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EVENT PREVIEWS | COLUMNS | FEATURES | LINKS | FEATURED EVENTS



Makin Waves with Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of TSO

When the late Paul O'Neill first conceived the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in the 1990s, his goal was as straightforward as it was incredibly ambitious. The whole idea was to create a progressive rock band that would push the boundaries of holiday music further than any group before.





 



Stangl Stage presents John Gorka

(FLEMINGTON, NJ) -- New Jersey native John Gorka will perform at Stangl Stage on Friday, December 4, 2026 at 8:00pm. Gorka is widely regarded as one of the leading voices to emerge from the contemporary folk revival of the 1980s.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 11/13/2026

"I've had a lot of fun doing it," laughed entertainment icon Vicki Lawrence as she discussed her November 13 and 14 appearances at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. "Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two Woman Show," it's not a play, basically it's a one woman show but I knew that Mama had to be in it so I thought it'd be funny to name it a two woman show because people think of her as a real person and I often feel I could fall off the face of the earth and as long as she was around everything would be just fine (Laughs)."




Phoebe Bridgers Announces 2027 Dates For "The Lost Tour"

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Phoebe Bridgers whose song "Lost Boys" has been a regular fixture on radio stations for the past year has announced dates for "The Lost Tour" in 2027. Locally, she will perform at the Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, March 16th with support from Paper Wings.




Sounds of the Season to Feature PSO Brass Quintet on December 10th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents a spirited holiday chamber concert filled with Sounds of the Season. The concert is the second installment of the PSO's Chamber Series at Trinity, and takes place in Trinity Church on Thursday, December 10, 2026 at 7:00pm.






 



FEATURED EVENTS

Don McLean & Lee Greenwood

Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ

Two iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”

 

Song of the Meadowlark

Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 2:30pm
Highland Design Farm
Hopewell, NJ

A meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry and live painting.

 

The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling

Wednesday, November 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

Blues guitar virtuoso Nick Moss and harmonica wizard Dennis Gruenling have been on a winning streak since they first joined forces in 2016. With relentless nonstop touring and the release of their Alligator Records debut, The High Cost Of Low Living, in 2018, The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling has been playing for wildly enthusiastic fans and winning over critics and radio programmers worldwide. 

 

Michael McDermott

Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

Michael McDermott’s brand of rock n’ roll brims with the kind of well-honed style and wisdom that can only come from a career on the road and a pedigree in the studio. Effortlessly blending natural folk sensibility, pop hooks, and honest rock, McDermott’s music is as much for the outcast as the congregation. It’s an exploration of the dark corners of life’s journey and it resonates middle class truths through the passionate filter of a kid that grew up on Chicago’s Irish South Side.



 

10,000 Maniacs

Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ

10,000 Maniacs – 45 Years of Timeless Music

 

 



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Forte

Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.



Mahwah

Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki

(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Atlantic

Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition.  The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.



Song

Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.



Avenel

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.






 




LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Gates" by The Carousers

More than 70 acts have banded together to support the Eden Autism school in Princeton. Carousers vocalist-guitarist Joey Affatato organized and curated "Play for Purpose, Vol. 2," a music compilation to give back to the organization that holds a very special place in his heart. His brother, Alex, attends the Adult Services Day Program. 




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 11/13/2026

"I've had a lot of fun doing it," laughed entertainment icon Vicki Lawrence as she discussed her November 13 and 14 appearances at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. "Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two Woman Show," it's not a play, basically it's a one woman show but I knew that Mama had to be in it so I thought it'd be funny to name it a two woman show because people think of her as a real person and I often feel I could fall off the face of the earth and as long as she was around everything would be just fine (Laughs)."




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Josephine" by Emily Grove

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is a replay of "Josephine" from "Fables," the new five-song EP by Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Emily Grove. "Josephine" now is a fabulous video by award-winning filmmaker John Decker.




This Week in Music

Here is a look at shows taking place this week 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


 




FEATURES


Paul Anka's You Are My Destiny Tour LIVE! at MPAC

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Paul Anka at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on November 2, 2026.




Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.




NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.




Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.




State Theatre New Jersey presents The Irish Tenors: A Family Christmas

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents The Irish Tenors: A Family Christmas on Sunday, November 29, 2026 at 7:00pm. Tickets start at $46.






 




LINKS

* The Penguin Rocks - a special music site presented by NJ Stage
* Classical Music
* Music Organizations in New Jersey
* Venues & Performing Arts Centers