featured events
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.
Sketch Night is Back!
September 24, 6–9pm
Come to the Parlor at Hailey’s, bring your art materials, and sketch with the best! Enjoy pub fare, drinks and the company of fellow artists.
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.
Metuchen Vibes
Closing Reception Sept. 28, 1–3pm
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
Metuchen Downtown Alliance Metuchen Pops- September 27
Metuchen Pops! Enjoy a day of pop culture including art, music, dance and more throughout Downtown Metuchen!
Speak to artists across modern and pop culture mediums including graffiti artists, cartoonists, modern artists, sneaker artists, tattoo artists, battle-of-the-walls event and more.
Outfront Metuchen Improv Series
October 5 and November 16
Discover the joy of improv in this high-energy class made just for middle-schoolers! Through fun games and scenes, students will build confidence, communication, and creativity while making new friends in a supportive, inclusive space. No scripts, no pressure - just laughter and self-expression.
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.
A reception of snacks and light refreshments will follow.
Suggested donation to benefit the Candlelight Concert Series (cash, check, card, or PayPal accepted):
$22/adults
$15/seniors
17 & under/FREE
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.
Mignolo Arts presents Art Week
Kenny Davis - October 11
World-class jazz right here in Metuchen! Internationally acclaimed bassist Kenny Davis brings his artistry from the world stage to the next generation of Jazz
a program of Metuchen Jazz for Youth
Mignolo Arts presents Art Week
A.I. In the Visual Arts - October 12
When Brushstrokes meet Algorithms - A live dialogue on art and A.I.
MACBETH -A Musical Adaptation
October 17-19
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.)
Cornerstone Jazz Series: Drummer Winard Harper & Jeli Posse
Sunday, October 19, 2–4 pm
Constantly in reverence of his predecessors while remaining innovative in his own right, Winard Harper has been among the celebrated drummers in jazz for many years. He is a virtuoso on the drum set and the balafon, the West African equivalent of the marimba, he is a sought after collaborator at home and abroad, a band leader of his quartet, his quintet, and his exciting band the Jeli Posse, a regular with the legendary New York clubs, an educator of future jazz professionals, an educator through his kids programs, an event organizer—successfully running the weekly Fish Fry Jazz Jam and the Sunday “Meet the Artist” Series at Moore’s Lounge in Jersey City. Bringing jazz to the community from which it originated, relating the story of The Great American Art Form, the only music that is 100% “made in America,” spreading the joy that jazz brings is the quest to which Winard Harper has dedicated his life.
This event will offer free admission, but seats are limited. Stay tuned for registration information via Metuchen Jazz and Friends of Metuchen Arts, the Metuchen Public Library newsletter, and social media.
Nosferatu
October 30, 6:30pm
F.W. Murnau’s 1922 Classic Horror Film Live-Scored by the Cody McCorry Nosferatu Ensemble
Old Franklin Schoolhouse, Metuchen
Celebrating the Centennial Birthday of Saxophonist Gigi Gryce
Vocalist Alexis Cole Trio Performs with Narration by Jazz Historian and Author Noal Cohen
Saturday, November 8, 2–4pm
Alexis Cole has been compared to classic jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Anita O'Day. A Top Winner of the Jazzmobile Vocal Competition judged by jazz icons TS Monk, Catherine Russell, Grady Tate, and Dr. Billy Taylor, 3rd prize winner in the Montreux Jazz Vocal Competition, and a finalist in the Sarah Vaughan Competition, Alexis has a dozen albums to her credit on Motéma, Chesky, Venus Records, and Zoho. She has recorded with such artists as Fred Hersch, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Don Braden. She’s been a soloist with the Boston Pops, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and has headlined at clubs around the US and Asia.
As an educator, Alexis was the head of vocal jazz at the conservatory at SUNY Purchase and counts Grammy-winning Samara Joy and rising star Anaïs Reno as her students. She is the founder and director of JazzVoice.com (https://www.jazzvoice.com/), an online educational community featuring singing classes, professional development sessions, and private lessons from a roster of renowned jazz vocalists and educators. And she is co-founder of the Virginia Beach Vocal Jazz Summit (https://www.vocaljazzsummit.org/). Her most recent release, “Jazz Republic: Taiwan, The United States and the Freedom of Swing,” features original arrangements for big band and orchestra, performed by Alexis with the Taipei Jazz Orchestra.
Noal Cohen, jazz historian and co-author of Rat Race Blues, the story of Gigi Gryce, will narrate the program and share his knowledge of Gigi Gryce, a highly appreciated jazz saxophonist who had a surprising career. Come and learn all about it!
This event is FREE, but seats are limited. Stay tuned for registration information via Metuchen Jazz and Friends of Metuchen Arts, the Metuchen Library newsletter, and social media.
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.
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
Cryptid Mountain
by David LaMorte
Cryptid Mountain is a Dante's Inferno meets Weird NJ. Follow the Jersey Devil up Cryptid Mountain on a journey of self-discovery and whimsy. Can he find himself before another cryptid finds him first? From Ricky's Luna Parc to the Muffler Man of Jersey City, see a novel take on the Jersey Devil myth.