Centenary Stage Co. Summer Concert Series Will Be 'Jammin'

A month's worth of musical events will take the stage at Centenary College this summer.

The following information is a press release provided by Centenary Stage Company.

Centenary Stage Company’s Jammin’ in July Summer Concert Series will keep Hackettstown buzzing with a diverse lineup of fun-for-the-whole-family events kicking off Saturday, July 7 and wrapping up with a crowd pleaser on Saturday, August 4. Each weekend will feature a new concert playing the Sitnik Theatre of the award-winning David and Carol Lackland Center on the campus of Centenary College.   

Swingadelic, the best “little big band” around, takes the Centenary Stage on July 7 at 8 p.m. The band formed in 1998 as the neo-swing movement was just gaining momentum and according to The Star Ledger’s Zan Stewart makes “listeners feel good with its range of offerings from slow, steamy blues and foot-stomping swing to more modern fare.” Swingadelic has played venues up and down the eastern seaboard including Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing and has produced a number of albums including their newest release The Other Duke, a valentine to the music of Duke Pearson, hailed for being “big-hearted, good-time, feelin’-fine jazz played with serious proficiency.”  Tickets for Swingadelic are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the performance. 

The exuberant Cab Calloway Orchestra will keep things bouncing on July 14 at 8 p.m. The orchestra is under the direction of Calloway’s grandson Christopher Calloway Brooks who the original Calloway himself praised by exclaiming “and then there’s my grandson.  He’s certainly got the music together, there’s just no question about it.”  The twelve piece orchestra combines impeccable musicianship with legendary showmanship while sharing the irresistible rhythms and red-hot lyrics that the Cab Calloway Orchestra has been famous for since the 1920’s. CBS’s Paul Shaffer raved that the Cab Calloway Orchestra “rocked the house! They swung hard all night long, they all played their tails off!” Tickets for the Cab Calloway Orchestra are $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the performance. 

Returning, by popular demand, after having opened for the Smithereens last season, singer-songwriter Sarah Borges, a WNTI favorite, will share her unique sound with Hackettstown once again July 21 at 8 p.m. Borges’ music has been described as “walking that fine line between punk and country.”  Sarah Borges in concert is being produced in conjunction with NPR affiliate WNTI 91.9 Public Radio from Centenary College. Tickets for Sarah Borges are $30 to $35 in advance and $35 to $40 on the day of the performance. 

The lively song and dance revue Smokey Joe’s Café will play the  Sitnik July 26 through July 29. New Jersey Youth Theatre (NJYT) will present four performances of the Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller revue featuring the songwriters’ top hits from the pop, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues genres.  Memorable songs include “On Broadway,” “Don Juan,” and “Stand By Me.”  The Star Ledger’s Peter Filichia has praised NJYT by proclaiming “if there were Tony Awards for New Jersey’s theaters, here’s who would shine.” Tickets for NJYT’s Smokey Joe’s Café are $22.50 to $27.50 with discounts for seniors, students, and children under 12. 

Beatlemania Now, a live musical tribute to the Beatles, wraps up the summer concert series on Saturday, August 4 at 8 p.m.  Beatlemania Now is a blast from the past that recreates the energy of an original Beatles show set against a backdrop of iconic images evoking many memories from the 1960’s. The transcendent music of the Beatles is a “must see and hear” for all ages. Tickets for Beatlemania Now are $30 to $35 in advance and $35 to $40 on the day of the performance with discounts for children under 12.

Tickets for Centenary Stage Company’s Jammin’ in July Summer Concert Series are available through the CSC Box office at 715 Grand Ave., open 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 2 hours prior to each performance. They may also be purchased online at www.centenarystageco.org, or by calling the box office at  908-979-0900. A Summer Concert Series Flex Pass subscription to all five events is $120 per person. A Pick Three Flex Pass subscription is $75 per person.

The 2012-13 season of performing arts events at Centenary Stage Company is made possible (and affordable) through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, and CSC members and sponsors, including Premier Sponsors Fulton Bank of New Jersey and  Heath Village Retirement Community,  as well as Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, and Mama’s and Café Baci.