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The Newton Theatre presents All You Need Is John - The Music of John Lennon

(NEWTON, NJ) -- All You Need is John - The Music of John Lennon comes to The Newton Theatre on Thursday, February 11, 2027 at 8:00pm. This show celebrates his music from The Beatles, through his astonishing solo work.



SOHO International Film Festival to World Premiere "Jesus Land" on October 12th

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Jesus Land, written and directed by Saila Kariat, will have its World Premiere on Monday, October 12, 2026 at the 2026 SOHO International Film Festival (SIFFNYC). The film, which stars Juliette Lewis and Ella Anderson, will screen as the Closing Night film at Regal Union Square Theater 12 as the festival heads into its October 13 Awards Gala. Showtime is 8:30pm.



Atlantic City Ballet to make Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Debut with "Dracula"

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- For the first time, Atlantic City Ballet's Dracula comes to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Sound Waves. The performance welcomes audiences ages five and older for a wickedly unforgettable start to Halloween weekend. Guests are invited to dress up and enter the costume contest, with prizes awarded at the show. Showtime is 7:00pm.



"New Jersey Rock: Bands of the '80s, '90s, and '00s" by Michael Gilligan

Between 1980 and 2010, Garden State music transformed from the soul-infused "Jersey Sound" into a worldwide powerhouse for stadium rock, indie rock, thrash metal, and hardcore. From the bars of the Shore to the basements of New Brunswick, thousands of bands emerged. New Jersey Rock: Bands of the '80s, '90s, and '00s by Michael Gilligan. tries to list them all!



Temple Emeth's Jewish Experiential Museum presents Carol Hamoy: Alternative Histories

(TEANECK, NJ) -- Temple Emeth's Jewish Experiential Museum is delighted to announce its upcoming exhibition, Carol Hamoy: Alternative Histories showcasing the evocative works of artist Carol Hamoy. The exhibition opens on Friday, October 23, 2026, with a reception following Shabbat services that begin at 8:00pm. On Sunday, November 15, beginning at 1:00pm, Hamoy will give a presentation focusing on the trajectory of her work.



Picture Middlesex County Contest Returns for Fall 2026

Middlesex County's popular photo contest, Picture Middlesex County, is back for the fall season, inviting residents to showcase life and nature across Middlesex County through photography and videography. Submissions will be accepted until Thursday, November 19, 2026. The winning photos and videos, selected by a panel of judges, will be publicly displayed at future County events and featured in marketing materials.



Four Great Concerts Coming to MPAC This Fall

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- This fall, four acts that defined the sound of the 80s, 90s and beyond take the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) stage this Fall. Four concerts, four different genres, but one common theme: enduring music, performed live and as powerful as ever. Toad the Wet Sprocket strips their alt-rock radio staples down to an intimate acoustic set. The Mavericks come together for a heartfelt tribute to the late Raul Maolo, the voice behind their legendary sound. Geoff Tate, the voice of Queensryche, performs the progressive metal landmark Operation: Mindcrime in its entirety. And 10,000 Maniacs continue to deliver the poetic, lush songs that took them from college-radio royalty to the top of the charts.



Montclair Art Museum announces Fall Fundraiser: Art Uncorked

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) has announced the return of Art Uncorked on Friday, November 6, 2026. The Museum's signature fall fundraiser combines an unforgettable cocktail party with a curated silent art auction. Inspired by the Pacific Northwest, this year's event features exceptional wines and craft beers from the region paired with market hall fare, alongside artwork from 40 celebrated artists across a wide range of price points.



The Theater Project to present a reading of "Domestic Blitz" on October 17th

(CRANFORD, NJ) -- Domestic Blitz, Stephanie Griffin's farce about exhausting family dynamics, is up next in The Theater Project's 2026 New Play Readings series and scheduled on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Cranford Community Center's 110-seat theater. Admission is free, with no registration required. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Daily Edition 10-07-26

Here is the morning update from New Jersey's arts newswire. We regularly publish between 8-15 new articles and news reports each day. Nobody covers the Arts throughout the Garden State like New Jersey Stage!










FEATURED EVENTS


A Beat of Our Own

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. 



 

Tom Papa: Grateful Bread Tour

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
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.



 

A Beat of Our Own

Thursday, October 08, 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. 



 

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 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!

 

Vivid Stage presents B.I.N.G.O. (or Brittney Isle’s Nice Geriatric Orgy)

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Oakes Center
Summit, NJ

Barb desperately needs friends. That’s why she moved to this 55+ community in the first place. So what better way to meet new people than to join a good old fashioned Bingo Night? When Bingo Night turns into a full-blown orgy, Barb must decide: does she stay in her safe, predictable world? Or does she play a new game of chance and truly live before it’s too late?

 

Halloween Handbags & Bingo

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
Middletown, NJ

Join us for a hauntingly fun night of Handbags & Bingo featuring Cash Prizes and Designer Handbag Raffles!

 

ReelAbilities: ReelShorts: Beyond Expectations

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 10:00am
Kean Stage - NAAB Auditorium
Union, NJ

ReelAbilities authentically showcases disability experiences and talent both on screen and behind the camera through award-winning short and feature-length films. Each screening at Kean University includes disability-led discussions that foster community dialogue, challenge stereotypes and promote access — fulfilling ReelAbilities’s mission of reframing disability through powerful storytelling.

 

ReelAbilities: Disposable Humanity

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Kean Stage - NAAB Auditorium
Union, NJ

ReelAbilities authentically showcases disability experiences and talent both on screen and behind the camera through award-winning short and feature-length films. Each screening at Kean University includes disability-led discussions that foster community dialogue, challenge stereotypes and promote access — fulfilling ReelAbilities’s mission of reframing disability through powerful storytelling.

 

ReelAbilities: Opening Night: Lone Wolves

Thursday, October 08, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Kean Stage - NAAB Auditorium
Union, NJ

ReelAbilities authentically showcases disability experiences and talent both on screen and behind the camera through award-winning short and feature-length films. Each screening at Kean University includes disability-led discussions that foster community dialogue, challenge stereotypes and promote access — fulfilling ReelAbilities’s mission of reframing disability through powerful storytelling.

 





EVENT PREVIEWS

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

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or region of New Jersey click here.
(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.

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents Deceived from October 7-11, 2026. Based on the original play, Gaslight, by Patrick Hamilton, Deceived is a psychological thriller that will leave audiences on the edge of their seat.

(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.

(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.

(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.







LATEST FEATURES

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



(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Oliver! across two weekends from October 16-25, 2026. A beloved musical based on Charles Dickens' timeless novel, Oliver! tells the story of a young boy searching for home and belonging.



(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Dunbar Repertory Company presents Ntozake Shange's FOR COLORED GIRLS Who have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf at the Middletown Arts Center across two weekends from November 7-15, 2026. This is the groundbreaking "choreopoem" – a spellbinding collection of vivid prose and free verse narratives about and performed by Black women. The production is directed by Darrell Lawrence Willis, SR.



If you're looking for something fun to do this Halloween season, The Wag has the show for you. Bring your family and friends to The Wag's Halloween Spectacular! They're bringing the show to Middletown, Lakewood, and Tuckerton in the next few weeks.



(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) presents Broadway's Rock of Ages Band in Concert on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 8:00pm. They will be supported by The 1970s Midnight Rock Show.







LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "The Only Man to Make It Through the Dance" by Jake Thistle

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "The Only Man to Make It Through the Dance" from "A Stranger By Design," the latest album by Jake Thistle.


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 10/01/2026

What do you call a rocker by night who pays tribute to multiple classic rock bands and someone who has done children's music during the day? You call him Paulie Z that's what.


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "In Another Life" by Deardarkhead

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "In Another Life" from "The Pendulum Swings," the first album in 26 years from the Atlantic City rockers Deardarkhead.

* Events This Week in New Jersey

* This Week in Music

* This Week in Theatre

* Top 15 Most Read Stories from the Past Week




Daily Edition 10-07-26

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.