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NJArts.net celebrates its first anniversary today — it launched on Sept. 15, 2014 — so I thought I’d take a look back on some of my favorite posts of the 866 that NJArts.net has published in its first year.
That’s right, 866. Mostly by me, though I’ve had some much appreciated support — behind the scenes and as writers — from Cindy Stagoff, Robert Johnson, Erika Bleiberg, John Rollins, Tris McCall, Jim Testa, Mike Lustig, Scott Borchert, Stewart King and others. Thanks also to NJ News Commons, Broadstreet Ads and, of course, our advertisers and donors.
In that first year, we’ve completed the 350 Jersey Songs project, and helped support the Jersey arts scene through our calendars, on-sale updates and ticket giveaways. Several new projects are in development, including a concert that we will be involved in (details to be announced soon, I hope).
Mainly, though, year two should be more of the same, meaning a steady stream of previews, reviews, interviews, news stories and more, all pertaining to the arts in New Jersey.
So, anyway, here are my 10 favorite posts of the first year, in no particular order. Enjoy!
KIRSTINE WALTON
SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY
“Southside Johnny: Upcoming Pony shows ‘a lot of work’ but ‘worth it.’ ” Southside Johnny always gives good interviews, but here’s a particularly interesting one in which he talks about the Springsteen covers and rarities shows he was planning to present at the Stone Pony, a few days later.
“Springsteen covered by women: The best of the best.” Springsteen tends to be covered by men more than by women, but lots of women have come up with great versions of his songs, and this post was an opportunity to share some of them. It also led to “Springsteen covered by women: The best of the best, part 2.”
“350 Jersey Songs: My Top 10 ‘finds.’ “ Doing the 350 Jersey Songs list has been a great opportunity for me to discover new songs, and here I share 10 new favorites.
“VIDEO: ‘A Seat in the House’ at Montclair’s Outpost in the Burbs.” This post, written by Erika Bleiberg, introduced a short video documentary on the Outpost in the Burbs that Bleiberg co-produced with me and Steve McCartney of Montclair State University’s School of Communication and Media. We hope to do more of these in NJArts.net’s second year as well.
“Memories of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s last show, 25 years ago.” A first-person backstage account by my brother, Mike Lustig.
“Sad and Free: An appreciation of ‘Night,’ the most underappreciated song on ‘Born to Run.’ “ To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run album, I took a close look at one of its songs, “Night,” which tends to be a bit overshadowed by the album’s many other high points.
” ‘Mad Men’ finale a modern version of ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ “ It doesn’t have anything to do with Jersey arts, but I had an intriguing theory about “Mad Men” that I wanted to share, so I posted this, anyway.
“Confessions of an exclamation mark user.” Some thoughts on a big change in my writing over the year that I have been doing this blog.
“After 35 years, WBGO is still a radio station with a mission.” An extremely in-depth look at the venerable Newark jazz station, by contributor Scott Borchert.
“Maxwell’s to return with new booking strategy.” Published about a month after the site launched, this post broke the news that the Hoboken nightclub, which had stopped presenting music in July 2013, would be back.
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
