Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published on New Jersey Stage from September 13-129, 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 8 counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Sussex).
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1) Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Named Among Nation's Best for Dining and Entertainment - (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- /PRNewswire/ -- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City continues to position itself as a premier destination for award-winning dining and world-class entertainment, earning national recognition across several of its signature venues. From Kuro's acclaimed Japanese cuisine and Il Mulino's Old-World Italian fare to the star-studded performances at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, the resort's culinary and entertainment offerings continue to garner praise from leading industry and consumer publications.
2) Honest and Emotional Documentary The Bond That Broke Screens at the New Jersey Film Festival! - Some of the most difficult things passed down through families are the ones rarely spoken about. In The Bond That Broke, director Jeff Mizushima explores this through mother and daughter Kathi Ross-Nash and Dr. Zoe Ross-Nash, whose lives have both been shaped by eating disorders in very different ways. Kathi struggled with bulimia for decades, while Zoe became a clinical psychologist largely because of what she learned about her mother’s experience with an eating disorder. Their stories make them feel like two sides of the same coin.
3) Monmouth County Park System presents Wind & Sea Festival this Saturday - (PORT MONMOUTH, NJ) -- From kayaking to sandcastle building, the Monmouth County Park System's upcoming Wind & Sea Festival offers coastal activities the whole family can enjoy. Held on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 11:00am-5:00pm, this event takes place at Bayshore Waterfront Park in Port Monmouth. Visitors are invited to try fishing, crabbing, kite flying, seining, shell painting, and more!
4) 2026 Jersey City Music & Arts Festival to take place September 24th to October 3rd - (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- New Jersey Symphony presents the Jersey City Music & Arts Festival from Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, October 3, 2026 in the Powerhouse Arts District (Provost Street between Bay and Morgan Streets). Admission is free and open to the public.
5) Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie presents Joe Zook and Blues Deluxe on October 2nd - (TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie invites area music lovers to rock out to the sounds of Joe Zook and Blues Deluxe when the popular band takes the stage Saturday, October 2, 2026. Doors will open at 6:00pm for the 6:30pm to 9:00pm show. Transformed into a blues club with cafe seating, Trenton City Museum will set the stage for not only great music, but great food and beverages, too, which are included with reservations.
6) Teaneck International Film Festival names first recipient of Sandi Klein Creative Woman in Film Award - (TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF) has named filmmaker Luchina Fisher the first recipient of the Sandi Klein Creative Woman in Film Award, a new annual honor celebrating an exceptional woman whose work reflects the creativity, curiosity, integrity and commitment to social impact that defined Klein's life and her nearly two decades with the festival. The award includes a $1,000 grant. Fisher will receive the inaugural award at the TIFF screening of her film, The Dads, on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 2:30 pm at Teaneck Cinemas (503 Cedar Lane).
7) The Newton Theatre presents Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper - (NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 7:00pm.
8) Mountain Creek Resort hosts 42nd Annual Oktoberfest this weekend - (VERNON, NJ) -- Mountain Creek Resort, the New York Metro Area's premier destination for four-season mountain adventure, is welcoming the arrival of fall with a lineup of signature celebrations that bring together live entertainment, seasonal flavors and activities for the whole family. The festivities begin September 19-20, 2026 with the resort's 42nd Annual Oktoberfest, a long-standing tradition featuring an expanded selection of German beers, authentic cuisine and live entertainment at the base of the mountain.
9) The Newton Theatre presents Clay Aiken on February 28th - (NEWTON, NJ) -- Clay Aiken will perform at The Newton Theatre on Sunday, February 28, 2027 at 7:00pm. America first fell in love with Clay's extraordinary voice and undeniable charisma on the second season of American Idol. His journey on the show became a cultural phenomenon, drawing nearly 40 million viewers to the finale—one of the highest-rated live television broadcasts of the 21st century—and launching one of the most successful recording careers to emerge from the series.
10) Rutgers Symphony's 2026/27 Season Opens On September 20th - (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Symphony Orchestra's season opens on Sunday, September 20, 2026, with a concert at Nicholas Music Center featuring Viet Cuong's Ladders, commissioned by Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. Also: a performance of Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto, featuring Maureen Hurd Hause, associate director of the Music Department. Showtime is 5:00pm.
11) The 19th OSPAC Annual West Orange Jazz Festival to take place September 19th - (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- The 19th OSPAC Annual West Orange Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. The festival's lineup features Dion Parson & 21st Century Band, The Antoinette Montague Experience, The Jaleel Shaw Trio, Joe Locke Songs & Stories/ Solo Vibes, The Freddie Hendrix Experience & Fellowship, and The Montclair State University Jazz Ensemble Under the Direction of Dr. Oscar Perez and NJPAC TD Jazz For Teens Under the Direction of Mark Gross.
12) New Jersey Stage: Daily Edition 09-16-26 - 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) Dandy's World Gardenview Experience is coming to American Dream - (EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream, the premier entertainment and retail destination, continues to bring one-of-a-kind experiences to life, with its latest offering, Dandy's World Gardenview Experience, set to debut this fall. The first-of-its-kind activation for the Dandy's World IP, an extremely popular all-ages survival-horror experience on Roblox will take place at American Dream from October 7 through November 1, 2026, highlighting a festive American Scream calendar.
14) Events This Week in New Jersey from September 16-22, 2026 - Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from September 16-22, 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.
15) Trenton Ironhawks Unveil Jerseys Ahead Of Inaugural Season - (TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton's newest professional sports team, the Trenton Ironhawks officially unveiled their home and away uniforms for their upcoming inaugural season.
Step into the golden age of storytelling in music with Tom DiMenna as he brings to life the songs of Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens, and Harry Chapin. With rich vocals, masterful guitar work, and an engaging presence, this heartfelt concert blends beloved classics with the stories and spirit that defined a generation.
A live performance by Laurie Berkner! Get ready to sing and dance with the “queen of kids music” at Laurie Berkner’s “Greatest Hits” solo show.
A writer and an AI software designer battle to create the next great play in this cautionary tale about the impending intersection of technology and creativity.
Continuing to make musical history with every sold out performance around the world, legendary pop duo Air Supply is riding the wave of an eventful banner year in 2026, with concerts across North America, Australia, South America, Europe and Asia, a biopic in the works, an impending Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and – brace yourselves, devoted Airheads – A Matter of Time, their first studio album in 15 years.
This sensory friendly performance of “Skullduggery – A Magical Pirate Adventure” is specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. Learn more about UCPAC’s Sensory-Friendly Theatre performances.
