Compiled by Nicholas Voltaggio:
Indoors and outdoors, here are some safe bets for summer fun around Greater Morristown this weekend.
Scroll down for details. Check our handy calendar for even more activities–and add your own events, too!
VIRTUAL TOURS & ART SHOWS:
Become acquainted with the father of political cartooning, at a new Macculloch Hall lecture series, Thomas Nast: America’s Image Maker, run by collection curator Ryan Hyman. The Wednesday series will run in three parts, over Zoom, on July 22nd, Aug. 12th, and Sept. 2nd, each at 2 pm. The lectures are free for members, and others may donate a self-selected amount. Register here.
The Morris Township Department of Parks and Recreation has resumed its free summertime series of family movie nights, outdoors at Ginty Field. Movies begin at sundown, or approximately 8:15 pm. Events are scheduled for Wednesday, July 29th and Saturday, Aug. 15th. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and masks; social distancing will be observed.
Who needs to sit outside swatting mosquitoes, when you can enjoy VIRTUAL fireworks from the air-conditioned comfort of home? These pyrotechnics are courtesy of the Borough of Morris Plains.
The Morristown and Morris Township Library has prepared an extensive array of videos on its YouTube channel, including book recommendations, storytime sessions for families, and read-alouds for beginning and young adult readers. Videos are added regularly.
As hard as the Morris School District is working to perfect the virtual education experience, it’s difficult to replicate a field trip. Luckily for students and families, Grow It Green Morristown has created a virtual visit to its Urban Farm.
The Lab, a multimedia endeavor of Arts By The People, is offering high school students a chance to express themselves by creating either a one-minute video or a one-page poetry or prose composition. The theme: My World During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Check out the latest virtual exhibit from Morris Arts, Vanishing Worlds.
Opera at Florham is posting videos of its past events, featuring young opera singers in 10 performances.
Take a virtual walking tour with the Morris County Tourism Bureau.
Catch an original short film, courtesy of the Thomas Edison Media Arts Consortium and Black Maria Films — and try one of their healthy recipes for “dinner and a show” in the comfort of home.
Dissonance, the Morris Museum’s virtual exhibition, looks at disorder and tension.
Check out new art, literature and more in the July edition of The Platform Review. The Review has compiled works of both original poetry and prose, with the intention of bringing diverse voices to light.
The Schiff Nature Preserve in Mendham has resumed educational and passive recreational activities — just in time for individuals and families to enjoy the great outdoors in the beautiful summer weather. Schiff also is offering a “Rent a Naturalist” program, for hour-long guided tours by an expert.
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2020:
Join the Morristown & Township Library at 7 pm for its Virtual Classics Book Club series. Open to anyone who wants to share an appreciation for great books and newly released titles.
The Morris Museum kicks off its weekly Jazz on the Back Deck series with a 7:30 pm concert, Amani: Blues, Ballads, Bossa, and a Little Bit of Bop! Bring chairs and refreshments. All patrons are required to wear masks; social distancing protocols will be followed. Call 973-971-3706 for tickets.
FRIDAY, JULY 17:
Start your Friday with yoga led by Munah Hayes at 9:30 am. The weekly session is offered virtually by the Morristown and Morris Township Library.
Madison kicks off its free Downtown Concert Series from 6 pm to 8 pm with Mama D & The Vexations. Outside the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, 9 Main St. Bring your own chairs, blankets and masks, and maintain social distancing.
Folk music legends Jay Ungar and Molly Mason take The Folk Project’s virtual stage at 7 pm to headline the Acoustic Stayaway series. Ungar and Mason are renowned for blending memorable music with powerful storytelling. “Admission” is free, with all donations going to the artist.
Singer-songwriter Carla Ulbrich specializes in making people laugh. Check out her free concert series at 7:30 pm, on YouTube and Facebook.
More laughs–and PPE resources for frontline medical workers–are coming from National Lampoon, which streams a comedy show at 8 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. Host Harrison Greenbaum welcomes popular comedic guests, while raising funds for the COVID Foundation.
SATURDAY, JULY 18:
The Morris Plains Farmers’ Market is back, every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm, until October 10, 2020. Fresh fruits and vegetables, all from local farms; Italian specialties include pastas, meats, and cheeses., will also be available for purchase. Safety protocols will be followed, for everyone’s health.
Grow It Green Morristown’s summer farm stand returns, from 10 am to 2 pm. More than 670 pounds of produce are ready to be sold! The farm stand is at The Urban Farm, 31 Hazel St., in Morristown.
Fresh off the release of her EP Classic, singer Brynn Stanley shares her silky stylings and girl-next-door charm from her living room, every week at 8 pm
SUNDAY, JULY 19:
The Morristown Farmers’ Market is back for its 30th season. It runs from 8:30 am until 2 pm every Sunday until Nov. 22, behind the Morristown Post Office in Municipal Lot 10, between Morris Street and Dumont Place. Safety protocols will be maintained for everyone’s health.
The Folk Project presents Joe Guzzo’s Stayaway Sundays Show at 3 pm. Guzzo shares performances and interviews with Folk Project favorites.
The Morris Plains Department of Recreation presents a summertime concert series, live at Robert’s Garden on Sunday evenings, running from 6 to 8 pm. This week, Millie’s Closet, a band specializing in classic rock covers as well as modern hits, will be headlining.
