It’s another action-packed weekend around Morristown. Here is a sampling of fun events– and remember, you can find a whole lot more on our great calendar. If you’re planning an event, make sure to add it there.
FRIDAY
Comic Kathleen Madigan takes the stage at 8 pm at Morristown’s Community Theatre.
At 10 pm, the Celtic band Dicey Riley struts its stuff at the Dublin Pub.
SATURDAY:
Help keep Morristown beautiful by joining the Morristown Clean Communities Committee for a Speedwell Avenue clean-up, starting at 9 a.m. at the Speedwell Firehouse Parking Lot. Coffee and donuts will be supplied; bring work gloves and a rake or broom. For more details, call Kathleen Margiotta at 973-644-4363 or email k-margiotta@townofmorristown.org.
Need a killer costume for Halloween? Check out the annual costume and prop sale of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. The sale runs from 10 am to 4 pm at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre at Drew University in Madison. Admission is free; cash and credit cards accepted. Proceeds benefit the theater’s education programs.
At 1 pm, the Morristown High Colonials (2-2) visit the Morris Knolls Golden Eagles (1-3) in Rockaway for a football faceoff.
And now for something completely different… jazz guitarist Pat Metheny brings his description-defying Orchestrion show to the Community Theatre at 8 p.m. The theater is offering a two-for-one deal for rear orchestra seats. Pat will conduct a mechanical orchestra with his guitar. Don’t you want to see how he does that?
SUNDAY:
While you load up on homegrown organic goodness at the Morristown Farmers Market, the children can enjoy the organic kid-ness of Big Jeff. The singer plays free sets at the outdoor market at 9:30 am and 10:30 am. The market is in the municipal parking lot between Morris Street and Dumont Place, behind the Post Office.
If you like a little scandal with your architecture, Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison is the place to be at 3 pm.
Historic preservationist Janet Foster and author Barbara Brennan will speak about “The Story and Scandal of Hurstmont, A House of the Gilded Age.”
Hurstmont, a 30-room, 15,000-square-foot classical Revival country house bordering the Jockey Hollow national historical park, was created by architect Stanford White.
Stanford White also designed the second Madison Square Garden, the Washington Square Arch, and many homes of the super-rich, including the Florham estate that is now home to FDU.
But he is best remembered for his 1906 murder by the jealous millionaire husband of actress Evelyn Nesbit. The ensuing court case was dubbed “The Trial of the Century.”
It may not be quite as scandalous, but Hurstmont’s condition has alarmed preservationists. Vacant since the 1980s, the house soon may face the wrecking ball and the 20-acre property could become a subdivision. Preservation New Jersey has placed Hurstmont on its list of 10 most endangered historic sites.
The talk is sponsored by the Friends of Florham. Admission is $25 and includes refreshments and music by guitarist Dan Williams.
Students 22 and under have free admission with their student ID cards. For more information, call 201-692-7008.
