Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from May 14-20, 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 8 counties in New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, and Warren).
1) Interview With Drew Wajnert Before He Leaves For Colorado - Our top article of the week is an interview we did with long-time jam band promoter Drew Wajnert who died on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Some people have contacted us to say they enjoyed "hearing" his voice again through the interview. R.I.P. Drew.
2) REVIEW: "Tales From the Guttenberg Bible" - Ever wonder what it takes to make it in Hollywood? Steve Guttenberg took a very unique approach and his story is told in Tales from the Guttenberg Bible, currently having its World Premiere at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ. The production runs through May 21st.
3) Flying High -The Empire Strikes Back Zooms Into New Jersey - The rebels emerged victorious in Star Wars, the epic science fiction masterpiece – film masterpiece – of the 1970s. Would the evil Darth Vader be vanquished? Would Princess Leia restore order to the galaxy? Was the Death Star really finished? Did the Force betray the good guys?
4) "Blues For An Alabama Sky" Shines in Princeton - Champagne flows, tears fall, and shots are fired in Blues For An Alabama Sky, a play set in a Harlem apartment building during the Depression. It’s a play about a group of dreamers, but the dream takes on a very dark turn.
5) McDonald's Gospelfest returns to Prudential Center on May 13th - (NEWARK, NJ) -- The Annual McDonald's Gospelfest returns to Prudential Center on Mother's Day Weekend Saturday, May 13, 2023, for the biggest and best gospel event of the year. This year's event will celebrate the 40th Year Anniversary of McDonald's Gospelfest. Live performances to help celebrate the anniversary are Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship Choir, the Legendary Clark Sisters and so many more!
6) The Lakehouse Block Party to Take Place May 21st in Asbury Park - (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Lakehouse Block Party will take place on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from noon to 7:00pm. (*note: the event was initially scheduled for Saturday, but moved due to inclement weather forecasted for that day). The event features an incredible lineup of both emerging and longtime performers in the local music scene and some amazing local vendors and food trucks, including an exclusive Asbury Park Brewery Beer Garden. Proceeds from this event will support the nonprofit Asbury Park Music Foundation.
7) acc gallery presents Dissonance and Harmony: "Collage, Art as an Object" - (TENAFLY, NJ) -- Acc gallery presents an invitational exhibition, Dissonance and Harmony: "Collage, Art as an Object" from May 9-25, 2023. Artists include Doris Neidl, Sual Robbins, Jae Hi Ahn, Julie Sim Edward, Jihoe Koo, Injoo Hwang, Eunyi Lee, Yunmin Lee. The exhibition is curated by Jihoe Goo.
8) 2023 Highland Park Porchfest to Take Place on Sunday - (HIGHLAND PARK, NJ) -- The 2023 Highland Park Porchfest takes place Sunday, May 21st from noon to 6:00pm. This is the 3rd year of the event, which features over 50 local musicians and bands performing at 15 porches throughout the town.
9) Canal Music Studios to Reopen with Open House on June 10th at New Home in Stockton - (STOCKTON, NJ) -- Canal Music Studios is delighted to announce a grand reopening at its new location in Stockton, NJ, with a public open house and celebration set for Saturday, June 10th, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. The grand reopening and open house celebration is partly made possible by over 150 dedicated donors. Canal Music Studios, located initially in Lambertville, NJ, moved to the new Stockton location on 16 Bridge Street in response to Hurricane Ida and the devastating flooding that followed.
10) PHOTOS from Regina Bonelli at Muddy Waters Gastropub - (ASBURY, NJ) -- NY Blues Hall of Fame member Regina Bonelli performed at Muddy Waters Gastropub on Saturday, May 6, 2023 and photographer James DeSalvo was on hand to take photos.
11) Pinegrove Releases "Montclair: Live at the Wellmont Theater" - The Indie/rock group Pinegrove has released Montclair: Live at the Wellmont Theater, a concert film shot at the band’s hometown show in October 2021. The film is available to watch on YouTube and can also be streamed across all DSPs.
12) Eric B. to Make Special Appearance during 10th Anniversary Block Party - (ASBURY PARK, NJ) – Mother Nature didn’t cooperate with Lakehouse Music Academy’s (LhMA) 10th Anniversary Block Party to benefit Asbury Park Music Foundation (APMF) today, but the change to Sunday, May 21st brings new opportunities for special guests, including hip‐hop legend Eric B. (of Eric B. and Rakim). Eric has been supportive of APMF’s educational programs, which are presented in partnership with Lakehouse Music Academy. Eric will make a special appearance in the afternoon. He and Rakim are also playing the North to Shore festival on June 13 at The Stone Pony in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip‐hop.
13) Amuse + Anti Social Camp Announce Participating Artist For Songwriting Camp's 2023 Edition - (NEW YORK, NY) -- Amuse and Anti Social Camp have announced participating artists for the third annual event set to take place in New York City, June 12-15 with over 150 songwriters, and producers from Andy Grammer, Moby, Walk The Moon, Mike Shinoda, Grace VanderWaal, X Ambassadors, and Cautious Clay celebrating the art of collaboration. The weeklong event is the biggest songwriting camp in the world and is completely free for its participants. Dubbed a “SXSW for Songwriters,” the camp features 100 recording sessions, plus a packed calendar of shows and parties celebrating New York City.
14) Carteret's Nathan Hale School celebrated centennial with assembly, open house, historical display and tree planting - (CARTERET, NJ) -- Nathan Hale School celebrated its centennial on April 28, 2023 with a school assembly, an open house, a historic display, and a time capsule of the celebration for future generations to enjoy. The historic display will be exhibited in mid-June at Blazing Star Cultural Arts Center, 63 Carteret Ave.
15) 2023 Inaugural Carteret PAC Central Jersey Marquee Awards Nominations Have Been Announced - (CARTERET, NJ) -- The URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center has announced the nominations and honorable mentions for the 2023 Carteret PAC Central Jersey Marquee Awards, Honoring Excellence in Middlesex County High School Musical Theatre. The Marquee Awards will take place on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 7:30pm at the new Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center.
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 can have your events listed in the calendar for $10 per event.
