From the shadowy Pine Barrens to the stages of New Jersey's most atmospheric venues, "The Devil and Daisy Dirt" brings cryptid folklore to life through an extraordinary blend of puppetry, murder ballads, and feminist storytelling. Our fascinating conversation with creators Alex Dawson and Dan Diana reveals the magical collision of their creative worlds.

Despite growing up a thousand miles and a decade apart, both men were shaped by similar influences – creature features like The Dark Crystal, wooded landscapes that fired their imaginations, and a deep connection to folklore. Alex, now a Rutgers University creative writing professor, brings literary depth and musical sensibility informed by his Southern upbringing, while Dan contributes Hollywood-level creature design expertise honed through work on productions ranging from Marvel blockbusters to indie horror films.

Their theatrical creation doesn't merely rehash the familiar Jersey Devil legend, but transforms it into something more nuanced. The massive 8-foot devil puppet (surprisingly small compared to their 13-foot outdoor creations) serves as a backdrop for exploring deeper themes about humanity, nature conservation, and dismantling patriarchal systems. Most powerfully, their protagonist Daisy's musical moment of resistance consistently draws cheers from women in the audience.

Ready to experience "History with bite"? Follow the links in our show notes to catch this selling-out production before it vanishes into the Pine Barrens mist. Have you encountered any Jersey folklore worth sharing? Let us know in the comments!

🐐 Jersey Devil, reimagined — folklore meets punk puppetry

💪 Feminist tall tale — Daisy Dirt flips the damsel trope

🎻 Live bluegrass score — haunting, foot-stomping Americana

🎭 Gothic vaudeville vibes — think Labyrinth meets Johnny Cash

🐾 8-ft creature suit — part monster, part misunderstood legend

🌲 Deep NJ roots — Pine Barrens myth told by locals, for locals

🕯️ Folklore meets horror — poetic, dark, and weird in the best way

🎤 Critically acclaimed — praised by Weird NJ, WNYC, Joyce Carol Oates

🎒 Professor-led storytelling — Rutgers meets backwoods gothic

🎭 Upcoming Performances in New Jersey

Links:

Tickets to The Devil and Daisy Dirt

Lucille's Luncheonette

Pinelands Preservation Alliance

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Neal Lipschutz, former deputy editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal and standards editor, discusses his transition to fiction writing with his debut novel, "No Write Way to Die," exploring characters from Brooklyn who take different life paths before their worlds collide.

• Neal shares his journey from Brooklyn to New Jersey and his 40-year career in journalism
• As WSJ's standards and ethics editor, he ensured content was fact-based and properly contextualized
• His debut novel is a suspenseful, rollicking ride
• We learn how his character development explores how people's backgrounds and early life decisions continue to influence them
• The book examines provocative questions about parental sacrifice and ethical boundaries
• Neal's favorite thing about moving to New Jersey is the ease of getting any book he'd like to read through the Bergen County Cooperative Library System

No Write Way to Die by Neal Lipschutz is coming out in July 2025!

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Ever wondered what it takes to transport stars, crew, and equipment for major film productions? In this fun and educational conversation with Nick Day, co-CEO of Edge Auto, we learn how New Jersey has transformed into a filmmaking powerhouse that rivals any location worldwide.

The Garden State is experiencing a cinematic renaissance, fueled by Governor Murphy's film tax credit program that has attracted Netflix, Lionsgate, and countless productions to set up permanent operations. When these companies film on location, they need everything from luxury SUVs for stars to box trucks for equipment—all of which Edge Auto provides with their employee-owned business model that ensures exceptional service.

Listen up as Nick shares fascinating insights about the logistics that make productions possible, from partnering with Teamsters Local 817 for professional drivers to expanding their fleet with electric vehicles. He explains why New Jersey has become so attractive to filmmakers: its incredible geographical diversity allows productions to shoot beach scenes one day and mountain sequences the next, all within short driving distances.

2025 NJ Film Expo - The Screen Alliance of New Jersey is having its first huge event at the Meadowlands this Thursday, May 1st. It's open to the public, so check it out and register.

New Jersey prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

Nick recommends heading to Monmouth Park to watch horse racing!

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We catch up on TV shows and books worth watching and reading now that everyone's moved beyond White Lotus and Severance theories.

• 'The Recruit' offers espionage, thrills, and international city envy
• 'Love on the Spectrum' (season 3) provides heartwarming joy
• Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey explores love and survival in Alaska
• The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles takes readers on a 1950s roadtrip with recently released juvenile offenders
• Care and Feeding: A Memoir shares Laurie Woolever's experiences as assistant chef to Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali
• The Pitt improves after a rough first episode, showing the chaotic world of emergency medicine

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Meet Kathy Costa McKeown as she takes us behind the scenes of DanceWorks Studios, revealing how dance education builds resilience, community, and lifelong connections for students of all ages. Through her 27 years as a studio owner, choreographer, and "Mama Kath" to over 467 students, she demonstrates how movement becomes both art and therapy.

In this episode you will learn:

• Kathy's dance origin story
• Danceworks Studios philosphy
• How dance style and teaching have changed through the years
• How to help students navigate body image issues and emotional development through dance
• To balance technical training with an emotional connection to movement
• To encourage students to process disappointment as a temporary part of life
• Preparing for the inaugural Montclair Dance Festival on May 31st

Danceworks Studios Instagram

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Michael Stefanelli, the New Jersey division leader for Best Version Media, reveals how hyperlocal publishing is thriving while building community connections through positive storytelling and neighborhood focus.

• Hyperlocal print media is experiencing significant growth
• Magazines focus on positive local stories about neighbors, families, and community events
• Each magazine is free to residents and financially supported by local business advertising
• Local businesses benefit from consistent brand awareness that builds trust with potential customers
• Content comes from various sources including content coordinators, community submissions, and neighbor recommendations
• BVM's acquisition by HIG Capital aims to expand services to become full-service marketing agencies for small businesses
• The ideal publisher candidate doesn't need sales experience—many people have become successful by following the model

If you're interested in submitting a story to your local BVM magazine, check page three of your local magazine for publisher and content coordinator contact information. Business owners looking for marketing advice can reach out even if they don't plan to advertise.

Montclair Neighbors Magazine

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Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Jaco, Max Roach... legends hung out at her club in the village. Tune in to meet the forever-cool Kate Greenfield.

Kate Greenfield shares her behind-the-scenes stories of co-owning the legendary Seventh Avenue South jazz club in the Village of New York City with the famous Brecker Brothers.

Turning the chapter, we learn how she went on to get her Master's and use all her experiences to help guide teens.

Her warmth, love for people, and passion for caring shine through her story.
Kate's story is a blend of music, food, and education.

Tune in to hear about her unique path and the impact she has had on those around her.

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Zane Keys: "Barbershops aren’t just about looking fresh—they’re where conversations happen, where connections are made. You might walk in for a cut, but you leave with advice, support, and a sense of belonging. That’s why I started hosting a free men’s mental health group every month. It’s about creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and valued."

The humble barbershop has always been more than just a place for haircuts – it's a cultural institution, a sanctuary for conversation, and in many communities, the beating heart of local connection. In this fascinating conversation with Zane Keyes, owner of Keycuts on Church Street in Montclair, we dive deep into the rich history and evolving future of barbershop culture.

Zane's journey from a 14-year-old boy shaping his own hairline between professional cuts to becoming a pillar of Montclair's business community reflects the very essence of his entrepreneurial spirit. Raised by a single mother who instilled creativity and work ethic in everything he did, Zane transformed necessity into passion, cutting friends' hair throughout high school before perfecting his craft at Rutgers University where he serviced everyone from professors to future NFL stars from his dorm room.

What truly sets Key Cuts apart is how it honors barbershop traditions while innovating for today's community needs. As one of the first Black-owned businesses with a sustained presence on Church Street, the shop represents an important cultural milestone for Montclair. Beyond offering exceptional haircuts for all hair textures, Key Cuts uniquely combines traditional barbering with braiding and dreadlocking services under one roof. Most remarkably, Zane hosts free monthly men's mental health sessions with licensed therapists – a deeply personal initiative following his family's experience with suicide.

The conversation reveals how barbershops function as social anchors where lifelong relationships form, crucial conversations happen, and intergenerational wisdom is shared. From hosting whiskey tastings to mini-concerts with Broadway stars, Zane has reimagined what a modern barbershop can be while preserving its essential community-building function.

Visit Key Cuts on Instagram @keycuts or book your appointment at www.keycuts.co – where you might just leave with more than a fresh cut.

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