Compiled by and Katrina Langer and Kevin Coughlin
Bikes, ballets, balladeers, best-sellers and beer beckon the busy buzz-seeker in Greater Morristown this weekend.
By golly, we forgot Batman — one of the superheroes you’re bound to behold on the half-marathon trail.
And beaux arts. Beautiful!
Don’t forget to beat a path to Festival Earth, where we will interview a batch of breath-taking guests.
Believe it or not, our bright calendar boasts an even bigger bounty of bodacious choices.
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015:
The Morristown & Township Library hosts free screenings of Selma, which won this year’s Oscar for best original song (Glory). Showtimes are 2 pm and 7 pm. The film runs 128 minutes and is rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including violence, a suggestive moment, and brief strong language.
Visit the opening reception of the Spring/Summer 2015 Exhibit at Morristown’s Atrium Gallery, from 6:30–9 pm on floors 2-5 of the Morris County Administration and Records Building, 10 Court St. The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 11, 2015, features 245 works by 76 artists from the Blackwell Street Center for the Arts, the Contemporary Art Group, the Myhelan Artists Network, Arts Unbound and ARTsee, in a variety of media. Morris Arts manages the gallery.
At 7:14 pm, The North Jersey American Revolution Round Table hosts Dr. Bruce Venter, historian and author of the Battle of Hubbardton: The Rear Guard Action that Saved America. Admission: Free. At Washington’s Headquarters Museum Great Hall, 30 Washington Place, Morristown.
Country music Hall of Famer Vince Gill (When I Call Your Name, Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away ) brings his silky voice and smooth guitar to Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm. Tickets: $59-$89. At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008 for more.
FRIDAY, MAY 15:
The Morristown Jewish Center presents Growing Up Jewish and Living in Shanghai, a talk by Ellis Jacobs, from 7 pm to 9 pm. An optional dinner precedes the program; it costs $18 for adults and $12 for children 5 and older. At 177 Speedwell Ave. Call 973-538-9292 for more.
The Morristown Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is hosting a Zumba Party with Rachel and Samantha from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Alfred Vail School, at 125 Speedwell Ave. in Morris Plains. Email here for more details.
Emotions Anonymous, a 12-step program, meets from 7 pm to 8:15 pm in Morristown at the St. Peter’s Parish House Vestry Room (second floor). Enter through the red doors at 70 Maple Ave. Free.
The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series compares Celtic harpist Máire Ní Chathasaigh (Moira Nee-KA-ha-see) & guitarist Chris Newman to Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe, masters of the banjo and mandolin. See for yourself at 8 pm, at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township. The Wee Doggies open with classic bluegrass. Admission: $9, children 12 and under, free.
SATURDAY, MAY 16:
Tour the Monuments of Morristown, with a guide from the Morris County Tourism Bureau. The walk starts at 10 am, at 6 Court St. The tour concludes at the Thomas Paine statue in Burnham Park, where Paine’s role in American independence will be discussed. Cost: $15. Call 973-631-5151 to reserve your place.
Ready to get a little creative with your summer garden? Join Stephanie Punnett at the Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary from 10 am to 11:30 am to make a fairy-size garden and a flower fairy. All you need is a 12-15 inch diameter basket or pot filled with soil, and a glue gun. And, if you have accessories you’d like to include, bring those, too! The Wildlife Sanctuary is at 11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville. Space is limited, call 908-766-5787 to register.
Check out Earth from Space — virtually — at the Morris Museum between 11 am and 5 pm. See how Earth looks from the satellites orbiting us at all times in this photography exhibit. Admission is $10 for adults; $7 for children, seniors, and students; free for children under 3 and members. At 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township.
Spend an afternoon with award-winning novelist Victoria Christopher Murray, author of The Ex Files and Forever an Ex, at the Hyatt Morristown from 2 pm to 4 pm. A discussion will be followed by a book signing; light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Morristown Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. The Hyatt is at 3 Speedwell Ave.
Bike & Walk Morristown’s annual celebration of all things bike and beer is back, with some great bands. The party officially starts at 5 pm at Sona Thirteen, but Bike Walk Townie Peter Kalawur is leading a pre-party bike ride from the Morristown Green at 4 pm. Lifeguard Nights and Rainbow Fresh will perform. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Admission includes New Jersey craft beer, complimentary buffet, Happy Hour food specials — and a 2015 Bike Walk Town membership.
Two distinctive dance styles come together for Tappin’ at the Ballet from the New Jersey Ballet at the Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm. Tickets are $29-$59 dollars. At 100 South St in Morristown. Call 973-539-8008 for more.
SUNDAY, MAY 17:
The sixth annual Superhero Half Marathon takes off from Morris Township’s Ginty Field at 8:30 am, and will conclude at Loantaka Brook Reservation, at 475 South St. in the Township. Some 3,000 runners, many dressed as superheroes, are anticipated. WDHA will be on hand for the festivities. Cost to race: $80. Call (201) 738-2443 for more.
The New Jersey Ballet presents Sleeping Beauty at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, with shows at 1:30 pm and 4 pm. For ages 4 and up. Tickets: $15-$25. At 100 South St. in Morristown. Call 973-539-8008 for more.
Sustainable Morristown presents Festival Earth from noon to 5 pm on the Vail Mansion lawn, at 110 South St. Activities include a Sustainable Living Expo, Performance Stage, Arts Showcase, Farmers’ Market, Hybrid – Electric Auto Show and Healthy Foods Pavilion — and don’t miss our hour-long interview show at 1:30 pm!
The Willowwood Foundation holds its annual garden fundraiser at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum from 4 pm to 7 pm. The Lilac Party and Wine Tasting feature artisan Spring wines; a cappella music provided by The Ten. Silent auction will feature unusual plants. Cost: $75. At 353 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Township. Reservations required. Call 908-234-1815 or send email.
