Community Corner
Your Weekend "Get Out" Guide
Music lovers rejoice, it's an aurally-pleasing weekend around town.
Live music rules the weekend calendar with an eclectic mix of jazz, rock, classical, cabaret, blues and more. For starters, there's the 2nd Annual Montclair Jazz Fest, organized by the talented folks at Jazz House Kids, plus a slew of other venues for all tastes and ages, like cabaret at Piano's, blues at Ruthie's BBQ and Yosi and the Super Dadsat Van Vleck.
Concerts and shows aside, there's hometown baseball with the NJ Jackals, a chance for parents to get out (alone) and a spa event loaded with freebies.
We think we've rounded up everything to do, but please tell us if we missed something!
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Where/When: Montclair Public Library, 50 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair. Friday, August 19 at 12pm.
Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Why Go: Youth Services staff, Deivis Garcia and Eric Rucker, perform music for children who completed their Summer Reading Club goals. Kids will share in the fun with hand percussion instruments like maracas and accompany Garcia’s guitar and Rucker’s handmade African drums. Enjoy folk songs from Haiti, Cuba, Mexico and the U.S.A. After the music there will be stories and an easy to make craft.
Pricing: Free, registration required. Call 973-744-0500 x. 2236
—Live Blues at Ruthie’s
Where/When: Ruthie's Bar-B-Q, 64 1/2 Chestnut St., Montclair. Friday, August 19 and Saturday August 20 from 7pm to 9pm.
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 Friday, hear blues band Inwood Jones and on Saturday it’s Mike Post.
Pricing: No Cover, BYOB.
– Kids Workshop at Whole Foods
Where/When: Whole Foods, 701 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair. Friday, August 19 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30pm.
Why Go: The popular kids’ workshop at Whole Foods continues this week with summer bouquets & flowers and cookie decorating. Classes fill up fast so register early.
Pricing: $10 sign up at customer service or call 973-746-5110.
– Parents Survival Night
Where/When: The Little Gym 1 Greenwood Ave, Montclair. Friday, August 19 from 6pm to 8:30pm.
Why Go: Little Gym offers a win-win situation for families; moms and dads get a date night while kids enjoy gym, activities, crafts and pizza.
Pricing: Members: $20.00, Non-Members: $30.00 ($10 each additional sibling). Please call the gym (973) 744-1002 to inquire about availability.
– NJ Jackals vs. the Rockland Boulders at MSU
Where/When: , Normal Ave & Valley Rd, Upper Montclair, NJ (Yogi Berra Stadium) Friday, August 19 at 7:05pm and Sunday, August 21 at 2:05 pm.
Why Go: See the NJ Jackals take on the Rockland Boulders; each game offers a different fun promotion. On Friday there's special deals for Jackals Facebook Fans and giveaways for the first 1000 fans. On Sunday, it’s Family Fun-Day with $1 hot dogs, post game running the bases, catch on the field and autograph session.
Pricing: $5 standing room only, $9 reserved seats, $11 box. Go here to purchase online.
– Live Jazz at Trumpets
Where/When: Trumpets, 6 Depot Square, Montclair. Friday, August 19, Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21.
Why Go: Trumpets ensures no weekend goes by without live jazz. Friday - Jonathan Furer Trio at 6pm, followed by the JC Styles CD release party; Saturday - PJ Rasmussen guitar at 6pm, then Marlene VerPlanck plays two sets at 8:30 and 10:30pm, Sunday - Beat Kaestil. Go here for more information on the performers.
Pricing: Jonathan Furer Trio & Beat Kaestil shows $10 cover, $5 food/drink minimum, JC Styles CD release party & Marlene VerPlanck shows $15 cover $12 food/drink minimum.
— Shows at Just Jakes
Where/When: Just Jakes, 30 Park Street, Montclair. Friday, August 19 and Saturday August 20 at 10:30pm.
Why Go: If you're looking for an ever-changing roster of live music, drinks and dinner, Just Jake's offers it all. This Friday see rock/punk/alternative band Someone Say Something and on Saturday it’s cover band fun with Detroit Cheetah.
Pricing: $7 Cover. Beer specials: Friday $2.50 Coors Light & $3.50 Blue Moon; Saturday $2.50 Bud Light.
– Live Music at Piano’s Bar and Grill
Where/When: Where/When: , 36 Broad St., Bloomfield. Friday August 19, Saturday August 20 and Sunday August 21.
Why Go: Piano's offers up three solid nights of live entertainment. On Friday, check out Top Tier Cabaret at 8:30pm, and then at 10pm it’s the Lyriqs Cover Band. On Saturday take part in the Classassinate Reunion Interactive Murder Mystery from 7pm to 10pm. On Sunday from 7pm to 10pm, Gary Brown’s Open Band Jam plays live and invites you to join in (or just listen!).
Pricing: Top Tier Cabaret $3 cover $12 food/drink minimum. Classassinate Reunion $15 cover $10 food/drink minimum. No cover or minimum for The Lyriqs or Gary Brown’s Open Band Jam.
– Montclair Jazz Fest
Where/When: Nishuane Park 32 Cedar Ave, Montclair. Saturday August 20, from Noon–6:00pm.
Why Go: Jazz House Kids presents the 2nd annual Montclair Jazz Fest, featuring more than 100 multi-generational performers including legendary pianist Monty Alexander, internationally celebrated bass virtuoso Christian McBride and jazz vocalist Melissa Walker. The event will also showcase students and faculty from the Jazz House Kids Summer Jazz Workshop. In addition to the live music there will be food, crafts and activities. In the event of rain, the venue is moved to the Montclair Salvation Army Citadel on Trinity Place. For more information, call 973-744-2273 or go here.
Pricing: Free
– Cat & Kitten Adoption Day at Petco
Where/When: , 339 Pompton Ave, Verona, NJ. Saturdays from August 20 to October 22 (excluding September 3) from 11:00am–4:00pm.
Why Go: The kind folks at PAWS are holding a cat/kitten adoption events at PETCO every 2nd 3rd and 4th Saturday of the month. Come cuddle with a potential new pet in need of a home or make an appointment to see one in private.
Pricing: Free
—Kids Learn to Ride Class
Where/When: , 100 Chestnut St., Montclair. (Faculty Parking lot on North Fullerton Ave) Saturday, August 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Why Go: Bike Walk Montclair is holding another popular “Learn to Ride” clinic. All students must wear a helmet and have a bicycle that fits, meaning that cyclist must be able to 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.
– Yosi and the Super Dads Live
Where/When: , 21 Van Vleck St, Montclair. Sunday, August 21 from 1:00pm–2:00pm (gates open at noon).
Why Go: Yosi and the Super Dads promise fun, upbeat, live music for the whole family. Concertgoers are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy a picnic on the Van Vleck grounds. The concert will be held in fair weather only.
Pricing: $5 per person
– Music at the Mansion
Where/When: , 240 Belleville Ave, Bloomfield. Sunday, August 21 at 3:00pm (seating begins at 2:30pm).
Why Go: Oakeside presents a “Music at the Mansion” concert featuring a variety of singers/performers including broadway and cabaret styles. Cabaret singer and Bloomfield resident Corinna Sowers-Adler hosts the evening. Light refreshments will be served.
Pricing: Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the door. For more information, please contact Corinna at info@corinnasings.com or call Oakeside at 973-429-0960.
– Glenmont Walking Tour: Edison’s Estate
Where/When: 12 Honeysuckle Ave, West Orange. Sunday, August 21 from 2:30 to 3pm.
Why Go: Enjoy a guided walking tour of the beautiful grounds of The Glenmont Estate, the Edison family home from 1886 through 1947. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Pricing: $7. Tickets can be obtained at the laboratory visitor center.
– Live Music and a Spa Party at InsaniTea
Where/When: InsaniTea, 570 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair. Friday, August 19 from 8pm to 11:30pm and Sunday, August 21 from 2pm to 5pm.
Why Go: On Friday, groove to jazz from The Paolo Cantarella Ensemble and on Sunday, enjoy exotic teas, relaxing massages, Tarot readings by Psychic Madame Gia al Qamar and live music by Erica and Shannon, owners of Make Music Montclair. There will also be free giveaways, samplers and more.
Pricing: Free; tips for musicians appreciated.
– Comedy Sundays at Tierney’s
Where/When: , 136-138 Valley Rd, Montclair, NJ. Sunday August 21, from 8:00pm–10:00pm.
Why Go: End your weekend with some laughs at Tierney’s “Sunday Special Stand-Up and Improv.”
Pricing: $15, no food or drink minimum required. Casual attire, cash only 21 & older - Free Parking. Reservations Recommended - call 973-731-2967.
