The Spare Waltz

Welcome to The Spare Waltz!

🍁 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

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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

Jimmy 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.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher The Pattenburg House