New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Classical Cape May Returns For Second Season

originally published: 01/09/2025

Adam Cockerham, photo by Matthew Washburn

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- This winter in Cape May enjoy four free classical music concerts featuring unusual instruments, original works and accomplished musicians. Building on the success of its inaugural season, Classical Cape May announces its second season of programs, sponsored by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture).

Concerts are scheduled on Sundays, January 12; February 9; March 9; and April 13. Performances run from 4:00pm to 5:00pm at the Episcopal Church of the Advent at 612 Franklin St. (Franklin and Washington streets) in Cape May and admission is free. Attendees are invited to a reception after each program to meet the artists.

Sunday, January 12 - Italian Baroque Serenade (Dr. Adam Cockerham, guitar and lute). Dr. Cockerham is a specialist in Baroque plucked strings. He teaches guitar at Rowan University and performs extensively in the New York metropolitan area. He will be playing works for the theorbo and baroque guitar written during the 17th and early 18th centuries by Italian composers and composers who studied in Italy. The theorbo was a newly invented instrument in Italy as the Baroque Era was beginning. It is a long-necked lute with an extended bass range.

“This is possibly the first time this instrument has been played in Cape May,” said co-director Brenda Leonard. “Classical Cape May is very excited to present this unique and beautiful instrument to our local audiences and to welcome Dr. Cockerham to Cape May.”

Sunday, February 9 - Music of our Time by People of our Place (Cape May County musicians performing). Besides bringing excellent regional performers to our area, Classical Cape May’s mission includes showcasing the best of local classical artists. This year our local musicians are focusing on works written during the past century, featuring vocal performances and pieces on the piano and organ. In addition, Brenda Leonard will be playing a new piece for unaccompanied cello by a talented local composer, Koren Cowgill.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



Sunday, March 9 - Romantic Love Songs (PolyVoce sing the Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes). Co-director Robert Bullington brings one of his ensembles for the March program. PolyVoce is an ensemble of four singers — soprano, alto, tenor and baritone — and two pianists. Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes are a collection of love songs for voices and piano, four hands (two pianists, one piano). Not all of the waltzes use all four voices; there are solos and some pieces featuring two voices.

Sunday, April 13 - Piano Quintets (Main Street Chamber Players of Fairfax, VA). The final concert of the 2025 season features the Main Street Chamber Players of Fairfax, Va. Cellist Kenneth Law teaches at the Main Street Music Studios in Fairfax, teaching and mentoring excellent young cellists from the Washington, D.C. area, including one who was recently featured on NPR’s national program “From the Top.”

The Main Street Chamber Players include violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano. The musicians will play as a quintet and as various smaller ensembles. On the program is the rarely heard Vaughn-Williams Piano Quintet, as well as works by three women composers: the early 20th century composer Rebecca Clarke, Belize-born composer Errolyn Waller, and one of Argentina’s most celebrated young composers, Adriana Figueroa Manas.

Classical Cape May is co-founded and co-directed by Brenda Leonard and Robert Bullington. The mission is to bring a variety of free classical performances to Cape May during the winter season, and to celebrate local and regional classical music talent. The series is open to all ages and interests, and donations are appreciated.

Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. They operate and manage the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse and the 1942 World War II Lookout Tower, and are the leading organization to offer visitors tours, activities and events year-round in America’s National Historic Landmark City. Cape May MAC is the organization that saved the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate from demolition, helping secure the City of Cape May as an internationally recognized historic destination.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

NJPAC

NJPAC presents An Evening with Kem, aka "Soul's Greatness"

(NEWARK, NJ) -- KEM, known as Soul's Greatness, will perform at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Friday, July 18, 2025. KEM's passion for music and the emotions he brings to life on stages worldwide have been a part of him since childhood, when he played the old piano at his grandfather's church. Showtime is 8:00pm.



Newton

Newton Theatre presents The Ultimate Queen Celebration

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Ultimate Queen Celebration comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, July 18, 2025. The band features vocalist Yvan Pedneault (endorsed by Queen) and backed by some of the finest musicians on the scene who have toured with the likes of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Cher and more. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.



NJPAC

NJPAC presents KEM with special guest Melania Fiona

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a special evening with KEM, known as Soul's Greatness, on Friday, July 18, 2025 at 8:00pm. Special guest Melanie Fiona will open the night.



Jazz

Jazz Concert at Trenton City Museum will Feature the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum will present a free jazz concert Friday, July 18, 2025 at the museum's Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park. Featuring world-renowned vibraphonist Joe Baione, the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience is the first group to perform in a series of jazz events leading up to the museum's 2026 TRENTON MAKES JAZZ exhibition, in collaboration with the City of Trenton.



Blues

Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms to Play Tour with Spin Doctors

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Multi-platinum rock legends Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms have joined forces for an electrifying co-headlining summer tour. Currently headlining The 90s Cruise at sea, the bands behind iconic hits like "Run-Around" and "Hey Jealousy" have announced a 30-date tour set to kick off on Friday, July 4 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Locally, the tour comes to Ocean Casino Resort's Ovation Hall on Saturday, July 19, 2025.



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.


Jax

Jax Hollow

Saturday, July 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

A

A Night of Worship with Bishop William Murphy - Live in Concert!

Saturday, July 19, 2025 @ 7:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Joanna

Joanna Connor

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Lynette

Lynette Sheard - ​​​​​​​Gatsby Reimagined

Thursday, July 24, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Back

Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl

Thursday, July 24, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music