NJ Rocky Con
July 30 - August 2, 2026
10 AM
10AM-5PM
11 AM
REGISTRATION OPENS
VENDING OPEN
"BEATING THE ALGORITHMS" & COMMUNITY BIPOC MEETUP***
ALGORITHMS - A discussion on best practices and challenges in putting your cast out there in today’s social media driven world! Panelists will share their insights on content to make, platforms to use, and their strategies for promoting their cast and performers, both on the business and personal level.
BIPOC MEET UP - Join us for an open conversation about the challenges, successes, and every day experience of BIPOC in our community. This is an opportunity to share stories, celebrate successes, talk honestly about the challenges, learn from one another, and support each other.
12PM
SHADOWCAST ROULETTE
The game you know and love, with a twist - from Zephyr! Groups are given a scene and one hour to prepare. What comes next? You don’t know until it happens! See Kay for signup info!
1 PM
ABSOLUTE PLEASURE: QUEER PERSPECTIVES ON ROCKY HORROR
Rocky Horror shattered expectations and social norms at the time of its release but how does its presentation of queerness - not to mention its portrayal of murder, manipulation, consent violation, and cannibalism - hold up today? The essays in Absolute Pleasure explore the film’s complicated legacy, along with queer and trans joy, sexuality, family, generational understandings of queerness, and what we do with our problematic faves.
2 - 4 PM
REEFER MADNESS
Tell your children - Reefer Madness is coming to Rocky Takes the Garden State for the first time! The 2005 musical is a satire of the 1936 propaganda film about exaggerated dangers of smoking “reefer sticks.” Chock full of catchy songs and guest appearances - including U.S. historical figures and Jesus Christ himself - you do not want to miss it!
4:30 - 6:30 PM
7PM
8:30 PM
11- 2 AM
DINNER BREAK
LIVE PRESHOWS
The presentation of preshows performed LIVE from across the community!
The reason we are all here - the movie that connects us all. Freshly engaged Brad and Janet get a flat tire on the way to announce their big news to their former teacher, and land in the castle of Dr. Franknfurter and his crew, ending up in situations they never could have imagined! Show will take place off site at the historic Brook Arts Center in Bound Brook, NJ!
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
(BROOK ARTS CENTER)
As New Jersey’s own My Chemical Romance says, “darken your clothes or strike a violent pose.” Come mosh with us and finish out con with a bang!
IT WAS NEVER A PHASE: EMO PARTY
2- 4 AM
AFTER PARTY!***
No strict bedtimes here! After the ballroom closes, the party moves to our private parlor rooms to keep the good vibes going! Parlor rooms are open until 4am each night.
