By Danny Coleman
originally published: 09/06/2018

"We're from Nashville as a band but I'm from New York," said an enthusiastic Elena (pronounced EL-uh-nuh) Franklin as she discussed her band Reality Something and their upcoming September 13 show at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ. "I am so excited to play in Asbury Park! I've not been to the Jersey shore since I was a kid with a friend's family I think it was; so we  are looking forward to it."

Nashville based but assembled from parts all over the U.S., the band came together through some spur of the moment actions and the timing of guitarist Kingsley Brock. Franklin could not help but laugh as she recounted how it all came to be.

"Kingsley the guitar player, I met him while I was living in Los Angeles and I moved to Nashville like a psychopath after only knowing him for three weeks so that I could hang out with him,"  she started with a giggle. "He was in another band at that time and we were living with two guys from a band called The Weeks and they were gone all of the time on tour and I didn't know anyone so I learned guitar because there were a lot of guitars in the house. I just started learning guitar and writing songs and right around the time I was getting serious about it, Kingsley ended up leaving his band so we started Reality Something and made it our main focus. I found Ethan Place our drummer because somebody literally mentioned his name and I just started stalking him until he agreed to come over and play with us (laughs) and Bill Grasley we found through friends of ours up in Wisconsin. He was in a band called The Traveling Suitcase but he really wanted to move to Nashville; Bill is an incredible guitar player and he does us a favor playing bass but I think he likes it (laughs)." 

Reality Something; what's with the name? According to Elena it's sort of being in the moment as in looking at things as they are or just accepting situations for what they are and as they arise, or as she says, "If that makes sense let's go with that. I get this question all of the time and I've never really come up with a good answer for it other than; look, if you switched around the name and made it, "Something Like Reality," that's what it really is; like what is this whole thing? We don't know (laughs), it's something, something like reality!"

With a self-titled EP in the books which was recorded several years ago, they have recently released a full band, full length disc and this also has a right place at the right time feel to it; especially as to how timing once again caused a relationship to blossom.

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"Life Noise" is a full length, it's our very first full length and it's our debut record. We released it on May 4 on Infinity Cat Records here in Nashville. We found them or maybe they found us, we've always probably sort of known of each other, well we knew of them and I'm pretty sure they had some idea of who we were and their offices are located in a place here in Nashville called Fort Houston which is what they call a, "Maker's Space" because people literally make stuff like pottery or wood working and there's a big art gallery in the back which is where their offices are and I had my first art show there last November in that gallery. So they watched me and my friend who is a photographer as we put up the art show and we'd been doing it all month and right around that time was when we finished the record and my friend Jenna who is in the band Daddy Issues who are on Infinity Cat gave them the record, they liked it and since they had been watching me all month it just all sort of fell into place."

Geologically speaking, the amount of time the band has been together is a blink of an eye but for Elena it's been a total growth process for both her and the band.

"We've been together a little over three years," she said with definition. "We put out a self-titled EP in August of 2015 and then started playing together a little later that year." I was the principle songwriter for the EP and the record; I sort of wrote the songs bedroom style but really I was in a freaking basement where we lived (laughs). It was just me and my guitar and then I'd bring them to Kingsley and he'd add his guitar parts and help me rearrange them and really bring them to life with his guitar because without him they are just four chord songs. Then everyone else would add in their parts on drums and bass and we'd work the songs out like that but the stuff we are working on now is way more collaborative and the next thing we're going to do is probably an EP and this next one is really Kingsley's project; he's doing most of the songwriting and arrangements so I'm excited to see what we come up with." 

Getting ready to set out on the road can be a daunting task for any band, for Elena it's a homecoming of sorts with dates in Jersey and New York City but she's not worried at all about the unit as it's only a week or so away from their current home. "It's a two weekend kind of thing; we're going to play Philly, Brooklyn and Asbury Park and then the next week maybe Pittsburgh and then Milwaukee and a little festival and then to Appleton, Wisconsin. This is the first time that the band is going to play in New York and then we have a couple of days to hang out; I go all of the time but I'm excited to have them along this time." 

When asked what one can expect when attending a Reality Something show, she offered a very upbeat response, "We're a rock band, I usually say we're alternative but it's just a really honest rock show and we definitely have fun." 

The Saint is located at 601 Main Street in Asbury Park, NJ and to attend this event you must be 18 years and older. The show starts at 9:30 with an $8 price tag per ticket.

To discover more about Reality Something, please visit www.realitysomething.com. 

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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 week's event listings

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Alchemist & Barrister  
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-5555  
Thurs. "Pasta and Sinatra Night"  
Wed. 10 p.m. (TBA)  

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Amalfi's Kitchen & Bar
146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 8:30 p.m. No Way Out

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Arts Council of Princeton  
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-8777 
Sat. (1 p.m.) "Fall Open house." (FREE Admission) (3 p.m.) "Opening Reception" (FREE Admission) (7:30 p.m.) "Women in the World of Sondheim" w/ Katie Welsh. $15

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Artworks Trenton
19 Everett Alley Trenton
(609) 394-9436
Sat. 2 p.m. "Fringe Art Festival" feat. Denise McCormack/Danelia Cotton   

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Bill's Olde Tavern  
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton  
(609) 586-0192  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia  
Ages 21+  

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Blend Bar & Bistro  
911 Highway 33 Hamilton  
(609) 245-8887  
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia  Jam  
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke 

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Bowman's Tavern  
1600 River Road New Hope, PA  
(215) 862-2972  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Gary Reed & Arturo Burger
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7 p.m. Patrick & Debra
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch w/ Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Gary Reed & Arturo Burger
Wed. 6 p.m. Tony Alosi

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Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room  
19 E. Union Street Burlington  
(609) 733-3562 
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Shorty Rock
Sat. 10 p.m. Retroglyphs

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Broken Goblet Brewing
1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, PA
(267) 812-5653
Fri. 8 p.m. Cara Cartney & Mike Reinig
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Brian Bortnick 

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BT Restaurant & Tavern
2031 Route 130 South Burlington  
(609) 499-1355  
Fri. 8:30 p.m. "80's/90's Dance Party" w/ DJ "Jazzi" Nick

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Caffe Galleria
23 North Union Street Lambertville
(609) 397-2400
Fri. 7 p.m. Peter Moretzsohn

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Candlelight Lounge  
24 Passaic Street Trenton  
(609) 695-9612  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Thursday Night Blues Jam
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)  
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)

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Championship Bar
931 Chambers street Trenton
(609) 396-5457
Mon. 8 p.m. "Art Chill Night"
Tuesday 8 p.m. "Jam Night" Hosted by Nikki & Caleb

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Chickie's & Pete's  
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown  
(609) 298-9182  
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night  
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia  

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City Streets  
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor  
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays"   
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea  
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval  

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COARadio.com  
125 South Main Street Hightstown  
(609) 241-7103  
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Patrizsha

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Common Sense Brewing
102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 526-8651
Fri. 6 p.m. Brad Vickers
Sat. 6 p.m. Paul Plumeri

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Diamond's of Hamilton  
661 Route 33 Hamilton  
(609) 981-7900  
Fri. 6 p.m. Tymes 2
Sat. 9 p.m. Bobby Valli
Sun. 10 a.m. "Live Jazz Brunch Buffet"  

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Frans Pub
116 South Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-5539
Sat. 8 p.m. Orion

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Freddies Tavern  
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing  
(609) 882-0978 
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
Fri. 8 p.m. Dave Orban & the Mojo Gypsies
Sat. 8 p.m. Judge and Jury
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Joe Vadala

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Grounds For Sculpture
80 Sculptors way Hamilton
(609) 586-0616
Thurs. Plein Air Cinema Series: The Beatles "Yellow Submarine." (Free with after hours park admission)
Fri. 6 p.m. "First Fridays." Ages 21+, Pop up performances, DJ Entertainment

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Grover's Mill Coffee House  
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction  
(609) 716-8771  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker

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Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Blue Jersey

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Halo Pub (Fete) 
9 Hullfish Street Princeton
(609) 921-1710
Sat. 6 p.m. Karly Coleman & Mike Matisa

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Havana New Hope  
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.  
(215) 862-9897 
Fri. (5:30/7:30 p.m.) "Newtown School of Rock (9:30 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (1:30/3:30 p.m.) Newtown School of Rock  (8:30 p.m.) Bigg Romeo (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke 
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Showcase" Hosted by Pat Foran feat. Ken Lazorchak/Ken Brody

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Hopewell Theater  
5 South Greenwood Avenue Hopewell  
(609) 466-1964 
Fri. 8 p.m. "This Really Happened...Storytelling at HT" feat. Carla Katz, Jude Treder-Wolff, Ken Galipeau, David Lawson, Sandi Marx. $19.73
Sat. 8 p.m. "Hopewell Theater's One Year Anniversary with Rogue Oliphant" feat. Paul Muldoon w/ Sim Cain, Chris Harford, David Mansfield, Cait O'Riordan, Warren Zanes. $34.12, $36.79, $39.45

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Hopewell United Methodist Church
20 Blackwell Avenue Hopewell
(609) 466-0471
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)

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Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn  
15 East Broad Street Hopewell  
(609) 466-9889  
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night 
Sun. 1 p.m. "Irish Music Sessions"

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards  
46 Yard Avenue Pennington  
(609) 737-4465  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic / Karaoke Night
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Firedog
Sat. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Got 35
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Thieves & Poets

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Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill  
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA  
(267) 914-4517  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher  
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam  

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Iron Plow Vineyards  
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus  
(732) 306-9111  
Fri. 6 p.m. Ryan Zimmerman
Sat. 1 p.m. Bob & Dave
Sun. 1 p.m. Bob O & Kim Montalvo  

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Ivy Tavern  
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton  
(609) 888-1435  
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke  
Fri. 9 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
All shows 21+  

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Jake's Eatery  
869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA  
(215) 322-6787  
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Ladies Night" 
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Night  

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Jimmy's Firestone American Grill
140 Route 130 South Bordentown
(609) 291-0200
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Bar Games and Trivia"

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John & Peter's  
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa  
(215) 862-5981 
Thurs. 9 p.m. RIPS
Fri. 9 p.m. North X New Hope 
Sat. 6 p.m. North X New Hope
Sun. 8 p.m. North X New Hope
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.  
Tues. 9 p.m. Sutton Papanikolas
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational  
All shows 21+ 

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JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Mercerville
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 10 p.m. DiBartolo Leahy Clayton Trio

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Killarney's Publick House  
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton 
(609) 586-1166 
Thurs. (6 p.m.) "2018 Mercer County Conference of PBA's Annual Cigar Night"  (9 p.m.) "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Byrd

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Laurita Winery  
85 Archertown Road New Egypt  
(609) 752-0200  
Wed. 6 p.m. Laurita Summer Grill Night/Girls Night Out

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Logan Inn  
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA  
(215) 862-2300
Fri. 7 p.m. Sammy Flow
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Colleen Ryan
Sun. 11 am "Jazz Brunch" feat. Dave Dales Trio

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McGuinn's Place  
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence  
(609) 392-0599  
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
Ages 21+  

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McStews Irish Sports Pub  
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA  
(215) 949-9570  
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim 
Sat. 9:30 p.m. All Lit Up
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike  
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Kirchner Entertainment  

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Mercer County Park Festival Grounds
Hughes Drive/Old Trenton Road West Windsor
(609) 448-1947
Check web site for upcoming events

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Millhill Basement  
300 S. Broad Street Trenton  
(609) 989-1600 
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase 

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New Hope Winery 
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Check web site for upcoming events

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Nook's PourHouse  
2043 Route 130 South Florence  
(609) 447-0927  
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics  

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Nottingham Tavern  
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square  
(609) 587-6623  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave  
Fri. 9 p.m. Toft McCarthy Toft
Sat. 9 p.m. Joe Zook & Blues Deluxe
Ages 21+  

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Old Town Pub  
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 291-9232 
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia

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Palace Of Asia
4591 Route 27 Kingston
(609) 497-9500
Wed. 7 p.m. True Acoustic

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Palermo's Of Hamilton  
310 Klockner Road Hamilton  
(609) 838-7979  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
All shows 21 +  

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Patriots Crossing  
1339 River Road Titusville  
(609) 737-2780 
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Bobby Jones
Fri. 8 p.m. DT & the Burnerz
Sat. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"

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Parx Casino (360 Bar)  
2999 Street Road Bensalem, PA  
(888) 588-7299  
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Latin Night" w/ DJ George Dennis
Fri. (9:30 p.m.) Split Decision (10 p.m.) DJ Capps
Sat. (4 p.m.) Soul Cruisers (9:30 p.m.) The Rockets (10 p.m.) DJ Eric Vanderslice
Sun. 3 p.m. "Showcase Sunday"
Wed. 8 p.m. Gemini  

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Pete's Steak House  
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton  
(609) 585-8008  
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9 p.m. Audio Pilot
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke  

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Randy Now's Man Cave 
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 424-3766 
Fri./Sat. 8 p.m. The Blenders Reunion. $10

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Rossi's Bar & Grill  
2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton  
(609) 890-2004  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Monk & Monk (Domino Domino)

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Salt Creek Grille  
1 Rockingham Row Princeton  
(609) 419-4200  
Fri. 8 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 8 p.m. Charles Clark

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Small World Coffee  
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Darla Rich Trio
Sun. 7 p.m. Princeton Bluegrass Jam

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Stone Terrace by John Henry's
2275 Kuser Road Hamilton
(609) 581-8855
Thurs. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

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1867 Sanctuary  
101 Scotch Road Ewing  
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. Minas Duo. $20
Sat. (3 p.m.) Stanley Alexandrowicz. $20 (8 p.m.) Luiz Simas
Sun. 3 p.m. Stephen Yee Quartet. $20
Wed. 8 p.m. Hannah Murphy. $20

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Tara's Tavern 
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown  
(609) 286-2300  
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong

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Tavern On The Lake  
101 Main Street Hightstown  
(609) 426-9345  
Fri. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9 p.m. "End of Summer Party"
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night  

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Temperance House  
5 South State Street Newtown, PA  
(215) 944-8050  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Mic Hosted by Steve Guyger  
Sat. 7 p.m. John & Maggs
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Righteous Jolly  
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Session Jazz Night

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The Birdhouse Center For The Arts
7 North Main Street Lambertville
(215) 681-4660
Check web site for upcoming events

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The Cool Cricket  
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro  
(609) 291-9110  
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse

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The Cure Insurance Center  
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton  
(609) 656-3200  
Check website for upcoming events  

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The Dubliner
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 8 p.m. Gerry Timlin
Sat. 8 p.m. Thomas Johnston

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The Five Four Bar & Grill
8919 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 547-5525
Wed. 7 p.m. "Lyrical Conundrums" w/ Cara and Righteous

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The Four Crows Café
41 North Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 869-5252
Sat. 5 p.m. Eastern Hellbenders

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The HOB Tavern  
146 Second Street Bordentown  
(609) 291-7020  
Fri. 8 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Tues 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night  
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)

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The Ivy Inn  
248 Nassau Street Princeton  
(609) 921-8555  
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron  
Fri. 10 p.m. Paper Shakers
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv  
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron  

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The Pines Tavern  
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA  
(215) 788-1659  
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.  

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The RRazz Room (Clarion Hotel)
6426 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(888) 596-1027
Sat. 8 p.m. A.J. Lambert Sings Sinatra "In the Wee Small Hours" $35/$45 (Ltd VIP)

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The Record Collector  
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 324-0880  
Sat. 8 p.m. Soraia (Record release party). All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12

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The Roost  
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge  
(609) 208-0050
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke

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The Sticky Wicket  
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton  
(609) 439-0007  
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio 
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke  

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The Sycamore Grill  
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA  
(215) 908-6326  
Fri. 8 p.m. Stage Left
Sat. 8 p.m. Sherry St. John
Wed. 6 p.m. AJ Slick

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Third State Brewing 
352 High Street Burlington
(609) 387-1620
Check web site for upcoming events

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Tir Na Nog  
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton  
(609) 392-2554
Sat. 9 p.m. David Falcone
Wed. (7 p.m.) "What's Next? A Rockin' Happy Hour!" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Michael Nabinger. (9 p.m.) Open Mic. Hosted by Jerry Monk
All Shows 21+

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Trenton Buzz  
702 Pine Street Trenton  
(609) 392-6000  
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.  
Sat. 10 p.m. "Buzzed Saturdays" w/ Bockman  

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Trenton Social  
449 South Broad Street Trenton  
(609) 989-7777 
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny P  

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Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)  
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.  
(215) 862-8300  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 10 p.m. Rob Duncan. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Flux Capacitor. $5 (cover charge) 
Sun. 8 p.m. Open Stage
All shows 21+

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Wildflowers Inn  
2572 Pennington Road Pennington  
(609) 773-2392  
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night  
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia 
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson

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Working Dog Winery  
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown  
(609) 371-6000  
Sat. 1 p.m. Vic Dello Pello

About the author:

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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.

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