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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260117T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260125T233000
DTSTAMP:20260423T053857
CREATED:20250808T190412Z
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SUMMARY:A Little Shakespeare: The Tempest
DESCRIPTION:The Forest of Arden is full of possibilities! Banished by her uncle and disguised as a boy\, Rosalind and her beloved cousin Celia journey into the woods and discover new friends\, love letters\, music\, and ultimately\, themselves. Director Noelle Marion (last season’s A Little Shakespeare: The Tempest) returns to helm this lively frolic through the forest. Now in its 13th year\, A Little Shakespeare engages young artists with the work of the Bard in an adaptation directed and designed by professional artists\, and performed and supported backstage by high school students. \nSingle ticket onsale to be announced.
URL:https://explorenewjersey.org/event/a-little-shakespeare-the-tempest/
LOCATION:Two River Theater\, 21 Bridge Avenue\, Red Bank\, New Jersey\, 07701\, United States
CATEGORIES:Theatre
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260123T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260215T170000
DTSTAMP:20260423T053857
CREATED:20260119T130207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T155005Z
UID:77541-1769155200-1771174800@explorenewjersey.org
SUMMARY:Kim’s Convenience
DESCRIPTION:김씨네 편의점\n\n\n\nA Neighborhood Story Takes Center Stage as McCarter Theatre Celebrates Korean Culture Through Community Partnership \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen McCarter Theatre opens the doors to its Berlind Theatre this winter\, it will not simply be raising the curtain on a beloved play. It will be creating a broader cultural moment that extends well beyond the stage\, rooted in local connection\, shared heritage\, and the lived experiences of New Jersey’s diverse communities. From January 23 through February 15\, 2026\, McCarter will present Kim’s Convenience\, the acclaimed stage work by Ins Choi that inspired the global Netflix phenomenon\, while simultaneously deepening its community ties through a meaningful partnership with Woo Ri Mart\, the longtime family-owned Korean grocery store based in West Windsor. \n\n\n\nThe collaboration reflects a growing emphasis at McCarter on storytelling that resonates both artistically and culturally. Kim’s Convenience centers on the Kim family\, Korean immigrants who operate a small neighborhood convenience store\, and explores generational divides\, identity\, economic pressure\, and the quiet heroism of everyday life. By partnering with Woo Ri Mart\, McCarter is grounding the production in the real-world experiences that mirror the play’s narrative\, inviting audiences to engage not just as ticket holders\, but as neighbors. \n\n\n\nFor many patrons\, the story of Kim’s Convenience feels instantly familiar. At the heart of the play is Appa\, the stubborn but deeply loving patriarch who has poured his life into the family store\, believing it to be both his legacy and his bridge to the future. As outside developers circle and family relationships strain under the weight of unspoken expectations\, humor and tenderness collide in a story that balances laugh-out-loud moments with emotional honesty. The play runs a brisk 90 minutes with no intermission\, allowing the narrative to unfold with momentum and intimacy. \n\n\n\nThis production arrives at McCarter with considerable pedigree. Originally developed and premiered in Toronto\, Kim’s Convenience became a theatrical success long before it was adapted for television. Its transition to the small screen introduced millions to the Kim family\, but the stage version retains a unique immediacy\, allowing audiences to feel the rhythms of the store\, the silences between conversations\, and the cultural nuances that can sometimes be softened in translation to television. The production is presented by McCarter Theatre in collaboration with Soulpepper Theatre Company and Adam Blanshay Productions\, in association with American Conservatory Theater\, underscoring its national significance. \n\n\n\nDirection for this run is by Weyni Mengesha\, whose work has been widely praised for its sensitivity and clarity in handling stories rooted in cultural specificity while speaking to universal themes. Under her guidance\, the Berlind Theatre becomes an extension of the neighborhood corner store at the center of the play\, a space where humor\, conflict\, and affection coexist in equal measure. \n\n\n\nAdding to the excitement surrounding the production\, McCarter has announced additional performances due to strong early demand. Tuesday evening shows have been added on February 3 and February 10\, both beginning at 7:30 pm\, expanding access for audiences eager to experience the production. Select performances will feature James Yi in the role of Appa\, including afternoon and morning matinees that are expected to draw a wide cross-section of theatergoers. \n\n\n\nThe partnership with Woo Ri Mart elevates the experience beyond the auditorium. As a trusted fixture in West Windsor\, the grocery store represents the kind of family-run business that anchors communities and preserves cultural traditions across generations. By aligning with Woo Ri Mart\, McCarter is acknowledging the real-life counterparts to the fictional Kim family and creating opportunities for cultural exchange\, education\, and celebration around the production. For audiences\, this connection reinforces the authenticity of the story unfolding on stage. \n\n\n\nThis approach reflects a broader trend within New Jersey’s performing arts landscape\, where theaters are increasingly serving as hubs for civic engagement and cultural dialogue. McCarter’s willingness to extend the reach of Kim’s Convenience into the surrounding community aligns with the spirit found throughout the state’s vibrant arts scene\, as highlighted across Explore New Jersey’s coverage of local performance and culture within its theatre and performing arts section. The result is an experience that feels both intimate and expansive\, honoring a specific cultural story while welcoming audiences of all backgrounds. \n\n\n\nKim’s Convenience ultimately asks timely questions about legacy\, belonging\, and the cost of holding on in a rapidly changing world. As redevelopment pressures mount and generational values collide\, the Kim family’s story reflects the challenges faced by countless families across New Jersey and beyond. McCarter Theatre’s presentation ensures those questions are explored with warmth\, humor\, and respect\, while its partnership with Woo Ri Mart grounds the production in the lived reality of the community it represents. \n\n\n\nWhen the lights dim at the Berlind Theatre this winter\, audiences will not just be watching a play that inspired a television hit. They will be stepping into a shared cultural space where storytelling\, community\, and heritage intersect\, reaffirming McCarter Theatre’s role as one of New Jersey’s most vital artistic institutions.
URL:https://explorenewjersey.org/event/kims-convenience-%ea%b9%80%ec%94%a8%eb%84%a4-%ed%8e%b8%ec%9d%98%ec%a0%90/
LOCATION:McCarter Theatre Center\, 91 University Place\, Princeton\, NJ\, Princeton\, New Jersey\, 08540\, United States
CATEGORIES:Theatre
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260123T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260123T233000
DTSTAMP:20260423T053857
CREATED:20260118T173228Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260118T173240Z
UID:77483-1769191200-1769211000@explorenewjersey.org
SUMMARY:Winnie the Pooh – Popcorn & Pajamas Film SeriesAt UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage
DESCRIPTION:Pajamas\, Popcorn\, and Pooh Bear: A Cozy Family Night Comes to Rahway \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA winter evening at the theater takes on a softer\, sweeter tone when pajamas replace coats and bedtime routines give way to animated adventure. That is the spirit behind UCPAC’s Popcorn & Pajamas Film Series\, which returns to Hamilton Stage in Rahway with a family-friendly screening of the 2011 animated classic Winnie the Pooh. Designed as an early-evening outing that welcomes children and parents alike\, the event blends a movie night with light activities that encourage togetherness\, creativity\, and unhurried fun. \n\n\n\nFamilies are invited to arrive early\, settle into the intimate Hamilton Stage space\, and let kids enjoy hands-on crafts before the film begins. The pre-show craft table offers young attendees the chance to create something to take home\, turning the evening into more than just a screening and giving children an opportunity to engage before the lights dim. Free popcorn\, available while supplies last\, adds a nostalgic movie-theater touch that pairs naturally with the relaxed\, pajama-clad atmosphere. \n\n\n\nThe featured film revisits the Hundred Acre Wood with the gentle humor and warmth that have made Winnie the Pooh a lasting favorite across generations. The story follows Pooh\, Piglet\, Tigger\, and the rest of the beloved ensemble as they set out to help Eeyore recover his missing tail while navigating Christopher Robin’s puzzling absence. Along the way\, their imaginations run wild with the introduction of the mysterious Backson\, leading to playful misunderstandings\, tender moments\, and the kind of low-stakes adventure that resonates with young viewers while charming adults who grew up with the characters. \n\n\n\nVisually\, the film pays homage to the original Pooh stories through its hand-drawn animation style\, evoking the look of classic storybook illustrations. Songs and musical interludes are woven seamlessly into the narrative\, reinforcing the lighthearted pacing and making the movie especially accessible for children attending their first theatrical screening. The tone is gentle\, whimsical\, and reassuring\, aligning perfectly with the Popcorn & Pajamas concept of creating a welcoming environment rather than a traditional\, formal movie night. \n\n\n\nHamilton Stage\, operated by the Union County Performing Arts Center\, has become known for programming that balances professional-quality productions with community-centered events. While the venue regularly hosts live performances and theatrical works showcased through its broader programming highlighted in Explore New Jersey’s theatre coverage\, Popcorn & Pajamas stands out for its focus on families seeking shared experiences that fit comfortably into busy schedules. With doors opening early and the film starting at a family-friendly hour\, the event offers a manageable night out that does not stretch too late for younger children. \n\n\n\nTickets are priced to remain accessible\, reinforcing the idea that cultural outings do not need to be elaborate or expensive to be meaningful. The all-in pricing model simplifies planning for parents\, and the casual dress code removes any pressure to “dress up\,” allowing families to focus entirely on enjoying the experience together. \n\n\n\nAt its core\, Popcorn & Pajamas is about memory-making in small\, thoughtful ways. It is about children laughing at familiar characters\, parents rediscovering stories they loved\, and families sharing popcorn while sitting side by side in a welcoming local theater. As Pooh Bear himself famously observed\, the most meaningful moments often pass quietly\, only later revealing how special they truly were. For families in Rahway and throughout New Jersey\, this cozy night at Hamilton Stage offers exactly that kind of simple\, lasting joy.
URL:https://explorenewjersey.org/event/winnie-the-pooh-popcorn-pajamas-film/
LOCATION:Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)\, 1601 Irving St.\, Rahway\, NJ\, 07065\, United States
CATEGORIES:Theatre
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260123T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260125T233000
DTSTAMP:20260423T053857
CREATED:20251103T104402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251103T104411Z
UID:66267-1769191200-1769383800@explorenewjersey.org
SUMMARY:44th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival
DESCRIPTION:New Jersey Film Festival Returns in 2026 with Expanded Hybrid Screenings and 45 Premieres Across Multiple Weekends \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Garden State’s film community is already buzzing as the 44th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival prepares to roll out the red carpet from January 23 through February 22\, 2026. Presented by the Rutgers Film Co-op and the New Jersey Media Arts Center\, this highly anticipated event will once again blend the best of both worlds with a hybrid format\, offering audiences the flexibility to enjoy screenings either in person at Rutgers University in New Brunswick or online through a video-on-demand platform. \n\n\n\nFor more than four decades\, the New Jersey Film Festival has served as a cornerstone of independent cinema in the state\, spotlighting groundbreaking filmmakers\, daring new voices\, and powerful storytelling that transcends borders. The upcoming winter edition promises to be one of its most ambitious yet\, featuring 45 diverse films\, including New Jersey and regional premieres\, exclusive screenings\, and special guest appearances from filmmakers and industry professionals. \n\n\n\nAmong the standout titles slated for screening are B.F. Skinner Plays Himself\, Arrested at Delaney Hall\, Portrait of a Monastery\, ANDA\, Don’t Look in the Dark\, The Shoshani Riddle\, and Sum Function. Two documentaries\, Mama’s Voice and Zinema\, will also shed light on the human impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine—illustrating the festival’s ongoing commitment to socially conscious and globally resonant storytelling. \n\n\n\nEach festival weekend will showcase an eclectic mix of narrative features\, documentaries\, shorts\, and experimental works\, giving audiences an opportunity to discover fresh perspectives and emerging talent from around the world. Both film lovers and casual viewers can expect an immersive experience that highlights innovation\, creativity\, and the emotional depth of modern cinema. \n\n\n\nThe hybrid structure allows ticket holders to tailor their festival experience. Online screenings will be available for 24 hours on their designated show dates\, while in-person showings will take place on select Fridays\, Saturdays\, and Sundays throughout the festival’s run. General admission is priced at $15 per program\, $10 for students attending in person\, and $120 for an All-Access Pass\, which grants entry to all screenings—both virtual and live. \n\n\n\nBeyond the films\, the festival will also host two free filmmaking workshops that provide invaluable insight into the art and business of moviemaking. “The Film Business” session will be held on February 1\, offering guidance for aspiring filmmakers navigating the industry\, while the “Intro to Filmmaking” workshop on February 15 is designed to help beginners understand the essentials of storytelling through film. Space for these workshops is limited\, and advance registration is required. \n\n\n\nThe New Jersey Film Festival has long been recognized as a vital platform for independent creators\, giving them the opportunity to connect directly with audiences\, critics\, and fellow artists. Each year\, the festival draws participants from across the country and abroad\, reinforcing New Jersey’s reputation as a thriving hub for arts and culture. \n\n\n\nWith its mix of virtual access\, local engagement\, and an ever-expanding roster of talent\, the 2026 edition reaffirms the festival’s dedication to accessibility and creative excellence. As it celebrates more than 40 years of cinematic tradition\, the event continues to evolve with technology while maintaining its intimate\, community-centered spirit. \n\n\n\nTo stay up to date on film festivals and arts events happening throughout the state\, visit Explore New Jersey’s Film Festivals section for the latest updates\, event coverage\, and insider previews of New Jersey’s growing film scene. \n\n\n\nTo buy screening tickets click on this link: https://watch.eventive.org/newjerseyfilmfestivalspring2026 \n\n\n\nTo buy an All Access Pass click on this link: https://newjerseyfilmfestivalspring2026.eventive.org/passes/buy
URL:https://explorenewjersey.org/event/44th-bi-annual-new-jersey-film-festival/
LOCATION:Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center\, 4170 Academic Building - 15 Seminary Place\, New Brunswick\, New Jersey\, 08901-8525\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://explorenewjersey.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/images.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies":MAILTO:NJMAC12@gmail.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260123T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260125T233000
DTSTAMP:20260423T053857
CREATED:20260112T225732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T225744Z
UID:76846-1769194800-1769383800@explorenewjersey.org
SUMMARY:
DESCRIPTION:A Bold Voice for a New Generation: Aspire Performing Arts Company Brings Spring Awakening to Fair Lawn \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis winter\, northern New Jersey audiences will have the opportunity to experience one of modern musical theatre’s most powerful and provocative productions as Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Spring Awakening in Fair Lawn. Known for fearless storytelling and high-caliber performances\, the Wayne-based company is preparing to deliver a production that challenges\, moves\, and resonates long after the curtain falls. \n\n\n\nSpring Awakening is a rock musical that speaks directly to the emotional turbulence of adolescence\, exploring themes of identity\, repression\, discovery\, and resilience through an electrifying contemporary score. Since its Broadway debut\, the show has been widely recognized for redefining what musical theatre can accomplish\, combining raw honesty with poetic lyricism and high-energy music that connects deeply with younger and older audiences alike. \n\n\n\nAspire Performing Arts Company has built a reputation for selecting productions that are both artistically ambitious and culturally relevant. Their decision to stage Spring Awakening reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to presenting theatre that does more than entertain—it invites reflection\, conversation\, and empathy. By placing these stories on a local stage\, Aspire continues to elevate the regional performing arts scene and offer audiences access to Broadway-caliber material close to home. \n\n\n\nThe production will be presented at the Fair Lawn Community Center over three nights in late January\, transforming the venue into an intimate performance space where audiences can experience the emotional intensity of the show up close. The setting allows for a deeply personal connection between performers and viewers\, heightening the impact of a story that thrives on authenticity and vulnerability. \n\n\n\nFor students\, educators\, families\, and lifelong theatre lovers\, Spring Awakening offers more than a night out. It serves as a mirror to the challenges many young people face today—navigating expectations\, self-expression\, and personal truth in a rapidly changing world. Through its bold musical language and deeply human storytelling\, the production opens a window into conversations that remain relevant across generations. \n\n\n\nNorthern New Jersey has become a growing hub for innovative stage productions\, and Aspire’s latest offering continues that momentum. The region’s theatres and performing arts companies are increasingly known for their willingness to take creative risks and present meaningful work that reflects the realities of contemporary life. \n\n\n\nReaders who enjoy following how live performance continues to shape the cultural heartbeat of the Garden State can explore more features through Explore New Jersey’s coverage of theatre\, which highlights productions\, companies\, and artists redefining the local stage. \n\n\n\nAs Aspire Performing Arts Company prepares to bring Spring Awakening to Fair Lawn\, the production stands as both a celebration of artistic courage and a testament to the strength of community-based theatre. It promises an evening of music\, emotion\, and storytelling that will leave a lasting impression on audiences throughout the region.
URL:https://explorenewjersey.org/event/76846/
LOCATION:Fair Lawn Community Center\, 10-10 20th St\, Fair Lawn\, New Jersey\, 07410\, United States
CATEGORIES:Theatre
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ORGANIZER;CN="Aspire Performing Arts Company":MAILTO:lisa@aspirepac.com
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260124T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260124T000000
DTSTAMP:20260423T053857
CREATED:20250724T135001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250728T124514Z
UID:47659-1769212800-1769212800@explorenewjersey.org
SUMMARY:Drum Tao
DESCRIPTION:Drum Tao is an international phenomenon that has reached over nine million spectators featuring the world’s top taiko drummers! Hailed for its high-octane\, visionary productions\, Drum Tao electrifies the stage with lavish sets\, complex choreography\, and flawless athletic movement. While honoring the ancient Japanese art form\, they embark on an astonishing rhythmic adventure performing incredible feats on a variety of drums (some weighing up to 3 tons) and other instruments including the marimba\, flute\, and harp that require complete mind and body coordination. You won’t believe your eyes!
URL:https://explorenewjersey.org/event/drum-tao/
LOCATION:State Theatre New Jersey\, 15 Livingston Avenue \, NJ\, New Brunswick\, NJ\, 08901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Concerts
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