Studio Montclair’s "Privilege, Power, and Everyday Life"

As the world watched the rioters take over the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, the title of Studio Montclair’s latest exhibit became even more timely. Entitled, “Privilege, Power, and Everyday Life,” the exhibit runs from January 15 through February 19. Curated by Theda Sandiford, the exhibit features artwork that encourages dialogue about implicit bias and stereotypes.

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WBGO Receives New Jersey State Council on the Arts CARES Grant

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey State Council on the Arts will distribute $5 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to help arts organizations throughout the state recoup some of the significant losses they’ve experienced due to the current pandemic. The announcement was made at the Arts Council's public meeting held virtually in December. The $5 million in federal aid was directed to the State Arts Council by the Murphy Administration specifically to support the state’s hard-hit arts sector. Newark Public Radio, WBGO, will receive $60,000.

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Paterson Music Project Presents MLK Celebration Virtual Concert On January 16

(PATERSON, NJ) -- The Paterson Music Project (PMP), a program of the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, will host a MLK Celebration Virtual Concert on Saturday, January 16 from 4:00pm-5:00 p.m. EST to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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The Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe To Be Presented Virtually Jan 20 to Feb 1

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Joining this year’s virtual version of the Sundance Film Festival, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is reimagining its Annual Sundance ASCAP Music Café, making the festival favorite accessible in a way it has never been before. Featuring a dynamic mix of music performances and composer and filmmaker interviews that celebrate the marriage of music and film, the lineup will kick off at www.bit.ly/ASCAPMusicCafe21 at 5:00pm EST each day from January 29 to February 1. (A free account is required.)

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New York Antiques Show To Be Presented Online January 29-31

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Antiques lovers from all over the country and the world, for three days, January 29-31, 2021, will be able to browse and shop the inaugural New York Antiques Show online at the virtual show platform developed by Getmansvirtual.com. Customers will be able to view and purchase the wares of more than 100 dealers from 24 states plus two Canadian provinces by going to NYAntiqueShow.com.

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Year-long WXPN Project Will Explore "Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and The Music Of New Orleans"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- A new year-long project that explores and celebrates the influences of Haiti on New Orleans’ famed music, culture and community is being launched today by Philadelphia public music radio station WXPN.

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Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s Feb. 6 Virtual Storytelling Festival Focuses on “Raising a Generation That Changes the World”

(KALAMAZOO, MI) --The Kalamazoo Valley Museum celebrates its Ninth Annual Storytelling Festival virtually on February 6, 2021 from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. This past year has been full of challenges and struggles, and many people are all longing for a healthier, safer, and more kind and gentle environment. Throughout history and around the world, oral storytelling has been a means for teaching values, character, and morals. Join Museum staff and guest storytellers for stories that uplift and challenge everyone to embrace love, serve others, and make a difference. “Raising a Generation That Changes the World” can happen, one story at a time.

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Lap Tapestry Project Plus Helps Make A Difference

(EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- For over 25 years, a small and dedicated group of community volunteers, known as the Lap Tapestry Project Plus, has used their knitting and crocheting skills to brighten the day of those who can use a warm touch.

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Rick Springfield and Badfinger's Joey Molland cover "Love Is Gonna Come At Last"

If you grew up in the ‘70s, chances are you had a poster of actor/musician/singer Rick Springfield adorning your bedroom wall and at least one Badfinger vinyl in your record collection. Now these two icons of ‘70s rock have joined forces on a new single that recreates a classic hit from Badfinger’s catalog, the 1979 power pop favorite “Love Is Gonna Come At Last” originally released on the album Airwaves.

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Newark To Celebrate 33rd Annual "Sing In Praise of King" Online January 18

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mayor Ras J. Baraka and other dignitaries will celebrate the City of Newark’s 33rd annual “Sing in Praise of King” observance on Monday, January 18 at 8:00pm. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire observance will be “virtual,” and can be viewed on the city’s Facebook page on its Government Access TV stations, Channel 78 (Altice), or Channel 28 (FIOS). 

Studio Montclair’s "Privilege, Power, and Everyday Life"

As the world watched the rioters take over the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, the title of Studio Montclair’s latest exhibit became even more timely. Entitled, “Privilege, Power, and Everyday Life,” the exhibit runs from January 15 through February 19. Curated by Theda Sandiford, the exhibit features artwork that encourages dialogue about implicit bias and stereotypes.

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Michael Patrick Talks About His Live From The Stone Pony album

For years, Michael Patrick has been proving that Jersey artists can have twang too.  He's logged over 1500 shows with performances by the Michael Patrick Band, The Suburban Hillbillies, and his Johnny Cash tribute band - Ring of Fire.  Inspired by the more traditional folk, country, rockabilly,  roots and rock sounds & writing of such artists as Lyle Lovett, Hank Williams,  John Prine, and the Man in Black himself, Michael Patrick has developed an appreciation of simplistic story-telling lyrics, catchy hooks and memorable melodies.

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"Hushabye" Spotlight on The Mystics' Al Contrera

The Mystics are a doo-wop group from Brooklyn, NY. The group’s biggest hit, “Hushabye,” climbed the charts in 1959, a disc called by critics “one of those perfect records” which exemplifies the doo-wop genre.

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"When the Hollow Men Come" By Gabor Barabas Is Put To Music By Juan Delcan

"When the hollow men come and it is a time of madness, who will step from the line and say, 'No more!' And who will brave and steal fire from the gods and stand solitary beneath the blinding glare of truth?"  

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John Fogerty Releases New Song "Weeping In The Promised Land"

John Fogerty has released "Weeping In The Promised Land," a poignant reflection on 2020 and how the events of this past year have altered life as we've always known it. Coming from a songwriter who has captured the pulse of the nation time and again through enduring classics like "Fortunate Son,” "Bad Moon Rising” and “Have You Ever Seen The Rain,” Fogerty reckons with the isolation, loss, division and hardship that were all too common this past year. The new song ultimately serves as a moving tribute to those who have been victims of the pandemic and those who have suffered through prejudice and injustice, with an eye on brighter days ahead. 

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Taylor Tote Releases "Quarter-Life Crisis" As Part Of Telegraph Hill Records Vol. 3

The latest song by Taylor Tote was released on Christmas Day as part of the Telegraph Hill Records Vol. 3 playlist. Artists were asked to sum up 2020 as they reflect on a year of limitations and loss and describe their individual contributions in their own words. Taylor Tote's contribution is "Quarter-Life Crisis" - an anthem for those in their 20s and 30s trying to make their way, while striving to discover exactly which way they want to go.

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The Outsider Art of Donald T. Dunphy

“The Outsider Art of Donald T. Dunphy” was released in December 2020.  The Middletown based artist passed away in October 2019 at the age of 82.   He had never expressed an interest in artistic expression until his late 70s after his wife had passed away and he picked up the paints she once used.  What happened next was a lesson in how art can heal and people can grow.  It’s a book of artwork compiled by his son in the months that followed to let his father’s work and his story be known.

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"You'll Never Walk Alone" Spotlight on Donovan Tea of The Lettermen

The Lettermen are a world-renowned pop vocal trio founded in 1959. The group has recorded over 75 albums including two Top 10 pop singles, 16 Top 10 Adult Contemporary singles, and 18 international gold records. Vocalist Donovan Tea joined The Lettermen in 1984 and, next to now-retired founding member Tony Butala, is the longest-tenured member of the group.

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Makin Waves with The Outcrops: Band of the Year

Northwest Jersey jam ‘n’ groove band The Outcrops are the 22nd annual Makin Waves Band of the Year. Makin Waves premieres their new video for “Isolation Blues” at NewJerseyStage.com.

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Makin Waves Dirty Jersey Dozen 2020

This very odd and evil year plagued the world with deadly and crippling challenges against which the New Jersey music scene illustrated the Garden State’s legendary resilience. In honor of that resilience, the annual Makin Waves Dirty Jersey Dozen is not so much about the acts who made the most waves this year but those who progressed the most despite the widespread panic and pandemonium of the pandemic and the resulting restrictions and consequent constrictions, especially within the music scene.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...1/14/21

"Battened down the hatches, sittin' around twiddling our thumbs and wanting to go on tour," laughed guitarist Freddy Ordine as he elaborated on the current status of North Jersey based Weapons Of Anew. 

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Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 01-09-21

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.

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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...1/7/21

"I'm doing alright, I'm hanging in there and still doing music my own way; still with The Catholic Girls, still writing books and music no matter what goes on because I'm hoping for a good future." 

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Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 01-02-21

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.

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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...12/31/20

"I'm in the Bahamas and this is where my children were born; I've been here for a number of years and we're back and forth to Spain which is where I met Adam and Christian. Adam and Christian are from England but they're now over in Spain. I'm American but our rhythm section, our bassist and drummer are friends of mine who are studio musicians here in the Bahamas; so they are Bahamian. So, it is kind of an intermingled group; it kind of reminds us of what we saw with The Police who had cross Anglo-American synergy but it works really well." 

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Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 12-26-20

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.

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22nd Annual Makin Waves Awards

For 22 years, the Makin Waves Awards have honored the best and brightest unsigned and indie music acts of the Jersey scene. While this year was weird, wacky, and heart wrenching, 2020 was as rich ‘n’ fertile with homegrown Garden State music talent as ever. This year’s multiple winners were Candy Cavity and The Foes of Fern, who each won two Makin Waves Awards. Here’s to all the winners, and to you for supporting the New Jersey music scene when it needs you more than ever.

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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...12/24/20

"It's been a long journey so far; it feels long but it has been less than 10 years, "stated world renowned Tenor Jonathan Antoine as he discussed his newest album, his literary career and more. 

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NJ Stage Features Published During The Week Of 12-20-20

In addition to running about 60 news stories and event previews each week, New Jersey Stage runs several original features and interviews as well. Here's a look at the features run for the past two weeks.

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Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 12-19-20

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.