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It Needs to Be Seen! Don’t Look in The Dark premieres at the 2026 New Jersey Film Festival on January 31!

by Jack Bolton
published 2026-01-27

I love horror. I’ve loved it since I was twelve and my friends from Boy Scouts showed me Friday the 13th for the first time. With almost a decade of experiencing the genre, I have learned that there are things more terrifying than jump scares and gore, for example, the fear of the unknown. Sure, the monster or crazed killer might be scary, but when you can’t see who- or what- is killing people, the viewer’s mind is left to fill in the blanks, projecting their own fears onto the antagonist and making it seem much scarier. Everything is more frightening when you’re in the dark, and Samuel Freeman’s Don’t Look in the Dark uses this aspect of horror to its fullest effect.



Staten Island Museum Spotlights the Borough's Creative Voices with "Here You Are: Staten Island Triennial 2026"

(​​​​​​​STATEN ISLAND, NY) -- The Staten Island Museum presents Here You Are: Staten Island Triennial 2026, a new landmark exhibition featuring newly commissioned and recent work across fiber, painting, film, photography, and graphic design. The exhibition will be on view through Sunday, October 18, 2026.



PSO Soundtracks Spotlights the Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle on February 4th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Princeton Symphony Orchestra's (PSO's) Soundtracks Series continues on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at the Princeton Public Library with a musical presentation which introduces the national instrument of Norway, the Hardanger fiddle. Showtime is 7:00pm.



Montclair Art Museum presents See It Now: Contemporary Art from the Ann and Mel Schaffer Collection

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Montclair Art Museum presents See It Now: Contemporary Art from the Ann and Mel Schaffer Collection, a landmark exhibition presenting a major selection of contemporary art from one of the most discerning private collections formed over the past four decades. The exhibition will be on view February 7–June 28, 2026.








The ShowRoom and Asbury Park Movie Club present Remembering Reiner Film Series

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The ShowRoom and Asbury Park Movie Club present Remembering Reiner, a three-film retrospective celebrating the remarkable, genre-spanning career of filmmaker Rob Reiner, screening Wednesdays throughout February. The series includes screenings of This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, and The Princess Bride.



Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey appoints Anisa Mehdi as President of the Board of Trustees

(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) has announced the election of Emmy Award–winning arts journalist Anisa Mehdi as President of the Board of Trustees, effective December 2025. A respected journalist, documentary filmmaker, and arts advocate, Mehdi brings decades of experience in storytelling, public media, and cultural leadership to her new role.



Art House Productions and Naked Eddie present "Can't Cancel Stoopid" - Live Comedy Show

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions and Naked Eddie present "Can't Cancel Stoopid" - a live comedy show on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 7:30pm. The lineup includes Naked Eddie, Gina Dee, Dan Finegold, Dan Franks, Amanda Giles, and VJ Preziosi.



Oyster Point Gallery presents "Splendid Unended" curated by George Bates

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Oyster Point Gallery presents Splendid Unended from February 3 through March 30, 2026. The exhibition was curated by George Bates. For his inaugural show, Mr. Bates has selected 18 artists from New Jersey, New York, and California to present a diverse and engaging showcase.



One-of-a-Kind Joke Lab Launches Monthly at Newark Culture Club

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Ha! or Nah: A Joke Lab, an inventive comedy series that invites audiences into the behind-the-scenes process of joke creation, is launching as a monthly event every fourth Thursday at Newark Culture Club. The series begins on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.







 

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.



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.



Megan

Megan Thee Stallion to make her Broadway debut in "Moulin Rouge! The Musical"

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Producers of the Tony Award®-winning, record-breaking Broadway hit Moulin Rouge! The Musical have announced that three-time Grammy Award-winning superstar and actress Megan Thee Stallion will make her Broadway debut in the production as "Zidler", impresario of the titular nightclub. Taking the stage for a strictly limited 8-week engagement, Megan will light up the Al Hirshfeld Theatre from Tuesday, March 24th to Sunday, May 17, 2026, promising an unmissable, moment in the show's legendary run.



Paper

Paper Mill Playhouse presents "1776"

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents 1776, the Tony Award-winning musical, from April 1 through May 2, 2026. It brings the story behind the creation of the Declaration of Independence to the stage with witty satire, compelling drama, and a thrilling score. With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone, 1776 follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and their fellow delegates as they navigate fiery debates, political tensions, and personal conflicts in their struggle to unite thirteen colonies.












LATEST COLUMNS


This Week in Comedy: April 21-27, 2026

Here's a look at comedy shows taking place across the state from April 21 to April 27, 2026. New Jersey Stage compiles this list from comedy clubs, casinos, and performing arts centers.




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

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 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.




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Once I Wake Up" by Sam Tunkel

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Once I Wake Up" from "The Sting of the Blade," the recently released sophomore full-length from Central Jersey singer-songwriter Sam Tunkel.








UPCOMING EVENTS