Greater Morristown weekend preview: Groucho, ghosts, galas and … whiskey!

frank ferrante as groucho marx
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Compiled by Katrina Langer and Kevin Coughlin

Variety reigns this weekend in Greater Morristown.

You can meet a first-time author and Shakespeare.

And support worthy causes while dining, shopping or cycling.

You can tour the galaxy and sample whiskey (though, sadly, not at the same time).

Hunt for ghosts. Or Groucho. Or the ghost of Groucho.

In fact, you can spend An Evening With Groucho … on a Sunday afternoon.

You bet your life!

Need more diversions? Check our handy calendar.


THURSDAY, NOV. 6, 2014:

Life on Altamont Court by Trent PinesWhen Ken and Trent moved to Altamont Court in Morristown, they weren’t sure what to expect. Their house was a fixer-upper, and they were wary of their neighbors. But before long, their home was a magnet for barbecues, costume contests, neighborhood games and more. The couple’s time in Morristown was so memorable, Trent wrote a book.  Three years after moving to Atlanta, Trent Pines is back to talk about Life on Altamont Court in Morristown   — and his love of all things Morristown — at the Morristown & Township Library at 7 pm. Refreshments will be served. The library is at One Miller Road in Morristown.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey  presents Henry VIII at 8 pm,  at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave., Madison. Admission: $32; student rush tickets for all performances are $15, available a half-hour before curtain for with a valid student ID.  Performances also on Friday at 8 pm, on Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, and on Sunday at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Call 973-408-5600 for more or see the theater website.


FRIDAY, NOV. 7:

Bring the kids to Macculloch Hall at 45 Macculloch Ave. in Morristown between 10 am and noon, or 1 pm and 3 pm, for Civil War at Sea: Boats in a Bottle.   This exhibit is is perfect for ages 7-12. Pre-register at 973-538-2404 ext. 16 or email here. Meanwhile, adults can browse the Civil War through the Eyes of Thomas Nast exhibit.

Maybe your kids are more into stargazing than history? The Longo Planetarium presents Shapes In the Sky at 1 pm. Storytelling includes myths and legends, fun for the whole family. Recommended for kids 4 and up. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and kids under 12. At the County College of Morris, at 214 Center Grove Road in Randolph.

The fun at Longo Planetarium continues at 7 pm with Space Extreme!, for kids ages 8 and up. Young astronomers will visit black holes, supernovae, colliding galaxies and more. Call 973-328-5076 for more.

Photo of Warren BobrowYou can always leave the kids at home and spend the evening tasting whiskey with local author and  “cocktail whisperer”  Warren BobrowCelebrate the release of his new bookWhiskey Cocktails: Rediscovered Classics and Contemporary Craft Drinks Using the World’s Most Popular Spirit, at 7 pm at the Morristown & Township Library. It’s a ticket-only event, featuring copies of the book for attendees and cocktail favorites from the book. Call (973) 993-1291 to register or  email hereTickets are $50; proceeds benefit the library. For ages 21 and up. Refreshments will be served. At One Miller Road, Morristown.

Speaking of kids, Cornerstone Family Programs is hosting a gala to benefit after-school programs of the Morristown Neighborhood House.  The festivities run from 6 pm to 10 pm at the Hyatt Morristown. Gerald P. Marcus will be honored as Volunteer of the Year, alongside the Cavalry Baptist Church as Community Partner.  Ticket information is here.  For more details, call (973) 538-5260, ext. 316 or 323, or  email here.

After-school programs of the Morristown Neighborhood House are supported in part by an annual gala, scheduled for Friday at the Hyatt Morristown.
After-school programs of the Morristown Neighborhood House are supported in part by an annual gala, scheduled for Friday at the Hyatt Morristown.
Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt
Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt

The Minstrel welcomes two top-notch singer-songwriters at 8 pm. Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidtparallel talents for 25 years, join forces for one powerhouse performance at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township.  Admission is $9;  kids 12 and under are free.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents  Henry VIII  at 8 pm. Please see Thursday entry for details.

Voca People bring their high-energy, laugh-filled show to Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center  at 8 pm. Their repertoire includes a cappella versions of Madonna, Michael Jackso, and Mozart. Tickets are $29-$59. At 100 South St. Call  973-539-8008 for more.

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SATURDAY, NOV. 8:

Grab a camera and the kids for this month’s Photo Scavenger Hunt at the Haggerty Education Center. The prize and theme change monthly, so it’s always a new adventure. This one starts at 9 am at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 E. Hanover Ave, Morristown. Cost is $10 per family. Seewww.arboretumfriends.org for more information.

Get a jump on your holiday shopping at Morris County’s 19th Annual Indoor Craft Fair,  from 10 am to 4 pm at the Morris View Healthcare Center, 540 West Hanover Ave., Morris Township. Browse more than 50 tables of merchandise from hand crafters and vendors. Proceeds benefit the senior-, disabled-, and veteran populations of Morris County and Morris View. Refreshments will be available, including a bake sale and ice cream sundae stand. Call 973-285-2800 for more.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Henry VIII  at 2 pm and 8 pm. Please see Thursday entry for details.

Morristown High School concludes its 2014 football season with a 2 pm game at Chatham.

Take a Tour of the Planets (for ages 6 and up), at 3 pm inside the Longo Planetarium at the County College of Morris in Randolph. See Friday entries for prices and location.

paranormal eveningsHalloween might be over, but ghost hunting is eternal. Join Ghost-One, a group with over 25 years of paranormal experience, from 7:45 pm to 11 pm, on the grounds of Fosterfields and inside The Willows, the 1854 Gothic Revival house. This program is designed for participants ages 16 and older. Admission is $45 per person. Rain or shine, at 73 Kahdena Road in Morris Township. Call (973) 631-5077  for more.

evening with groucho logoGroucho is gone, but Frank Ferrante is the next best thing. He will recreate his popular PBS- and stage portrayal of Groucho Marx at the Bickford Theatre in Morris Township at 8 pm. A Sunday matinee also is scheduled, for 2 pm. Tickets are $35 for Morris Museum members and seniors, and $38 for everyone else — except students, who can sneak in for $20. The Bickford is at the Morris Museum, at 6 Normandy Heights Road. Call 973-971-3706 for more.

The Harmonium Choral Society will reprise its powerful presentation of  Annelies, the choral cantata by James Whitbourn based on The Diary of Anne Frank, at Oheb Shalom in South Orange at 8 pm. Audiences were moved by Harmonium’s multimedia performances in Morristown last March. Admission is FREE if reservations are made by Nov. 6; tickets are $10 at the door. Call (973) 762-7067 for more.

Harmonium performs 'Annelies,' the story of Anne Frank, at the Morristown United Methodist Church. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Harmonium will reprise its performance of ‘Annelies,’ the story of Anne Frank, in South Orange. Earlier this year this powerful show was presented at the Morristown United Methodist Church. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 


SUNDAY, NOV. 9:

The Morristown Farmers Market is in the home stretch of its 24th season, courtesy of the Morristown Partnership and its sponsors. From 8:30 am to 2 pm, you can find produce from North Jersey farms, baked goods, and more, in municipal parking lot 10, behind the post office. Lots of entertainment and wellness events will be sprinkled throughout the year. The Farmers Market is open on Sundays through the end of this month.

If you missed the Family Photo Scavenger Hunt at the Haggerty Education Center, there’s an encore hunt at 9 am. See Saturday’s entry for more information.

marty turkey ride 2014What could be better than a bike ride on a crisp autumn day? How about a bike ride that gives back to the community? The 3rd Annual Turkey Fry Ride doubles as a food drive for the Interfaith Food Pantry. Riders are asked to bring a bag of food (see this list of preferred items), or $20 dollars cash. There is no fee for the ride, but you should preregister online.  Route options include a 5-mile family ride, a 20-mile ride, or a 40-mile ride.  The 40 mile ride starts at 10 am; the others start at 10:30 am. All rides leave from Marty’s Reliable Cycle in Randolph, at 1164 Rt. 10 West. Afterwards, turkeys will be deep-fried for all to share. Bring any side dish, dessert, or beverage.

A new exhibition, Thomas Nast: Unknown Works and American Icons, reveals rarely seen sides of the great 19th century illustrator, at the Macculloch Hall Historical Museum  through the winter. See previously unpublished oil paintings and watercolors, pencil sketches, pen and ink drawings, and original architectural elements from the artist’s Morristown home. Some of Nast’s best-known characters also are on display. Open from 1 pm to 4 pm. Admission: Adults $8; seniors $6; students (over 12) $6; children 6-12 $4. Members ad Children 5 and under are free. At 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown. Call (973) 538-2404 for more.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Henry VIII  at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Please see Thursday entry for details.

Spend An Evening With Groucho … in the afternoon. Frank Ferrante brings his popular portrayal of the one, the only… Groucho Marx to the Bickford Theatre in Morris Township at 2 pm. Please see Saturday’s entry for details.

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