By Danny Coleman
originally published: 11/27/2014
The holiday band schedule is as usual, lighter than normal but there is still loads of great music happening this weekend.
Southern rock enthusiasts may want to consider stopping by the Ivy Tavern in Hamilton on Friday evening as Gunsmoke plays in front of "The Great Wall of Alcohol." These fellas are always a lot of fun and very good at giving you that "Down home southern feeling." Pay attention to their version of "Simple Man;" it'll catch you one way or another for sure.
Classic rockers listen up! Tangled will be rocking Pete's Steak House in Hamilton on Friday evening as well. There's a reason why these guys work steady and are booked for months in advance; they're just that good. Playing a wide variety of the tunes from the 1970's to today; Tangled never disappoints.
If jazz is your thing, Dick Gratton returns to Chambers Walk in Lawrenceville on Saturday evening; performing his array of standard instrumentals as only he can. Also, the Candlelight Lounge plays host to the Jason Marshall Baritone Quartet in a matinee at this Trenton landmark.
How about blues? JB Kline Band takes to the stage at Havana in new Hope, PA on Sunday at 8 p.m. JB is one of the most respected and sought after talents between the two bridge communities of Lambertville, NJ and new hope and beyond. A little further out is Mr. Lucky at the 709 located on Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant. This is the third recent appearance of this group from central/south Jersey at this popular shore eatery.
Speaking of Havana; a "Super Group" of sorts will be taking the stage there on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
The Empty Hearts whose cast includes members of The Cars, Blondie, Romantics and The Chesterfield Kings will be rockin' Main Street to its core.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Closed for Holiday
Sun. 9 p.m. Paula Ryan
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night
All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. (TBA)
Fri. 8 p.m. The Gyrl Band
Sat. 8 p.m. Greg Martiello
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
Fri. 7 p.m. Solus Rex, Soraia, BlackRue, Midnight Mosaic
Sat. 7 p.m. Risen Resilient, Could've Been Kings, Crosswick
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Sat. 9 p.m. ZQ Acoustic w/ Mike & Steve
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 5 p.m. Burn The Empire, Sithis, Bloodtouch, (TBA). All ages, $10.
Sat. 5 p.m. Windermere, A Right To React, The Catering Company, Vague Advice, S.O.L., Able Moving Hearts, Dragon's Bane, Entropy. All ages, $10
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Jason Marshall Baritone Quartet.. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Sat. 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
Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215)862-5539
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
Fri. 9:30 p.m. "Black Friday" DJ Dance Party
Sat. 9:30 p.m. "College Thanksgiving Break" DJ Dance Party
Sun. (3 p.m.) Ladies 2000 (8 p.m.) JB Kline Blues Band
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke in the Bar w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridget
Wed. 8 p.m. The Empty Hearts feat. Elliot Easton (The Cars), Wally Palmar (Romantics), Clem Burke (Blondie) and Andy Babiuk (The Chesterfield Kings). Doors at 6 p.m., $20
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke
Sat. 10 p.m. Soul Custody
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Chris Harford Annual Thanksgiving Show
Fri. 9 p.m. Ammunition / Kid Is Qual
Sat. (3 p.m.) Modzilla (9 p.m.) Danny DeGennaro Memorial Concert
Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin's Drag Show Benefitting Lifeties (9 p.m.) Collin Rocker
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
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. Strange Brew
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Music Variety Show Hosted by TJ Nix
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Tangled
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. Closed for Holiday
Fri. Closed for a Private Party
Sat. 10 p.m. Ladies Night Party w/ DJ BPM, Marcoz Rioz, Thomas Della Monica / Live performances by ray Rodriguez, Swing Sabroso. Men $20, Ladies $10 (after 10 p.m.)
All Shows 21+
Sunsets at Cream Ridge
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-2500
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Melanie & Sonny
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Tangled
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 9 p.m. Black Rose
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
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
The Millhill Saloon
300 South Broad St Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Sat. 9 p.m. Planning For Burial, Street Sects, Hex Cult, Drugstore. Ages 21+, $6
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat 8 p.m. 2nd Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival feat. Stompers. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m.
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. 9 p.m. Black Brant
Sat. 9 p.m. Gregg Carpenter
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents:
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. Brotherhood of Thieves. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Steve The Band. $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.
Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJFLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.
Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJMulti-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.
Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJA global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.
Don Mclean & Lee Greenwood
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJTwo iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Song Of The Meadowlark
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 2:30pm
Highland Design Farm
159 Van Dyke Road, Hopewell, NJA meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry and live painting.
EVENT PREVIEWS
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
(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, 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, 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
(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, 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.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor
(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor on Friday, November 20, 2026 in an evening of upbeat and bubbling song filled with enthusiasm and love. The concert takes place at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available as well.
Private Eyes Brings the Greatest Hits of Hall & Oates to the Strand Center for the Arts
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Few musical acts defined the sound of the late 1970s and 1980s quite like Daryl Hall and John Oates. On Friday, November 20, 2026, the Strand Center for the Arts will celebrate their extraordinary catalog when Private Eyes – The Premier Tribute To Daryl Hall & John Oates takes the stage for an evening of classic pop, rock, and blue-eyed soul. Showtime is 8:00pm.
NJPAC to Celebrate Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday with All-Star Concert on November 21st
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday Concert on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 8:00pm. This special one-night only celebration is part of NJPAC’s 2026 TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 6-22). Several of today's leading Broadway stars and vocalists unite for a spectacular birthday bash performance toasting the legendary actor/dancer/singer Ben Vereen who turns 80 on October 10, 2026.
