A series of significant arts events are scheduled in New Jersey through October 15.
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FESTIVALS
The Dodge Poetry Festival, recognized as North America’s largest poetry festival, will be held at NJPAC and various Newark locations from October 15 to 17. Notable appearances include poet and rock musician Patti Smith, who will perform “Patti Smith: Songs and Stories” at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall on October 16 at 8 p.m. A tribute to Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets will feature performances from alumni of the HBO series “Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry,” alongside U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Pulitzer Prize winner Tyehimba Jess, and other prominent poets. NJPAC will also host a free Family Fun Day on October 17, featuring dance classes and a Latino Heritage Celebration.
Keyboardist and violinist Eddie Jobson will perform with his U.K. Revisited band at the ProgStock festival in Rutherford from October 8 to 10. The lineup includes other progressive rock acts like Spock’s Beard and Crack the Sky.
The Morristown Festival of Books will host a sold-out event with Malcolm Gladwell on October 9 at The Mayo Performing Arts Center and will have free activities across various locations on October 10, featuring authors Riley Sager, Anna Quindlen, and many others, alongside a KidFest.
South Jersey Jazz Society will kick off the Jazz@ThePoint Festival on October 15 at Gregory’s Restaurant in Somers Point, honoring Louis Armstrong. A series of shows will follow, featuring tributes to Armstrong’s collaborators.
MUSIC
The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music will host a symposium titled “Chuck Berry at 100” on October 10 at The Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University. RJ Smith, the author of “Chuck Berry: An American Life,” will provide the keynote address before a panel exploring Berry's impact on rock music and culture.
The Buena Vista Orchestra, led by Rolando Morejón Reyes, will perform Cuban music on October 11 at The Mayo Performing Arts Center and at other venues in February.
The Adelphi Orchestra will launch its season with “American Voices” concerts on October 10 and 11, featuring performances of Samuel Barber’s works. Violinist Christina Bouey will headline a gala at The State Theatre in New Brunswick on October 15.
A trio of jazz musicians—Bill Charlap, Christian McBride, and Kenny Washington—will perform at The Shea Center for Performing Arts on October 11.
The Blind Boys of Alabama will perform at The South Orange Performing Arts Center on October 15, celebrating Stevie Wonder’s 50th anniversary of “Songs in the Key of Life.”
New Jersey Symphony will present “Hollywood Hits” concerts on October 10 and 11, featuring popular orchestral music.
The newly formed group HUG will perform at ArtYard on October 10, showcasing songs with accompanying films.
THEATER
Actors Isaac Hickox-Young and Billie Wyatt will return to The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey from October 10 to November 15 to perform in “Hamlet.”
“Destroying David,” a solo show by Jason Odell Williams, will be presented from October 8 to 18 at The American Theater Group and other locations.
The East Lynne Theater Company will stage “The War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast,” running from October 7 to November 1.
Kathryn Grody’s one-woman play “The Unexpected 3rd” will be featured at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center from October 13 to November 1.
“Effa Loves Baseball,” focusing on Effa Manley, will be staged from October 15 to 25 at Kean University.
VISUAL ARTS
A new exhibition titled “Dreamtime in Newark: Aljira and the Making of Global Contemporary Art” will open at The Newark Museum of Art on October 15, featuring over 40 artists connected to the former Aljira gallery.
DANCE
Compagnie Hervé Koubi will perform “Sol Invictus” at The Kasser Theater at Montclair State University on October 15, celebrating themes of solidarity through dance.
OTHER
The Catsbury Park Cat Convention, featuring several notable guests and activities, will take place on October 10 and 11 at Bell Works in Holmdel, with proceeds supporting a local animal rescue shelter.