New Jersey arts and entertainment news, features, and event previews.

NJPAC Announces Three Comedy Shows, First In-Person Events In Over A Year

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced their first Live, In-Person, Socially Distanced performances that will take place this summer after a year of being closed due to Covid 19. Experience NJPAC in an entirely new way as the Arts Center’s new entry procedures and upgraded safety equipment that includes premium HVAC, air purification and electrostatic cleaning will keep all patrons safe.

Aspire Performing Arts Company Announces Spring and Summer Productions

(WAYNE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company (PAC) has announced an exciting slate of offerings for performers ages 9 through 21 this spring and summer. Upcoming workshops and productions include opportunities to help adapt a new musical for high school performers, work directly with Broadway professionals, and participate in an outdoor staged concert of Les Misérables School Edition.

Southpaw Releases Debut Album and Video For "Within You"

(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- New Jersey country music trio Southpaw released their debut album, "Unhitched" on Valentine's Day. The album reached #3 on Amazon’s Hot New Country Releases chart. They followed with a full-length music video for "Within You" which was shot across scenic New Jersey.

Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Theater presents "A Passage in Relief"

(Princeton, NJ) The Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Theater at Princeton University in collaboration with Fordham University, Purchase College, and University of Massachusetts-Amherst will present A Passage in Relief, a virtual theatrical response to Naomi Wallace’s play One Flea Spare. The production, devised, written and performed by the students and led by Princeton faculty member Elena Araoz, will be performed live April 26 at 1:30pm and 8:00pm. The event is free and open to the public and will be open captioned.

NJPAC's Virtual Summer Camp To Return In July

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s award-winning Virtual Summer Camp is set to return in July, delivering two months of engaging opportunities to young people focusing on acting, music theater, Hip Hop, jazz, song, poetry, and more.

D&R Greenway Releases Spring Native Plant Sales

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- D&R Greenway has announced that its over sixty species of healthy local plants are ready for their annual Native Plant Sale. Purchases may now be arranged on-line, through April 28. Pre-order as soon as possible to secure preferred selections. Safe and easy pick-ups, on May 6, 7 and 8. Planting natives enhances regional gardens in beauty as well as in usefulness to native creatures, especially pollinators.

MPAC Shows For April 22-24

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- MPAC continues with limited capacity concerts on stage in April with comedian Ben Bailey and the music of The Brit Pack, as well as a virtual National Geographic Live lecture by Andy Mann sponsored by BASF.

Music Mountain Theatre presents "Groovin’ Up Broadway"

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre will continue their 2021 Spring Season with Groovin’ Up Broadway, a 70s Revue premiering April 23rd. The show will run for 6 performances ending on May 2nd. The Theatre will continue at 50% indoor capacity while also offering the option to stream at home. For the safety of patrons, The Theatre blocks off seats to allow for social distancing between groups.

VIDEO: Hamilton’s Phillipa Soo Helps NJ Arts Through Benefit Concert

"Hamilton” star Phillipa Soo recently lent her talents to a cause close to her heart: protecting the arts community. Her April 16 virtual concert through Rowan University benefited The New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund. Correspondent Maddie Orton talks with Soo about the pandemic’s impact on the theatre community, the exciting releases of "Hamilton" on Disney+ and "Over the Moon" on Netflix, the importance of cultural representation in her work, and her upcoming benefit concert.

New Jersey Stage: Daily Edition 04-20-21

Here are the articles published at New Jersey Stage for 04-20-21

VIDEO: Hamilton’s Phillipa Soo Helps NJ Arts Through Benefit Concert

"Hamilton” star Phillipa Soo recently lent her talents to a cause close to her heart: protecting the arts community. Her April 16 virtual concert through Rowan University benefited The New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund. Correspondent Maddie Orton talks with Soo about the pandemic’s impact on the theatre community, the exciting releases of "Hamilton" on Disney+ and "Over the Moon" on Netflix, the importance of cultural representation in her work, and her upcoming benefit concert.

"Go, Jimmy, Go!" Spotlight on '50s and '60s Teen Idol Jimmy Clanton

Jimmy Clanton is known as one of the most popular teen idols of the 1950s and ’60s. Between 1958 and 1962, the “Swamp Pop Teenage Idol” had seven charted hits — including three which reached the Top 10 and four which were million sellers — in addition to starring in films and sharing the stage with a variety of well-known artists including Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Platters, and many more.

Axelrod PAC Presents Vogel Summer Concert Series In Asbury Park and Holmdel

(ASBURY PARK) -- The Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC) hosts the official opening of the newly restored Arthur Pryor Bandshell on the Asbury Park Boardwalk with a special concert event on Wednesday, May 12, at 6:30pm featuring the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (PRO). They kick off the Vogel Summer Concert Series which APAC is presenting on Wednesday nights throughout the summer in Asbury Park.

Laurie Berkner: From Jersey Indie Rocker to Global Kindie Rocker

Princeton-raised, New York City-based Laurie Berkner is known throughout the world as a beloved kindie rocker of independent children’s music. She’s also an accomplished children’s author and the composer of an off-Broadway.

Lizzie Rose Music Room Presents The Pavilion in the Pines Summer Concert Series

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents The Pavilion in the Pines Summer Concert Series at the Atlantic Shore Pines Campground in Tuckerton. The series kicks off with Vanessa Collier on June 6th and has concerts scheduled throughout the summer. All shows take place rain or shine in a covered pavilion. All shows start at 7:30pm and must stop at 10:00pm.

#RIFT Takes Theatre Beyond the Stage

“For exactly half his life, my brother has been in prison and in December he’ll be up for parole. My name is Gabriel Jason Dean. I’m a playwright and this is a mostly true story about my brother and me.”

Saturdays With Ramsey Lewis: April 24th Online Concert Will Reprise Songs from "The In Crowd"

About five years ago, pianist Ramsey Lewis and his wife, Janet, were at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, preparing to fly out for a concert tour. “My wife asked an attendant what gate the flight was leaving from, and when she saw how far it was, she asked, ‘Can you get a wheelchair for my husband?’ That’s when I started thinking it was time to retire.”

Dawana Richardson & Willy Rivas Talk About Returning To Trenton Children's Chorus

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton Children’s Chorus (TCC) has inspired the creativity and artistry of young people throughout Mercer County since 1989. For over 30 years, the joy of children’s voices has illuminated the halls of local, state, and national venues, whose leaders have ranged from church pastors to internationally-acclaimed musicians, to even President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Anthony Walker Talks About His Return To Music & More

In 2008, a solid bunch of demo songs led to When Strangers Say Hello, the full length debut of Anthony Walker, a roots artist from New Brunswick. That album included wonderful tracks like "Darlene", "The Year of the Flood", and "Lucky Numbers" - the first two showcasing a lyrical ability far beyond his years, the latter hinting at the full band sound to come. A three-track EP was released in 2010, followed by This City Won't Sleep - another full-length which came out a year a later.

A Hero for These Times - Camden Comic Con Goes Virtual

There's never been a better time for a superhero. Luckily, Camden Comic Con is here to save the day. Started at Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts in 2014, this celebration of all things graphic, illustrated, and heroic is going virtual this year due to the pandemic, but its powers remain strong. Jesse and Dave talk to some of the organizers behind this increasingly popular event to find out how this year's convention came together.

Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 04-17-21