Top 10 NJ Arts Events of the Week: Tanya Tucker, Remember Jones, ‘Elf the Musical,’ more

by JAY LUSTIG
Tanya Tucker NJ

TANYA TUCKER

A roundup of arts events taking place around the state, through Dec. 3:

MUSIC

In August, Tanya Tucker — one of the country music world’s most consistent hit-makers in the ’70s and ’80s — released While I’m Livin’, her first album of original material in 17 years. And she got a big assist from Brandi Carlile, who co-produced it and co-wrote seven of its 10 songs, including “Bring My Flowers Now,” which subsequently received a nomination in the Grammys’ Song of the Year category. Tucker will perform at Sound Waves at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m.

Garth Brooks brings his Dive Bar Tour to Prospectors Grille & Saloon in Mt. Laurel, for contest winners and invited guests only, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. To promote his “Dive Bar” duet with Blake Shelton — released as a single in June and slated for his upcoming studio album, Fun — Brooks has been presenting one or two intimate Dive Bar Tour shows, nationally, since July.

Latin radio station Mega 97.9 FM presents its annual all-star “Mega Bash” concert at the Prudential Center in Newark, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., with Ozuna, Farruka, Sech, Luis Fonsi, Prince Royce, Victor Manuelle, Lunay, Ivy Queen, Becky G, Jhay Cortez, Dalex, Chimbala, Secreto and Alex Sensation.

John Bauers of Swingadelic.

As part of the Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon series at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College in Toms River, the band Swingadelic will present a tribute to the late Fats Domino — who was influenced by New Orleans jazz, though his music found great success on the pop and R&B charts — Dec. 1 at 3 p.m.

• Remember Jones, who has been occasionally presenting shows in which he performs Amy Winehouse’s revelatory 2006 neo-soul album Back to Black in its entirety, says he will do so for the last time in New Jersey Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, with Six Fox Whiskey opening. The show will also include a set of original Remember Jones material.

The reunited and still hit-making Jonas Brothers brought their Happiness Begins Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on Nov. 22, and will return to their home state for a show at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m., with Bebe Rexha and Jordan McGraw opening.

• Willie Nile will perform in a duo format at the At the Tabernacle concert series at the Mt. Tabor Tabernacle in Parsippany, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. Nile released, last week, a remastered, expanded 20th anniversary version of one of his best albums, Beautiful Wreck of the World.

THEATER

As its holiday season offering, Growing Stage in Netcong will present the sweet and silly “Elf the Musical” — adapted from the hit 2003 Will Ferrell movie — Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 30 and Dec. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 at 4 p.m., and Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. Featuring music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and a book by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan, “Elf” debuted on Broadway in 2010 and has been seen in many other productions and tours since then.

DANCE

As will be the case through the end of the year, many New Jersey venues are presenting productions of the eternally popular ballet, “The Nutcracker.” Coming up this week are:

“The Nutcracker, presented by American Repertory Ballet at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, Nov. 29-30 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 1 at 1 p.m.

“The Nutcracker,” presented by Roxey Ballet at the Kendall Theater at the College of New Jersey in Ewing, Nov. 30 at 1 p.m. (sensory friendly performance) and 4 p.m. and Dec. 1 and 7-8 at 2 p.m.

“The Great Russian Nutcracker,” presented by Moscow Ballet at The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, Dec. 1 at 1 and 5 p.m.

cobain princeton

The cover of “Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain.”

“The Nutcracker,” presented at New Jersey Ballet at Levoy Theatre in Millville, Dec. 1 at 2 and 6 p.m.

“The Great Russian Nutcracker,” presented by Moscow Ballet at Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Paterson University in Wayne, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

OTHER

• Danny Goldberg, who served as Nirvana’s manager for several years in the 1990s and published a book titled “Serving the Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain” in April (coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Cobain’s death), will talk about Cobain and sign copies of the book at the Labyrinth Books store in Princeton, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.

A review in Rolling Stone described the book as “a warmly told, richly detailed memoir that focuses solely on the three and a half years Goldberg worked with the band. … Goldberg accomplishes the goal he strives for: admirably, he’s more interested in delving into Cobain’s music and creativity than relitigating the causes of his tragic suicide. If anything, he’s added a fascinating perspective to one of rock’s most harrowing stories, one that will certainly enhance the late icon’s legacy.”

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