It’s the weekend! Celebrate by getting out and enjoying all that The Villages (and beyond) have to offer.
Here’s what’s happening:
In Maplewood on Friday night, it’s a Rent Party. The monthly party, founded in 2009, benefits food pantries and fights hunger in SOMA. This month features live music from Rude Boy George, Asbury Knights, and The Poor Man’s Opera. This party, including beer, is sure to entertain.
The Rent Party
Friday, April 29 from 8 pm – midnight
The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood, NJ
Minimum $5 donation. 21 and over
Embark on an extraordinary journey across 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and experience the wonder of classical Chinese dance by seeing Shen Yun at NJPAC on Friday night. Shen Yun brings this lost world to life with unrivaled mastery. Every movement, every musical note, makes this a stunning visual and emotional experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Shen Yun
Friday, April 29 at 7 pm
NJPAC, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ
Tickets are $64 – $184 and can be purchased online here
The 5th annual Montclair Film Festival will opens on Friday night offering over 150 films and events for the next 10 days in Montclair. Conversations with Rob Reiner, Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead, great documentary films and shorts, award-winning films, great parties, and much more are yours to enjoy.
Montclair Film Festival
Friday, April 29 – Sunday, May 8
Various theaters in Montclair, NJ
Click here for full schedule and to purchase tickets
The South Mountain YMCA celebrates Healthy Kids Day by bringing families and kids together to have fun, be active, learn more and create lasting, healthy habits for the entire family. Families will enjoy a bouncy house, obstacle course, face painting, healthy snacks, and much more!
Healthy Kids Day
Saturday, April 30 from 12 pm – 3 pm
Memorial Park, 580 Valley St, Maplewood, NJ
Free
Families will also enjoy a the WBGO Kids Jazz Concert at Montclair Art Museum on Saturday. Master drummer Winard Harper and his group Jeli Posse play jazz steeped in the traditions of African roots and Caribbean rhythms, music that brings joy to young listeners. This concert includes free admission to the Montclair Art Museum following the performance.
WBGO Kids Jazz Concert
Saturday, April 30 at 12:30 pm
Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ
Free
Join others to clean up the Rahway River on Sunday. In Maplewood, stop by the Environmental Advisory Committee table to get details. Wear footwear suitable for walking in the river (closed toed, waterproof shoes or boots are best). They will have gloves and bags for you.
In South Orange, celebrate South Orange River Day and help clean up the village’s section of the Rahway River. Also enjoy music, food, exhibits, and more.
Maplewood Rahway River Cleanup
Sunday, May 1 from 11 am – 3 pm
Maplewood Civic House, 124 Dunnell Road, Maplewood,
Free
South Orange River Day
Sunday, May 1 from 11 am – 4 pm
Skate House off of Mead St. (N. Ridgewood Rd and Meadowbrook Lane)
Free
Legendary singer-songwriter John Hiatt has been touring the country in support of his new album, Terms of My Surrender, and will play at SOPAC on Sunday in an acoustic concert that showcases his unique talents. He began his career as a songwriter in Nashville, but it quickly became apparent that not only was able to write great hits for others, he could perform them as well.
John Hiatt
Sunday, May 1 at 7:30 pm
SOPAC, One SOPAC Wat, South Orange, NJ
Tickets are $55-$70 and can be purchased online here
Belleville resident and cello viruoso Jameson Platte will be performing with the South Orange Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert this Sunday in the auditorium at South Orange Middle School. Platte is featured in the rarely-performed Cello Concerto of William Walton, a haunting yet lyrical piece for full orchestra and cello solo. This free concert will conclude South Orange Symphony’s 67th season. Also on the program is Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2 “Little Russian”, and Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance March.
South Orange Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert
Sunday, May 1 at 3 pm
South Orange Middle School, 70 N Ridgewood Rd, South Orange, NJ
Free
Alton Brown, host of Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen, presents an all-new live show at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown featuring everything including songs, multimedia presentations, talk-show antics, and bigger and better potentially dangerous food demonstrations. Brown has a knack for mixing together a perfect base of science, music and food into two hours of pure entertainment.
Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science
Sunday, May 1 at 3 pm and 7 pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ
Tickets are $49 – $130 and can be purchased online here
Check out our Events Calendar to see what else is happening in the towns and have a great weekend!
