Dark Star Orchestra—Recreating the Grateful Dead Experience

Fri, May 30, 2008 at 8pm

Giving homage in a continually evolving artistic outlet, the Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) recreates historic Grateful Dead concerts with compelling accuracy. The group has their craft so well-refined that even members of the Dead themselves, rhythm guitarist/singer Bob Weir, drummer Bill Kreutzmann, and keyboardist Vince Welnick, have appeared on stage and performed with these live music interpreters. DSO concerts have been hailed as "the next best thing to being there," due in part to the band's impeccable musicianship and attention to detail. Whether you're a Deadhead who has seen countless Grateful Dead concerts or you never had an opportunity to see the original Dead lineup live, DSO can and will fulfill your need to see a Grateful Dead show.

The Backyardigans Live!—Tale of the Mighty Knights

Mon, June 23, 2008 at 5pm
Tue, June 24, 2008 at 10:30am, 2pm, 6pm

Nickelodeon's backyard friends, The Backyardigans, come to life for preschoolers in their brand-new live show! Join Knights Uniqua and Tyrone as they embark on a quest to protect King Pablo's unpredictable egg. Along the way, Grabbing Goblin Austin and Flighty Fairy Tasha join the medieval mayhem as the runaway egg hatches feet and makes an unexpected dash all the way up to Dragon Mountain! The Backyardigans will need the audience's help to face a mighty dragon and return the egg to the king.

The Backyardigans Live! will have the entire family singing, dancing, and laughing along to songs of courage, friendship, and the power of imagination. Interested people can text PABLO45 to 55350 to enter to win tickets and meet some of the Backyardigans before the first performance of The Backyardigans Live! at the State Theatre. -- www.statetheatrenj.org