Greater Morristown offers an embarrassment of musical riches this weekend, from classical to Celtic.
There’s great art, too, as Art in the Atrium turns 21.
And comedy, and camera classes, and…lots more.
Scroll down and see. And don’t forget to check our handy calendar for even more great events–or add your own!
THURSDAY, JAN. 24, 2013:
Music At Noon, the concert series sponsored by Music At Morristown United Methodist Church, concludes its 33rd season with a concert entitled “A Musical Heritage.” It features members of The Heritage Piano Trio in a new format…The Heritage Piano Quartet: Lederer & Lederer and Kaller & Kaller. The performers are Nancie Lederer, violinist, with her mother, Pauline Lederer, pianist; and Marnie Kaller, cellist, with her son, Rick Kaller, pianist. The 30-minute concert, which begins at 12:15 pm, will be held in the church sanctuary at 50 Park Place, on the Green. A light luncheon will be available for purchase before or after the concert (11:30 am to 1:30 pm). The cost of the luncheon is $7 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. There is a suggested donation for the concert of $6 for adults and $5 for seniors. Students with ID are admitted free. There is a free childcare provided during the concerts.
The music-driven a cappella comedy duo Dakaboom brings its show to County College of Morris (CCM) on at 7:30 p.m. in the Davidson Room of the Student Community Center. The show is free and is sponsored by the Student Activities Programming Board and Special Events. Ben McLain has appeared on General Hospital, and tours with the band Sonos, featured recently on NBC’s The Sing Off. Actor/musician Paul Peglar works extensively with Internet stars Chester See and Lana McKissack and was thepiano player on the first season of Fox’s Glee. CCM is at 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph.
FRIDAY, JAN. 25:
Art in the Atrium, the annual exhibition showcasing African American artists, is turning 21. Celebrate this milestone at a reception from 5:30 pm to 9 pm at Morristown’s Atrium Gallery, where you can meet featured artist Janet Taylor Pickett and see her new series, A Change of Dress. This year’s exhibition, called Generation Next, includes works by more than 30 African American artists and runs through March 22. The gallery occupies four floors of the Morris County Administration and Records Building, at 10 Court St.
Aside from St. Patrick’s Day, you don’t see too many Celtic bands in these parts. And you certainly don’t see many Celtic superbands. But that’s how The Minstrel in Morris Township describes RUNA, its featured act this week. The group has Shannon Lambert-Ryan on vocals, Tomoko Omura on fiddle, Fionán de Barra on guitar, Dave Curley on mandolin and Cheryl Prashker on percussion. “The result is a truly impressive sound worthy to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, Bothy Band, Planxty, and the Chieftains,” says Minstrel impresario Mike Agranoff. The show starts at 8 pm at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, at 21 Normandy Heights Road. Admission: $8.
Manhattan Comedy Night, produced by Sandy Marks, returns to Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm. Mature themes. Tickets are $25. The theater is at 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008 for more details.
SATURDAY, JAN. 26:
The Drop Goes Plop and Other Tales About Water will teach kids about the water cycle, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, courtesy of the Great Swamp Watershed Association, at 568 Tempe Wick Road in Morristown. Recommended for ages 4 through 8, but all are welcome. Enjoy simple educational crafts, fun games, and milk and cookies. Voluntary donations appreciated. Call 973-538-3500 for more.
Team Kerry hosts a cocktail reception from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Woodland Firehouse in Morris Township. The event is a benefit for Kerry O’Connor, who awaits a life-saving pancreas transplant. Call 973-722-6482 for more information.
Witty singer-songwriter Christine Lavin performs at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship’s 27th Benefit Concert for Central America from 8 pm to 10 pm. She will be joined by singer/song writers Jean Rohe and Ilusha Tsinadze. Admission: $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Tickets can be reserved at admin@muuf.org. Call 973-540-1177 x 203 for more. The fellowship is at 21 Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township.
The Sanctuary series in Chatham features Eilen Jewell at 8 pm. “The award-winning ‘Queen of the Minor Key’ and her ace band draw on everything from classic country to early R&B, with an emphasis on sounds from the seamier side of the tracks,” according to the Sanctuary. She has been touring with Lucinda Williams. Blues guitarist Little Toby Walker is the opener. The show starts at 8 pm; tickets are $25. The Sanctuary is in the Presbyterian Church at 240 Southern Boulevard. Call 973-376-4946 for more information.
The Masterwork Chorus, conducted by Andrew Megill, performs Mozart’s Requiem and works by Beethoven, Vaughan Williams, Tavener, Ticheli, Parry at 8 pm, in Drew University’s magnificent Dorothy Young Center for the Arts in Madison. Admission: $40.
SUNDAY, JAN. 27:
Yes, you can Eat Local in the Winter. At least, you can from noon to 4 pm, when 21 area farmers and food artisans sell their food at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, at 353 East Hanover Ave. in Morris Township. Meet the farmers and compare their artisanal cheeses, organic and sustainably-grown vegetables, grass-fed meats, pastured poultry and locally-produced chocolates, pastries and honey. Admission is $3. The event is hosted by Slow Food Northern NJ. Contact Margaret Noon at slowfoodnnj@yahoo.com or 908-451-0051 for more details.
Did you get a new camera for Christmas? Want to learn how to use it? Nancy Ori will cover basic digital camera controls, lighting, exposure, color and composition, at the Morris Museum in Morris Township. She asks you to bring your favorite camera and its instruction booklet, and $80 (Museum members) or $90 (non-members). The session runs from 1 pm to 5 pm; two more sessions will follow in coming weeks. The Museum is at 6 Normandy Heights Road.
You’ve read what he has to say. Now hear what he has to sing! MorristownGreen.com columnist Ray “Jerry” Friant will perform in the Dreams and Duos Revue, at 3 pm in the Morristown United Methodist Church. It’s a benefit for Hurricane Sandy Relief, and features assorted choirs and soloists from the church–including Music Director (and MG contributor) June Van Thoen–along with members of the Dance Innovations Foundation, directed by Susan McCutcheon Coutts. A freewill offering is requested. Jerry will be dueting on Brush Up Your Shakespeare. We’ve been lucky enough to hear him in prior revues and, just like in print, he delivers the goods. The church is at 50 South Park Place. Call 973-538-2132 for more.
The New Jersey Jazz Society celebrate its 40th Anniversary at 3 pm with an all-star jam featuring 24 top jazz musicians, including Warren Vache, Bria Skonberg, Emkly Asher, Bob Ackerman, Rio Clemente, Winard Harper, Dan Levinson and Nicki Parrott, at the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts at Madison’s Drew University. A reception will follow. Admission is $35.
The New Jersey Symphony will perform Beethoven and Tchaikovsky at 3 pm at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Hear the “Pastoral” Symphony No. 6…and watch the NJSO and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey team up on “The Tempest” by Sibelius. Call 973-539-8008 for details.
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.
