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

Published by New Jersey Stage

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.

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

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) -- Bell Bottom Blues returns to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 10, 2026. The band was formed in 2007 with the vision of providing an audience with a true Eric Clapton Experience. Showtime is 7:30pm.

Basie Center to Honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s, Dramarama on Walk of Fame

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts will honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s and Dramarama by welcoming them onto its Walk of Fame. Pierson and Schneider will be inducted during a special ceremony on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 12:00pm, outside the historic theater in Red Bank, ahead of The B-52s’ concert at ParkStage in Freehold on Saturday, July 11. Dramarama, also performing at that concert, will be presented with a commemorative plaque at the show.
Asbury Lanes presents There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) on July 11th

Asbury Lanes presents There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) on July 11th

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) will perform at Asbury Lanes on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Doors open at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.

Newton Theatre presents Dio Rules: Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath & Dio on July 11th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- One voice. Three legendary bands. One unforgettable decade of rock. DIO RULES is a powerful live concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of Ronnie James Dio, one of the most influential voices in the history of hard rock and heavy metal. See for yourself when the band comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Albert Music Hall

Albert Music Hall's Bluegrass Fest on Saturday Celebrates Music and the Community Behind It

(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Bluegrass is more than a style of music. It's a tradition built on storytelling, shared songs, and musicians gathering to play together. On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Albert Music Hall will celebrate that heritage during its annual Bluegrass Fest, an evening that combines educational sessions, opportunities to experience the Hall's renowned Pickin' Shed, and three hours of live performances.
2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12

2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Going on 20+ years, the annual, free, two-day Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival will take place the weekend of July 11-12, 2026, in Memorial Park in Maplewood. The festival features performances by Anders Osborne, Lettuce, Slap Dragon, and Megan Jean's Secret Family. It kicks off with music at noon and ends around 9:30pm each night. As always, it is free and welcomes the entire community.

bergenPAC presents Warrant on July 12th

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Warrant on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. The California band first hit it big in 1989 with their album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich.
Benson Boone to Perform at Prudential Center on July 13th

Benson Boone to Perform at Prudential Center on July 13th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Benson Boone brings his 2026 U.S. Wanted Man Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. Last year, Boone received his first GRAMMY® nomination for Best New Artist at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, where Boone delivered a show-stopping performance of his breakthrough smash "Beautiful Things."
Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th

Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey alt rock/pop-punk band Good Damage will return to the House of Independents on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 supporting American Vanity and Faded 2 Gray. This will be the band's third time playing the venue. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th

Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th

(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 17, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Bell Bottom Blues - A Tribute to Eric Clapton

Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Damn The Torpedoes Matinee Show

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 3:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Damn The Torpedoes Evening Show

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead)

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Asbury Lanes
209 Fourth Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ


Johnny Kasun’s Jim Croce Tribute

Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ



 

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