(FLEMINGTON, NJ) -- New Jersey native John Gorka will perform at Stangl Stage on Friday, December 4, 2026 at 8:00pm. Gorka is widely regarded as one of the leading voices to emerge from the contemporary folk revival of the 1980s.
Raised in New Jersey and musically shaped in eastern Pennsylvania, he came into his own at the Godfrey Daniels coffeehouse in Bethlehem, where a steady stream of touring artists helped spark his development. With a rich baritone voice and a gift for blending humor, empathy, and vivid detail, Gorka quickly established a songwriting style that feels both intimate and timeless.
Gorka's national breakthrough came after being named a finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk competition, leading to a recording contract and a series of acclaimed albums. Early releases I Know and Land of the Bottom Line introduced his sharply observed characters and understated wit, while subsequent recordings such as Jack’s Crows, The Company You Keep, and True in Time deepened his reputation for craftsmanship and emotional range. His 14th studio recording, unentitled, continues that tradition and reflects his seasoned perspective while retaining the warmth and insight that have long defined his work. Released in 2025, unentitled is testimony that the songwriter's work endures not because it chases trends, but because it speaks plainly and honestly.
Gorka's career also has been closely associated with a circle of influential singer-songwriters. He has shared stages with songwriting greats Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin and many others. And, most notably, the folk supergroup Red Horse - consisting of Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky and Eliza Gilkyson - toured extensively behind the folk radio chart topping album of the same name. These relationships have helped place him firmly within a lineage of artists dedicated to the art of songwriting. Through his dry humor and generous musical spirit, John Gorka continues to connect with audiences by deftly balancing poignancy and levity.
General admission is $39.70; table seating is $55. Tickets are available for purchase online. The venue is located at 4 Stangl Road (Next to Factory Fuel and Blue Fish Grill) in Flemington, New Jersey.
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Kean Stage - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
Union, NJ
Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
