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 [email protected] on your media list for coverage.
theatre
Kelsey Theatre announces a series of "Matinee Masterpieces" throughout 2025-26 season 
(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Fans of live theater can enjoy added matinee performances all year long, as the Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College will present a series of "Matinee Masterpieces" for the entire 2025-26 season.
RVCC Students Perform with Matheny Artists, Gain 'Deeper' Level of Interaction with People with Disabilities 
College students who take an "Independent Study" expect to work by themselves, guided by a professor. But for five very fortunate Raritan Valley Community College students enrolled in a Theatre Independent Study class with Professor of Theatre Dennis Russo this summer, their "independent" work took on a much greater meaning.
Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Sistas: The Musical" 
(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Bridge Players Theatre Company presents Sistas: The Musical by Dorothy Marcic weekends from September 12-27, 2025 at the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Burlington. This is a joyful, soul-stirring celebration of Black women through music, memories, and sisterhood!
music
Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...8/14/25 
Monmouth County based band, Jump Back released their debut record, "Blues In The Red" during everyone's favorite year of 2020 and despite its fantastic quality, rocking originals and very well re-imagined covers; the title seemed to have those interested in them thinking they were a blues band.
Bergenstock Music Festival Returns September 20th 
(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- The Bergenstock Music Festival, a celebration of original music from Bergen County, returns to the Overpeck County Park Ampitheater in Ridgefield Park on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 1:00pm to 7:00pm. The free event features songwriters and original bands hailing from Bergen County, covering a wide array of musical genres including pop, rock, and R&B.
Makin Waves with Gregory Macolino: Long Branch Lifer 
Legendary Long Branch musician, bar owner and history teacher Gregory Macolino recently added author and publisher to his credits with "Little Pussy & Long Branch: Perfect Together" on his own Brighton Bar Publishing House.
"Absolutely Brilliant!" Dave Koz and Friends LIVE! AT MPAC 
Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Dave Koz and Friends at Mayo Performing Arts Center on August 6, 2025.
Makin Waves with The Beagles with Joy: Fire Among Friends 
Joy Okoye's powerfully liberating vocals bring an urgent vibe to the musical explorations of Princeton-based The Beagles. In her early years in Kansas, Joy's vocal gifts moved congregants to feel the Holy Spirit -- both as a soloist and with gospel and worship bands.
film
Montclair Film Announces Artwork for the 14th Annual Montclair Film Festival 
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- On August 14th, Montclair Film revealed the artwork for the fourteenth annual Montclair Film Festival. The bright, positive campaign was created by Philadelphia artist and creative entrepreneur, Kariem Young. Kariem used his vibrant, pop art style and fun colorful characters to create this year's festival poster. The image symbolizes how people from different perspectives can come together and find joy in a collective experience.
art
Grounds For Sculpture presents Salvador Jiménez-Flores: Raíces & Resistencias 
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- From September 28, 2025 to August 1, 2027, Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) presents a solo exhibition of work by Chicago-based interdisciplinary artist Salvador Jiménez-Flores, curated by GFS Executive Director Gary Garrido Schneider. Jiménez-Flores' work is both playful and provocative, addressing critical issues of migration, cultural hybridity, and resilience.
Kyle Orlando: "Scratch Fever" 
Artists like cats because artists are like cats. The feline temperament is mercurial, ungovernable, mischievous, intermittently social, prone to periods of feverish activity followed by glowering reclusiveness. I’ll wager many painters can relate. Cats are also beautiful animals, moving through the world with a well-curated mixture of adorableness and murderous malice. Phonies they are not. We respect them for their candor.
community
NJPAC presents Neil deGrasse Tyson: An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies Part II 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the beloved American astrophysicist, planetary scientist, author, and science communicator, is returning to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, November 30, 2025. This year, he will delve into a scientific analysis of iconic films such as Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Join him as he examines the scientific inaccuracies and occasional truths portrayed in your favorite movies. The event begin at 3:00pm.
Enjoy music, craft beers, family fun at the Emlen Physick Estate during Harvest Brew Fest 
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Celebrate the arrival of fall in South Jersey during Harvest Brew Fest, Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 10:00am to 5:00pm, a full day of celebration and relaxation after summer's end, presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) and sponsored by PNC Bank, Madison Resorts, and Tito's Vodka. It’s all at the beautiful grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate (1048 Washington Street) in Cape May.
Darlington County Park Splash Zone to Reopen August 15th 
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- The Bergen County Parks Department announces that the Wibit Splash Zone at the upper lake at Darlington County Park will reopen on Friday, August 15, 2025. The popular Wibit Splash Zone attraction at Darlington Lake is the largest Wibit water obstacle course of its kind on the East Coast.
Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission Awarded $200,000 in 2025 to Local Arts Organizations Through County Grant Program 
(SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ) -- In 2025, a total of $200,000 in grant funds were awarded to 17 creative organizations in Somerset County through the Local Arts Program (LAP). The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission is currently accepting applications for the 2026 LAP grant round. Applications for 2026 LAP grants must be submitted by 4:00pm on Friday, September 12, 2025.
Middlesex College Journalism Program Receives Scripps Howard Fund Grant 
(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ) -- Middlesex College is one of four community colleges across the country chosen to receive a $12,000 grant for its journalism education program from the Scripps Howard Fund, a media company that owns multiple national newspapers and radio and television stations.
Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission Awarded $63,750 in 2025 to Local History Organizations Through County Grant Program 
In 2025, a total of $63,750 in grant funds were awarded to seven organizations in Somerset County through the County History Partnership Program (CHPP). The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission is currently accepting applications for the 2026 CHPP grant round. Applications for 2026 CHPP grants must be submitted by 4:00pm on Friday, September 12, 2025.
books
Take Part in a Virtual Conversation with Communication Expert Jefferson Fisher 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Join in for a virtual conversation with communication expert Jefferson Fisher on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 2:00pm. Fisher will talk about his new book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. No matter who you're talking to, The Next Conversation gives you immediately actionable strategies that will forever change how you communicate.
