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Top 10 Most Read Stories at New Jersey Stage For Week of December 19-25

originally published: 12/26/2021


Here's a look at the top 10 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage during the week of December 19-25, 2021.  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 7 counties in New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, and Passaic).

1) Middlesex County announces plans to acquire 18.7 acres of open space located in Metuchen - (METUCHEN, NJ) -- Middlesex County has announced its intention to acquire 18.7 acres of land in Metuchen to later become part of the Peter J. Barnes III Wildlife Preserve. In addition to the 18.7 acres being acquired from the Metuchen Realty Association, the County will enter into a conservation management agreement with the Borough of Metuchen to manage an additional 12 acres of open space located adjacent to the newly purchased land which will provide the opportunity for possible future acquisitions.

2) Newark Social Launches ‘Newark Winter Village’ Event, Offering Shopping and Ice Skating Downtown - (NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark Social has turned downtown Newark’s Mulberry Commons, and the nearby Ironside Building, into winter wonderlands for their Newark Winter Village event. The event kicked off on December 1 and runs through January 31, featuring an ice skating rink, a shopping marketplace, and a variety of games and activities. This will be the first time Newark residents will be able to enjoy public outdoor ice skating in their city.

3) "A Case Of Blue" - A Very NJ/NY Film Is Available NowA Case of Blue, a feature film starring Stephen Schnetzer (Another World, Homeland, ATWT, Days, OLTL ) and Annapurna Sriram (Billions, Feral) was released for renting and purchasing on most streaming platforms on October 19, 2021.  The film which asks "is it possible to relive a long-lost romance?" has a heavy New Jersey / New York presence and was filmed mostly in Ridgewood using many local actors.

4) Princeton Boychoir featured in Christmas concert with Michael Bublé on NBC - (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Members of Princeton Boychoir, currently celebrating their 5th Anniversary Season, were honored to appear with Michael Bublé in his recent NBC special, Christmas in the City, which aired on Monday, December 6. Ranging in age from 9 to 13 years old, this talented group of boys joined the famed Canadian singer, often referred to as the modern “King of Christmas” for his concert finale, a rendition of the classic carol Silent Night.




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5) Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" Uses New Jersey As Its Backdrop - (NEWARK, NJ) -- Steven Spielberg's reimagining of the legendary "West Side Story" was filmed on location on the streets of Paterson and Newark. The film, already garnering positive reviews from critics, marks Spielberg's musical debut and his third time filming in New Jersey.

6) Rutgers-Newark Expands Scholarship Program for New Jersey Students - (NEWARK, NJ) -- Rutgers University – Newark is significantly expanding a scholarship program that already has helped thousands of New Jersey students achieve their dream of going to college. Since 2016, Rutgers University – Newark Talent & Opportunity Pathways (RU-N to the TOP) has made scholarships available to nearly 5,000 students to cover the difference between other aid they receive and the full cost of in-state tuition and mandatory fees. Effective fall 2022, RU-N to the TOP will significantly expand eligibility to make many more dreams come true.

7) New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker is a Rich, Luscious Delight, Mouse King and All - Saturday started out to be a perfectly dreadful day for me. I got little sleep the night before because I drank too much coffee. My morning bagel was harder than a cement wall. I had to wring my brain inside out at a meeting with an insurance agent in an attempt to understand my new, incredibly complicated  Medicare plan. I had to speed to the post office and wait on a long line to mail documents that had to get where they were going by the end of next week. It rained all day and it was hard to drive because the car had to wander through a soupy fog that belonged in a chilly horror movie. I ran out of orange juice. The car radio did not work. 

8) Nai-Ni Chen Passed Away On December 12th in Honolulu - (FORT LEE, NJ) -- "The members of the Board of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company are devastated by the loss of our dear friend Nai-Ni Chen, who died in a swimming accident while on vacation with her family in Hawaii on Sunday (December 12, 2021). Her innovative work as a choreographer and dancer is deeply rooted in her Asian-American immigrant experience and strongly impacted the mainstream American dance scene. Our hearts go out to her family and we are committed to preserving her legacy," said Board Chair Theresa A. Shubeck.

9) 23rd Annual Makin Waves Awards - Makin Waves’ annual holiday gift to the New Jersey music scene returns with a fresh batch of awards for the 23rd time throughout its 33-year history. This year’s big winners are veteran Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Tom Kanach with three and Montclair-based Jewish bluegrass band Nefesh Mountain, Asbury Park jam band Dogs in a Pile, and North Jersey hard rock act Reality Suite each with two. 

10) Inside Light of Day Winterfest 2022 - (ASBURY PARK, NJ) --  The Light of Day Foundation presents WinterFest 2022, the annual music festival taking place January 7-17 in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Montclair, New York City and Rockland County. All performances and events will raise money and awareness for its continuing battle to defeat Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) within our lifetime

As you can see by this list, event previews are always one of the most popular areas of the website. Event previews get noticed when we first publish them and then get noticed again when they are brought back to the main area of the site the week the event takes place - sometimes even several months later.  Make sure your events get previewed by sending press releases to us at [email protected] - for even more promotion, check out our ad rates which run $50-$100 for an entire month of advertising. It's the best deal around!.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

The Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA) has announced the cancellation of Sips, Stars & Stripes: A NJ Wine Revolution, originally scheduled for May 30, 2026. The decision comes in response to the unprecedented freeze events that impacted vineyards across New Jersey during April 2026. According to vineyard managers and growers throughout the state, prolonged overnight temperatures below freezing caused extensive and widespread damage to grapevines in nearly every wine-producing region of New Jersey.
Land of Make Believe slates Grand Opening for Memorial Day Weekend

Land of Make Believe slates Grand Opening for Memorial Day Weekend

(HOPE TWP, NJ) -- There are many traditions come Memorial Day Weekend including parades, tributes to our service men and women, past and present, and family gatherings. For many families there is another annual tradition - a trip to the Land of Make Believe, a close by destination with affordable, bargain pricing.
State Theatre New Jersey

State Theatre New Jersey's A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala to Take Place May 30th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey (STNJ) invites the community to its signature fundraising event, A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Christopher's Restaurant & Bar located inside The Heldrich Hotel. This highly anticipated evening directly supports STNJ's arts education and community engagement programs, which serve more than 30,000 children and families each year.
North Jersey Artists, Leaders and Businesses Invited to Shape Region

North Jersey Artists, Leaders and Businesses Invited to Shape Region's Cultural and Economic Future at Community Gathering on National Heritage Area Designation

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) invites artists, community leaders, business owners, cultural organizations, and residents to participate in Community Conversation: National Heritage Area in New Jersey on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 from 6:15pm to 7:45pm at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to Celebrate Spring Exhibitions with a Community Day on June 6th

Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to Celebrate Spring Exhibitions with a Community Day on June 6th

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will celebrate its spring exhibitions with a Community Day event. The day, which will feature artist-led walks around Summit, a live podcast recording, and drop-in workshops, will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
"The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit" returns on June 9th

"The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit" returns on June 9th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- GK Digital Ventures, in partnership with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), has announced the return of "The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit," set to take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Following its acclaimed inaugural edition, the second annual summit arrives at the most significant moment in U.S. soccer history: New Jersey is hosting eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — including the Final — placing the Garden State at the center of a global spotlight.
Wine & BBQ Fest to Take Place in Sewell June 13-14

Wine & BBQ Fest to Take Place in Sewell June 13-14

(SEWELL, NJ) -- FIRE UP YOUR SUMMER! After years of unforgettable summers at Washington Lake Park, the team behind the beloved Washington Lake Park Wine Festival returns to this stunning South Jersey destination—this time with a bold new twist. Get ready to kick off summer in smoky, savory style at the WINE & BBQ FEST, happening June 13-14, 2026 at Washington Lake Park in Sewell, New Jersey, from 12:00pm–5:00pm each day.
UBS Arena To Host International Soccer Watch Party on June 19th

UBS Arena To Host International Soccer Watch Party on June 19th

(BELMONT PARK, NY) -- UBS Arena will host an International Soccer Watch Party, a public screening of two of the FIFA World Cup 26 (TM) matches on Friday, June 19 featuring USA v. Australia and Haiti v. Brazil. The fan-focused events will highlight all the excitement the tournament is bringing to the New York Metro area this summer and provide local residents with a unique way to experience these soccer matches together as a community.
2026 Princeton Festival to Take Place June 5-21 at Morven Museum & Garden

2026 Princeton Festival to Take Place June 5-21 at Morven Museum & Garden

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is pleased to announce that world-renowned bel canto soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and The Bacon Brothers, Michael and Kevin, are scheduled to perform at the 2026 Princeton Festival. At the core of the Festival, there is live opera with Festival veteran and current Met Opera star Toni Marie Palmertree returning to sing the title role in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. These major stars typify the quality of musical offerings to be found at this year's Festival which runs from June 5-21 on the grounds of Morven Museum & Garden.
Jersey City Theater Center presents 2026 Voices International Theatre and Arts Festival

Jersey City Theater Center presents 2026 Voices International Theatre and Arts Festival

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) presents its signature Voices International Theatre and Arts Festival from June 4-26, 2026 across multiple venues in Jersey City, and the Professional Voices Festival Conference on June 11 at White Eagle Hall.

 

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