Compiled by Nicholas Voltaggio
Quartets, orchestras, chanteuses, troubadours, jazz guitarists… a wide variety of musical treats beckons in 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, with a new Macculloch Hall lecture series entitled Thomas Nast: America’s Image Maker, run by collection curator Ryan Hyman. The Zoom series will run at 2 pm on three Wednesdays: July 22nd, Aug. 12th, and Sept. 2. Free for members; other participants may donate a self-selected amount. Register here.
Arts By The People has released its August newsletter – this month featuring an eclectic blend of workshops and projects for artists specializing in virtually every medium, from spoken word to dance to poetry.
The Somerset Patriots baseball team is hosting a Thursday series of family-friendly films, with seating on the field at TD Bank Ballpark. Each movie will begin at 7 pm, with tickets costing $10 per person. More information is here.
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.
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. The Museum reopened its doors this month.
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, AUG. 13, 2020:
Greater Morristown jazz favorite Grover Kemble has begun live performances on Thursdays, on the patio of Rockaway’s Caffe NaVona, 147 Route 46, (973) 627-1606. Kemble and his guitar will play from 6 pm to 9:30 pm.
Join the Morristown and Township Library for its 7 pm Virtual Classics Book Club. Up this week: James Baldwin’s Go Tell It On the Mountain. Discussion will occur via the GoToMeeting app. Downloadable files of the novel are available here.
For this week’s 7 pm Family Movie Night, the Somerset Patriots baseball team is showing Field of Dreams. The film, rated PG, stars Kevin Costner as a farmer compelled to build a baseball diamond. Tickets cost $10.
The Morris Museum in Morris Township is finding innovative ways to keep the “live” in live music. This week, the Tesla Quartet kicks off the Lot of Strings Music Festival, performing a program of Russian-inspired music. The parking deck festival runs until Sept. 3, with performances beginning at 7:30 pm. Socially distanced blocks accommodate two people, $50. Call (973) 971-3700 or see website for more. Rain date: Aug. 14.
FRIDAY, AUG. 14:
Start your Friday with yoga led by Munah Hayes at 9:30 am– which moves (weather permitting) from virtual to the lawn of the Morristown and Morris Township Library. Social distancing will be observed. Bring your yoga mat; admission to the library still is prohibited. Check here for details.
The Folk Project presents singer-songwriter Rachael Kilgour on its virtual stage at 7 pm, to headline the Acoustic Stayaway series. Rolling Stone called her passionate lyrics “unapologetic” and “a real treat.” “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.
SATURDAY, AUG. 15:
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.
The Morris Township Department of Parks and Recreation presents a free 8 pm screening of Playing With Fire, at Ginty Field. For all ages. Bring masks, lawn chairs or blankets, and please observe social distancing.
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, AUG. 16:
The Morristown Farmers’ Market continues 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 Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey launches its Virtual Summer Music Festival in style with performances from pianist Paul Zeigler, bassist Roosevelt Porter, and bass-baritone Jason Adamo, crossing genres, styles, and time periods. The performance will be available on the BONJ site and YouTube starting at 7:30 pm. Each Sunday through Sept. 13, the orchestra will publish a new, recorded musical performance.
LOOKING AHEAD…
TUESDAY, AUG.18:
For the final installment in its free Summer Concert Series, the Morris Township Department of Parks and Recreation has invited the Hanover Wind Symphony to perform, outdoors, at the Ginty Field Gazebo at 6:30 pm. The nonprofit Symphony is dedicated to bringing “Music to People and People to Music.” Don’t forget to bring your mask, a lawn chair or a beach blanket, and please keep your distance.
The Mayo Performing Arts Center presents a drive-in Beatles Bash featuring The Weeklings, at the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township. Admission: $125 per carload for preferred parking, and $100 per car for general parking. Souvenir t-shirts are $20. The Weeklings are Glen Burtnik, formerly of Styx; and Bob Berger, John Merjave and Joe Bellia.
