New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


 

MUSIC

EVENT PREVIEWS | COLUMNS | FEATURES | LINKS
FEATURED EVENTS



Bergen County's "Music At The Barn" Series presents The Matt Chertkoff Trio and Houston Person on Sunday

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, III and the Board of Commissioners invite the public to attend a free music concert featuring The Matt Chertkoff Trio and Houston Person on Sunday, July 26 from 4:00pm– 6:30pm at the Wortendyke Barn Museum, a County Historic Site (13 Pascack Rd in Park Ridge, NJ). This is the first concert in the 2026 music series.





 



Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 07/23/2026

"Correct! I actually performed on The Totally Tubular Festival two years ago. I was playing solo that night and they asked me to come back, so I thought I'd do something a bit different and so I decided to reform my backing band from 1988, The Lost Toy People. The last show we played together was with Depeche Mode and OMD at the Rose Bowl for the legendary 101 Concert and the other night in Phoenix was our first show in 38 years; how about that?"




Jersey Arts Podcast: Jorma Kaukonen and Hot Tuna Bring New Tour to New Jersey

Today's guest is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® Inductee, GRAMMY® Award-winning musician, and one of the most influential guitarists of all-time.




Shemekia Copeland LIVE! on the Atlantic City Boardwalk

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Shemekia Copeland performing on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City on July 15, 2026.




Founding Member of The Hooters, Eric Bazilian, Releases First Single in a Series of New Music

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Originally penned for WXPN's Philly Anthems series, Eric Bazilian's newest song, "Better Times," is out now. The founding member of The Hooters will be releasing a series of new music this year with this as the first single and was featured in Twangville's Why It Matters series to discuss eating well on the road, his first gig in his hometown, and how inflation has impacted touring. "We know how fortunate we are. We worked a long time to get here, and we never take it for granted."











 

EVENT PREVIEWS

MPAC

MPAC Announces Free Summer Concert Lineup for 2026

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center's Arts in the Community free summer concert schedule for 2026 has been announced. MPAC will present six free concerts between June and August. The lineup includes the return of three of their most popular events – Bollywood Dance Party, Country Line Dancing and Salsa at Sunset, as well as singer-songwriters, and more.



2026-27

2026-27 Season Preview: Split Level Concerts at Jersey Shore Arts Center

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.



MPAC's

MPAC's Summer 2026 Preview

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- From the versatility of Tony winner Darren Criss, the comedy of Abbott Elementary's Janelle James and the nostalgic hits of the Grateful Dead, ABBA and more, Mayo Performing Arts Center's summer lineup features a diverse set of performances and events.



Bradley

Bradley Beach presents 2026 Summer Jazz and Blues Series in Riley Park

(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- The Borough of Bradley Beach presents its Summer Jazz and Blues Series for 2026 throughout July and August. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a diverse lineup of world-class musical performances every Wednesday evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at beautiful Riley Park.



Blue

Blue Curtain Concert Series presents Nanny Assis, Caleb Eckstein and Sasha Berliner in Princeton throughout July

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Blue Curtain returns this July with three Saturday evening performances at 8:00pm at the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center (16 Walnut Lane, Princeton). Free and open to the public, the annual concert series showcases an eclectic mix of Afro-Brazilian sounds, straight-ahead jazz and contemporary improvisation.












LATEST COLUMNS


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 07/23/2026

"Correct! I actually performed on The Totally Tubular Festival two years ago. I was playing solo that night and they asked me to come back, so I thought I'd do something a bit different and so I decided to reform my backing band from 1988, The Lost Toy People. The last show we played together was with Depeche Mode and OMD at the Rose Bowl for the legendary 101 Concert and the other night in Phoenix was our first show in 38 years; how about that?"




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "A Light To Come Home To" by Lisa Bouchelle

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "A Light To Come Home To" by Jersey roots rocker Lisa Bouchelle featuring Americana legends Amanda Shires and Larry Campbell.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 07/16/2026

Loss, we've all suffered it. Some of us more than others,some less and still yet there are those of us who've not had loss of any significance to this point. Loss, like anything else, is directly related to perspective. What may seem like a huge loss to one, is insignificant to another. People pass away, bad days do the same, they fade into the night or disappear at the bottom of one's favorite drink until they are swept away by the morning's sunrise and things are new. Some loss stays a bit longer, adding scars to our bodies until they become topographical maps of memories; reminders of what not to do or what we didn't do or should've done.




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


Festive Holiday Swingin' Event Coming to Avon-By-The-Sea in December

(AVON-BY-THE-SEA, NJ) -- It's the most wonderful time of the year! Many folks celebrate Christmas in July, while holding dear joyful thoughts of the jolly season! But as the hustle and bustle of fall and winter approaches, a special musical event, Swingin' Merry Sunday, prepares to ring in the holidays with entertaining merriment!




Makin Waves with Brian Erickson & Bill Lambusta: Talking About The Extensions, 'The Great Album Podcast' & More

Singer-songwriter Brian Erickson, left, of The Extensions, and guitarist Bill Lambusta of We're Ghosts Now and Fake Pockets, relaunched their popular "The Great Albums Podcast" in June after a seven-year hiatus following a six-year run.




McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.




MPAC presents Glen Burtnik's Summer of Love Concert on August 20th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Relive the memories, share the spirit and celebrate the songs of the Woodstock Generation when Glen Burtnik's Summer of Love concert comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.




Tab Benoit LIVE! on the Atlantic City Boardwalk

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of a Mardi Gras AC night on the Atlantic City boardwalk featuring Tab Benoit. The opening act was Sgt. Splendor featuring Kate Vargas and Eric McFadden.












LINKS

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