If you crave outdoor extravaganzas there’s the much-anticipated Sound of Music screening, the Nishuane Mayfair, or live music on Church Street. Indoors you’ll find loads of concerts, theater, a free family day at the museum, and more. Want to take it easy? Check out some yard sales, book fairs, storytelling, or live jazz on Sunday.
Whatever you fancy, chances are you will find it listed below, so have a look, then Get Out!
—Drop in Craft at Bloomfield Public Library
Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Where/When: , 90 Broad St., Bloomfield (Children's Room) Saturday, May 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why Go: Stop by anytime for a fun craft at the library.
Find out what's happening in Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Pricing: Free.
—Kids’ Culinary Classes at Shoprite
Where/when: Brookdale Shoprite, 1409 Broad St., Bloomfield. Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Why Go: Kids ages 5 to 12 can cook along with their parents in this series of culinary classes. This week the menu includes spinach-orange salad, roasted chicken with baby potato and sugar snap pea toss, and blueberry peach crisp.
Pricing: $20 per child with adult/$10 per additional child. Go here to register or for more information.
—John Gatti Trio at Bar Cara
Where/When: Bar Cara, 1099 Broad St., Bloomfield. Sunday, May 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Why Go: In addition to their stellar cuisine, Bar Cara serves up live jazz with the John Gatti Trio. The band will perform original and standard jazz tunes, including selections from Gatti's new CD called"Destinations."
Pricing: No cover, reservations recommended (973) 893-3681.
—Used Book Sale at Lacodaire Academy
Where/When: Lacodaire Academy, 155 Lorraine Ave., Montclair. Friday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why Go: You are sure to find some gems amongst the huge selection of gently used hardcover books, paperbacks, audio books, CDs and DVDs for sale.
Pricing: Free
—Kids’ Cooking Workshop
Where/When: Whole Foods Montclair, 701 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair. Friday, May 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Why Go: This week’s class tackles guacamole and salsa.
Pricing: $10 per child, register at customer service or call (973) 746-5110.
—Sound of Music at The Presby Iris Gardens
Where/When: Presby Iris Gardens, 474 Upper Mountain Ave., Montclair. Friday, May 20 at 8 p.m. (film starts at 8:30). Rain date TBD.
Why Go: The MIFF is presenting another fantastic cinema event with an outdoor screening of the classic Sound of Music. Bring a lawn chair and be prepared for a sing-a-long!
Pricing: Free.
—Chicago at the Wellmont
Where/When: The Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St., Montclair. Friday, May 20 at 8 p.m.
Why Go: The classic rock favorite Chicago is in town, don’t miss your chance to see them live and local.
Pricing: $45 to $125 buy tickets here.
—Writing Matters Event
Where/When: Watchung Booksellers, 45 Fairfield St., Montclair. Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m.
Why Go: Your favorite local bookshop provides another evening of wine, nibbles and literary discussion. This month’s event features five authors and a literary agent who will discuss the art of crafting a fast-paced tale. Participants who purchase a book have a chance to win a “slip the query go straight to the agent” prize or a basket of signed books.
Pricing: Free.
—Champagne Guest Open House
Where/When: Arthur Murray Dance Center, 365 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair. Friday, May 20 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Why Go: Take an opportunity to enjoy a free evening of dancing courtesy of Arthur Murray. There will be a beginner level group class, plus demonstrations, all levels welcome.
Pricing: Free.
—Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
Where/When: NJPAC 1 Center Street, Newark. Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m.
Why Go: Parents and children alike are hooked on the Knuffle Bunny series by author Mo Willems, now you can see it acted out live with a score by Grammy-winning composer Michael Silversher. Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Pricing: $20 to $22 buy tickets here.
—Toys for Books Tag Sale
Where/When: Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair. Saturday, May 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Why Go: Montclair fifth-grader Jacob Levy and his friends will be selling their collections of Bakugans, trading cards, cars, trains and other toys in the 3rd floor Children’s Story room. Half of the proceeds from the tag sale will be donated to Montclair Public Library.
Pricing: Free.
—Mommy and Me Tea Party
Where/When: The Geyer Family YMCA, 159 Glenridge Ave., Montclair. Saturday, May 21 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Why Go: Kids ages 4 to 8 can enjoy a special afternoon with mom. In addition to tea, participants will “plant” flower pot cakes, make fruit “flowers”, dip strawberries in chocolate and make fresh lemonade.
Pricing: $20 members, $25 non-members. Call 973-783-7640 to register.
—Paint Me a Picture: 6 One-Act Plays
Where/When: The Deron School, 130 Grove St., Montclair. Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m., Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m.
Why Go: Six original one-act plays will be performed by The Apricot Theater Company. For more information go here.
Pricing: $15, $12 students and seniors.
—Studio Players Presents “Blithe Spirit"
Where/When: Studio Players, 14 Alvin Place, Upper Montclair. Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m., Sunday, May 22 at 3 p.m.
Why Go: Blithe Spirit is a comedy by Noel Coward, here’s a synopsis: “A fussy, middle-aged writer invites a medium to hold a séance at his house as research for his new book. The séance goes terribly wrong when the medium conjures up a ghost who proceeds to wreak havoc. The twists and turns will leave you laughing while being unsure whom to root for, the humans or the ghosts."
Pricing: $18 go here for ticket ordering information.
—Mayfair at Nishuane School
Where/When: Nishuane School, 32 Cedar Ave., Montclair. Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Why Go: This annual event is a favorite in Montclair, with food, rides, games, live music and more. Rain or shine! Proceeds benefit the Nishuane PTA.
Pricing: Free.
—Carnival for Dafur
Where/When: The Park at Watchung Plaza between Fairfield Street and Park Street. Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Why Go: A carnival you can feel good about dropping cash for. Enjoy games, crafts, fortune telling and food with proceeds going to the Solar Cooker Project, an organization that gives solar stoves to Darfurian refugees.
Pricing: Free.
—Trash to Treasure Yard Sale at Union Congregational
Where/When: Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Ave., Montclair. Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Why Go: Stop by and stock up on household goods, toys, clothing and more. Sale will be on the front lawn of the church or inside if it rains.
Pricing: Free.
—Hollow Day Care Center Flea Market/Yard Sale
Where/When: Hollow Day Care Center, 17 Talbot St. Montclair. Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why Go: Lots of great items to buy plus a 50/50 raffle.
Pricing: Free.
—Beauty That Gives Back
Where/When: The Bobbi Brown Studio, 8 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair. Saturday, May 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Why Go: Take advantage of a special master make-up class led by Montclair’s own Bobbi Brown and her expert team. The class is being held to benefit the Weldon FOP Research Fund. FOP is a devastating and rare bone disease with nor cure currently. For more information on FOP go here.
Pricing: $75 suggested donation. Call (973) 783-3506 to reserve a spot.
—Toast to the Teachers Benefit Concert
Where/When: Church Street, Montclair. Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Why Go: Come down to Church street for a rocking party in support of Montclair teachers. Jazz House Kids kicks off the show at 11:45, go here for a complete list or performers.
Pricing: Free.
—School of Rock Tribute Shows
Where/When: Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 67 Church St., Montclair. Saturday, May 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Why Go: The School of Rock kids are back with a double line-up of tribute shows. First at 1 p.m., a Beatles tribute, then at 4 p.m., a rousing punk rock tribute covering Bad Religion, Rage Against the Machine, The Ramones and more.
Pricing: $10 adults, $5 kids ages 7 to 18.
—Bob Dylan’s 70th Birthday Bash
Where/When: Tierney’s Tavern, 136-138 Valley Road, Montclair. Saturday, May 21 at 9 p.m.
Why Go: A night of live music celebrating the iconic Bob Dylan. Line-up of local musicians includes Mingle, John Finnegan, Tip Canary, Laura Birdsong, Jeff Hays and the Burning Spirit Band, Tim Kennedy & Dave Sobels, Almost Canadians and others.
Pricing: $7 cover, includes birthday cake!
—Fab Faux at the Wellmont
Where/When: The Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St., Montclair. Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m.
Why Go: Beatles fans take note, polished cover band the Fab Faux delivers a night of Beatles music spanning the early records to later albums.
Pricing: $43 to $123, buy tickets here.
—Curious George Story Hour
Where/When: Aunt Jean’s Toys and Treats, 12 North Willow St., Montclair. Sunday, May 22 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Why Go: Enjoy an afternoon of silly monkey antics with a Curious George story hour.
Pricing: Free.
—Free Family Day at the Museum
Where/When: Montclair Art Museum, 3 S. Mountain Ave., Montclair. Saturday, May 21 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Why Go: The Warhol and Cars exhibit is the focus for a fun day at the museum filled with art activities.
Pricing: Free.
—Girl Scout Book Fair
Where/When: St. Cassian’s Church, 187 Bellevue Ave., Montclair. Sunday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the St. Cassian's School gym.
Why Go: The 5th grade Junior Girl Scouts at St. Cassian’s will have over 3,500 books for sale, plus a cafe with refreshments and a kids’ area where the girl scouts will read to little ones while you shop. Proceeds from this sale will be used to pay for postage for "Books for Africa" and purchase school supplies for needy children in Thailand.
Pricing: Free.
—Fab Funny Females
Where/When: Tierney’s Tavern, 136-138 Valley Road, Montclair. Sunday, May 22 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Why Go: Finish up your weekend with some laughs at Tierney’s. Comediennes performing include Robin Fox, Elaine Williams, Pat Galante, Sandy Ehlers, Rayla Bloom, Mollie Sperduto and guest host Christine Grillon.
Pricing: $15 with no food or drink minimum required, cash only, 21 and older.
