A Very Musical Weekend . . . Plus Comedy, Animals and More

A Very Musical Weekend

Just about every genre of music can be found this weekend with rock, jazz, blues and more scattered around the area.  There’s also animal adventures to be had, bike riding, dancing, comedy and a movie under the stars.  As usual, our long list has something for everyone, so check it out and then. . . Get Out!

-- Birding Field Trip in Branch Brook Park

Where/When: Lake St & Bloomfield Ave, Newark, NJ 07104 (Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Center) Thursday July 7, from 8:30am–11:00am.

Why Go: The NJ Audubon guides you through the park to see everything from forest birds to ducks and herons.  Walks encourage beginners and challenge experts. Meet at the Cherry Blossom Visitor‘s Center at the north end of the park.  Space is limited; Please contact Kelly Wenzel at 973-226-6082 for more information and to register.

Pricing: Free

-- Perfect Pitch and the Brain: Free Music Workshop

Where/When: , 54 Fairfield St, Montclair, NJ.  Thursday, July 7 at 7pm.

Why Go:  Scheduled as an informal talk with guitars and keyboards, Dr. Julian Paul Keenan will provide a basic and fun look at the brain and music.

RSVP - www.watchungbooksellers.com or at 973-744-7177.

Pricing:  Free

—Live Music at Terra 

Where/When: Terra at the Isabel Rose Café located at the Montclair Public Library, 50 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair NJ. Thursday, July 7 from 6pm to 8pm and Sunday July 9 from 3pm to 5pm.

Why Go: Terra Tea Salon and Fair Trade Eco Market brings live music events all summer long.  On Thursday, check out the funk and Nu Jazz band Black Wax http://www.myspace.com/blackwax4, then on Sunday,Kate Sikora & Hee Young Rhee play live.

Pricing: No cover; tips for musicians appreciated. 

-- Dancing at InsaniTea

Where/When:  InsaniTea, 570 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair NJ.  Thursday, July 7 at 7pm.

Why Go:  The first Thursday of every month brings a showcase of dancing at Montclair coffeehouse InsaniTea.  Belly Dance, Flamenco, Tango, Swing and other styles are performed live.

Pricing:  $8 cover

--Outdoor Screening of Despicable Me

Where/When: Mt Vernon Ave & Howard St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 (Pulaski Park) Thursday, July 7 at 7:00pm.

Why Go:  Bloomfield’s Summer of Fun kicks off tonight with a live performance by the band Sweeter than Honey, followed by an outdoor screening of the 2010 animated hit Despicable Me.http://www.despicableme.com/ starring Steve Carrel.  Movie is rated PG and 95 minutes long.

Pricing: Free

-- Free Concert at Brookdale Park

Where/When: Brookdale Park, 100 Parkview Dr, Bloomfield, NJ 07003. Thursday, July 7 at 7:30pm.

Why Go: Summertime in Brookdale Park means free concert fun.  Tonight check out Kenny Vance and the Planotoneshttp://www.kennyvance.com/ and The Brooklyn Bridge http://www.j-maestro-bklyn-bridge.com/about.html 

Pricing: Free

—Night Moves at the Turtle Back Zoo

Where/When: 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange. Thursday July 7 at 8 p.m.

Why Go: Bring your flashlights, glow sticks and explore the zoo in the dark! Learn all about what animals do at night on this unique guided tour.  
Tours begin at 8pm and are sent out in 10-minute intervals thereafter. Admission window open from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Average tour time: One hour. Pre-Registration required—there will be no registrations allowed the night of the event. (This tour is not recommended for children under 5.)

Pricing: $10 Adults, $7 children and seniors, $7 Zoo Members. Call 973-731-5800 x223 to register.

—Kids Cooking Workshop

Where/When: Whole Foods, 701 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair NJ.  Friday, July 8 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Why Go: It's another Friday cooking class at Whole Foods. This week kids have a go at pizza making.

Pricing: $10 per child.

-- Flamenco at Tapastry

Where/When: Tapastry, 12 Church Street, Montclair NJ.  Friday, July 8, shows at 7:30pm and 9pm.

Why Go: The newest resident on Church street serves up delicious Spanish tapas for the whole family and completes your Espana experience with live Flamenco dancing.

Pricing: no cover

-- Soundgarden at the Prudential Center

Where/When:  Prudential Center, 165 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102.  Friday, July 8 at 7:30pm.

Why Go:  Don’t miss a chance to get blown away by the amazing Seattle-based, rock/grunge band Soundgarden.

Pricing: Ticket prices vary, go here to purchasehttp://www.ticketmaster.com/event/020046A2D2FF65BE?artistid=2172&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60

—Live Blues at Ruthie’s

Where/When: Ruthie's Bar-B-Q, 64 1/2 Chestnut St., Montclair. Thursday July 7 and Friday July 8 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Why Go: The food at Ruthie's (great BBQ and pizza) stands on its own, but combined with stellar bands and atmosphere, it's an elevated evening for sure. This Thursday hear Charlie Jones and Friday it’s Kevin Kiley.

Pricing: No Cover, BYOB. 

--Live Music at Just Jake’s

Where/When: Just Jakes, 30 Park Street, Montclair. Friday, July 8 at 10 pm and Saturday July 9 at 10pm.

Why Go: Just Jake’s has a revolving roster of local bands play on the weekends.  This Friday catch Rumor Has It and on Saturday check outSomeone Say Somethinghttp://www.myspace.com/someonesaysomething Pricing: Cover TBD

-- State Fair Meadowlands 

Where/When: 50 State Highway 120, East Rutherford, NJ 07073.  Thursday July 7 through Sunday July 10.  Thursday 6pm to 12am, Friday 6pm to 2am, Saturday 2pm to 2am and Sunday 2pm to 12pm. 

Why Go:  The State Fair Meadowlands is celebrating its 25th year with loads of entertainment, rides, food and more, there’s truly too much to list! Go here for more details.

Pricing: All Tickets Include Free Live Entertainment.  Children less than 34 inches tall are admitted free but must have a ticket to ride.

Monday through Thursday, Persons 13 & Older - $7.00 Children 12 and Under and Senior Citizens - $5.00 Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays Persons 13 & Older - $9.00 Children 12 & Under and Senior Citizens - $6.00

-- Live Jazz at Trumpets 

Where/When:  Trumpets, 6 Depot Square, Montclair NJ.  Friday July 8 and Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10.

Why Go:  Trumpets packs the weekend full of Jazz performances.  On Friday: John Ehlis, Saturday: Rosanna Vitro, and Sunday: Andrew Van Tassel and Kathy King.  Go herehttp://www.trumpetsjazz.com/main.html for more information on the performers.

Pricing: $15 cover for the John Ehlis Show

-- Free Yoga FIT class at Brookdale Park

Where/When: Brookdale Park (by the playground.) Enter the park at Grove street, parking by playground.  Saturday, July 9 from 9am to 10am.

Why Go: Garden State Yoga is offering a free yoga class that incorporates resistance training for an adrenaline pumping workout.  All levels welcome, recommended for ages 9 and up.  Bring a yoga mat, towel and water.

Pricing: Free

--Indie Arts Day

Where/When: The Independent Contemporary Arts Center, 307C Orange Road, Montclair, NJ. Saturday, July 9 from 1pm -5pm and 7pm to 12am

Why Go:  The Independent Contemporary Arts center is hosting a Indie Arts day to kick off their summer program. From 1pm to 5pm there will be family events for babies and children (to about 12 years old) such as face painting, film production, music, games, arts projects, stories, animation, and workshops. From 7pm to 12 am, adults can enjoy spoken word, live bands, free arts and more.

Pricing:  Free.  Please note, the family event from 1pm to 5pm is limited to 40 children.  For more information go herehttp://indieartscenter.org/

Kids "Learn to Ride" Class

Where/When: , 100 Chestnut St., Montclair.  (Faculty Parking lot on North Fullerton Ave) Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Why Go: Bike Walk Montclair is back with their popular learn to ride clinic. Kids will learn using the “balance first” method. Each student must wear a helmet and have a bicycle that they can rest his or her feet flat on the ground while sitting on the bicycle seat.

The class is recommended for children ages 5 and up.

Pricing: $25, refreshments provided.

-- Midtown Men Live at MSU

Where/When: , Normal Ave & Valley Rd, Upper Montclair, NJ. (Yogi Berra Stadium) Saturday, July 9.  Gates open at 5:00 - concert from 6:00 to 8:00.  Rain Date July 10.

Why Go: Four stars from the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boysnow touring as the Midtown Men, will be rocking under the stars at Yogi Berra Stadium. Jersey Boy himself, Joe Piscopo is MC for the evening.  Billed as a family-friendly, one-of-kind concert - the Midtown Men will sing signature songs of the 60's made famous by the Four Seasons. For a preview of the show go herehttp://www.themidtownmen.com/media.html

Pricing: Tickets range from $250 VIP (includes pre and post reception at the Yogi Berra Museum, field seating and parking, limited to 150) / $ 75 stadium box seats / $50 stadium reserved seating and stadium box seats behind the net / $25 stadium bench seats / $ 10 obstructed view and can be purchased by calling (973) 655-2378 or e-mailing atjoni.yogi@montclair.edu.  

-- Ride Rodeo

Where/When: , 100 Chestnut St, Montclair, NJ. Sunday, July 10 from 1:00pm–4:00pm.

Why Go: Bike Walk Montclair is holding a workshop to help those proficient with bike riding enhance their skills.  Adults and kids together will learn how to scan for traffic behind them, maneuver through an obstacle course, and signal their intentions to drivers and fellow riders.

Pricing: Please contact Dickson Lane at education@bikew​alkmontclair.or​g (973) 280-9686 for registration information, questions about logistics or weather-related concerns.

-- Comedy Sundays at Tierney’s

Where/When: , 136-138 Valley Rd, Montclair, NJ.  Sunday July 10, from 8:00pm–10:00pm.

Why Go: Enjoy some of the area's best rising comedy stars along with Special Guests from major comedy clubs, casinos, TV and satellite radio.

Pricing: $15 with no food or drink minimum required. Casual Attire - Cash Only - 21 & older - Free Parking. Reservations Recommended - call 973-731-2967.