This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Have Brunch, Take Photos with the Easter Bunny This Weekend

Get hopping this weekend with these spring events

Feeling outdoorsy? Check out the Cherry Blossom Challenge at Branch Brook Park or a wolf birthday party at the Turtle Back Zoo. Get your art fix at MAM with the Draw On event and don’t miss Montclair clay artist Carla Horowitz at Watchung Booksellers. 

There’s plenty more too like a free movie, a pancake breakfast, and a library contest. We’ve also rounded up no less than four Easter-themed events. Have your own local plans? Share them with us in the comments section. Then Get Out and enjoy!

Presents Gypsy

Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Where/When: 494 Valley Road, Montclair. Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday April 10 at 2 p.m.

Why Go: This longtime favorite musical tells the story of stage mother Rose as she pushes her daughters Louise (later known as Gypsy) and June into vaudeville. The score includes the standards "Let Me Entertain You" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses."

Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Pricing: Adult—$25, Senior citizen—$22 - $22, Student (with ID)—$15, Bloomfield College student (with ID)—$4.

—Itzhak Perlman

Where/When: MAYO, 100 South St., Morristown. Saturday, April 9 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Why Go: Violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman makes his Morristown debut accompanied by pianist Rohan De Silva. A musical master this close by surely should not be missed.

Pricing: $75 to 125. For more information or to purchase tickets go here.

—Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race

Where/When: Branch Brook Park, Clifton Ave., Newark. Saturday, April 9, first race begins at 7 a.m.

Why Go: It’s all about bikes and blossoms in the Cherry Grove at Branch Brook Park this Saturday. Take part in (or just watch) the bike race; a competitive New Jersey tradition, while enjoying the gorgeous surroundings of this Essex County park gem.

Pricing Registration fees apply to racers. Free to enter the Park and watch. Go here to download registration forms or for more information.

—Cherry Blossom Challenge 10K and 1 Mile Fun Runs

Where/When: Branch Brook Park, Clifton Ave., Newark. Sunday, April 10. Same day registration begins at 8 a.m. Fun Run starts at 9 a.m. Race starts at 10 a.m. Disabled Run starts at 10:10 a.m.  

Why Go: Run through the cherry tree groves in this USATF-sanctioned race that includes a 1 Mile Children's Fun Run and a Race for the Disabled. A portion of the race proceeds benefit the Special Olympics.

Pricing: Registration fees apply to runners. Free to enter the Park and watch. Go here to download registration forms or for more information.

—Studio Players Presents Big Bad

Where/When: , 14 Alvin Place, Upper Montclair. Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Why Go: Studio Players presents a self-titled “mixed-up fairy tale.” Here’s the tweaked tale’s synopsis, “The Big Bad Wolf goes on trial for his actions. Join Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs and more! You become the jury in this wickedly funny play!”

Pricing: Go here for more information or to Buy Tickets.

—Draw On!  At the Montclair Art Museum

Where/When: Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Ave., Montclair. Saturday, April 9 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Why Go: As part of Draw On! MAM is inviting the community-at-large to drop by Leir Hall for an afternoon of drawing. Revisit the popular parlor game from the early 1900s; The Exquisite Corpse was invented by the Surrealists and most notably, artist André Breton. As part of Draw On! A community-based program started by The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, MAM will host an afternoon of artistic endeavor. Come join the excitement of drawing and watch as the mystery unfolds. Recommended for ages 8 to adult.

Pricing: Free! For more information go here.

Third Annual Montclair Center Spring Treasure Hunt

Where/When: Crane Park (along Glen Ridge Avenue) Montclair. Saturday, April 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain date, Sunday, April 10).

Why Go: The popular spring treasure hunt is back for its 3rd year! For Children ages 1 to 5 the hunt begins promptly at 11:30am, and for children ages 6 and older at 12pm. Don’t forget a basket to store your eggs. A Montclair Fire Truck will be available for kids of all ages to explore. Fire hats and color books will be offered on a limited basis.

Pricing: Free! Courtesy of Montclair local shop owners.

—Brunch with the Easter Bunny

Where/When: , 240 Belleville Ave., Bloomfield. Saturday, April 9 at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. For kids 2 to 9.

Why Go: Children will enjoy arts & crafts, brunch foods and treats. Each child will take home a framed picture taken with the Bunny as a souvenir.

Pricing: $15 per child, $12 per adult. Reservations are required—call 973-429-0960.

—Wolf Birthday Party at the Turtle Back Zoo

Where/When: Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange.  Saturday, April 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Why Go: Turtle Back Zoo’s resident wolves, Methos and Atticus, are having a birthday party and you are invited! There will be wolf activities and educational programs throughout the day, plus all the usual fun the Zoo has to offer (no stray cobras though of course).

Pricing: Adults $10, Children and Seniors, $7, Children under 2 free.

—The Secret Garden at Bloomfield Public Library

Where/When: , 90 Broad St., Bloomfield. Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m.

Why Go: Sometimes you just need a laid back kind of Saturday and a free movie at the library is just the thing. This week, the library is screening The Secret Garden, here’s a synopsis, “a young girl named Mary is sent to live in England with her reclusive Uncle. Eventually she discovers her bedridden cousin and a 'secret garden' that once belonged to her deceased aunt. With the help of her cousin and a little 'magic', can Mary find a way to bring love back to her family?”

Pricing: Free. 

—Fair Trade Chocolate Sale

Where/When: , 120 Broad St, Bloomfield. Sunday, April 10.

Why Go: The Park Church Missions Team encourages everyone to buy Fair Trade chocolate due to the exploitation, child slavery, unsafe working conditions and poverty wages prevalent on cocoa farms. Fair Trade chocolate eggs, Easter bunnies, and other delicious chocolate bars will available to purchase for your Easter baskets.

Pricing: Event is free; various prices for chocolate.

—Pictures with the Easter Bunny at Bloomfield Animal Shelter

Where/When: , 61 Bukowski Place, Bloomfield. Sunday, April 9, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Why Go: Children and pets are invited to take a picture with the Easter Bunny and, of course, for a visit with the Shelter’s cats and dogs up for adoption.

Pricing: $10 donation to the shelter.

—Jazz House Kids Sunday Sessions

Where/When: Cecil's Jazz Club, 364 Valley Rd., West Orange. Sunday, April 10 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Why Go: Every second Sunday of the month, Junior Jazz Cats are jamming. Jazz House Kids will host two student sessions for emerging musicians. Bring your instruments and join in on the action!
 For session descriptions or more information go here www.jazzhousekids.org.

Pricing: $5 non-Jazz House Kids students and friends, free for Jazz House Kids students. Free for accompanying adults for first session, $5 for adults second session.
 
 

—Clay Artist Carla Horowitz at Watchung Booksellers

Where/When: , 54 Fairfield St, Montclair. April 10, 2011 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Why Go: If you are not familiar with Montclair pottery artist Carla Horowitz’s gorgeous work, here’s your chance. Horowitz will be signing copies of the book  “500 Raku - Bold Explorations of a Dynamic Ceramics Technique” which includes one of her pieces. She will also explain the complex process of Raku and share examples of her work—not to be missed!

Pricing: Free.

—Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad Pancake Breakfast

Where/When: 651 Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove. Sunday, April 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Why Go: Come out to support the brave volunteers of The Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad—while also enjoying a breakfast feast! Five bucks gets you an all-you-can-eat breakfast with several variety of pancakes, sausage, bacon, taylor ham, eggs, danish and coffee. 100% of all proceeds will go to the Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad. There will also be fun give-a-ways for kids.

Pricing: $5 per person, Children under 5 are free. Email grabasjr@aol.com for more information.

—Create Your Own Story Contest at the Bloomfield Public Library

Where/When: , 90 Broad St., Bloomfield. April 10 to April 16.

Why Go: In honor of National Library Week, the library is asking people to create a story about what the Bloomfield Public Library means to you.  Choose to express yourself with art, an essay or a poem. Everyone from preschoolers to adults can enter. Winners will receive gift certificates to Holstens Confectionary courtesy of Bloomfield Rotary Club. Go here for information about the contest rules and guidelines.

Pricing: Free.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?