Get Out and Get Fit This Weekend

In this special Patch Takes It Off edition of Get Out, our weekly weekend to-do list contains a host of ways to get fit. Take your pick from running in Morristown, practicing Okiawan Karate in Butler, doing yoga in Montville or biking through the Loantaka Brook Reservation. You'll also find a passel of farmer's markets offering healthy, local fruits and vegetables within easy driving distance. (The is Friday from 1-7 p.m. at Town Hall.)

If strenuous movement isn't your thing, do not fret. There is no shortage of plays, concerts and more sedentary pursuits to keep you busy.

Where/When: From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at the .
Why Go: Because you can learn about African jewelry and make your own pieces to take home.
Pricing: $5.

Where/When: From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at the .
Why Go: Come by for this storytime with cooking for kids in grades 1 through 6.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: From 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday at  in Madison.
Why Go: To hear the discussion "Sustain Your Brain: Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease."
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: From 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the .
Why Go: To enjoy a fun beginner group run. 
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: From 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Butler VFW, 69 Carey Avenue in Butler.
Why Go: Because you’d like to enjoy this Latin-inspired, easy-to-follow, calorie-burning, dance fitness class.
Pricing: $10

Where/When: At 12:30 p.m. on Thursday at the .
Why Go: To practice your poses at these free bi-weekly yoga sessions. Don’t forget to dress comfortably.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the  in Morris Township.
Why Go: Because Author Kathy West will present memorabilia, pictures, video and music about the Myddle Class, a mid-60s garage band of five suburban New Jersey teenagers. After the presentation, West will sign copies of her book, A Song for You: The Quest of the Myddle Class.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: At 7 p.m. on Thursday at the .
Why Go: To enjoy Shobhan Bantwal’s The Full Moon Bride, a compelling new novel that explores the fascinating subject of arranged marriage, as a young Indian-American woman navigates the gulf between desire and tradition.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: From 4 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at  in Butler.
Why Go: Because it’s a great way to get into, or stay in, shape.
Pricing: $65 for five weeks.

Where/When: From 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday at  in Morristown.
Why Go: Because the exhibit focuses on the three centers of American silver-making in the 18th century—featuring Boston, New York and Philadelphia silversmiths and exploring the master-apprentice relationships.
Price: Admission is $6 for adults; $5 for seniors and students; and free for those 12 and under.

Where/When: From 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday at  in Morristown.
Why Go: Because Morristown jazz vocalist Laura Hull and DIVA Jazz Orchestra pianist Tomoko Ohno will present a program of American popular songs, jazz standards and obscure gems.
Pricing: No cover.

 
Where/When: From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday .
Why Go: To bring the whole family by and belt out some tunes with Kip.
Pricing: Free.

When/Where: From 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday at the  in Basking Ridge. 
Why Go: Because children ages 7 to 9 will enjoy a nature hike, games, crafts and more. It will be a great day of adventure in the swamp.
Pricing: $25 per person. Registration required.

Where/When: From 8 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at  in Madison.
Why Go: Because enjoying Dario Fo’s brilliantly funny, scathing political farce is a terrific way to spend your weekend.
Pricing: $32 to $55.

When/Where: At 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Villagers Theatre in Somerset. 
Why Go: Because it's the last weekend to pay homage to the pop songs of the 1980s with this song-and-dance extravaganza.
Pricing: $16 per ticket. 

When/Where: From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at  in Bridgewater.
Why Go: To enjoy the largest event in Somerset County recognizing the accomplishments of the 4-H members. It offers a variety of live animals, performances, demonstrations, contests and entertainment for all. Free shuttle buses will be available. It's free family fun.  
Pricing: Free admission.

Where/When: From 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the  in Morristown.
Why Go: Because this historic Morristown walking tour covers nearly a mile within Morristown’s historic district, including more than 300 years of Morristown history.
Pricing: $10.

Where/When: From 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday at  in Morristown.
Why Go: Because you can get a chance to see the inner workings for a honeybee colony.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: Starts at , makes its way through Harding and Chatham, then back to Morristown, beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturdays.
Why Go: The pace will be moderate for this 20-mile ride. So if you’re looking to get back into tip-top shape for the summer, this weekly bike road might be a good way to start.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: 9 a.m. on Saturday at the .
Why Go: To start off your Saturday with a 5-mile group run and finish it off with a free bagel.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Merchant Block of Morris Plains.
Why Go: You can pick up some homemade mozzarella and ravioli, freshly baked bread and some of New Jersey's best cheesecakes.
Pricing: Bring your wallet.

 
Where/When: From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the .
Why Go: Because it’s a great way to start keeping track of what you eat and the amount of physical activity you participate in each week.
Pricing: Free.

 
Where/When: From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Railroad Plaza and Fairmont Avenue in Chatham.
Why Go: To get some of the best Jersey Fresh produce, Jersey Shore seafood, pasture-raised meat, poultry and eggs, honey, baked goods, fresh mozzarella, specialty prepared foods of all kinds and more. The market will also have cooking demonstrations.
Pricing: Bring your wallet.

Where/When: From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday at Spring and Morris streets, in parking lot behind  in Morristown.
Why Go: Because you can pick up fresh produce and fruits (including organic), flowers, herbs, eggs, cheese, baked goods, pickled products, honey, fish, poultry, pork, and grass-fed beef. 
Pricing: Bring your wallet.

 
Where/When: At 8:30 a.m. on Sunday at .
Why Go: You’re interested in a 30-to-50-mile, hilly bike ride.
Pricing: Free.

When/Where: From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the  in Basking Ridge. 
Why Go: To take a leisurely walk through the new butterfly garden and learn about butterfly-friendly native plants and what's fluttering about.
Pricing: Free.

When/Where: From 3 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at the  in Bridgewater. Games begins at 5:05 p.m.
Why Go: To show off your own vehicle or just interact with other car lovers as the Patriots host their Car Show Night in the parking lot prior to the game. A night parade of cars will take place on the warning track and free t-shirts to the first 2,000 fans, giveaways and promotions will add to the fun. 
Pricing: $7 to $13.50 per ticket.