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EVENT PREVIEWS | COLUMNS | FEATURES | LINKS | FEATURED EVENTS



Newton Theatre presents The Man In Black - A Tribute to Johnny Cash

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents The Man In Black - A Tribute to Johnny Cash on Friday, February 5, 2027 at 8:00pm. With his strikingly similar looks, baritone voice, and spot-on mannerisms, Shawn Barker has an uncanny resemblance to the original "Man In Black."





 



Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 11/05/2026

"Not too bad brother, that's right, we do, "Go Rebel," happily stated Wicked bassist Daniel Martin. "We actually soft released it when we went on tour in the UK and Ireland with Dave Ellefson of Megadeath. We went out with his band, Kings of Thrash and I'll tell you what man, it was received really well. Even though we went out there with these heavy metal bands, everybody was so excited for this upbeat, hard hitting rock that we brought out that we were doing record store signings and people were buying the vinyl in different markets in Europe, England and Japan; it's a really exciting time for us with "Go Rebel."




NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell

(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.




Mercy Center to present Second Annual Code Blue Concert at the Stone Pony

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Mercy Center will host its annual Turn Up the Heat Code Blue Concert on December 10, 2026, at the legendary Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Hosted by Pat Guadagno and Big Joe Henry of 101.5, the event brings together community leaders, local businesses, supporters, and music enthusiasts for an evening of camaraderie and philanthropy benefiting Mercy Center and their new Warming Center.




Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves to Honor the legacy of John Coltrane at NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents an extraordinary meeting of jazz luminaries as the Branford Marsalis Quartet joins five-time GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves on Saturday, April 10, 2027 at 8:00pm.






 



FEATURED EVENTS

Choir! Choir! Choir! Hallelujah”: An EPIC Anthems Sing-Along!

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
Montclair, NJ

“Why see a show when you can BE the show!”



 

Always Jovi with special guest, Shot of Poison

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ

Always Jovi is a Tribute Like No Other, featuring Million-Selling New Jersey Rock Legend, Steve Brown – known for his work with Trixter, Def Leppard, and Ace Frehley. With his powerhouse vocal delivery, electrifying stage presence, and deep-rooted connection to the Jersey rock scene, Brown leads this all-star lineup in delivering the timeless hits that defined a generation.



 

Margarita Rovenskaya, piano

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Grunin Center - Bösendorfer Recital Room
Toms River, NJ

Join pianist Margarita Rovenskaya for a program of solo piano works spanning a range of characters and countries. The music will include Schubert’s winding melodies, Schumann’s imaginative character contrasts, Beethoven and Prokofiev’s fiery energy. The program will end with Ukrainian composer Ilya Aizberg’s Hebrew Rhapsody, a piece that pays tribute to his Jewish heritage.

 

Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ

Suzanne Vega will perform a career-spanning show including favorites like “Tom’s Diner”, “Luka”, “Marlene On The Wall”, and many more, plus songs from her latest album, Flying with Angels, which was released in May 2025 to critical acclaim. She will be joined on stage by her longtime guitarist, Gerry Leonard (of David Bowie fame), and cellist Stephanie Winters.   


Widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk revival of the early 1980s. Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, Vega sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues. Known for performances that convey deep emotion, Vega’s distinctive, “clear, unwavering voice” (Rolling Stone) has been described as “a cool, dry sandpaper-brushed near-whisper” by The Washington Post, with NPR Music noting that she “has been making vital, inventive music” throughout the course of her decades-long career. Bearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who “observes the world with a clinically poetic eye” (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognizable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 40 years ago. 


 

The Chris Pinnella Big Band Project

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
Toms River, NJ

RENTAL EVENT - Join acclaimed vocalist Chris Pinnella and the 14- Piece Big Band Project for an extraordinary evening of music benefiting The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Trenton Diocesan Council—an unforgettable concert that helps support the important work of serving individuals and families throughout our community.

 

Shemekia Copeland with special guest JB Barnes Blues Band

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

Shemekia Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. The multi-GRAMMY nominee is beloved and honored worldwide for the fearlessness, honesty and humor of her revelatory songs, as well as for her winning, engaging personality. The Chicago Tribune says, “Copeland is the greatest female blues vocalist working today. There’s no mistaking the majesty of her instrument, nor the ferocity of her delivery.” 

 

 



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Everything Fab Four

"Everything Fab Four" Fest 2026 to feature Ken Burns, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, The Cyrkle & many more

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- The Beatles' groundbreaking 1966 album Revolver, a major turning point in the band's recorded career, will take center stage November 5-8, 2026, at the second annual Everything Fab Four Fest happening at Monmouth University and the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music.



Chris

Chris Pinnella & The Big Band Project to perform at Grunin Center for St. Vincent de Paul Benefit

(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.



Roy's

Roy's Hall to Host Peter Karp Record Release Show on November 6th

(BLAIRSTOWN, NJ) -- Roy's Hall will host a special concert by Peter Karp on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 8:00pm. Peter will be celebrating the release of his latest album, Jersey Town.



NJPAC

NJPAC presents the 15th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents the 15th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival, November 6–22, 2026, bringing world-renowned jazz artists and rising voices to Newark for a celebration of musical legacy, innovation and community. This year’s Festival features world premiere concerts, debut collaborations and free performances, alongside tributes to some of music’s most influential artists.



Chris

Chris Rockwell is Dropping 'Rockwell Rebel Radio 2 DELUXE' with a Heavy-Hitting Mutual Aid Show on Friday

(BRICK, NJ) -- If your local playlist has been feeling a little quiet lately, get ready to crank the volume! Ocean County spoken word poet and Hip-Hop artist Chris Rockwell is back, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his pivotal album Rockwell Rebel Radio and simultaneously dropping his new release, Rockwell Rebel Radio 2 DELUXE, featuring the explosive lead single "Mash Tape Supreme." But this isn't just your standard album drop, it's a full-blown community movement. On Friday, November 6, 2026, Chris and the crew are celebrating the launch with a massive show right here in town at Carmela's Collective in Brick, proving that great music and solid community support go hand in hand.






 




LATEST COLUMNS


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.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 11/05/2026

"Not too bad brother, that's right, we do, "Go Rebel," happily stated Wicked bassist Daniel Martin. "We actually soft released it when we went on tour in the UK and Ireland with Dave Ellefson of Megadeath. We went out with his band, Kings of Thrash and I'll tell you what man, it was received really well. Even though we went out there with these heavy metal bands, everybody was so excited for this upbeat, hard hitting rock that we brought out that we were doing record store signings and people were buying the vinyl in different markets in Europe, England and Japan; it's a really exciting time for us with "Go Rebel."




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Big Black Car" by Part Time Baby

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Big Black Car" from "My Island," the third album from Jersey rocker Part Time Baby, aka singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Goldstein.




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


Brian Ostering and his band present The Elvis Spectacular at the Middletown Arts Center

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Brian Ostering and his band present The Elvis Spectacular at the Middletown Arts Center on Saturday, November 28, 2026. Showtime is 7:00pm.




NJPAC presents the 15th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents the 15th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival, November 6–22, 2026, bringing world-renowned jazz artists and rising voices to Newark for a celebration of musical legacy, innovation and community. This year’s Festival features world premiere concerts, debut collaborations and free performances, alongside tributes to some of music’s most influential artists.




Monty Alexander at Kean Stage

Monty Alexander grew to become one of the most legendary pianists in jazz, in part, by marrying the pleasure points of two musical worlds. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Alexander grew up listening to the island's celebrated local music – reggae, calypso, folk. At the same time, he became a huge jazz fan at an early age, influenced by his music enthusiast parents, and was sure to catch heroes, Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole, whenever they crossed the Caribbean into Jamaica. By blending Jamaica's native sounds with traditional American swing, Alexander became an icon, creating a unique -- and irresistible -- take on jazz music.




State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band was formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2013. While they are a Grateful Dead cover band, they are known more for interpreting songs by the Dead rather than attempting to replicate the band's work.




The Temptations and The Four Tops LIVE! at STNJ

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of The Four Tops and The Temptations at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick on October 18, 2026.






 




LINKS

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