There is music o’plenty around Greater Morristown this weekend, from local faves Jon Zlock and Myke Rivera to global faves the Fab Four. You also can learn about mentoring kids the right way, and ponder how to fix America’s education system. Read on–and also check our great calendar for more fun events.
THURSDAY, FEB. 24
Take in a screening of ‘Race to Nowhere’, a documentary about America’s hard-driving achievement culture, at the Delbarton School Fine Arts Center Theater tonight at 7:00 pm. Race to Nowhere focuses on the high-pressure American school culture; Delbarton Dean of Faculty Anne Leckie says that “Our intention in showing Race to Nowhere is to promote more conversation about the pressures of school.” Morristown psychotherapist Maureen Tillman calls Race to Nowhere “a compelling and candid documentary about the complex issues facing our educational system and society as they relate to achievement and competition and the impact they have on students and their family life. It is a ‘must see’ for parents, educators, physicians and counselors to understand and best support children’s academic, psychological and physical development.” Tickets are free and the film is open to the public; Delbarton School is on Mendham Road in Morris Township, three miles west of the Morristown Green. Go to www.delbarton.org for details on how to reserve complimentary tickets.
Jon Zlock and Myke Rivera perform at The Sidebar of The Famished Frog in Morristown at 9 pm. Jon performed at the MG Music Festival and Myke performed at last year’s Festival Earth with his band, The Community.
Comedian Brad Zimmerman performs at The Mayo Center for the Performing Arts tonight at 8 pm. The creator of “My Son, the waiter: a Jewish tragedy” Zimmerman tells the bittersweet tale of one man’s lengthy struggle to make it as an actor in New York. Brad’s send-ups on his childhood, family, career and misbegotten love life are as warm and poignant as they are hilarious. 100 South Street, Morristown; tix $25. Call 973-539-8008 or see www.mayoarts.org for more.
FRIDAY, FEB. 25
The Critical Mass bike ride is tonight from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. The group will gather in the lot behind Morristown town hall and take a leisurely ride through Morristown. Free.
It’s Men’s Celebration Weekend at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Morristown. A weekend of activities begins tonight at 7 p.m. and runs till Sunday night at 8. 59 Spring Street in Morristown; call the church at 862-812-4178 for more information. Or contact Carmalee Foster, 973-570-2531 or carmalee_foster@yahoo.com.
Bethel A.M.E. also hosts a forum on Educating and Mentoring Youth at 7:00 pm tonight. Sheila Y. Oliver, New Jersey Assembly Speaker, will give the Keynote address. The panel will include Morristown High School Principal Linda Murphy, the N.J. Department of Education’s Anthony Bland, and other educators, social and civil rights workers, and community activists, as well as Morristown High School students Tanya Cepeda, Don Zsack, Chris Hull. 59 Spring Street in Morristown; call 862-812-4178 for more.
Tom Rice & Friends provide the entertainment at the Schiff Nature Center’s Coffe House tonight from 7 – 9:30 pm. An intimate, acoustic fireside mix of blues, soul and rock and roll. Coffee tasting provided by Black River Roasters from 7-7:30 pm; guests can develop an appreciation of artisan roasted organic coffee beans. Coffees and other homemade desserts will be available for purchase. Pre-registration is required as seating is limited to 35 adults. Schiff Nature Preserve, 339 Pleasant Valley Road in Mendham. $12 Members; $15 Non-members. Call 973-543-6004 or see www.schiinaturepreserve.org for more information.
Back by audience demand! The Fab Four returns to keep the spirit and the sounds of The Beatles alive for fans old and young. Tonight, 8 – 10pm at The Mayo, 100 South Street, Morristown. Tix $37-$57. Call 973-539-8008 or see www.mayoarts.org for more.
SATURDAY, FEB. 26
Senator Richard Codey is Keynote Speaker at today’s Education forum and breakfast at Bethel A.M.E. Morristown. 59 Spring Street, Morristown. For Ticket information please call: 973-267-8912 or 973-551-6072.
A Colonial Cooking Contest today at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts in Madison. Participants research a recipe from Early American times, and cook and enter it in the Museum’s 2nd annual Colonial Cooking Contest. It’s too late to enter the contest, but you can go for the judging and awards today; regular museum admission fees apply. The children’s (12 and under) & family division judging starts at 10 am; the adult division judging starts at 2 pm. Call 973-377-2982 x14 or see www.metc.org for more information.
It’s Volleyball for All from 10 – 11:15am at The Presbyterian Church Parish House, 65 South Street, Morristown. A new program of volleyball on Saturday mornings will start with a few rounds of volleyball followed by skill development; led by Emily McCachren and other local high school volleyball players. Middle school students can begin working on skills to prepare for joining a high school team, but the sessions are open to all ages and skill levels – adults too! Contact Angie Rines at arines@pcmorristown.org or 973-538-1776 for information and scheduling. Free, and free parking in the lot.
Big Jeff Concert, 2 – 3 pm at the Lafayette Learning Center, 31 Hazel Street, Morristown. $5 for LLC families & $10 non-LLC families; 6 person max per family. Doors open at 1:30 pm. Snacks & refreshments will be sold. Call 973-981-8954 or see www.bigjeffmusic.com for more.
The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship will host the annual Black Maria Film & Video Festival, now in its 30th year, in two separate showings today, at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (with “an interlude of gourmet tapas and wine in between”!). In what should be a fantastic arts event for Morristown, the Festival, (named for Thomas Edison’s motion picture studio – the world’s first – built in 1893) is an international juried competition and award tour that travels to over 65 different institutions across the country. The Festival website says that the focus is on “short works that reveal an inventive, insightful, and uncommon spirit.” Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 at the door, $15 for second showing only. Free parking onsite. 21 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown; contact MUF at 973-540-1177 or admin@muuf.org for more information.
The Wisenheimers bring their bag of rock’n’roll tricks to Morristown’s Famished Frog at 9:30 pm.
Big Bad Irish appears tonight at Hennessey’s Washington Bar, 140 Morris Street, Morristown starting at 10. Free. 973-292-0400; the band’s website is at www.bigbadirish.com.
SUNDAY, FEB. 27
OSSO String Quartet @ Lyrica Chamber Music appears at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township at 3 o’clock this afternoon. The Quartet performs “Run Rabbit Run”: the music of Sufjan Stevens. Other selections to include Piazzolla Tango Suite, and Brahms Quartet in C minor. 240 Southern Blvd., Chatham. $25 for adult, $20 for seniors. Call 973-309-1668 or see www.lyricachambermusic.org for more.
Plan Your Spring Garden! Grow It Green Morristown is offering a free workshop at 3 pm in Morristown town hall, third floor. “This workshop will help you choose the right site and style, and help you plan building the garden. We will talk in-depth about choosing the right vegetable for the seasons, crop rotation and companion planting.” Please RSVP to this event at info@growitgreenmorristown.org.
