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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...12/4/14

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 12/04/2014


"Besides helping charities? I love bringing people together and the camaraderie of it all; I just love giving something back!" Those are the words of a very excited Jennifer Chlebowski, owner of Heavenly Touch Cosmetics as she prepares for her "Mad Hatter Tea Party and Charity Fashion Show" this Sunday December 7 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.


A makeup artist with more than twenty five years of experience; Jennifer has worked for Comcast and multiple other TV news outlets. Naming Brenda K. Starr and New York Yankee great Yogi Berra as two of those that she's worked on, it's easy to tell that she enjoys what she does. "I love what I do; I really do," she started. "I love to create things. I'm the type of person when told that it can't be done; will go to any length to prove you wrong (laughs)! This show is my biggest one yet. The proceeds go to two different charities, there will be amazing music, dancers, zumba, hula hoopers and of course, the fashion show. There will also be amazing food from local caterers, a visit and picture taking opportunities with Santa and the "Alice in Wonderland" theme is just incredible. I have such talented friends and they will get to show off what they can do at this event. My one friend is the main makeup artist for Great Adventure's "Fright Fest" and he is also into FX. He has built a prosthetic white rabbit that is just fantastic and that will go along with Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts too."

Chlebowski says that the charitable work and her cosmetic company are intertwined. Starting Heavenly Touch Cosmetics in 2005 because she was, in part, "Tired of using multiple name brand products," Chlebowski says that she began hosting charity events after working with such a wide variety of clientele. "I did a lot of research on private label companies. I wanted to be able to tell the brides, models, actors and actresses as well as newscasters and whoever else that they were wearing my product line. Telling them their eyeliner was this company, the lipstick another and so on was just too much; I wanted to bring it all under one brand so my name was associated with their makeup. I have always been involved with charitable work and organizations and shortly after I started Heavenly Touch, I held my first event in 2005. I started small, I literally had it in a gym; Work Out World in Middletown. I wasn't sure how many tickets I could sell; if I'd even sell any (laughs). The show wound up selling out, it was standing room only. My husband at the time helped me out and even though it was small, it was a large undertaking for the two of us. Then I got divorced and places started hiring me to do fashion shows around the same time. I started using these events to promote Heavenly Touch and then the whole charitable aspect became more the focus; I was always told, "If you give, you'd never go broke."

Readily admitting that she is an "Animal activist," Jennifer chose "All Fur Love Animal Rescue" and a children's charity, "Daniela's Wish" as the two benefactors of this particular show. "I love animals and they do such great things to rescue our furry friends and Daniela, well she's an amazing story from before she was even born. I know her and her family and she started her first charity at the age of seven and she's only twelve now. She started this charity to help kids; it's kind of like a mini "Make A Wish" but here out of New Jersey. The thing that people don't realize is, she's not even supposed to be here. When her mother was near the end of her pregnancy with Daniela, she was in a horrible car accident and Daniela almost died in the womb. Doctors wanted her mother to give up on the pregnancy because there was such a large risk of her being still born or handicapped and yet; she's fine and doing great things for kids."





 

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"The Mad Hatter Tea Party & Charity Fashion Show" takes place at Pure Event Space located at 1970 Route 35 North in South Amboy. Tickets cost $50 per adult and $15 for a child. To discover more about either of these charities please visit their web sites at www.allfurlove.org and www.Danielaswish.org . To catch up with Jennifer and/or Heavenly Touch Cosmetics, please visit their site at www.Heavenlytouchcosmetics.com.


The full slate of music and venues is back in swing this week so please support your local musicians and the arts!

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!




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THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS

Alchemist & Barrister

28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Paul Plumeri Band

Sun. 9 p.m. Princeton Area Bluegrass Jam

Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night

All shows 21+
Amalfi's Restaurant

146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville

(609) 912-1599
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Aldrich Brothers Band
Amarones Windsor Inn

29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Cager & Debbie





 

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Fri. 8 p.m. Juke Box Legends

Sat. 8 p.m. Shore Soundz

Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em

Wed. 7 p.m. DJ John Rossi
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge

835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington

(609) 267-1200
Thurs. 8 p.m. Country Night Ft. Derek S

Fri. 7 p.m. Alright Junior, Wailing Kids, The Burgeoning

Sat. 7 p.m. Foxanne, Kate and Alan, Danielle Steward, Steve and Jon

Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Blend Bar & Bistro

911 Highway 33, Hamilton

(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 6 p.m. Vine Street, Sensory Hoverload, Blue Son, Deadline Tuesday, Cephalopods And Their Allies, Gordon's Alley. All ages, $10.

Sat. 5 p.m. Tantric, Episode Earth, Aurin, N.A.S.H., DiRTY ROBOTS, Honor. All ages, $15

Sun. 4 p.m. Icarus, Nevada Rose, Vanity Strikes, My Flesh May Fail, Reverse Psychology, Dreadful Recognition. All ages, $10/$12

Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612


Sat. 3 p.m. Bob Devos Guitar Quartet.. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995


Fri. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Chickie's & Pete's

183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal


Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen





 

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Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
Fran's Pub

116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Vin Mott and The Rhythm & Blues Band

Sat. 8 p.m. Scoville Blues

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam hosted by Jimmy Pritchard

All shows 21+
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897

Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beat the Clock" DJ Dance Party

Fri. 8 p.m. Highway 41 (Allman Brothers Band Tribute). Doors at 6 p.m., $15


Sat. 8 p.m. The Legendary Wailers w/ Jah People. Doors at 6 p.m., $35 (advance), $40 (door/day of show)

Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke in the Bar w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridget

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran and Friends

All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. F2 and the Anchovy Brothers

Sat. 10 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
All shows 21+


John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981

Thurs. 9 p.m. Kalen & The Sky Thieves

Fri. 9 p.m. Sean Faust & Robert Fulton

Sat. (3 p.m.) Crosscut Saw Blues Duo (9 p.m.) Rainbow Fresh

Sun. (3 p.m.) Mercer County Pour (9 p.m.) Bootstrap Bandits

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Chris

Tues. 7 p.m. J & P's Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show

Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern

2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-2678

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979


Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing

1339 River Rd. Titusville

(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sensei Juan & The Black Belts
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008


Fri. 9:30 p.m. Radio Fiction
RHO Waterfront


50 Riverview Plaza Trenton


(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Wessey Wes

Fri./Sat. Closed for private Parties


All Shows 21+
Sunsets at Cream Ridge

181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge

(609) 208-2500
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)

Sat. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)


Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345

Fri. (& p.m.) Jazz Night (9 p.m.) The Night Out

Sat. 9 p.m. Warhammer

Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr

Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Darius

Sat. 10 p.m. Jam Lab

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv

Wed. 10 p.m. Theme Night w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
The HOB Tavern

146 Second Street

(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Wed. 9 p.m. Frank Squared
The Millhill Basement

300 South Broad St Trenton

(609) 989-1600
Sat. 9 p.m. The Choices, Supreme Commander, A Balance Between. Ages 21+, $6
The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown

(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Mulebone. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)

Sat. 8 p.m. Spanking Charlene/Soraia. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554

Fri. (5 p.m.) Eugene O'Neal (8 p.m.) Kelly Fragale

Sat. 9 p.m. Bill Shannon

Sun. 3 p.m. Irish Sessions

Tues. 9 p.m. Taylor Reed

Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese

All shows 21+
Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: "Evolution of a Criminal"

Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300

Fri. 10 p.m. Hendrix Lives. ($5 cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. Blendmode w/ Catullus. ($5 cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night

Tues. 9 p.m. Acoustic Grateful Dead feat. members of Splintered Sunlight

All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn


2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington


Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke

About the author:

Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.



Joe

Joe Russo's Almost Dead

Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ

Joe Russo's Almost Dead is Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger and Joe Russo. We're a Grateful Dead cover band.

 
Mccarter

Mccarter At The Museum: An Evening With Jason Robert Brown

Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Princeton Art Museum
45 Elm Drive, Princeton, NJ

Join us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum. 


Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.


With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.


A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.


Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].

 
John

John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ

The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock’n’roll group JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the “Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack”. The hit single “ON THE DARK SIDE” held the “#1” position on the Billboard Rock charts and the MTV video charts for five consecutive weeks.



 
Griffin

Griffin House

Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ

“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter

 
Floyd

Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd

Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ

FLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.  



 


 


EVENT PREVIEWS

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

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.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday

KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday

(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki

Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki

(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition.  The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.