Kids Guide NJ | New Jersey Music and Dance Performances and Concerts for Children, Teens & Adults

PLEASE NOTE:
Hours, prices, exhibit and event information are subject to change.
Please call ahead or use the convenient website links to get the latest information prior to your visit.

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music and dance

the arts
The Arts, "Theater" and "Music and Dance" categories, include an incredible array of performances for all ages-from parents and grandparents to young adults, teens, older students and young children. Shows specifically designed for young children are typically found under a title like "Family Series." Keep in mind that many shows for family audiences are full-length productions and will be enjoyed best by older children and teens. Age recommendations are only guidelines. Parents must use their discretion in determining their individual child's readiness for a theater, music or dance performance.

The Arts Council of the Morris Area (973-258-5115) and Arts Council of the Essex Area (973-744-1717) publish complete arts calendars
each quarter. Subscriptions and other benefits are available with membership.

The Acoustic Cafe
Our Lady of Mercy School Cafeteria, 25 Fremont Ave. (GSP exit 172), Park Ridge, 201-573-0718. Live music coffeehouse presenting local, independent and nationally touring performers Sept.-May.

AcousticLive.com
A comprehensive listing of acoustic performances in the New York metropolitan area.

Afternoon Music
At Unitarian Church, 4 Waldron Ave., Summit, 908-273-3245. Four Sunday concerts Oct.-April at 4pm, reception for the musicians follows. Students free, subscriptions available.
Jan 31
     Bill Charlap, jazz pianist.
Mar 14
     Gwendolyn Toth & Dongsok Shin, fortepiano.
Apr 18
     Ilana Davidson, soprano; Kevin Cobb, trumpet; Mitchell Vines, piano, vocal chamber music.

Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre
732-416-1647. Flamenco and Spanish dance company performs during fall and spring at venues throughout the state.

American Repertory Ballet
80 Albany St., New Brunswick, 732-249-1254. Oct.-May season with annual Nutcracker performances at theaters throughout the state. Special subscription for young adults (ages 18-25).
Feb 26
     A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Morristown, 973-539-8008.
Mar 19
     Dance Alive-Ballet Rocks!, grades K-5. Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, 908-725-3420.
Mar 20
     A Midsummer's Night Dream, Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, 908-725-3420.

Appel Farm Arts & Music Center
457 Shirley Rd., Elmer, 800-394-1211. Year round programs include concert series, family series, arts classes, summer camp and annual arts and music festival in June. See Theatre for family theater series.
Jan 30
     Chris Smither, songwriter, blues/folk.
Feb 27
     The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook performed by Aztec Two-Step.
Apr 10
     Karla Bonoff with Kenny Edwards.
Apr 24
     Music from the Crooked Road: Music of Virginia, BBQ & Bluegrass.

Arts Maplewood
Burgdorff Cultural Center, 10 Durand Rd., Maplewood, 973-378-2133. Hosts annual Maplewood jazz weekend in Oct., What Exit? theater company, Terra Lyrica Chamber Music series, Underground Concert series, Music for Kids and The Performance Classroom, theater classes for grades K-4.
May 22
     Annual Blues Concert, 8pm.
Music for Kids Series
Doors open a half hour before all performances for a thematic craft or activity. Tickets $5.
Jan 30
     Strings for Kids, 9:30 & 11am.
Feb 21
     Chamber Music for Kids, 1:30 & 3pm.
Mar 13
     NJ Symphony's Musical Matriarchs, 9:30 & 11.
Apr 24
     Drumming for Kids, 9:30 & 11am.
Terra Lyrica Chamber Music Series
Concerts at 8pm, pre-concert chat and discussion at 7:30pm. Tickets $25, srs. $20, students $15.
Mar 5
     Songbirds of the Baroque, includes recordings of the ancient birdsongs that inspired the works by Bach, Vivaldi and Couperin.
May 28
     Music of Open Space.

Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood, 201-227-1030. Oct.-May season offers music, dance, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra concerts, comedy, family and special events. See Theatre for family theatre events.
Selected Family Events
Apr 17
     Dan Zanes & Friends.
Kidz Cabaret
Feb 7
     Dolphin Up a Tree.
Mar 7
     Bill Blagg III, Illusionist.
Apr 11
     Doktor Kaboom!
May 8
     Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck.

Bickford Theatre
Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown, 973-971-3706. Year round performances include special concert events, movies, Main Stage and children's theater series and Jazz Showcase, co-sponsored by the New Jersey Jazz Society. Student discounts and subscriptions available.
Special Events
Feb 27
     Beatlemania Again, 8pm.
Bickford Jazz Showcase
All shows begin at 8pm. $15 advance, $18 at the door.
Jan 25
     Tomoko Ohno, pianist with the Diva Jazz Trio.
Feb 1
     The Great Groundhog Day Jam.
Feb 8
     Rio Clemente, pianist.
Mar 10
     Big Bix Beiderbecke Birthday Bash, trumpeteer Randy Sandke & an 8-piece All-Star Band.
Mar 22
     Frank Vignola, guitarist.
Apr 12
     Bucky Pizzarelli opens Jazz Appreciation Month.
Apr 20
     John Gill, Evening of Frisco Jazz.
May 3
     Midiri Brothers Celebrate Centennial of Artie Shaw.
May 17
     Beacon Hill Octet, with Fred Fischer, piano, and Nancy Nelson, vocals.

Bloomfield Youth Band
Comprised of high school and collegiate musicians, the band performs three or four public concerts each year. Performances at Bloomfield Middle School, 60 Huck Rd., Bloomfield. Sponsored by the Bloomfield Recreation Commission. Tickets $8, 12 & under free.
Mar 20, Jun 12

Calvary Chorale
31 Woodland Ave., Summit, 908-277-1814. Sept.-May season of concerts on Sundays at 3pm.
Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 21, Apr 18, May 23

Central Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Arts Series
70 Maple St., Summit, 908-273-0441. Friday music concerts celebrate the holiday seasons during advent & lent. Bring your own lunch or buy at church kitchen. All concerts Fri. 12:15-1pm, unless noted. Free, open to the public.

Chatham Community Band
Community band presents free concerts to Chatham and surrounding communities.
Mar TBA
   Concert with Westfield Band.
May 16
     Spring Concert, 3pm.
May 31
     Madison Parade and Millburn Parades.
Jun 12
     Fishawack Festival Concert.

Coffee with Conscience
908-412-9105. Monthly folk concerts Sept.-June feature professional and touring singer/songwriters. Performances at 1st United Methodist Church of Westfield, 1 E. Broad St., Westfield. Net proceeds from concerts are donated to charity.
Feb 27
     David Roth Greg; Greenway & Reggie Harris.
Mar 20
     Christine Lavin; Don White.
Apr 17
     Lucy Kaplansky.
May 15
     John McCutchen.
Jun 12
     The Guy Mendilow Band.

Colonial Symphony
973-984-7400. Oct.-May season at Community Theatre at Mayo Center for Performing Art in Morristown or Drew University Dorothy Young Center for the Arts in Madison. Pre-concert conversations at 7pm, concerts at 8pm. Subscriptions; student discounts; school programs.
2009-2010 Season
Feb 13
Dramatic Magic, Mozart, Copland, Stravinsky. Drew University.
May 8
Candide!

Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
100 South St., Morristown, 973-539-8008. 1,200-seat venue offers a wide array of classical music, jazz, dance, drama, comedy, children's programming and contemporary music. Create-your-own subscriptions; family subscriptions; student and group discounts. Internship/community service programs available to high school students. School-time shows open to school groups. See listing under Theatre for additional events.
Selected Events
Jan 17
     The Tap Connection, New Jersey Tap Ensemble, 3pm. $15.
Jan 31
      Garden State Folk Festival, 3pm. $15.
Feb 6
     Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats, 3 & 7pm.
May 1
     San Jose Taiko Drummers, 8pm.
May 2
     A New Jersey Jazz Piano Spectacular, 3pm. $15.
May 8
     Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, 3 & 8pm.
May 23
     Dan Zanes & Friends, 1:30 & 4:30pm.

Count Basie Theatre
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, 732-842-9000. Nov.-June season of concerts by major recording artists, comedy, dance, theater, classical music and family events in a 1,550 seat theater circa 1926. Cool School offers classes in acting, dance, music, voice and videography; youth jazz training program for middle and high school students; school shows. See listing under Theatre for additional events and check website for new shows.
Selected Events
Feb 18
     Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour, 8pm.
Feb 20
     John Prine, 8pm.
Feb 26
     The Pink Floyd Experience, 8pm.
Mar 11
     Dickey Betts & his band Great Southern, 8pm.
Mar 12
     An Evening of Bluegrass with Cherryholmes, 8pm.
Mar 14
     The Irish Rovers.
May 1
    The Led Zeppelin Experience performed by Hammer of the Gods.

Discovery Orchestra
P.O. Box 4064, Warren, 908-226-7300. Professional symphonic orchestra presents a Sept.-June season of concerts, in-home recitals and listening courses recommended for ages 13 and up. Student, group and subscription discounts.
Discovery Concerts
Apr 29
Discover Beethoven's 5th, 7:30pm, NJPAC.

Drew University Arts
Concert Hall, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, 973-408-3917. Drew hosts Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center performances, music and theater arts department events, annual Drew Forum lecture series and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series
Feb 8
     Gilbert Kalish, piano with Daedalus Quartet.
2009-10
     da Camera Series
Mar 22
     Sasha Cooke, mezzo soprano.

Friends of the Library Concert Series
Somerset County/Bridgewater Library, N. Bridge & Vogt Dr., Bridgewater, 908-526-4016 x119. Monthly Friday night concerts Sept.-Nov. and Jan.-May 8-9:45pm and Saturday Family Series at 10:30 or 2pm. Free, no sign-up is needed.
Friday Night Concert Series
Jan 15
     Keith Calmes, acoustic guitar.
Feb 12
     Richard Reiter, swing band.
Mar 12
     Elaine Christy, solo harp.
Apr 16
     Greg Giannascoli, marimba.
May 14
     Masterwork Chorus, vocal with accompaniment.
Saturday Family Series
Feb 27
     City Winds Trio, A Celebration of Ragtime.
Mar 20
     Two of a Kind, Celebration of Spring.

Hanover Wind Symphony
973-ANDANTE. Oct.-Aug. season includes concerts throughout Morris County and annual summer Gazebo Series.
Feb 10
     Inspiration, 7:30pm. Memorial Junior School, Whippany. Donation support Take Your Seat Fund.
Mar 21
     Old Friends 25th Anniversary Gala Concert, 3pm. Community Theatre, Morristown. Call 973-539-8008 for ticket info.
May 19
     Partners, 7:30pm. Jointly with the Roxbury High School Bands, Succasunna. Free.

Hunterdon Symphony
Tickets: 908-713-1360. Nov-May season at venues throughout Hunterdon County. Saturday Strings program and orchestra camp for youth.
Feb 6
      Compose Yourself, an interactive introduction to the symphony orchestra, children's concert. 3pm. Clinton Township Middle School.
Apr 24
     Hunterdon Symphony 25th Anniversary/Hunterdon Choral Union 30th Anniversary Concert, 8pm. Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington.
Jun 24
     Pops Concert, 7pm. Deer Path Park.

Kean Stage
Kean University Wilkins Theatre or Eugene and Shelley Enlow Hall, Morris Ave., Union, 908-737-7469. Sept.-May season includes world-class music and dance artists, chamber music series, student and faculty productions, Holocaust Resource Center events, lecture series, family series and on school time performances. Student rates; subscriptions. See Theatre for more events.
Selected Events
Mar 20
     Highlights of the Russian Ballet, NJ Ballet. 8pm.
Mar 21
     Sleeping Beauty, NJ Ballet Matinee for Kids & Families. 2pm. All seats $12.
Apr 11
     Emanuele Segre, classical guitar. 3pm.
     The Legacy Project, Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, 3pm.
Apr 16-18
     Kean Dance Theatre.
Apr 25
     i Balli di PrimaveraThe Dances of Spring, NJ Dance Theatre Ensemble. 3pm.

Livingston Symphony Orchestra
Four concert series takes place Nov.-May at Livingston High School auditorium, South Livingston Ave., Livingston, 7:30pm. Student winner of annual concerto competition held in Dec. (open to ages 14-21) performs as a soloist with the orchestra in the spring. Subscriptions available; student discounts; children under 12 free.
Jan 31
     Let's Dance, family concert. 2pm.
Mar 27
     Spring Rhapsody, featuring Winner of Young Artist Competition.
May 22
     Passion & Romance on the Silver Screen, with Carol Ferri, piano, and excerpts from classic movies.

Lyrica Chamber Music
202 Fairmount Ave., Chatham, 973-701-1734. Concerts held on Sundays at Presbyterian Church of Chatham Twp., 240 Southern Blvd., Chatham, at 3pm. Subscriptions; single tickets; students free (available half hour before concert with ID). Outreach program for school groups and special needs children.
Mar 7
The Poetry in Music.
Apr 18
A Summer in Venice, A Winter in Buenos Aires.

Mason Gross School of the Arts
Rutgers University, 33 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, 732-932-7511. Student and faculty dance, music, theater and visual art events Sept.-May. Student rates.

McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts
91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. Internationally known artists in music, dance, theater and special events. Extensive education programs include student matinees, touring shows, theater workshops, group backstage tours, in-school programs and professional development. Discount subscriptions for ages 35 & under. Also see Theatre listings.
Selected Events
Feb 13-14
     Birdhouse Factory, Cirque Mechanics, ages 4 & 14 up. 2, 3 & 7pm.
Feb 18
     The Pink Floyd Experience, 7:30pm.
Feb 20
     Arlo Guthrie Family Legacy Tour, 8pm.
Feb 28
     Peking Acrobats, 3pm.
Mar 16
     The Chieftans with Paddy Moloney, 8pm.
Mar 23
     Bobby McFerrin.

Metropolitan Orchestra of New Jersey
PO Box 6, Short Hills, NJ 07078. A full symphonic orchestra composed of local professional and amateur musicians performs three concerts in the fall, winter and spring at Bauer Community Center, Taylor Park, 100 Main St., Millburn.
Feb 21
3pm.
May 23
3pm.

The Minstrel
Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown, 973-335-9489. Friday concerts feature hand-made music from local and internationally known performers. Second Fri. of the month is an open stage/audition night.
Fridays
     8pm.

Monmouth University Performing Arts
Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch, 732-263-6889. Sept.-May season of contemporary concerts and special events, visiting writers, theater, dance and children's theater in an intimate 700-seat theater. In summer, Shadow Lawn Stage presents summer theater. For birthday party packages, 732-571-3473. See Theatre for more events.
Selected Main Events
Jan 29
     Richie Havens, 8pm.
Feb 5
     Brandi Carlile, with special guest Gregory Alan Isakov, 8pm.
Feb 19
     Brooklyn Rider, multi-faceted string quartet.
Feb 26
     Cherish the Ladies, 8pm.
Apr 10
     Suzanne Vega, 8pm.
Apr 11
     In the Mood: A 1940s Musical Revue, 3pm.
Apr 16
     Totally Mozart, Music & Theatre Arts Dept. 7:30pm.
Apr 23
     Lunasa and Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, 8pm.

Montclair State University
Alexander Kasser Theater, Montclair State University, One Normal Ave., Montclair, 973-655-5112, box office; 973-655-3059, info. Presents School of the Arts theater, music and dance performances and professional arts events through Peak Performances.

Mostly Music
Morrow Memorial Methodist Church, 600 Ridgewood Rd., Maplewood; Temple Emanu-El, 756 E. Broad St., Westfield, 973-762-0108. Five-concert chamber music series Sundays at 2:30pm in Maplewood and 7:30pm in Westfield. Subscriptions; single tickets; students ages 10-21 free.
Apr 11, May 16

Music at the Mission
West Milford Presbyterian Church, 1452 Union Valley Rd., West Milford, 800-613-1455, 973-728-4201. Non-profit, volunteer organization presents live music in a 160-seat coffeehouse atmosphere. Open mic is usually held on the first Sat. of the month.

Music at Morristown
United Methodist Church, 50 Park Place (on the Green), Morristown, 973-538-2132. 30 min. Music at Noon concerts in Dec. & Jan. Abendmusik concert series Feb.-April.
Music at Noon
Thursdays at 12:15pm, luncheon available for purchase. December concerts free, January concerts suggested donation $6, $5 srs. and students.
Jan 21
     Mainstreet Brass (minus two).
Jan 28
     Heritage Piano Trio.
Abendmusik
Saturday evenings at 7:30pm. Adults $12, srs. & students $10. Tickets, 973-895-2027 or at church office.
Feb 20
     F. Allen Artz, III, organ.
Mar 20
     Paul Zeigler, piano.
Apr 24
     Chancel Chorus of Morristown UMC, Eine Kleine Mozart. Suggested donation: Adults $15, srs. & students $12.

New Jersey Ballet Company
973-597-9600, njballet.org. Oct.-May season features performances throughout the state, Sunday matinee Kids & Families and annual Nutcracker performances. Adult, sr., student tickets. Subscriptions available through New Jersey Ballet. Call box office of venue for individual tickets.
Matinee for Kids and Families
112-hour professional ballet performance with live narration. Venues include the Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Morristown; Raritan Valley Community College, North Branch; Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway; and bergenPAC, Englewood.
Mar 21
     Cinderella, 2pm, Kean University.
Mar 28
     Sleeping Beauty, 1 & 3:30pm, RVCC.
Apr 11
     Cinderella, 3pm, Community Theatre.
Apr 25
     Cinderella, 4:30pm, bergenPAC.
May 2
     Peter & the Wolf and Beauty & the Beast, 3pm, Union County PAC.
May 16
     Peter & the Wolf and Beauty & the Beast, 1:30 & 4pm, Community Theatre.

New Jersey Conservatory of Fine Arts
PO Box 416, Mountain Lakes, 973-402-2004. Independent non-profit organization consists of Symphonic Chorus, Orchestra, Chamber Choir & Youth Choruses for grades 1-9. Performances throughout northern New Jersey. Advance tickets recommended; student discounts.
Mar 14
     Winter Concert, Denville Youth Choruses. 7pm. Church of the Saviour, 155 Morris Ave., Denville.
May 2
     Spring Concert, Symphonic Chorus and Baroque Orchestra. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 246 Woodport Rd., Sparta.
Jun 6
     Spring Concert, Denville Youth Choruses. 7pm.

New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra
PO Box 432, Cranford, NJ 07016, 908-522-0100, email info@njio.org. Community orchestra presents free concerts in winter and spring and has an outreach program which brings musicians to nursing homes and community events. Open house rehearsals are held in Sept.

New Jersey Jazz Society
Sponsors classic jazz concerts, film series, jazz socials, annual JazzFest and co-sponsors the Bickford Jazz Showcase at the Morris Museum and Jazz for Shore. Membership, open to youth and adults, includes subscription to Jersey Jazz Journal, invitation to musical events and CD discounts. Visit website for upcoming events and college jazz performance schedules.
Jun 4-5
JazzFest 2010.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center
One Center St., Newark, 1-888-GO NJPAC. 2,750-seat Prudential Hall and 500-seat Victoria Theater in Newark. Classical music, international dance, world music & jazz, contemporary concerts, theater and family series. Subscriptions; individual tickets; $10 student rush tickets offered at the box office one hour before curtain time. Subject to availability, valid ID required, limit two per student. Also see Theatre listings.
Selected Events
2009-2010 Season
Feb 6
     Birdhouse Factory, Cirque Mechanics. Ages 4 & up. 2, 3 & 7pm.
Feb 27
     Peking Acrobats. 7:30pm.
Feb 28
     Sleeping Beauty, Tchaikovsky Ballet.
FamilyTime Performance Series
Ages 3 and up
Feb 28
     The Little Engine That Could, Omaha Theater Company.
Apr 17-18
     Butterfly: The Story of a Life Cycle, Hudson Vagabond Puppets. Ages 6 and up
Feb 13-14
     Year of the Tiger, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.
Mar 13
     Frindle, Griffin Theatre Company.
Mar 21
     Newark Boys Chorus with East Orange Campus High School "Jaguar Bucket Ensemble."
May 22
     Frist Stop on the "A" Team, NJ Tap Ensemble. Ages 10 and up
Mar 27
     Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company.
Young Artist Performances
Feb 20
     All-State Concert Band, Wind Ensemble & Women's Choir.
May 15
     Wachovia Jazz for Teens Final Concert.
May 28
     NJN Hispanic Youth Showcase.
Jun 2
     The NJPAC Jeffrey Carollo Music Scholarship Recital.
Jun 9
     The NJPAC Star-Ledger Scholarship for the Performing Arts Recital.
SchoolTime Performance Series
973-642-2002. Music, dance, theater, puppetry and holiday performances for grades pre-K-12. Curriculum guides, professional development workshops, "meet-the-artist" periods, post-performance tours available.

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
60 Park Place, 9th floor (admin. office), Newark, 1-800-ALLEGRO. Performances at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark; State Theatre, New Brunswick; Richardson Auditorium, Princeton; War Memorial, Trenton; bergenPAC, Englewood; and Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank. Subscriptions; flex passes; Young Professionals flex pass for ages 21-39; individual tickets; student discounts. Program notes are available online one week before concerts.
Best of Series
Four 75-min. concerts include speaking from the stage, theatrical elements and music. Performances are scheduled in Morristown, Trenton, Red Bank and Englewood.
Jan 14-17
     Best of...Italian Opera.
Feb 25- 28
     Best of...Fairy Tales.
May 20-23
     Best of...Composers at the Keyboard.
Selected Special Concerts
May 15
     Hitchcock: Symphony at the Movies, NJPAC.
2009-2010 Family Concert Series
Performances at 2pm, NJPAC, Newark. Pre-concert Adventures one hour before each concert include activities, games and opportunity to meet the musicians.
Feb 13
     Peter & the Wolf, storytelling through music.
May 15
     The Firebird, with Underground Railway Theater, combines theater, puppetry and music.

New Jersey Youth Symphony
570 Central Ave., Murray Hill, 908-771-5544. Three orchestral groups, three string ensembles, flute choir and percussion ensemble of youth in grades 3-12 present orchestra and chamber music concerts from Sept-May. Auditions are held annually each June for the following year.

New Philharmonic of New Jersey
PO Box 244, Cedar Knolls, 07927-0244, 973-267-0206. Oct.-May concert series at the Dolan Performance Hall in the Annunciation Center, College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station. Performances at 3pm, lecture begins at 2pm. Sounds Like Fun! music education program available for bookings Jan.-Mar. Subscriptions; special pricing available for children's tickets and group sales.
Mar 14
Bracha Malkin, violin, soloist.
May 9
Seymour Lipkin, piano, soloist.

Outpost in the Burbs
40 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair, 973-744-6560. Presents affordable, quality acoustic entertainment Sept.-June at the First Congregational Church of Montclair, the Unitarian Church of Montclair, 67 Church St., or the Montclair High School auditorium. Advance tickets by mail or through Ticketweb, 866-468-7619.
Feb 12
     Robin Spielberg, with special guest David Goldman.
Feb 26
     Vance Gilbert & Dala.
Mar 5
     Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams.
Mar 12
      Chris Hillman, with special guest.

Plainfield Symphony Orchestra
P.O. Box 5093, Plainfield, NJ 07061, 908-561-5140. New Jersey's oldest community symphony presents concerts Sept.-March at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, 7th St. & Watchung Ave., Plainfield. Subscriptions; student rates; children 12 and under are free.
   Wanted High school student volunteers for Junior Board of Directors. Students will get experience in marketing, operations or fundraising.
Mar 6
     Russian Nights, featuring two piano concertos by the Gold Prize Winners of the Young Pianist Competition of New Jersey, Doris Lee and Sean Lee. 8pm.
Apr 24
     Verdi Requiem, in concert with the Crescent Choral Society. 8pm.

Raritan Valley Community College
Edward Nash Theatre, Rt. 28 & Lamington Rd. (Rt. 78 exit 26 or Rt. 22W), North Branch, 908-725-3420. Major Artists Series, new Tuesdays with Stories Series, Sampler Series for younger children, Family Series for children ages 8 and older and their families, and school-time performances. See additional listings under Theatre. Student and series discounts.
Family Series Events
Feb 26
New Shanghai Circus, acrobats, 7pm.
May 7
Ball in the House, pop/rock without the instruments, 7pm.

Ridge Light Opera
PO Box 344, Millington, 908-903-0702. Specializes in shows featuring staged and costumed highlights of (light) opera and musical theatre as well as full scale productions. Visit website for upcoming shows.

Sanctuary Concerts
Presbyterian Church of Chatham Twp., 240 Southern Blvd., Chatham, 973-376-4946. Oct.-May acoustic music series features concerts by well-loved national, regional and local artists. 8pm. Tickets $25 unless noted; series discount.
Feb 20
     Susan Werner with Lindsay Mac.
Mar 6
     Al Stewart with Dave Nachmanoff.
Mar 12
     George Winston.
Apr 17
     Chad & Jeremy.
Apr 24
     John Gorka, Candlelight Concert.
May 1
     Roger McGuinn, at Morristown-Beard School. $30.
May 8
     Jill Sobule with We're About 9.
May 15
     Terry Sylvester and John Ford Coley.
May 22
     Year-End Ice Cream Social, $1 CD Sale with Christine Lavin. $10.

Shea Center for Performing ArtsWPLive
William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Rd., Wayne, 973-720-2371. Arts hotline: 973-720-ARTS. Jazz series, professional touring artists, family and schooltime shows, university theater and music performances and lecture series presented Sept.-May. See Theatre for Family Series.

South Orange Performing Arts Center
One SOPAC Way, South Orange, 973-275-1114. Intimate 415-seat theater presents performances by major artists in theater, dance, comedy, music, family events and performances by the Seton Hall University Arts Council. See Theatre for additional events.
Family Series
Performances at 11 & 2pm. Tickets $20, unless noted.
Jan 31
Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could, 2008 Grammy nominees. Ages 2 & up.
May 2
Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, family dance performances. Ages 3 & up. 3pm.

South Orange Symphony Orchestra
Performances at South Orange Middle School, 70 N. Ridgewood Ave., South Orange, www.southorangesymphony.org or email sosymphony@aol.com. Not-for-profit community orchestra, founded in 1949, presents three to four free classical concerts per year to the local community.
Feb 28
3pm.
May 22
8pm.

State Theatre
15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, 732-246-7469. Full schedule of Broadway, music, dance, opera, symphony and variety events plus a children's series. Student matinees (open to students & general public), artist-in residence program, Symphony Scholars program, and professional development workshops for teachers. For education programs, call 732-247-7200, ext. 534 or visit www.statetheatrenj.org/education. Also see Theatre listings.
Selected Family Events Ages 6+
Mar 27-28
     TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming.
Selected Family Events Ages 12+
Jan 23
     Band of the Irish Guards with the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Feb 5
     Scrap Arts Music.
Mar 14
     The Chieftains.
May 7-8
     Nalmes Folk Dance Spectacular.
Selected Family Events Ages 15+
Feb 9
     Urban Bush Women.
Feb 14
     Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Mar 12
     Swan Lake, Moscow Festival Ballet.
Mar 25
     The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess.
Selected Family Events Ages 18+
Apr 9
     Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet.

Summit Symphony
Oct.-May concerts at Summit High School, Kent Place Blvd., Summit. No admission; sponsored by Summit Board of Recreation, local businesses, and Friends of the Symphony. Concerts begin at 3pm, pre-concert lecture at 2:15pm.
Mar 14
Dan Zhu, violin soloist.
May 16
Young Artists Concert.

Underground Concert Series
Hotline: 973-762-0119. Eclectic world and folk music brought to different venues in Maplewood for fall and spring series.

Union County Performing Arts Center
1601 Irving St., Rahway, 732-499-8226. Concerts, jazz, comedy, theater, film, family and children events are presented in a 1,300 seat vintage 1920's auditorium. Student/sr. discounts. Summer theater program for ages 5-18 and Generation Rock music program for ages 8-18. See Theatre for additional events.
Selected Events
May 1
Tappin' with the Ballet, New Jersey Ballet. 8pm.
May 2
Peter & The Wolf and Beauty & The Beast, New Jersey Ballet Kids & Family performance. 3pm.

Watchung Arts Center
18 Stirling Rd., Watchung Circle, Watchung, 908-753-0190. Non-profit, volunteer-run center offers new art exhibitions each month, performances in music, comedy and improv, and classes in drawing, photography and yoga.

Wellmont Theatre
5 Seymour St., Montclair, 877-935-5668, www.tickets.com. 2000-seat concert venue in renovated 1922 theater. Check website for bookings.

Westfield Symphony Orchestra
908-232-9400. Oct.-May season features concerts in Westfield and nearby communities. Adult/sr/student rates, subscriptions. Westfield Symphony Caravan, outreach program.
Feb 20
     Variations On A Latin Beat, 8pm. Union County PAC, Rahway.
Apr 11
      Stars of Tomorrow, Grand Finale of 2nd Tri-State Concerto Competition, youth concert. 4pm. The Presbyterian Church, Westfield.
May 8
     We The People, Season Finale. 8pm. The Presbyterian Church, Westfield.

children's radio

Radio Disney
1560AM.

WBGO
WBGO 88.3FM. 54 Park Place, Newark, 973-624-8880. Member-supported station presents jazz, blues, public affairs programming, and sponsors a free children's jazz series in Newark in the fall.

WFUV-FM
90.7FM, Public Radio from Fordham University.

WNYC
WNYC New York Public Radio, AM820, FM93.9. Radio Rookies initiative for teens.

WQXR
WQXR FM105.9. NYC classical station airs McGraw Hill Young Artists Showcase on Wed. at 9pm to showcase the talents of young emerging artists.

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