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 info@newjerseystage.com on your media list for coverage.
theatre
New Jersey Theatre Alliance Issues Call for Submissions to this year's Healing Voices: Caregiver Stories on Stage 
New Jersey Theatre Alliance has issued a call for submissions to this year's Healing Voices: Caregiver Stories on Stage. Each year New Jersey caregivers are invited to submit all forms of creative writing, including prose, poetry, and theatrical pieces that reflect the theme of caregiving or the personal healing experience. Selected pieces are woven together by professional theatre artists into an evening of readings celebrating, exploring, and bearing witness to the caregiving experience.
music
Plainfield Symphony Orchestra presents "Beautiful Beginnings" - Annual Free Family Concert 
(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Plainfield Symphony Orchestra begins the new year with their annual free family concert, "Beautiful Beginnings," on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 3:00pm, featuring several famous overtures, led by Maestro Charles Prince. The concert takes place at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church located at 716 Watchung Ave, in Plainfield.
Monmouth Civic Chorus presents Mendelssohn's Elijah 
(COLTS NECK, NJ) -- The award-winning Monmouth Civic Chorus presents Mendelssohn's Elijah on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 4:00pm. This is the first full-length performance of this transcendent piece produced by the chorus since 2000.
Valentine Romance with Rhythm N' Sound at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch 
(JACKSON TOWNSHIP) -- Love will be in the air as you revel in romantic songs by Jersey Shore favorites Rhythm N' Sound. They'll serenade you in a Valentine's Concert at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. The event begins at 7:00pm.
Leonia Chamber Musicians presents "Romantic February" Concert 
(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Leonia Chamber Musicians Society, Inc. perform their second concert of the 2024-2025 Season, "Romantic February", on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at the Presbyterian Church in Leonia (181 Fort Lee Road). Admission is free, but a donation of $25 at the door is suggested. Showtime is 3:00pm.
Stockton PAC presents Grammy-winning Gospel Musical Group The Blind Boys of Alabama 
(GALLOWAY, NJ) -- Six-time Grammy-winning gospel group The Blind Boys of Alabama, who state they are the longest running group in American music, will perform at Stockton University's Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Showtime is 7:30pm.
An Interview with Michael Patrick about Leaving a Day Job Behind and Playing Music Full-time 
Michael Patrick is a Americana singer-songwriter who has played well over 2,000 live shows in the tri-state area, released six albums from 2004's Roots & Branches to 2023's Crossing Bridges, and created popular shows like his Johnny Cash "Ring of Fire" tribute. A few years ago, he moved to the Hunterdon County area. Halfway through 2023, Michael made an even bigger life decision - he decided to leave his full-time job and play music full-time.
Spin Doctors Announce First New Studio Album in 12 Years 
90s alt-rock icons the Spin Doctors announced their first studio LP in 12 years: Face Full of Cake, out April 11, 2025 via Capitol Records. They also released the album's first single "Still A Gorilla" and its accompanying music video. The track finds the band showcasing a noisier, heavier sound but with the same sense of humor they've come to be known for. Inspired by the hard-hitting energy of Robyn's "Konichiwa Bitches," the track finds the long-running group exploring new territory after 35+ years.
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Hologram" by Tiny Cities 
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Hologram" from "The Wind Can Be So Cruel" the debut EP of the new duo Tiny Cities, featuring Melissa Anthony and Dennis King
Newton Theatre presents Lynch Mob: The Final Ride featuring Paralandra 
(NEWTON, NJ) -- Lynch Mob: The Final Ride featuring Paralandra comes to The Newton Theatre on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 8:00pm. The band was formed by George Lynch in 1989 after the breakup of Dokken, his long time band of which he was a founding member and main song writer.
comedy
NJPAC presents comedian Mojo Brookzz 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready for an evening of laughter at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with comedian Mojo Brookzz on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 7:00pm. Mojo is like a vibrant fire emoji brought to life, radiating energy and humor wherever he goes. Mojo captures the essence of all your favorite episodes of Def Comedy Jam, blending their comedic brilliance into a single unforgettable experience.
film
New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2025 Short Film Video Q+A #2 
Here is the New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2025 Short Film Video Q+A #2 with Sylvia Director Hannah Zipperman, Help Yourself Director Hedvig Andersson, Embryo Directors Joy and Caleb Waldinger, and Crowboy Producer/Writer William Doan and Festival Director Al Nigrin.
New Release Review - "Here" 
It's a Forrest Gump reunion as director Robert Zemeckis, writer Eric Roth, stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, composer Alan Silvestri and cinematographer Don Burgess all reteam for Here, a shambolic adaptation of a ground-breaking 2014 graphic novel by Richard McGuire, itself an expansion of a six-panel story published in 1989. Forrest Gump saw Hanks play a man-child who unwittingly stumbles in and out of some of the key events of the second half of the twentieth century. In Here, such events simply play out on a TV or radio in the corner of the living room of a house in New Jersey. The movie instead focuses on the relatively mundane events in the lives of the residents of said house.
Passionate short Mad Clean screens on opening day of the New Jersey Film Festival 
It is not every day that you get to watch a movie starting with only close-ups of everything. I suppose that is quite a clever gesture to introduce a manic character without saying the exact words – we get to see through her eyes, enter her mind; we feel her fear. The short film Mad Clean opens strong: a forcefully worded argument in which we only see the seemingly stubborn, and struggling sister unwilling to step out of her excluded apartment cell. We are immediately trapped in this claustrophobic space with the protagonist, Leanne, who so fiercely closed the door against the rest of the world as what seems to be a self-protecting attempt. The movie seems to be tinted with an unwavering gray hue until accompanying the upbeat music. Ebony, the cleaning lady, interrupts the melancholic scene wearing a bright cloud of baby-blue.
New Jersey Film Festival Short Film Video Q+A #1 
Here is the New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2025 Short Film Video Q+A #1 with The Hollowing Director Steve Weinzierl, Phantom Limb Director Alice Jokela, and Festival Director Al Nigrin.
dance
Ocean County Library Long Branch Island Branch presents "Introduction to Modern Dance" 
(SURF CITY, NJ) -- Be part of the revolution that transformed the art of dance from a series of steps to an expression of views. Adults are invited to an "Introduction to Modern Dance" at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch on Thursday, February 13, 2025. The event begins at 2:30pm.
art
"Picture Middlesex County" Now Accepting Submissions 
(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ) -- Middlesex County's popular photo contest, Picture Middlesex County, is back for the winter season. Running now through March 27, 2025, the contest invites residents to showcase life and nature across Middlesex County through their lenses. The winning photos, selected by a panel of judges, will be publicly displayed at future County events and featured in marketing materials.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum presents "Gardens on the Hill" art exhibition 
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Reeves-Reed Arboretum is excited to announce its first art exhibition of 2025, Gardens on the Hill. This eclectic show brings together a curated selection of works from artists across the United States, including celebrated talents from New Jersey. Each artist offers a unique lens through which the garden, in all its diversity, is interpreted. This exhibition is on display from February 11, 2025 through May 23, 2025.
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to Receive $30,000 Award from the National Endowment for the Arts 
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (VACNJ) is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $30,000. This grant will support an upcoming exhibition series highlighting sustainability, biodiversity, and ecological issues affecting the planet's health. The NEA will award 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards nationwide totaling more than $31.8 million as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025 grants.
poetry
Bordentown Old City Hall presents 4th Fanny Parnell Poetry Project 
(BORDENTOWN, NJ) -- The Fanny Parnell Poetry Project returns to Old City Hall in Bordentown, New Jersey, on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The two-part free event celebrates the famous 19th century Irish poet and revolutionary with a deep connection to Bordentown. Now in its 4th year, the event's date is set for St. Brigid’s Day, the Irish saint whose patronage includes poetry and beer.
community
Makin Waves Roundtable Discussion: LGBTQ and POC Concerns about Returning Trump Administration 
Eight days before Donald Trump's inauguration, East Rutherford-raised singer-songwriter-guitarist Carolyn Marosy, Asbury Park-based singer-songwriter Blaise and Asbury Park musicians and scenesters Sean Navat Balanon and Matt Daniels, who's also an activist, gathered at Georgie's Bar in Asbury Park. They participated in a roundtable discussion regarding concerns they have about Trump's return to the White House and the impact that may have on the LGBTQ community, as well as people of color.
Newark Nonprofit UCC to Distribute Winter Essentials, Sweet Treats to Community at "Cookies, Coats and Cocoa" Event 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Greater Newark community members in need of a winter coat and essential items to brave the cold this winter will be able to access these resources this month at the Newark-based nonprofit United Community Corporation's "Cookies, Coats and Cocoa" distribution.
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage January 12-18, 2025 
Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from January 12-18, 2025. 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 7 counties in New Jersey (Burlington, Cumberland, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, and Ocean).
Upcoming Shows at Kean Stage in Winter 2025 
(UNION, NJ) -- Cure the winter blues with an upcoming show at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. Upcoming events at Kean Stage include The Chapin Family in concert, Erth's Dinosaur Zoo, and Jazz at Lincoln Center with New Orleans Songbook.
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