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FEATURED EVENTS



Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 07/09/2026

"Very well; and you? We're hoping you can come to The Lizzie Rose on Friday July 31; come as our guest, come enjoy the racket, it's a wonderful room to play," laughed the always jovial Conrad Warre of the Boston based blues/rock band Bees Deluxe as he discussed that upcoming Tuckerton show, their stop at Jamey's House of Music, their upcoming new record, the International Blues Challenge and more.





 



WBGO, Smooth Jazz New Jersey and Paper Mill Playhouse presents The WBGO All That Jazz Summer Series with Leonieke Scheuble

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Starting Wednesday, July 15th and every Wednesday and Thursday in July, Leonieke Scheuble the winner of two International Women in Jazz Awards, the New Jersey Governors Award, and the prestigious Hot House fan decision award for "Best Up and Coming Young Artist" brings her Leonieke's WE 3 Trio to the Carriage House at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn.




Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Jeffrey Gaines on July 26th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Jeffrey Gaines on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:30pm. Gaines has been heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances. With only his voice and a guitar for accompaniment, Gaines has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, entertaining his audiences worldwide.




Outpost in the Burbs Presents Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips in Benefit Concert for Toni's Kitchen on November 21st

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs will present an extraordinary evening of music featuring singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. The special concert will serve as a fundraiser in support of Toni's Kitchen, the Montclair based nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and related challenges in Essex County and beyond. Showtime is 8:00pm.




51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th

(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.











 

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.



Lizzie

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bell Bottom Blues on July 10th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Bell Bottom Blues returns to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 10, 2026. The band was formed in 2007 with the vision of providing an audience with a true Eric Clapton Experience. Showtime is 7:30pm.












LATEST COLUMNS


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 07/09/2026

"Very well; and you? We're hoping you can come to The Lizzie Rose on Friday July 31; come as our guest, come enjoy the racket, it's a wonderful room to play," laughed the always jovial Conrad Warre of the Boston based blues/rock band Bees Deluxe as he discussed that upcoming Tuckerton show, their stop at Jamey's House of Music, their upcoming new record, the International Blues Challenge and more.




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 7/6/26

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 with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Loose Panic, Max Rauch, Madeline Fung, Bike Routes, and 9fm. Plus a look back at "The Communist Song" by The KumQuats.




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Sick About It" by The Orangutwins

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Sick About It" from The Orangutwins' recently released EP, "We Are A Genius."




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


Straight No Chaser LIVE! at Ocean City Music Pier

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Straight No Chaser at the Ocean City Music Pier on June 29, 2026.




24 Hours of Music Jamboree Stretches from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore with a week's worth of live concerts

New Jersey's cultural corridors will come alive from July 12-19, 2026 as the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree – Horizontal Edition returns with a vibrant multi‑town celebration stretching from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore. The reimagined expanded format brings seven days of concerts, community gatherings, jazz showcases, jazz bashes and festival‑style programming designed to unite neighborhoods through music.




Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. Maddock's status as a fixture on the Folk and Americana scene is confirmed with every listen of any song in his prodigious catalog. Showtime is 7:30pm.




Outpost in the Burbs presents Leyla McCalla on September 24th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) — Outpost in the Burbs presents Leyla McCalla on Thursday, September 24th, 2026 at 7:30pm at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. Born in New York City to Haitian emigrants and activists, Leyla McCalla finds inspiration from her past and present– her music vibrates with three centuries of history and influences from around the globe.




Summer Jazz: Drummer Joe Farnsworth and Special Guests at William Paterson

For more than three decades, Joe Farnsworth has been one of the most admired drummers in modern jazz, revered for his superb technique, driving swing, and unwavering commitment to the jazz tradition. A Massachusetts native mentored by legendary drummers Alan Dawson, Arthur Taylor, and Jimmy Lovelace, Farnsworth has appeared on nearly 400 recordings and performed with an astonishing array of jazz masters, including McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders, Cedar Walton, Harold Mabern, and Wynton Marsalis. He is also a founding member of the acclaimed hard bop collective, One for All, alongside longtime musical associates tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trombonist Steve Davis, the late trumpeter Jim Rotondi, and pianist David Hazeltine.












LINKS

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