Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 10/20/2025
Photo by Anne Leighton
Symphonic Rock Pioneers Annie Haslam and Jim McCarty will present the History of Renaissance on November 21st and 22nd at the Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, Illinois (St. Louis), on November 28th at the Newton Theatre, NJ, and on November 29th at the Lansdowne Theatre, PA, in Lansdowne, PA.
Annie and Jim will share an intimate discussion and visual presentation of the band's extraordinary history followed by a Renaissance performance featuring, for the first time, members of both eras of the band performing their classic songs together.
Renaissance had their farewell tour last October 2024 and did not expect to perform live again. Annie, who's been at the forefront of the group's story for 50 years, recently was approached by an Edwardsville/St Louis promoter to return to the Wildey Theatre for a 'one woman" show! After much deliberation, the idea grew into something bigger when Annie contacted Jim McCarty to be a part of the show and then return to the full Renaissance lineup, the band he, initially, co-founded.
A once in a lifetime event of Symphonic Rock at its finest! "All Renaissance and McCarty fans are invited to experience our coming full circle," Annie says enthusiastically, "that was destined to happen one day!"
Rising from the ashes of the Yardbirds, Jim McCarty and long-time musical partner Keith Relf envisioned a Renaissance as fusing folk and classical influences with the bluesy rock they'd been playing and giving birth to a new musical direction. When Annie Haslam joined the band in 1971 to sing with her ethereal 5-octave voice, the group became more popular, especially with the progressive rock scene. After Jim left, the line up continued notably with Annie, this combined the poetic emotional words of Betty Thatcher and the timeless musical masterpieces that were created by Michael Dunford, John Tout, Jon Camp and Terry Sullivan.
Renaissance was reborn in 2009 with Annie and Michael Dunford at the helm, along with keyboard player/musical director Rave Tesar, and a new generation of musicians.
Renaissance has toured throughout the world and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Chorale Society. Renaissance had a top ten hit in the UK with their song "Northern Lights" that still demands airplay to this day.
Annie is "looking forward to singing 'Face of Yesterday' from Jim's band Illusion, which I last performed on a tour of Germany in the early '70s. Such a gorgeous song! I'm also excited to be performing with Jim," who is equally thrilled, stating, "I'll be talking with Annie about how the band formed and got that sound. Also very pleased to be singing some of my own songs."
Renaissance is Annie Haslam (lead vocals), Jim McCarty (acoustic guitar and lead vocals), Rave Tesar (keyboards), Mark Lambert (guitars, vocals), Geoffrey Langley (keyboards, vocals), John Galgano (bass, vocals), and Frank Pagano (drums, percussion, vocals).
UPCOMING SHOWS
Friday, Nov. 21 The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL (St. Louis)
Saturday, Nov. 22 The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL (St. Louis)
Friday, Nov. 28 The Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ
Saturday, Nov. 29 Lansdowne Theatre, Lansdowne, PA
EVENT PREVIEWS
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Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bell Bottom Blues on July 10th
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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.
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(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
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Albert Music Hall's Bluegrass Fest on Saturday Celebrates Music and the Community Behind It
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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
(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
(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.
FEATURED EVENTS
