In October 2003, Gary Wien launched Upstage Magazine, a monthly print publication that covered the arts throughout Central New Jersey. The publication ultimately grew to 25,000 copies per month with distribution throughout much of the state. Upstage was well received critically and ultimately earned an Asbury Music Award for Top Music Publication in 2007, becoming the first publication other than The Aquarian to ever win the award. In addition, both the website and Wien picked up multiple Asbury Music Awards (for Top Website and Top Music Journalist) as well. Wien left the publication shortly afterwards, and Upstage ceased publishing a few months later.
In the months that followed, arts groups continued to submit press releases and materials. In 2008, Wien launched NewJerseyStage.com as a hobby to be an online news resource to continue coverage of the arts. Six years later, he decided to return to covering the arts full-time and redesigned the website to become a digital version of the old Upstage Magazine. On May 1, 2014, New Jersey Stage became a full-time resource covering the arts. On July 15, the first issue of New Jersey Stage digital magazine was released.
One year after New Jersey Stage Magazine was launched, Gary Wien was diagnosed with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. He uses the website and magazine as a way of fighting the disease each day. Over 35,000 articles have been posted since New Jersey Stage became official and 75 issues of the magazine were published until the pandemic of 2020 forced it to go on hiatus. Over 550,000 unique visitors come to the website each year.
The website is primary run by Wien, but it benefits from the work of writers like Danny Coleman, Bob Makin, Eric Hillis, Karen Nowosad, Al Nigrin, and Spotlight Central. All of the writers on the site are volunteers - a group who love the arts. New Jersey Stage aims to bring artists, organizations, and art councils together. In addition to regularly publishing original feature articles, interviews, and columns, we encourage organizations to send us press releases. New Jersey Stage considers itself the Garden State's Arts Newswire and home of original arts journalism.
As one of the leaders of the British Invasion, Peter Noone is one of the most recognizable pop stars of the 1960s. Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone scored over twenty Top 40 hits, such as “There’s a Kind of Hush,” “I’m Into Something Good,” and “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.”
Nat Adderley, Jr. spent 25 years as the Music Director for rhythm and blues singer Luther Vandross, but after Vandross passed away in 2005, Adderley, Jr., the son of trumpeter Nat Adderley and nephew of alto saxophonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, returned to his roots as a jazz pianist, mixing hard bop with R&B.
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.
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 available Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 5PM. This in-person screenings will be held in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ.
RENTAL EVENT -- As part of the VA New Jersey Health Care System’s Veterans Resilience Arts Trail for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, VA New Jersey Health Care System and OCC’s Veteran and Military Resource Center are proud to present The American Soldier.
"You, Me & Harry" offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the music of Harry Chapin, transcending the typical tribute show. By integrating lesser-known anecdotes and backstories with a captivating solo musical performance, this show delves into Harry Chapin's multifaceted career - not only as a singer-songwriter but also as a storyteller, filmmaker, and, most importantly, as a humanitarian. His music resonates deeply, embodying truth, emotion, and purpose.
Will Hoge has a career whose milestones include Number One hits, Grammy nods, major-label record deals, and hard-won independence. Years before Americana music received its own category at the Grammy Awards, Hoge was on the frontlines, helping to pilot and popularize the genre's blend of American roots music. In the current digital era dominated by influencers seeking shortcuts to stardom, Will Hoge proudly treads the scenic route, immersing himself in the journey rather than fixating on the destination.
Raised in the sewers of New York, bathed in radioactive ooze, and trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei Splinter, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael – are heroes in a half shell!
