A Chinese new year celebration, a night of symphonic hip hop and a classic rock band are among this week's listings.
Ladies Night at NJPAC
Grammy Award-winning Rapper Nelly -- whose hits include "Hot in Herre" and "Just a Dream" -- brings a unique concert experience combining hip hop and symphonic music to NJPAC Jan. 27. For "A Night of symphonic hip hop featuring Nelly," the singer is backed by his own band and members of the NJ Symphony Orchestra. Critics have called the concept, which Nelly premiered last summer, "a surprise winner."
$29 - 195, Ladies Night with Nelly/An Evening of Symphonic Hip-Hop, Jan. 27, 8 p.m., NJPAC, 1 Center St., Newark. 888-GO-NJPAC.
Come laugh at the Mayo
"America's Got Talent" show judge Howie Mandel returns to his stand-up roots at the Mayo Performing Arts Center Jan. 27. The adults-only show will feature Mandel's trademark observational humor and off-the-cuff quips as he interacts with the audience. Comedian John Mendoza opens the show.
$49-99, Howie Mandel, Jan. 27, 8 p.m.Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown. 973-539-8008.
Rock out with Southside Johnny
It's been 40 years since Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes recorded their first album and this Jersey Shore favorite continues to rock hard like their pal Bruce Springsteen. They'll bring that energy -- and material from 30 albums -- to Bergen Performing Arts Center Jan. 28. "Rolling Stone" magazine voted the band's third album, 1978's "Hearts of Stone" one of the top albums of the 1970s and 80s and included it on its list of the 500 best albums of all time.
$22 -79, Jan. 28, 8 p.m. Bergen PAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood. 201-227-1030.
Celebrate Chinese new year with dance
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company ushers in the "Year of the Rooster" at NJPAC Jan. 28 and 29. This vibrant, lively show combines Chinese traditions -- dancing lions and dragons -- with American modern dance. Pre-performance activities include dance demonstrations.
$15-37, "Year of the Rooster: The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company," Jan 28 and 29, 2 p.m. NJPAC, 1 Center St., Newark. 888-GO-NJPAC.
Natalie Pompilio is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. She can be reached at nataliepompilio@yahoo.com. Find her on Twitter @nataliepompilio. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.