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This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts Taking Place December 26 to January 1, 2024

originally published: 12/26/2023


Here is a look at upcoming shows taking place from December 26 to January 1, 2024 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured EventsEvent PreviewsEvent Listings.

Send press releases to [email protected] to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers. Listings are also available for $10 a piece. Click here for more information on advertising. Event listings are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.

FEATURED EVENTS

Sunday, December 31, 2023 - Broadway stars and Dancers from Dance Theatre of Harlem join NJ Festival Orchestra for New Year's celebrations. (WESTFIELD, NJ) -- On Sunday, December 31, 2024 at 7:00pm, under the baton of Maestro David Wroe, New Jersey Festival Orchestra again presents one of New Jersey's most popular New Year's Eve musical celebrations. This year's performance, "The Great American Songbook," promises a superb review of the best of Broadway’s song and dance showstoppers to herald the arrival of the New Year.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 - Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes on New Year's Eve. (RED BANK, NJ) -- There's no better way to close out the year than seeing Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes in concert on New Year's Eve. The band returns to the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Sunday, December 31, 2023 with an early show that begins at 6:00pm.




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Sunday, December 31, 2023 - State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna: New Year's Eve Concert. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- A New Year's Eve tradition returns when State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna – New Year's Concert on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 5:00pm. This concert recreates the beloved Neujahrskonzert, hosted each year in Vienna's legendary Musikverein. The exuberant music of Johann Strauss and his contemporaries' springs to vibrant life with selections from beloved operettas, elegant dances, lively overtures, and the beautiful Blue Danube Waltz.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 - Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Beginnings: A New Year's Tribute to Chicago. (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will close out the year with New Year's Eve concerts by Beginnings: a tribute to Chicago. The band will perform an early show at 6:00pm and return for an evening show at 9:00pm.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 - Jersey Arts Podcast: Ring in the New Year with The Jersey Tenors at Surflight Theatre. Jersey Arts speaks with Brian Noonan about what it takes to be a Jersey Tenor ahead of their Bubbly Bash at the Surflight Theatre on New Year’s Eve.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 - The New Jersey Festival Orchestra Usher in the New Year With 'The Great American Songbook' and 'Broadway Classics'. The New Jersey Festival Orchestra is ringing in the New Year with a superb revue from Golden Age classics to Broadway's greatest hits in glorious symphonic splendor. Joining in the festivities are soloists direct from the Broadway stage and dancers from the Dance Theatre of Harlem along with Maestro David Wroe and the orchestra as they swing to favorites from America's Great Songbook. There are two celebratory performances, one on New Year's Eve (Dec 31, 7 p.m.) at Westfield High School and the other on New Year's Day (Jan 1, 2:30 p.m.) at the Sieminski Theatre in Basking Ridge.

EVENT PREVIEWS

Wednesday, December 27, 2023 - NJPAC presents KEM and Marsha Ambrosius. (NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) hosts a special evening with Soul artists KEM and Marsha Ambrosius on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 8:00pm.

Thursday, December 28, 2023 - Aerosmith Announces Final Tour; Shows in Philly, Newark, and MSG Announced with Special Guest The Black Crowes. (NEWARK, NJ) -- Four-time GRAMMY® award-winning and diamond-certified rock legends Aerosmith have announced PEACE OUT™ with special guest The Black Crowes. Fans will see one of the most significant American rock bands in history one last time during this not-to-be-missed final tour. Every night will celebrate the five decades of Aerosmith's groundbreaking hits as they celebrate 50 years as America's greatest rock band. Three shows in the area have been announced: Saturday, September 2nd at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia; Thursday, December 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark; and Friday, January 19, 2024 at MSG in NYC.




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Friday, December 29, 2023 - 7th Annual Asbury Park Music Festival to Take Place at Wonder Bar. (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Telegraph Hill Records will present the 7th Annual What A Wonderful Year (WAWY) music festival at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on December 29th & 30th, 2023. Dubbed Asbury Park's Annual Party, it's traditionally the Jersey Shore's most diverse and inclusive annual event, covering a broad range of genres and building unity in the music community.

Friday, December 29, 2023 - 2nd Annual What A Wonderful Cheer Reception to Take Place at Transparent Clinch Gallery. (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- "What a Wonderful Year" (WAWY) music festival organizer, Telegraph Hill Records, has announced the return of the "What a Wonderful Cheer" pre-event on December 29, 2023, at Transparent Clinch Gallery from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. This reception is free and open to the public and serves to spotlight the nonprofits that benefit from WAWY ticket sales: The Project Matters (TPM) and "Asbury Park’s Got Talent" producer, Interfaith Neighbors (IFN).

Sunday, December 31, 2023 - Remember Jones to partner with Baseline Social to bring "A Brand New Year's Eve!" to Fort Monmouth. (OCEANPORT, NJ) -- National touring artist Remember Jones, known for his over-the-top, theatrical, funk/soul and rock music events and originals, has announced "A Brand New Year's Eve!" at the new Baseline Social on Fort Monmouth in Oceanport. This will be the venue's first concert and one of the first live indoor music events on Fort Monmouth in many years.

EVENT LISTINGS

Thursday, December 28, 2023 @ 7:00pm - Dark Star Orchestra at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Thursday, December 28, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Popa Chubby at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087

Friday, December 29, 2023 @ 7:00pm - Dark Star Orchestra at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Friday, December 29, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Frontiers at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Sunday, December 31, 2023 @ 5:00pm - Salute to Vienna at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Sunday, December 31, 2023 @ 6:00pm - Beginnings: A New Year's Tribute to Chicago at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736




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Sunday, December 31, 2023 @ 6:00pm - Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Sunday, December 31, 2023 @ 7:00pm - New Jersey Festival Orchestra presents The Great American Songbook at Westfield High School, 550 Dorian Road, Westfield, NJ 07090

Sunday, December 31, 2023 @ 9:00pm - Beginnings: A New Year's Tribute to Chicago at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736

Monday, January 1, 2024 @ 2:30pm - New Jersey Festival Orchestra presents The Great American Songbook at Sieminski Theater, 8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920


EVENT PREVIEWS

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Jonatha Brooke on Friday April 24, 2026 at 7:30pm. The singer-songwriter merges evocative folk, melodic pop, with an edgier roots rock sensibility.
MPAC presents The String Queens on April 24th

MPAC presents The String Queens on April 24th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Praised for its authentic, soulful, and orchestral sound, The String Queens (TSQ) is a dynamic trio that creates stimulating musical experiences that inspire diverse audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine! The String Queens come to Mayo Performing Arts Center, Friday, April 24, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Sweet Honey in the Rock Brings 50+ Years of Music and Message to McCarter Theatre Center

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.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Rhett Miller of Old 97

Outpost in the Burbs presents Rhett Miller of Old 97's

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Rhett Miller on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 8:00pm. Rhett is a revered singer-songwriter known for his more than three decades fronting the popular rock band Old 97's who were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2025 Americana Awards at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
Clint Black Brings His Back On The Blacktop Tour with Special Guest Gareth to CarteretPAC on April 25th

Clint Black Brings His Back On The Blacktop Tour with Special Guest Gareth to CarteretPAC on April 25th

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Clint Black Brings His Back On The Blacktop Tour with Special Guest Gareth to the URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 8:00pm.
The Chapin Family presents: Harry Chapin’s Greatest Stories LIVE

The Chapin Family presents: Harry Chapin’s Greatest Stories LIVE

(WAYNE, NJ) -- The Chapin Family presents: Harry Chapin’s Greatest Stories LIVE on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the Shea Center for Performing Arts. In the long rich history of Family Groups in American Roots Music, this family has a special place. When these singers, songwriters and extraordinary live performers come together, magic happens. Showtime is 8:00pm.
Sold-Out Cabaret Returns: The Light Between – A Modern Cabaret Comes to Lincroft on April 25th

Sold-Out Cabaret Returns: The Light Between – A Modern Cabaret Comes to Lincroft on April 25th

(LINCROFT, NJ) -- After selling out 200 seats in just days, The Light Between – A Modern Cabaret returns for a special encore performance Saturday, April 25, 2026 at The Earth Room at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County. Created and performed by PJ Casbar and Tom McCormack, the show blends original music, musical-theater favorites, and modern pop into a character-driven cabaret evening that moves between humor, storytelling, and moments of theatrical surprise. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Newton Theatre presents Kashmir: The Spirit of Led Zeppelin - 55/50 TOUR

The Newton Theatre presents Kashmir: The Spirit of Led Zeppelin - 55/50 TOUR

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Kashmir: The Spirit of Led Zeppelin brings its 55/50 TOUR to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 8:00pm. The tour celebrates two groundbreaking albums - the 55th anniversary of Led Zeppelin IV and the 50th anniversary of Presence. This tour promises an unforgettable journey through the soundscapes that have influenced generations and continue to inspire.
João Bosco Quartet - 80th Birthday Celebration of Brazilian Music Legend João Bosco to take place at McCarter Theatre on April 25th

João Bosco Quartet - 80th Birthday Celebration of Brazilian Music Legend João Bosco to take place at McCarter Theatre on April 25th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents the João Bosco Quartet in a special performance celebrating the legendary Brazilian artist's 80th birthday and more than five decades of groundbreaking music-making on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:30pm. Presented in association with Brazil LAB, this performance celebrates João Bosco’s extraordinary career.
Albert Music Hall presents a Modern Country Music Show on Saturday

Albert Music Hall presents a Modern Country Music Show on Saturday

(WARETOWN, NJ) -- On any given night at Albert Music Hall, audiences are more likely to hear early honky-tonk or the songs of Johnny Cash than the modern country sounds of artists like Luke Combs or Miranda Lambert. That will change on Saturday, April 25, 2026, when the Hall leans into the modern era with a special show dedicated to new country music.

 

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