Top 10 NJ arts events of the week: Bob Dylan, Maplewoodstock, ‘Coriolanus,’ more

by JAY LUSTIG
dylan

Bob Dylan performs at The Borgata in Atlantic City on July 10, double billed with Mavis Staples.

A guide to notable arts events taking place in New Jersey, through July 10:

• Darryl McDaniels, the DMC in the pioneering hip-hop group Run-DMC, will sign copies of his memoir, “Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide,” at Bookends in Ridgewood, July 6 at 7 p.m.

Reagan Richards, a member of the country duo Williams Honor, will play the title character in the play “Always, Patsy Cline,” which will be at the Lauren K. Woods Theatre at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, July 6-9 and 13-16 at 8 p.m., with matinees July 8 and 15 at 2 p.m.

The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, which is currently presenting the spirited spoof “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (revised)” at its outdoor stage at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morris Township, will present an actual Shakespeare play, the tragedy “Coriolanus,” at its indoor stage at Drew University in Madison. The first preview is July 6, with opening night on July 9, and the last performance on July 24.

The summer’s edition of the free, outdoor Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City series at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark begins July 7 at 5 with a Rhythm Revue Dance Party by longtime Sounds of the City favorite, DJ Felix Hernandez.

Keyboards Matt Fink (aka Dr. Fink), who backed Prince as a member of the band The Revolution, leads a Prince tribute band called The Purple Xperience at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, July 7 at 8 p.m.

The long-running Vans Warped Tour will have two stops in New Jersey this year, July 8 at 11 a.m. at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden and July 17 at 11 a.m. the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. Bands will include Falling in Reverse, Every Time I Die, Four Year Strong, Less Than Jake, New Found Glory, Reel Big Fish, Sum 41, Yellowcard, We the Kings, Motionless in White and Sleeping With Sirens.

Light Opera of New Jersey presents “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel, at the South Orange Performing Arts Center, July 8-9 and 15-16 at 8 p.m., and July 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. The musical, written by Rupert Holmes, was presented on Broadway in the ’80s (winning the Tony for Best Musical), and was revived there in 2012.

The 13th annual Maplewoodstock festival takes place July 9 and 10 at Memorial Park in Maplewood, with music from noon to about 9:30 p.m. each day, plus art displays, food vendors and more. July 9 performers include Railroad Earth, Maya Azucena and Big Mamou; NRBQ, Nicole Atkins and Kwame Binea are among those on the bill for July 10.

“Against All Odds,” an exhibition inspired by the life of singer, actor, athlete and activist Paul Robeson, will open at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie on July 9, and run through Sept. 11. The exhibition will feature art inspired by Robeson’s life as well as historical artifacts. On various days, there will also be films, performances and discussions related to Robeson. The exhibition is being presented in conjunction with the Paul Robeson House of Princeton and the African American Cultural Collaboration of Mercer County.

Musical icons and old friends Bob Dylan and Mavis Staples (of The Staple Singers) are teaming up for a tour that comes to the Event Center at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, July 10 at 7:30 p.m.

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