New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Songwriters by the Sea Returns To Monmouth University

originally published: 03/16/2023



PHOTO BY JOHN POSADA

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- The Monmouth University's Department of Music and Theatre has announced the return of distinguished New Jersey Songwriters Joe Rapolla and Joe D'Urso for the Songwriters by the Sea series, Saturday, March 24 at 8:00pm at the Lauren K. Woods Theatre. The series has been running at the University since 2012, with such acclaimed writer/artists as Marshall Crenshaw, Alison Moorer, David Johansen, James Maddock, and many others.

What once started in a small coffee shop as an area for local songwriters has now grown into a series that features some of the top songwriters in the country. This year, the show features special guests Willie Nile and Emily Grove as well as an opening set by Monmouth University Blue Hawk Records student/artists, Max Wolf & Jenaé Louis-Jacques, Madeline Knight, together with Monmouth faculty and Grammy-nominated songwriter, George Wurzbach. 

The New York Times called Buffalo, NY born Willie Nile "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years." Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch, and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises. He has toured across the U.S. with The Who and has sung with Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. As the induction program from the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame says: “His live performances are legendary.” His 2020 album New York At Night got rave reviews, with Downbeat calling it a “sonic love letter to Gotham.” His newest studio album The Day The Earth Stood Still, which features a duet with Steve Earle on the song “Blood On Your Hands” was released on Aug 13, 2021.

Emily Grove has had a varied and exciting musical journey, from coffeehouses to Berklee College of Music, to television appearances to tours in the UK and Europe. She has toured the UK, Ireland, US, and Canada, opening up for and performing with British artist David Ford. She also had her own headlining tour in Germany, Bulgaria, and England. She recently put on a sold- out Joni Mitchell show, featuring some of Asbury Park’s most talented musicians. She’s performed with/opened up for Glen Burtnik, Brett Michaels, Dan Reed, David Ford, Jeffrey Gaines, James Maddock, John Lefler (Dashboard Confessional), Ari Hest, and many others. She’s recorded with David Ford, Glen Burtnik, Steve Forbert, and UK artist Jack Henderson, among many others.

Tickets for Songwriters by the Sea are priced at $35, and can be reserved through the Monmouth University Box Office at 732-263-6889, or online at www.monmouth.edu/mca. There will be a pre-show reception will be held at 7:00pm for all ticket holders.




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



Songwriters by the Sea began as intimate, casual coffeehouse jam sessions around Asbury Park, and has since evolved into a national show attracting some of the most revered singers and songwriters of today’s scene— from Joe Grushecky and Garland Jeffreys to Glen Burtnik, Marshall Crenshaw and Alison Moorer. Along the way, D’Urso (front man of Stone Caravan and board member of WHY Hunger and Light Of Day) and Rapolla (a veteran music industry executive, solo performer, and front man of the band Perfect Square) have fine-tuned their circle of artists, trading favorite songs and illuminating backstories behind their most personal works, into a vehicle that brings out the best in the assembled talent. Whether the venue is a club, a historic theater or a campus performing arts center, Songwriters by the Sea has been known to turn any space into an intimate house party atmosphere; a gathering of friends and a place where something akin to magic often takes hold.

Thanks to sponsors, Tim Cabrey, Don and Gail Moliver, Tony Palligrosi, Jay & Louise Krall, and the lotus823 agency, all revenue from ticket sales will go to further fund an endowed Music Industry Scholarship at the University. 




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



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

An

An Interview with Tim Palmieri of Lotus

Lotus was founded between 1998-1999 at Goshen College in Goshen, IN. Now based out of Dever, Colorado and Philadelphia, PA primarily, Lotus continues to bloom as a premiere jamtronica band for over the past 25 years. In 2021, founding member and longtime guitarist, Micheal Rempel left Lotus ushering in new guitarist, Tim Palmieri.



Bergen

Bergen County presents 2nd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular

(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the County Parks Department are excited to announce the full schedule for Bergen County's 2nd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular on July 4, 2025 in Overpeck County Park. Musical groups Super Trans Am, Glenn Roberts Country Band, and Tempo Alegre will take the stage ahead of a performance from the New Jersey Wind Symphony.



Celebrate

Celebrate America! 'Music of the Revolution' at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch

(BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The momentous decision by our founding fathers to emerge from colonization and establish a new nation will soon mark its 250th anniversary. In honor of this historic milestone, join us for Anne and Ridley Enslow's "Music of the American Revolution" at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Count

Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Graham Nash

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Graham Nash, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash, will perform at Count Basie Center for the Arts on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Nash will be joined on stage by Todd Caldwell (keyboards and vocals), Adam Minkoff (bass, drums, guitars and vocals) and Zach Djanikian (guitars, mandolin, drums and vocals), performing favorites from across his sixty-year career. Showtime is 7:30pm.



Rick

Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young to bring the "I Want My 80s Tour" to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to revive the spirit of the 1980s! Iconic rock star and eternal heartthrob Rick Springfield, a true emblem of the '80s music scene, is set to take the stage on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Tuesday

Tuesday Night Record Club - Crowded House

Tuesday, July 01, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Monmouth University - The Great Hall
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Curtis

Curtis Salgado

Wednesday, July 02, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

John

John Lee & Friends

Thursday, July 03, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Blues

Blues People with Special Guest: Jeff Levine

Saturday, July 05, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 



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