You may be mourning the unofficial end of summer, but attending one of these events is sure to make you feel better.
Here are some other happenings in the Villages (and beyond) this weekend:
Acclaimed Grammy Award-winning R&B group, The Manhattans, take the SOPAC stage on Friday. Their tight harmonies and roster of hit songs such as “Shining Star”, “There’s No Me Without You”, and “Kiss and Say Goodbye” have earned the adulation of fans throughout past decades. Originally from Jersey City, the group has earned a place in the roster of R&B greats and earned a Grammy Award for “Shining Star,” along with many of their other songs going Silver, Gold and Platinum. Opening for the Manhattans is the Newark-based The Silver Stars.
The Manhattans
Friday, September 11 at 8 pm
SOPAC, One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ
Tickets are $55-$85 and can be purchased online here
Supermodel Beverly Johnson will be doing a book signing at words Bookstore on Friday. The Face That Changed It All is a revelatory and redemptive memoir from Johnson, the first black supermodel to grace the cover of Vogue, and who, over five hundred magazine covers later, remains one of the most successful glamour girls ever. Meet Beverly Johnson and hear about her rise to success and fame while overcoming social obstacles. Get your book signed (books will be discounted to ticket holders) enjoy some refreshments and spend time listening and talking to this special woman. All proceeds of this event will benefit YouthNet enrichment programming and after school scholarships at South Orange Middle School and Maplewood Middle School as well as activities at Columbia High School.
Beverly Johnson book signing
Friday, September 11 at 7:30 pm
words Bookstore, 179 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood
Reservations required: $20 adults; $15 students. Seating is limited. Books will be available for purchase and discounted for those attending the event. Reservations and payments can be made by PayPal here.
Take the family to the “Rent Party Family Picnic” in Maplecrest Park this Saturday, September 12. Family Picnic is an all-day event featuring live music by bands that have performed at Rent Party shows over the last six years. The show is free and attendees are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch. They are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support Rent Party’s food drive.
Rent Party Family Picnic
Saturday, September 12 from 12 pm on
Maplecrest Park, Maplewood, NJ
Free. Non-perishable food donations are encouraged
On Sunday, go enjoy North Jersey’s BIGGEST free Blues festival. Orange native (and long-time South Orange resident) Mike Griot returns for the sixth year with the newly-branded Essex County/South Mountain International Blues Festival on September 13 at Cherry Lane in South Mountain Reservation, Essex County, NJ. Many popular food, merchandise, and crafts vendors enhance the show’s entertainment value. As in prior years, the nine‐hour marathon concert will feature a broad, varied palette of venerable blues performers and rising stars, but this time, predominantly veterans of prior shows.
Mike Griot’s Essex County/South Mountain International Blues Festival
Sunday, September 13 from 11 am – 8 pm
Essex County South Mountain Reservation, West Orange, NJ
Free
Learn how to forage for your dinner on Sunday. Dan Lipow of DiningWild, a forager and wild food enthusiast, will lead a moderate three-mile walk in South Mountain Reservation on Sunday to benefit Slow Food Northern NJ‘s school and community garden program. Dan will share his knowledge of edible plants and fungi, including mushrooms, nuts, roots and greens. Meet at the dog park off of Crest Drive and bring water, snacks, and a bag or container.
Foraging Hike
Sunday, September 13 from 9:30 am – noon
South Mountain Reservation
Tickets are $10 per person and must be purchased online here
Check out our Events Calendar to see what else is happening in the towns and enjoy the weekend!
