NJSO Youth Orchestras student composition to premiere at Spring into Music Gala on May 12

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra celebrates the 30th anniversary of the NJSO Youth Orchestras and highlights the program’s talented students at the virtual Spring into Music Gala on May 12. The event features a free NJSO concert available to the public and a VIP pre-show party for gala supporters.

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Cape May Stage Presents a Virtual Reading of "My General Tubman" on April 16

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents a virtual reading of My General Tubman by Lorene Cary on April 16 at 6:00pm. Directed by Andrew Binger, this is a beautiful and exciting new play about the complex journey of Harriet Tubman and the impact she continues to have today.

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Paper Mill Playhouse To Stream "Pete 'n' Keely"

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse continues its 2020 -2021 season with Pete ’n’ Keely, a musical comedy about a divorced singing duo who reunite for a television special in 1968, packed with jazzy standards, torch songs, comedic showpieces, and tender sentiment. The play will be available for streaming from April 17 through May 1st.

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NJPAC Presents Online Stream Of The Decemberists 20th Anniversary Celebration

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents The Decemberists 20th Anniversary Celebration, a virtual event on Sunday April 18 & April 25, 2021 at 8:00pm and will be available to view On-Demand for two weeks following the stream. Join The Decemberists for two special virtual performances — each with their own unique setlist.

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Princeton Symphony Orchestra Presents 4th Concert In Online Buskaid

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will present the fourth concert in its online Buskaid – A Musical Miracle series showcasing South Africa’s renowned Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble. Curious Creatures and a Heavenly Harp will be available on demand Friday, April 30 - Sunday, May 2. Performed works include Capriccio Stravagante by Carlo Farina, Claude Debussy’s Danse sacrée et danse profane with guest harpist Jude Harpstar, and Felix Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No. 10. Buskaid-trained violinist Mzwandile Twala performs Fritz Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro. Completing the musical array are beloved pop songs and dynamic kwela music. Buskaid founder Rosemary Nalden conducts.

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Centenary Stage Company’s Women Playwrights Series kicks off With "Atlas The Lonely Gibbon" On April 14

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company’s Women Playwrights Series kicks off its Spring 2021 reading series with Deborah Yarchun’s Atlas the Lonely Gibbon on Wednesday, April 14 at 7:30pm in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Admission to the WPS event is by donation and advance reservations are highly encouraged as seating is assigned and limited.  A minimum $5.00 donation is required to reserve in advance. 

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Music Producer Carmen Verderosa To Be Celebrated in WDVR-FM Radio Show on April 21

(RARITAN, NJ) -- Musicians representing 15 acts from New Jersey will perform in a tribute radio broadcast on April 21 to honor Carmen Verderosa, an accomplished sound engineer, music producer and owner of Woodrock Studios LLC. Verderosa of Lebanon, N.J. was 54 years old when he passed away from Covid-19 in February.

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WSOU Inducts Three Into Its Hall of Fame On April 14

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- To celebrate the arrival of spring and another milestone in its storied history, Seton Hall University’s WSOU 89.5 FM will celebrate its 73rd birthday by inducting three new alumni into its legendary Hall of Fame on April 14, 2021. Starting at 7:00pm, Dave Packer ’88 and Cristina Del Giorno ’88 will be Hall of Fame honorees in this long-awaited virtual celebration. In addition, Victoria Haffner will also be presented with the WSOU Distinguished Young Alumna Award.

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"Kicks & Losers" First Season To Launch This Summer

(HOLLYWOOD, CA) -- Sneaker culture and its related industries brought in over $76 billion with a B in 2020, and that's just growing. As a result, content creators like Paul Beniamin and his company Like Father Films are finding their foothold in the streaming space by developing titles that serve that incredibly lucrative fan base. Beniamin's independently produced scripted series Kicks & Losers, a fresh narrative told through the lens of an aspiring sneaker designer, follows the sneaker customizer and his struggles to become a household name.

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SOPAC To Hold Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser May 1-2

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- SOPAC will hold its new Spring fundraiser, a Scavenger Hunt, during the weekend of May 1- 2. Players ages 5-105 are welcome from near and far to enjoy a weekend of fun activities that will be ‘Covid-friendly,’ while also raising funds needed to support SOPAC fight the devastating impacts of the pandemic. 

Anthony Walker Talks About His Return To Music & More

In 2008, a solid bunch of demo songs led to When Strangers Say Hello, the full length debut of Anthony Walker, a roots artist from New Brunswick.  That album included wonderful tracks like "Darlene", "The Year of the Flood", and "Lucky Numbers" - the first two showcasing a lyrical ability far beyond his years, the latter hinting at the full band sound to come.  A three-track EP was released in 2010, followed by This City Won't Sleep - another full-length which came out a year a later.

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A Hero for These Times - Camden Comic Con Goes Virtual

There's never been a better time for a superhero. Luckily, Camden Comic Con is here to save the day. Started at Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts in 2014, this celebration of all things graphic, illustrated, and heroic is going virtual this year due to the pandemic, but its powers remain strong. Jesse and Dave talk to some of the organizers behind this increasingly popular event to find out how this year's convention came together.

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Hard Questions about Class, Race, Education, and Duty Raised in SCTC's "Pipeline"

Like arts and cultural organizations everywhere, the South Camden Theatre Company faced countless challenges during these last 12+ months. Their 2020 season had been planned as a dual celebration – to mark the 15th anniversary of the SCTC’s beginnings at Sacred Heart Church and the 10th anniversary of their move to The Waterfront South Theatre at 400 Jasper Street. But after staging one show, Abigail/1702: A Twice Told Tale, in February of 2020, the decision was made to postpone the rest of the season.

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Taylor Tote On "21 Min Drive"

In late March, Taylor Tote released an EP called "21 Min Drive" -  a collection of contemporary songs unlike any of Tote’s past work. Joining forces with producer and songwriter, Russell Hayden, the EP delivers a new and exciting sound for Tote.

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2021 New Jersey International Film Festival To Take Place Online June 4-13

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, presents the 2021 New Jersey International Film Festival from June 4 - 13, 2021. The festival, which celebrates its 26th anniversary, showcases new international films, American independent features, experimental and short subjects, classic revivals, and cutting-edge documentaries.  Screenings will take place virtually on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Staying true to the festival experience, they will have interviews and Q&A sessions online with film directors, producers, and actors. 

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Chris Rockwell Talks About Soup Can Magazine

There are certain people around the state that New Jersey Stage likes to keep an eye on and Chris Rockwell is one of them.  He's a spoken word poet and hip-hop artist from the Jersey Shore who has organized cultural events throughout the tri-state area for over a decade. His latest project is called Soup Can Magazine, a printed publication featuring poetry and art which will be published quarterly. We reached out to him to learn more about the magazine.

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A Look At The Nobodies

During a visit to "The Brighton Bar" in Long Branch, NJ, in late March 2021, this young energetic band drew my interest. Founded in 2019, The Nobodies are an Asbury Park- based four-piece rock band made up of these four rockers: Vocals/Guitar: Tanner Grigoli; Lead Guitar: Andrew Warade; Drums: Jason Stern; Bass: Ben Jackson

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"C'mon!" Spotlight on Buffalo Springfield and Poco's Richie Furay

Richie Furay is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who, in the mid-1960s, formed Buffalo Springfield with several other up-and-coming musicians including Stephen Stills and Neil Young. Buffalo Springfield’s biggest hit, “For What It’s Worth,” became an anthem for the 1960s, but the band’s three albums — all recorded in the span of just two years — consisted of additional outstanding material, notably Furay’s original composition, “Kind Woman.” Furay’s crisp, clean vocals earned him the nod as the group’s lead singer and, as such, it is his voice which carries many of Neil Young’s early songs.

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Rahway In National Competition For "Best Small Town Art Scene"

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- A panel of travel experts and editors from 10Best and USA TODAY, have chosen Rahway as a nominee for their 2021 10Best Readers' Choice award for “Best Small Town Art Scene”.  Rahway is up against some tough competition, but it has been developing its arts and business scene for over two decades and has become a regional hub for creativity and innovation. 

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McCarter Theatre’s "The Manic Monologues" Rises to an Ambitious Agenda in Virtual Theatre Programming and Mental Health Advocacy

Enter the virtual space to experience McCarter Theatre’s The Manic Monologues and, accompanied by gentle music, you approach a mobile of silhouettes—a dancer, a sax player, athletes, a woman carrying an umbrella. Click the silhouettes to see their stories performed.

Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 04-10-21

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.

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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...4/8/21

Thee Holy Brothers are comprised of two mainstays; Johnny B Holy aka Willie Aron and Buddy Holy aka Marvin Etzioni and this pair of experienced musicians have a long history both on and off the stage; no matter who may join them.

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Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 04-03-21

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.

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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...4/1/21

Very few people know the meaning of passion, let alone understand the sacrifices required to follow it but musician, singer-songwriter, podcaster, activist and author Danny Rongo not only understands; he has made it a way of life.

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Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 03-27-21

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.

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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...3/25/21

Emily James began what is a very promising career by writing her first music at the tender age of just 10 years old. Claiming influences ranging from classic rockers like Bob Dylan and Fleetwood Mac to recent pop such as Adele; James is that rare combination of driven and passionate yet possesses a softness that makes her the real deal; genuinely likeable with innocence that draws one to her like moths to a flame.

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Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 03-20-21

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.

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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...3/18/21

The unexpected passing of guitar great Larry Coryell caught the jazz world off-guard leaving many in shock and disbelief. Widely considered to be one of the most innovative and greatest players of all-time, Coryell is often credited as one of the founding fathers of the jazz fusion genre and as the saying goes; "Often imitated and never duplicated." 

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Radio Jersey Shows For Week Ending 03-13-21

Here are the radio programs aired by Radio Jersey and Beyond the Palace this week. Radio Jersey shows air Monday through Friday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on ThePenguinRocks.com and Beyond the Palace airs throughout the week. Both shows are hosted by Lee Mrowicki and are also available on demand.

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Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...3/11/21

 Shaw Davis & The Black Ties; if you haven't heard of this trio from Pompano Beach, Florida, don't worry you will.