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Centenary Stage presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company in partnership with the Hackettstown Rotary Club presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 8:00pm. The performance will take place in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center with proceeds in part to benefit the many initiatives of the Hackettstown Rotary Club.





 



Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on June 5th

(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band includes Matt Keating, Jason Mercer, Steve Mayone, and Greg Wieczorek. You could say they are a new band with old roots.




A Halo Called Fred releases "We're All Like, YEAH!"

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- New Brunswick's eclectic geek folk-rock act, A Halo Called Fred, is back with their new epic album, We're All Like, YEAH! Featuring 21 new tracks, this latest mixtape from the world's best steampunk psycho-pop band is guaranteed to bring joy to any hyper-dimensional occasion.




Mahwah Museum to host Les Paul 111th Birthday Celebration: "The Les Paul & Mary Ford Tribute Show with Tom & Sandy Doyle" on June 7th

(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Raise a toast to a legend. Celebrate Les Paul's 111th birthday with an unforgettable Les Paul & Mary Ford Tribute at The Mahwah Museum performed by Tom & Sandy Doyle on Saturday, June 7, 2026 at 2:00pm. Cake will be served as they toast the birthday.




State Theatre New Jersey presents Jersey Talent on Saturday

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Jersey Talent on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 7:00pm. Jersey Talent, a talent show for ages 8-25, returns for its third year. Ten finalists, including singers, dancers, and instrumentalists, and will perform live at the historic State Theatre. The winner of Jersey Talent wins a spot as a featured performer at the New Brunswick Heart Festival on August 8th. The event will be hosted by radio veteran Terrie Carr (WDHA, Carr Stereo Podcast).











 

EVENT PREVIEWS

State

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Sound Studio Series 2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey proudly presents The Sound Studio Series, an immersive musical experience that places concertgoers at the very heart of the performance. Held in STNJ's intimate Studio space, limited to just 80 attendees, The Sound Studio Series features a dynamic mix of both classical and rock performances. Each concert concludes with an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet with the artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect directly with the performers. Tickets for the series are $20-$30.



Bruce

Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band's Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour Announced For Spring 2026

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will launch their Land Of Hope And Dreams American Tour across the country this spring, kicking off at Minneapolis' Target Center on March 31. The 20-date run will feature 19 arena shows, including several local shows in New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia.



Adelphi

Adelphi Orchestra to present "Soaring Melodies" in NJ and NYC

(RIVER EDGE, NJ) -- The Adelphi Orchestra, under the direction of Kyunghun Kim, presents Soaring Melodies, an inspiring program of classical masterworks to be performed on May 8 in NJ and May 16, 2026 in NYC.



Westminster

Westminster Choir College to celebrate 100th anniversary

(LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ) -- Westminster Choir College of Rider University is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking a century of excellence in music education and performance. Centennial events in Lawrenceville and Princeton honor legacy while supporting future generations of musicians.



Punch

Punch Brothers to Kick off 28-City Tour at Mayo Performing Arts Center on May 14th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Grammy Award-winning Punch Brothers will begin a twenty-eight city U.S. tour on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC). Tickets range from $53-$85. Showtime is 7:30pm.












LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Fairweather Friends" by Exit Eleven

After a long hiatus, the Central Jersey band Exit Eleven are back with a new single that they will celebrate the release of on May 8 at Asbury Park's fabled Stone Pony.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 05/07/2026

Terry Barber is an "Internationally acclaimed" vocalist who has graced stages such as The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, The kennedy Center and more and his recent project called "Mercury" will now grace the stage of The Brook Arts Center, otherwise known as "The Brook,"  in Bound Brook, NJ on May 15 at 8 p.m. for a one night only engagement. 




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 5/4/26

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Teen Idle, Rich Lancia, Somebody Club, Suede Aces, and Exit Eleven. Plus a look back at "Songs for the Moon" by The Porchistas.




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


Makin Waves with The Feelies: Jersey Strong!

If ever an act should be in the New Jersey Hall of Fame, it's The Feelies, whose influence on the Hoboken music scene throughout the 1980s is seminal, as well as on such bands as R.E.M., Horse Girl and fellow North Jersey alt-rockers Real Estate.




A Chat with Veronika and Madelene of Arrival From Sweden Who Perform at UCPAC on May 16

Arrival from Sweden is coming to Rahway, NJ's Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00pm. Founded in 1995 in Gothenburg, Sweden, Arrival from Sweden is one of the world's most popular ABBA tribute bands and the only group that has ever been given a previously unreleased song directly from ABBA to record.




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.




Audra McDonald LIVE! at bergenPAC

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Audra McDonald at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on May 3, 2026.




RECAP: Lily Vakili's "Live Wire" EP Release at Francis Kite Club

(NEW YORK, NY) -- On May 6, 2026 - a rainy Wednesday night in New York City - fans and friends packed into Francis Kite Club on the Lower East Side to celebrate the release of Live Wire, the new EP from Lily Vakili. The intimate venue created the perfect setting for a performance that felt deeply personal, emotional, and completely alive.












LINKS

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