A potpourri of enlightening and entertaining pursuits awaits the intrepid adventurer in Greater Morristown this weekend.
You can experience tubism and funny folk, narrative quilting and religious discussion, and historical exploration from the Revolutionary War to World War II.
And if all that’s not enough, check out our handy calendar for even more options.
THURSDAY, Jan. 19, 2012:
Tuba, anyone? The eclectic Music at Noon series features the tuba stylings of Alan Baer, principal tubist of the New York Philharmonic, accompanied by pianist Eric Malon. Showtime at the Morristown United Methodist Church is 12:15 pm; there is a suggested donation for the 30-minute concert of $6 for adults and $5 for seniors. Students with ID are admitted free. Free childcare is provided. A light luncheon also is available before or after the concert (11:30 am to 1:30 pm), at $7 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. At 50 S. Park Place. Call 973-538-2132 for more details.
Frankie Valli of Four Seasons fame sings at Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm. Tickets are $77-$117, but the concert is sold out, so your best bet is to call the box office at 973-539-8008.
FRIDAY, Jan. 20:
Artist Adel Gorgy is exhibiting her photos of classic artworks by Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse and others, starting at 8 a.m. in Morristown’s Atrium Gallery, at 10 Court St. Admission is free. The exhibition runs through March 12. A reception is scheduled for Feb. 2 at 6:30 pm. For details call 973-285-5115.
If you happen to be near Philadelphia around 5 pm, stop by the Hamilton and Arronson Galleries of the University of the Arts at 320 S. Broad St., for the reception of an exhibition of works by the County College of Morris Fine Arts Faculty. The show, which runs through Feb. 20, includes paintings, photographs, and sculptural objects by artists James Gwynne, Keith Smith, Todd Doney, Andrea Kelly, Raul Villarreal, Leah Tomaino, Clay Allen, Clair Wollock, Robert Ricciotti, Patrick Gallagher, Nieves Grueiro, Barry Zawacki, Kathy DeFilippis, Denise DeVone, Karin Lowney-Seed, Barbara Neibart, John Reinking, Marisol Ross, Patricia Redline, Kimberly Nicholais and Sonia Paulino.
Red Tails, from executive producer George Lucas, tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, black fighter pilots who served with distinction in the segregated U.S. military during World War II. The Delta Sigma Theta sorority is hosting a special screening and discussion at 7 pm, at Clearview Cinemas in Headquarters Plaza, Morristown. Six African American veterans from Morris County will share their experiences after the film. A limited number of tickets are available for $5; for details contact Carolyn Lamb at: cal7macdst AT gmail DOT com (replacing the AT and DOT with the appropriate symbols).
If there is a funnier folkie than Vance Gilbert, we have yet to meet him. He’s headlining at The Minstrel in Morris Township at 8 pm, with opener Caitlin Canty. Vance is a fine guitarist and vocalist, but there are plenty of those. It’s a rare performer who also can make you laugh out loud–and Vance has that gift, too, which explains why he toured with the late George Carlin. Admission is $7. At the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road. Call Call 973-335-9489 for more.
SATURDAY, Jan. 21:
A photo scavenger hunt promises family fun from 9 am to 4:30 pm at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, at 353 East Hanover Avenue in Whippany. The cost is $10 per family; photograph every item and win prizes. Meet at the Haggerty Education Center; call 973-326-7600 for more details. Also offered on Sunday, same times.
Does your tool shed have a stylyard, beatle and lanthorn? Probably not. But Henry Wick’s sure did, back in Revolutionary times. Join a Park Ranger between 1 pm and 4 pm at the Wick house in the Morristown National Historical Park to discover what these tools did, and more. Admission: Free.
SUNDAY, Jan. 22:
Morristown’s Episcopal Church of the Redeemer will mark the 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s historic Roe v. Wade decision with talks by the Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, former president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. She presently serves as president and dean of Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass. Rev. Ragsdale will speak at the adult forum at 9 a.m. and preach at the 10:30 am service, at 36 South St. All are welcome. Redeemer Rector Cynthia Black says: “Dr. Ragsdale is skilled at helping people of faith reconcile issues of reproductive choice and spirituality from a pro-choice perspective. She ably articulates a faith position that takes into account the fact that women and their families need access to safe abortions.”
Discover the The Birth of the Hebrew Scriptures, as told by retired Bishop John Shelby Spong. He gives the third talk in his four-part series at 10 a.m. in the Great Hall of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 70 Maple Ave., Morristown. Admission is free. Discover why there are three versions of the Ten Commandments, along with the history, politics and issues that shaped the Torah over 500 years. Call 973-538-0555 for more details.
Meet LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya, from noon to 2 pm at the Morris Museum in Morris Township. He will talk about his amazing Art of the Brick exhibition (video below), and sign books and posters. Admission is $20. (For $100, you also can enjoy coffee and a breakfast buffet with the artist at 10:30 am.) At 6 Normandy Heights Road. Call 973-971-3706 for more details.
Watch Nathan Sawaya, Lego Brick artist on PBS. See more from State of the Arts.
What was it like being a soldier at Jockey Hollow during the Revolution? Visit the replica soldier huts at the Morristown National Historical Park to find out. Experts will be there to field questions from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Admission: Free. Call 973-543-4030 for more.
Every quilt tells a story. At least, Margaret Beach’s narrative quilts do. They are on display through March 6 in the Art Upstairs Gallery at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, at 100 South St., Morristown. Meet the artist from 3 pm to 5 pm at a free reception. Margaret’s quilted “canvases” draw on works by Thoreau, Shakespeare and James Thurber. The Gallery is open two hours prior to and during all performances at MPAC, and by appointment by calling 973-539-0345, x 6583.
Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino is the featured attraction of Faith on Film, at 4 pm in the Parish House of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, at 65 South St. “An aging widower is forced to confront his own deep prejudices as his crime ridden Detroit neighborhood becomes an enclave for southeast Asian immigrants.” Admission is free.
Meet eight artists from Morristown High School’s Art Mentoring Program, at a 4 pm reception for their new exhibition at the Zebu Forno café on 9 South St. The mentoring program is funded by the Lauren Elizabeth Failla Foundation and run by the Arts Council of the Morris Area. Professional artists Dan Fenelon of Madison and Susan Faiola of Morristown have worked closely with students Amber Collins, Rei Warren, Mayre Barrios, Karina Cabrera, Monica Argenio, Daisy Sierra, Bekah Lee and Cristina Mendoza. Admission is free.
If the Zebu art show inspires you, stay right there at 6 pm for another Open Drawing Session. Three hours of live models, friendly instruction and pizza cost just $10. Bring your own art supplies; Chris and Danielle Merzatta provide the rest. Call 770-853-9727 for more information.
The County College of Morris takes on Raritan Valley Community College in hockey action at Mennen Arena in Morris Township at 6 pm. Admission is $3 for adults, and $2 for students, seniors and children.
