By Danny Coleman
originally published: 04/13/2017

Ann Wilson's recent April 6 performance at Glenside's (PA) Keswick Theater can be summed up in a series of one word refrains. Adjectives such as, wow, outstanding, amazing, unbelievable and driving all come to mind. There could be many more added to the list, however the point is; the "Ann Wilson of Heart Tour," is one of the best shows of this young 2017 concert season.

Taking the stage a modest 11 minutes past the scheduled 7:30 p.m. start, Wilson walked out to tremendous applause as she and her band broke into The Who's, "The Real Me," showcasing the still edgy side of Wilson's vocal ability. With nary a pause, she followed this with a very "Heart-esque" version of "Barracuda," spearheaded by her Heart band mate Craig Bartock on guitar.

"If it isn't broke, don't fix it;" it's a good thing that Wilson pays absolutely no attention to that old cliché as she performed the first of several reworked Heart songs. Try as he may to disguise the intro, keyboardist Dan Walker started "Crazy On You," as a slow ballad; easily recognizable to the hard core Heart fans. This calmer version of the classic tune was very well received and once again, its retooling allowed Wilson to "stretch it out, "a bit. During the rendition, an admire handed her a bouquet of flowers from the front row which she promptly acknowledged and then placed the offering on the drum riser.  

Taking a breather to say hello and introducing herself as, "Ann Wilson Of Heart," further establishing her solo identity, she jokingly referred to her stage partners as, "And the band," because, "The band has no name yet." Then as if someone flipped a switch, the band began the slow introduction into what would become the Ann version of, "What About Love." This was the first of several times during the evening that saw Denny Fongheiser use his hands to play the drum kit, which was the perfect touch for this pared down Heart classic.

"I wrote this next one while sitting in the back yard with Craig Bartock. A perfect day, the sun was shining, the weather was beautiful; a perfect day to write a blues song," she said with a slight laugh as the crowd laughed along with and they launched into the powerful, "Fool No More." Upon it's completion, Wilson apologized for the lingering effects of a recent cold and confessed to some "Feelings" she experienced, "This song made me tingly when I was 10 years old" and with that they dove into the oldie but goodie, "One Night With You," complete with accompanying sultry video images on the large screen located behind the band which made more than one squirm in their seats.

 

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"Anguish" was on tap next and like a well poured brew, Wilson delivered it with perfection. "I had lived a quiet life," she explained prior to the song. "There was this band I'm in and I had a quiet life but not a private life. I had public and band lives and then one day there was a knock at my door and it was love. Now, I didn't know if I should let him in but I did and I wrote this two weeks later as I sat in my hotel room on tour pining away for Mr. Love."

"I'm turning this one over to the band," said Wilson who seemed to really enjoy letting the boys shred a bit as they next plowed through the Hendrix classic, "Manic Depression," leading to an ever so brief intermission.

"A Million Miles," led off the second half of the program and cooked along splendidly. A keyboard interlude bridged the gap between it and the timeless Yes piece, "It's Your Move," as Walker slipped on an accordion and electric guitars were exchanged for acoustic ones. Stopping just short of the amped up section, the lights dimmed and bassist Andy Stoller cajoled the first notes of The Black Crowes, "She Talks To Angels" out of his finger tips, sending the already enthusiastic crowd's response up another notch.

"One of the things about being on the road is that you get a feeling for the country," Wilson stated as she gave the band time to readjust. "Some people are like; What Just Happened? Other people are saying, Everything's great" and from there they broke into a well orchestrated version of Peter Gabriel's, "Don't Give Up," taking many in the crowd by surprise. 

A bluesy version of The Animals, "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place," gave way to a raucous, "We Won't Get Fooled Again," which slid nicely into a more toned down, "Alone."  The next and last offering was a stirring re-creation of another Who classic, "Love Reign O'er Me," done in a manner which, without a doubt Townsend and Daltry would approve of; it also brought the second set to a close at 9:18 p.m.

Only a minute later, the band made their way back on stage and began the encore with a percussion laden intro into a unique version of the Buffalo Springfield mainstay, "For What It's Worth," followed by Aretha Franklin's, "Aint No Way."

A second encore saw Ann get gritty once again as the unit laid down a slow blues version of, "I Put A Spell On You." With her voice enticing them like a siren, those who had begun to leave were sent scurrying back to their seats as many didn't expect a second encore. "My mother used to love this song," she said chuckling, "She'd play it when she was about to snap." Then a soulful version of Ray Charle's, "Danger Zone," brought the crowd back to a sane level and sending them home shaking their heads in awe at 9:42 p.m. as this was the night's last offering. 

 

A fantastic show from a fantastic talent and one that continued to solidify Wilson's rightful place as one of the top female vocalists in rock history. Wilson is taking some time off before hitting the road again in the middle of May in Indio, CA. To discover more about the tour, please visit www.annwilsonofheart.com . 

Photo Credit: The MCube Photography

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

 

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This week's event listings

 

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Backstage at Championship Bar 
931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. (TBA). All ages, $10

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Bill's Olde Tavern2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
 Ages 21+ 
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Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33 Hamilton 
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam

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Bowman's Tavern
1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Glenn McClelland Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. David Dales Trio
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Fermenter's Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo

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Candlelight Lounge 
24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
 Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet) 

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Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia 

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City Streets 
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Sat. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval

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COARadio.com 
Main Street Hightstown 
(609) 241-7103
Wed. 8 p.m. "The Health & Wellness Hour" w/ Maryann Castello and Danny Coleman feat. author/actor Michael Ciccolini

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Dadz Bar & Grill
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. One Hot Mess
Sat. 10 p.m. "Half Way To Hallowen Bash" Karaoke Party
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment

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Dempster's Pub
437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris

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Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour" feat. Christine Warren (9 p.m.) Mike Estabrook
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Brian Bortnick
Sun. 11 a.m."Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Jam 
Wed. 8 p.m. Gerber Jennings

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Fran's Pub
116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Slim Chance & The Gamblers
Sat. 8 p.m. All Winter Long
All shows age 21+

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Freddies Tavern
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala

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Grover's Mill Coffee House
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker

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Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. 
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 9:30 p.m. "Good Friday DJ Dance Party" w/ DJ Joshia
Sat. 8 p.m. Se7en
Mon. 8:30 p.m. "The Legendary" Dave Davies. Doors at 6 p.m., $75 (advance)
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran 

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Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn
15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic.

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Hazlerigg Brothers
Fri. 6 p.m. Four +1
Sat. 6 p.m. Jazzfunktion
Sun. Closed for Easter
Wed. 6 p.m. "Farm to Table Dinner" w/ Nikiforos Vaimakis.

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Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam

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Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Terry Rivel
Sat. 2 p.m. Jerry Steele

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Ivy Tavern 
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Boys 'round here
Sat. 9 p.m. Beetle Pie
All shows 21+

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John & Peter's 
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Mike Falzarano & Extended Family
Fri. 9 p.m. Keith Kenny
Sat. (3 p.m.) Strange Brew (9:30 p.m.) Paper Jets, Low light, The Vaughns
Sun. (TBA)
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Justin
Tues. 9 p.m. Danny's Trivia Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+

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Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. Dave Murray
Sat. 9 p.m. Black Brant
Sun. 3 p.m. "Session Sundays" Live Irish Music

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Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "2017 Laurita Idol Singing Showcase" Adult Tryout.
Fri. 7 p.m. Country Line Dancing
Sat. 1 p.m. The Half Brothers
Sun. 10:30 a.m./1 p.m. (Two Seatings) Easter Sunday Brunch
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out" Wine and Sign

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Mamma Rosa's 
572 Klockner Road Hamilton 
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider 
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Mcguinn's Place
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Fri. 10 p.m. The Bansai Bills. Ages 21+, $5
Sat. 10 p.m. Branded Ink Society. Ages 21+, $5

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McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 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 and MC Fredo
Sat. 10 p.m. The Great Scott Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike

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Millhill Basement
300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase 

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Nook's PourHouse
2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics

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Olde Liberty Tavern
2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night

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Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
All shows 21 +

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PANJ Radio
Bridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Renee Maskin

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Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Blind Lemon Pie
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Papa DeLux and the Main Street Groove

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Plumsted Grill 
457 Route 539 Cream Ridge 
(609) 758-5552
Fri. 9 p.m. Tom Reock & Ernie White

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Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766Sat. (3 p.m.) Willie Nile Band (In Store Event) "Acoustic Performance" Free Admission (8 p.m.) Willie Nile. Doors at 7:30 p.m., $25 (advance) This show takes place at the Open Arts PAC Theatre located at 146 Route 130 South Bordentown.

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RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" feat. DJ Paul Desisto. Ages 21+

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Small World Coffee
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
Sat. 8:30 p.m. BD Lenz

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1867 Sanctuary101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
No Shows Scheduled

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Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Ted Hammock & The Pickles
Sat. 10 p.m. Mile Marker 3
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Tavern On The Lake
101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
Sat. 9 p.m. Boys 'round Here
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night 

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Temperance House 
5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open session w/ Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. Gary Lispsius
Sat. 7 p.m. The Dadz
Wed. 7 p.m. Live Jazz

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The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse

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The Dubliner
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 8 p.m. Na'Bodach
Sat. 8 p.m. Tom Brett
Mon. 7 p.m. "Monday Night Session"

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The HOB Tavern
146 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. John & Maggs

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The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 10 p.m. The Diablo Sandwich Band
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron

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The Pines Tavern
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
 Sat. 9 p.m. Ivory and Steel Duo
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.

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The Raven 
385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. 5 p.m. Russell Eiffert
Fri. (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Wed. 6 p.m. Dena Underwood

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The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. The Weeklings.  All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $25 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. My Darling Clementine "Still Testifying" Tour Release. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)

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The Roost 
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050 
Fri. 9 p.m. Joe Vidala

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The Sticky Wicket 
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Deep Release "25th Anniversary Party" 
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke

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The Sun National Bank Center 
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events

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Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat. 9 p.m. Seamus Kelleher
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese
All shows  21+

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Trenton Buzz
702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic. 

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Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny

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Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Sons Of Pitches ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Muscle Tough ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+ 

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Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location)
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. "22nd. Anniversary Pajama Jammy Jam" feat. Challenge Accepted
Sat. 10 p.m. The Bansai Bills
All shows 21+

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Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Thurs. 9 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock 
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Ages 21+

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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 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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The Wallflowers

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

Click here for full description

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Pearl Jam – Dark Matter – Global Theatrical Experience – One Night Only

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 @ 7:30pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

Click here for full description

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Snarky Puppy

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: music

Click here for full description

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