(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company will open its 2026/27 season with an extraordinary evening of music, swing, and entertainment when internationally acclaimed Swedish performer Gunhild Carling takes the stage at the Sitnik Theatre on Saturday, September 12 at 7:30pm.
Known around the world as Sweden's "Queen of Swing, Jazz, and Vaudeville," Carling is a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and entertainer whose electrifying performances have captivated audiences across the globe. Bringing her distinctive blend of jazz, swing, funk, comedy, and vaudeville to Hackettstown, Carling promises to launch Centenary Stage Company's new season with an unforgettable night of live performance.
Born into the legendary Carling Family musical dynasty, Carling was surrounded by music from an early age, picking up her first instrument before she could walk. Today, she is an accomplished performer on an astonishing array of instruments, including trombone, trumpet, recorder, ukulele, piano, harmonica, and bagpipes. Her performances combine virtuosic musicianship with showmanship, humor, and the theatrical flair that has made her a worldwide sensation.
Advance tickets range from $32–$47 and are available for purchase online. Tickets are $5 more on the day of the performance. The performance takes place in the Sitnik Theatre at the Lackland Performing Arts Center, located at 715 Grand Avenue in Hackettstown, New Jersey.
Carling has amassed more than 70 million views on YouTube, building a global following that spans generations and musical tastes. Her appearances with Postmodern Jukebox introduced her dynamic performances to millions of viewers, while her residencies at New York City's renowned Birdland further established her reputation as a distinctive voice in the jazz world.
Her career has taken her to some of the world's most celebrated stages and festivals. She has toured with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, under the direction of Scotty Barnhart, and has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, as well as jazz festivals, clubs, and concert stages around the world.
Whether leading her own big band, performing in an intimate jazz club, or entertaining thousands at a major festival, Carling brings an extraordinary energy and personality to every performance. Her shows blend the timeless appeal of swing with the theatrical excitement of vaudeville, creating a live experience that is far more than a traditional concert.
"Gunhild Carling is an incredible way to begin our new season," said Christopher Young, General Manager of Centenary Stage Company. "She is an extraordinary musician and performer who brings tremendous energy, humor, and excitement to everything she does. We're thrilled to welcome her to Centenary and give our audiences the opportunity to experience her remarkable talent live."
The September 12 performance will officially launch Centenary Stage Company's 2026/27 Professional Season, featuring an exciting lineup of theatre, music, dance, and special events throughout the year.
The Centenary Stage Company Box Office is located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 1:00pm–5:00pm, and two hours prior to each performance.
The 2026/27 Season of Performing Arts at Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the Sandra S. Kupperman Foundation, the John and Margaret Post Foundation, the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and CSC corporate sponsors including Heath Village, Visions Federal Credit Union, Explore Warren, and the Hackettstown Rotary Club, along with the many members and supporters of Centenary Stage Company.
Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. And much like the artists who have influenced him, everyone from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to the singer-songwriter who is undoubtedly his greatest inspiration, Woody Guthrie, Paul weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and renders them as provocative works that are as timely as they are timeless. Born and raised in Maine, Paul attended Boston College on a track scholarship and in the evenings became a fixture on the city’s open mic circuit. After winning a Boston Acoustic Underground songwriter competition, he caught the ear of folk luminary Bill Morrissey, who produced his indie album Say Something in 1993. This led to a sevenalbum contract with Rounder Records and the 1994 album, Stories.
Samara Joy has emerged as one of the most captivating new voices in jazz, bringing a fresh perspective to a beloved tradition. With a sound that feels both rooted in history and uniquely her own, she has quickly drawn the attention of audiences and critics alike. Experience the artistry, warmth, and unmistakable brilliance of a true rising icon—live and in person.
To welcome Fall, renowned organist Ian Fraser will play a selection of Halloween inspired pieces on UCPAC’s “Biggest Little Wurlitzer,” our 1928 organ that is original to our beautiful Main Stage theater, in Illumination – A Haunted Concert by Candlelight!
The 45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place between September 4-October 4, 2026. The Festival will be a hybrid as we will be presenting it online as well as doing select in-person screenings at Rutgers University. Almost all the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. VOD start times are at 12 Midnight Eastern USA. Each General Admission Ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person shows when both are offered.This program is only available Online for 24 hours on this show date!
Musician and historian Bobby Horton combines storytelling, musicianship, history, and a genuine love for the people who settled this nation, fought for our future, and created a new nation in Patriot Songs of the American Revolution.
(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Music lovers are invited to experience the artistry of the Wharton Performing Arts School (PAS) faculty at a free Faculty Recital on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (724 Park Avenue) in Plainfield. Showtime is 3:00pm.
(CLARK, NJ) -- Waves of Education's 6th Annual Run Toward a Better Future 5K & Family Fun Event will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company will welcome internationally acclaimed Indian classical musician Ustad Shafaat Khan to the Kutz Theatre at the Lackland Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:00pm.
(NEW YORK, NY) -- NiCori Performing Arts Academy celebrates the next generation of musical theatre and cabaret talent on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Triad Theater. The NiCori Youth Cabaret Showcase features an extraordinary group of young performers sharing songs that inspire, challenge, and tell their unique stories. The event begins at 2:00pm.
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre presents a New Play Reading Series from October 5-14, 2026. Plays include Neither Snow Nor Rain by Erin Mallon; The Halal Brothers by Alaudin Ullah; and Sunshine Madness by Lori Fischer. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Compagnie Hervé Koubi in Sol Invictus on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 7:30pm. Sol Invictus is a contemporary dance work combining acrobatics, street dance, hip-hop, capoeira, and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography.
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- It's time to ditch the same boring recipes and bring big, playful creativity back into your kitchen! Join Top Chef finalist, Food Network star, and author Joe Sasto to explore his bestselling cookbook Breaking the Rules: A Fresh Take on Italian Classics in a virtual discussion on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, presented by the Ocean County Library. The event begins at 2:00pm.
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts welcomes Tony Award-winning actor, author and advocate Ali Stroker for a Community Conversation exploring mental health, well-being and the power of the arts on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at The Vogel. The event begins at 7:00pm.
(NEWARK, NJ) -- World-renowned artist Bisa Butler and Grammy Award-winning artist Durand Bernarr will headline the 2026 Newark Arts Festival, returning October 7–11 for five days of exhibitions, music, performance, artist conversations, family programming, open studios and late-night arts experiences across Newark.