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A Darker Americana: Don Ryan on Chaos, Craft, and His New Album

by Glen Langmaack
published 2026-04-20

Don Ryan writes songs that feel like they've been left out in the rain—warped, weathered, and quietly glowing. Operating out of the NJ/NYC orbit, his latest album pushes further into that uneasy space between Americana, gypsy jazz, and a fractured strain of psychedelic folk, where jagged arrangements and ghost-haunted lyrics replace anything resembling polish.



BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 4/20/26

by Lazlo
published 2026-04-20

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 Petal Aggression, Francesca Fuentes, Loose Panic, Fate-Touched, Rhonette Smith, ILL-ADVISED, and 1adam12. Plus a look back at "Jerry Ryan" by The Deafening Colors.



New Jersey Stage: Daily Edition 04-20-26

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!





Aspire Performing Arts Company presents "Matilda, the Musical"

(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Matilda the Musical from May 1-3, 2026 at the Fair Lawn Community Center. Based on Roald Dahl's classic children's book, Matilda the Musical follows Matilda Wormwood, a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers.








Sweet Honey in the Rock Brings 50+ Years of Music and Message to McCarter Theatre Center

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Sweet Honey in the Rock, the GRAMMY-nominated vocal ensemble celebrating more than 50 years of artistry, returns to McCarter Theatre Center on Friday, April 24, 2026 with its signature blend of socially conscious and spiritually uplifting music. Showtime is 7:30pm.



MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.



Hamilton Stage presents comedian Preacher Lawson on April 25th

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center presents comedian, TikTok and YouTube star, and MMA fighter Preacher Lawson on Saturday, April 25, 2026. He will perform two shows: 7:00pm & 9:30pm.



State Theatre New Jersey presents comedian Jim Breuer on May 2nd

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- See comedian Jim Breuer live at State Theatre New Jersey in his new tour, Find the Funny! on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Best known as "Goat Boy" on Saturday Night Live, Breuer is an American comedian, podcaster, writer, and actor with over 30 years of comedy under his belt. Bryan McKenna opens the night. Showtime is 8:00pm.



The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents singer-songwriter Richard Shindell on May 8th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents singer-songwriter Richard Shindell on Friday, May 8, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm; showtime is 7:30pm.







 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Arden

Arden Theatre Company presents "Dear Evan Hansen"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Arden Theatre Company brings the Tony Award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen, to the F. Otto Haas Stage this spring. Featuring a book by Steven Levenson and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the production is directed by Terrence J. Nolen and co-conceived by Jorge Cousineau and Nolen. Performances begin May 21, the show opens May 27, and runs through July 5, 2026.



MPAC

MPAC Announces Free Summer Concert Lineup for 2026

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center's Arts in the Community free summer concert schedule for 2026 has been announced. MPAC will present six free concerts between June and August. The lineup includes the return of three of their most popular events – Bollywood Dance Party, Country Line Dancing and Salsa at Sunset, as well as singer-songwriters, and more.



Classic

Classic American Tales' presents Tales at the Dormer House every Thursday

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- From June 4 through October 15, 2026 (except for July 2), Classic American Tales (CAT) once more presents Tales at the Dormer House in which guests are treated to lemonade and tasty treats while listening to stories written by noteworthy authors, read by a variety of performers. The schedule is 4:00pm every Thursday at the historic Dormer House Bed and Breakfast (800 Columbia Avenue) in Cape May, NJ. Performances are on the front porch, weather permitting.



Music

Music Mountain Theatre presents "My Fair Lady"

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents the classic musical, My Fair Lady, weekends from June 12 to July 5, 2026. The tale of a cockney flower girl transformed into an elegant lady, featuring one of musical theatre's greatest scores.



East

East Lynne Theater Company presents "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years" by Emily Mann

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The reimagined East Lynne Theater Company opens its Season Forty-Six with the extraordinary, real-life story Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years by Emily Mann, running June 18 to July 19, 2026 at the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the Allen AME in Cape May.












LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Western Shores" by Renee Maskin

In November, Multiple Makin Waves Award-winning Asbury Park singer-songwriter Renee Maskin will release her latest solo album, "If the World Is Ending." The LP's first single, "Western Shores," is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 06/25/2026

There are differences and then there is different and as it may have been written before when Dave Vargo records are reviewed; the differences are few but this time around, something is definitely "Different."




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "I Will Walk You Home” by Wiser Time

Wiser Time, aka Central Jersey singer-songwriter-guitarist Carmen Sclafani, just dropped his latest album, "There’s A Change A-Comin'," on his own Wiser Time Music. The closing focus track, "I Will Walk You Home," is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.








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