Greater Morristown weekend preview: Circuses, Gardens, Greens and more

The Big Apple Circus
The Big Apple Circus
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Compiled by Kevin Coughlin

Why go to the circus… when the circus can come to you?

It’s at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, and it’s just one of the many great events coming to Greater Morristown this weekend.

Jazz at the library. Shakespeare under the stars. Guitars in gardens. Belfast’s finest young musicians.  The historic Morristown Green as you’ve never seen it before.

Scroll down for details. And don’t forget to peruse our handy calendar for even more options.


THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015:

What’s more fun than sweating and suffering on a scorching summer evening?  Watching others sweat and suffer!  The 10th annual Verizon Corporate Classic 5K  sprints from Morristown’s Headquarters Plaza at 7.30 pm.  The bad news is… it’s all filled up.  The good news is… it’s all filled up. So you can enjoy an ice cream cone and root, root, root for the huddled spandex masses yearning to eat ice cream cones.  (Be aware of road closures if you’re motoring through Motown.)

Howie Mandel
Howie Mandel

Comedian and America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel returns to Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center for an off-the-cuff, anything-goes evening of laughs. Language, Mature content. Adults only.  Tickets: $49-99. At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008 for more.

 

 

Shakespeare Under the Stars is back at the amphitheater of the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, with Love’s Labour’s Lost at 8 pm. This production — about four young noblemen who vow to swear off women and hit the books — runs through July 26, 2015, at 8 pm each night with an extra 4:30 pm show on Sundays. Tickets are $15-$35. Call 973-408-5600 or visitThe Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. At 2 Convent Road, off Madison Avenue. Parking is free.

Shakespeare Under the Stars at the College of Saint Elizabeth. Photo courtesy of The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ.
Shakespeare Under the Stars at the College of Saint Elizabeth. Photo courtesy of The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ.

mary poppins playTrilogy Repertory Plays in the Park presents Mary PoppinsfeaturingDanielle Becht of Morristown’s Got Talent fame — starting at 8 pm, with encore performances every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening through July 25. Admission: Free. At Pleasant Valley Park in Basking Ridge, at the Outdoor Amphitheatre.

 

 

 

 


FRIDAY, JULY 17:

The Big Apple Circus
The Big Apple Circus

The Circus has come to town!  The Big Apple Circus pitches its tent onstage at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown at 7 pm.  Jugglers, clowns, aerialists and acrobats make this “America’s Best Circus for children,” according to Parents Magazine.  Admission: $19-49. Two shows on Saturday as well. At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008 for more.

Jazz in July  returns to the Morristown & Morris Township Library  at 7 pm with Dixieland Swing, featuring Joe Licari, clarinet; Randy Reinhart, cornet; Tom Artin, Trombone; Dick Voigt, piano; Brian Nalepka, bass; and David Humm, drums. Tickets are $20, at the door;  light refreshments will be provided.

The Minstrel features Huxtable, Christensen, & Hood (Terri, Carol, & Liz), a female harmony trio described as the Red Molly of the 80s. With opener Gordon Ward. Showtime is 8 pm. Admission: $9, plus what you think the show is really worth. Children 12 and under, free. At the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township.

Huxtable, Christensen, & Hood
Huxtable, Christensen, & Hood

A Little Night Music  will waft through the Frelinghuysen Arboretum at 7 pm, courtesy of classical guitarist Alan Rigoletto  part of a year-long series, Focus on England.  Guests will enjoy desserts from Matilda’s Cafe as Rigoletto performs everything from medieval chamber pieces to British rock. Admission: $15.  Call 973-394-1100 to reserve a space; seating is limited. At 353 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Township.

 

Mary Poppins in the Park. Please see Thursday entry for details.


SATURDAY, JULY 18:

The Morris Plains Farmers Market is back for its 13th season, every Saturday through Oct. 10, 2015, from 9 am to 2 pm.  It’s on the Merchant Block, at the Speedwell Avenue extension, just before the train trestle.

At 9:30 am, the Morris Museum introduces Morning at the Morris Museum where people with disabilities and their families can experience the museum before it opens to the general public. Visitor feedback will help refine the program. Admission: $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. At 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morris Township. Stay tuned for art shows, Coffee Houses and Film Festivals for individuals with disabilities.  Send inquiries here.

The Morris Museum has a new program to welcome patrons with disabilities.
The Morris Museum has a new program to welcome patrons with disabilities.

It would take lots of candles to celebrate the Morristown Green‘s birthday — 300 of them, to be precise. Our namesake square has been the hub of local life since at least 1715, when it began appearing on maps, according to the Morris Tourism Bureau. Learn more about this historic tract, from Colonial times to 2007 renovations and beyond, from Carol Barkin of the Tourism Bureau. Her walking tour starts at 10 am, and costs $15. Reserve your slot online; call 973-631-5151 for more details.

The Morristown Green
The Morristown Green

The Big Apple Circus, touted as “America’s Best Circus for children” by Parents Magazine, presents shows at 3 pm and 7 pm, at Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center.  Please see Friday entry for details.

The Big Apple Circus
The Big Apple Circus

The Morristown United Methodist Church presents the  City of Belfast Youth Orchestra at 7:30 pm. Directed by Paul McBride, the orchestra is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Admission is a free-will offering.  At 50 Park Place (on the Green). Our facilities are handicapped accessible.

The City of Belfast Youth Orchestra
The City of Belfast Youth Orchestra

Mary Poppins in the Park. Please see Thursday entry for details.


SUNDAY, JULY 19:

Dena Driscoll, a.k.a. 'Bike Mama Philadelphia.'
Dena Driscoll, a.k.a. ‘Bike Mama Philadelphia.’

The Morristown Farmers Market celebrates its 25th season, from 8:30 am to 2 pm every Sunday through Nov. 22, 2015, in municipal lot 10. That’s behind the Morristown Post Office, accessible via Morris Street or Dumont Place.  Organized by the Morristown Partnership, the market features 16 area farms and specialty vendors, with entertainment offered once per month.

Learn how to bike with tykes (not trikes!) from Bike Mama Philadelphia, at 1 pm at Marty’s Reliable Cycle in Morristown. Bike Walk Morristown presents Philly blogger Dena Driscoll  and local dads Doug Palen and Dean Sanginari to share tips on how and where to enjoy family biking fun. Marty’s is at 173 Speedwell Ave. Here’s more about the event.

Gary Reed
Gary Reed

The Macculloch Hall Historical Museum continues its Concerts in the Garden series at 4 pm with Gary Reed, who performs 21st century songs with roots in the 1960s and 70s. Tickets are $15, $10 for members, seniors, and students; free for children under 12. The museum is open from 1 pm to 4 pm, and museum admission is only $5 if purchased with a concert ticket. Bring blankets or chairs, no concert seating is available. In case of bad weather, the performance will move indoors (limited seating).  At 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown.

 

 

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