Articles By Carolyn M. Brown
Moore's Lounge Players Lead Spirited Jazz Jam Concert at SOPAC's Jammin' in the Loft
The Moore's Lounge Players, one of New Jersey's longest-running jazz jam bands, will head up an unforgettable jazz performance and the ultimate jam session as part of the "Jammin' in the Loft" series at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Wednesday, April 24, at 7 PM. Curated by Gregory Burrus Productions, "Jammin' in the Loft" is a series that takes the local music scene by force with an energetic experience of seeing talented local musicians perform up close and personal, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of friends, fans, and fellow musicians.
published on 04/11/2024
Danú Ensemble to Take New Jersey Audiences on a Musical Journey to Their Native Ireland
Hailing from the counties Waterford, Cork, Dublin, and Donegal in Ireland, Danú is one of today's leading traditional Irish music bands to traverse the global stage, playing standing room only concerts. For nearly 30 years, the ensemble has hosted high-energy performances around the world and has recorded ten critically acclaimed albums. Danú will take audiences on a memorable and moving musical journey to their native Ireland, performing a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and their biggest hits at Stockton University's Performing Arts Center main stage in Galloway, NJ, on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 2:00pm.
published on 03/07/2024
"Black Girl Magic" Celebrates the History and Accomplishments of Black Women Through Story and Song
Guided by the Ancestors, African Warrior Queens, a woman named Sister struggles to find a place of self-reconciliation and acceptance in the world as she is given a glimpse into the lives and legacy of Black women—past and present, young and old. This is the story behind "Black Girl Magic," a powerful show coming to West Windsor Township, NJ, hailing from the Underground Performing Arts Collective in Suffolk, Virginia. "Black Girl Magic" premieres at the Kelsey Theatre at Mercer Community College on Friday, March 1, 8 PM EST.
published on 02/22/2024
The Caribbean Musical Retelling of The Little Mermaid, "Once On This Island," Is Coming To South Jersey
A restaging of the Caribbean-infused musical "Once On This Island" is coming to the Levoy Theatre in Millville, New Jersey, running for four performances from February 9th through February 11th. Filled with immersive storytelling, the show is directed by Domonic Barnes and choreographed by Olivia Cruz. Conducting a live band is music director Bryan Broughton.
published on 02/08/2024
The New Jersey Festival Orchestra Usher in the New Year With 'The Great American Songbook' and 'Broadway Classics'
The New Jersey Festival Orchestra is ringing in the New Year with a superb revue from Golden Age classics to Broadway's greatest hits in glorious symphonic splendor. Joining in the festivities are soloists direct from the Broadway stage and dancers from the Dance Theatre of Harlem along with Maestro David Wroe and the orchestra as they swing to favorites from America's Great Songbook. There are two celebratory performances, one on New Year's Eve (Dec 31, 7 p.m.) at Westfield High School and the other on New Year's Day (Jan 1, 2:30 p.m.) at the Sieminski Theatre in Basking Ridge.
published on 12/22/2023
NJPAC To Host Forces of Nature Dance Theatre in Celebration of Kwanzaa
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is celebrating the Kwanzaa holiday this year with an African dance performance starring the acclaimed New York-based troupe Forces of Nature Dance Theatre on Saturday, Dec 23 at 3 p.m. in the Victoria Theater on the Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch Stage.
published on 12/23/2023
Newark Arts Festival 2023 To Celebrate 50 Years Of Hip Hop And Cross Cultural Perspectives
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, with celebrations planned nationwide. Keeping the momentum going this fall is New Jersey's largest city, as the Newark Arts Festival (NAF) 2023 will feature arts and culture events spanning all five wards of Newark from Wednesday, September 27 through Sunday, October 1. The free four-day festival is produced by Newark Arts in association with The Newark Museum of Art and is expected to attract thousands of artists, collectors, aficionados, and creatives.
published on 09/14/2023
CavanKerry Press Broadens the Reach of Poetry and the Experiences of a Diverse Group of Authors
Making sensitive or inconvertable topics more palatable to the general public is a big part of the mission of Fort Lee, New Jersey-based CavanKerry Press. As a not-for-profit literary press serving art and the community, CavanKerry is committed to expanding the reach of poetry by publishing works that explore the emotional and psychological landscapes of everyday life and bringing that art to underserved populations. With its LaurelBooks imprint, CavanKerry is especially engaged with work from people living with physical and/or mental illness and disability.
published on 08/24/2023
Out of the Park Exhibit Showcases Asbury Park Artists and Gallery Owners at the Monmouth Museum
Asbury Park is known for its art scene. Not readily known are the founders, directors, and curators behind the galleries responsible for managing exhibitions of the works of local artists. Many of these gallery owners are exhibited artists themselves. In celebration of the artistry and entrepreneurship of Asbury Park, the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft, New Jersey, is hosting "Out of the Park," an exhibition highlighting a group of multidisciplinary artists and gallery owners who helped define the cultural Renaissance of Asbury Park.
published on 07/20/2023
"Spring Awakening" Coming of Age Musical at Vanguard
Vanguard Theater will present the coming-of-age musical "Spring Awakening" from June 22 through July 16. A celebration of youth and rebellion, censorship and its consequences, "Spring Awakening" fuses issues of morality and sexuality with alternative rock music into an emotionally charged story.
published on 06/22/2023
The 43rd Annual New Jersey Governor's Awards in Arts Education To Honor Over 100 NJ Students and Educators
Over 100 students and arts educators will receive the state’s most prestigious award in arts education at the 43rd Annual New Jersey Governor's Awards in Arts Education celebration during Arts Ed NJ Day. The event will take place June 2 at 5 p.m. at the College of New Jersey and will honor those who have demonstrated excellence in and dedication to arts education. Over the past four decades, the Governor's Awards has highlighted New Jersey's most talented youth. Students of artistic disciplines as varied as dance, music, poetry, visual arts, speech, debate and theater have walked across the awards stage to receive their medal.
published on 05/18/2023
Two Planet- and Family-Friendly Performances at Rowan College in Honor of Earth Day
Rowan University's College of Performing Arts, home of the Marie Rader Presenting Series, will present two planet- and family-friendly performances April 23, the solar-powered mobile stage show "The Puppet Cycle: Small World Stories," followed by bestselling author and composer Dan Brown's "Wild Symphony," a presentation of nearly two dozen musical portraits drawn from the animal kingdom for young audiences.
published on 04/14/2023
Newark Artists and Prominent Actors to Celebrate Literary Legacy of Philip Roth During Weekend-Long Festival
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in collaboration with the Newark Public Library will present Philip Roth Unbound, a weekend-long festival that celebrates the life, legacy and work of novelist and Newark native. Over the course of three days, beginning Friday, March 17 and concluding Sunday, March 19, 2023, NJPAC will host a series of events, featuring more than 40 prominent writers, actors, artists, journalists and intellectuals in the nation. Designed to appeal to audiences of all backgrounds, the festival will feature star-studded stage readings, panel discussions and a comedy showcase. The program is designed to explore the significance and impact of Roth's unique literary legacy, using his writings as a springboard to explore broader questions about life in America today.
published on 03/09/2023
Black Women's Mural Raises Awareness About Black Suffragists, Celebrates Black Voices, and Sparks Community Pride
Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a prominent journalist and activist who fought tirelessly for women’s right to vote even though she is often left out of historical conversations about the women’s suffrage movement. Today her image graces a mural located in the heart of downtown Englewood, New Jersey, on the east-facing wall of the Women's Rights Information Center building at 108 W. Palisades Avenue. The painting was inspired by the 100th year anniversary of the 19th Amendment. “The Black Women’s Mural: Celebrating Black Suffragists and Black Women in Englewood” is meant to celebrate the achievements of Black women who paved the way for civil and women’s rights as well as serve as a beacon of pride and hope for young girls, Black women and the community-at-large in Englewood.
published on 02/03/2023
Singer-songwriter and Guitarist Danielia Cotton Returns to the Hopewell Theater With Her “Home For The Holidays” Show Dec. 17
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Danielia Cotton is returning to her hometown of Hopewell, New Jersey for the holiday season with a concert at the Hopewell Theater Saturday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m. With her big and bold vocals, Cotton has been compared to such iconic artists as Lenny Kravitz, Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. She has carved out a niche in the music industry with her own unique soulful-rock sound and uncompromising artistry, having shared the stage with the likes of Robert Cray, Bon Jovi and Gregg Allman.
published on 12/09/2022
