New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...12/25/14

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 12/25/2014


"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more." .... Dr. Seuss via The Grinch.

Maybe it does, maybe it means a lot more. Perhaps it means the "15th Annual Ernie White Christmas Show" in Hamilton where approximately $200,000 has been raised to help the less fortunate. Maybe it's Cook Smith's "Winter Solstice Show" in Asbury Park where the food and monetary donations go directly to a local food bank. Maybe it's the amazing work of Holiday Express and other organizations such as Musicians on a Mission that means so much more to so many.


Maybe, just maybe, it's the continuous unselfishness of music communities all across our globe that embodies the spirit of giving as well as support for and love of our fellow man. No matter what the case; music brings people together. Different genres, styles, sounds nor geography stand in the way of the powers of unification made possible by music.


So while most of us are off over the next week, try and focus a bit on what we can do to support our local musicians, food banks, soup kitchens and shelters. Try not to get caught up in the "Retail" meaning of Christmas. Instead choose to remember those less fortunate and what one can do to help; there's no musical ability needed for that gig, it's strictly a solo performance.


Rock On Radio has a new home. Effective 12/28/14 the program will be broadcasting live from " A 40 Foot Hole Studio" (www.40footholestudio.com) at 10 p.m. EST. This move will allow the program to do full electric performances versus strictly acoustic as well as bring the show to you visually through a live video stream. Listeners can now interact via their laptops in four ways, audio, video and through a Facebook chat room. The program will also now have a live audience in attendance and all are encouraged to come on down and support the station and Rock On Radio for this free event! This Sunday, Point Pleasant, NJ solo artist Scott Brandt will be the first guest of the program in its new surroundings and we are very excited to have him.
There's a light holiday schedule this week in the area entertainment scene but the quality is never less than stellar.


I would like to personally wish all of those who make this space possible and the readers a very Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season! I thank you for your continued support and talents!


Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



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


THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS


Amalfi's Restaurant

146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



(609) 912-1599
Fri./Sat. 8:30 p.m. (TBA)
Amarones Windsor Inn

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

Fri. 8 p.m. Lonnie Youngblood

Sat. 8 p.m. Sounds of The Street

Wed. 7:30 p.m. DJ John Rossi
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge

835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington

(609) 267-1200
No music scheduled until 2015
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. 7 p.m. I Am The Trireme, Godless A.D., (TBA). All ages, $10




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



Sat. 5 p.m. Who Killed Marilyn?, The Silverhounds, The Damn Long Hairs, Electric Puke, Zero Gear, A Crisis of Confidence, (TBA). All ages, $10
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612


Sat. 3 p.m. Victor North Sax 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
No music scheduled until 2015

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

Thurs. Closed for Christmas

Fri. 8:30 p.m. Bigg Romeo


Sat. 8 p.m. "Earth Wind and Fire Tribute" w/ Earth Wind and Fire Review. Doors at 6 p.m., $25

Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline Band

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

Wed. 9 p.m. "New Year's Rockin' Eve" w/ Se7en Band (a.k.a Chris James Band). $10

All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke

Sat. 10 p.m. Polish Nannies
All shows 21+





Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



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

Thurs. Bar is OPEN (no entertainment)

Fri. 9 p.m. Ben Vaughn Quintet w/ Cliff Hillis

Sat. (3 p.m.) Rev. B-Ill's Christmas Spectacularrrrrrr (9 p.m.) Bluebalz

Sun. (3 p.m.) Miss Pumpkin's Drag Show Benefit (9 p.m.) Sugar Burns

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night

Tues. 9 p.m. Sage

Wed. 9 p.m. New Year's Eve Party w/ DJ aggrEschen
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. (TBA)

Sat. 7:30 p.m. (TBA)
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008


Fri. 9:30 p.m. That Acoustic 80's Band
RHO Waterfront


50 Riverview Plaza Trenton


(609) 393-7300
Fri. 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Free Buffet Customer Appreciation Party w/ DJ Frank Olivetti

Sat. 9 p.m. "Alsato Navideno" Hosted by Paul Perez w/ DJ Coqui, Freestyle Contest, Kombo Latino. $20

Wed. "New Year's Eve Gala" w/ DJ Bob-E-Luv. $50/$65


All Shows 21+


Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. Steve The Band

Sat. 9 p.m. Far Cry

Wed. (8 p.m.) Karaoke Night (10 p.m.) "New Year's Eve Party" feat. live music, 2 seatings, $25/$28
The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555
Thurs. Closed

Sat. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
The HOB Tavern

146 Second Street

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

Wed. 9 p.m. New Year's Eve Party w/ DJ A3RO
The Millhill Basement

300 South Broad St Trenton

(609) 989-1600
Sat. 9 p.m. "My God Damn Birthday Party" feat. The Cryptkeeper 5, Brick Mower, GameDay Regulars, The Jukebox Romantics / DJ Streams of Whiskey w/ Jay Insult
The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown

(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Uncle Floyd. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $18 (advance)

Sat. 8 p.m. Ben Vaughn Quintet / Cliff Hillis. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (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. Bill Shannon

Sat. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson

All shows 21+
Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: (Closed)

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. Alycat. ($5 cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. Mercer County Pour. ($5 cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night

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

Wed. 10 p.m. New Year's Eve feat. Pure Jerry. ($5 cover charge)

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.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Vegas Country Show August 21-23, 2026. Get ready for a night of country hits, high energy, and pure star power as Vegas Country brings the music of Shania Twain and Tim McGraw to life.
WBJB

WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on August 27th

(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach. ** The show was rescheduled from July 16th due to the Air Quality Alert issued across New Jersey.

51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th

(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th

The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Most 22-year-olds are chasing the next trend, scrolling through TikTok, and binging Love Island. Matt Stone has spent the last decade looking in the opposite direction.

McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park

51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th

The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.

MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.
Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th

Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- It's been a landmark year for Ella Langley. Fresh off a sweep at the ACM Awards where she won all seven awards she was nominated for, two recent American Music Award wins, and being the soundtrack of the summer for a trio of German fans on Twitter traveling through America during the World Cup. Ella continues one of the most dominant runs in music. She brings The Dandelion Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on September 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. Special guests ERNEST and Gabriella Rose will open the night.
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music

The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library

(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


IMAGINE LENNON LIVE

Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Ready or Yacht: The Best of Yacht Rock

Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
Manasquan, NJ


The Peace & Presence Tour: Omari Dillard

Saturday, August 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ


Ugly Kid Joe with Special Guests Wheatus and Platinum Moon

Sunday, August 23, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ


Joanna Connor - The Queen of Blues Rock Guitar

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ