Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Public Restrooms Suck!" by Houston & the Dirty Rats

by Bob Makin - published 2021-10-22

Hard-working Phillipsburg-based punk trio Houston & the Dirty Rats are back on the road in support of their latest video for “Public Restrooms Suck!” off their 2020 EP, “Songs! From the Bathroom Stall?”

Top 10 Most Read Stories at New Jersey Stage For Week of October 10-16

Here's a look at the top 10 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage during the week October 10-16, 2021.  Each week, we publish about 70 articles, including several original columns and features, along with news releases for events happening throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. Two concert reviews, a feature, and one of our weekly columns made the list this week. This week's Top 10 includes articles involving 7 counties in New Jersey (Cape May, Cumberland, Hudson, Morristown, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset). 

Laughs In The Loft Announces Comedians For November 3rd Show

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- As the saying goes—“laughter is the best medicine.” Leave the stress of the last year and a half behind for a night at Laughs in the Loft, a monthly stand-up comedy series at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). Hosted by Joe Larson, each show features several comedians. The next performance is Wednesday, November 3 at 7:30pm. The lineup includes Buddy Fitzpatrick, Isabel Hagen, Sheba Mason, and Michael Somerville. Tickets are $20.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...10/21/21

Jalacy “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins was one of music’s most interesting characters whose career never realized its full potential or received the recognition it deserved. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1929, put up for adoption at the age of 18 months and adopted by Blackfoot Indians; it was these beginnings that he began walking his path which lead to acting, boxing, opera singing and eventually blues and rock music where he became one of the pioneers of what would later become known as “Shock Rock.”  

"The Best Show I’ve Ever Been To!" Five for Fighting LIVE! at the Vogel

Fall is in the air this Saturday, October 2, 2021 evening outside Red Bank, NJ’s newest concert venue, The Vogel. Located in the Count Basie Center for the Arts, this state-of-the-art performance space is set to present a sold-out show tonight by Five for Fighting.

American Repertory Ballet And Mexican Fashion Design Brand Pineda Covalin To Make Stunning Partners In “Mexican Music” This Weekend

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- American Repertory Ballet (ARB) will introduce a unique collaboration with Mexican fashion design brand Pineda Covalin as part of its upcoming program at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, October 23 and 24. Pineda Colavin’s exquisite and vivid prints will become integral parts of the costumes and scenic projections for choreographer David Fernandez’s ballet titled Mexican Music.

REVIEW: "Songs for a New World" at Paper Mill Playhouse

Over 600 days have passed since Paper Mill Playhouse’s last opening night.  Ironically, that opening was for a musical revue called “Unmasked.”  Thrillingly, Paper Mill returns with a rousing new production of Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for a New World.”   

Brook Arts Center presents "Rent" November 12-21

(BOUND BROOK, NJ) -- The Brook Arts Center presents Pulitzer Prize-winning 1996 Best Musical Tony Award winner, Rent. Written by Jonathan Larson and debuting on Broadway 25 years ago, Rent runs November 12-21, 2021. Inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème, Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side under the shadow of the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the early 1990s.

Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 10-16-21

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.

Makin Waves Song of the Week: “Out of Body” by Jake Ryan

Young singer-songwriter Jake Ryan premieres his latest video for the pop-edelic single, “Out of Body,” with New Jersey Stage as the Makin Waves Song of the Week