Morristown weekend preview: Pop-up art, dinosaurs and zombies

art show
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Dinosaurs and zombies are hard to beat. You can find both around Morristown this weekend. Throw in an art show, contra-dancing, some law enforcement events, a little half-baked Hamlet and director Kevin Smith, and you have the makings for a pretty eclectic movie.

And if perchance all these options aren’t enough, check out our great calendar.

THURSDAY, April 28

The State of New Jersey has proclaimed Denim Day to raise awareness about sexual violence and consent.   Join the Morris County Sexual Assault Center (MCSAC) and members of the Morris Alliance to Prevent Sexual Assault for a demonstration on the Green from noon until 2pm.  Live music, survivors speaking out about their stories, an address by Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi, and other activities are planned.  Free.  Call 973-971-4754 for more information, or to get involved yourself.

There’s a Pop Up Art Exhibit at the proposed EcoCenter of Morristown tonight, and for the next three days, from 6 – 9 p.m. Thursday-Friday, and from 1-5 pm on Saturday, at 55 Bank St., Morristown. The exhibit is a joint effort of the Arts Council of the Morris Area and Sustainable Morristown.

art show

You can eat out for a good cause, via the Friendly’s Fundraiser Night for Lafayette Learning Center.   Ten percent of the sales between 5 – 8 p.m.– either for eat-in or take-out, we understand — will go to the Lafayette Learning Center in Morristown. Friendly’s is at 435 Speedwell Avenue in Morris Plains.  The learning center says:  “Thank you for supporting our school!!!”

Paul Rudnick’s I Hate Hamlet opens at the Bickford Theater (at the Morris Museum), and runs through May 22.  This screwball comedy centers around Andrew, an actor with problems:  His hit TV series has been canceled, his girlfriend is reluctant, and he really hates Hamlet.  Actor John Barrymore appears during a seance, it seems, and tries to convince Andrew to accept the part; there’s something about a duel, too.  At 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township.  This is the last of the Main Stage productions for this season; call 973-971-3706 for information.

FRIDAY, April 29

Homeless Solutions
Homeless Solutions

The 11th Annual Dream Builders’ Bash benefit for Homeless Solutions Inc. is at the Madison Hotel. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres start at 6:30;  dinner and dancing from 7:30 p.m.    There will be silent and live auctions, too, and an open bar.  At 1 Convent Road, Convent Station.   Cost is $175 per ticket.  Call 973.993.0900, x21 for information.

You can take part in another Critical Mass bike ride from at 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; this is the annual “Zombie ride.” That means dress-up, we think.   This is a leisurely ride through Morristown, and “attempts to stake cyclists’ claim to share roadways with motorists,” we’re told.

Elixir
Elixir

Elixir appears at The Minstrel from 8 – 11 p.m.  Traditional fiddle, bass, keyboard and string-band instrumentation with vocals and a horn section. (Elixir will also play for the Folk Project‘s ‘Swingin’ Tern’ April 30th contra dance.)  No opening act; instead, there will be a short instructed session of contra dancing.   Demonstrations of contra dancing by  experienced regulars from the  “Swingin’ Tern” will demonstrate and partner with anybody who’d like to try it.   At the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township;   adults $7, and children 12 and under are free.   Call 973-335-9489 for more information.

Kevin Smith, director and producer of  the movies Clerks, Chasing Amy, and Dogma appears in a Q&A session at The Mayo Center for the Performing Arts from 8 – 11 p.m. He’ll answer questions about almost anything and everything, we’re told —  entertainment-related, or not.   “One of show biz’s most outrageous and outspoken voices.”   Mature themes and language. At 100 South Street, Morristown; tickets $42-$89.  Call the box office at 973-539-8008 for information.

SATURDAY, April 30

It’s a town-wide Morristown clean-up day.  Get involved and keep your community looking good!  Meet at the Town Hall Parking Lot at 200 South Street at 9 a.m. for registration and work assignments.  Light refreshments available.  Families, individuals, churches, and civic and school groups are asked to help.  Clean-up sites include parks, playgrounds, monuments, parking lots and roadways.  A “Volunteer appreciation” cookout will follow the clean-up, starting at 11:30 a.m. at Town Hall.   Heavy Rain Date is Sunday, May 1.  For more information, or to request a specific work site, call Kathleen O’Neill Margiotta at 973-644-4363, or email k-margiotta@townofmorristown.org.

The Jeweler’s Studio Spring Show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Morristown Masonic Center.  Juried member artists offer creations presented in a space totally devoted to the jeweler’s art.   Lamp work glass, semiprecious stones, clay, silver and other media sold as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and gifts for the home.  At 39 Maple Avenue, Morristown.  Call Joan Lisi at 973-625-9649 for more information.

Want to ease back into shape for summer?  Get started with an introduction to Tai Chi Light, at 10 a.m. on the Morristown Green. This free, 40-minute session will be presented by Albert Chu, a member of the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, to celebrate World Tai Chi & Qigong Day. These ancient Chinese poses and stretches are meant to gently bring mind and body into harmony:  “It is particularly good for people who don’t have a lot of time or patience, and older people who have limited mobility.  The practice helps people calm the mind, promote body flexibility and improve sense of balance.  In fact, Taichi Light can be practiced (with some modification) sitting on a chair or even a wheelchair,” Albert says. If you enjoy these exercises, you can sign up for regular sessions at the fellowship.

Got some old medications to dispose of? Morris County Proecutor Robert Bianchi is sponsoring Operation Take Back from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Morris Plains, at Investors Savings Back, 736 Speedwell Avenue. Any medications can be dropped off with law enforcement authorities for safe disposal, no questions asked. It’s part of a statewide program; for more details call 973)285-6268.

Digging Dinosaurs
Digging Dinosaurs

Enjoy a Dino Day Family Festival at the Morris Museum today from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. It’s the grand opening of the new permanent exhibition, Digging Dinosaurs! Learn about the lives of dinosaurs, including Hadrosaurus foulkii, the New Jersey State Dinosaur.  At 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township.  Free with museum admission ($7/child, $10/adult).

There’s an Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Lewis Morris Park in Morris Township.  Music, food, reptile shows, eco shout-outs, recycling, nature walks.  Cost: $5 per person or $10 per car; rain or shine.  Call 973-935-6629 for more information.

The Wick House at Jockey Hollow offers Tools of the Farmer from 1 – 4 p.m. See what kinds of tools 18th century farmers like Henry Wick used.   No modern machinery, that’s for sure; you can see “the ‘power tools’ of the day as well as demonstrations of a flax brake and shaving bench.”   Free.  Call 973-539-2016, x 210, for more information.

Ray Adkins will perform songs  from his new CD Starting to See at this “release concert” at the Center for Spiritual Living, starting at 7 p.m. Will Hodgson on guitar & vocals; Randy Wagner on bass and vocals; Jim Cavanaugh on drums, Lewin Barringer on mandolin; and Valentina Raffaelli will sing background vocals.  Ray started his musical career as a resident at Kripalu Yoga Ashram in Sumneytown, Pa., in the 70s;  he later cofounded The Manatees in Philly.  You can listen to his music on Clear Chanel Radio or on Ray’s own web site.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  At 331 Mt. Kemble Ave., Morristown; call 973-539-3114 for advanced ticket sales.

Moon Dance features student dancers and musicians at Morristown High School, 7 p.m.

Nils Fredland & Elixir at Swingin’ Tern.  Contra dancing starts at 7:30 p.m.  at the First Presbyterian Church, 14 Hanover Road, East Hanover.  Cost: $10 per adult and $5 per student.  Sponsored by The Folk Project; call  973-551-4441 for more.

Chapin Family
Chapin Family

The Chapin Family in “Harry Chapin: A Celebration in Song” at the Mayo at 8 p.m.  Folksinger Tom Chapin and other members of the Chapin family join forces for a musical tribute  to Harry Chapin, the iconic 1970s performer.  Tickets are  $37-$57.

SUNDAY, May 1

The Presbyterian Church in Morristown offers special May Day services at 9:15 and 11 a.m. It’s “a musical celebration of the Resurrection with string ensemble, women’s vocal quartet, trumpet and organ.”  Led by PCM’s newly installed Senior Pastor, Dr. David Smazik.  Freewill offering.  Call  973-538-1776 for information.

The annual New Jersey AIDS Walk starts with registration at 11:30 a.m.; the actual walk begins at 1:30 p.m. from the Morristown Green. The walk is hosted by New Jersey AIDS Services, formerly known as the Eric Johnson House in Morristown. “New Jersey has the fifth highest rate of HIV infection in the county. With more than 35,000 people currently living with HIV/AIDS in New Jersey, we have never needed community support more,” says the organization. You can register online at www.newjerseyaidswalk.org.

The annual Morris Township GOP Sunday Brunch runs from 12 – 2:30 p.m. at the Brick Oven Restaurant.   The event supports Republican candidates for Township Committee and other voter initiatives.  At 90 South Street, Morristown.  Adults: $50; children under 12: $15.  Call 973-829-0660 for more information.

Meet Morris Township Author Joan Nelson from 2 – 3:30 p.m. at the Morristown & Morris Township Library.  She’ll talk about her romantic thriller Final Exit: A Suspenseful Tale of Passions Unleashed; Ms. Nelson will also be available to sign copies of her book.  Refreshments will be served.  Free, at 1 Miller Road, Morristown. Call 973 538-6161 for more information.

Masterwork's "Elijah"
Masterwork's "Elijah"

The Masterwork Chorus & Orchestra performs Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah at the Mayo Center at 3 o’clock.  “Glorious music depicting drought, rain, idolatry, one God, fiery horses from heaven, wind, earthquakes, fires, despair of abandonment and joy of fulfillment!”  Tickets $27-$57  ($77 for Champagne Reception with director and conductor Andrew Megill).  Call the box office at 973-539-8008 for more information.

The Three B’s: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms. With The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey (Dr. Robert W. Butts, Artistic Director) and pianist Paul Zeigler as guest artist.  At the Dolan Performance Hall at the College of Saint Elizabeth starting at 3 p.m. Tickets $35/$25/$5/Adults/Seniors/Students under 22 with I.D.; the College of Saint Elizabeth is at 2 Convent Road, Morristown.  Call 973-366-8922 for more information.

TUESDAY, May 3

And don’t miss MG Songwriters Night, Tuesday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the proposed EcoCenter at 55 Bank Street in Morristown (the site of the old Mini Cooper dealership).  Where do great songs come from? Gifted songwriters talk about the magic behind the music.  A great event co-sponsored by MorristownGreen.com and Sustainable Morristown.

MG songwriters night

1 COMMENT

  1. Tonight’s ride is Zombies vs. Pirates! If you need zombie or pirate supplies, check at Del’s Novelty!

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