Compiled by Nicholas Voltaggio
Happy Mother’s Day to those special ladies who have given us life and love.
If you can’t be with your mom this weekend, synchronize your watches and catch a virtual show “together.”
Scroll down for lots of choices. Check our handy calendar for rescheduled activities–and add your own virtual events, too!
ONGOING EVENTS…
Art in the Atrium, for nearly three decades one of the country’s premiere showcases of African American art, was poised for a Morristown comeback after a yearlong hiatus when the pandemic hit. But you still can enjoy–and purchase–pieces from this show, from the comfort of home.
Morris Arts has published its new exhibit, Vanishing Worlds. The works, in varying styles, all explore the central theme of change and human response to it. Viewers can explore each piece of art and artist in depth, while learning about the context and inspiration surrounding each work.
Opera at Florham has posted videos of its past events, featuring young opera singers in ten performances.
The Morris County Tourism Bureau has posted a virtual walking tour, in the form of an app available on the iTunes and Google Play stores. The tour includes some of the most prominent historical features of Morristown, including the home of Thomas Nast, history of architecture in Morristown, the many historical churches in the center of town.
Hoping to see an original film while movie theaters are closed? The Thomas Edison Media Arts Consortium is working in conjunction with Black Maria Films to deliver short films to audiences within the comfort of their own homes, free of charge, for the duration of the pandemic. Accessible anytime at www.blackmaria.org, one will find a curated program of short films, in addition to healthy recipes to emulate the feeling of “dinner and a show.”
Until it can once again open its doors to the public, the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in Millville is offering a virtual exhibit, Isolation. Accessible through June 22, 2020, the gallery adds art as entries come in, so check back for new installations.
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2020:
The Mayo Performing Arts Center’s weekly Virtual Arts performance features our friend Munah Hayes, late of Purple Hayes, at 12:30 pm.The Morristown resident discovered her voice while singing in the youth choir at the Morristown United Methodist Church. Her favorite genre is gospel mixed with a dash of freestyle funk. Music, she believes, is the most powerful tool for bringing everyone together in harmony. Check out replays of this concert, and many other MPAC events, here.
London’s National Theatre is streaming a 2011 performance of Frankenstein starring Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch. Catch their chilling performances here.
For young people eager to pursue their passion for music while stuck at home, the New Jersey Youth Symphony, based in Berkeley Heights, is offering a jazz workshop via Zoom at 4 pm. The meeting will delve into audition requirements for the ensemble, as well as a question and answer session with Helen H. Cha-Pyo, artistic director and principal conductor of the group.
The McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton is offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at this nonprofit venue, and a discussion of theater in the COVID-19 era, featuring McCarter’s Emily Mann and the artistic director of New York’s Public Theater, Oskar Eustis. The longtime friends and artistic partners will talk online at 4:30 pm. Listeners are invited to submit questions.
Singer-songwriter Carla Ulbrich specializes in making people laugh. Check out her free concert series on YouTube at 6:30 pm.
The Folk Project’s Acoustic Stayaway series continues at 7 pm with Peppino D’Agostino, voted “Best Acoustic Guitar Player” by readers of Guitar Player Magazine. His performance, and information about upcoming events, can be found here.
SATURDAY, MAY 9:
Singer Brynn Stanley brings her silky vocals and sparkling personality from her living room to yours with weekly 7 pm 8 pm shows on her Facebook page. Look for weekly themes and special (remote) guests.
SUNDAY, MAY 10, MOTHER’S DAY:
This Mother’s Day, join musician Chris Pinella in his tribute to all mothers. Give yours a unique gift by asking Chris to dedicate a song to her. Manasquan’s Algonquin Theater will livestream Pinella at 7 pm.
Looking ahead…
THURSDAY, MAY 14:
Starting today and running for five Thursdays, Montclair Film offers a course on documentary filmmaking for students of all backgrounds and skill levels. The Inside Docs: Filmmaker Series will screen works of renowned documentary filmmakers, and hear them discuss their films. The class is open to anyone 16 and older; information about fees and registration is here.
