Rockin' Around in Jersey

For many people, one of the things that sets the Garden State apart from others is its noteworthy contributions to the history of rock and roll. We lead off this week's list of weekend things to do with a lecture  that will fascinate just about any real rock fan. Dewer MacLeod, who teaches at William Paterson University, and Claudia Ocello of the Jersey Rocks exhibition team up to share the skinny on the importance of rock clubs to New Jersey. Put your lighters in the air—this should be a good one.

If you aren't a rock and roller, no worries. There are many more opportunities to find something fun to do over the next four days, including kid music by Yosi and the SuperDads in Morris Township, celebrating a hot-weather Yuletide with baseball's Somerset Patriots and two separate productions of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Morristown and Basking Ridge. It's not yet Friday, but still—fun, fun, fun, fun.

Where/When: At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at  in Morris Township.
Why Go: Because Dewar MacLeod, professor at William Paterson University, and Claudia Ocello, project coordinator for the Jersey Rocks exhibition, will talk about the role of rock and roll clubs in the Garden State.
Price: $10.

Where/When: At 11 a.m. on Thursday at  in Morris Township.
Why Go: Because the band will play some of your kids' favorite songs.
Price: $12.

Where/When: At 6 p.m. on Thursday at the .
Why Go: Because you’re a backgammon player and want to flaunt your skills.
Price: Free.

Where/When: At 6 p.m. on Thursday at the .
Why Go: Because you’re interested in meeting “Far Away Home” author Susan Denning.
Price: Free.

When/Where: From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.
Why Go: Because it is a unique opportunity for ages 30 to 55 to meet community-oriented singles and help a great charity simultaneously.
Pricing: $25.

Where/When: From 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the .
Why Go: Because the Chatham Brass, made up of members of the Chatham Community Band, will be performing music from the roaring '20s.
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 11 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at  in Morristown.
Why Go: To enjoy great live music.
Price: No cover.

Where/When: At 11 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at  in Morris Township.
Why Go: Because this exhibit, inspired by a collection of rare books at the arboretum, will focus on the roll of medical botanies during the Civil War.
Price: Free.

Where/When: From 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday at  in Morristown.
Why Go: Because you’re interested in seeing more than 30 holiday images by Thomas Nast including paintings, pen and ink drawings, printer’s proofs and engravings.
Price: Adults, $6; Seniors and students, $5; Members and children under 12, free.

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 Adults; $5 Seniors & Students; 12 and under and museum members are free.

Where/When: All day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the .
Why Go: Because you can win prizes for every book that you read this summer. Why should kids have all the fun?
Pricing: Free. 

Where/When: At 7 p.m. on Friday at the  in Morris Township.
Why Go: Because the concert will feature artists Sammy and the Del-larks, Quiet Storm, Joe Z, and Bobby Thomas’s Tribute to the Orioles.
Price: $25.
Where/When: From 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday at the .
Why Go: Because kids can have fun on Friday moving, playing and singing around a giant rainbow colored parachute.

Pricing: Free.

When/Where: At 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Attendees will leave from the Community Center in Basking Ridge and travel to Monmouth Park Race Track in Oceanport..
Why Go: It's for seniors ages 55 and older to enjoy a day trip while trying their luck at the track. Pick-up is available to those without transportation.
Pricing: Free. Registration required.

When/Where: At 7:05 p.m. on Friday at  in Bridgewater.
Why Go: To celebrate the spirit of Christmas early by bringing a new unwrapped toy and receive a ticket voucher to enjoy a future game. Come early, the first one thousand fans also receive a T-Shirt.
Pricing: $7 to $13.50 per ticket.

When/Where: At 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at  in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: To enjoy a Shakespearian play about two couples in love with the wrong partners. The complications become fantastically funny.
Pricing: Free.  

Where/When: At 8 a.m. on Saturday at .
Why Go: Because starting off your Saturday with a pleasant 20-mile bike ride sounds like a great idea.
Price: 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 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the  in Morristown.
Why Go:  Because this historic walking tour covers nearly a mile within Morristown’s historic district covering more than 300 years of Morristown history.
Price: $10.

Where/When: At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at  in Morristown.
Why Go: Because a Saturday evening of enjoying this Shakespeare classic on the outdoor stage sounds like a great plan.
Price: $33 adults, $17 children.

 
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 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday at the .
Why Go: As if you need a reason to check out this tribute to Bruce Springsteen.
Pricing: $20, adults; $10, children.

When/Where: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Rutgers Gardens School of Environmental and Biological Sciences in New Brunswick.
Why Go: Because the festival is packed with events for all ages. Lectures, children's activities, and a garden tour of spectacular plantings. Those ages 21 and older may enjoy raising a glass with friends at the Wine Garden
tasting.
Pricing: Rutgers Gardens members are admitted free. Other adults, $5. Children under 13, free. There's a $10 separate gate fee for the wine tasting for attendees 21 and older.

When/Where: At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the  in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Because kids ages 4 to 6 will learn all about dinosaurs with games and activities.
Pricing: $9 per person. Registration required.

When/Where: From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday at in Bridgewater.
Why Go: Because besides great Louisiana music and dancing, the party includes sensational selections of Cajun and Southern Cooking. Get ready for a Zydeco good time.
Pricing: Free.

When/Where: From 8 to 10 a.m. on Sunday at  in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: For ages 16 and older to try the "Tri," including swimming, biking and running. Children ages 8 to 15 can try the "Splash and Dash" to test their skills in a metered swim and run.  
Pricing: $25.00 for tri individual, $35 for tri team, $10 for Splash and Dash. In addition, all participants must purchase a one-day USA Triathlon license to cover insurance. Questions? Get answers.

When/Where: From 11 a.m. to noon or 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday at Wegman's in Bridgewater.
Why Go: Because the Kids in the Kitchen series continues with apple salad, caramel apples, and kid made cider.
Pricing: $5 per child & parent with Shopper Plus Card / $10 without card. Registration required.