The spirit of an Irish Christmas will come alive in New Jersey this December as “A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland” brings its “magical holiday show” to the state. The production, which has toured to “packed theaters around the world,” will make five stops in New Jersey from Dec. 10 to 19. Choreographed…

Happy “Wicked” week, Essential Arts readers! The film adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical arrives in theaters this weekend. I’m staff writer Ashley Lee, who’s already seen it twice and plans at least more big-screen visit to Oz. I’m here with my colleague Jessica Gelt with other must-see suggestions, plus the arts and culture news…

MT. MORRIS – The Performing Arts Guild of Mt. Morris will present a dessert theatre, Christmas Eve in Chaos, a festive, side-splitting radio play that captures the spirit of holiday mishaps. This comedy will be presented Friday through Sunday, Jan. 10–12 at the Allure of Pinecrest Grove Theater, 500 Evergreen Lane, Mt. Morris. Carol (Trudy…

It was one of the biggest programs Jacqueline Cassidy ran as manager of public programs at the Walker from 2015 to 2021. Target didn’t just cover folks’ admission; it provided funding for programming, too. Art-making and music, poetry readings and tours. Cassidy used it to counter real and perceived barriers, planning programming that welcomed artists…

When it comes to the NBA, debates about the best player — Steph? No, Luka, right? How about Giannis? — can become endless. In classical music, however, there is a No. 1 who’s become a household name: Yo-Yo Ma. The cellist is returning to Norfolk as part of the Virginia Arts Festival’s 2025 lineup, which…

Mid-November is more than just the half-way point between Halloween and Thanksgiving. It is also the height of fall play season at our area schools for our local young thespians. It is also way too early for Christmas music, but I digress. Check out some of the many local options you have to support the arts at our local schools: Lake Catholic High School…

The Shining Stars Christmas Spectacular 2024 will be presented at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. The holiday show features a talented cast of performers with special needs who will sing and dance to Christmas tunes. Now in their 12th year, the Shining Stars have previously played…

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore School for the Arts has an after-school program called TWIGSwhich has been helping students get a head start in perfecting their craft for 40 years and counting. The free program is for young students in elementary and middle school and is open to students from all Baltimore City Schools. Samantha Christiansen…