Our Favorite Stories In Film - An Interview With Joey Skaggs

New Jersey Stage published its 25,000th story in December 2021. As the site approached the milestone, we posed the question on social media as how we should celebrate.  One response was to highlight our favorite stories from over the years.  We liked this idea, but could not narrow things down to just 25 favorites so we will present a favorite each day from different genres.  Every Wednesday will feature a story about film.  This week's choice is our interview with Joey Skaggs - the subject of the film, Art of the Prank, which screened at the New Jersey Film Festival in 2017.

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Syd Carpenter Honors the Legacy of African Horticulture in New Solo Exhibition at Rowan University Art Gallery

(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- Rowan University Art Gallery presents Earth Offerings: Honoring the Gardeners, a new solo exhibition of Syd Carpenter’s ceramic sculptures. The exhibition runs from January 24 to March 26, 2022. Through her work, Syd Carpenter identifies and honors the legacy of African American farmers and gardeners.

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MPAC presents An Evening with Chris Botti

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- There’s nothing like a Chris Botti concert. He’s the complete package: a dazzling trumpeter at home in everything from jazz to pop to rock, a brilliant bandleader who lets his players shine, and a born showman whose joy at being onstage is infectious. Botti will perform at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, February 10 at 7:30pm.

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Nora Jacobson Talks About "Ruth Stone's Vast Library of the Female Mind"

Great documentaries bring to light stories of people or events worth knowing about. Often they point a spotlight on a subject not very familiar to you. Ruth Stone's Vast Library of the Female Mind is one such documentary.  The film by Nora Jacobson tells the story of Ruth Stone, a woman who was a promising young poet, living an idyllic life with her beloved husband, Walter, a poet and professor. When he died unexpectedly by suicide, Ruth was flung out into the world, destitute with three daughters to support.

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George Street Playhouse presents the American English-Language Premiere of "Baipás" by Jacobo Morales

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse (GSP) will welcome audiences back to the Arthur Laurents Theater at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center with the captivating new production of Baipás by Jacobo Morales, directed by Julio Monge, opening March 1-20, 2022.

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Shakespeare ’70 presents “Our Town” at Kelsey Theatre

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Shakespeare ’70 presents “Our Town,” weekends January 21 through January 30, 2022 at the Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor campus of Mercer County Community College (MCCC).  Thornton Wilder’s classic drama explores the universal themes of life, death and everything in between. The play, which takes place in a small New England town at the turn of the 20th century details the lives of two families, the Gibbs and the Webbs, and posits the question: “Do human beings realize life while they live it? Is there hope for something more?”

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The Hesh Inc. Releases "Soul In Exile Redux"

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Independent record label tHinc. Records will release Soul In Exile Redux, the latest album from The Hesh Inc. on January 28, 2022. The Hesh Inc. is a NJ/NY–based act led by singer-songwriter Heshy Rosenwasser (best known by his online moniker Hesh Meister), performing songs about exile, redemption, beach towns in the off season, and finding one’s place in the world.

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El Gran Combo Will Celebrate 60 Years of Salsa Music At NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), known for bringing world-class entertainment close to home, presents El Gran Combo on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 8:00pm, where they will celebrate 60 years of making music. 

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Atlantic Highlands Arts Council Issues Call For B/W Photography

(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- The Atlantic Highlands Arts Council (AHAC) has issued a call to photographers for their Black & White & Monochrome - A Juried Photography Exhibition, which will run from March 12 to April 16, 2022. Many photographers who began taking pictures started with black and white film and discovered the joys of processing and printing. AHAC would like to showcase creative photographers who continue to express their vision with a preference toward the unconventional:  black and white and monochrome media.

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533 Students from 48 States and Territories to Perform in National Online Concert during Music In Our Schools Month(R)

(RESTON, VA) -- During the 2020–21 school year, talented music students across the United States and overseas in military base schools practiced diligently to gain a chair or part in their local, district, and state music honor ensembles. And of those high school musicians who were accepted to their district or All-State music ensembles, 533 of them—the “best of the best”—were selected for the National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME) 2021 All-National Honor Ensembles.

An Interview With Albert G. Nigrin from the New Jersey Film Festival

The New Jersey Film Festival celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, starting with a Spring Festival that runs on select Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between January 28 and February 20, 2022. As a result of COVID, the festival will be a virtual once again this Spring. All the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. Tickets are $15 per program, or $100 for Festival All Access Pass.

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THE END? Movie Theaters Are Hanging on for Dear Life

When I was a teenager in Morris County in the 1960s, my buddies and I went to the movies at least  once week. We had plenty of movie theaters to attend, too.

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Spotlight on Flush

Flush is a four-piece rock band from Helsinki, Finland that plays a dark blend of alternative, punk, and hard rock, with elements of pop and metal thrown into the mix. The band thinks their music will sound familiar to most listeners, but still not directly like any other band out there. New Jersey Stage spoke with Lasse for this spotlight article.

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Life, Liberty, and the Kool Kids: An Interview with Robert “Kool” Bell, founding member of Kool & the Gang, and Hakim Bell

In 1964, a group of Jersey City school kids started a band – never imagining that they would go on to influence the music of three generations with their own trademark blend of soul, funk, jazz, rock and pop.

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Justin Turk Talks About His New EP, "Just In Time"

Justin Turk is a singer-songwriter living in Florida who was born and raised in New Jersey.  His new EP, Just In Time, will be released on February 25, 2022. The EP was produced by Art Ward from Century Music Group and mixed and mastered by two-time Grammy nominee Justin Cortelyou.  The record is enhanced by performances from some of Nashville's top studio musicians.

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An Interview With Gerry Rosenthal

Gerry Rosenthal is an example of a hard working musician. The singer-songwriter / guitarist from Highland Park plays in multiple bands (an original rock band, Beatles tribute, wedding band, and his own Gerry Rosenthal Trio) and guests with other artists. He released a new EP on January 1, 2022.  In addition to music, he's had an acting career that includes roles in Finding Forrester, "Law & Order", and was the star of a video game called "Bully", which still has a huge fanbase 15 years after its release.

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Theaters Forced To Fight Covid Issues Again

Covid-19 is once again spreading it monstrous tentacles into the New Jersey theater world, canceling and postponing numerous plays throughout the state.

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"Deerwoods Deathtrap" to Screen at Sundance Film Festival

(PARK CITY, UT) -- Memories can become muddled over time and they certainly have for Jack and Betty. In 1971 they were hit by a train while on a trip to Cape May and survived. 50 years later they return to the "scene of the crime" to discuss what happened that fateful September morning. Shot entirely on Kodak Super 8 film, "Deerwoods Deathtrap" by director James P. Gannon is a short film that explores the deadly accident and the conflicting memories surrounding it.

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SOPAC's Jazz in the Loft 2022 Series Lineup

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Kick off the new year with Jazz in the Loft, a South Orange Performing Arts Center concert series curated and hosted by Grammy-winning bassist John Lee. On Sunday nights, hear world-class artists from the region in the cabaret-style setting of the SOPAC Loft. The 2022 Jazz in the Loft series is dedicated to Lee Boswell-May, longtime curator of the program. Tickets are $20. All shows begin at 7:00pm.

Makin Waves with Taylor Simon King: Sweet Celebration

The latest production of the dynamic husband-and-wife team of Jersey Shore Broadway talent Lisa Sherman and Oscar-winning songwriter Franke Previte celebrates three iconic American troubadours: James Taylor, Carly Simon and Carole King. Taylor Simon King’s clever musical arrangements and unforgettable, carefully chosen songs take audiences through decades of the legendary singer-songwriters’ individual careers and beloved music.

Our Favorite Stories In Film - An Interview With Joey Skaggs

New Jersey Stage published its 25,000th story in December 2021. As the site approached the milestone, we posed the question on social media as how we should celebrate.  One response was to highlight our favorite stories from over the years.  We liked this idea, but could not narrow things down to just 25 favorites so we will present a favorite each day from different genres.  Every Wednesday will feature a story about film.  This week's choice is our interview with Joey Skaggs - the subject of the film, Art of the Prank, which screened at the New Jersey Film Festival in 2017.

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Our Favorite Stories In Theatre - Paper Mill Playhouse Wins The 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award

New Jersey Stage published its 25,000th story in December 2021. As the site approached the milestone, we posed the question on social media as how we should celebrate.  One response was to highlight our favorite stories from over the years.  We liked this idea, but could not narrow things down to just 25 favorites so we will present a favorite each day from different genres.  Every Tuesday we feature one of our favorite stories in theatre.  This week's choice is our story on Paper Mill Playhouse Winning the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award.

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Our Favorite Stories In Music - Dr. Demento Covered In Punk

New Jersey Stage published its 25,000th story in December 2021. As the site approached the milestone, we posed the question on social media as how we should celebrate.  One response was to highlight our favorite stories from over the years.  We liked this idea, but could not narrow things down to just 25 favorites so we will present a favorite each day from different genres.  Every Monday we feature one of our favorite stories in music. This week's choice is Dr. Demento Covered In Punk, a look at a special compilation album with artists covering memorable songs from the legendary radio program.

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Top 10 Most Read Stories at New Jersey Stage For Week of January 9-15, 2022

Here's a look at the top 10 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage during the week of January 9-15, 2022.  Each week, we publish about 70 articles, including several original columns and features, along with news releases for events happening throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week's Top 10 includes articles involving 5 counties in New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Ocean). NJ Stage considers itself the arts newswire for the state and this week's top 10 reflects that with important news for theatre, dance, facilities, and a major foundation. In addition to the news, our original columns and features made the list this week as well.

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Our Favorite Stories In Art - King For A Day

New Jersey Stage published its 25,000th story in December 2021. As the site approached the milestone, we posed the question on social media as how we should celebrate.  One response was to highlight our favorite stories from over the years.  We liked this idea, but could not narrow things down to just 25 favorites so we will present a favorite each day from different genres.  Today we are featuring one of our favorite stories in art.  It's a story about King for a Day, a book of photography featuring Elvis impersonators of all shapes and sizes.