JOHN CAVANAUGH
John Rzeznik at The Light of Day WinterFest concert at The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, Jan. 18.
Here is a roundup of major arts events taking place around New Jersey, through Jan. 22.
MUSIC
• The Light of Day WinterFest began on Jan. 4 and the last show will be on Jan. 24, but the main show will be Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, with John Rzeznik of The Goo Goo Dolls, Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers (with special guest Gary U.S. Bonds), Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie, Remember Jones, Dramarama, Fantastic Cat, James Maddock, Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan, Williams Honor, Amanda Cross & Derek Cruz, Matt & Eryn O’Ree and others.
Bruce Springsteen has made unbilled appearances at many but not all past Light of Day WinterFests. There is no guarantee that he will do so this year. But if he does, it will almost definitely be at the main concert. (All of his past appearances have been at the main concerts.)
Founded in 1998, Light of Day raises money and awareness for the continuing quest to end Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy) within our lifetime.
Click HERE to see a listing of all 2026 WinterFest shows.
WYNTON MARSALIS
• The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra — featuring its music director Wynton Marsalis on trumpet — will present its “Duke in Africa” program at The State Theatre in New Brunswick, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The program will feature Duke Ellington compositions such as “Afro-Bossa,” “Liberian Suite” and “Togo Brava Suite” and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Ellington’s trip with his orchestra to Dakar, Senegal, where they performed at The first World Festival of Negro Arts.
• Trilogy Opera Company will present Adolphus Hailstork’s 2013 one-act opera “Robeson” — about singer, actor, athlete, activist and New Jersey native Paul Robeson — at DMK Black Box Theater in Union, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
According to Trilogy, “The opera features the beloved work songs and spirituals made famous by Paul Robeson, alongside a gripping dramatization of his Senate confrontation, in which he was denounced as ‘un-American.’ These intense moments are balanced by moving love duets and culminate in a stirring, triumphant finale.”
• Garden State Live!, a concert series presented by The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City in conjunction with the North to Shore Festival, showcased New Jersey artists in a monthly series from August to December, and has announced its first five shows for 2026, which will take place at The Hard Rock’s nightclub, The Balcony. The first one of the year, taking place Jan. 16 at 8 p.m., will feature punk-pop groups All Systems Go, FRND CRCL and Goalkeeper.
From left, Sanden Totten, Molly Bloom and Marc Sanchez of the “Brains On!” podcast.
FAMILY
• A live version of the educational “Brain On!” science podcast for kids will be presented at The Victoria Theater at NJPAC in Newark, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m.; and The Vogel at The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, Jan. 18 at noon. “Magic tricks, dance moves, out-of-body experiences, mystery sounds, and even a game show” are promised.
• As part of its “A Little Shakespeare” series, which is now in its 13th year, Two River Theater in Red Bank will present an abridged, family-oriented production of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “As You Like It,” Jan. 17 and 24 at 7 p.m., and Jan. 18 and 24-25 at 2 p.m. As in past “A Little Shakespeare” productions, the play will be directed and designed by professionals, but performed and supported backstage by high school students.
• Mike Wiley will present his one-man show “Tired Souls: King and the Montgomery School Bus Boycott” — focusing on the Civil Rights contributions of The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Frederick Douglass and less well-known figures, as well— at The South Orange Performing Arts Center, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m., and participate in a discussion after the show.
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.
DANCE
• The Jersey City Theater Center will present Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company‘s production of the late Nai-Ni Chen’s “The Red Firecracker” at Jersey City’s White Eagle Hall, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. The show is described as “a special program (that) is dedicated to celebrating the Chinese immigrant culture and promises a captivating display of cultural richness, artistic excellence, and a profound narrative that explores the origins of one of the most important holidays in the world: The Chinese Lunar New Year. (It) delves into the rich tapestry of Chinese New Year traditions. The performance narrates the ancient tale of villagers uniting to combat the Nian, an eternal monster that descends upon the earth annually. Through a dazzling array of props, vibrant costumes, mesmerizing music, acrobatics, and lively dance, the top-notch performers of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company bring to life the story of courage, ingenuity, and the intrinsic value of community.”
THEATER
• Shakespeare 70 will present George Bernard Shaw’s 1894 play “Arms and the Man,” a comedy with an anti-war message, Jan. 16-18 and 23-25 at The Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor.
• Villagers Theatre in Somerset will present “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” Rupert Holmes 1985 musical-comedy adaptation of Charles Dickens’ final but unfinished novel, Jan. 16-18 and 23-25. Reflecting the uncertainty of Dickens’ intent, audience members get to vote on which character killed Drood, and the actors perform that ending.
Dickens planned to publish “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” in 12 installments, but only six were completed and published prior to his 1870 death.
REVIEWS
“Andrew Harrison: This Was Always a Place” at Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Summit. (Through Jan. 18)
“Jake Troyli: Fine Line” at Project for Empty Space, Newark. (Through Jan. 18)
“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)
_____________________________
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
