By Danny Coleman
originally published: 05/22/2014 Pork Roll was invented by John Taylor in Trenton, NJ in 1856.
Originally packaged and sold as Taylor Ham until the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 was passed; Taylor had the only game in town until a butcher from Belle Mead named George Washington Case created his own recipe circa. 1870.
This tasty treat, used primarily as a breakfast meat, is finally being given its due as the first annual "Pork Roll Festival" is taking place on Saturday May 24 at the Trenton Social, located at 449 South Broad St. at its intersection with Hamilton Ave. directly across from the Sun National Bank Center Arena.
This first and soon to be annual event will mark the product's history and place in Trenton's storied past and will include vendors and live entertainment kicking off at 10 a.m. DJ Ms. Sue-Ms. Sue, The Tom Tallitsch Organ Trio, Mr. Lucky Blues Band, Comedian Dan Regan, DJ Jake, Colonel D.B. Kelly Pipe & Drum Corps., Brody's Monster, Logan Carpenter, The Pork Roll Project Blues Band and Honah Lee, along with a recipe contest and the first ever crowning of Miss Pork Roll 2014 await all those who attend.
"I only expected several hundred would want to attend, especially given it's the first one but I've gotten over 5600 Facebook likes and several thousand responses," said organizer and driving force Scott Miller. "I think it's going to be a lot bigger than we anticipated and that's a good thing."
To purchase tickets in advance, or to learn more about the festival, please go to www.porkrollfestival.com .
Also on May 24 at 8 p.m. Bongos band member Richard Barone will be performing with friends and the very special opening act of Nalani & Sarina at the Record Collector in Bordentown City.

Still Riding high after an incredibly successful Lou Reed tribute, one which he put together with Alejandro Escovedo at the prestigious SXSW Music Festival and his recent release of "Collections 2" The Afterglow; Barone's enthusiasm for performing is almost contagious. "Lou Reed, I worked with Lou and I felt that I had to do something. Alejandro is a really good musical partner for me and he was definitely ready for it so I think what we did was great; it captured the spirit of Lou nicely."

"Collections 2, " recorded at Skywalker Ranch Studios and multiple other places, literally all over the globe, contains tracks that are not offered on any other Barone albums. "Yeah, it's been ten years since my first one, so its interesting to me how this one holds together nicely; I like to say you get more Barone for your buck (Laughs)!"

---

Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here

---

Telling me that it "Depends upon the music," Barone doesn't claim to favor performing solo over a band set up; although he did say that at the moment he does enjoy some freedom both personally and musically. "I don't really mind playing in a band situation but I do like jumping around the country the way I am now. I just grab my acoustic and I go, no big productions just me and my guitar; it's great to be flexible and it feels right for the moment."

Richard can't rest too long however as he's already begun working on his next solo project which is being recorded in Sweden. "The studios are great and the engineers `are even better," elaborated Barone. "It's really good stuff."

Opening up will be the incredible sister act of Nalani Sarina. These two ladies are a site to behold. Their vocals and great musical ability clearly place them in an upper echelon of talented musicians.
This space welcomes any suggestions and/or comments. Please send them to: Rockonradio1460@hotmail.com

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. Paul Plumeri Trio

Sun. 9 p.m. Kenny Cunningham

Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night Hosted by Eric Puliti

All shows 21+
Amarones Windsor Inn

29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-714
Thurs. (6:30 p.m.)Pizza Night w/Scott Gager & Debbie (7:30 p.m.) Texas Hold'em

Fri. 8 p.m. The Gyrl Band

Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro

Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge

835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington

---

Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here

---

(609) 267-1200
Fri. 8 p.m. Filthy Micks

Sat. 8 p.m. BlackRue, Soraia, Risen Resilien

Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic.

Blend

911 Rte. 33 Hamilton

(609) 245-8887
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612

Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Bob Smith Trio. (No cover-$10 minimum)

Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995

Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton

(609) 394-7437
Thurs. 5 p.m. Forevermore, Inventure, Like Legends, Varials, Closer To Closure. All ages, $10/$12

Fri. 6 p.m. Lifeless, Homicidal, Brick By Brick, Reason To Fight, Barbaric, Headcheck. All ages, $10.

Sat. 4 p.m. Diecast, Arcane Haven, Dead Wings, Jealousy Burns Free, Cause of Affliction, Through The Grey, Burial Mound, All For One. All ages, $12

Sun. 10 p.m. Triggered Impulse, Local Demise, Liz Cisco, Fetti, Mr. Mooch. Ages 21+, $5
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
Fran's Pub

116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215)862-5539

Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Night

---

Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here

---

Sat. 8 p.m. 3HT

Sun. 3 p.m. Billy Walton Band

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam

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

Thurs. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party

Fri. 8 p.m. "Pure Jerry" Grateful Dead Tribute. Doors at 6 p.m., $15

Sat. (2 p.m.) Pancreatic Cancer Benefit and Bike Run feat. 7:30 p.m.

Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridge

Tues. 6 p.m. One Simple Wish. $10 donation

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends

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

Sat. 10 p.m. The Trentones
All shows 21+

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

Thurs. 9 p.m. Liscore

Fri. 8 p.m. The Wallace Brothers

Sat. (3 p.m.) Paul Gargiulo (9 p.m.) Richie Cole

Sun. ( 3 p.m.) Drag Show (9:30 p.m.) Rainbow Fresh

Mon. Open Mic.

Tues. 9 p.m. DJ Aggreschen

Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter's House Band)
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. Two Men Trio

Sat. 7:30 p.m. Scott Would

Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008

Fri. 9:30 p.m. Mark Giovi
RHO Waterfront

50 Riverview Plaza Trenton

(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night w/ DJ Jeff Scott Gould

Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Eddie Testa (9 p.m.) The Soul Cruisers (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmie Palumbo

Sat. 9 p.m. Dance Event

All Shows 21+
Sunsets at Cream Ridge

181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge

(609) 208-2500
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Joe Kaplow

Fri. (6 p.m.) John Patrick Bastiani (9 p.m.) Jumbo and The Flat Leaver Band

Sat. 9:30 p.m. DJ Nebbs Dance Party

Mon. 7 p.m. Open Mic. and Karaoke w/ Rich Barry

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345

Fri. 9 p.m. R Gang

Sat. 9 p.m. Speed Limit

Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket

216 4th St. Fieldsboro

(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Sat. 9 p.m. Lone Soul Road
The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr

Fri. 10 p.m. Rainbow Fresh

Sat. 10 p.m. Backbeat

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown

(609) 324-0880

Fri. 8 p.m. Reach Around Rodeo Clowns / The Burliques. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)

Sat. 8 p.m. Richard Barone & Friends / Nalani & Sarina. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $25 (advance).
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Fri. 9 p.m. Alright Alright

Sat. 9:30 p.m. Stellar

All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Sat. 7 p.m. Trenton Freedom vs. Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554

Fri. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson

Sat. 9 p.m. Mike Barniskis

All shows 21+
Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: Three Holes, Two Brads & A Smoking Gun

Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree

Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300

Thurs. 10 p.m. American Aquarium

Fri. 10 p.m. Frank Viele Quartet. $5 (coverage)

Sat. 10 p.m. Sistermonk. $5 (cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night hosted by Something Shiny

All shows 21+
Villa Romanza

429 Rte. 156 Hamilton

(609) 585-1717
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Trenton Freedom Coaches Show
Wildflowers Inn

2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+

---

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.

---

New Jersey Stage

© 2025 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Nobody covers the Arts
throughout the Garden State
like New Jersey Stage!

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and on our RSS feed

---

Art | Comedy | Dance | Film | Music | Theatre | Ad Rates | About Us | Pitch a Story | Links | Radio Shows | Privacy Policy