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!
If your arts organization sends out press releases, make sure you have [email protected] on your media list for coverage.
theatre
Jersey City Theater Center's New Play Festival 2023 takes place May 18-21 (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) will present a series of performances and readings of new plays, in collaboration with the New Jersey Theatre Alliance Stages Festival. From Thursday, May 18 through Sunday, May 21, 2023, JCTC will host four events at Jersey City Theater Center, (165 Newark Ave, Jersey City; Entrance from Barrow Street). Performances include: The Day's Night by Rana Sajadi, directed by Hannah Hill (Thursday, May 18 at 7:30pm); Echoes of a Lost Son by Chima Chikazunga (Friday, May 19 at 7:30pm); The 75 by Anne Valentino, The General by David Taylor Little, Hideaway by Miri Fry Cohen (Sunday, May 20 at 4:00pm) and I Saw a Fruit Tree without Its Roots by Emma Lai, directed by Seonjae Kim (Sunday, May 20 at 6:00pm). The New Play Festival is curated by Catalina Florescu and Mark Cirnigliaro.
The Lord Stirling Theater Company to perform "Blithe Spirit" in Basking Ridge (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Lord Stirling Theater Company will perform the comedy classic "Blithe Spirit" by Noël Coward in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center in Basking Ridge. Performances run across two weekends (June 2-4 and June 9-11). In the play, novelist Charles Condomine is conducting research for his latest novel about a medium. As research, he and his wife Ruth invite local medium Madame Arcati to dinner, along with their friends the Bradmans. Charles is hoping to find a fraud. But perhaps Madame Arcati actually conjures up more than he expected.
South Camden Theatre Company and The Stride Collective present "Stop Kiss" (CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company and The Strides Collective are excited to welcome you to their celebration of equality and love for Pride with the production of Diana Son’s poignant and funny play Stop Kiss. This production is being directed by Jonathan Edmondson, the founding artistic director of The Strides Collective. Performances run weekends from June 2-17. In this comic and dark play, two young women, third-grade teacher Sara, and radio traffic reporter Callie become best friends about to discover something new about their relationships.
Vanguard Theater presents Illuminating New Voices, New Works Festival (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Illuminating New Voices is a new Vanguard Theater initiative made possible by funding from Jordan Brand's Community Grant Program Black Community Commitment Grant to increase awareness of the role race plays in our history and drive a deeper understanding of the consequences of racism in our everyday lives. The grant is through a joint and equal commitment from Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand. Vanguard Theater was the only New Jersey not-for-profit, and one of two theaters across the country, to receive a community development grant.
music
Jersey City Jazz Festival to Take Place June 1-4 (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Jersey City Jazz Festival is back and better than ever for its 10th anniversary celebration from June 1-4, 2023. The festival will kick off with JC Jazz Nights on Thursday (6/1) and Friday (6/2) at various venues throughout the city. It will culminate in a two-day free outdoor festival on Saturday (6/3) and Sunday (6/4) at the newly renovated Exchange Place Plaza, presented by Exchange Place Alliance and produced by Riverview Jazz. The festival will also partner with the Bike JC Ward Tour on Sunday, June 5, and serve as its finish line along the Hudson Waterfront.
PHOTOS from Regina Bonelli at Muddy Waters Gastropub (ASBURY, NJ) -- NY Blues Hall of Fame member Regina Bonelli performed at Muddy Waters Gastropub on Saturday, May 6, 2023 and photographer James DeSalvo was on hand to take photos.
"Best Concert Ever!" Amy Grant LIVE! at BergenPAC Fans of pop and contemporary Christian music fill the BergenPAC auditorium this Thursday, May 4, 2023 evening as they anxiously wait a concert by singer/songwriter Amy Grant. Often referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop," Grant has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and, in 2022, became a Kennedy Center Honors recipient along with Gladys Knight, Bette Midler, Berry Gordy, U2, and others.
Marian Mastrorilli releases "A Shore Thing (My Jersey Shore)" Singer/songwriter Marian Mastrorilli returns to her roots with the release of her new single, "A Shore Thing (My Jersey Shore)". A joyous celebration of the shore's eternal power to restore us (and itself after Hurricane Sandy), the song evokes the Jersey Shore's boardwalk culture, driving "down the shore" as a rite of passage with the first friends who got their licenses, and the endless draw of the ocean. The new song was released on May 13, 2023, and will be included on Mastrorilli's forthcoming CD, currently in production and due out in early 2024.
"sixtyandthensome" - Bruce Tunkel Faces His Demons and Creates a Masterpiece Sometimes an album is released at just the right time for you... The lyrics sound as if the singer is singing to you or about you and the music reminds you that you are not alone; others are in the exact same place. Sometimes it’s an area we don’t like talking about like depression, but thankfully Bruce Tunkel goes there on his latest release, sixtyandthensome - a brilliant masterpiece from one of Jersey’s best songwriters.
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Alone with You" by The Anderson Council "Alone with You," the first single from the forthcoming The Anderson Council LP, "The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon" on JEM Records, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
film
An Interview with Christopher Beatty on "Bibi" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- On Saturday, June 3, 2023, the New Jersey International Film Festival presents a screening of the full-length feature Bibi by Christopher Beatty. The film will be available virtually for 24 hours starting at midnight with an in-person screening at 7:00pm in the beautiful movie theater on the Rutgers University campus. In this wonderful psychological thriller, a mother and daughter live in a secluded mansion that is hiding a terrible secret.
art
acc gallery presents Dissonance and Harmony: "Collage, Art as an Object" (TENAFLY, NJ) -- Acc gallery presents an invitational exhibition, Dissonance and Harmony: "Collage, Art as an Object" from May 9-25, 2023. Artists include Doris Neidl, Sual Robbins, Jae Hi Ahn, Julie Sim Edward, Jihoe Koo, Injoo Hwang, Eunyi Lee, Yunmin Lee. The exhibition is curated by Jihoe Goo.
The Art Alliance of Monmouth County presents "Surreal Sculptures" by Bernardo Corman (RED BANK, NJ) -- The Art Alliance of Monmouth County presents "Surreal Sculptures" by Bernardo Corman from June 29th - July 19th. Bernardo's Surrealist sculptures are tinged with Magical Realism. Some are whimsical and others are serious, but they share Bernardo's love of merging the clever engineering skills of Man with those of Nature. These juxtapositions have always complemented rather than opposed one another.
community
Valentino On Her Way To The Department of Defense (LINCROFT, NJ) -- Brookdale Community College student Andrea Valentino discovered an excellent opportunity while participating in a hackathon. During the event, (a social coding event that brings computer programmers together to improve upon or build a new software program), Valentino, a first-year student, learned about the Department of Defense's Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship Program. The SMART scholarship provides funding for students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, allowing them to gain hands-on experience with the Department of Defense as part of their education. Valentino is excited to pursue this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and expand her skills in the field of technology.
Central NJ's Only African American History Museum to Hold 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration (SKILLMAN, NJ) -- The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM), Central New Jersey's only African American history museum sharing the history of Black Americans since the trans-Atlantic Slave trade, will hold its second annual Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 17, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm (rain or shine).
RVCC Awards Degrees, Certificates to Approximately 1,100 Graduates (BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) awarded associate degrees and certificates to approximately 1,100 graduates at its commencement on Saturday, May 13, 2023. The ceremony was held on the soccer field at the College's Branchburg campus.
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage From May 7-13, 2023 Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from May 7-13, 2023. 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. This week's top 15 includes articles from 6 counties in New Jersey (Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, and Somerset).
MPAC's Arts in the Community presents Free Concerts and Movies Throughout the Summer (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)'s Arts in the Community summer concert series sponsored by ADP returns for summer 2023 with exciting and fun opportunities to enjoy music, to get up and dance and much more. The free series kicks off on June 14 and runs through September. Events will be held at four locations: Pioneer Park at Headquarters Plaza, adjacent to MPAC at the Vail Mansion Plaza, and Cauldwell Playground. Free movies will be shown at MPAC.
Centenary Stage Company Seeks Applicants for 2023-24 Internship Program (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company, a professional theatre in residence on the campus of Centenary University in Hackettstown is currently applicants for the 2023 - 24 Artistic Internship Program. Centenary Stage Company is seeking to fill one internship position immediately and a second internship position no later than July 1, 2023. Interested applicants should submit a resume with two letters of recommendation via email as PDF attachments with the subject line: CSC Internship Application to youngc15atcentenaryuniversity.edu.
FEATURED EVENTS
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EVENT PREVIEWS
Outpost in the Burbs presents Emily Grove's Joni Jam
November 14, 2025
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House
November 14, 2025
Newton Theatre presents The Breakers - Tom Petty Tribute Band
November 14, 2025
Makin Waves with Don McLean: Starry Stories
November 14, 2025
StocktonPAC presents "Black Angels Over Tuskegee"
November 14, 2025
Hats Off To Downtown brings an evening of shopping, prizes, and fun to South Orange
November 14, 2025
Fund for Irish Studies at Princeton University presents a Conversation with Olwen Fouéré
November 14, 2025
Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena presents Warren Zeiders
November 14, 2025
UCPAC presents Black Sabbath and Metallica tribute bands on Friday
November 14, 2025
Billy Strings to Play Two Nights at Prudential Center
November 14-15, 2025
