Compiled by Katrina Langer and Kevin Coughlin
This is a great weekend to go to church–and not just to pray.
You can do your taxes, meet some artists, see a puppet show, enjoy a carnival, catch a few thought-provoking films and meet a movie star, Matthew Broderick, at Morristown’s houses of worship.
And that’s just for starters!
Details are below. For more fun options, see our handy calendar.
THURSDAY, FEB. 21, 2013:
Free tax assistance is offered 9 am and again at noon, at the Parish House of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, at 65 South St. It’s also available on Tuesdays. Call 973-538-3451 for more details.
Re-live Beatlemania at the Morristown & Township Library, with a free screening of A Hard Day’s Night at 7 pm. The library is at One Miller Road in Morristown.
FRIDAY, FEB. 22:
Jacob Johnson comes to The Minstrel with Blue Jersey at 8 pm in Morris Township. Johnson offers a unique acoustic style of guitar he calls “neo-acoustic folk/funk.” He’ll be joined by a South Jersey bluegrass staple, Blue Jersey, featuring Frank & Ellen Ruck. Bluegrass isn’t their only game – they play swing, gypsy jazz, and tunes from the contra dance repertoire. Here is video of Jacob from his first visit to the Minstrel:
The award-winning Nutopians will celebrate the upcoming release of their second CD, “Lennon Re-Imagined,” at 8 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 67 Church St. in Montclair. An 8-piece ensemble named after John and Yoko’s fictitious country of peace, “Nutopia,” the band features a blend of strings, piano, harmonica, and vocals — all together celebrating the music of John Lennon. Tickets: $32.50 advance/$37 day of the show. Call 866-468-7619 for tickets, or visit www.outpostintheburbs.org. Concert proceeds will benefit WhyHunger’s Artists Against Hunger & Poverty program.
SATURDAY, FEB. 23:
The Westin Governor Morris Annual Bridal Show runs from 11 am to 2 pm. Complimentary admission. Meet with an array of specialty wedding vendors. At 2 Whippany Road, Morristown. Call 973-539-7300 to learn more.
At 3 pm, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church features The 2013 Emily and Lauren Failla Memorial Choir Festival: “Experience the beauty of the English cathedral tradition as boys and girls from New Jersey and New York City come together to sing with St. Peter’s Choir under the direction of Professor Bruce Neswick, one of America’s major talents in the field of choral conducting, organ performance and improvisation. The festival choir will present cathedral classics, including works by Ayleward, Hogan, Long, Stanford and a thrilling setting of the canticle Magna et Mirabilia by Professor Neswick.” Freewill offerings welcomed. The church is at the corner of South Street and Miller Road in Morristown. The concert honors sisters who were parishioners at St. Peter’s.
The 32nd Annual Black Maria Film Festival comes to the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township, for two separate showings of this international juried competition and award tour. First showing: 5 pm; second showing: 7:30 pm. There will be an interlude of hors d’oeuvres and wine between the showings. Advance tickets: $15 for one showing, $10 for the interlude, $35 for both showings and the interlude. At the door: $20 for one showing, $15 for the interlude, $45 for all three.
The Morris Area Clergy Council invites community members to celebrate The Spirit of the Human Family, coming together through artistic expression. Meet artists from different faiths and backgrounds and experience their creative vision of the humanity that unites us all. From 5 pm to 6:30 pm, including a reception, hor d’oevres, and a meet and greet with the artists. At Temble B’nai Or, 60 Overlook Road and Westminster Place, Morristown.
Then, at 7:30 pm, celebrate Purim by hearing interfaith perspectives on The Faces of Esther, also at Temple B’nai Or. The Rev. Janet Broderick of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will speak about The Courage to Act; Rabbi Don Rossoff of the temple will describe The Hidden Esther: A View from Kabbalah; the Rev. Sidney Williams Jr. of Bethel A.M.E. Church will discuss Finding God in Unfamiliar Places; and Rabbi Mary Zamore of the temple has titled her talk Esther: Powerful Woman or Just Another Pretty Face? Admission is free and Purim sweets will be served.
SUNDAY, FEB. 24:
Temple B’nai Or of Morristown celebrates the Jewish holiday of Purim with a carnival, open to the public from 11 am to 12:30 pm, featuring games, food, prizes and more. Bring the kids and join in the fun celebration of this joyous time in Jewish history — costumes encouraged! Tickets available at the door: Six for $6; 15 for $10; unlimited for $15. Lunch concession stand will be open. At 60 Overlook Road. Call 973- 539-2758 to learn more.
The Morris County Historical Society will hold its annual President’s Membership Tea from 1 pm to 4 pm. Held each year, the tea is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the Morris Country Historical Society, and the benefits of membership. This year’s tea includes a tour of the 19th century house museum; the exhibit Inspiring Woman Artists of Morris County; and an afternoon buffet with light tea sandwiches and desserts in the dining room of Acorn Hall. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, free for Society members. No advance reservation is required. At 68 Morris Ave. in Morristown.
Morristown’s Episcopal Church of the Redeemer invites family and friends of all ages to enjoy The Winter Holiday Puppet Show at 2 pm in the parish hall auditorium. Presented by Fun On A String Puppets & Marionettes, this show follows a cast of zany characters who travel to the North Pole to see the Northern Lights. Chase away the winter blues and warm up a cold day! A freewill offering will be taken to benefit the Jersey Battered Women’s Service in Morristown. The show is at 36 South St.
Abendmusik, the concert series sponsored by Music At Morristown United Methodist Church, continues its 2012-2013 season with a concert at 3 pm featuring classical guitarists Brett Grigsby and Darren O’Neill, in a concert entitled Guitarras Españolas (Spanish Guitars). There is a suggested donation of $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens. Advance tickets are available ($17 adults/$12 seniors) by calling the church office at 973-538-2132. Students with ID are admitted Free. The church is at 50 Park Place, on the Green. Church facilities are handicapped accessible. A reception follows the concert.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown begins its Lenten film series, Removing Our Veils, with a 5 pm screening of the 1996 film Infinity. Matthew Broderick, brother of St. Peter’s Rector Janet Broderick, directed, produced and starred in the movie, which was scripted by their mother, the late Patricia Broderick. It’s a drama about the early life of physicist Richard Feynman. Matthew Broderick will talk after the film. A light soup-and-bread supper will be available for those attending the program. Suggested donation for the evening is $10.
Morristown’s Sunday Night Portrait Drawing Sessions have returned to ArtSpace at 14 Elm St. Sessions run from 6 pm to 9 pm and feature live models and camaraderie for $10.
