt. Holly 
(609) 265-5476 
Sat. 6 p.m. "Pure Petty" Tom Petty Tribute. $15
Ages 21+
Burlington Riverfront Promenade
Thurs. 5 p.m. Burlington Cruise Night feat. Acoustic Explorer
Cadwalader Park (Ellarslie Museum)
299 Parkside Avenue Trenton 
(408) 335-4400 
Sat. 12 p.m. Clubbing at Cadwalader Park Hosted by The Soulful Gathering w/ DJs Omar Abdallah, Ahmed Davis, Ted Brown, Barry Bee
Candlelight Lounge 
24 Passaic Street Trenton  
(609) 695-9612 
Sat. 3:30 p.m. Jazz & Blues. $20 (Takes place at 137 North Broad Street Trenton)  
Catch A Rising Star (Hyatt Regency Princeton) 
102 Carnagie Center Princeton
(781) 568-1471
Fri. 8 p.m. Kevin Lee, Ruthy Ferrera Hosted by ay Joshi.  $26.50, Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 7:30 p.m.  Kevin Lee, Ruthy Ferrera Hosted by ay Joshi.   $26.50, Doors open at 7 p.m. 
Cazz's Sports Bar 'N' Grille
1560 Haines Road Levittown, PA 
(267) 580-5469 
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul
Chesterfield Inn
633 Chesterfield-Arneytown Road Chesterfield
(609) 298-1917
Sat. 9 p.m. Groove Pocket
Club Atlantis
1858 Street Road Bensalem, PA 
(215) 944-1777 
Sat. 9 p.m. DJ Robbie Tronco 
All Events Ages 21+ and Dress to Impress
Clubhouse at Mountain View (The Patio)
850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing 
(609) 538-0808
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit 
Cooper's Riverview                                                                     
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Cosmic Jerry Band
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour (7 p.m.) The Verdict / DJ Caesar Cab
Sat. 7 p.m. "Yesterday's Gone" Fleetwood Mac Tribute / DJ John Rossi  
Crossing Vineyard and Winery
1853 Wrightstown Road Washington Crossing, PA
(215) 493-6500 
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Sip & Create
Fri. 7:15 p.m. "Summer Wine and Music Series" feat.  $15 (advance), Doors open at 5 p.m., Ages 21+ 
Sat. 2 p.m. Jason McCue
Sun. 2 p.m. Pairing Wine & Chocolate feat. music by Bunny Barnes
Curran’s Irish Inn
1909 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA
(215) 245-1800
Thurs. 7 p.m. Music Bingo 
Mon. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo
Dacey's Pub 
215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-4838
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Music Night 
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo
Dadz Bar and Grill 
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609)267-4344
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic w/ Jimmy Mannix
Tues. 7 p.m. Original Music Open Mic Hosted by Carrie Lynne McKay and Jay Runyon
Wed. 6 p.m. Music Night
Dharma Bums 
4935 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 663-2867
Thurs. 7 p.m. The Kels
Fri. 8 p.m. Ditch / Reeder Station. $10 (advance)
Sat. (12 p.m.) Ceramic Hanging Skeleton Workshop. $75 (8 p.m.) The Juggling Suns Project w/ Mark Diomede. $10 (advance)
Sun. 6 p.m. New Hope Nonet. $15 (advance)
Wed. 7 p.m.  DBums Hootenanny: An Open Mic of Music, Comedy & Spoken Word Hosted by Michael Henry Robert  
Eddington House Bensalem
2813 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 
(215) 639-1220 
Fri. 9 p.m. SpareParts
Sat. 9 p.m. Little Sister
Mon. 5:30 p.m. "Family Fun Night" w/ Amazing Balloon Creations by Kelsi-Joe
Escape Resort, Restaurant & Bar 
120 Pheasant Run Road Newtown, PA 
Tues. 6 p.m. Karaoke
Flying Pig Tavern & Tap 
167 US-Route 130 North Bordentown 
(609) 899-7447
Thurs. 6 p.m. BINGO
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia
Forsgate Country Club   
375 Forsgate Drive Monroe
(732) 521-0700 
Sat. 6 p.m. Karaoke Party
Founding Father's Sports Bar & Grill 
2900 Street Road Bensalem, PA 
(215) 923-1100
Fri. 6 p.m. Bob Pantano Dance Party w/ DJ Joe Castro
Friendly's 
1031 Washington Boulevard Robbinsville 
(609) 426-9203 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Cruise Night 
Wed. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Kevin McGowan and/or Gino Formaroli (Sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.)  
German American Society 
215 Uncle Pete's Road Hamilton 
(609) 585-5200
Fri. 7 p.m. A Pickle Duo. $20 (cash), doors open at 6 p.m. (Outdoor Biergarten Event)
Gleason's Bar
6700 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(215) 943-4781 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Music Bingo / “Ladies Night” Hosted by Best Choice Productions 
Fri. (6 p.m.) "Happy Hour" (8 p.m.) The Naturals
Sat. (12 p.m.) Music Bingo Brunch (8 p.m.) 44 Fridays
Tues. 7 p.m. Game Show Palozza  
Green Parrot Restaurant Pub, & Patio
240 North Sycamore Street Newtown Township, PA 
(215) 504-7277 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Dave Maida
Fri.  8 p.m. Slaytown City
Sat. 8 p.m. Porch Duo
Tues. 7 p.m. Music BINGO
Grover's Mill Coffee House 
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction   
(609) 716-8771  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Wade Prestridge
Hamilatte Cafe
1971 Route 33 Hamilton
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Saturdays feat. John Ezzo w/ Freddie Gomez, Carolyn Noru Lak, Laura Szymczak. 
Hamilton Tap & Grill
557 US Route 130 North Hamilton 
(609) 905-0925
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Music Bingo w/ DJ Nebbs
Sat. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia
Happy Apple Inn 
29 Imlaystown Road Cream Ridge
(609) 259-7889
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Starlight Tasting. $100 (Includes a 5 whiskey tasting and choice of 3 entrees.)  
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 7 p.m. Funk & Blues Jam Hosted by The Slidewinder Blues Band
Fri. ( 8 p.m.) "Romeo Delight" Van halen Tribute. $25  (11 p.m. ) DJ Dance Party 
Sat. (3 p.m.) Matt Setzer (8:30 p.m.) Coast to Coast (11:59 p.m.) DJ Dance Party w/ DJ Iron Mike
Sun. (1 p.m.) Divas Divine & Dine Drag Show. $20 (6 p.m.) The Discoteks. $25
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Steve
Tues. 7 p.m. Jillian Ashcroft Jazz Quartet 
Wed. 7 p.m. Jumper Duo
Hightstown Memorial Park
North Main Street Hightstown
Fri. 5:30 p.m. Dragonfly
Hopewell Elementary School 
35 Princeton Avenue Hopewell 
Sat. 9:45 a.m. 36th Annual Hopewell Harvest Fair 2024
Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington 
(609) 737-4465 
Fri. 4 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. (5:30 p.m.) Roundabout
Sat. (9 a.m.) WWFM (1 p.m.) Rainbow Fresh (5:30 p.m.) "Music & Merlot" feat. Bardown
Sun. 2:30 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Blue Jersey Band
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Music Bingo w/ DJ John W. 
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Tuesday 
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic w/ Laura Fiocco 
Il Portico Restorante Italiano 
273 West Route 130 South Burlington
(609) 239-1000 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Jazz Night
Fri. / Sat. 7 p.m. Live Music w/ Tony O
Irish Rover Station House 
1033 South Bellevue Avenue Langhorne, PA 
(215) 970-5412 
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzo Night
Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus 
(732) 306-9111 
Fri. 5:30 p.m. Heart & Soul 
Sat. 4:30 p.m. Steve and Filthy Rich
Sun. 1 p.m. Bob Daley 
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton 
(609) 888-1435 
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke 
All shows 21+     
John & Peter's
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa 
(215) 862-5981 
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic Comedy Night (Sign-ups start at 8 p.m.) 
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+ 
Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166 
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Mario & Frank
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Bryan Hill (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmy G 
Sat. "Oktoberfest" feat. (1 p.m.) DJ Dan (3 p.m.) Bob Banka (6 p.m.) Odessa (10 p.m.) DJ Dan
Sun. (10 a.m.) "Sunday Funday" Brunch 
Mon. (3 p.m.) "Yappy" Hour (5 p.m.) Kids Night w/ "Elsa"
Laurita Winery 
85 Archertown Road New Egypt 
(609) 752-0200 
Thurs. (5:15 p.m.) Pumpkin Pick & Sip. $20-$40 / Sip, Snip & A Sunset. $40 (7 p.m.) Laurita Idol Tryouts
Fri. (5:15 p.m.) Sip, Snip & A Sunset. $40 (7 p.m.) Country Line Dancing. $10
Sat. "A Touch of Italy" Wine & Food Truck Festival feat. (11 a.m.) The Rangers Nouveau (2:30 p.m.) Junkyard Dawgs (6 p.m.) Vinyl Countdown. $13
Sun. "A Touch of Italy" Wine & Food Truck Festival feat. (11 a.m.) Strictly '60s (3 p.m.) E Boro Bandits
Library Company of Burlington
23 West Union Street Burlington
(609) 3861273
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night
Lillipies Bakery
30 North Harrison Street Princeton 
(609) 423-2100  
Sat. 10 a.m. Storytime with Jeff
Locust Hall at Johnson's Farm
2691 Monmouth Road Jobstown
(609) 723-2630  
Sun. 10 a.m. Sunflower September Festival
Logan Inn 
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2300
Thurs. 6 p.m. Rachel & Ty
Fri. 6 p.m. Sam Ryan
Sat. 7 p.m. Omeed Nyman Trio
Sun. 7 p.m. Rob Latner Duo
Wed. 6 p.m. Scott Mcallister
Magikava
87a South Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2739 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Astrology Readings by Riss Cottrill 
Mon. 6 p.m. Magik "Art Mondays" 
Wed. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night  
Makefield Highlands Golf Club
1418 Woodside Road Yardley, PA 
(215) 321-7000 
Fri. 6 p.m. PD Brody
MarketFair
3535 U.S Highway 1 Princeton (Center Courtyard)
(609) 452-7777
Sun. 12 p.m. Family Fall Fest 2024
McManimon's Pub
151 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 393-9023
Sat. 5 p.m. "1 Year Anniversary" feat. Mary Courtney, Kevin McCloskey 
McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 949-9570 
Sat. 9 p.m. FFOG
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night
Music Mountain Theater
1483 Route 179 Lambertville
(609)397-3337
Fri. 8 p.m. "Beauty And The Beast"
Sat. 3 p.m./ 8 p.m. "Beauty And The Beast"
Sun. 3 p.m. "Beauty And The Beast"
Naked Brewing Company 
212 Mill Street Bristol, PA 
(267) 544-7129
Thurs.6:30 p.m. Eve Still
Fri.  7 p.m. The Rainy Daze Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company 
909 Ray Avenue Croydon, PA 
(215) 458-7081
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia Night  
New Egypt Flea Market Village 
933 Monmouth County Road Cream Ridge 
(609) 758-2082
Sun. 8 a.m. Flea Market 
Wed. 8 a.m. Flea Market
New Hope Winery / Tavern 
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 794-2331 
Fri. 8 p.m. "Adrenalize" The Ultimate Def Leppard Experience
Sat. 1 p.m. See You In September
Sun. 1 p.m. Laurie Vosburg 
Newtown Brewing Company
103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA 
(215) 944-8609 
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Useless Knowledge" Trivia 
Fri. 6 p.m. SoulShine
Sat. 6 p.m. Bill Thomas
Wed. 4 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Bill Monach
Nick's Roast Beef
4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA 
(215) 637-515
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Fri. 8 p.m. Dueling Pianos
Sat. 8 p.m. Plush
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke
NJWeedman's Dispensary
322 East State Street Trenton
(609) 437-0898
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Nomad Distilling Company
20 South Main Street New Hope, PA
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch
Nottingham Tavern 
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square 
(609) 587-6623
Thur. 9:30 pm. Karaoke w/ Super Dave Curtis 
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Thrown Together
Mon. 6 p.m. BINGO
Ages 21+   
O'Fowley's Tavern & Grill 
200 State Road Croydon, PA 
(215) 785-6998 
Mon. 7 p.m. Music Bingo Hosted by Best Choice Productions w/ DJ John S 
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo
Old Hights Brewing 
123 West Ward Street Hightstown 
(609) 469-5976
Thurs. 5 p.m. Happy Hour
Fri. 6 p.m. FOGlight
Sun. 4 p.m. Local Performers Showcase  
Old Town Pub
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown 
(609) 291-9232
Thurs. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia
Fri. 9 p.m. Modern Mojo
Sat. (12 p.m.) "Octoberfest" w/ Radio Fiction (9 p.m.) John Coler Trio
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch
Tues. 6 p.m. Taco Tuesday w/ Radio Fiction   
Pasquale's Sports Bar 
9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA 
(267) 202-6268 
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke
Patriots Crossing 
1339 River Road Titusville 
(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 8 p.m. Ladies Night  
Sat. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"
Plainsboro Preserve
80 Scotts Corner Road Cranbury
(609) 799-4013
Thurs. 4 p.m. Forever 55 Creative Gardening & Cooking
Sun. 10:30 a.m. End of Summer Plant & Seed Swap
Tues. (9 a.m.) Bird Walk w/ Scott Barnes of the NJ Audubon Society (6 p.m.) Day's End Yoga
Princeton Country Club
1-Wheeler Way West Windsor
(609) 452-9382 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Karaoke Night w/ Live DJ
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour 
Sun. 11 a.m. Jazz Brunch
Puss N Boots Tavern
942 Trenton Road Fairless Hills, PA
Fri. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia
Randy Now's Man Cave
119 West Ward Street Hightstown 
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 3 p.m. Booksigning: "Hurricanes of Color" by Mike Frankel
Ristorante LUCCA & Piano Lounge 
144 US Route 130 Bordentown 
(609) 262-0110
Thurs. 8 p.m. Jazz Night 
River Horse Brewery
2 Graphics Drive Ewing
Sat. 6 p.m. "Oktoberfet" $23.18-$49.87 
River House at Odette’s 
274 South Rive Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 682-2022 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Gina Corso
Fri. 7 p.m. Liz DuFour
Sat. 7 p.m. Bob Egan
Wed. 7 p.m. Joanna Caruso
Robbinsville Community Concert 
Town Center Lake Drive Gazebo, Robbinsville 
Sat. 9 a.m. What's My Name Foundation 5K Run/1 Mile Walk
Robin's Nest Restaurant
2 Washington Street Mount Holly 
(609) 261-6149 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Dinner & Paint Night w/ Spotted Frog Art Studio 
Rossi's Bar & Grill
2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 890-2004 
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 11 a.m. Brunch
Sun. 11 a.m. Brunch 
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics
Saint George Greek Orthodox Church
1200 Klockner Road Hamilton
Fri./Sat. 11 a.m. Greek Grill and Taverna
Sandy's Beef & Ale
2028 E. Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, PA
(2670 852-2333
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzo  
Mon. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
Second Sin Brewing Company
1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, P
(267) 812-5251
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Shady Brook Farm 
931 Stony Hill Road Yardley, PA 
(215) 968-1670 
Fri. 6:30 p.m. "UnWINEd" Concert feat. Se7en. $12 (advance/online, $15 at door), doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Sat. "Fall Festival" feat. (12 p.m.) Jon Savage & the Classic Rockers (6 p.m.) WitZend
Sun. 11 a.m. "Fall Festival" feat. (5 p.m.) '80s Crush 
Slim's Irish Pub 
2195 Galloway Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 332-0047
Mon. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Cecil 
Wed. 6 p.m. Karaoke Contest
Small World Coffee 
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-4377 x2 
Sat. 7 p.m. BD Lenz
Sparky World-Famous Beer Garden
4333 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 943-2321 
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dana
Sat. 9 p.m. 5 Shades of Grey
Sun. 9 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Cara Cartney
Mon. 9 p.m. Game Night Hosted by Kid Dalton 
Tues. 7 p.m. Johnny Betz 
Wed. 8 p.m. Acoustic Daze
Steam Pub 
606 2nd Street Pike Southampton, PA 
Sat. 10 p.m. Fat Mezz
Tavern On The Lake 
101 Main Street Hightstown 
(609) 426-9345  
Tues. 6 p.m. Trivia 
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke 
TCNJ College of New Jersey
2000 Pennington Road Ewing 
(609) 771-2467
Sat. 10 a.m. Community Fest 2024 
Temperance House
5 South State Street Newtown, PA 
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger and Filthy Rich 
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia Hosted by Neville Esquire
Tues. 7 p.m. Beginner Line Dance Lessons w/ Jeremy Line Dance. $40/4 Weeks 
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney
TGI Fridays 
780 Route 130 South Hamilton
(609) 581-6910 
Sun. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Burn
TGI Fridays
2703 Mount Holly Road Suite 3 Washington Twp.
(609) 239-486 
Thurs. 7 p.m.  Trivia   
TGI Fridays
3535 U.S. Route 1 North #275 Princeton
(609) 520-0378
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia Night  
The Birdhouse Center For The Arts
7 North Main Street Lambertville
(215) 681-4660
Tues. 7:30 p.m. NJNO the "not just nyckelharpa orchestra" Community Orchestra 
The Buck Hotel 
1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA 
(215) 396-2002 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Kirko
Fri. 8 p.m.Shameless
Sat. (11 a.m.) Brunch (6:30 p.m.) Kids Taylor Swift Tribute Concert and Dance Party. $55 (Includes buffet and dessert) (8:30 p.m.) Side Arm
The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Dave Curtis
Sat. 9 p.m. 80s Undercover
The Corner Inn
24509 East Main Street Columbus
(609) 298-8543
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ We R Entertainment
The Cranbury Inn
21 South Main Street Cranbury 
(609) 655-5595
Sat. 7 p.m. Tavern Tidbits 
The Deck Restaurant and Bar at Bucks County Playhouse
70 South Main Steet New Hope PA
Fri. 6 p.m. Tone Prophets
The Druery
160 Lawrenceville-Pennington Road Suite #4 Lawrenceville
Fri./Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. Druery "Oktober"   
The Dubliner
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 7 p.m. Andrew Koontz & Billy O'Neal
Sun. 3 p.m. "Traditional Irish Session" 
The Federal Twist Vineyard 
8 Federal Twist Road Stockton
(609) 773-6066 
Sat. 2 p.m. Caren Kennedy Trio. $5 (Ages 20 and under FREE)
Sun. 12 p.m. Little Red Rooster. $5 (Ages 20 and under FREE)
The Five Four Bar & Grill
8919 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 547-5525
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula and Sam 
Sat. 9 p.m. Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo w/ Jonathan Appel
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia w/ Jonathan 
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. (7 p.m.) Bingo (10 p.m.) Karaoke w/ Trey Brown
Fri. 9:30 p.m. DJ Darius
Sat. 9:30 p.m. DJ Slick
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv 
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Trey Brown 
The Morrisville Tavern 
376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-5310
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 8 p.m. Jukebox Graveyard
Sat. 8 p.m. All Lit Up
Mon. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia Night  
The Newtown Theatre
120 North State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 968-3859
Fri. 8 p.m. The Depeche Mode Experience w/ "Fast Fashion" $40.10
Sat. 8 p.m. A Night of U2 w/ "Mysterious Ways" $40.10
Tues. 3 p.m./7:30 p.m. "It Ends With Us" $12, $10, $6, doors open 30 minutes before show
Wed. 3 p.m. "Anticipation" The Music of Carly Simon feat. Lauryn Obozian. $29.62
The Penguin Rocks (24 Hour On-Demand Music/Radio)
www.thepenguinrocks.com 
Mon. -  Fri. "Radio Jersey" Hosted by Lee Mrowicki 
Sun. - Sat. "Classic Jersey" Hosted by Gary Wien
Sun. - Sat. "Beyond The Palace" Hosted by Lee Mrowicki 
Sun. - Sat. "Danny Coleman's Rock On Radio" feat. The DTs
Sun. - Sat. "From The Basement" Hosted by Mike Marrone
Sun. - Sat. "Deuce Radio" Hosted by Matt Barker
Sun. - Sat. "Altrok Radio" Hosted by Sean Carolan
Sun. - Sat. "Lighty's Corner" Hosted by Gary Wien 
Sun. - Sat. "The Troubador Show" Hosted by John Godfrey
The Roost
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 8 p.m. 80s Undercover
Sat. 8 p.m. Sideways Willy
Mon. 7 p.m. "Country" Music BINGO
Tues. 6:30 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 6 p.m. Joe Vadala
The Sycamore Grill
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA
(215) 908-6326 
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Rougarou 
The Union Firehouse
18 Washington Street Mount Holly
(609) 288-6491
Fri. 7 p.m. Molotov Muchacho, Disoviet, Beef, Pusch, Minor Setback, Wldhrts. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The Union House 
19 East Union Street Burlington
(609) 531-6077
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Sat./Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch
Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton 
(609) 392-2554
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" 
All Shows 21+
Trenton Free Public Library
120 Academy Street Trenton
(609) 392-7188
Thurs. 6 p.m. Art Henna by Maleka
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour Throwback Thursday
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Music (TBA)
Mon. 6 p.m. "Monday Night Karaoke" Hosted by Sweets
Vault Brewing Company
10 South Main Street Yardley, PA 
(267) 573-4291
Thurs. 6 p.m. John Thomas
Fri. 7 p.m. Hailey Rose
Sat. 7 p.m. Paul Lingerman Trio
Village Idiot Brewing Company
42 High Street Mount Holly
(609) 975-9270 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Wildflowers Too
255 Route 156 Yardville
(609) 585-5483
Wed. 7 p.m. Poker Night
Woodlin Lodge 30
19 Park Street Bordentown
(609) 298-9849
Fri. 8 p.m. Fridays On Park Street
Working Dog Winery
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown
(609) 371-6000
Thurs. 4:30 p.m. Gary Cavico
Sat. 1 p.m. Joe Vadala
Sun. 1 p.m. Kevin McGowan
WWFM 89.1 FM HD2 Radio
MCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor
Jazzon2.org
Mon. 7 a.m./7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues"


Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled “Rock On Radio” airing Sunday evenings at 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

 

COLUMNS


This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from September 17-24, 2024

Here is a look at upcoming shows taking place from September 17-24, 2024 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 9/16/24




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Cherry" by The dt's




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...9/12/24






 

MORE NEWS

The stars are out this Thursday, September 12, 2024 evening at Holmdel, NJ's PNC Bank Arts Center for a Malt Shop Memories Live concert. Featuring Bobby Wilson, Jay Siegel's Tokens, The Drifters, The Vogues, Vito Picone and the Elegants, The Chantels, Frankie Pizarro, The Sounds of the Street, The Chiclettes, The Coda Band, and Vinnie Medugno, tonight's free show is presented by the Garden State Arts Foundation.


bergenPAC presents Micky Dolenz Of The Monkees: Songs & Stories




Swing into 'A Night at the Copa' at Ocean County Library Jackson Branch




Steve Forbert to Kick off Split Level Concerts Series in Ocean Grove






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


Creed, 3 Doors Down, and Finger Eleven to play shows in Holmdel and Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- CREED, the multi-platinum, GRAMMY® and American Music Award-winning rock band, has announced Summer of ‘99 Tour dates for 2024. Produced by Live Nation, the 40-city tour comes to the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 and the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Both shows include supporting acts 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven.


Rod Wave - Last Lap Tour comes to Prudential Center in December




Bachman-Turner Overdrive featuring Randy Bachman to Perform Shows in Atlantic City and Carteret




Internationally acclaimed cellist Mo Mo joins NJFO for season opening concerts






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info


The Penguin Rocks

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