“Betcha By Golly Wow!” Spotlight on Singer Chris Ruggiero

by Spotlight Central - published 2021-07-28

Chris Ruggiero is an up-and-coming 22-year-old singer from the East Coast who loves songs from the golden age of rock and roll, performing and recording music from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Spotlight Central recently caught up with Chris and talked to him about his musical childhood, his national television debut on PBS, his relationships with a number of well-known musical friends, in addition to the release of his two new recordings, Time Was and I Am Chris Ruggiero.

Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre Changes Name To Vivid Stage

​​​​​​​For the last couple of years, Laura Ekstrand thought it was time to change the name of Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre. The name had been inspired by Native American culture, but it was created in a different time and, in today’s climate, the name seemed out of place.

Bob Burger Talks About His Heart Attack, Recovery, And Return To The Stage

Bob Burger has been a part of the Jersey Shore music scene since the eighties when he moved here from Erie, Pennsylvania. He's been a member of the Bobby Bandiera Band, a solo artist, performer in Beatle tributes, and is currently a member of The Weeklings with Glen Burtnik - an artist he's written songs with for decades.  On June 5th, he was just finishing a show at The Vogel in Red Bank when he had a heart attack in the dressing room. 

Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 07-24-21

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.

‘Snug’ Plays Under the Stars

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) returns to their outdoor summer home this month. Since 2002, STNJ has performed in the outdoor Greek-style amphitheater on the campus of St. Elizabeth University with one exception: 2020 when the CoVid pandemic restrictions prevented its use. But now they are back with two glorious productions available until Aug. 1. Running are Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors and a new play, Snug, written by Bonnie Monte. Both are comedies and both shows are appropriate for all ages.

Makin Waves with Jerry Ryan: Talkin’ Elephants, Rockin’ Autism

South Jersey indie rock impresario Jerry Ryan has been a tsunami of Makin Waves for more than a decade, and for that, he won the 2020 Makin Waves Tsunami Award for being the year’s biggest behind-the-scenes mover and shaker. Refusing to be stopped by the goddamn pandemic, Jerry kept on keepin’ on by raising more than $21,000 with virtual versions of his annual Elephants for Autism Festival. Inspired by raising his autistic son, Jeremy, as a single parent, the festival supports the families of children and young adults with autism. 

New Jersey Film Festival To Celebrate 40th Anniversary With Live & Virtual Screenings

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, presents the Fall 2021 New Jersey Film Festival from September 10 through October 10, marking the festival's 40th Anniversary. Showcasing new international films, American independent features, experimental and short subjects, classic revivals, and cutting-edge documentaries, Fall 2021 New Jersey Film Festival will feature over 20 film screenings - presented live at Rutgers University and available online as well. All the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date.

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Drift Away" by Tom Kanach Band

Tom Kanach Band includes Pete Wood, Tom Kanach, Steve Buzbee, and Joe Rowley. They will return to Asbury on Aug. 14 at The Saint to play “Welcome Home Matt Pinfield,” a long-awaited homecoming for the East Brunswick music industry icon.

PODCAST: RENT’S Adam Pascal Takes the Show on the Road

Adam Pascal was a rock ‘n’ roll musician who had no theatrical credits when he landed the role of Roger in RENT—a show that would garner him a Tony nomination and forever change the sound of Broadway. Now, Pascal shares his journey through the shows he’s performed along the way: Aida, Cabaret, Memphis, Chicago, and more.  His solo acoustic concert, “So Far,” is coming to the Arthur Pryor Bandshell in Asbury Park on July 28 and BellWorks in Holmdel on July 29 as part of Axelrod Performing Arts Center’s Vogel Summer Concert Series.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...7/22/21

"Whole Nother World," it's eight tracks and it came out on May 28 and it hit number one on roots charts for soul/blues album, it hit number two on International Broadcasters in the UK so there was a lot that has happened and it's not just me it's the whole project. The musicians are just experts in what they do and the sound engineer; the recording was done in Baton Rouge but he resides in my area and the guy has elephant ears (laughs) and that really was the end point, the mastering was incredible."