Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 11/19/2024

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College is excited to announce a stellar new lineup of shows for the upcoming spring season, featuring music, theater and special events for audiences of all ages.
MUSIC - Join folk singer and instrumentalist Seán Dagher for a sea shanty singalong (March 1). Dagher, widely known for his recordings with the Assassin's Creed video games, takes audiences on a seaward journey through traditional work songs interspersed with sea-themed ballads, all accompanied by Seán on Irish bouzouki. Come ready to raise your voice with these popular sailing songs!
Modern-day folk trio A Band Called Honalee presents their tribute to the music of Peter, Paul & Mary (March 15), while Stoned Soul Picnic (April 5) celebrates three legendary singer/songwriters of the 1960s/’70s: Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Laura Nyro.
Be prepared to dance with Las Guaracheras (March 28), an all-female salsa sextet from Colombia whose cultural and artistic objective is to uplift female voices within Afro-Latin music and build a more inclusive, diverse, and respectful cultural space for all.
Musician/comedian Vance Gilbert brings his unique brand of musical poetry and acoustic storytelling extraordinaire to the Grunin Center (April 12).
THEATER & MAGIC - The Magic of Kevin Spencer (March 15) combines storytelling, stage magic, and audience participation in a sensory-inclusive performance designed to be welcoming to all audiences, including families with children with autism or other developmental or intellectual disabilities that create sensory sensitivities.
The Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company presents “Amadeus,” Peter Shaffer’s Tony Award-winning play, in the Black Box Theater (March 14-16 and 21-23).
SPEAKERS & SPECIAL EVENTS - The OCC Foundation’s Blauvelt Speaker Series returns this spring with two compelling voices: Parkland survivor and activist David Hogg (March 27) and former NFL pro and media host Tiki Barber (June 5).
SERIES EVENTS - The popular Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon and Afternoon Recital series continue throughout the spring, bringing world-class jazz artists and exceptional classical musicians to the Grunin Center stage.
TICKETS - Ticket sales begin November 22 at grunincenter.org. Tickets are also available at the Grunin Center Box Office, or by calling 732-255-0500. Group rates and discounts for students and military/veterans are also available for select performances.
For 60 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that prepare and empower diverse learners to contribute to and succeed in global societies. OCC invests in and fosters academic, economic, and cultural excellence, and ensures financial strength by generating new revenue streams, engaging in national and international university and corporate partnerships, and cultivating a technologically progressive and entrepreneurial spirit.

You can have your events appear here,
whenever someone reads an article about
Toms River
click here for more information
EVENT PREVIEWS

Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, is a new live tour kicking off this summer where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling. The tour comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.

Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off this summer where some of the network’s most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling. The tour will visit Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.

The Freakin Rican Presents "Arte de Nuestra Isla: Series Two"
(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Freakin Rican presents Arte de Nuestra Isla: Series Two, the second installment of its cultural art exhibition celebrating Puerto Rican artists, storytelling, and community connection. The event takes place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at The Freakin Rican (468 Cedar Lane) in Teaneck.

Create Spectacular Giant Puppets and More for the Illumination 250 Parade, the Largest Public Art Experience in Bergen County
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation invites the public to participate in the special 'Giant Puppets Workshop Series' led by artists from the internationally acclaimed Processional Arts. The puppets created in the workshop series from August 14 through August 19, 2026 will be featured in a giant puppet parade marching down Main Street in Hackensack during Illumination 250, an all-day arts festival taking place on October 3rd to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.
"Allen AME: Our Stories, Our Space, Our Legacy" to Celebrate Faith, History, Art, and Community
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The public is invited to attend "Allen AME: Our Stories, Our Space, Our Legacy," a free special program honoring the enduring history and cultural significance of the former Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cape May. The event will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the historic Allen AME Church (717 Franklin Street) in Cape May.

Nearly One-Third of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival Lives at Cannonball This September
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Nearly one-third of the 2026 Philadelphia Fringe Festival comes to life at Cannonball Festival this September, as more than 100 artists present bold new work across five stages in a nonstop celebration of fearless live performance. Celebrating its sixth year, Cannonball is the largest hub of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, championing a revolutionary artist-led model that prioritizes equity, experimentation, and community connection.