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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 01/08/2026


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 01/08/2026

"I'm good," began Jersey Shore area artist Danny Giovanna, "I was born and raised in Monmouth County, a wonderful place to grow up and so close to the shore, which is where so much of my story when I was younger started. I found myself going to Asbury Park, it was a way for me to get away from everything going on at home."

There are those who create and mold their life's story on their own terms and then there are those who seemingly never had the ability to do so or control over events which cause directional shifts, Danny Giovanna or Danny Gio as she's known in music circles experienced more life altering events before she lived three decades than most do over a lifetime. 

Going from happily pursuing music, to having her world shattered, to losing her faith, surviving a "Freak accident" and finding the strength to resurrect her music and herself was at times more than she could handle but yet she did so and with the release of two singles over the past year, "Hurricane In A Shot Glass" and "Hitchhike," she is well on her way to forging her own path in music and life. 

"I grew up in a great home and then sickness struck," she explained. "I was 17 and my mom was diagnosed with cancer and our whole world was turned upside down. So, going down to Asbury Park, Belmar, Long Branch to the music venues and hanging out with people that were part of the music scene was my getaway. That is where I went to clear my head and for inspiration and to just forget what was going on and I was so lucky to grow up in an area where there was a lot of that. I was in and out of bands when I was in high school and I met a lot of really great, talented guys and girls and it was a really special time; not just in my life but everybody else who was involved in that scene we had going on 10 plus years ago. I was singing with guitars, guys, bands and anyone who was willing to get up on stage with me for all those years; even after high school. Then at 22, my mom did pass away and my world wasn't turned upside down, it was thrown out of orbit. That woman was my number one fan, growing up she was the one taking me to vocal lessons, she was at all of my shows, she only ever missed a show because she was getting treatment and then she'd come a week later and she'd be cheering me on so that constant was gone. That was so hard and I completely fell off the track myself and my own music, my own journey; I lost all of that. Although music was still there for me, I lost the path that I was on putting my music into the world. That lasted from age 22 to, gosh the last couple of years and it was only when I was about 27 or 28 years old that I started to come out of this really lost time and heal. Then, at 29, in a freak accident, I was opening a window and it fell on my head. I was laying in bed with a concussion and injuries to my neck and back that were going to last me for a lifetime, I realized I'd never kept the promises that I made to myself when I was 15 years old to write, record and release and to give back to music. I was like, if this wasn't a wakeup call, I don't know what is and that's pretty much why I'm here today doing what I'm doing. A lot has happened in the last 10 years but I am very grateful for everything that happened because I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you if it hadn't."




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Danny seemed to have hit the Asbury Park/Jersey Shore scene at the right time as she fell in with some of the shore area's hottest commodities and began to take away lessons with every encounter.

"One of the bigger names that people remember and know that I performed with was Jody Joseph and The Jody Joseph Band. She was my vocal coach and I did a lot of work with her and going out with her band in my really early days when I was learning how to perform myself. Then from there, some of my bands didn't leave the basement or the garage; do you remember the band Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son? Someone in that band was in a band called Sick Minds and I was really good friends with them, they were great and the guy's name was Andrew. Shout out to Andrew who is a really great guy and it was that crowd and that scene that we had going on and I was in some videos and did some gang vocals in the studio with them and that's some of the names that people may recognize and remember. I was lucky enough to be part of that for some time, I was so young and didn't really know what I was doing but I was having fun, I was learning and through that, I really met a lot of talented, talented musicians. Some of them I keep in touch with now and it's nice to see that everyone is still doing it and putting their music out there. So, Asbury (Park), I really owe a lot to that area for being the beginning of all of this for me."

Looking back, she had the power to produce music within her and as a young child began writing lyrics and more at a very young age. 

"I started writing very, very young, like at eight or nine years old when I started to write. I loved poetry and I loved music and I just loved the way things sounded. I remember a little notebook my grandmother bought me that I started writing in and I would share the things I wrote with my mom and she was like, "Wow, where did you learn to do that?" I was like, "I don't know, I listen to songs and I write too" and as I grew older and was in school, I was in creative writing classes and contests. So, writing was always a very natural way for me to get my words out. Sometimes it's hard for me to talk about my feelings; I like to put on a very tough exterior and it's hard for me to be vulnerable but I have a lot to be vulnerable about so I put it into words. So, I wrote the whole time, I was always writing; all through the teenage years, all through performing with bands and even with my mom's passing I still wrote, I just wasn't turning it into things that I was releasing or putting out to the world. I was writing and I was angry and to bring back what we were saying about God and the universe, that was always so important to me and I lost it. I lost my faith and that was so terrible for me because I went from being someone who really had such a strong sense of that to being so angry and sad and that was such a terrible loss along with losing my mom. So, at that time, I was writing but it was so much anger and sadness, maybe it wasn't even making sense. Then, as I was starting to come out of that and I found my faith again and my belief system, things started to make sense as they were coming out again and I've been able to turn some of those really hard things that I wrote down into something that hopefully people can connect to and read and hear and think, "Wow, she felt that too? That's something I've gone through." So, the writing never disappeared, just me wanting to put it out there and connect with other people, that's what really got lost along the way." 

By her own admission, she can come off a bit "Standoffish" or with a gruff exterior which at one time was somewhat of a coping method but she readily states now that although it may seem that way, it is so not the norm. 

"I get that all the time," she said with a large laugh, "People are like, "You're like a Sour Patch Kid. On the outside you give off this (Hard personality) and then we get to know you and you're so sweet and you kind of just melt." I think for me, growing up, especially in your high school years which really aren't easy for anybody, it was easier for me to be angry than sad and show that, especially with my mom and my father also had a lot of health issues at the time too; at one point, I had one parent in the hospital in Philly and one in the hospital in New York extremely sick. I was 17 years old, trying to get through senior year and I had a little brother who was also in high school that I was trying to take care of and make life normal for him when nothing was normal around us. So, for me to have this exterior of "Don't mess with me, I'm not in the mood" because I was going through so much that, that was just what I gave off and what I wanted to give off. I wasn't on the same level as the people around me. They were having fun and everybody was friends and I wasn't. I had so much other stuff going on that it was a defense mechanism for me and to this day, I've definitely gotten softer as I've gotten older but even to this day, I know that sometimes I'll put on this front of maybe not being approachable; I'm never mean or disrespectful but maybe I seem standoffish to protect myself but as I've gotten older I've realized that not everybody is out to hurt you and the world isn't out to hurt you the way it felt when I was younger and it did feel that way for me. I know now that that's not the case and although I may sometimes still have that look going on, I really am a very open and welcoming person and I thrive for a connection with people which is why I'm in music and why I write and release because I thrive on that connection with people; it just makes me feel so alive and seen and heard." 




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An advantage of rediscovering yourself and/or talents is that one may never know where they may find their next adventure and in Danny's case, she's found the best of two worlds. 

"Hurricane" and "Hitchhike" were actually recorded at a studio in Brewster, New York. I recorded with a really talented producer, it's a little ways from Jersey but he was somebody that I found myself very comfortable with and it was the first time that I was walking into a studio and doing it completely on my own and not with a band, not with people that I knew. So, it was a really important step for me, it was me doing this on my own, figuring it out for myself, making my decisions, making my choices and it's coming up on a year ago when "Hurricane" was recorded and it's my baby, it's the very first one and will always hold a special place in my heart and it was the beginning of really what has been such an incredible year, 2025 and it's really just the beginning because I have a lot more that I'm ready to do and that I'm going after." 

"I'm known for just kind of letting the wind blow me sometimes and seeing where I land and that's the free spirit in me," she went on. "There's a pretty cool music scene up in the Brewster area and there are a lot of really great musicians and I feel very lucky to be in two places that I can say the same thing about."

Having to develop alligator skin at a young age can serve one well as they age and as she continues to take charge of her music and career she has a very nice goal in sight.

"I'm doing this all on my own and I'm learning the ways and wearing a lot of different hats at once and it has been fun, it can be a little stressful but I have a good feeling because my intentions are good out here and my intentions are truly to have a community of people who are very like minded. I just want to enjoy life and enjoy good music and find those who have gone through a couple of things but came out on the other side and that's really what I'm out here looking for." 

Oh yeah; what's with the spelling of her first name? 

"A lot of people get confused with the way I spell Danny but that's the way I've spelled it since I was a little girl and I figured, why change it now? So, it gets a Y at the end."

To hear this interview in its entirety, please listen here: https://www.mixcloud.com/thepenguin/rock-on-podcast-w-danny-gio/

To discover more about Danny Giovanna, please visit her on social media and YouTube @Dannygiomusic




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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


Abbott Marshlands
157 Westcott Avenue Hamilton
Sat. 2 p.m. Second Skirmish at Crosswicks Creek
Ace Cafe 
15 Market Place New Hope, PA
Thurs. 6 p.m. Bike Night
ACME Screening Room 
25 South Union Street Lambertville 
(609) 483-523
Fri. 7 p.m. Foreign Fridays w/ Jamison: "Right Now, Wrong Then" 
All Saints Club
1143 Wood Street Bristol, PA
Sat. 8 p.m. Dragonfly
Al's Airport Inn
636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton
(609) 883-5252 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Mark Sacco
Sat. 12 p.m. Acoustic Brunch w/ Diane Chiorello
Sun. 12 p.m. Sunday Brunch 
Mon. 5 p.m. Bud Belviso
Tues. 7 p.m. Jessica DiDonato
Wed. 7 p.m. AudioPilot
Americana Kitchen & Bar 
359 U.S. Highway Route 130 North Hightstown
(732) 558-5999
Sun. 11 a.m. NYU Alumni Club in NJ: Jazz Brunch 
Ancient Order of Hibernians 
2419 Kuser Road Hamilton 
Fri. 8 p.m. The Williamsboy
Tues. 7 p.m. Music BINGO
Wed. 6:30 p.m. Yoga
Aristaeus Brewing
2475C Big Oak Road Langhorne, PA 
(215) 757-2337
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
  
Arts Council of Princeton 
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-8777 
Fri. 6 p.m. ACP BYOB: Wheel Ceramics
Sat. 3 p.m. Gallery Openings: "Divergent Forms/"Art for Change"/ "Hands Talk"
Wed. 7 p.m. JAM: Jersey art Meet Up
Ashlynn Distillery 
32 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Cecil & Mike
Sat. 7 p.m. Mike & Laura
Sun. 3 p.m. Cecil & Friends
Wed. 6 p.m. Cara Cartney
Bailey's Bar & Grille 
6922 Bristol-Emilie Road Levittown, PA  
(215) 946-7992 
Tues. 7 p.m. Valentine's Wreath Making. $40
Bent Iron Brewing
70 Extonville Road Hamilton
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Sat. 5:30 p.m. Gwynne Aldean
Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Tues. 8 p.m. / Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
Ages 21+ 
Blend Bar & Bistro   
911 Highway 33 Hamilton 
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 4 p.m. Pop-Up Happy Hour
Blooming Grove Inn
40 West Upper Ferry Road West Trenton 
Fri. 4:30 p.m. Rick Winow
Bordentown City
Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
Fri. 7 p.m. "Frightening Fridays!" Haunted History Tours. $20
Sat. 12 p.m. Bordentown Walking Tours. $20 
Bowman's Tavern 
1600 River Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Jazz Jam
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Bennett Lee (8 p.m.) Bob Egan 
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Phyllis Chappell Duo
Sun. (12 p.m.) Bill Avayou Trio (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Broad Street Brewing
2621 Durham Road Bristol, PA
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Dave Maida
Fri. 7 p.m. Kickbax Duo
Sat. 1 p.m. Growler Painting
Broken Goblet Brewing
2500 State Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 812-5653
Thurs. 7 p.m.  Mike Estabrook
Fri. 8 p.m. "Philly Sabbath" (Black Sabbath Tribute) / "Knight's Reign" (Dio Tribute). $20-$29, doors open at 7 p.m., ages 21+ 
Sat. 8 p.m. Challenger, By The Moon, 20 Years Late. $10/$15, doors open at 7 p.m., ages 21+
Sun. (11 a.m.) Best of the '70s (Saturday Rehearsal Group) In Person Show (1:30 p.m.) Pop Legends In Person Show
Wed. 7:30 p.m. Strange As It Ever Was: "Stranger Things" & 80's Trivia
Bucks On Bridge
25 Bridge Street Lambertville
(609) 483-2615
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Poetry Night 
Tues. 5 p.m. Chess Night
Wed. 6 p.m. Trivia
B2 Bistro Jimmy's American Grill
140 US Route 130 South bordentown
(609) 291-0200
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Cadwalader Park (Ellarslie Museum)
299 Parkside Avenue Trenton 
(408) 335-4400 
Sat. 2 p.m. Opening Reception Quilt Show byCONTRAST: "Apparent Contradictions" 
Cazz's Sports Bar 'N' Grille
1560 Haines Road Levittown, PA 
(267) 580-5469 
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul
Club Atlantis
1858 Street Road Bensalem, PA 
(215) 944-1777 
Sat. 9 p.m. DJ Robbie Tronco 
All Events Ages 21+ and Dress to Impress
Cody's Roadhouse Distillery
5605 Bensalem Boulevard Bensalem, PA
(215) 252-3575
Thurs. 7 p.m. Keith Ragnar Cowsill
Fri. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 4 p.m. "1 Year Anniversary Party" w/ Implicated
Continental Tavern
2 North Main Street Yardley, PA  
(215) 493-9191
Fri. 8 p.m. Dave Maida
Sat. 8 p.m. Mike Brill
Cooper's Riverview                                                                     
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Cosmic Jerry Band
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour (8 p.m.) Jimmy & The Parrots
Sat. 8 p.m. "Flying Circus" led Zeppelin Tribute
Wed. 7 p.m. Live Band Jam  
Crossing Vineyard and Winery
1853 Wrightstown Road Washington Crossing, PA
(215) 493-6500 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Holiday "Wined" Down
Sat. 12:30 p.m. On The Fly
Sun. (1:30 p.m.) Jim Nelson (5 p.m.) Wine & Bundt Cake Pairing
Curran’s Irish Inn
1909 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA
(215) 245-1800
Thurs. 7 p.m. Music Bingo 
Mon. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo
Dacey's Pub 
215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-4838
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Music Night 
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo
Dadz Bar and Grill 
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609)267-4344
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night feat. Jimmy Mannix
Dharma Bums 
4935 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 663-2867
Thurs. 7 p.m. James Dalton
Fri. 8 p.m. Rob Eaton & John Kadlecik w/ Skip Vangelas
Sat. 8 p.m. Diamond Eye Jack (Grateful Dead Tribute). $11.75
Sun. (3 p.m.) Psychedelic Community of New Hope Monthly Social Meetup (6 p.m.) Back Porch Jug Band
Wed. 7 p.m.  DBums Hootenanny: An Open Mic of Music, Comedy & Spoken Word Hosted by Michael Henry Robert
Eddington House Bensalem
2813 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 
(215) 639-1220 
Fri. 8:30 p.m. The Posers ('90s Tribute)
Flying Pig Tavern & Tap 
167 US-Route 130 North Bordentown 
(609) 899-7447
Fri. 7 p.m. Melissa Ann
Sat. 7 p.m. LakeHouse
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia
Forsgate Country Club   
375 Forsgate Drive Monroe
(732) 521-0700 
Fri. 5 p.m. Kathleen Elle
Founding Father's Sports Bar & Grill 
2900 Street Road Bensalem, PA 
(215) 923-1100
Fri. 6 p.m. Bob Pantano Dance Party w/ DJ Joe Castro
Friendly's 
1031 Washington Boulevard Robbinsville 
(609) 426-9203 
Wed. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Kevin McGowan and/or Gino Formaroli (Sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.)
Gallagher's Taproom
437 Pine Street Mount Holly 
(609) 261-0500   
Sat. 6 p.m. Jimi & The Jammerz 
Gleason's Bar
6700 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(215) 943-4781 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Music Bingo / “Ladies Night” Hosted by Best Choice Productions 
Fri. (6 p.m.) "Happy Hour" (8:30 p.m.) Springbrooke
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Fish Out Of Water
Tues. 7 p.m. Game Show Palooza
Green Parrot Restaurant Pub, & Patio
240 North Sycamore Street Newtown Township, PA 
(215) 504-7277 
Fri. 8 p.m. Y'all or Nothin' w/ Keith & Jack
Tues. 7 p.m. Music BINGO
Grover's Mill Coffee House 
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction   
(609) 716-8771  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Wade Prestridge. $10
Hamilatte Cafe
1971 Route 33 Hamilton
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Saturdays 
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 7 p.m. Bluess Jam Hosted by Mikey Jr.
Fri. 9:30 p.m. DJ Dance Party 
Sat. (3 p.m.) Full Grown Men (8:30 p.m.) Jumper (11:59 p.m.) DJ Dance Party 
Sun. 2 p.m. Dibbs & The Detonators
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Steve
Tues. 7 p.m. Jillian Ashcroft Jazz Quartet 
Wed. 7 p.m. Jumper Duo 
Holy Grounds Coffee House (Cranbury United Methodist Church) 
21 Norh Main Street Cranbury
(609) 395-1737
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Pure Fire
Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington 
(609) 737-4465 
Fri. 4 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. (5 p.m.) Modern Rewind
Sat. 5 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Chris from Rave On
Sun. (11 a.m.) Brunch. $38.95 (2:30 p.m.) "Jazzy Sundays" feat. McMillan & Company
Il Portico Restorante Italiano 
273 West Route 130 South Burlington
(609) 239-1000 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Jazz Night
Fri. / Sat. 7 p.m. Live Music w/ Tony O
Irish Rover Station House 
1033 South Bellevue Avenue Langhorne, PA 
(215) 970-5412 
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzo Night
Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus 
(732) 306-9111 
Fri. 5:30 p.m. Rich Cassenti
Sat. 4:30 p.m. Grouser Girls 
Sun. 1 p.m. AudioPilot
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton 
(609) 888-1435 
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke 
All shows 21+    
John & Peter's
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa 
(215) 862-5981 
Thurs. 9 p.m. Gabe Parsons
Fri. 9 p.m. Comedy Showcase
Sat. 3 p.m. Jamie Salvatore 
Sun. 3 p.m. The Canning Company
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic Night (Sign-ups start at 8 p.m.) 
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Kelly's Bar n Banquet Hall
14 Railroad Avenue Fort Dix
(732) 230-6169
Fri. 7 p.m. Line Dancing
Sat. 8 p.m. DJ Kold Kutz
Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166 
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Ryan Zimmerman
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Th Fry Boys (10 p.m.) DJ Jimmy G
Sat. 10 a.m. Brunch  feat. (11 a.m.) Joanna Caruso (1 p.m.) Annual Chili Cookoff (5:30 p.m.) Kevin Hill (10 p.m.) DJ Dom
Sun.10 a.m. "Sunday Funday" Brunch 
Mon. 5 p.m. Kid's Night
Tues. 7 p.m. Music BINGO w/ DJ Brother Mike 
Labyrinth Books Princeton 
122 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 497-1600 
Sun. 3 p.m. Young Writers Reading Series 
Library Company of Burlington
23 West Union Street Burlington
(609) 3861273
Thurs. 2 p.m. Union Street Stampers
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night
Sat. 11:15 a.m. Saturday Story Time
Tues. 6:30 p.m. Ye Olde Book Club
Logan Inn 
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2300
Thurs. 6 p.m. Mike D
Sat. 7 p.m. Karen Payne Duo
Sun. 11:30 a.m. Scott Mcallister Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Russell Norkevich
Magikava
87a South Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2739 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Astrology Readings by Riss Cottrill 
Mon. 6 p.m. Magik "Art Mondays" 
Wed. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night  
McManimon's Pub
151 Liberty Street Trenton 
(609) 393-9023
Sat. 7 p.m. The Williamsboy
McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 949-9570 
Sat. 9 p.m. The Under Dawgs
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night
Mitchell's Cafe
11 Church Street Lambertville
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Baby New Year" Jazz and Improv Jam 
Naked Brewing Company 
212 Mill Street Bristol, PA 
(267) 544-7129
Thurs.6:30 p.m. Dana Collins Project 
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia
Needle Creek Farm Brewery
91 Titus Mill Road Pennington
Thurs. :30 p.m. Mick Chorba
sat. 2 p.m. Two For Flinching 
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company 
909 Ray Avenue Croydon, PA 
(215) 458-7081
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia Night 
Sat. 12 p.m. "Old Rock Day" w/ DJ Jay Rose
New Egypt Elks Lodge #2457
105 Lakewood Road (Route 528 East) New Egypt
Sun. 10 a.m. New Egypt Comic Book and Toy Show. $5 (Kids age 12 and under FREE)
New Egypt Flea Market Village 
933 Monmouth County Road Cream Ridge 
(609) 758-2082
Sun. 8 a.m. Flea Market 
Wed. 8 a.m. Flea Market 
Newtown Brewing Company
103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA 
(215) 944-8609 
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Pop 2K/2000s" Trivia
Fri. 6 p.m. John Brennan
Sat. 6 p.m. Chris Alan Duo
Wed. 4 p.m. Open Mic Night
Nick's Roast Beef
4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA 
(215) 637-515
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke
Nomad Distilling Company
20 South Main Street New Hope, PA
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch
Nottingham Tavern 
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square 
(609) 587-6623
Thur. (7 p.m.) Rock On Radio Happy Hour Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Music by Paul Marzano (9 pm.) Karaoke w/ Super Dave Curtis 
Sat. 9:30 p.m. El Ka Bong
Mon. 6 p.m. BINGO 
Tues. 4 p.m. Pies on the Patio feat. (6:30 p.m.) Jerry Monk
Ages 21+   
O'Fowley's Tavern & Grill 
200 State Road Croydon, PA 
(215) 785-6998 
Mon. 7 p.m. Music Bingo Hosted by Best Choice Productions w/ DJ John S 
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo
 Old Barracks
100 Barrack Street Trenton
Sat. 7 p.m. Concerts by Candlelight
Old Hights Brewing 
123 West Ward Street Hightstown 
(609) 469-5976
Thurs. 5 p.m. Vinyl Night 
Fri. 3 p.m. Happy Hour feat. (6 p.m.) Karl Dentino
Sat. 6 p.m. Adam Reiss
Sun. 2 p.m. Bluegrass Jam  
Old Town Pub
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown 
(609) 291-9232
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia
Patriots Crossing 
1339 River Road Titusville 
(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 9 p.m. Beer Pong
Wed. 7 p.m. Pub Trivia
Plainsboro Preserve
80 Scotts Corner Road Cranbury
(609) 799-4013
Thurs. 10:30 a.m. Nature & Stories
Prallsville Mills
33 Risler Street (Route 29) Stockton
Sat. 3 p.m. Beppe Gambetta w/ Suzie Vinnick
Princeton Country Club
1-Wheeler Way West Windsor
(609) 452-9382 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Karaoke Night w/ Live DJ
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour 
Sun. 11 a.m. Jazz Brunch 
Princeton Public Library (Hinds Plaza)
65 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-9529 
Sun. 3 p.m. Author Tea: Julie Doar w/ Ken Jaworowski for "The Gallagher Place" 
Princeton University (Richardson Auditorium)
Nassau Street Princeton
Thurs. 2 p.m. Pop-Up Talk w/ Curator Laura Giles (Takes place at Art Museum)
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Randall Goosby
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto
Sun. 4 p.m. Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto
Puss N Boots Tavern
942 Trenton Road Fairless Hills, PA
Fri. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia
Raza's at Hamilton
557 Route 130 North Hamilton
Sun. 12 p.m. Brunch w/ DJ Manny The Greek
Ristorante LUCCA & Piano Lounge 
144 US Route 130 Bordentown 
(609) 262-0110
Thurs. 8 p.m. Jazz Night 
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Del's Groove
River House at Odette’s 
274 South Rive Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 682-2022 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Cara Cartney
Fri. 7 p.m. Lorenzo Branca
Sat. 7 p.m. Liz Du Four
Sun. 11:30 a.m. Brunch w/ Alex Otey Duo  
Rossi's Bar & Grill
2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 890-2004 
Thurs. 5:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 11 a.m. Brunch
Sun. 11 a.m. Brunch 
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics
Saint Mark United Methodist Church  
465 Paxson Avenue Hamilton Square 
(609) 587-1286
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Bill Wieszczek
Sandy's Beef & Ale
2028 E. Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, PA
(2670 852-2333
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzo  
Mon. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
School of Rock Princeton
1761 Princeton Avenue Hamilton
(609) 890-7090
Thurs. 6 p.m. House Band Auditions 
Second Sin Brewing Company
1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, P
(267) 812-5251
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Shady Brook Farm 
931 Stony Hill Road Yardley, PA 
(215) 968-1670 
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Keys 
Slice of Brooklyn NJ
1295A Route 33 Hamilton 
(609) 527-9663
Sat. 2 p.m. Pasta Making Class/ Chef Jorge
Slim's Irish Pub 
2195 Galloway Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 332-0047
Sat. 8 p.m. Darlin' & The Dogs
Mon. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Cecil 
Wed. 6 p.m. Karaoke Contest
Small World Coffee 
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-4377 x2 
Sat. 7 p.m. Mason Madden
Smoke House
11 West Front Street Trenton
Fri. 5 p.m. "Toast 2 Trenton" feat. Dave Ross 
Sparky World-Famous Beer Garden
4333 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 943-2321 
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dana
Sun. 9 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Cara Cartney
Mon. 9 p.m. Game Night Hosted by Kid Dalton 
Tues. 7 p.m. Johnny Betz 
Spigola Vino E Cucino
3817 Crosswicks Hamilton Square Road Hamilton
(609) 585-5255
Sun. 12:30 p.m. Afternoon Jazz
Starving Artist Cafe
18 Bridge Street Stockton
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Daisy Jane
Fri. (10 a.m.) JB Kline Facebook Live (6 p.m.) The Accidental Brothers
Sat. 6 p.m. Scott Evans, Scott Randolph, Rich Scanella
21 Locks Brewing
32 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA 
(917) 626-2352
Fri. 8 p.m. Comedy Night feat. Dan Callahan, Connor Lutz, Bob Marsdale, Bill Chiang, Ryan Foster. $18, doors open at 7 p.m. 
Tavern On The Lake 
101 Main Street Hightstown 
(609) 426-9345  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Country DJ Night
Fri. 9 p.m. Pursuit of Happiness
Sat. 7 p.m. Jon Savage & the Classic Rockers
Tues. 6 p.m. Trivia 
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke 
TCNJ College of New Jersey
2000 Pennington Road Ewing 
(609) 771-2467
Sat. 6 p.m. GPYO Senior Winter Festival
Terhune Orchards  
330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310 
Sat. 1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Brian Bortnick
Sun. 1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Jerry Steele
TGI Fridays
2703 Mount Holly Road Suite 3 Washington Twp.
(609) 239-486 
Thurs. 7 p.m.  Trivia  
The Birdhouse Center For The Arts
7 North Main Street Lambertville
(215) 681-4660
Tues. 7:30 p.m. NJNO the "not just nyckelharpa orchestra" Community Orchestra
The Buck Hotel 
1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA 
(215) 396-2002 
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Fat Mezz
Sat. (11 a.m.) Brunch (8:30 p.m.) Don't Call Me Francis
Tues. 7 p.m. Danny Lynch Duo
The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Dave Curtis
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia
Tues. 7 p.m. BINGO
The Corner Inn
24509 East Main Street Columbus
(609) 298-8543
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ We R Entertainment  
The Five Four Bar & Grill
8919 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 547-5525
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula and Sam 
Fri. 9 p.m. The Groove Dudes
Sat. 9 p.m. SpareParts
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo w/ Jonathan Appel
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Trey Brown
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Balanced Breakfast Band
Sat. 9:30 p.m. DJ Bob E Luv
Sun. 2 p.m. Gameday
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv 
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Trey Brown
The Morrisville Tavern 
376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-5310
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Mon. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia Night 
The Newtown Theatre
120 North State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 968-3859
Fri. 8 p.m. Musical Illusionist Chris Funk. $30-$35
Sat. (10 a.m.) "Spirited Away (Studio Ghibli Saturday)" $8-$12  (8 p.m.) "All Revved Up" Meat Loaf Tribute. $35-$48
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Cult Vault: "Dead Poets Society" $8-$13
Wed. 7:30 p.m. "Where The Crawdads Sing" $8-$14
The Penguin Rocks (24 Hour On-Demand Music/Radio)
www.thepenguinrocks.com 
Mon. -  Fri. "Radio Jersey" Hosted by Lee Mrowicki 
Sun. - Sat. "Classic Jersey" Hosted by Gary Wien
Sun. - Sat. "Beyond The Palace" Hosted by Lee Mrowicki 
Sun. - Sat. "Danny Coleman's Rock On Radio" feat. CJ 2.0 and a Call from DD Bastos of Roomful Of Blues
Sun. - Sat. "From The Basement" Hosted by Mike Marrone
Sun. - Sat. "Deuce Radio" Hosted by Matt Barker
Sun. - Sat. "Altrok Radio" Hosted by Sean Carolan
Sun. - Sat. "Lighty's Corner" Hosted by Gary Wien 
Sun. - Sat. "The Troubador Show" Hosted by John Godfrey
The Roost
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. DC Duo 
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9 p.m. Sideways Willy
Mon. 6 p.m. Music BINGO
Tus. 6 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 6 p.m. Joe Vadala
The Union Firehouse
18 Washington Street Mount Holly
(609) 288-6491
Sat. 7 p.m. Flac n Friends Multi-Genre Music Festival
The Union House 
19 East Union Street Burlington
(609) 531-6077
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 8 p.m. Modern Mojo
Sat. (10 a.m.) Brunch (8 p.m.) Sunrise Cries
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch
Tindall Road Brewing Co.
102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 526-8651 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Jukebox BINGO w/ Rene!
Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton 
(609) 392-2554
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" 
Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Jerry & John Monk
All Shows 21+
Trenton Free Public Library
120 Academy Street Trenton
(609) 392-7188
Thurs. 2 p.m. Chair Yoga
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour Throwback Thursday
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Music (TBA)
Mon. 6 p.m. "Monday Night Karaoke" Hosted by Sweets
Triple Sun Spirits
126 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-3057  
Fri. 8 p.m. Johnny Never and John Colgan-Davis
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton Location)
20 Pamer Square east Princeton 
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 5 p.m. Rodrigo Bonelli Trio
Sat. 6 p.m. Jesse Green Trio
Vault Brewing Company
10 South Main Street Yardley, PA 
(267) 573-4291
Sun. 12 p.m. Pilates & Pints
Village Idiot Brewing Company
42 High Street Mount Holly
(609) 975-9270 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Washington Crossing Historic Park 
1112 River Road Washington Crossing, PA
Sat. 7:30 a.m. Saturday Trails (Starts on NJ side)
Sun. 11 a.m. "Ducks On the Delaware" (Takes place at the Nelson House on River Drive on NJ side) 
Working Dog Winery
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown
(609) 371-6000
Thurs. 4:30 p.m. Jordan Allen
Fri. 6 p.m. Trivia w/ Sam The Trivia Guy
Sat. 1 p.m. Erin McAndrew
Sun. 1 p.m. Chris Giakas
WWFM 89.1 FM HD2 Radio
MCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor
Jazzon2.org
Mon. 7 a.m./7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues"


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.

 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Destiny" by Never the Name

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Destiny," the closing track of Never the Name's seven song debut album, "Millennial Boomer Consumer."




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from January 6-12, 2026




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "A New Year's Lullaby" by The New Bardots




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 01/02/2026






 

MORE NEWS

Today we are highlighting the five time Grammy Award Nominated band, Roomful of Blues. First formed in 1967, the group touts an impressive tenure approaching almost sixty years in the industry. While some new faces have come and gone in that tenure, the eight-piece blues band is still going strong- most recently welcoming their first female singer, D.D. Bastos, to the octet.


Kean Stage presents Billy Ocean on April 2nd




The Jersey Four featuring Gerry Polci to Perform at Drew University




Centenary Stage Company presents the Six One Five Collective




Makin Waves with Greg Amici: Comeback of the Year






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


MPAC presents Yellow Brick Joel: The Tribute Concert

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Yellow Brick Joel: The Tribute Concert on Thursday, January 8 and Friday, January 9, 2026 at 8:00pm each night. This incredible live show features David Clark, a masterful performer who brings Billy Joel's music to life, alongside Bill Connors, who channels the genius of Elton John in a way you've never seen before.


Lizzie Rose Music Room presents James Maddock




NJPAC presents Get the Led Out




The Landis Theater presents Obey Your Master - Metallica Tribute Band on January 10th






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




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