EVELYN FREJA
CHRISTIAN McBRIDE
The 14th annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival began on Nov. 8, at NJPAC and other Newark venues, and will continue through Nov. 23. Here are the shows that are scheduled for this week (i.e., Nov. 20-23).
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.
Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.: Carlos Varela at Victoria Theater at NJPAC. With Jackson Browne, Diana Fuentes and poet Rodrigo Toscano.
Nov. 21, 8 p.m.: Christian McBride Big Band at Prudential Hall at NJPAC. With singers Andra Day, José James and Ledisi.
Nov. 22, 1 p.m.: Calvin Johnson & Native Son, WBGO Kids Jazz Concert at Newark Museum of Art.
Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.: Stanley Jordan, Jimi Hendrix tribute at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
Nov. 23, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.: “Dorthaan’s Place” featuring Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet, at NICO Kitchen + Bar at NJPAC.
Nov. 23, 1 p.m.: “Jazz Crawl” with TD Jazz for Teens at TD Bank (1 p.m.); Alex Desrivieres Trio at Just Fish Bar & Grill (2:30 p.m.); James Moody Scholars Alumni Jam led by Birsa Chatterjee at Clement’s Place (4 p.m.)
Nov. 23, 3 p.m.: Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition at Victoria Theater at NJPAC. Diamond Franklin, Candace Jones, Kate Kortum, Julia Moscardini, Emma Smith, finalists; Gary Walker, host; Ann Hampton Callaway, Jon Faddis, Nnenna Freelon, Christian McBride, Janis Siegel, judges; Tyreek McDole (SVIJVC’s 2023 winner), guest singer.
Tom Morello & Friends will perform in Atlantic City, Nov. 21.
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Here is a roundup of other major arts events taking place around New Jersey, through Nov. 26.
MUSIC
• Tom Morello & Friends will perform at The Music Box at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, Nov. 21 at 9 p.m. with The Neighborhood Kids opening. Songs performed at recent shows include material by bands Morello has been in (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, The E Street Band) as well as from his solo project The Nightwatchman, and covers of songs by artists ranging from Woody Guthrie to The MC5 and Kiss.
• The Philip Glass Ensemble, which has been presenting works by the groundbreaking composer since 1968, will present “Early Works,” a program devoted to Glass compositions from the ’70s and ’80s, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at The McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton. Pieces to be played include excerpts from his 1976 opera “Einstein on the Beach” and his 1982 Glassworks album.
• Folksinger Phil Ochs, who died in 1976, will be honored with a “Phil Ochs Song Night,” presented by The Princeton Folk Music Society at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. Reggie Harris, Greg Greenway, Pat Wictor and Louise Mosrie will perform Ochs’ songs.
The show will be streamed live on The Princeton Folk Music Society’s YouTube site.
MIA BIEBER
Abigail Chapin, left, and Lily Chapin.
• The Park Ridge High School Theater will host “Bergen Cares,” a benefit for Meals on Wheels and The Tri-Boro Food Pantry, Nov. 23 at 4 p.m., with The Chapin Sisters (Abigail and Lily Chapin, who are daughters of Tom Chapin and nieces of the late Harry Chapin), Joe D’Urso & Seth Saltzman, Rennie & Bob (presenting a Simon & Garfunkel tribute), Allie Kenny, Tailgate Time Machine, The Quinn Sisters and others.
There will be no admission charge; donations to the cause will be accepted.
• New Jersey Hall of Famer Tommy James will perform at BergenPAC in Englewood, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. James, who grew up in Ohio and Michigan but has lived in New Jersey since the early ’70s, had a remarkable string of hits in the ’60s and ’70s — including “Hanky Panky,” “Mony Mony,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Crimson and Clover,” “Crystal Blue Persuasion” and “Draggin’ the Line” — and remains a dynamic concert performer. (Note: This show was postponed from June 22, and tickets for that show will be honored.)
THEATER
• The Paper Mill Playhouse will present “Disney’s Frozen” — the musical based on the hit 2013 animated film — with the first preview on Nov. 26, the official opening night on Nov. 30, and the last show on Jan. 11.
The musical, which ran on Broadway from 2018 to 2020, features music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (including favorites from the film such as “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”) and a book by Jennifer Lee.
• Premiere Stages will present free staged readings of a new play by Pia Wilson, “Effa Loves Baseball,” Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 22-23 at 3 p.m. at The Liberty Hall Academic Center at Kean University in Union. The play is based on the life of Effa Manley, who co-owned and served as business manager for The Newark Eagles of The Negro National League in the ’30s and ’40s. She died in 1981 and, in 2006, was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first woman to earn that honor.
Ronald Isley, left, and Ernie Isley of The Isley Brothers.
OTHER
• The Isley Brothers, The Jonas Brothers, Bon Jovi keyboardist (and Tony-winning composer) David Bryan and Michael E. Uslan (producer or co-producer of many Batman movies) will be the four New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees this year in the Performing Arts & Entertainment category.
The ceremony will take place Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at The Rink @ The Arena (whose ice can be covered for non-skating events) at The American Dream mall in East Rutherford, with Danny DeVito hosting.
Jon Bon Jovi is confirmed to give the induction speech for Bryan.
The Isley Brothers — whose history dates back to the 1950s, and whose hits include “Shout,” “Twist and Shout,” “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” and “It’s Your Thing” — are currently led by original member Ronald Isley, 84; and Ernie Isley, 73, who became a full-time member in 1973. Brothers Vernon, Rudolph, Marvin and O’Kelly Isley Jr. are all deceased, as is Rudolph’s brother-in-law Chris Jasper, who joined with Ernie and Marvin in ’73.
• The PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel will open this year’s edition of its annual outdoor, drive-through, holiday season-themed “Magic of Lights” display on Nov. 21, and it will run through Jan. 3.
The display can be seen from 5 to 10 p.m., Sundays to Thursdays; and from 5 to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays. The only day it will be closed will be Dec. 31.
T. CHARLES ERICKSON
Okieriete Onaodowan stars in “The Monsters: A Sibling Love Story” at Two River Theater in Red Bank.
REVIEWS
“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. (Through Nov. 23)
“Gail M. Boykewich: Illuminations” at Gallery491, Montclair. (Through Dec. 12)
“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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