Compiled by Kevin Coughlin
There is only one place to be in Greater Morristown on Saturday afternoon: The Green, for the Fifth Annual Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival.
Harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite headlines a program that includes five acts, running from noon to 10 pm. Best of all, it’s free.
Other weekend highlights include a free outdoor movie on Thursday, a new exhibit at the 70 South Gallery, and opera from the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey.
Scroll down for details. And check our handy calendar for even more fun options.
THURSDAY, AUG. 13, 2015:
Enjoy The Lego Movie under the stars at the Cauldwell Playground in Morristown, for free, courtesy of Our Youth Their Future. Hot dogs, chips and beverages will be served starting at 6 pm, and showtime is 8 pm. Bring lawn chairs or a beach blanket.
Marty’s Reliable Cycle is hosting a fundraiser and silent auction at 7 pm, at 173 Speedwell Ave. in Morristown, to benefit The New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition.
The Chabad of Randolph and Morristown Unitarian Fellowship present an Introduction to Kabbalah class from 7 pm to 9 pm. Learn about Jewish mysticism, at 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township. Call 973-895-3070 or email here for more details.
Classic Albums Live recreates Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 Rumours album at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown at 8 pm. Tickets: $35 to $45. At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008.
Four Morris Township youths– Naina and Maya Slaughter and Danielle and Bobby Becht — appear in the U.S. premiere of Dream Street, through Aug. 16, 2015, at the Pearl Theatre, 555 West 42nd St. in New York.
FRIDAY, AUG. 14:
The Center for Spiritual Living Morristown presents the documentary Messages of Hope, about former Navy Commander Suzanne Giesemann’s quest for knowledge about the afterlife. Selected shorts at 7 pm, main feature at 7:30 pm. Giesemann will attend the screening; she returns on Sunday afternoon for another presentation. The movie night is free; donations welcome. At 331 Mount Kemble Ave., Harding. Call 973-539-3114 for more.
Video preview: ‘Messages of Hope’
It’s time for The Minstrel’s monthly open stage! Show what you can do, in a 15-minute set, or cheer for someone else who is showing what they can do. At 8 pm, at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 26 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township. Sign up here.
SATURDAY, AUG. 15:
Career Fire Chiefs from the region will play a charity softball tournament in East Hanover from 8 am to noon, to benefit the Be The Match® bone marrow registry. The games are at Lurker Park on Ridgedale Avenue; the rain date is Sunday. Montvale-based Community Blood Services will be on hand to register potential marrow donors, to help victims of blood cancers. Call 1-800-336-3363 for more.
Morristown’s 70 South Gallery opens a new exhibition, Black, White and Color, at 9 am. See master prints of textured landscapes and abstracts by large-format professional photographer Joe Freeman, intimate city perspectives from Newark Academy student Josh Charow, and unique glazed sculptures by Bill Wickey. Call (646) 932-6733 for more.
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.
A beginner-level women’s bike ride leaves from Marty’s Reliable Cycle in Morristown at 9:30 am. It’s a “friendly no-drop ride with a pace of about 11-13 mph.” Marty’s is at 173 Speedwell Ave. in Morristown. The route is here.
The fifth annual Morrristown Jazz & Blues Festival brings a full day of free music to the historic Morristown Green, from noon to 10 pm. This year’s show pays homage to three musical greats who would have turned 100: Frank Sinatra, Les Paul and Muddy Waters. Swingadelic swings into action at noon; Bucky Pizzarelli, who perfomed with Sinatra and Paul, leads a “Guitar Summit” at 2 pm; Bria Skonberg takes the stage at 4 pm. Roomful of Blues follows her at 6 pm. Harmonica giant Charlie Musselwhite headlines with his band at 8 pm. Bring lawn chairs or a beach blanket, and come early to stake out a prime spot.
SUNDAY, AUG. 16:
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.
The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey presents a concert of Handel’s 1718 opera Acis and Galatea at 3 pm, in Dolan Hall at the College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morris Township. It’s part of the orchestra’s 2015 Summer Festival. Tickets are $40 for the general public, $30 for seniors and $5 for students.
Video preview: ‘Acis and Galatea’
