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Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage from January 11-17, 2026

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 01/18/2026

Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published on New Jersey Stage from January 11-17, 2026. Each week we publish at least 70 articles, including original columns and features, promoting events and covering arts news taking place throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week's top 15 includes articles from 11 counties (Atlantic, Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, and Union). 

1) Atlantic City Wing Fest to Take Place January 31st - (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- WMGM Rocks 103.7 FM and Golden Nugget presents Atlantic City Wing Fest on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The event includes all-you-can-eat wings from 21 South Jersey restaurants, craft beer, cocktails, contests and live music by The Billy Walton Band.  It is sponsored by Paris Produce.

2) Light of Day WinterFest 2026 Preview - (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- It's time for the annual Light of Day shows! A time when Asbury Park comes alive with music throughout the city -- everything from singer-songwriter to rock & blues to cover bands and tribute acts. It's a great time to check out new artists, see your favorites, and experience new venues. In addition to Asbury Park, there are shows at City Winery in NYC, John & Peter's in New Hope, Outpost in the Burbs, and Bob's Birthday Bash in Red Bank.

3) American Theater Group's Producing Artistic Director Jim Vagias to Retire at the End of the 2025-26 Season - (UNION, NJ) -- Jim Vagias, Producing Artistic Director and Co-Founder of American Theater Group, has announced that he will be stepping down at the end of this season.

4) New Hope and Lambertville Team Up for 2nd Annual Restaurant Week - (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Two of the most celebrated dining scenes in the greater Philadelphia and South Jersey region are firing up one of the most delicious collaborations of the winter months. The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce kick-off 2026 with the year's first official restaurant week. The 2nd Annual New Hope and Lambertville Restaurant Week returns from January 12 through January 25, 2026.




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5) Stunning documentary Portrait of a Monastery screens at the New Jersey Film Festival on January 24, 2026! - A moving meditation, Portrait of a Monastery is a stunning documentary on the Holy Cross Monastery in upstate New York. In it, we are taken through three seasons in the lives of these monks. We enter a space of cultivated peace and reflection—the monastery itself and the natural world surrounding it.  

6) Events This Week in New Jersey from January 13-19, 2026 - Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from January 13-19, 2026 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas. 

7) North Jersey Blues Society presents NJBS Showcase Series: Women in Blues on March 8th - (WEST MILFORD, NJ) -- The North Jersey Blues Society (NJBS) presents NJBS Showcase Series: Women in Blues on Sunday, March 8, 2026, coinciding with International Women’s Day, at the West Milford Elks Lodge. Doors open at 1:00pm, with music beginning at 1:30pm.

8) Magnolia Productions presents "Becky's New Car" by Steven Dietz - (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents Becky's New Car by Steven Dietz from January 16-18, 23-24, 2026 at the Navesink Library. The play asks the question: have you ever been tempted to flee your own life?

9) Aspire Performing Arts Company presents "Spring Awakening" - (FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company, an award-winning performing arts company based in Wayne, will present the groundbreaking rock musical Spring Awakening from January 23-25, 2026 at the Fair Lawn Community Center.

10) Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 01/15/2026 - "I'm doing fantabulous today. I'm from Berlin, Maryland, it's a very small town, one street light, lots of cops and everyone knows each other," chuckled young singer-songwriter Callum who will be making the trip up from the Terrapin state for two February shows, the first of which is at Flounder Brewing in Hillsborough, NJ and the second on February 22 at John & Peter's in New Hope, PA as part of Mike Montrey's Songwriter Showcase.

11) "Welcome to Hidden Tracks Records" - Boonton, NJ's Main Street has become a vibrant, revitalized historic downtown. Somewhere between the coffee houses, art studios and cozy cafes, you'll find Hidden Tracks Records, a welcoming spot for music discovery and community. Owners Shane and Michele Murphy have been able to manifest their passion for music and create a place where the love of vinyl and live music converge.

12) New Jersey Stage: Daily Edition 01-11-26 - 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!

13) Grunin Center for the Arts presents Cherish the Ladies on February 27th - (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Grunin Center for the Arts presents Cherish the Ladies on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Celebrating the incredible milestone of 40 years as one of planet's most heralded Irish music ensembles, Cherish the Ladies have won the hearts of audiences worldwide for their exhilarating blend of traditional Irish music, breathtaking vocals, and propulsive Irish step dancing, they have won the hearts of fans and critics alike.

14) Marie Rader Series Brings World-Class Bharatanatyam with Live Music to Rowan with Ragamala Dance Company: Sacred Earth - (GLASSBORO, NJ) – As its first show of 2026, Marie Rader Series presents Ragamala Dance Company: Sacred Earth, Saturday, January 31 at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Performed with live music, Ragamala's stunning Bharatanatyam dancers create a sacred space to honor the divinity in the natural world. Showtime is 7:30pm.

15) The Growing Stage's Studio Series presents an all youth production of "Charlotte's Web" - (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage's Studio Series presents an all youth production of Charlotte's Web from January 23-25, 2026. The Children's Literature Association named this "the best American children’s book of the past two hundred years," and Joseph Robinette, working with the advice of E.B. White, created a play that captures this work in a thrilling theatrical presentation.​​​​​​​



Following decades of experience in public relations and writing for the arts, New Jersey Stage was created to serve as the state’s arts newswire and provide affordable advertising for the arts (from $50-$100 per month).  The site has been redesigned around its Event Calendar and event preview articles.  The vast majority of these articles come from a monthly schedule that lets us cover every arts genre and region of the state on a regular basis with original coverage. These event preview articles get noticed when we first publish them and then get noticed again the week the event takes place. Our articles and event calendar pages are picked up by search engines and resources like Google News. We also accept press releases sent to [email protected]

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EVENT PREVIEWS

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Wise Animal Rescue presents Barknic, its biggest fundraising event of the year, on Saturday, August 8, 2026 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at Lackawanna Station in Montclair. Perfect for both pets and their humans, Barknic is an indoor, family-friendly, and animal-friendly celebration that brings together the NJ community for an afternoon of fun while supporting a meaningful cause. Guests can enjoy local vendors, music, interactive activities for dogs and their humans, unique photo opportunities, and the chance to meet adoptable pets from local rescue organizations.

Passaic County Fair Returns to Garret Mountain August 13–16

(WOODLAND PARK, NJ) -- The Passaic County Board of County Commissioners and Friends of Passaic County Parks, Inc. invite residents and visitors from across the region to the 2026 Passaic County Fair, running Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16 at Garret Mountain Reservation in Paterson/Woodland Park.
Create Spectacular Giant Puppets and More for the Illumination 250 Parade, the Largest Public Art Experience in Bergen County

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

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.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Buddy Guy

Saturday, August 08, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


Kat Riggins And Her Blues Revival

Saturday, August 08, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Saturday, August 08, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


New Brunswick Heart Festival

Saturday, August 08, 2026 @ 2:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


A Dance with Death: A 1950's Prom Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ


Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Saturday, August 08, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ



 

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