Rachael Price and Vilray Bolles.
The 14th annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival began on Nov. 8, at NJPAC and other Newark venues, and will continue through Nov. 23. Some of the bigger names will include The Christian McBride Big Band, Savion Glover and Carlos Varela. But here are some of the shows scheduled for this week (i.e., Nov. 13-20).
Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.: Arturo Sandoval at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
Nov. 14, 7 p.m.: New Jersey Music Educators Association/All-State Jazz Band and Jazz Choir at Chase Room at NJPAC.
Nov. 15, 3 and 7 p.m.: Savion Glover with PROjECt.9 at Victoria Theater at NJJPAC.
Nov. 15, 8 p.m.: “Blues Is Alright” at Prudential Hall at NJPAC. With singers Tucka James, King George, Pokey Bear, West Love, Lenny Williams; and singer-guitarist Theodis Ealey. (Click HERE for a new interview with Williams)
Nov. 16, 2 p.m.: Jazz Salsa Sunday featuring The Luisito Rosario Orchestra at Feldman Middleton Community Center. FREE
Nov. 16, 7 p.m.: Rachael & Vilray (featuring singer Rachael Price of Lake Street Dive, and singer-guitarist Vilray Bolles) at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.: Jazz Jam at Clement’s Place.
Nov. 20, 8 p.m.: “Represent!: A Night of Jazz, Hip Hop, and Poetry” at Prudential Hall at NJPAC. Featuring rappers Chuck D, Rakim and Slick Rick, poets Tyehimba Jess and Caridad de la Luz (La Bruja), The Nuyorican Slam Poetry Team, DJ Spinna.
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Here is a roundup of other major arts events taking place around New Jersey, through Nov. 21.
MUSIC
• Neil Young’s 80th birthday, which is on Nov. 12, will be celebrated by a Neilfest tribute concert at Pino’s Gift Basket Shoppe and Wine Cellar in Highland Park, Nov. 15, with a songwriting workshop at 3 p.m. and then music, beginning at 4 p.m., by The Mike Montrey Band, Naughty Clouds, Dangerbird, Anthony Walker, Dave Murphy & Friends, Rebecca Turner & Scott Anthony, The Cucumbers, Ed Seifert & Friends, Renee Maskin, Tiny Cities, Robin Renée and Big Dog.
Proceeds will benefit the Elijah’s Promise soup kitchen.
From left, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas of The Jonas Brothers.
• The Jonas Brothers, who kicked off their current Greetings From Your Hometown Tour at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford in August, will return to New Jersey for shows at The Prudential Center in East Rutherford, Nov. 16-17 at 7:30 p.m., with Jesse McCartney opening on Nov. 17. (Note: The All-American Rejects were originally scheduled to open on Nov. 16 but will not be able to, due to illness.)
• For the third year in a row, and for the second time at The Montclair Art Museum, Rostafa & Company will play music from The Band’s epic Thanksgiving Day 1976 farewell concert, “The Last Waltz,” Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the Toni’s Kitchen food pantry and the Make the Road community organizing organization. More than 70 musicians will join Rostafa, including The Fabulous Flemtones, Billy Hector, Dave Fields, Ed Alstrom, Chris Bolger, Joshua Van Ness, Meg Patrick and Big Mamou.
• On a related note, the Band tribute group The THE BAND Band will present a Last Waltz Celebration, with guest performers TBA, at The South Orange Performing Arts Center, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
• The Radio Free Song Club was a 2010s website for which songwriters submitted monthly songs, which were shared via radio-style shows. A reunion show, titled “Radio Free Song Club Redux,” will take place at Little City Books (co-owned by Radio Free Song Club co-founder Kate Jacobs) in Hoboken, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. Performers will include singer-songwriters Jacobs, Syd Straw, Freedy Johnston, Don Piper, Jody Harris, Peter Holsapple, Amy Allison and Dave Schramm, with instrumental backing by Schramm, Paul Moschella, Andy Burton, David Mansfield and Jeremy Chatzky.
Songs written and recorded for the series can be heard at soundcloud.com/radio-free-song-club.
HEATHER HEADLEY
• Grammy-winning recording artist and Tony-winning (for “Aida”) actress Heather Headley will present a concert at The McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
According to the theater’s website: “Accompanied by piano, she will perform a mix of Broadway hits, classic standards, and R&B favorites.”
THEATER
• The Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge will present Eloise Coopersmith in a one-woman multimedia show, titled “My (Unauthorized) Hallmark Movie Musical,” Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. According to the theater’s website, the show is a “movie fantasy where men and women find courage and acceptance to speak their own voice without judgement. Frivolous, fractured, and fun musical moments take you on a ride of pure joy where love always wins.”
Proceeds will benefit future programming at the theater.
• Cape May Stage will present the world premiere of Dan McCormick’s “Let’s Catch Santa” from Nov. 19 to Dec. 28. According to the theater’s website, “This heartwarming dramatic comedy takes place on Christmas Eve. When a young woman new to the neighborhood attempts to return a misdelivered package, she meets her elderly neighbor for the first time. What begins as a simple favor turns into an unexpected adventure as she discovers his one holiday wish: to catch Santa Claus. This heart-warming play brings two lonely souls together, to find family in each other, truth within themselves and the fun, child-like belief in the timeless magic of Santa, Christmas and the holiday season!”
OTHER
• Gormánuður, a Viking harvest festival, will take place at Vasa Park in Hackettstown, Nov. 15-16, with music, a Viking market, crafts and language workshops, sword dancing, Medieval-style food, and more.
AVERY BRUNKUS
Sean-Michael Wilkinson stars in “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, through Nov. 16.
REVIEWS
“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” at F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre at Drew University, Madison. (Through Nov. 16)
“The Monsters: A Sibling Love Story” at Two River Theater, Red Bank. (Through Nov. 23)
“The Drop Off” at New Jersey Repertory Company, Long Branch. (Through Nov. 23)
“Crumbs From the Table of Joy,” presented by Crossroads Theatre Company at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.
“Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always” at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick. (Through Dec. 21)
“Tom Nussbaum: But Wait, There’s More!” at Montclair Art Museum. (Through Jan. 4)
“Morven Revealed: Untold Stories From New Jersey’s Most Historic Home” at Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton. (Through March 1)
“Salvador Jiménez-Flores: Raíces & Resistencias” at Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton. (Through Aug. 1, 2027)
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