Compiled by Kevin Coughlin
From Shakespeare Under the Stars to Sunday in a caboose, Greater Morristown offers plenty of ways to celebrate the Father’s Day Weekend .
Dear Old Dad can relive his youth at a Civil War re-enactment, or time-travel even farther, back to the Trial of the 19th Century.
Patriotic music, funny tunes, Beatlemania, Woodstock, alt-rock — whatever your daddy likes, he will find it here.
And if that’s not enough, point him to our handy calendar for even more fun diversions.
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015:
Astonishingly, the Beatles’ Help! turns 50 this year. The Fab Four’s second film borrows from the Marx Brothers and the Goon Squad, with a pinch of James Bond and a healthy dose of hits, including Ticket to Ride and the title track. Witness the birth of music videos, sitars in pop music, and John Lennon’s iconic granny glasses… while revisiting Beatlemania in all its Technicolor splendor, at 7 pm in the Morristown & Township Library. The screening is free, and so are the light refreshments. Beatle wigs are encouraged. At One Miller Road, Morristown.
Shakespeare Under the Stars returns to the amphitheater at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, with Love’s Labour’s Lost at 8 pm. This production — about four young noblemen who vow to swear off women and hit the books — runs through July 26, 2015, at 8 pm each night with an extra 4:30 pm show on Sundays. Tickets are $15-$35. Call 973-408-5600 or visit The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. At 2 Convent Road, off Madison Avenue. Parking is free.
FRIDAY, JUNE 19:
One of our favorite funny females (say that three times fast!) unleashes her wicked wit at The Minstrel at 8 pm. Carla Ulbrich is the only person we know who can mine humor from catastrophic illness. Her opening act, husband Joe Giacoio, is a pretty funny guy, too, and just happens to speak Klingon, which can come in handy at conventions. Admission: $9, plus what you think the show is really worth. Children 12 and under, free. At the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township. Here’s more about Carla, and a bonus video to whet your appetite:
Shakespeare Under the Stars returns to the amphitheater at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, with Love’s Labour’s Lost at 8 pm. See Friday entry for details.
David Crosby — the C of CSNY — comes to Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm. He’s in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice (with the Byrds and with Crosby, Stills & Nash), has authored three books, and has penned numerous classic folk-rock songs, including Wooden Ships and Guinnevere. Tickets: $40-$80. At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008 for more.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20:
The Grow It Green Morristown farm stand opens for the season, from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays (and starting next week, from 3-6 pm on Thursdays), at the Urban Farm behind the Lafayette Learning Center at 31 Hazel St. Buy home-grown fresh produce, at cost. This year Grow It Green has been approved to accept SNAP benefits, too.
The Morris Plains Farmers Market is back for its 13th season, every Saturday through Oct. 10, 2015, from 9 am to 2 pm. It’s on the Merchant Block, at the Speedwell Avenue extension, just before the train trestle.
Re-live the Trial of the Century— the 19th century–at 10 am in the Morris County courtroom where it unfolded in 1833. Retired Judge Kenneth MacKenzie will recap the legal proceedings that led to the hanging of Antoine LeBlanc for a triple-murder that shocked Morristown …. and the gruesome postscript, evocative of Frankenstein. Offered by the Morris Tourism Bureau, this popular talk fills up fast. Admission is $15. Reserve your spot by calling 973-631-5151. The group will assemble at 6 Court St. prior to the 90-minute talk.
The Civil War invades Morristown’s Historic Speedwell for the weekend. Re-enactors from the Second New Jersey Brigade will perform drills, demonstrate how messages were sent via flags and telegraph, and stage mock skirmishes. The action runs from 10 am to 5 pm, and resumes on Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (65 +), $5 for ages 4 – 16, $4 for ages 2 – 3; under 2 are free. Light picnic fare is available for purchase. Free parking and free shuttle service available. Call 973-285-6550 for more.
Learn 3D modeling at 10 am, at the Morristown & Township Library. This two-hour introduction to computer-aided design uses Tinkercad, a free online tool, to help you design models that can be downloaded and printed by a 3D printer. To take this free class you must have an email address (and know the password) and have intermediate mousing skills. Registration also is required; please call 973-538-2592. At One Miller Road, Morristown.
If you’re looking for the Morris Choral Society concert…. it’s next week, Saturday, June 27, at the Morristown United Methodist Church. We were a bit premature in an earlier version of the preview. Our apologies!
Shakespeare Under the Stars returns to the amphitheater at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, with Love’s Labour’s Lost at 8 pm. See Friday entry for details.
SUNDAY, JUNE 21, FATHER’S DAY:
The Morristown Farmers Market celebrates its 25th season, from 8:30 am to 2 pm every Sunday through Nov. 22, 2015, in municipal lot 10. That’s behind the Morristown Post Office, accessible via Morris Street or Dumont Place. Organized by the Morristown Partnership, the market features 16 area farms and specialty vendors, with entertainment offered once per month.
A Civil War re-enactment continues at Morristown’s Historic Speedwell from 10 am to 4 pm. Please see Saturday entry for details.
Finally, Dear Old Dad can say “Nice caboose!” without getting slapped by Mother! That is, if you treat him to a leisurely train ride for Father’s Day. The Whippany Railway Museum offers rides in vintage cabooses and a 1927-era club car, at 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm. Fares: Adult: $14, child (under 12): $9, infants(1 year and under): Free. (Fare includes museum admission.) At 1 Railroad Plaza. Call 973-887-8177 for more.
The Summerland 2015 tour brings four alt-rock faves of the ’90s to Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center: Everclear (Santa Monica, Father of Mine), Toadies (Possum Kingdom), Fuel (Hemorrhage (In My Hands),Shimmer) and American Hi-Fi (Flavor of the Weak). Tickets: $41.50 to $91.50. At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008 for more.
Shakespeare Under the Stars returns to the amphitheater at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township, with Love’s Labour’s Lost at 4:30 pm and 8 pm. See Friday entry for details.
