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2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Middle Life Director Pavan Moondi

Here is Festival Director Al Nigrin’s interview with Pavan Moondi. Pavan is the director and writer of the terrific Canadian feature film Middle Life. Middle Life screens with two shorts at the New Jersey International Film Festival on Saturday, May 30, 2026.



Rick Michel LIVE! at PNC Bank Arts Center

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Las Vegas headliner Rick Michel performing at the PNC Bank Arts Center on May 12, 2026.



Lemar Kim presents First U.S. Solo Exhibition "HELLO WORLD" at ACC Gallery

(TENAFLY, NJ) -- Visual artist Lemar Kim will present her first U.S. solo exhibition, HELLO WORLD, at ACC Gallery from May 26 through June 6, 2026. This exhibition brings together her signature character works and paintings, featuring a diverse range of artworks including paintings, digital print editions, and installation elements that showcase the breadth of her artistic expression.



Montclair Art Museum Names Kate Kraczon Chief Curator

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) has announced the appointment of Kate Kraczon as Chief Curator, effective June 15, 2026, marking a significant step in the Museum's vision for its next chapter. A nationally respected curator with more than two decades of experience leading contemporary art institutions, Kraczon will help shape an ambitious curatorial program centered on artistic excellence, contemporary relevance, and meaningful community connection.



NJ State Council on the Arts Announces New Partnership with NJ Department of Veterans Affairs through National Arts Grant

(TRENTON, NJ) -- During a New Jersey State Council on the Arts public meeting on May 19, 2026, the Council announced a new partnership with the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs focused on serving older adult residents of veterans homes through high quality arts learning programs. Evidence shows that creative engagement improves health outcomes, strengthens social bonds, and increases quality of life — all driving factors behind the competitive national grant program supporting this work.



Jersey Arts Podcast: Assimilation, Immigration, and the Dance-Nation within West Side Story

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- "West Side Story" is making its way to the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn this May and we could not be more excited. If you're unfamiliar with the classic tale, we suggest you buckle up and get ready for an evening of music you’ll be singing all the way home, and likely for the foreseeable future.



Maurer Productions to Hold Auditions for "Midnight at the New Dawn" June 6-7

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Maurer Productions OnStage and the newly formed Maurer TheaterWorks have announced a special co-production partnership — in association with Kelsey Theatre — for the world premiere of Midnight at the New Dawn. The ensemble comedy, written and directed by Dan Maurer, will hold open auditions on June 6-7, 2026.










EVENT PREVIEWS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY | KIDS

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(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- The Asbury Park Theater Company presents Thornton Wilder's Our Town across two weekends from May 21-31, 2026 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Described by Edward Albee as "the greatest American play ever written"- it is one of the defining plays of American theater. The production is directed by Bailey Dumlao.

(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents a reading of "The Best Most Super Fantastic Hiking Tour" by Fay Corinotis on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. Admission is free ($10 cash donation suggested).

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bruce Eric Kaplan, writer, cartoonist and executive producer, will receive the Maplewood Literary Award on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Maplewood Memorial Library. The event begins at 7:00pm. Admission is free and open to the public.







LATEST FEATURES

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY | KIDS

Jersey Arts Podcast: Assimilation, Immigration, and the Dance-Nation within West Side Story




Behind the Scenes as Misfits Theatre Co. prepares for their Inaugural Book Musical Production: "She Loves Me"

(MATAWAN, NJ) — Misfits Theatre Co. is currently rehearsing for their inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me, which will be presented July 10-12, 2026 at Matawan Regional High School. Photographer John Posada was at a rehearsal to take photos.




2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Sundays Director Ashley Gerst

Al Nigrin, Executive Director and Curator of the New Jersey International Film Festival, sits down at EBTV with Ashley Gerst -- Director and Animator of the film Sundays for a filmmaker interview. Sundays will be screened on Saturday May 30, 2026.




MPAC presents comedian Janelle James

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Janelle James, who stars in the scene-stealing role of "Ava Coleman" in the Emmy-nominated ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary, performs an evening of stand-up comedy at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 8:00pm.




The Vogel presents BobFest on May 28th

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents BobFest on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is the music of Bob Dylan presented in the round Nashville style by John Cruz, Steve Delopoulos, Pat Guadagno, Renee Maskin, Rob Paparozzi, and Anne Hills.




Brian Erickson Offers New Cover Album - "Others' Songs"

On June 5, 2026, Brian Erickson will issue Others' Songs, the follow up to 2025's dual releases Everyday Sketches and its AP Music Awards Album of the Year-nominated companion, Everyday Forever (Brian's Version). How does one follow a windfall of such critical riches? If you're Brian Erickson, the answer is simple: with a sharp, unexpected turn! 




2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel

Here is the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel featuring Festival Director Al Nigrin and Filmmakers Owen Andrejco, Myra Sito Velasquez, Evan Bode, and Heidi Kumao.




Vivid Stage presents ​2026 Vivid Summer Solos

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage has announced the lineup for 2026 Vivid Summer Solos - performances outside on the lawn of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. The weekly play reading series takes place each Wednesday in July. This year includes readings of Fair State by Megan Gogerty, Long Drive Home by Stephen Kaplan, Maker of Worlds by Wendy Schmidt, and The Call List by Brian James Pollak.













Makin Waves Song of the Week: "ICE SS" by Sally Draper

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "ICE SS" by the Central Jersey punk act Sally Draper.



Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 05/15/2026

"I'm alright, very good thank you," began musician and author David Marx who has recently released a new book about the rock band XTC titled, "XTC: I Am The Audience" (Sorrento Books). 



* Events This Week in New Jersey

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DAILY EDITION

Here is a look at the articles published yesterday. The Daily Edition comes out Monday through Friday with a recap of articles published Friday through Sunday on Mondays.