Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from January 1-7, 2023. Each week we publish about 70 articles, including several original columns and features, along with news releases for events happening throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week's top 15 includes articles from 11 counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Sussex, and Union).
1) "The Best Man: The Final Chapters," Filmed In Jersey, Premiered on Peacock on December 22 - (NEWARK, NJ) -- The latest installment of the popular and successful The Best Man franchise returned to New Jersey for the filming of its conclusion. The Best Man: The Final Chapters will bring viewers up-to-date on the lives of its endearing characters Lance (Morris Chestnut), Shelby (Melissa De Sousa), Harper (Taye Diggs), Candy (Regina Hall), Quentin (Terrence Howard), Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), Jordan (Nia Long), and Julian (Harold Perrineau). Relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance.
2) Jazz at Smoke: Saxophonist Billy Harper Celebrates John Coltrane - Billy Harper is a saxophonist and composer of incredible talent who came to notoriety around the time John Coltrane's life and career abruptly ended. While influenced by saxophonists like Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, Harper is in no way an imitator. His often lengthy improvisations and compositions showcase an interpersonal style and a heightened sense of experimentalism that is enhanced by his signature tone and extreme creativity. From January 5-8, Harper will showcase his talent during a celebration of his 80th Birthday at New York’s Smoke Jazz & Supper Club as part of its annual John Coltrane Festival. His group will include Josh Evans on trumpet, Benito Gonzalez on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. In a recent conversation, Harper explained that, “the show will be a real presentation of my compositions."
3) New Jersey Cannabis Advocate Named as Consultant to Build No-Cost Cannabis Technical Assistance Program - (TRENTON, NJ) -- The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) has selected Jersey City attorney Jessica Gonzalez and her firm, Veridis Quo LLC, as its consultant to develop and launch the NJBAC Cannabis Technical Assistance Program and Training Academy.
4) Giant Blueberry Drop On NYE In Blueberry Capital Of The World - (HAMMONTON, NJ) -- The sixth annual Hammonton New Year’s Eve Bash, Giant Blueberry Drop & Fireworks will be held on Saturday night, December 31st from 10:00pm to 12:30am in Downtown Hammonton. The free outdoor event will be held in the “Blueberry Capital of the World” - in front of Hammonton Town Hall, located at 100 Central Avenue. (Regardless of weather, the event will be held.)
5) Chez Alice Patisserie opens a new location in Downtown Lambertville - (HAMILTON, NJ) /PRNewswire/ -- Chez Alice Patisserie, a member of Genesis Hospitality, has announced the opening of a second location in Lambertville, NJ, just over the Pennsylvania border from New Hope in Bucks County. They call home a newly renovated storefront on Bridge Street in the heart of Lambertville, next to the Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn.
6) Akwaaba Gallery Presents "I've Created a Monster" by Scott Harbison - (NEWARK, NJ) -- Akwaaba Gallery presents “I’ve Created a Monster” by Scott Harbison from January 7th through February 4th. This is a collection of neoexpressionist paintings featuring alien beings in a universe of Harbison’s imagination. The January 7th opening will be held from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
7) Vanguard Theater's DREAM VTC presents "A Chorus Line" - (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Nearly 50 years ago (yes 50!) A Chorus Line was an unprecedented hit receiving nine Tony Awards, the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. It also has the honor of being one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history. The show comes to Vanguard Theater for nine performances (vs. the 6,137 performances of the original production) on January 7 through January 15, 2023.
8) Ocean County Library Toms River Branch to Screen "They Survived Together" - (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch will present the gripping documentary, They Survived Together on Wednesday, January 25. The screening begins at 6:30pm. After the screening, director John Rokosny and producer Andriette Redmann will engage viewers in a question-and-answer session.
9) Ramapo College Attracts Renowned Educator as New Chief Academic Officer - (MAHWAH, NJ) -- Ramapo College of New Jersey has named a renowned educator and scholar as its new chief academic officer, the Mahwah-based college announced.
10) Camden Repertory Theater presents "Unfinished Women Cry In No Man's Land While A Bird Dies In A Gilded Cage" - (CAMDEN, NJ) -- Camden Repertory Theater celebrates Black History Month with an immersive production of Aishah Rahman’s rarely produced underground classic Unfinished Women Cry In No Man's Land While A Bird Dies In A Gilded Cage, directed by Chyna Morrison and featuring music direction by JoJo Streater. Boasting a live jazz band and presented in Camden Rep’s unique venue — a typical New Jersey row house with only 20 seats — performances kick off with four public previews February 1 through February 4. Opening night is set for Friday, February 10, with performances continuing through March 25.
11) New indy film argues Alabama woman was wrongly convicted of murder - (ELIZABETH, NJ) -- An independent African-American filmmaker with a relentless pursuit of the truth and justice has produced a stunning documentary that makes a powerful case: arguing that an Alabama white woman has been unjustly imprisoned for 30 years.
12) The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music Presents A Symposium To Celebrate 50th Anniversary of "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J" - (WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University will present a symposium on Saturday, January 7, 2023 that celebrates the release of Springsteen’s debut album a half century ago. Titled The 50th Anniversary: Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J, the day-long symposium will include panel discussions, interviews, a book signing, and a special performance of the songs on the album by Jersey Shore musicians.
13) The Growing Stage presents "The Giver" by Eric Coble - (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, presents their first Studio Series of the 41st season, The Giver by Eric Coble from January 19-22 . This play is based on the Newbery Award-winning book by Lois Lowry. This production is directed by Matthew Fralley, The Growing Stage’s Production Manager.
14) Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...1/5/23 - Most of us have heard the expression, "What's old is new again" and most of us have experienced this in our lifetime; be it in relationships, work or the current 1970's fashion rebirth which to most of us who lived through it the first time is somewhat mind-boggling.
15) The Newton Theatre presents Dead Set: Winterland Revisited - (NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Dead Set: Winterland Revisited on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 8:00pm. Fans can expect two high energy sets of Grateful Dead music from the legendary Winterland 77′ show! An all-star band was put together for this voyage. Expect magic to happen….with Dead Set: Winterland Revisited with Kenny Brooks (RatDog), Zach Nugent (formerly JGB) and Sunshine Garcia (Further).
Event previews are always one of the most popular areas of the website. Event previews get noticed when we first publish them and then get noticed again when they are brought back to the main area of the site the week the event takes place - sometimes even several months later. Make sure your events get previewed by sending press releases to us at info@newjerseystage.com - for even more promotion, check out our ad rates which run $50-$100 for an entire month of targeted advertising which includes events listed in our online calendar. Or you have your events listed in the calendar for $10 per event.
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