Looking for fun this June? Check out these events and activities happening all over New Jersey.
Please note that all schedules are subject to change; visit each venue’s website for more information.
Art
Vanessa German: “…please imagine all the things I cannot say…”
Thru June 25
This month is your last chance to see this exhibition from Vanessa German, a self-taught sculptor, painter, poet, and performance artist who sees art as a way of healing, especially for women and African-Americans. This exhibition is her first solo one in the NJ/NY area. Friday-Sunday, varying hours; general admission $12-$15. Montclair Art Museum, Montclair. montclairartmuseum.org
Picturing Jersey City: Nineteenth-Century Views by August Will
Thru June 18
German-American artist August Will spent most of his life in Jersey City, and he documented the physical changes he watched the city undergo through paintings and drawing. Now you can look at Jersey City through Will’s eyes in the hundreds of artworks on display in New Brunswick. Wednesday-Saturday, varying hours; FREE. Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick. zimmerli.rutgers.edu
Comedy
Leslie Jones
June 16
SNL alum Leslie Jones made a name for herself on the classic comedy sketch show from the mid to late 2010s, going on to star in blockbuster movies and TV shows like Ghostbusters, Coming 2 America and Our Flag Means Death. Now, she’s hitting the road and bringing her bold and eccentric stage presence to the Count Basie stage. 7 pm; $39-$69. Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank. thebasie.org
Ross Mathews
June 25
TV personality and host Ross Mathews has appeared alongside some of the biggest names in the talk show genre, including Jay Leno, Chelsea Handler, RuPaul and Drew Barrymore. And he’s bringing his comedic chops and charming personality to Newark on a stand-up tour. 7 pm; $53-$104. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark. njpac.org
Music
Grammy-winning vocalist Samara Joy will kick off McCarter Theatre Center’s Jazz in June. Photo: Courtesy of McCarter Theatre Center
Jazz in June
June 2-17
McCarter Theatre Center is hosting six jazz shows in June, including concerts by saxophonist Melissa Aldana and Cuban musicians Chucho Valdés and Paquito D’Rivera. The month kicks off with Grammy-winning vocalist Samara Joy. Various showtimes; $17-$95. McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton. mccarter.org
Marisa Monte
June 23
Legendary Brazilian musician and multi-instrumentalist Marisa Monte—known for an eclectic blend of pop, rock, samba and bossa nova that has won her multiple awards—brings her music to the stage in Newark. 8 pm; $40-$100. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark. njpac.org
Special Events
Maggie Haberman
June 30
Renowned journalist Maggie Haberman is a White House correspondent for The New York Times, a CNN political analyst and a best-selling author of the book Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America. Haberman will be speaking at SOPAC to close out the month, beginning with opening remarks from the political journalist followed by a Q&A moderated by SOPAC Executive Director Stephen Beaudoin. 8 pm; $19-$45. South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange. sopacnow.org
An Evening with Stephen Colbert and Jim Gaffigan
June 24
Who has four thumbs, appearances in some of the biggest TV shows and movies of all time and a multitude of Emmy and Grammy nominations between the two of them? These guys! Join Stephen Colbert and Jim Gaffigan in Newark for what’s sure to be a hilarious conversation between two esteemed comedians. 8 pm; $79-$250. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark. njpac.org
Stage
Two Sister and a Piano
June 3-25
Nilo Cruz is a Cuban-American playwright who won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Anna in the Tropics. This month, the Two River Theater brings his 1998 work Two Sisters and a Piano to the stage, a story of two sisters under house arrest in 1990s Havana as the Cuban political climate around them changes. Various showtimes; $30-$75. Two River Theater, Red Bank. tworivertheater.org
Jesus Christ Superstar
June 9-11
The iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar makes its way to New Brunswick, showcasing the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Various showtimes; $40- $98. State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick. stnj.org
NJ Pride Events
Photo: Shutterstock/dinaodess
Merchantville
June 3
Head to Peak Secondhand for an on-street fashion show. 11 am; free (donation suggested). Peak Secondhand, Merchantville. peaksecondhand.com
Asbury Park
June 4
The 31st annual Jersey Pride celebration will be happening in Asbury Park with a parade beginning at noon, followed by an outdoor concert and festival. Noon-6 pm; $15. jerseypride.org
Montclair
June 10
A day of performances, raffles, vendors and lots of love. Noon; free, donation suggested. Bloomfield Avenue. outmontclair.org
Toms River
June 10
Downtown Toms River will be the site of the town’s 5th annual Pride celebration, as Washington Street will be filled with music, vendors, food, performances and plenty of other festivities to promote a safe environment for members of the community. Noon; FREE. Downtown Washington Street, Toms River. b985radio.com/event/toms-river-pride
South Orange
June 25
SOPAC’s first-ever drag show. 7 pm; $36. sopacnow.org
Benefits
CASA at the Zoo
June 10
CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, New Jersey (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) is working with Turtle Back Zoo for a special night of zoo family fun, including dinner, snacks, rides, fun activities and much more! The entire zoo will be closed to the public and will only be open to those who purchase tickets to the event, which will benefit local children in the foster care system. 6 pm; $25-$50. Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange. casamsc.org
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