Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 06/30/2025
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College proudly announces its Fall 2025 season lineup, featuring award-winning artists, unforgettable performances, and diverse cultural programming designed to entertain audiences of all ages.
The new season brings returning audience favorites including The Bronx Wanderers, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Cherish the Ladies, offers up classic tunes in CeCe Teneal's “Divas of Soul” and “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience” with Robert Neary, and introduces culturally rich performances by Julie Fowlis, Cécilia, and the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company.
More Highlights of the Fall 2025 season:
Family Entertainment: “Magic Rocks!” with Illusionist Leon Etienne (November 6) promises to amaze audiences and provide a rocking good time, and popular holiday traditions return with “A Christmas Carol” (December 6) and “The Nutcracker” (December 13).
OCC Repertory Theatre: The company presents “A Broadway Tour of America,” a dazzling musical revue celebrating Broadway's greatest hits, for two weekends in July, followed by Steven Dietz's adaptation of “Dracula” (October 17-26) and a fresh new take on the annual “Broadway for the Holidays” on December 12.
Jazz Programming: The popular "Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon" series features Swingadelic's tribute to "The Three Louies" (September 21) and The April May Webb Trio (October 19). Jazz enthusiasts can take advantage of a special fall offer: purchase tickets to both Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon shows and save 15% on tickets for the Glenn Miller Orchestra on November 22.
Classical Music: The "Afternoon Recital" series, curated by OCC music faculty, showcases solo piano performances by Alexa Stier (September 12) and Liana Paniyeva (October 10), plus a violin-piano duo by Radliff-Niessen (November 21).
Distinguished Speakers: The OCC Foundation's Blauvelt Speaker Series returns with Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd (September 16), retired four-star Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander (October 8), and treecologist Basil Camu, author of "From Wasteland to Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape" (October 28).
Special Events: Grammy-nominated children's songwriter DJ Willy Wow performs for summer camp groups in August, while November features a special screening of "Without Arrows" with champion grass dancer Delwin Fiddler Jr. In December, the Ocean County College Foundation presents Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti in a benefit concert supporting OCC students, and the OCC Concert Band kicks off the holiday season in style with this year’s holiday concert, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
Membership and Ticketing Information: The Grunin Center offers three membership levels for the 2025-2026 season, providing early ticket access, special events, and exclusive discounts. Ticket sales begin for members on July 3 and open to the general public on July 10.
Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling 732-255-0500. Group rates and discounts for students and military/veterans are available for select shows.
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.
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EVENT PREVIEWS
37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival to Take Place June 27-28, 2026
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Manayunk Development Corporation is excited to celebrate the 37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The tradition of being the tri-state area's largest outdoor juried art festival - and the largest in Pennsylvania - will continue as Main Street hosts approximately 300 different local and nationally known artists and crafters.
Carteret's Independence Day Festival to feature country star Walker Hayes
(CARTERET, NJ) -- One of New Jersey's most popular Independence Day Festivals will take place in Carteret's Civic Center Park (100 Cooke Avenue) from 6:00pm to midnight on Friday, July 3, 2026 in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular
(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen 250 Initiative are excited to announce that Bergen County's 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular will return July 4, 2026 at Overpeck County Park. All are invited to attend this patriotic afternoon of family fun which will include live music, children's activities, over 20 food trucks, a beer and wine garden, carnival attractions, and stunning fireworks to conclude the evening over Overpeck Creek.
Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America's 250th Anniversary Year
(WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA) -- Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Pennsylvania plans to host an expanded Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 4:00pm to 9:30pm featuring immersive living history experiences, family-friendly activities, live music, and the return of fireworks over the Delaware River. Designed as a community-wide celebration of America250, the event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate this historic milestone year. Please note: Admission is required; registration is recommended only for the 4:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Living History Program. The evening concert and fireworks are free and open to the public; no registration is required to attend those portions of the event.
Passage Theatre Company presents 3rd Annual Word on Front festival
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company's third annual Word on Front event is set to be its biggest yet. In celebration of the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, the company is presenting Word on Front 250, three consecutive weekends of a variety of live arts from June 26 to July 12, 2026. This festival of spoken word, music, and solo performance will celebrate the untold and underrepresented stories of America.
SOPAC presents Stewart Copeland: Have I Said Too Much? on July 16th
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stewart Copeland brings his first American spoken-word tour (Have I Said Too Much?) to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 7:30pm. Copeland is the founding drummer of The Police and one of rock's most inventive forces.
Centenary Stage Company Announces Lineup for SUMMERFEST 2026
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's SUMMERFEST 2026 is set to take center stage in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with four productions running through the summer months. SUMMERFEST will feature, A Taste of Ireland presented by Pace Live, The Wedding Singer, Four Sticks: The Music of Led Zeppelin, and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever.
Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at The Carteret PAC on July 22nd during First-Time Multi-City Tour Experience Hallmark Stars Live
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off at URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30pm 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.
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.
