featured events
Metuchen Vibes
July 27–September 28
Art by the community, for the community
Open Wednesdays, 6–8pm and Sundays, 1–3pm.
Join us for an art exhibit that celebrates Metuchen! We are proud to present the multimedia art of 20 local artists:
Lisa Carvalho · Gina Coffey • Adam Fensterheim · Sondra Flite Mark Harris · Stephen Helfand
Vijaya Iyer · Deb Kmetz • Diane LaFranca · David LaMorte Yimeng Ling · Sandy Mezinis
Jessica Rios · Betsy Robin Schwartz Diane Surine · Zaneta Vojnova
Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella • Mickey Waring · Bella Wess
Julia Win · Ed Wetzel • Stephanie Yu-Falkenstein
Summer Sundays with Friends
August 24, 1pm
Friends of Metuchen Arts is happy to collaborate with Basecamp Studio and Gallery and Community Nursery School bring you four Sundays with musicians at our gallery!
Weather permitting, the musicians will be set up beside our building on the grass, and visitors are welcome to bring beach blankets. Enjoy the music and then wander into our studio to experience the current exhibitions. Registration on Eventbrite will be available soon.
This musician series is curated by Sarah Teti @sarahtetimusic
Community Nursery School: www.communityns.org
Basecamp Studio and Gallery: thebasecamp.art
RAIN LOCATION FOR Kim and Danny Adlerman: First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen Social Center, 270 Woodbridge Avenue, Metuchen. Thank you to First Pres for being a helpful community partner! Ticket holders will receive notification if the rain location is utilized.
Peter and the Wolf
September 7, 3pm
Friends of Metuchen Arts and the Westerhoff School of Music & Art are proud to present PETER AND THE WOLF, a free performance for all local families.
This classic musical story is brought to stirring life by the Phoenix Woodwind Quintet as instruments “play” the voices of Peter and his animal friends. Through theatrical devices including mask and mime, students participate to help create the characters. Students learn about woodwind instruments and musical concepts while sharpening their listening skills.
Grant funding for this project has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.
Porchfest 2025
September 20, 2025
More info in the link
Metuchen Inspirations with Betsy Robin Schwartz and Adam Fensterheim
September 21, 2pm
Our current exhibit, “Metuchen Vibes,” has a piece by Adam Fensterheim inspired by the poem “Someone Is Singing: A Poem for Metuchen’s Centennial (https://betsy0201.wixsite.com/about/poetry/someone-is-singing)” by international award-winning poet Betsy Robin Schwartz (https://betsy0201.wixsite.com/about).
Along with reading her poetry, Betsy will discuss her Metuchen-inspired writing and how Metuchen has inspired other writers. Adam will discuss how the poem inspired him as a Metuchen artist. You’ll have an opportunity to engage with and share memories with Betsy, Adam, and other Metuchen Vibes artists.
Join us on September 21, 2025, at 2pm for a lively performance and discussion about Metuchen’s Centennial and literary heritage. Copies of the poem and refreshments will be available.
Middlesex County Jazz Festival
Metuchen 9/27 5:30pm–9:45pm
Saturday, September 27
5:30 pm–9:45 pm
Metuchen High School
400 Grove Ave.
5:30–6:00 pm Welcome and Metuchen Dance Center plus Metuchen High School (MHS) Jazz Combo celebrate the 75th anniversary of Peanuts comic strip
6:00–6:45 pm MHS Jazz Ensemble (Big Band) under the direction of John Messenger and the MHS Orchestra with Christopher McEwan
7:00–8:00 pm AAPI Jazz Collective (7 musicians) led by trombonist Peter Lin
8:15–9:45 pm Sherrie Maricle and The DIVA Jazz Orchestra (15 musicians)
The event is free to the public.
Phantom of the Opera with LIVE Improvised Organ Soundtrack
October 5, 7 pm
Join us to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Phantom of the Opera as we harken to the days of the silver screen with a silent film and live improvised organ accompaniment—by candlelight! Starring Lon Chaney, this classic film is the perfect way to kick off Halloween and "spooky season." Featuring Jordan Klotz, organist and Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen. This event is co-sponsored by Friends of Metuchen Arts and First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen.
Grant funding for this project has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.
Additional funding is provided by Westerhoff School of Music and Art.
Local Eco
September 2–October 30
Metuchen Library
480 Middlesex Ave.
Friends of Metuchen Arts is proud to sponsor Joseph Castronova’s next show at the Metuchen Library Gallery: Local Eco. Joseph Castronova is an artist and educator. He was Artist in Residence for 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen; faculty at The Institute for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, NJ and former Director of duCret School of Art in Plainfield, NJ. Joseph has shown extensively in our area including: Art Alliance, Rotunda Gallery, Barron Arts Center, Westerhoff Gallery, M Galleries, Above Art and ART150.
BetweenUs
August 3–September 25
Check out Basecamp Studio and Gallery's opening reception and enjoy bonus access to the Metuchen Vibes exhibition next door with us at Friends of Metuchen Arts! Two for One! https://basecamp.art
Ferrell Studios presents …
Macbeth: A Musical Adaptation reimagines Shakespeare’s classic tragedy in the twentieth century, blending modernized language with an original score. Set in a world haunted by ghostly uncertainty, the show opens with a thrilling musical number that establishes the eerie tone and introduces the characters. Macbeth receives prophetic visions from the Witch, igniting his ambition as he rises through the ranks, encouraged and pushed by the equally determined Lady Macbeth. As suspicions grow and the body count rises, their actions spiral toward inevitable ruin. With moments of dark comedy woven into the tragedy, this adaptation captures both the gravity and absurdity of unchecked ambition. Through powerful voices and bold choices, the show re-examines how far people will go for power, security, and redemption.
Sponsored by Friends of Metuchen Arts (FOMA) and the Borough Improvement League (B.I.L.)
nosteratu
October 30, 6:30pm
F.W. Murnau’s 1922 Classic Horror Film Live-Scored by the Cody McCorry Nosferatu Ensemble
Old Franklin Schoolhouse, Metuchen
Peace on Earth
November 30, 7pm
Celebrate the holiday season with faculty of the Westerhoff School of Music & Art alongside the choirs and handbell choirs of First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen. This multigenerational performance centers on the world's need for peace in times of struggle, war, and hardship. This Candlelight Concert immediately follows the Metuchen Holiday Parade and Winter Festival, so enjoy the parade, the tree-lighting, and come on over to finish the night off with seasonal music! This event is co-sponsored by Friends of Metuchen Arts and First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen and features faculty of the Westerhoff School of Music & Art.
Grant funding for this project has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.
Coming Soon: OutFront Metuchen Improv Series
For Middle and High School Students
Coming this fall, stay tuned.