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Makin Waves with Renee Maskin and John Decker: Two Is Better Than One

by Bob Makin
published 2026-03-22

Filmmaker-videographer-photographer John Decker and singer-songwriter Renee Maskin are an Asbury Park entertainment power couple who've collaborated on two award-winning music videos to complement their heralded individual works. The couple recently won an Asbury Park Music Award for their 2023 clip for "Scrimshaw" from Renee's "Shimmer" LP. Both that vid and last year's "Wonderland" clip won the Makin Waves Video of the Year Award. "Wonderland" is a self-released single that followed last year's "Is It Real" album, her fourth since 2022 for her former label, Mint 400 Records.



New Jersey Stage: Daily Edition 03-22-26

Here is the morning update from New Jersey's arts newswire. We regularly publish between 8-15 new articles and news reports each day. Nobody covers the Arts throughout the Garden State like New Jersey Stage!





Hackensack Performing Arts Center Awarded $500,000 NJEDA Grant for Illumination 250 Celebration

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) has received a $500,000 grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's (NJEDA) A.R.T. Phase II program to launch Illumination 250, a regional celebration of America's Semiquincentennial on October 3, 2026. Building around the Main Street Business Alliance's popular HACKENSACKtoberfest, the initiative will introduce a series of new arts, cultural, and community events across downtown Hackensack, creating a full-day regional festival experience.



Arden Children's Theatre presents "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- This spring, Arden Children's Theatre invites families into a hilariously twisted world where classic fairy tales don't go quite as expected in its next production of the 2025/26 season, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (The Stinky Cheese Man). Based on the beloved book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, adapted by John Glore, the production brings the book's fractured fairy tales to life for kids and adults alike. Directed by Steve Pacek, the production runs on the Arden’s Arcadia stage with previews starting April 8, opening night on April 18, with performances running through May 31.








Literature to Life Announces Second Series of Books Unite, Free Community Events in Paterson Supported by NJEDA A.R.T. Phase II Grant

(PATERSON, NJ) -- Literature to Life (LTL) has announced their second series of Books Unite: Literature to Life in Paterson, consisting of a book club, two live performances, and an interactive workshop all centered around The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.



New Jersey Play Lab to Present Feature-Length Screenplay Workshop

The New Jersey Play Lab thinks it's time for you to write the movie you've been wanting to see and they believe they can help. They're presenting a hands-on weekly workshop on Zoom to help you generate a structurally sound screenplay targeted for producing and festival success. The workshops take place Sundays from 9:30am to 12:30pm from April 19 through May 17, 2026. The workshop fee is $250.



The ShowRoom presents "GOOD FOR HER" - A viciously Entertaining Celebration of Female Revenge

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Closing out Women's History Month and charging straight into April, The ShowRoom invites audiences to experience GOOD FOR HER — a bold new screening series celebrating female rage in all its vengeance-fueled, blood-soaked, and cathartic glory. Spanning three consecutive Saturdays, the series showcases women pushed beyond their limits, reclaiming power through stories of revenge, resilience, and rebellion — each film offering its own unforgettable brand of righteous payback.



Oyster Point Gallery presents Works by Cynthia Pareja Dubin - 2026 Artist in Residence

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Oyster Point Hotel is thrilled to welcome Cynthia Pareja Dubin as its 2026 Artist in Residence and congratulate her on being named a 2026 New Jersey State Council of the Arts Painting Finalist. Through the Artist in Residence program, selected artists display their works in guest rooms, reaching thousands of visitors each year. Each artist is celebrated with prominent recognition at the hotel entrance and a solo exhibition in the hotel's public spaces, highlighted by a lively cocktail reception.



Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey to present "The Gifts of the Magi" in December

(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will present its 2026 holiday production, The Gifts of the Magi from December 5-31 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison. A heartwarming musical adaptation of the beloved stories by O. Henry, this enchanting production celebrates the spirit of generosity, devotion, and the true meaning of the season.







 

EVENT PREVIEWS

NJPAC

NJPAC presents a Spring Season of Jazz

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a Spring Season of Jazz with free monthly jazz jams at Clement's Place and two special concert events inside the Victoria Theater. This series, running from September through June, is co-presented by NJPAC's Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers University–Newark's Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS). Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the players’ and listeners' minds.



PBS'

PBS' Independent Lens Launches 20th Season of Free Pop-Up Screening Series in Teaneck and Nationwide

(TEANECK, NJ) -- The award-winning PBS documentary series, INDEPENDENT LENS, presents the launch of the upcoming season of Indie Lens Pop-Up in partnership with the Teaneck International Film Festival and the Puffin Cultural Forum. The season kicks-off on February 4, 2026 with The Librarians and continues through May. The series is free for all but sign up is required.



Roxey

Roxey Ballet Turns Back Time with Journey Back to the 80's

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Roxey Ballet invites audiences to rewind the clock and crank up the volume with Journey Back to the 80's, an electrifying dance experience that blends high-energy performance, live music, and immersive pre-show festivities. Running weekends from February 13 through March 31, this retro celebration is the perfect outing for Valentine's Day weekend and beyond.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Sound Studio Series 2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey proudly presents The Sound Studio Series, an immersive musical experience that places concertgoers at the very heart of the performance. Held in STNJ's intimate Studio space, limited to just 80 attendees, The Sound Studio Series features a dynamic mix of both classical and rock performances. Each concert concludes with an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet with the artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect directly with the performers. Tickets for the series are $20-$30.



Morven

Morven Museum & Garden's Grand Homes & Gardens returns with a new series for America's 250th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Morven Museum & Garden's popular speaker series Grand Homes & Gardens returns for 2026. Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Freedom at Home: Telling the Full Story of America's Founding Homes and Gardens examines four estates belonging to five signers of the Declaration: William Paca, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and Arthur Middleton.












LATEST COLUMNS


​​​​​​​Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Tom Seaver" by Greg Amici

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Tom Seaver" from Central Jersey-based singer-songwriter Greg Amici's solo debut album, "Tragicomic."




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 03/26/2026

"We're home now for about a week until we start moving again," stated Selwyn Birchwood as he soaked up some home cookin' prior to hitting the road on March 20 in Delray Beach, Florida in support of his March 27 Alligator Records release called "Electric Swamp Funkin' Blues." 




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 3/23/26

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Pillowinde, Indeyevid, Quality Living, Sally Draper, Steam Enginess, and DIANA. Plus a look back at "Pinkerton's Assorted Colours" by The Anderson Council.