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Daily Edition 09-19-26

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!



The Newton Theatre presents SoulShine - An Allman Brothers Experience on October 10th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents SoulShine - An Allman Brothers Experience on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 8:00pm. SoulShine is a group of seasoned New York musicians who, through their mutual love of the Allman Brothers Band, have united for the sole purpose of bringing you the ultimate Allman Brothers experience.



Monmouth County Park System to host Harvest Home Festival on September 27th

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- The Monmouth County Park System will host its Harvest Home Festival from 11:00am-5:00pm on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Reminiscent of an old-fashioned fair from the 1890s, this event features wagon rides, old-fashioned games, live entertainment, and craft demonstrations.



Wharton Performing Arts School Faculty Recital Comes to Plainfield on October 4th

(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Music lovers are invited to experience the artistry of the Wharton Performing Arts School (PAS) faculty at a free Faculty Recital on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (724 Park Avenue) in Plainfield. Showtime is 3:00pm.










FEATURED EVENTS


Deb Callahan Band

Saturday, September 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

Philadelphia’s own blues and soul powerhouse Deb Callahan has been captivating audiences since the late 90s. She’s lit up stages at top festivals including Monterey Bay Blues Fest (CA), Springing the Blues (FL), Bayfront Blues Fest (MN), Briggs Farm Blues Fest (PA), and WXPN’s XPonential Music Festival in Philly. Her sixth studio album Backbone dropped in March 2023 to rave reviews, international airplay, and a six-month run on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Blues Albums—peaking at #2. Often likened to Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, and Etta James, Callahan’s sound is unmistakably her own. Backbone was produced by Philly’s Chris Arms and recorded live at Morningstar Studios. Her previous release, Sweet Soul, was helmed by Grammy-winning producer Tony Braunagel and featured top-tier L.A. session players alongside longtime guitarist Allen James.





 

Comedy Night Live Featuring Nico Carney, Yvette Sagan, Josh Mandl, and host Vinnie Brand

Saturday, September 19, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ

Four great comedians, one night of laughs! Featuring Nico Carney (Late Night with Seth Meyers, Just For Laughs New Faces, and Netflix Is a Joke Festival), Yvette Segan (New York Comedy Festival and co-creator/star of Run Club: The Web Series), Josh Mandl (founder of Next Stop Comedy and creator of viral comedy videos with more than 1.5 million views), and your host Vinnie Brand (The Stress Factory Comedy ClubLast Comic Standing, and Comedy Central).


 

80s Kids

Saturday, September 19, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
Toms River, NJ

“HOLY JOHN HUGHES THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!”

 

Flawless

Saturday, September 19, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
Union, NJ

A writer and an AI software designer battle to create the next great play in this cautionary tale about the impending intersection of technology and creativity.

 

Flawless

Saturday, September 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
Union, NJ

A writer and an AI software designer battle to create the next great play in this cautionary tale about the impending intersection of technology and creativity.

 

Cheap Trick: All Washed Up Tour

Saturday, September 19, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ

Currently gearing up for their 50th anniversary year, Cheap Trick remain an indisputable, indispensable rock ’n’ roll institution, beloved everywhere for their instantly identifiable, hugely influential union of mischievous wit and maximum melodies, powerhouse pop hooks and razor-sharp riffs. Established almost half a century ago by Robin Zander (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick Nielsen (lead guitar), Tom Petersson (bass guitar), and Bun E. Carlos (drums), the Rockford, IL-based band has become part of the very fiber of American music, with more than 40 international Gold and Platinum certifications, myriad awards and industry honors, featured appearances on over 20 movie soundtracks, and total record sales now well in excess of 20M. Five decades on, Cheap Trick remains the same at its core as ever – four great guys, three great chords, and an unparalleled canon of tunes that will last an eternity, from “He’s A Whore,” “California Man” and “Dream Police” to “Surrender,”  “I Want You To Want Me” and the worldwide #1 hit single, “The Flame.”

 

The Bond That Broke - Online for 24 Hours!

Saturday, September 19, 2026 @ 12:00am
NJ Film Festival
New Brunswick, NJ

The 45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place between September 4-October 4, 2026. The Festival will be a hybrid as we will be presenting it online as well as doing select in-person screenings at Rutgers University. Almost all the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. VOD start times are at 12 Midnight Eastern USA. Each General Admission Ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person shows when both are offered. This program is only available Online for 24 hours on this show date!




 

VA New Jersey Healthcare System presents 1 Degree of Separation: A Funny Look at Depression and Suicide

Saturday, September 19, 2026 @ 7:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ

The VA New Jersey Healthcare System is pleased to present an evening of stand-up comedy to raise awareness of Veteran suicide. 1 Degree of Separation begins with stand-up comedy with four different comedians. Not mental health comedy. Just comedy. We just want you to laugh. Laughter changes your brain. In the second half of the show, the four comedians answer five questions about their own mental health.

 

Story Songs of the '70s featuring Tom DiMenna

Sunday, September 20, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
Manasquan, NJ

Step into the golden age of storytelling in music with Tom DiMenna as he brings to life the songs of Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens, and Harry Chapin. With rich vocals, masterful guitar work, and an engaging presence, this heartfelt concert blends beloved classics with the stories and spirit that defined a generation.

 

Laurie Berkner – Solo Show

Sunday, September 20, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ

A live performance by Laurie Berkner! Get ready to sing and dance with the “queen of kids music” at Laurie Berkner’s “Greatest Hits” solo show.



 





EVENT PREVIEWS

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

To narrow results by date, categories,
or region of New Jersey click here.
(NEPTUNE, NJ) -- The 13th anniversary Pound the Pavement for Purple 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk, presented by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners and the Neptune Township Committee in support of the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- The 19th OSPAC Annual West Orange Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. The festival's lineup features Dion Parson & 21st Century Band, The Antoinette Montague Experience, The Jaleel Shaw Trio, Joe Locke Songs & Stories/ Solo Vibes, The Freddie Hendrix Experience & Fellowship, and The Montclair State University Jazz Ensemble Under the Direction of Dr. Oscar Perez and NJPAC TD Jazz For Teens Under the Direction of Mark Gross.

(JACKSON, NJ) -- A joyous celebration of Spanish and Hispanic cultures in a dazzling display of beautiful traditional costumes and Flamenco dance and music by Alborada Spanish Dance Company will take place at the Jackson Branch of the Ocean County Library on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The event begins at 3:00pm.

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Golden Nugget Atlantic City presents The Rocket Man Show on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 8:00pm in The Grand. Crash land into your seat with this tribute show that stars Scotsman Rus Anderson - Elton John's official stunt & body double for various 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' world tour projects.

(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will celebrate the music, culture and community of the New Jersey Pinelands with its fourth annual Pinelands Heritage & Americana Fest on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The free outdoor festival runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm, with a rain date of Sunday, September 20.







LATEST FEATURES

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



(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Ailey II, the dynamic second company to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, are on a 27-city tour across the country that comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, September 25, 2026. The next generation of dance will present a riveting repertory featuring a world premiere by Ailey II's very own Artistic Director Francesca Harper in collaboration with Jermaine Spivey, mesmerizing new productions by Alvin Ailey and Ronald K. Brown, and cherished classics that showcase the company’s virtuosity. Showtime is 8:00pm.



(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- New Jersey Symphony presents the Jersey City Music & Arts Festival from Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, October 3, 2026 in the Powerhouse Arts District (Provost Street between Bay and Morgan Streets). Admission is free and open to the public.



(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Middletown Arts Center's Music Café returns on Sunday, September 20, 2026 with a terrific lineup of singer-songwriters: Paul During, Bill T. Midnight, Vito Natale and R.G. Evans. Enjoy an evening of original music, unique sounds and great performances from four talented artists.



(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Grunin Center for the Arts presents 80s kids on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 7:00pm. Get ready to turn up the nostalgia and sing your heart out — synthpop sweethearts Shannon Curtis and Jamie Hill are bringing their nationally touring hit show 80s kids to Toms River!







LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Mountain Walk" by The Beagles with Joy

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Mountain Walk," the third single from "Listen for a Moment," the new LP by The Beagles with Joy.


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 09/17/2026

"Yes, I'm in Montclair," said the incredible Lily Vakili as she talked about her two recent releases,her music and upcoming tour which kicks off on September 26 in Blairstown, NJ to support both. "Actually, "Oceans of Kansas" came out already; I'm still very much supporting and promoting that and it came out last year, that was a full LP and then this year, I released a live in studio EP called "Live Wire."


"Torn"

A crumpled-up piece of paper and a mangled sheet of metal have certain visual similarities. In both cases, rough circumstances have given strange new facets to machine-flattened material. That which was once uniform and controlled has been shot through with irregularity. It feels like a metaphor for life. A curator could put both pieces behind a vitrine and call that an exhibition.

* 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 09-19-26

Here is a look at the articles published on Thursday. The Daily Edition will be back on Monday with a recap of the articles published over the weekend.