Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage From August 13-19, 2023



Here’s a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from August 13-19, 2023. Each week we publish about 70 articles, including several original columns and features, along with news releases for events happening throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week’s top 15 includes articles from 6 counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Monmouth, and Ocean) and includes stories about art, community, music, theatre with five original features.

1) Newark to Hold Annual Latin Festival on Sunday – (NEWARK, NJ) — Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement Jacqueline Quiles, and the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery (OVPTR) will host the Annual Latin Festival on Sunday, August 20, from noon to 10:00pm, on Bloomfield Avenue between Lake Street and Clifton Avenue, in Newark’s North Ward. This year’s event is being presented as an opportunity for citywide anti-violence organizations to raise awareness for domestic violence prevention, with speakers sharing personal stories of transformation from the stage.

2) NJPAC Announces Lineup for Horizon Sounds of the City 2023 – (NEWARK, NJ) — New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced the annual Horizon Sounds of the City 2023, a FREE live summer concert series taking place under the stars during the summer every Thursday Night from July 13 – August 17 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm on the NJPAC Campus at Chambers Plaza.

3) Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin performance to benefit Make-A-Wish New Jersey – (SPRING LAKE, NJ) — On Saturday, September 2, 2023, Spring Lake Community House & Theatre will host an exciting, one-night only performance, A Night At The Sands… Starring Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin. The one-act live on-stage event will benefit Make-A-Wish New Jersey, whose mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. There will be a Cocktail Hour at 6:30pm with the performance beginning at 7:30pm.

4) Makin Waves Song of the Week: “See My Friends” by The Grip Weeds – “See My Friends,” one of two contributions by the Highland Park-based power-pop outfit The Grip Weeds to the brand new “JEM Records Celebrates Ray Davies,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. 

5) PHOTOS from “Avenue Q” at Algonquin Arts – (MANASQUAN, NJ) — Algonquin Arts Theatre is presenting the musical, Avenue Q from August 12-20, 2023. Winner of the Tony Triple Crown for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, this laugh-out-loud musical – featuring actors and puppets – tells the story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment on Avenue Q. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

6) Montclair Art Museum Presents Four New Exhibitions Opening this Fall – (MONTCLAIR, NJ) — The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) has announced four new, visually inspiring exhibitions opening this September and November: Taking Space: Contemporary Women Artists and the Politics of Scale; Siona Benjamin: Lilith in the New World; Inspired by the Weight of an Object–A Partnership with Studio Montclair; and Joel Meyerowitz: Photographs from Cape Cod (1976-1987).

7) Don McLean and Al Stewart LIVE! at Ocean City Music Pier – It’s a sold-out house this Monday, August 7, 2023 at Ocean City, NJ’s Ocean City Music Pier for a concert by American singer/songwriter Don McLean and Scottish singer/songwriter Al Stewart.

8) bergenPAC presents The Beach Boys – (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) — Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents The Beach Boys on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 8:00pm. As The Beach Boys mark more than a half century of making music, the group continues to ride the crest of a wave unequalled in America’s musical history. The Beach Boys – who have become synonymous with the California lifestyle and an American icon, are bringing their “America’s Band” tour to fans around the world. 

9) Paradox Museum Officially Welcomes Guests at American Dream – (EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) — On August 10, 2023, Paradox Museum New Jersey hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking its official opening to the public at American Dream, the Northeast’s premier entertainment, shopping, and dining destination.  Tickets to the highly anticipated entertainment venue, the third Paradox Museum location to open in the US, are now available.

10) Vanguard Theater Announces 2023-24 Season – (MONTCLAIR, NJ) — Vanguard Theater, Montclair’s acclaimed and trailblazing theatrical company committed to reshaping societal narratives through thought-provoking performances, has announced its 2023-24 Mainstage and Education Seasons. With an unwavering dedication to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism, & Mentorship, Vanguard Theater continues its mission to engage audiences, foster creativity, and empower aspiring artists from all walks of life.

11) The Doobie Others LIVE! in Seaside Heights, NJ – Despite the heat, hundreds of music lovers are “takin’ it to the beach” in Seaside Heights, NJ this Thursday, July 28, 2023 evening for a concert by The Doobie Others. Hailing from Long Island, The Doobie Others are a tribute band that recreates the music of The Doobie Brothers in addition to tunes from such “other” ’70s groups as Steely Dan and the Eagles.

12) Ocean County Library presents a Concert by Colm Keegan – (TOMS RIVER, NJ) — The Ocean County Library welcomes an evening of Celtic celebration with award-winning Irish musician and teacher Colm Keegan on Thursday, September 14, in Mancini Hall of the Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street. The concert begins at 6:00pm.

13) Events This Week: August 15-21, 2023 – Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from August 15-21, 2023 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.

14) An Interview with Ryan Stasik of Umphrey’s McGee – Umphrey’s Mcgee is an eclectic improv-rock band originally from South Bend, IN. This year, Umphrey’s is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an active tour schedule and release of their album, “Asking for a Friend”. Umphrey’s Mcgee members include Brendan Bayliss (guitar), Jake Cinniger (guitar), Joel Cummings (keyboard instrument), Andy Farag (percussions), Kris Meyers (drum kit), and Ryan Stasik (bass guitar). On Thursday, August 17, 2023, Umphrey’s Mcgee will return to the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. This performance has become an annual tradition for the band, and I had the opportunity to speak with Ryan Stasik in anticipation of the rocking event.

15) Center for Jewish Farming Colony Receives $100,000 Mellon Foundation Grant – (GALLOWAY, NJ) — When Patricia Chappine started working a year ago as a temporary employee with Stockton University’s Alliance Heritage Center, it was basically a two-person operation.

Event previews are always one of the most popular areas of the website. Event previews get noticed when we first publish them and then get noticed again when they are brought back to the main area of the site the week the event takes place – sometimes even several months later.  We also run weekly columns promoting events, music, and theatre shows taking place for the week. These columns include our featured event previews and event listings along with all of our event previews of the week. Many times, they are among the most read stories of the week. Make sure your events are part of our weekly columns by sending press releases to us at info@newjerseystage.com – for even more promotion, check out our ad rates which run $50-$100 for an entire month of targeted advertising and includes events listed in our online calendar. Or you can have your events listed in the calendar for $10 per event. Either way your events will be featured in the weekly columns.