Compiled by Katrina Langer
Concerts, gift fairs, This Old Gingerbread House… intrepid adventurers will discover many intriguing activities in Greater Morristown this weekend.
Ride tall in the (bicycle) saddle or get the lowdown on Downtown Abbey.
And by all means, have breakfast with Santa!
It’s hard to top that. But if you crave even more adventure, check our handy calendar.
THURSDAY, DEC. 6, 2012:
Now in its 33rd season, the Music At Noon series at the Morristown United Methodist Church kicks off with a festive 30-minute concert by flutist Carla Auld, and pianist Linda Sweetman-Waters. Music begins at 12:15, and will feature arrangements of favorite holiday music and Americana folk tunes. A light luncheon will be available for purchase either before or after the concert (between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm). These December shows are free as a gift to the community. Free childcare also is available during the concert, at 50 Park Place, on the Green in Morristown.
Here’s one party where it’s okay to be glassy-eyed: Glassworks Studio will be celebrating 10 years in business. The party runs from 5 pm to 8 pm at the shop on 151 South St. in Morristown.
You may have ridden your bike to school when you were a kid, or maybe you ride it to work now. Maybe, your bike is your summer freedom. Whatever it is to you, it may mean something completely different to another person. Vive la difference at the annual Art of the Bicycle Show at Marty’s Reliable Cycle in Morristown! The reception runs from 6 pm to 9 pm, and the show will continue through Dec. 9. The exhibit features bicycle-themed clothing, jewelry, knickknacks, confections from Enjou Chocolat, sculptures from Glassworks, and stylish bicycle helmets from Bandbox LLC. Admission is free; donations to Bike Walk Morristown appreciated.
Season three of Downtown Abbey kicks off in January, and the Morristown & Township Libary’s Downton Abbey Support Group is sponsoring Tempest in a Teapot: An Introduction to all of the Buzz of Downton Abbey to get newcomers and fans all caught up. Join the library staff at 7 pm to delve into the award-winning PBS series. Prizes including a Downton Abbey 2013 calendar will be given away as part of the trivia contest. Tea and scones will be served. Period costumes encouraged, but not required. The library is at 1 Miller Road in Morristown.
Can’t get enough meetings? The Morristown Planning Board convenes at 7:30 pm in town hall to ponder the CVS Pharmacy plan, and a proposed biking addition to the zoning master plan.
Experience Christmas Paul Anka’s way at 8 pm at the Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm. Expect timeless renditions of hits like “You are My Destiny” and “Lonely Boy,” as well as holiday favorites like “The Christmas Song” and “Winter Wonderland.” Tickets are $67-$125. At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008 for more.
FRIDAY, DEC. 7:
Brynn Stanley–that gorgeous voice you hear singing the MorristownGreen.com theme on some of our videos–is singing live, in person, at Shanghai Jazz on 24 Main St., Madison. Let Brynn put you in the holiday spirit! She will be playing two shows: The first seating is at 6:30 pm, the second is at 8:30. She will be backed by Regan Rysuk on piano, Tim Metz on bass and Jay Dittamo on drums. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call (973) 822-2899.
Get some holiday shopping done this weekend at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship’s Holiday Fair – Gifts of Conscience. Beginning at 6:30 pm on Friday and running through Sunday at 1 pm, gift options include Ten Thousand Villages Artisan Gifts, the Heifer International Project, and many other alternative gift ideas. Change the world, one gift at a time! The Fellowship is at 21 Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township.
It’s that time of year again, when The Minstrel presents Chorus Song Night from 8 pm to 11pm. Four experienced songleaders will present songs, and the audience — that’s right, you — will have the opportunity to sing along to some of your favorite songs. Adults $7, Children 12 and under are free. At 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township.
SATURDAY, DEC. 8:
The gift fair at Morristown Unitarian Fellowship continues from 8:30 am – 4 pm. See Friday entry for details.
Santa is coming to the Morristown Neighborhood House — and he’s hungry! It’s the seventh annual Breakfast with Santa Celebration, featuring pancakes, music, and Christmas carols performed by kids enrolled in the Neighborhood House’s after school programs. Last year, more than 200 children and their families enjoyed breakfast with Santa. Space is limited for children not enrolled at the Neighborhood House, so please contact Ms. Elizabeth Hernandez at 973-538-1229 or e-mail her at hernande@neighborhood-house.org. The breakfast runs from 9 am to noon.
Weekend 2 of the Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green commences at noon. Here is the schedule:
- Noon – 3 pm, & 4pm – 7 pm – Santa Visits & Photos
- 1 pm – 7 pm – Electric Train Rides
- 1 pm – 3 pm Gingerbread House Making
- 4 pm -7 pm – Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Thomas Nast’s images of Santa Claus Family Craft
Get some of your Christmas shopping done, save some money, and support the Africa Surgery charity at the third annual Christmas Market in the community room of Assumption Church on Maple Avenue in Morristown, starting at 2 pm. Several vendors will display their merchandise, and all have agreed to contribute 50 percent to 100 percent of their profits to Africa Surgery.
The Harmonium Choral Society kicks off the 25th anniversary season of Artistic Director Dr. Anne J. Matlack with a concert featuring works by Jackson Berkey, Claudio Monteverdi, Ola Gjeilo, Felix Mendelssohn, Fredrik Sixten, and Eric Whitacre, as well as guest artists Joe Arndt on organ and Terrence Thornhill on cello. Funding for instrumentalists has been provided by the Frank & Lydia Bergen Foundation. Tickets: $20 – $30, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, South Street and Miller Road, from 8 pm to 10 pm.
SUNDAY, DEC. 9:
The holiday gift fair continues at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 8:30 am – 1 pm. See Friday entry for details.
A 26-foot U-Haul truck will be parked at the Morristown Fire Department on Speedwell Avenue from 9 am to 5 pm to collect supplies to send to Seaside Heights. Items requested include: Granola bars, canned goods, peanut butter, baby wipes, cat and dog food, shelf-stable milk, bottled water, boxed cereal, hand sanitizer, paper towels, napkins, garbage bags and cleaning supplies. Bring what you can — this will be very much appreciated during the holiday season.
The Harmonium “Angels of Light” concert is scheduled for 3 pm at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown. See Saturday entry for details.
The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green continues:
- Noon – 3 pm & 4 pm – 7 pm – Santa Visits & Photo
- 1 pm – 7 pm – Electric Train Rides
- 1 pm – 3 pm – The Mayo Performing Arts Company, singing holiday favorites!
- 4 pm -7 pm – Snowflake Making Craft
- 4 pm -7 pm – Masonic Child ID Program (CHIP) hosted by: Cincinnati Lodge No. 3 F&AM
Morristown’s Sunday Night Portrait Drawing Sessions have returned to ArtSpace at 14 Elm St. Sessions run from 6 pm to 9 pm and feature live models and camaraderie for $10.
Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.
