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HACPAC's Gallery hosts Opening Reception for "Towards the Future" on Thursday

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 10/06/2026

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The public is invited to attend the opening reception of Towards the Future, a colorful and mesmerizing solo exhibition of works by artist, Gustavo Rojas, on Thursday October 8, 2026 from 6:00pm-9:00pm in The Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at HACPAC. Admission is free.

Gustavo Rojas is an American artist born in Bogotá, Colombia and currently living and working in Teaneck, New Jersey.  He studied art at the National University in Bogotá and graphic design at the SENA Institute. In New York he took courses at the renowned Art Students League and the Printmaking Workshop.  He also studied multimedia at New York University.

Gustavo is a painter, sculptor, printmaker and digital artist. He uses different techniques and tools in his artwork and specialized in airbrush for his acrylic paintings.  His sculptures are made in alabaster using only hand tools. Currently, he is dedicated to digital art creating complex paintings using software programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Painter.

Throughout his artistic career, Gustavo has had several solo exhibits and participated in many groups shows across the United States and in Colombia, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. His exhibits include the Newark Museum, the Biggs Museum of American Art, Hunterdon Arts Center, Pro Arts Jersey City (Curators Choice award) and Bergen Museum of Arts and Science.  One of his paintings traveled to six museums in the U.S. as part of the Expresiones Hispanas show sponsored by the Coors Company. He received aJerome Foundation Award for one of his etchings that is now part of the collections of the Brooklyn Museum and The Library of Congress.

In Colombia he has exhibited at the Museo Rayo, Museo de Arte Actual, Museo de Arte Contemporaneoand the Centro Colombo Americano. He participated in the VI Biennial of Latin American Etching in Puerto Rico and exhibited at the Museo de Arte Moderno in the Dominican Republic.





 

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“As an artist, I try to communicate messages about the world and my reality through my artistic interpretation. My work shows different ways of seeing and expressing feelings in our lives as influenced by the current world. From fantasies, social struggles, paths to follow, ideals to achieve, common moments and experiences that serve to communicate the varied relationships in human life.

"My work can be described as abstract with figurative elements that lead the viewer to find ideas expressed in the paintings.  Geometric lines in different perspectives are the characteristic element in my work and are present in all my paintings. I have created my own artistic language and unique vision to express how I see the universe and to communicate a message to the spectator. My work is not part of an artistic movement and has not been influenced by any specific artists.  

"The work that I am presenting in this exhibition is digital.  These digital paintings are created directly on the computer after a previous drawing I make with ink on paper.  The drawings allow me to capture spontaneous ideas which I then develop fully and in greater detail on the computer. 

"I welcome different interpretations of my work from the viewers.” - Gustavo Rojas

The Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery is located at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) at 102 State Street in Hackensack, New Jersey.




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Compagnie

Compagnie HERVE KOUBI

Tuesday, October 06, 2026
@ 7:30pm

State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ

Absolutely unique and utterly original, this fearless, powerful company reigns from France, Algeria, and beyond. Combining contemporary and urban dance movements, capoeira, and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography, the dancers defy gravity. Inspired by Algerian author Yasmina Khadra’s novel, What The Day Owes To The Night traces Koubi’s own personal lineage as a French-Algerian choreographer. After learning about his family’s Algerian roots, Koubi returned to the country of his ancestors to collaborate with streetdance performers from across the Mediterranean basin. What emerged is “a creation of poetic beauty” (The New York Times), a meditative yet strikingly athletic work about the ties that bind us.

 

A

A Beat of Our Own

There are multiple performances including:

Wednesday, October 07, 2026
@ 7:30pm

McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ

From the Tony Award-winning producers of Hadestown comes A Beat of Our Own — a brand-new musical comedy that pulls you straight into the pulsating rhythms, kaleidoscopic colors and raw energy of competitive bhangra dance. 

CLICK HERE to view all remaining performances.


Tom

Tom Papa: Grateful Bread Tour

Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 7:00pm

Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ

With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country, finding success in film, TV, radio and podcasts as well as on the live stage. He is a regular guest on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast and late-night TV shows.

 

The

The Moth Mainstage

Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 7:30pm

State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ

It’s a completely singular experience to be in the room and watch real people take the mic and share unforgettable stories from their own lives.

 

An

An Evening of Drink Flights and Tasty Bites to Benefit Union County Performing Arts Center

Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 6:00pm

Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ

Join us for our third annual Flight Night: An Evening of Drink Flights and Tasty Bites to Benefit Union County Performing Arts Center!

 

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EVENT PREVIEWS

(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.



Get a Fresh Take on Italian Classics with Food Network Star Joe Sasto on October 6th

Get a Fresh Take on Italian Classics with Food Network Star Joe Sasto on October 6th

(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.



Tony Award Winner Ali Stroker to Lead Basie Center Community Conversation on Mental Health and Well-Being

Tony Award Winner Ali Stroker to Lead Basie Center Community Conversation on Mental Health and Well-Being

(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.



Bisa Butler and Grammy-winner Durand Bernarr to Headline 2026 Newark Arts Festival

Bisa Butler and Grammy-winner Durand Bernarr to Headline 2026 Newark Arts Festival

(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.



Surflight Theatre presents "Deceived"

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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.



Spotlight Players presents "Murder at Blackwood Manor" - A Whodunit Mystery Fundraiser on October 7th

Spotlight Players presents "Murder at Blackwood Manor" - A Whodunit Mystery Fundraiser on October 7th

(MATAWAN, NJ) -- Spotlight Players presents Murder at Blackwood Manor - A Whodunit Mystery Fundraiser on Friday, October 7, 2026 at 7:00pm. There’s been a murder at Blackwood Manor... and everyone is a suspect. Join them for an interactive evening of murder, mystery, suspicious characters, hidden clues and some delightfully questionable behavior, all to support Spotlight Players and their upcoming productions.



East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast

East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The Martians are coming... to New Jersey! East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast from October 8 to November 1, 2026. The play was adapted by Joe Landry from the novel by H.G. Wells. It was inspired by and including the Mercury Theater on the Air's infamous 1938 radio play.



Vivid Stage presents "B.I.N.G.O" in October

Vivid Stage presents "B.I.N.G.O" in October

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present a new comedy from October 8-18, 2026 - B.I.N.G.O. (or Brittney Isle's Nice Geriatric Orgy) by Erin Mallon. In this workshop production, we meet Barb, who desperately needs friends, who has moved into a 55+ community.



State Theatre New Jersey presents The Moth Mainstage: TIGHTROPE on October 8th

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(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents The Moth Mainstage: TIGHTROPE on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. The Mainstage tour is The Moth's signature live show, featuring a carefully curated lineup of tellers—writers, artists, adventurers, community members, and unexpected voices—sharing true personal stories, told live and without notes.