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PHOTOS from The Wag's Halloween Spectacular at The Strand

By John Posada

originally published: 10/31/2023

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- The Wag presented their Halloween Spectacular shows across the Garden State in October with performances at The Landis Theater in Vineland on October 20th and The Strand Theater in Lakewood on October 28th.  Photographer John Posada was on hand at the latter show to take photos.

The annual show includes Halloween-themed songs plus dance numbers, costume changes, and comedy sketches, along with a few of the band's original songs. Most of all, the show is fun for everyone.

The Wag is a band from the Bayshore area of New Jersey that mixes a love for the British Invasion bands of the sixties with a Jersey Shore vibe. This year marks their 25th as a band, a truly remarkable feat. The band includes Brian Ostering (Bass and vocals), Alicia Van Sant (Keyboards, vocals, percussion, some flute, occasional guitar), Don Lee (Guitar and vocals), and Joshua Van Ness (Drums, percussion, guitar and vocals).

In February, New Jersey Stage spoke with Brian Ostering about the band's 25th anniversary and their latest album, Blue Bottles and Copper Coins. You can read that interview here.

If holiday tunes are more of your thing, The Wag will be back at The Strand with their Christmas Spectacular show on Saturday, December 9th. It's a fun show steeped in the traditions of the holiday tv shows we've  all grown up with.  In addition to having dance numbers, costume changes, and comedy sketches, the show includes a look at holiday songs and sketches from places like Ireland, Germany, Spain, and more. For more info or tickets, click hereThe Christmas Spectacular will also take place at the Middletown Arts Center on Saturday, December 16th as a benefit for the Monmouth County SPCA.  For more info or tickets about that show, click here.




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You can find The Wag performing at area festivals, in bars, theaters, coffeehouses, and libraries throughout the state. In addition to performing locally, the band has a couple of shows in Maine and Vermont in November and has taken part in regional and international tours, including England, Canada, and Japan. They will be back at the Landis Theater for a show on Saturday, December 23rd.

Here are more photos from the show.

About the author:

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.





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EVENT PREVIEWS

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Country Icon Trace Adkins in September

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Multi-PLATINUM entertainer Trace Adkins will bring his 30th Anniversary Tour to the URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Friday, September 18, 2026, for one night only. The show is part of Adkins' nationwide headline tour celebrating 30 years of chart-topping hits and powerhouse live performances. Showtime is 8:00pm.

The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on September 22nd

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Wednesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This year marked 33 years since the band arrived on the music scene.
NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The internationally celebrated Salsa icon, Tito Nieves - affectionately known as "El Pavarotti de la Salsa" - is set to electrify the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 8:00pm with his tour, "50 Años La Historia... Continúa." The performance will take place at NJPAC's prestigious Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage.
New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Hanging Coats and Lawns, part of New Brunswick's basement music scene, take the stage for an audio-visual performance on October 2 , 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A Rutgers student is injecting some sonic youth from the New Brunswick music scene into this year's New Jersey Fall Film Festival.
CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

(CARTERET, NJ) -- W.A.S.P. brings its "1984 To Headless" Fall North American Tour to the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band will pay tribute to their 1st Four Albums... Live! The lineup includes Special Guest KK's Priest.
Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. Maddock's status as a fixture on the Folk and Americana scene is confirmed with every listen of any song in his prodigious catalog. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Grammy® nominated, platinum-selling artist, Five For Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) will bring his ever popular Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour back out on the road this September and October. There are several shows coming to the local area including two in New Jersey: Sunday, September 20 at The Newton Theatre and Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at The Vogel in Red Bank.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30, 2026 at 8:00pm (doors at 7:00pm). The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue) in Montclair.
 

FEATURED EVENTS



Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone

Sunday, September 13, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Lou Antonucci - "You, Me, & Harry" Celebrating The Music of Harry Chapin​

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Will Hoge

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


The Rascals 60th Anniversary Tour

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Trace Adkins

Friday, September 18, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ


 

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