Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...8/15/24

By Danny Coleman
originally published: 08/15/2024

"I was kicking around in the '90s in Asbury Park and nothing was hitting and I came down here on a vacation and it just struck me; I needed to live in this city. I didn't even know the music here then, it was just the way the city felt, it was perfect. I moved down here with my band at the time; it all started out as a solo project, I was starting over and that just kind of morphed into The Soul Project and over the years; it has been 24 years almost and I can't believe it but it has been 24 years of molding, growing and learning from the ground up here in New Orleans."

Jon Cristian Duque is a product of or should one say "Was" a product of Toms River, NJ who found his calling and seemingly his lifeblood in the pulse of the New Orleans, LA music scene. A guitarist and vocalist who has traversed the U.S. as a busker, street performer and roadie has a great story, a new record and will be back here in New Jersey on Thursday August 22 for an appearance with his band, The Soul Project NOLA at Tuckerton's Lizzie Rose Music Room.

So, to understand a bit more about Cristian, the band and how he came to embrace New Orleans, its inhabitants and its music; let's see how it and his relationship with Walter "Wolfman" Washington all began.

"That's a great story," he said enthusiastically,"I came to New Orleans and I realized that I knew nothing. I played guitar with a bunch of bands up in New Jersey but when I got down here I didn't know anything and the girl I moved down here with, broke up with me, the band broke up and I didn't know what to do. So, I got on a Greyhound Bus with my guitar and took off and for a straight year-and-a-half I travelled the country playing my guitar in the streets every night and trying to learn. So, a year-and-a-half of doing that, I swung back through New Orleans as I always did on my travels and a friend was staying at a house with his girl and next door was this kid Antonio who was a trumpet player and he played with Walter and he asked if I'd ever met him. I knew who Walter was but I had never met him but he mentioned that they were on their way to California to start a tour and that he, the drummer, keyboard player and the sax player were driving the van and Walter and the bass player were going to fly out and meet us but the sax players' wife went into the hospital and he couldn't drive the van. So, I said that I had some stuff to do in L.A. and was on my way out there and I said I'd drive the equipment van and I drove us out there and we had a lot of fun and everywhere we stopped because I travelled so much, I knew where to go and what to do and we got to Manhattan Beach and there was a Barbeque Blues place there and that was the first time I met Walter. I had my guitar with me, I helped load in and set everything up and I had my guitar and was going to play in the street to make some money and he saw me and said, "You think you are gonna play guitar with us just because you drove the van out?" I said, "No, No. I was going outside to play and make some money." He said, "Sit down" and I sat down and he started talking to me and I don't think I understood a word he said but yet I understood what he was talking about because I felt his energy because he looked me straight in my eyes and then he asked me; "What's your sign?" I said, "I'm an Aries" and he said, "My mama was an Aries, I'll tolerate you. Go put your amp on the stage." I had this little Crate amp and I put it up on stage and played the whole show with him and I had never played with him, I didn't know his music, like I said, I could barely tell the difference between major and minor and at the end of the night I said, "Thank you so much" and he says; "Do you want to finish the tour?" I was like, "Yeah! One hundred percent" and he took me on tour and I found out the rest of the band except the trumpet player hated me because I wasn't the level of player they were and I was an extra body and they were like, Walter, why are you letting this dude on stage? Walter was the boss so they let me do it and I got paid more money on that tour; I was used to making 30 dollars a week if I was lucky on the street and with Walter, I was getting 80 dollars a show. We went to Seattle, Colorado and Kansas City. When we got home, I had been working at Tipitina's which is the greatest music club in the world and where I saw Dr. John, The Nevilles and where I saw Walter for the first time.The first gig when we got back was at the Maple Leaf Bar which is the second greatest club (laughs) in New Orleans and I had also hung out there because everybody hung out there together so, here I am, this kid who went from working the door and security and I went on tour with Walter and then I'm on stage with him and everybody was like, "What the heck happened?" I was like, I don't know, I'm keeping my mouth shut and saying nothing so don't you say anything and here we are 21 years later and I'm trying to just keep Walter's name alive." 

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"One of the most important things about this new album that I'd like to talk about is that for the first time, The Soul Project as a band is doing the music of my boss and my mentor, who when I moved here I knew nothing and he took me under his wing and literally, everything I do now comes directly from learning from him and him showing me how to do New Orleans. His name was Walter "Wolfman" Washington, I don't know if you're familiar with him but I was in that band since 2003. I was part of The Roadmasters which was his band. He passed away two Decembers ago, he was 78 and it was a big deal because we're losing a lot of the greats down here but he literally taught me everything I know and that's more of the tradition that I'm talking about as well. I've always thought of it as my job to continue it and move it on and so for the first time we actually started to do his music because nobody could do the "Wolfman," when he was alive nobody would do it because he was one of a kind. Now that he has passed on, my drummer Wayne Maureau was actually Walter's drummer for 15 years and that's where I met him and from playing in Walter's band, he and I have a chemistry already and we know how to do Walter's songs so it wasn't too much of a step to try and do everything Walter did. So, this album is really the first time that we have ever successfully done it and I think it came out pretty good. We got everybody's blessing and everybody who has listened to it that knew the boss said that he's smiling if he can hear it and that's the highest praise we can expect. I played guitar for Walter and it was the hardest thing to do because his playing was stellar. He's known for many things but he played guitar like a piano and his knowledge of chords; when you talk Jazz and R&B and knowing that stuff; growing up in New Jersey I never was exposed to it and nobody that I knew was and what he grew up learning from the greats and everybody he played with, he's a direct line all the way back to the beginning of the New Orleans period when you trace the music. The way he laid things in and the way he phrased chords and he covered so much ground on the guitar was amazing. So, putting me in as a second guitar and not knowing anything and I'm telling you, I knew nothing; the first tour he took me on, I don't think I played a chord, I think I only played single notes behind him because I couldn't tell whether he was playing major or minor, all I heard was these huge piano jazz chords and I was just trying to fit in but eventually I learned how to kind of rhythmically fit in  to what he was doing. He never needed another guitar player which is basically my point but he put me in there so I could play and learn with the best and get my experience."

The Soul Project NOLA has been around since Duque arrived in New Orleans and plays locally as well as nationally. So, with such a love of his adopted city; why is the new record "Live From Norway?" 

"It's called, "Live From Norway" because that's exactly what it is," he laughed. "The band has been through so many changes, it basically grew up here in the city; I've tried to change the name over the years but because we became such a staple of the scene, whatever band I showed up with was called The Soul Project no matter what; I can't lose that name if I wanted to; you know? Over the pandemic, the band I had together was good, it was great but it wasn't doing what I wanted it to do. After the pandemic, it was such a weird time. We were home in New Orleans, we were still working but it was obviously different and the band that I ended up putting together became the band that I have now and it's the strongest version yet; finally. Some of these players are just what I've been waiting for my whole life. So, we decided that we had to record something and we had been to Norway twice. We did two tours over there; 2022 and 2023 and I recorded all of the shows because I record everything and it was so successful and came out so good that we were like, man, we should just release these. We haven't released an album since I think 2018 and we released this as a stop gap to show people what the band sounds like and we're working on material for a new full-length album that's going to be out probably around Mardi Gras next year; it's basically showcasing the new band so, that's what this release is. We call Norway, "The Doorway" because that was our first foothold in Europe and once you get over there, everything is a train ride away and it has been opening a lot of doors for us. There is this great lady over there and she has been coming here for years and has been seeing the band for years and she was always trying to get us to come over there and she single handedly brought us over there for the first time and it was great! Everybody loved it because even if you're in the United States you don't get New Orleans unless you are in New Orleans and so to them, we were killing it. They loved us and they brought us back and it was really successful and that's what the album shows; everybody is happy and it was a really good experience for everybody."

Proving once again that European audiences thirst for American music is not lost on Duque and the band; why do they think that is?

"That's a good question and I don't know if I've thought about it other than the fact that it's American music I guess," he said, sounding somewhat perplexed himself. "Especially the music we do, it's so traditional and even though what we do is as new as it gets here in New Orleans; everything here is so tied to tradition and New Orleans is such a melting pot; people from all over the world come here to find the music and Blues and Jazz is such an American music style that you could only get here in America until the English took it and thank God they did because the Blues were disappearing until the Stones, Beatles and everybody kind of brought it back. I think it comes back to that; people thirst for the true American music style and America is the only place you can get it. So, when it comes over there it's a treat, it's a specialty; ya' know? Whereas here, you can get it anywhere I guess."

New Orleans style anything is usually defined by terms like "Zydeco" or "Cajun," maybe even "Creole" etc. but Duque says that The Soul Project is also "Funky."

"We say "Funk" because at the base of things; I'm a child of the late '70s so growing up with the Funk and Disco that was happening, it's in my blood. The way it's tied to New Orleans is the rhythm, the New Orleans rhythm is really what it comes down to. No matter what, whether you are listening to Storyville Jazz or Blues, even though Blues are different in New Orleans than it is anywhere else and of course the R&B, all the R&B from Fats Domino on; Dave Bartholomew, Louie Armstrong, all of them; it's the rhythm that makes it New Orleans. It was always the drums and the rhythms from the Caribbean, Africa, Cuba all coming together in the melting pot that is New Orleans that created the backdrop for the music. So, honestly, it's the same chords and the same things but when you play it over the rhythms of this town it becomes distinctly New Orleans and that's really what happens in my opinion."

A somewhat rare weeknight show at The Lizzie Rose Music Room is made extra special by Cristian's homecoming of sorts; what does he and the band have in store for those attending on Thursday August 22?

"I'm bringing five pieces, I'd like to bring more horns but we know when there is no money, the first thing to go is the horns. We're coming with a sax, drums, bass, guitar of course and keys. So, it's just the five piece, that's what we did the album with, so that's the sound and we're focusing on the sound. We're gonna do everything that's on the album, we're gonna do a special section for Walter of course with a couple of extra songs because we found out that our keyboard player, Mikey "B3" Burkhart can actually sing Walter's tunes; I can play them but I have a hard time singing them because he was a great singer. Mikey opens up the pallet so we added five or six Walter tunes that we can highlight and then there will be all the regular Soul Project stuff that everybody loves and wants to hear and then and excitingly to me, we're gonna be debuting some new music that has been in the working stages but the only way to get them ready to record is to play them. So, we're using this tour as kind of an incubator because when you're on stage, you find out real quick what works and what doesn't (laughs)" 

To purchase tickets for August 22 please visit https://www.lizzierosemusic.com/ and to find out more about The Soul Project NOLA, please click here: https://soulprojectnola.com/epkb3

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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Ace Cafe 
15 Market Place New Hope, PA
Thurs. 6 p.m. Bike Night
Fri. 6 p.m. Italian Car & Bike Night
Sat. (11 a.m.) JDM vs the World Meet-Up (2 p.m.) Volkswagon Meet-Up

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Al's Airport Inn
636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton
(609) 883-5252 
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Diane Chiorello (8 p.m.) Trivia w/ 94.5 WPST
Sat. (12 p.m.) Acoustic Brunch w/ Ed Wall (5 p.m.) Jessica Didonato
Sun. (12 p.m.) Sunday Acoustic Brunch w/ Jerry Monk (7:30 p.m.) DJ Bobby Jones
Mon. 5 p.m. Joe Hutchinson
Tues. 7 p.m. Mark Sacco
Wed. 7 p.m. Kindred Spirit Duo

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Aristaeus Brewing
2475C Big Oak Road Langhorne, PA 
(215) 757-2337
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Fri. 7 p.m. Glass Joe

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Ark Brewery, Restaurant & Pub
106 Ark Road Lumberton
(609) 451-5023
Sat. 12 p.m. Craft and Vendor Market  
Arts Council of Princeton 
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-8777 
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Story & Verse" A storytelling, Poetry and Spoken Word Open Mic
Wed. 7 p.m. "JAM" Jersey Art Meet-Up

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Ashlynn Distillery 
32 West Bridge Street Morrisville, PA 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Cecil & Carl
Fri. 7 p.m. Midnight Sun TTL
Sat. 7 p.m. The Savants
Sun. 3 p.m. Cecil & Troy
Wed. 6 p.m. Cara Cartney

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Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 7 p.m. Sara & Tamer
Fri. (7 p.m.) Bad Hombres (10 p.m.) DJ BayNice
Sat. (7 p.m.) Joe Zook (10 p.m. DJ Dream
Sun. 7 p.m. Bingo
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Tues. 8 p.m. / Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
Ages 21+

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Bit-hin' Kitten Brewery
58-B East Bridge Street Morrisville, PA
(267) 799-5348
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzo

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Blaze DoubleTree by Hilton 
4355 US Route 1 Princeton
(609) 452-2400
Sat. 9 p.m. Latin Saturdays 

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Blend Bar & Bistro   
911 Highway 33 Hamilton 
(609) 245-8887
Thurs. (6 p.m.) Cantera Negra Tequila Tasting & Food Pairing (7:30 p.m.) Trivia

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Bordentown City
Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
Fri. 7 p.m. "Frightening Fridays!" Haunted History Tours. $20
Sat. 12 p.m. Bordentown Walking Tours. $20 

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Boro Bean 
9 East Broad Street Hopewell 
(609) 466-6681 
Sat. 11 a.m. John Abbott 

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Bowman's Tavern 
1600 River Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Jonathan Daddis Duo
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Bennett Lee (8 p.m.) Bob Egan 
Sat. 7 p.m. Dave Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Bill Avayou Trio (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Tues. 6 p.m. Soul Custody
Wed. 6 p.m. Liz DuFour

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Bristol Lions Park
100 Basin Park Bristol, PA 
Sun. 6 p.m. Finster

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Broken Goblet Brewing
2500 State Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 812-5653
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Dirty Brain w/ Emensia and Special hug. $10
Sat. 8 p.m. Britt & Tim's Karaoke Party
Sun. School of Rock Newtown "Senior Show"
Tues. 6:30 p.m. Dungeons & Dragons Night

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Brother's Pizza 
871 Highway 33 Hamilton 
(609) 586-2727
Wed. 7 p.m. Ant Cannuli

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Bucks County Brewery and Hewn Spirits 
31 Appletree Lane Pipersville, PA
(215) 766-7711
Sat. 1 p.m. "Chuicy Stock" feat. (6 p.m.) ZenDog 
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

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Burlington Riverfront Promenade
Thurs. 6 p.m. Car & Motorcycle Show feat. music by Random Notes 

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Cadwalader Park (Ellarslie Museum)
299 Parkside Avenue Trenton 
(408) 335-4400 
Sat. 1:30 p.m. Alumni Kickball Tournament

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Candlelight Lounge 
24 Passaic Street Trenton  
(609) 695-9612 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Thursday Night Blues Jam. $5

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Catch A Rising Star (Hyatt Regency Princeton) 
102 Carnagie Center Princeton
(781) 568-1471
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Kevin Bartini. $26.50, Doors open at 7 p.m. 

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Cazz's Sports Bar 'N' Grille
1560 Haines Road Levittown, PA 
(267) 580-5469 
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul

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Chesterfield Inn
633 Chesterfield-Arneytown Road Chesterfield
(609) 298-1917
Sat. 9 p.m. Blackwells Mill

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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

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Clubhouse at Mountain View (The Patio)
850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing 
(609) 538-0808
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Paul Plumeri

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Cooper's Riverview                                                                     
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Cosmic Jerry Band
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour (7 p.m.) "Full Moon Fever" Tom Petty Tribute
Sat. 7 p.m. "Street Survivors" Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute

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Cream Ridge Winery
145 Route 539 Cream Ridge 
(609) 259-9797 
Sat. 6 p.m. Ronnie Brandt & Salty Dawgz 

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Crossing Vineyard and Winery
1853 Wrightstown Road Washington Crossing, PA
(215) 493-6500 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Fri. 7:15 p.m. "Summer Wine and Music Series" feat. Slippery. $15 (advance), Doors open at 5 p.m., Ages 21+ 
Sat. 2:30 p.m. Sweet Spot
Sun. 2 p.m. Rodney Wright

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Curran’s Irish Inn
1909 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA
(215) 245-1800
Thurs. 7 p.m. Music Bingo 
Mon. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo

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Curtain's Wharf 
501 East Pearl Street Burlington
Fri. 7 p.m. The Coconutz

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Cycle Kings
415 Calhoun Street Trenton
Fri. 6 p.m. Showtyme & Da Traffic

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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

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Dadz Bar and Grill 
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609)267-4344
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic w/ Jimmy Mannix
Fri. (7 p.m.) Nobody's Business (9 p.m.) Dance Party w/ DJ Put It On
Sat. (7 p.m.) Karaoke Dance Party (9 p.m.) Dance Party w/ Dj Xavier Fouchee
Sun. (2 p.m.) Leanne Guest Artist Fundraiser (3 p.m.) Wounded Souls
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Linda

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Dharma Bums 
4935 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 663-2867
Thurs. 7 p.m. Frank Cervantes
Fri. 8 p.m. Lost Cricket String Band
Sat. (2 p.m.) Cristina Ward, Elly Kace & Vivienne Artur. $15 (advance) (8 p.m.) Lovelight. $10 (advance)
Sun. 7 p.m. Tinsley Ellis. $25, $20 (advance)
Wed. (5:30 p.m.) Meridi-Yin Yoga to the Sounds of The Grateful Dead. $20 (7 p.m.) DBums Hootenanny: An Open Mic of Music, Comedy & Spoken Word Hosted by Michael Henry Robert

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Dockside Bensalem 
3330 Hulmeville Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 520-7184
Fri. 6 p.m. Keep The Change
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Dueling Pianos

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Eddington House Bensalem
2813 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 
(215) 639-1220 
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Surprise! Surprise! 
Sat. (3 p.m.) The Disapointmentz (8:30 p.m.) Pixie Twist
Sun. 3 p.m. Ashton John
Mon. 5:30 p.m. "Family Fun Night" w/ Amazing Balloon Creations by Kelsi-Joe

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Escape Resort, Restaurant & Bar 
120 Pheasant Run Road Newtown, PA 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Little League Watch Party
Fri. 6 p.m. Tony Alosi
Tues. 6 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 5 p.m. Family Luau

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Flying Pig Tavern & Tap 
167 US-Route 130 North Bordentown 
(609) 899-7447
Thurs. 7 p.m. Bingo
Sat. 9 p.m. 80s Undercover
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia

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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

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Friendly's 
1031 Washington Boulevard Robbinsville 
(609) 426-9203 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Cruise Night 
Wed. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Kevin McGowan and/or Gino Formaroli (Sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.)

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German American Society 
215 Uncle Pete's Road Hamilton 
(609) 585-5200
Fri. 7 p.m. "It's A Summer Thing" w/ DJ Frank Renz. Doors open at 6 p.m., ages 21+ (Outdoor Biergarten Event) 
Sat. 7 p.m. Rainbow Full of Sound/Dead Zep. $20 (cash), doors open at 6 p.m., ages 21+ (Outdoor Biergarten Event) 

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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 (9:30 p.m.) Karaoke
Fri. (6 p.m.) "Happy Hour" (8 p.m.) '90s Tribute w/ "The Posers"
Sat. (12 p.m.) Music Bingo Brunch (8 p.m.) Fish Out Of Water  

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Green Parrot Restaurant Pub, & Patio
240 North Sycamore Street Newtown Township, PA 
(215) 504-7277 
Fri.  8 p.m. Modern Luxe Duo
Sat. 8 p.m. Dave Maida

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Grover's Mill Coffee House 
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction   
(609) 716-8771  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Wade Prestridge 

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Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square 
(609) 586-1811  
Sat. 6 p.m. Jerry Monk & Joe Kramer or Bud & Gerard

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Hamilatte Cafe
1971 Route 33 Hamilton
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Saturdays 

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Hamilton High School West
2720 South Clinton Avenue Hamilton
Sat. 9 a.m. Flea Market

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Hamilton Tap & Grill
557 US Route 130 North Hamilton 
(609) 905-0925
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Music Bingo w/ DJ Nebbs
Fri. 5:30 p.m. happy Hour feat. Bob Banka
Sat. (9 a.m.) Classic car Show (8 p.m.) Karaoke
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia

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Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 7 p.m. Funk & Blues Jam Hosted by The Slidewinder Blues Band
Fri. ( 8 p.m.) "Pump" Aerosmith Tribute. $25  (11 p.m. ) DJ Dance Party 
Sat. (3 p.m.) Strange Brew Crew (9:30 p.m.) DJ Summer Dance Party 
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Steve
Tues. 7 p.m. Jillian Ashcroft Jazz Quartet 

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Hopewell Valley Golf Club
114 Pennington-Hopewell Road Hopewell
(609) 737-1199
Thurs. 7 p.m. Flying Ivories (FREE outdoor event) 
Tues. 5 p.m. End of Summer "9 and Dine" Hawaiian Luau. $55 (Includes golf and dinner. $35 dinner only)
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia hosted by Jack Furlong

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards
46 Yard Avenue Pennington 
(609) 737-4465 
Fri. 4 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. (5:30 p.m.) Catmoondaddy
Sat. (9 a.m.) WWFM Fransisco (1 p.m.) Rhyme & Reason (5:30 p.m.) "Music & Merlot" feat. Bad Hombres
Sun. 2:30 p.m. Long Hill String Band

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Hub 13
13 West Front Street Trenton 
Tues 6 p.m. Open Mic Karaoke Night w/ Cinamon & DJ Special K

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Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Music Bingo w/ DJ John W. 
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Tuesday 
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic w/ Laura Fiocco

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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

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Irish Rover Station House 
1033 South Bellevue Avenue Langhorne, PA 
(215) 970-5412 
Wed. 7 p.m. Quizzo Night

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Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus 
(732) 306-9111 
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Ant Cannuli
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Bob O & Kim Montalvo
Sun. 2 p.m. Bud & Gerard Belviso 

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Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton 
(609) 888-1435 
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke 
All shows 21+    

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Jersey Fresh Jam
1 TerrraCycle Way Trenton
Sat. 12 p.m. Hip-Hop Festival (FREE event 

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John & Peter's
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa 
(215) 862-5981 
Thurs. 9 p.m. Frute
Fri. 8 p.m. Wineskin
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic Comedy Night (Sign-ups start at 8 p.m.) 
Tues. 9 p.m. Drew Cooper
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+

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Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166 
Thurs. (5:30 p.m.) Mario & Frank (6 p.m.) "Josh" Wine Dinner (9 p.m.) DJ Dan 
Fri. (5:30 p.m.) Successful Failures (10 p.m.) DJ Dom
Sat. (10 a.m.) Brunch (5:30 p.m.) Skyline (10 p.m.) DJ Bay
Sun. (10 a.m.) "Sunday Funday" Brunch feat. (12 p.m.) Ant Cannuli
Tues. 5 p.m. Tie-Dye & Tequila Promo

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King George Inn 
102 Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-5536 
Sun. 6 p.m. Joe (Solo of Joe & Krista) (Takes place in the gazebo/patio behind the inn on waterfront) 

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KUMO 27
3376 Route 27 South Brunswick
(732) 419-3452 
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Joy & Rob with The Beagles Get Horny

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Laurita Winery 
85 Archertown Road New Egypt 
(609) 752-0200 
Thurs. 5:15 p.m. Sip, Snip & A Sunset. $40
Fri. 7 p.m. Country Line Dancing. $10
Sat. (5:15 p.m.) Sip, Snip & A Sunset. $40 (7 p.m.) Awesome '80s Dance Party
Sun. 11 a.m. Cancer Benefit Food Truck Fest. $10 (Ages 20 and under FREE)

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Lawrenceville Main Street 
17 Phillips Avenue Lawrenceville
(609) 219-9300
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Music In The Park" feat. Skyler and JJ/LOW. (Weeden Park FREE admission) 

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Library Company of Burlington
23 West Union Street Burlington
(609) 3861273
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Night

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Lillipies Bakery
30 North Harrison Street Princeton 
(609) 423-2100  
Sat. 10 a.m. Storytime with Jeff

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Living By Grace Fellowship
41 Ryan Avenue Hamilton
Sat. 1 p.m. Fun Fest: Call to the Nations

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Logan Inn 
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-2300
Thurs. 6 p.m. NGXB
Fri. 7 p.m. Sam Ryan
Sat. 7 p.m. Keith Franklin Quartet
Sun. 11:30 a.m. Bill Bang Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Tom Reyes 

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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  

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McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 949-9570 
Sat. 9 p.m. Old School
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night

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Mercer County Park Festival Grounds 
Hughes Drive/Old Trenton Road West Windsor 
(609) 448-1947 
Fri. 6 p.m. Summer Concert Series: The Discoteks / American Soul. ($5 Parking Fee)

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Mill Hill Playhouse (Passage Theater) 
205 East Front Street Trenton
(609) 392-0766
Fri. 7 p.m. Trenton Makes Improv 7 :"Beat the Heat"

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Music Mountain Theater
1483 Route 179 Lambertville
(609)397-3337
Fri. 8 p.m. "The King & I"
Sat. 3 p.m./ 8 p.m. "The King & I" 
Sun. 3 p.m. "The King & I"

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Naked Brewing Company 
212 Mill Street Bristol, PA 
(267) 544-7129
Thurs.6:30 p.m. Dana Collins Project 
Fri.  7 p.m. Rainy Daze
Sat. 7 p.m. Righteous Jolly and Hubbell Benson
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia

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Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company 
909 Ray Avenue Croydon, PA 
(215) 458-7081
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia Night 
Wed. 6:30 p.m. Cornhole League

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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

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New Hope Winery / Tavern 
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 794-2331 
Sat. 8 p.m. "Bad Animals" Heart Tribute

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Newtown Brewing Company
103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA 
(215) 944-8609 
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Friends" Trivia 
Fri. 6 p.m. Brian Elliot
Sat. 6 p.m. Two For Flinching
Sun. 1 p.m. Local Artisan Craft Fair
Wed. 4 p.m. Open Mic Night hostd by Bill Monach

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Nick's Roast Beef
4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA 
(215) 637-515
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia 
Fri. 6 p.m. Matt Mass 
Sat. 8 p.m. Shameless
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke

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NJWeedman's Dispensary
322 East State Street Trenton
(609) 437-0898
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke

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Nomad Distilling Company
20 South Main Street New Hope, PA
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch

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Nottingham Tavern 
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square 
(609) 587-6623
Thur. 9 pm. Karaoke w/ Super Dave Curtis 
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Midnight Sun
Mon. 6 p.m. Bingo
Ages 21+   

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Odd Logic Brewing Co. 
500 Bristol Pike, Bristol, PA 
Thurs. 6 p.m. Ladies Night Luau

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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

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Old Hights Brewing 
123 West Ward Street Hightstown 
(609) 469-5976
Fri. 7 p.m. Gabrielle Josephson
Wed. 6:30 p.m. Trivia Night 

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Old Town Pub
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown 
(609) 291-9232
Thurs. 7 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch

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Palmer Square 
40 Nassau Street Princeton 
Sat. 12 p.m. Summer Music Series feat. Strictly n'60s  

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Pasquale's Sports Bar 
9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA 
(267) 202-6268 
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke 

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Patriots Crossing 
1339 River Road Titusville 
(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 8 p.m. Ladies Night  
Fri. 8 p.m. MLC
Sat. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri Band
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"

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Patriot's Theater at The War Memorial                                                             
1 Memorial Drive Trenton 
(609) 984-8400
Sun. 7 p.m. Pete Davidson

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Pete's Steak House 
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
 (609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Groove Pocket

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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

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Puss N Boots Tavern
942 Trenton Road Fairless Hills, PA
Fri. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Trivia 

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Recklesstown Farm Distillery
2800 Route 206 North Columbus
(609) 784-8046 
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Performers Showcase & Acoustic Open Mic Hosted by Ant Cannuli

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Ristorante LUCCA & Piano Lounge 
144 US Route 130 Bordentown 
(609) 262-0110
Thurs. 8 p.m. Jazz Night 

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River Horse Brewery
2 Graphics Drive Ewing
Sat. 6 p.m. Outdoor Summer Concert Series feat. "Winslow" Eagles Tribute. $10 

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River House at Odette’s 
274 South Rive Road New Hope, PA 
(215) 682-2022 
Thurs. (7 p.m.) Cara Cartney (9 p.m.) DJ Frank
Fri. 7 p.m. Patrick & Debra
Sat. 7 p.m. Bob Egan
Wed. 7 p.m. Megan Knight

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Roebling Museum 
100 2nd Avenue Roebling
(609) 499-7200 
Sat. 2:30 p.m. Step Inside a Roebling Rowhouse: Building a House Museum 

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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

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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

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School of Rock Princeton
1761 Princeton Avenue Hamilton
(609) 890-7090
Fri. (6 p.m.) A Tribute to Taylor Swift (8 p.m.) Rage Against the Machine vs System of A Down
Sat. (12 p.m.) Reggae (1:15 p.m.) Sub Pop (2:30 p.m.) A Tribute to Rush (6:15 p.m.) Surf Punk

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Second Sin Brewing Company
1500 Grundy Lane Bristol, P
(267) 812-5251
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia

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Shady Brook Farm 
931 Stony Hill Road Yardley, PA 
(215) 968-1670 
Fri. 6:30 p.m. "UnWINEd" Concert feat. Se7en. $12 (advance/online, $15 at door), doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Sat. "Party On The Patio" feat. (2 p.m.) Greg McGarvey (6:30 p.m.) The E-Miners
Sun. "Party On The Patio" feat. 2 p.m. Tony Alosi

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Slim's Irish Pub 
2195 Galloway Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 332-0047
Mon. 6 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Cecil 
Wed. 6 p.m. Karaoke Contest

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Small World Coffee 
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-4377 x2 
Sat. 7 p.m. Matt Davis Trio

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Sparky World-Famous Beer Garden
4333 New Falls Road Levittown, PA 
(215) 943-2321 
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dana
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Big Balls 79
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 
Wed. 8 p.m. Chris & Colin

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Stars & Stripes Harley Davidson
600 South Flowers Mill Road Langhorne, PA 
(215) 752-9400 
Fri. 5 p.m. Beach Party Bike Night + Bikini Competition Finale

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1675 at The Ridges
4666 East Bristol Road Trevose, PA
(215) 876-6868
Sun. 2 p.m. Buzzer Band

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Tara's Tavern 
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown 
(609) 286-2300 
Fri. 8:30 p.m. DJ Dream
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Williamsboy

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Tavern On The Lake 
101 Main Street Hightstown 
(609) 426-9345  
Tues. 6 p.m. Trivia 
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke 

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Temperance House
5 South State Street Newtown, PA 
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger and Filthy Rich 
Mon. 7 p.m. Trivia Hosted by Neville Esquire
Tues. 7 p.m. Beginner Line Dance Lessons w/ Jeremy Line Dance. $40/4 Weeks 
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney

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Terhune Orchards  
330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310 
Thurs. 5 p.m. Trivia
Sat. 1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. On The Fly
Sun. 1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Kara & Corey

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TGI Fridays 
780 Route 130 South Hamilton
(609) 581-6910 
Sun. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Burn 

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TGI Fridays
2703 Mount Holly Road Suite 3 Washington Twp.
(609) 239-486 
Thurs. 7 p.m.  Trivia   

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TGI Fridays
3535 U.S. Route 1 North #275 Princeton
(609) 520-0378
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia Night 

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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 

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The Buck Hotel 
1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA 
(215) 396-2002 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Kirko
Fri. 8 p.m. Love Junk 
Sat. (11 a.m.) Brunch (8:30 p.m.) Old City Rock 'n' Roll
Tues. 7 p.m. Danny Lynch

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The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Dave Curtis

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The Corner Inn
24509 East Main Street Columbus
(609) 298-8543
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ We R Entertainment

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The Cure Insurance Center  
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton  
(609) 656-3200  
Sat. 8 p.m. Zamora Live Presenta: Bronco  

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The Dubliner
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 7 p.m. Na Bodach`
Sun. 2 p.m. David Falcone 

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The Federal Twist Vineyard 
8 Federal Twist Road Stockton
(609) 773-6066 
Sat. 2 p.m. The Gumbo Gumbas. $5 (Ages 20 and under FREE)
Sun. 2 p.m. Wood 'n' Strings. $5 (Ages 20 and under FREE)

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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. Philly Rock and Soul
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo w/ Jonathan Appel

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The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. (7 p.m.) Bingo (10 p.m.) Karaoke w/ Trey Brown
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Talking In Cursive
Sat. 9:30 p.m. DJ Bowie
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv 
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Trey Brown 

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The Morrisville Tavern 
376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-5310
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 8 p.m. Cara Cartney
Sat. 8 p.m. WitZend
Sun. 3 p.m. Alabama Sam & Amp; Empty Belly Blues
Mon. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 7 p.m. Music Bingo
Wed. 7 p.m. Trivia Night

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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. ROR Replay
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

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The Roost
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. DC Duo 
Fri. 8 p.m. Out Of The Red
Sat. 8 p.m. No Way Out
Tues. Trivia
Wed. 6 p.m. Joe Vadala

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The Sycamore Grill
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA
(215) 908-6326 
Fri. 8 p.m. Plush Duo

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The Union Firehouse
18 Washington Street Mount Holly
(609) 288-6491
Fri. 6:15 p.m. Vices Inc., Lions of West Texas, Miami In Milan, Night Fury, Alpha Rabbit, Venture Out, Plague Dad. $15, Doors open at 6 p.m., All ages

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The Union House 
19 East Union Street Burlington
(609) 531-6077
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 8 p.m. Shades Of Grey
Sat. (10 a.m.) Brunch (8 p.m.)Three Question Marks
Sun. 10 a.m. Brunch

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Tindall Road Brewing Co.
102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 526-8651 
Wed. (6 p.m.) Books & Beer (7 p.m.) Lil Brewery Trivia

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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+

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Trenton Free Public Library
120 Academy Street Trenton
(609) 392-7188
Sat. 1 p.m. End of Summer Party feat. Comedian and Juggler Bryson Lang

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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

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Under The Moon 
23 North Union Street Lambertville
(609) 397-1710
Sat. 12 p.m. Jerry Monk

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Vault Brewing Company
10 South Main Street Yardley, PA 
(267) 573-4291
Thurs. 6 p.m. Omeed Nyman Duo
Fri. 7 p.m. The Faculty / Matt Richards Duo
Sat. 7 p.m. Aaron Quarterman

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Vault Smoke House
19 West College Avenue Yardley, PA
(267) 907-8550
Sat. 1 p.m. "Annual Pig Roast"

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Village Idiot Brewing Company
42 High Street Mount Holly
(609) 975-9270 
Thurs. 7 p.m. Trivia

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Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Road Pennington 
(609) 773-239
Thurs. 6 p.m. Rob Silvers

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Wildflowers Too
255 Route 156 Yardville
(609) 585-5483
Wed. 7 p.m. Poker Night

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Woodlin Lodge 30
19 Park Street Bordentown
(609) 298-9849
Fri. 8 p.m. Fridays On Park Street

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Working Dog Winery
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown
(609) 371-6000
Thurs. 4:30 p.m. Gary Cavico
Sat. 1 p.m. Chris Swatt
Sun. 1 p.m. Rob Messina

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WWFM 89.1 FM HD2 Radio
MCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor
Jazzon2.org
Sun. 8 p.m. "Chip Off The Old Rock" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Jo Wymer and Nektar's Derek Moore
Mon. 7 a.m./7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues"

About the author:

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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 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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