Despite the years and the passing of his friend and band mate, Willis still sees the music of Frank Zappa as if it were still as new and fresh as it were when it was written. He speaks in terms of gratitude and thanks as he reiterates what the man and his music meant to him and the opportunities which have been wrought from that chance meeting back in St. Louis, MO. "Frank was a very generous man as I said. I remember the first gig that I did with him; to this day it's one of my fondest memories. Well, first my fondest memory was actually getting to meet Frank for the first time and then that first gig. We played a festival with 125,000 people. Genesis was on the bill, The Scorpions, Joan Baez, John McLaughlin; it was the most amazing thing to me. Talk about starting off with a bang (laughs). I was also asked to be the voice on, "Joe's Garage" and I've gotten voice over work and more out of that; so it was the gift that keeps giving."
Willis and the band (which includes his wife on percussion), will be taking a week or two off after these east coast dates before heading back out on the road. To catch a show or discover more about Ike, his music, Frank Zappa or his new book; please go to www.ikewillis.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Alchemist & Barrister28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Wed. 10 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Bill's Olde Tavern2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Dave Dales Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Bruce Klauber trio
Sun. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Lovey Williams
Wed. 6 p.m. Gary Reed & Arturo Baguer
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Shorty Rock
Sat. 9 p.m. Charlie Stroup & The Soul Battery
Bruno's Bicycles, One Sweet Ride19 South Main Street Allentown
(609) 208-0544
Fri. 7 p.m. "Artists On The Avenue" feat. Radio Fiction
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Michael Askin
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 9 p.m. DJ Jason Byrd / "Beer Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. Al's Pals
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Billy Walton
Tues. 8 p.m. "Game Night"
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Dane Rosenfeld
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Christine Warren
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. David Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Gypsy Mother
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale (4 p.m.) Julian Rosso
Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night Hosted by Dana Collins
Wed. 8 p.m. Mia Johnson
Fran's Pub116 South Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-5539
Sat. 8 p.m. The Inflexables
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. Judge and Jury
Sat. 8 p.m. Off The records
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Glory Days Tavern1200 Hornberger Avenue Florence
Fri. 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. "Live Broadcast of WMGK 102.9 FM" w/ Andre Gardner
Grover's Mill Coffee HousePrinceton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. (8 p.m.) "A Tribute to Heart" feat. Kick It Out. Doors at 6 p.m., $25. (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) Alex Skolnick Trio. Doors at 6 p.m., $30 (11 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 1 p.m. School Of Rock "End of Session Show."
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Sat. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Terry Rivel
Sat. 2 p.m. Jerry Steele
Sun. 2 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Sat. 9 p.m. Spellbound
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. The Adventure Soundtrack
Fri. 9 p.m. Cowbell Superstar / Cream Circus
Sat. (3 p.m.) Therese Anne & Friends (9 p.m.) Rainbow Fresh
Sun. (3 p.m.) Jamie Salvatore (9:30 p.m.) (TBA)
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. Words In Flight
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Check web site for upcoming events
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. Laurita Idol Fall Singing Showcase: "Idol Semi-Finals"
Sat. 10 a.m. "Run The Vineyards" 5K
Sun. 1 p.m. Ben Weiner
Wed. 6 p.m. Girls Night Out "Yoga and Wine"
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McGuinn's Place1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Frisky Fridays" w/ DJ Favs. & MC Fredo Ages 21+
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ OGEEZ
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Sat. 9 p.m. Kosha Dillz, Mindz, Doc Rotten, Icarus Kid
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Fri. 8 p.m. Kim Richey. Doors at 7 p.m., $25
Sat. 8 p.m. Martin Barre. Doors at 7 p.m., $39
Sun. 6 p.m. "Bruce In The USA" (Springsteen tribute) feat. Matt Ryan & American Dream. Doors at 5 p.m., $30
Nook's PourHouseRoute 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Nottingham Tavern9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Sat. 8 p.m. Kevin Toft & The Alternators
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Infinite Bandwidth
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 8 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle / Phil McAuliffe. (As of this publication, this show is SOLD OUT. Check for availability)
Salt Creek Grille1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Keith Franklin
Sat. 8 p.m. Brad Mandigo
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Eugene Tyler
Sun. 7 p.m. Princeton Bluegrass Jam
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. Frances Catherine Ihling and Union County. $20
Sat. 8 p.m. Vin Downes,Tom Eaton, Jeff Oster. $20
Sun. (2:30 p.m.)"Spirits" A tour of the notable sites inside the 1867 cemetery. (4 p.m.) "Ghosts I Have Come To Know" Songs and Stories w/ Gordon Thomas Ward. (8 p.m.) Mele `uhane
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. Psycho Misfits
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Vince Sasso Band
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Running With Scissors
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Sir Xierri
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Fatha Ramzee
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Soul Custody Trio
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.
The Raven 385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Reverend Chris (8 p.m.) Will & Grace Viewing Party (10 p.m.) All Male Revue
Fri. (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (5 p.m.) Dena Underwood (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Tues. 8 p.m. "Bearlesque In The Oak Room"
Wed. 7 p.m. Dena Underwood
The Record Collector358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Please Check Web Site for Upcoming Events
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. 80's Band
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Fri. 9 p.m. Accelerator
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Billy McGovern
Sat. 9 p.m. Billy Walsh
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Sat. 7 p.m. "Zen That Beat" Yoga w/ Cheryl Young scored to live music
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Sonnder / Pete Hill $5 (cover charge)
Sat. "Oktoberfest" feat. (12 p.m.) Firehouse Polka Band (5 p.m.) Some Assembly Required (10 p.m.) "After Party w/ Essie & The Big Chill $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 9 p.m. The Outcrops
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ages 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.
FEATURED EVENTS
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A Very Maysa Christmas with Special Guests The String Queens
Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music
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Rock This Town Christmas Spectacular Matinee Show
Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 3:00pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music
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Lenny Kaye & Friends / Tammy Faye Starlite
Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
category: music
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Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank
Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 7:00pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music
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Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank
Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 2:00pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music
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Christmas with Chris Ruggiero
Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: music
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Christmas with Chris Ruggiero
Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 2:00pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: music
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Broadway for the Holidays 4
Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music
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Rock This Town - Christmas Spectacular
Saturday, December 14, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
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UCPAC presents A Very Maysa Christmas with Special Guests The String Queens
(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Get ready to celebrate the holidays in style! Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) presents A Very Maysa Christmas on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 8:00pm. In this concert you'll be immersed in the sounds of her 11-piece jazz funk soul orchestra.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Outpost in the Burbs presents Robyn Hitchcock
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Robyn Hitchcock on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at First Congregational Church of Montclair. Imogen Clark will open the night. Doors are at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm.