As a freelance music journalist/photographer, I have had the honor of covering this festival for…read moreseveral years. It's one of the best put together and organized festivals I've ever been a part of. That says a lot when it's being held in a large population area (Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn). The sound is top-quality, the vendors, bathrooms, workers, and volunteers have it together. Tons of food trucks. With this came the pleasure of bucketlist things like watching Grace Jones perform from the stage (stage right) with her mother, brother , and her mother's best friend and then hanging out with them in her tent afterwards. In addition, I was able to hang with my friends in Fishbone, Ice-T & Coco, QuestLove, Bad Brains, Suicidal Tendencies, Body Count, and many, many more. The park is large with spacious ground, enough to accommodate the thousands of folks in attendance at any given time. Truly an amazingly inclusive event to be asked to be a part of.

Compared to other festivals I've been to, AP is by far one of the most organized and spacious ones…read moreout the bunch. I went in 2018 (just the Saturday show) and it was a really decent time. The grounds were clean, there was some bench seating and I wasn't suffocating from the clouds of marijuana in the air. All I do is go to festivals in the summer so I'd urge anyone who hasn't been to AP in NY to check it out. P.S: Don't get the VIP band. It's a waste of money!

Prudential Center has never needed Manhattan's mythology to make an impression; some of my most…read morememorable nights in an arena have happened across the Hudson in Newark. The location does not have the gravitational pull of Madison Square Garden, but once you get there, the building is excellent: modern, well-maintained, and easy to navigate. Newark Penn Station is only a short walk away, and NJ Transit is usually a very workable option from Manhattan. You do have to respect weekday commuter traffic, because Penn Station at rush hour can become overwhelming remarkably quickly. Bruce Springsteen gave me perhaps the most quintessential New Jersey experience I have ever had. I was gifted a ticket way up in the nosebleeds with an obstructed view literally behind the stage, and I could not have cared less once the show started. I am definitely a fan, and seeing this New Jersey legend perform in the motherland, surrounded by all that loyalty, pride, and unmistakable Jersey energy, was genuinely magical and inspiring. As a non native, that night brought me closer to a state that can sometimes be misunderstood or lazily judged from the outside, but whose identity and loyalty are a huge part of what makes New Jersey so charming to me. Nothing, however, compares with seeing the Rolling Stones here on back-to-back nights. The Stones are absolute royalty to me, and I spent several hundred dollars per ticket to see them twice, which probably says more than anything about how meaningful those shows were. Watching Mick Jagger command an arena with that level of charisma, physical energy, and presence was one of the great live entertainment experiences of my life. I felt genuinely blessed to be there. Unfortunately, the first Stones night became chaotic before we even left Manhattan. When we reached Penn Station, NJ Transit service toward Newark was already stopped because of an accident on the tracks, so we scrambled downtown and took the PATH instead. We missed the first song or 2, which was painful after spending that much on the tickets, but once we got inside, the stress disappeared. Thankfully, night 2 was far easier and gave me the chance to absorb the entire show from beginning to end. Hockey gives me another reason to have a soft spot for this building because I have always respected the Devils as a franchise. Scott Stevens, Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Scott Niedermayer, Claude Lemieux (RIP), and Ken Daneyko are among the players I have revered over the years, along with Zach Parise, Scott Gomez, and Jason Arnott. That history gives attending a Devils game more meaning to me than simply dropping into another NHL arena. The sightlines are strong, the food is solid, and the crowd has a grounded local personality that fits the franchise perfectly. Operationally, Prudential Center gets a lot right. The building feels cared for, getting around inside is straightforward, and public transit is the obvious choice when service is behaving normally. A cab or Uber from Manhattan works too, although the tunnel costs and pricing premium show up immediately. The people and overall vibe also feel more down-to-earth, which I have always appreciated about coming here. Living in Philadelphia now has given me a wider appreciation for the outstanding collection of city arenas across New York, North Jersey, and Philadelphia. MSG, Barclays Center, Prudential Center, and Philadelphia's arena are all excellent in different ways, with access, pricing, and surrounding environment creating most of the separation between them, and I would love to experience UBS Arena someday too. Prudential Center has given me the Devils, an unforgettable night with The Boss, and 2 extraordinary nights with the Rolling Stones. I am deeply grateful that a building I once thought of primarily as the Devils' home became the setting for some of the most meaningful live music experiences of my life.

GRADUATION CEREMONY VENUE REVIEW:…read more With it being graduation season, this is a review of Prudential Center as a commencement ceremony venue. Because of preparations for FIFA World Cup 2026, many schools that would have held their graduation ceremonies at MetLife Stadium have changed locations this year. I attended a commencement at Prudential Center last week. Here are my pros, cons, and heads-ups for anyone going to 'The Rock' for a graduation ceremony for the first time. Pros: - it's an indoor arena, so inclement weather be damned - it's climate controlled, so take that summer heat and humidity! - high resolution projection screens; real-time video projection images are so sharp and clear - audio is great inside Prudential Center, so you can actually hear speakers clearly and graduates' name - comfortable seats imo - good concession stands - cute photo ops inside the arena Cons: - traffic getting into downtown Newark can be horrendous; that's just how it is so allot extra time for travel Heads-up: - If you are driving to Prudential Center, know you will be spending money to park if you want to be close to the venue. - Make sure to read Prudential Center's bag policy so you won't be stopped at security and told to use a locker if your bag is too big.

Harlem Eat Up 2016 was spectacular! My sister actually called up the Z100 radio station and won…read morefour tickets to attend this event, The Stroll level, which granted us five hours of all-you-can-eat-and-drink access. Right after, she called me up and asked if I wanted to go and, of course I said yes! I made sure to run in the AM, knowing I would be gorging myself on food and drink, like an overindulgent aristocrat would on champagne and caviar. We drove up, found parking close by and ran to the entrance. The line wasn't long but it didn't look like they were letting people in right away. Luckily there were plenty of staff member in the area, asking to see tickets and offering assistance. One of them mentioned that having a citicard would grant us quicker access and I had both my cards on me. We were expedited in and were able to skip the line. They scanned out tix, gave us our wristbands, stemless plastic wine cups and sent us on our merry way. When we entered the park, I was overwhelmed. We didn't know where to go first. Our access with The Stroll got us past the "velvet ropes" to the free side of the event. We got to taste everything as much as we wanted or as long as samples were available. Macy's had a fun karaoke lounge and stage where they served Basil Limeade and gave out swag like magnets, ear buds, pens and cookies. They had an emcee who was singing her heart out and getting people to join in and participate. There was also a very good sax played that I wanted so desperately to play the theme music from The Boondocks but I didn't get up the nerve The Citi tent gave trays that had a perfect little space for our Citi wine glasses which we used throughout the day. It made it a lot easier to juggle all of the food that was being thrown at us. My Favourites: The Cicel's Skuna Bay Salmon Ceviché Harlem Tavern's Seafood Ceviché Safari Restaurant's Tender ass Goat Seasoned Vegan's "Crawfish" in Garlic Sauce Melba's Restaurant's Fried Catfish on a mofo stick! Harlem Chocolate Factory's Whiskey Chocolate Tart Mountain Bird's Sticky Toffee Fig Cake Sisters Cuisine Masala Curried Potato & Chick Peas Row House's Chicken Liver which did not need the egg Chaiwali's Sweet-Spicy Indian Tea Biscuits Harlem Shake NYC's Catfish w/Grits and Honey Chicken Sandwich Babbalucci's Duck Pancetta Crostini & Escargot Crostini Vins de Bordeaux all wine everything Hendrick's Gin and their Negroni...errmahgerd Magic Maker Rosé Henry's Hard Ginger Ale Foodie Celeb Sightings: Scott Conant Maya Haile The free event was open to guests with tickets but the outer area also had vendors dotting the park. Those stalls were open to the public but there was a charge for all of the meals. I am unsure if there was an entry fee. We chose not to try those vendors out because, quite frankly, we were full with all the free fixings and didn't feel like dishing out money when there were plenty of samples to take and take and take. Hi. I'm greedy. Nice to meet you. This is a great event, allowing visitors to sample some of the wonderful variety of culture in the area. In recent years, Harlem has become even more of a melting pot with African, European, American, Asian and Latin influences. The culture is overflowing and one of the best ways to experience a new culture is through its cuisine. There was plenty of entertainment for the kiddies and aged grapes for the adult children, many of whom took full advantage of the free liquor and opportunity to act like complete fools! It was great and I hope to visit next year.

MCP was amazing. Always answering questions within 24 hours-- usually within an hour! They were…read moreawesome to work with. They GET kids and they hire the best of the best to lead them. My group had an amazing experience singing at Carnegie Hall AND listening to other accomplished performers. Thank you!! Roberta HG, Denver, Colorado

Do not book a trip through this organization. My daughter and a group of students from her high…read moreschool were supposed to perform at Carnegie Hall in June. Manhattan Concert Productions refused to cancel the trip, even in the midst of a pandemic when travel to New York was unsafe, Carnegie Hall cancelled the performance and hotels were not booking rooms. If they didn't cancel, they could keep a $500 deposit from each student. This is a highly unethical organization!!

I visited the Majestic Theatre in May 2026 and saw the musical 'Beaches'. The Majestic is truly…read moremajestic with its ornate boxes, velvet curtains and stunning ceiling. It opened in 1927 and was recently renovated in 2024. The Phantom of the Opera ran at the Majestic for 35 years, the longest running Broadway show at the time. Ushers were helpful, directing patrons to their seats. I was in row G I could see the stage clearly and the acoustics were good

I recently visited Majestic Theatre to see the broadway show Beaches. Overall it was a great…read moreexperience. The production itself didn't rely on major stage changes. But they made smart use of the space. The theater is well laid out for the audience. Restrooms are located downstairs in the basement. Multiple floors had refreshments and snacks available for purchase. Merchandise was also sold throughout the different floors too. One of the features that I appreciated was that the orchestra section had stadium style seating. So, you're not stuck staring at the back of someone's head. Overall, the theater offers a comfortable and well organized environment for broadway shows.

Theater was clean and well kept. The theater space itself isn't huge but sound for our kids' show…read morewas just fine, and seats didn't feel crowded nor did the kids seem to have visibility issues in adult chairs even when adults were seated in front of them. Staff were organized and friendly. I had my purse searched upon entry; all bags were looked at. My ticket was purchased through Vivid Seats, and apparently they didn't provide me a legit theater-issued QR so I had to visit the box office. They were friendly and promptly issued me printed tickets. Lobby was a con because it's just small and cramped. This old building probably didn't have to house as much food and merch purchasing back in its day but the multiple concession lines were blocking people from just getting to the theater and accessing their seats. They have tons of low quality junk food for sale. The huge group sitting next to us had chicken fingers, fries, a ketchup smell that wouldn't go away... it was honestly ridiculous the food they allow in people's laps just to turn profits. I was surprised these people were buying full huge meals (that had to cost $40+ each for junk) at 3:30pm to hold it in their laps for a 1.75h kids' show. Whatever. Point is, if you haven't eaten and want to pay $40 for crap that will linger in your body, you will not go hungry here. Clean bathrooms were the right size to allow a packed house to process themselves in the 20min intermission timeframe. This includes the ladies room, which always takes longer, and it was for a kids' show, which adds even more time. I recommend pairing your visit with the Rutgers Zimmerli Art Museum if you have time. They are open until 6pm most nights.

Great night at THE State Theatre! I won tickets for a Ladies Night concert with Raheem DeVaughn and…read moreEric Benét, orchestra level, row P, seats 109/110. Perfect view of the stage, but I don't think it really matters much where you are seated due to the design of the auditorium. The opener was a rising singer/songwriter named Aniyyah, born and raised in New Jersey. Aniyyah's DJ had some technical issues loading her music at the start of her set, but wow, she has a voice on her. She, along with Raheem DeVaughn and Eric made for a fantastic show. They are all extremely talented vocalists, but Raheem DeVaughn without a doubt stole the show with his stage presence. Eric Benét however truly surprised me. His voice is absolutely incredible live. The State Theatre did a major renovation back in 2020 and the interior was previously renovated in 2004. It's as if we have a piece of Broadway right in the middle of New Brunswick, New Jersey. I felt like I stepped right into the 1920s with their vintage design and architecture. The acoustics inside the theatre are phenomenal. I'm not sure if it was my seating, but the sound was so crisp and well balanced. I can understand why any artist would choose this theatre as their preferred venue to perform in. One important note is their designated passageway to the closest parking deck which would otherwise be a long walk in the freezing cold. We were able to use the enclosed heated hallway as a shortcut which leads directly from the garage to the State Theatre located on Livingston Ave. We almost walked right past the entrance to the passageway, so I wanted to make sure I shared it with anyone who has read this far into my review : ) It's been many years since I've come to see a show here, and I had an enjoyable experience. I look forward to checking out any of their other events in the near future.

9JUN26 Our first visit to the New Amsterdam Theatre to see…read moreAladdin was fantastic. When we arrived, we went straight to the box office to pick up our tickets and then joined the line on the side. Security and ticket scanning were quick and efficient, so the line moved steadily. The doors opened around 6 p.m. All the staff were in uniform black pants, white shirt, gray vest, black bow tie and everyone wore a name tag. They were very organized and greeted us genuinely as we arrived. Extremely courteous, helpful, and always willing to assist. We sat in the mezzanine, which for me is the ideal spot. The seats were comfortable with a decent amount of legroom, especially for a historic theatre. From there, you can really appreciate the theatre's décor, colors, and historic charm, all very well preserved. The restrooms were clean, and there was a bar offering liquor, wine, beer, and non‑alcoholic drinks, along with a shop selling merchandise related to the show. The stage design was impressive, with areas that allowed the actors to appear and disappear almost instantly. The set changes were fluid and perfectly suited to the theatrical style of the production. The sound was clear from the mezzanine, and the lighting effects especially during the Cave of Wonders scene were stunning. With more than 20 performers on stage, the show was dynamic, humorous, and full of energy. The Genie absolutely stole the show with charisma and comedic timing. While the production includes some differences from the movie, it maintains a fast pace that keeps you fully engaged. The show ran a little over two hours with a 15‑minute intermission. It's also a great experience for families; the children around us were completely captivated from start to finish. If you're visiting NYC and want a magical Broadway experience, this production is worth it. We definitely plan to return for another show in the future.

Saw Aladdin this week at the New Amsterdam and was wowed by the whole thing. Incredible show, very…read moreimpressed with the sound and lighting (which I suppose are the key elements that belong in the review of the theatre itself). The theatre looks amazing, the staff were great, it was easy enough to find our seats as well as the restroom - very large, lots of stalls, and clean. I think my only negative point would be that the seats are on the small side.

I recently went to see "Dead as a Dodo" from Wakka Wakka for the Under the Radar festival and it…read morewas amazing!! The show was great for the theatre, which has raked seating so all of the seats have good views. The lighting, sound and projection capabilities were all state of the art. The venue is a little hard to find in the dark in a rush, and the theatre is even more of a mystery if you haven't been before. Be sure to plan extra time your first visit. We made our way down several flights of stairs but there is also an elevator. A few years back I saw a few shows on a whim that were great. I'm excited to see how things progress after this very exciting production.

I just got back from an excellent production of Dead as a Dodo at Baruch PAC. I want to advise…read moreanyone else attending this theater not to listen to the advice of the box office staff on the phone because they badly, and I think deliberately, misled me. I had booked four seats at this show for a Friday night performance, two in the regularly priced seating and two at a higher price point, since my partner and I were attending with another couple who didn't want to spend as much. Unfortunately for all of us one of my friends ended up having a conflict on that Friday, and since the show was about to close, we had limited options If we wanted to reschedule to see it together. I called to find out if I could possibly change our tickets to a different night. The person I talk to on the phone said that four seats together in the very back row of the theater were available on Saturday. I was extremely skeptical about the quality of these seats, especially since the online seating chart depicted them as being in the back of the balcony. The person I spoke to on the phone explained that there was no balcony in this show, that every seat in the theater was on risers to assure clear sight lines, that he had sat in the back row many times, and that the view would give us a clearer overall view of the composition of the stage than our original tickets. I initially pushed to put two of us in the orchestra and only the cheaper two tickets in the back row of the balcony, but it seemed like he didn't want to deal with the complication of placing us in different parts of the theater *even though we had already paid for different tiers of tickets*... and he was specific and passionate enough in his advice that I decided to trust him. That was clearly a mistake, and one I will never make again. Pro-tip, Baruch PAC: there is no reason to lie to someone if you already have their money! It's okay to say you cannot change someone's tickets or just tell them you can only offer them vastly inferior ones that no one would ever choose if they have concerns about being able to see. Lying does not help you in any way! The far left seat of our four was positioned next to a sound booth, and the curtains for it obstructed a full third of the stage for the entire show. The back row of the balcony (which absolutely was a balcony) also wasn't on risers as high as literally every other row in the theater, which meant that the person in front of me blocked most of my view for the entire production as well. At times I had to stand or kneel on my seat to see what was happening downstage. We were not offered any refund or discount even with this obvious downgrade. Honestly I do not think it is right for these seats to even be sold for full price to anyone because they are obstructed all the time. I would never have changed my tickets if I had realized that this was what I was agreeing to. Honestly, the high quality of the production made me upset because I realized I was having a terrible experience watching something that I normally would have loved and fully immersed myself in. Never ever book a seat in the last row of this theater unless you are doing so at a steep discount. Never ever trust someone in the box office who is advising you on where to sit. You will waste your money and your time and you will also write an angry review when you get home.