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

Published by New Jersey Stage

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

(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Freakin Rican presents Arte de Nuestra Isla: Series Two, the second installment of its cultural art exhibition celebrating Puerto Rican artists, storytelling, and community connection. The event takes place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at The Freakin Rican (468 Cedar Lane) in Teaneck.
Wise Animal Rescue to Host "Barknic" on August 8th

Wise Animal Rescue to Host "Barknic" on August 8th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Wise Animal Rescue presents Barknic, its biggest fundraising event of the year, on Saturday, August 8, 2026 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at Lackawanna Station in Montclair. Perfect for both pets and their humans, Barknic is an indoor, family-friendly, and animal-friendly celebration that brings together the NJ community for an afternoon of fun while supporting a meaningful cause. Guests can enjoy local vendors, music, interactive activities for dogs and their humans, unique photo opportunities, and the chance to meet adoptable pets from local rescue organizations.
Create Spectacular Giant Puppets and More for the Illumination 250 Parade, the Largest Public Art Experience in Bergen County

Create Spectacular Giant Puppets and More for the Illumination 250 Parade, the Largest Public Art Experience in Bergen County

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation invites the public to participate in the special 'Giant Puppets Workshop Series' led by artists from the internationally acclaimed Processional Arts. The puppets created in the workshop series from August 14 through August 19, 2026 will be featured in a giant puppet parade marching down Main Street in Hackensack during Illumination 250, an all-day arts festival taking place on October 3rd to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

"Allen AME: Our Stories, Our Space, Our Legacy" to Celebrate Faith, History, Art, and Community

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The public is invited to attend "Allen AME: Our Stories, Our Space, Our Legacy," a free special program honoring the enduring history and cultural significance of the former Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cape May. The event will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the historic Allen AME Church (717 Franklin Street) in Cape May.
Nearly One-Third of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival Lives at Cannonball This September

Nearly One-Third of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival Lives at Cannonball This September

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Nearly one-third of the 2026 Philadelphia Fringe Festival comes to life at Cannonball Festival this September, as more than 100 artists present bold new work across five stages in a nonstop celebration of fearless live performance. Celebrating its sixth year, Cannonball is the largest hub of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, championing a revolutionary artist-led model that prioritizes equity, experimentation, and community connection.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Hindley Street Country Club

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Vivid Stage Summer Solos: "The Call List" by Brian James Pollak

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
Summit, NJ


Tyler Henry: An Evening of Hope and Healing

Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Deadgrass

Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore

Thursday, July 30, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
Toms River, NJ