The seventh annual Montclair Film Festival kicks off this Thursday with a world-class program, featuring more than 160 films, special events, parties and discussions with Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke, Rachel Weisz, Claire Danes and Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons. The festival will also feature a performance from MacArthur Genius Award-winner Taylor Mac – “A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (Abridged)” – which The New York Times writer Wesley Morris called “one of the great experiences of my life.” We spoke with Evelyn Colbert, President of the Board of the Montclair Film Festival – and wife of Stephen Colbert – about this year’s crop of new films, and how sharing stories can strengthen a community – and maybe a country.... READ ON

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Armed with nothing but their sharp wit, Whose Line is it Anyway? stars Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood bring their uproarious live improv show to The Count Basie Theatre on Thursday, May 3 at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $25 to $65.... READ ON

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Deputy Mayor and Director of Newark Economic Development and Tourism Carmelo Garcia, Mayor's Office of Arts, Cultural Development and Tourism Gwen Moten, Rutgers University-Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, and GlassRoots CEO Barbara Heisler will broke ground for the new Newark Arts Commons on Wednesday, April 25 at the old St. Michael's Hospital (111 Central Avenue) in downtown Newark.... READ ON

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Urban folk singer-songwriter Damien Jurado will headline an Outpost In The Burbs show in Montclair on Friday, May 18 at 8:00pm. He has quietly built up one of the strongest catalogs on the indie scene, earning high critical praise yet somehow never quite getting his proper due. Naomi Wachira will open the night.... READ ON

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Roxey Ballet kicked off National Dance Week (April 20-28) with a moving Celebrating Diversity performance that weaved monologues with dance, music and projected images. It was performed for special needs students in Hamilton Township and the response was enthusiastic as the students cheered and clapped and some even took the stage to dance with the performers. The administration was also moved by the performance and the student reaction. ... READ ON

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, have announced the lineup for the company's 25th season.  In 2018-19, Two River will present the World Premieres of Pamela's First Musical by Wendy Wasserstein and Christopher Durang; and Theo by Martin Moran.  The season also includes King Hedley II by August Wilson; Journey To Oz: A Wizard of Oz Story by Christopher Parks; Noises Off by Michael Frayn; The Belle of Amherst by William Luce; and Oo-Bla-Dee by Regina Taylor.... READ ON

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater Company will present  "Sing For Our Lives,” a concert at the First Congregational Church in Montclair on May 12 at 8:00pm to benefit Mother’s Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety. Scheduled on Mother’s Day Eve, the event will focus on stories, songs and spoken word about creation, life, love and loss, and draw attention to gun violence across communities.  ... READ ON

(WAYNE, NJ) -- On Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, 2018, Aspire Performing Arts Company will hold auditions for its upcoming summer musical theatre productions: Disney’s The Lion King Jr. for children ages 7-11, and Thoroughly Modern Millie, for pre-teens/teenagers ages 11 through 18.... READ ON

(UNION TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The 17th Annual National Arts Program Exhibit for County of Union Employees is now on display in the atrium of Liberty Hall Center in Union Township. The exhibit includes more than 160 pieces. It is open to view by the public weekdays from 8:00am to 6:00pm until May 22.... READ ON

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Legendary, GRAMMY-award winning band Fleetwood Mac has announced a North American tour, set to kick off in October and travel through 50+ cities ending in Spring of 2019. The tour, which features the newly announced line-up of Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, and Christine McVie along with newcomers Mike Campbell and Neil Finn, will come to the Prudential Center in Newark on March 13, 2019. ... READ ON