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.
Since bringing home the Gold and Silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Laurie Hernandez has gone on to win the coveted Mirror Ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 23 and her first book titled “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond” chronicling her journey thus far was published in 2017, hitting the New York Times Best Sellers list. In 2018, she released a children’s picture book “She’s Got This,” also a New York Times Best Seller, while serving as a Literary Champion to promote readership as a path to leadership, and Mattel created Laurie Hernandez “Shero” Barbie to honor her.
A rare conversation on what matters most. We struggle to stay present. We wait for the world to become peaceful. And too often, we feel powerless to change any of it. What if power, presence, and peace are closer than we think? What could power, presence, and peace actually look like in your life?
UCPAC invites children in Pre-K through third grade and their families to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Join us for story time with classic books read in both Spanish and in English by community leaders. Pages from the books will be projected onto our screen, as well as read aloud. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
Superstar saxophonist Kenny G has been a staple in pop and contemporary jazz since the 1980s, with crossover hits such as “Songbird” that have made him a favorite of fans worldwide who love his expressive melodies and emotional solos.
Celebrate back-to-school season with a magical Kids Night Out inspired by Matilda! Kids will enjoy themed crafts, exciting games, pizza, drinks, snacks, and fun activities that spark imagination.
The iconic British reggae band performs classics (“Red Red Wine,” “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do”) alongside brand-new tracks from their new studio album.
Created by Carl Palmer and his management, the tour is presented with the full cooperation of the Estates of Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. This is not a tribute act – This is the real thing.
