🍁 The Spare Waltz — Life Is a Carnival

Every Thanksgiving, music lovers return to The Last Waltz — The Band’s legendary farewell concert filmed by Martin Scorsese in 1976. More than just a performance, it was a homecoming — a gathering of family, friends, and heroes giving thanks through song. It’s become a Thanksgiving ritual because it captures something timeless: gratitude, connection, and the joy of creating together.

Six years ago, that same spirit took hold in New Jersey. A group of friends and fellow musicians — many of whom gathered monthly at Pizza Jam, hosted by Captain Tom Ruegg and, by extension, The Spare Tire Band — decided to make their own version of that legendary night. What began as the band’s monthly rehearsal had quietly evolved into a community: part jam session, part family reunion.

It was Rick Krueger, guitarist and vocalist from The Spare Tire Band, who suggested the band tackle The Last Waltz and create their own version — A Spare Waltz. And so, The Spare Waltz was born in Captain’s living room in 2018.

Since that night, the tradition has grown in both scale and spirit. The music got louder, the friendships deeper, and the family wider. The Spare Waltz has become more than a concert — it’s a living, breathing celebration of the musicians and friends who keep New Jersey’s roots music scene alive. Around here, life is a carnival, and everyone’s welcome under the tent.

Now in its sixth iteration, The Spare Waltz comes to The Pattenburg House, where we’ll stretch the setlist, welcome back familiar faces, and invite a few new friends to keep the tradition rolling.

Come hungry for music and dinner — a Thanksgiving buffet is included with every ticket.

Doors 4 PM

Show 5 PM

$35 Presale | $40 Day Of

tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-spare-waltz-tickets-1829440458659?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

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🎶 Cast of Characters:

Captain Tom Ruegg, Rick Krueger, Glen Mulligan, Chris Smith, Billy Mutchler ,Joe Biglin, Frank Saia ,Matty Carl ,Dave DeRiso, Caleb Estey ,John McCormack ,Ken Adessa ,Chris Pott ,Maura Glynn ,Christina Alessi ,Dawn Shaw Patrick, Lolo Gaffney ,Mike Brodsky ,Hannah Harel ,Mari Byrd ,Joe Cirotti ,Pete Lister ,Ryan Liszak ,Dan Baldan ,Jimmey Leahey ,Jimmy Garabo ,Jonathan Andrew ,Wayne Lyle ,Bryan Hansen ,Megan Chappius ,Luke Youngman ,Gabri Gonzales ,Mingo Lodge ,Mark Hetterich

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🎺 From Pizza Jam to Pattenburg — from “Stage Fright” to spotlight — The Spare Waltz keeps on rollin’. Because life’s a carnival, music’s the midway, and this family’s been ridin’ together since the first note rang out.