The Hit Men

Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 8pm at Union County PAC

Red Hot Chili Pipers

Friday, March 1, 2024 at 8pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

Cherish the Ladies

Celtic Christmas

Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 8pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

One of the most engaging and successful ensembles in the history of Celtic music, Cherish The Ladies have shared timeless Irish traditions with audiences worldwide for over thirty years. In Cherish The Ladies Celtic Christmas, the Ladies put their signature mark on classic carols such as “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night,” in arrangements that highlight the group’s unique Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies, and spectacular step dancing. Hailed by The New York Times as “passionate, tender and rambunctious,” Cherish The Ladies have released three critically acclaimed holiday albums, On Christmas Night, A Star in The East, and 2015’s Christmas in Ireland.

“It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do,” says the Boston Globe speaking of Cherish the Ladies, the long-running, Grammy- nominated, Irish-American super group that formed in New York City in 1985 to celebrate the rise of extraordinary women in what had been a male-dominated Irish music scene. Over the past three decades, they have toured the world, played the White House and the Olympics and recorded 17 critically acclaimed albums including their Emmy winning special, “An Irish Homecoming,” which was broadcast on PBS.

Under the leadership of All-Ireland flute and whistle champion Joanie Madden, named by The Irish Voice Newspaper as one of the Top 25 most influential Irish Americans of the past quarter century, these ladies create an evening that includes a spectacular blend of virtuoso instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements, and stunning step dancing. Their continued success as one of the top Celtic groups in the world is due to the ensembles ability to take the best of Irish traditional music and dance and put it forth in an immensely entertaining show.

The New York Times calls their music “passionate, tender, and rambunctious,” and the Washington Post praises their “astonishing array of virtuosity.” They’ve won recognition as the BBC’s Best Musical Group of the Year and named Top North American Celtic Group at the Irish Music Awards and not to mention having a street named after them in the Bronx! They’ve collaborated with such musicians as The Boston Pops, The Clancy Brothers, the Chieftains, Vince Gill, Nanci Griffith, Pete Seeger, Don Henley, Arlo Guthrie and Maura O’Connell, as well as being the featured soloist with over 280 nights of symphony orchestras.

The level of artistic, historic, and purely enticing entertainment is unlike any in its genre. As their reputation and admiration from both fans and critics alike continues to grow, Cherish The Ladies blazes forward into another decade of music making. Get into the holiday spirit and join us for Cherish The Ladies Celtic Christmas!

Who’s Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience

Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 8pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

Whether you idolized the Jackson 5, fell in love to Human Nature, or learned to moonwalk to Billie Jean, Who’s Bad is THE ULTIMATE music-and-dance driven Michael Jackson tribute. This band of professionals relentlessly elevate the legacy of pop music’s King, always pushing themselves to be more precise, to raise the level of excitement and awe, while embodying Michael Jackson’s mission to bring people together of all races, genders, and cultures through music.

As the curtain opens on a Who’s Bad performance, every MJ fan feels the adrenaline, screams at the sight of that unmistakable silhouette, and immediately starts singing and dancing along. The energy is magnetic, the musicianship is first-rate, the dance moves deftly inspired. Who’s Bad is a Michael Jackson tribute befitting the legendary King of Pop, and their high-octane execution of MJ’s music and dance has catapulted them to the exclusive rank of Ultimate.

Anthony Rodia

Friday, November 3, 2023 at 8pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

A first-generation Italian-American born and raised in Westchester, New York, Anthony Rodia came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path as a finance manager of a luxury car dealership. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. He hit the ground running and performed 100 shows in just nine months, and within three years Anthony has gained a massive fan base online and around the country.

In a very short time, Anthony gained over 900,000 social media followers and his YouTube videos have amassed over 22 million views. Rodia’s comedy pulls from his real life and razor-sharp observations on marriage, parenthood, road rage, and everything else worthy of a social media rant.

With the onset of quarantine, Anthony made the most of a captive audience, delivering a staggering 86 weekly videos. “ROAD RAGE WEDNESDAY” became a fan favorite, but his Uncle Vinny and Zia Lucia characters transformed into a phenomenon. They are the crazy uncle and aunt you love but can’t be out in public with, who speak their minds (whether you asked for it or not).

Masters of Illusion

Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 8pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

Starring the world’s greatest award-winning magicians, Masters of Illusion is a 21st century magic show unlike anything you have seen before – filled with modern illusions and arts of deception, performed live on stage.

Watch closely as you experience things that just can’t be done…or can they?

You will be held at the edge of your seats by the jaw-dropping grand illusions and laugh out loud at the hysterical comedy magic as performers from around the world combine fantasy, fervor and flair with magic created in front of your very eyes.

Masters of Illusion has performed live in front of tens of thousands of people around the US for the past six years and been seen by over 100 million viewers on the CW network as well as in 126 countries around the world.

Here’s what the press is saying about the show:
“…non-stop magical entertainment”
“With its star-studded performance, Masters of Illusion [Live] took the audience on a roller coaster ride that never ended.”
“Without a doubt the best touring magic show in the world!”
“…a performance of a lifetime.”
“With no help from camera tricks or computer graphics – just astonishing illusions leaving you asking, ‘How did they DO that?’”
“Sultry, stunning and spellbinding are spot-on adjectives in describing Masters of Illusion.”

You’ve seen them on the CW Network, the Today Show, CBS News and more, now see them live on our Main Stage!

Mutts Gone Nuts

Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 4pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

Imagine five of the world’s most talented 4-legged performers in an uproariously funny, comedy dog spectacular that is leaving audiences everywhere howling for more, and you’ll get Mutts Gone Nuts! The all-star lineup includes the highest jumping dog in the universe, a hilarious six-pound Pomeranian Pikachu mix, and a host of previously discarded dogs that will dance, prance, flip, and skip their way right into your heart.

Mutts Gone Nuts’ dogs were all adopted from shelters or rescues. Sometimes the very behavior that drove the previous owner to relinquish the dog, becomes the dog’s star quality. The show’s trainers use positive force-free training methods. They look for the dog’s natural talents by getting to know their individual personalities. Once they find out what the dog likes to do, they reinforce those behaviors with treats and/or toys. When not on tour, Mutts Gone Nuts’ furry cast members have the run of three fenced acres at the home of Mutts Gone Nuts’ producers, and of course, they all live in the house (some even sleep in their bed).

Don’t miss this family friendly show created by veteran comedy team Scott and Joan Houghton, who performed their duo act ‘Jessie & James’ on variety stages from Tokyo to Las Vegas. In 2014, the Houghtons joined forces with some of the country’s top dog trainers, world class comedian Jonathan Burns, and eight adorable pound puppies to create this action packed, comedy dog spectacular.

Deemed “A must see!” by the Washington Post, Mutts Gone Nuts is sure to win Best in Show!

A Bronx Tale with Chazz Palminteri

Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 7pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

“A Bronx Tale is a 1993 American coming-of-age crime drama film directed by and starring Robert De Niro in his directorial debut and produced by Jane Rosenthal, adapted from Chazz Palminteri‘s 1989 play of the same name. It tells the coming of age story of an Italian-American boy, Calogero, who, after encountering a local Mafia boss, is torn between the temptations of organized crime and the values of his honest, hardworking father, as well as racial tensions in his community. The Broadway production was converted to film with limited changes, and starred Palminteri and De Niro.

De Niro, who first viewed the play in Los Angeles in 1990, acquired the rights from Palminteri, intent on making the play his directorial debut. The duo then worked heavily together on the screenplay, with Palminteri aiming to retain many of the aspects of the original script, as it was based largely on his own childhood. Production began in 1991, and was funded in collaboration with De Niro’s TriBeCa Productions and Savoy Pictures, as the first film released by each studio.”—Wikipedia

A Bronx Tale premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, 1993, and released in the United States on September 29, 1993. The film [was a hit] with critics, who praised the performances of the leads, and launched Palminteri’s acting & writing career. Robert DeNiro created a classic in his direction of A Bronx Tale.

Ryan Adams (solo)

Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 8pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

The multi-Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Ryan Adams continues his prolific touring schedule with a twenty-two date solo tour across theaters in the United States in September and November 2023.

Following successful solo tours across North America, the United Kingdom and mainland Europe across 2022 and the spring of 2023 – the new tour sees Adams return to American theaters – starting at Evansville, IN at the Victory Theatre – ending in Albuquerque, NM. Ryan Adams has just begun his North American tour with his band “The Cardinals” featuring an all-star line-up including Daniel Pemberton, Chris Stills, Daniel Clarke and Don Was.

The solo concerts will feature Ryan, his guitars and a piano in an acoustic tour-de-force – playing songs across his awe-inspiring catalogue. Each set will be unique with the setlist being meticulously curated only hours before each set with covers appropriate to each city and venue likely – from Springsteen to Slayer – Dylan to Oasis – Prince to The Doors.

The Outlaws

Friday, August 25, 2023 at 8pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

Tusk

Friday, May 19, 2023 at 8pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

Tusk is the number one Tribute to Fleetwood Mac in the world, bar none.

No fancy tricks, no gimmicks, just five musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note for note renditions that no other Fleetwood Mac tribute on the touring scene today can come close to duplicating.

Tusk covers all the great hits of Fleetwood Mac, which has featured the talents of Mick Fleetwood, the late Christine McVie, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and others over the years.

The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising Tusk have been making music together in various combinations and styles, in original outfits and in cover bands, for over twenty-five years. It seemed only fitting that they should come together to form the Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute and pay homage to a group that dominated the charts during the band members’ formative years.

Authentic-sounding and always respectful, Tusk leaves no stone unturned in replicating the sounds of one of the world’s best-loved, top-selling bands.

Gaelic Storm & The High Kings

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 7:30pm at Union County PAC

What is Gaelic Storm? They’re a chart topping Celtic band with 7 Billboard World Music number ones. They work hard and they play hard, being on tour 200+ days a year for 20+ years. They’re the band you saw in Titanic, and most importantly, they’re more fun than a barrel of drunken monkeys!

The band (Ryan Lacey, Patrick Murphy, Katie Grennan, Steve Twigger, and Pete Purvis) attributes their continued success to their fanatic audience, and it’s a well-diversified crowd for sure. The country-music folks adore the storytelling, the bluegrass-heads love the instrumentals, Celtic fans love their devotion to tradition, and the rockers simply relish the passion they play their instruments with.

Gaelic Storm takes a true blue-collar, hard-nose approach to touring, consistently traveling the US and internationally over 200 days a year, forging a unique path in the Celtic music world. “You have to see us live. We are the true working-mans’ band,” says Lacey, who joined the line-up in 2003. “We still, and most likely always will, tour most of the year, and that’s how we constantly hone our craft.”

The dedication to live shows date all the way back to the mid-1990s, when Gaelic Storm kicked off its career as a pub band in Santa Monica, California. Due to their discovery at the pub, by the end of the decade, the musicians had appeared in the blockbuster film Titanic (where they performed “Irish Party in Third Class”). This laid the groundwork for a career that would eventually find them topping the Billboard World Chart six times, making appearances at mainstream music festivals, and regularly headlining the largest Irish Festivals across the country, all the while gaining a reputation as a genre-bending Irish rock band, whose songs mix Celtic traditions with something uniquely creative.

After 15 years at the top of their game, The High Kings (Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Paul O’ Brien, and Brian Dunphy) are still selling out venues around the world to an ever-growing army of loyal fans. With a million listeners on Spotify and 2 platinum to their credit, The High Kings are celebrating 15 years together by joining Gaelic Storm for The Mighty Tour!

Widely regarded as the standard-bearer for their genre The High Kings continue to surprise and delight! Notable performances include Glastonbury, the Isle of Wight, and NYC’s Times Square. They proudly headlined the 2015 St Patrick’s Day concert in Trafalgar Square, London The High Kings have performed for hundreds of thousands of fans, including President George W Bush (2009), the Prime Minister of England (2011), and President Barack Obama (2012).

Mandy Patinkin

Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 8pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

Before he was an Emmy-winning TV star, Mandy Patinkin was already a Tony-winning Broadway legend. Mandy Patinkin in Concert: BEING ALIVE, presents the acclaimed actor / singer / storyteller in his most electrifying role: concert performer. “Mandy Patinkin is in the business of showstopping,” raves The New Yorker, and that’s exactly what he does in this powerful, passionate evening of song.

More About Mandy Patinkin in Concert

BEING ALIVE is a collection of many of Mandy’s favorite Broadway and classic American tunes. From Irving Berlin to Stephen Sondheim, from Cole Porter to Harry Chapin, Mandy Patinkin takes you on a dazzling musical journey you’ll never forget.

SCARED SCRIPTLESS with Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood

Friday, December 16, 2022 at 8pm at Union County PAC

Armed with only their wits, “Whose Line is it Anyway?” stars Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood are taking to the live stage and they’re…Scared Scriptless. Prepare to laugh yourself senseless as improv comedy masterminds Colin & Brad must make up original
scenes, songs and more from whatever you, the fans, suggest! You just might also get to join in on the fun on stage. It’s a hilarious comedic high wire act… just like a live version of ‘Whose Line!’ How the heck do they do it? We don’t know either! Don’t miss the best duo in improv in the Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Scared Scriptless Tour. Learn more at colinandbradshow.com.

My Name is Not Mom

Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 8:00pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

My Name is NOT Mom is a hilarious journey through motherhood with internet sensations
Tiffany Jenkins, Meredith Masony and Dena Blizzard. After helping millions of fans get through
the pandemic, this comic trio shares their take on mothering through the sleepless nights of the
toddler years, middle school craziness and trying not to physically attack a high schooler.
This special live event features stand-up, stories and videos from their online community and
audience interaction to create an up close and personal experience that’s funnier than a pap
smear. Please wear pants.

WHO'S BAD: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience

Saturday September 24, 2022 at 8pm at Union County PAC

Whether you idolized the Jackson 5, fell in love to Human Nature, or learned to moonwalk to Billie Jean, Who’s Bad is THE ULTIMATE music-and-dance driven Michael Jackson homage. This band of professionals relentlessly elevate the legacy of pop music’s King, always pushing themselves to be more precise, to raise the level of excitement and awe, while embodying Michael Jackson’s mission to bring people together of all races, genders, and cultures through music. As the curtain opens on a Who’s Bad performance, every MJ fan feels the adrenaline, screams at the sight of that unmistakable silhouette, and succumbs to a surefire Michael Jackson sing-along. The energy is purely magnetic, the musicianship is first-rate, the dance moves deftly inspired. Who’s Bad is a tribute befitting a King and their high- octane execution of MJ’s music and dance has catapulted them to the exclusive rank of Ultimate!

The Machine

performing Pink Floyd

Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 8:00pm at Union County PAC

The Machine has forged a 30+ year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. The New York-based quartet performs a diverse mix of The Floyd's extensive 16-album repertoire, complete with faithful renditions of popular hits as well as obscure gems.

With stellar musicianship and passionate delivery, The Machine explores collective improvisation rivaling that of an early 1970's Pink Floyd, while their use of expanded theatrical elements and elaborate stage displays and lighting continues The Floyd spirit of the 1980's. 

"They duplicate the sound and hits of Pink Floyd with chilling accuracy, and they play for a hell of a long time.” - Matt Diehl, Rolling Stone

"These guys are great!" - Bob Ezrin, Co-Producer, Pink Floyd's The Wall

"The Machine look nothing like Pink Floyd, but that doesn't matter - they sound exactly like Pink Floyd, and that's what counts.” - Matthew Webber, Spin Magazine

Dionee Warwick

Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8:00pm at Union County PAC

Dionne Warwick is a six-time Grammy Award-winning music legend who has earned more than 75 charted hit songs and sold over 100 million records. She was discovered by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1961,and went on to record 18 consecutive Top 100 singles (“Don’t Make Me Over,” Walk on By,” “Say a Little Prayer,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Alfie,” “Heartbreaker,” “Déjà Vu,” among countless others). She received her first Grammy in 1968 for “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”. Ms. Warwick became the first African-American solo female artist of her generation to win the prestigious award for Best Contemporary Female Vocalist Performance.  

In 1985, she participated in the recording of “That’s What Friends Are For,” which became a number-one hit worldwide and raised awareness and major funds for AIDS research, which she continues to support, among other causes such as The Starlight Foundation, children’s hospitals, world hunger, disaster relief, and music education for which she has been honored and has raised millions of dollars. Ms. Warwick also participated in the all-star charity single, “We Are the World” and performed at “Live Aid.” 

Ms. Warwick has been honored by AMFAR, the Desert Aids Project, and Clive Davis at his pre-Grammy party. Ms. Warwick was also inducted into The Grammy Museum where a special 50th Anniversary career exhibit was unveiled. Most recently, Ms. Warwick released a star-studded duets album entitled, “Feels So Good,” featuring collaborations with some of today’s greatest artists. Most recently, Warwick was the recipient of the coveted and prestigious 2017 Marian Anderson Award for her career accomplishments and philanthropy. She was honored in a 2018 PBS Television Special, “Then Came You,” was named 2019 Ambassador to the Smithonian Institute’s Year in Music and is a 2019 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

Taj Mahal Quartet

Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 8pm at Union County PAC

“When I began, soul was something people had. It wasn’t a style of music,” Taj Mahal says. No matter where we come from, we are all part of the same circle. We all want to dance, to get out of our heads, and tap into ourselves. When delivered by the Taj Mahal Quartet, the blues can take us there. For more than 40 years, Grammy-winning legend Taj Mahal, internationally renowned bassist Bill Rich, and revered percussionist Kester Smith have taken blues on a joyride through reggae, funk, jazz, cajun, and more, leaving a trail of swinging hips and raised palms in their wake. In 2019, guitarist and lap steel master Bobby Ingano joined the group, and the trio became the Taj Mahal Quartet. The four-match musical virtuosity with downhome grit unlike anyone else: a blend of sophistication and humble familiarity that is equally at home on a shotgun-shack porch or a Carnegie Hall stage.

Darlene Love

Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 8:00pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Award winner Darlene Love brings her hits to UCPAC! Come hear classics like “He’s a Rebel," “The Boy I’m Gonna Marry," “Wait ‘Til My Bobby Comes Home," and “He’s Sure the Boy for Me."

The much-loved documentary Twenty Feet From Stardom, which prominently featured Love, among other famous and not-so-famous backup singers, was not only awarded with an Oscar for Best Documentary, but it was also soon followed by a Grammy Award for Best Music Film. 

Her famous fans include Bette Midler, Little Steven, Bruce Springsteen, and former Late Night host David Letterman, who invited her to appear every December for 29 years prior to his retirement to sing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” Rolling Stone Magazine calls Love "one of the greatest singers of all time," and that certainly rings true, but perhaps Paul Shaffer says it even more concisely: "Darlene Love is Rock N' Roll!"

Kathy Mattea & Suzy Bogguss: Together at Last

Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 8:00pm at Union County Performing Arts Center

Kathy Mattea and Suzy Bogguss have each carved out careers in popular music with country and Americana chart hits spanning two decades. Suzy’s “Outbound Plane”, “Aces”, and “Someday Soon” are among the many songs beloved by country music fans around the world, as are “Where’ve You Been?”, “455 Rocket”, and “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” from Kathy’s deep well of material. Friends since their early days in Nashville, they had only found a few opportunities to collaborate musically, notably with “Teach Your Children”, their Grammy-nominated track from 1994’s “Red, Hot + Country” compilation. They have “threatened” for years, and their many fans have clamored for this pairing.

Now, sporting new material developed for the tour, armed with 2 careers worth of stories and more hits than they can fit…Kathy & Suzy are “Together At Last”!

HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis with Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) & Hypnotist Asad Mecci

Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 8:00pm at UPAC

Big Band Of Brothers:

A Jazz Celebration Of The Allman Brothers Band

Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 7:30pm at UPAC

Featuring Jaimoe, Sammy Miller and The Congregation with special guests Lamar Williams Jr, Drew Smithers
The Big Band of Brothers Tour is based on and inspired by the acclaimed album Big Band of Brothers: A Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band. Released by New West Records in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band’s debut, the album features a 10-song set of jazz interpretations of ABB favorites. Project creator and co-producer John Harvey described how it all came about: "For the Big Band of Brothers album we began with timeless Allman Brothers Band classics, commissioned brilliant big band arrangements for them, and brought them to life through passionate performances - all sweetened by contributions from distinguished guest artists."

The album garnered massive praise from both jazz and ABB fans, and from critics in publications such as Downbeat: 
"Albums offering jazz renditions of rock songs are commonplace nowadays, so the element of surprise has faded. But A Jazz Celebration Of The Allman Brothers Band is an accomplishment of a higher order." The Big Band of Brothers tour, which will feature special guests Jaimoe (one of two surviving original ABB members) and Lamar Williams Jr. backed by Sammy Miller & the Congregation, plan to travel to some of the world's best live music venues with a one-of-a-kind big band show in tow. The Allman Brothers Band Museum in Macon, GA (known as The Big House) will
be along for the ride setting up a mobile exhibit at each tour stop showcasing some of the largest collection of ABB memorabilia in the world.

$2 Per ticket will be donated to the Big House Foundation

More about Big House Foundation:
The primary mission of the Big House Foundation is to preserve and promote the rich musical
heritage and inclusive diverse culture of the Allman Brothers Band through programs revolving around education and exhibition. Founded in 1969, the Allman Brothers Band created a new genre of American music, which was an amalgamation of blues, R&B, country and jazz unlike anything heard before – or since. The band was not only a groundbreaking force in music, however; they also were, in their own way, a component of the Civil Rights Movement in the Deep South of the late-60s. Composed of five white hippies and one African American, the Allman Brothers Band made quite a social impact in their home base of Macon GA. Music is color blind, and the members of the group did not see skin color; they only cared what was being played, not who was playing it. Combined with their family-based lifestyle at the “Big House,” the band’s communal hub in Macon (and the current home of the Allman Brothers Band Museum), the Allman Brothers Band spread a message of peace, love and acceptance. That message is the core of the Big House Foundation’s objectives; music programs for schools that are sorely lacking in funding for the arts have been created, and workshops and lectures on civil rights and equality through music have been presented to students of all ages throughout the world.