Seven For Seven: What To Do Around Town This Week

Every weekend, Patch will give you a guide as to what's going on around town during the coming week with at least one event for every single day. This next week there is everything from buck dancing to theatrical readings. Of course, good ideas for what to do can always be found at DestinationMontclair, the Montclair Arts Council's one-stop shop for arts and entertainment information. And don't forget that admission to many National Parks as well as to Edison's Home and Lab is free this weekend!

-- Sunday, August 15

     1) If you weren't fortunate enough to snag tickets for Lyle Lovett's concert at the Wellmont Theatre on Sunday night, then check out the Wellmont's Web site for a look at other upcoming shows. There's Counting Crows on August 17 and 18; Foreigner on August 26; and lots of other shows to look forward to including Tony Bennett on December 3.

     2) For some good music not going on at the Wellmont, check out Temple Ner Tamid, which is hosting a concert by Bay Area musicians Evie Ladin and Keith Terry at 4 p.m. The concert will feature an old-time banjo, buck dancing, and original songs. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids 15 and younger.

-- Monday, August 16

     1) The Salon Espanol at Watchung Booksellers goes from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be discussing Estrella Distante by Roberto Bolano.

-- Tuesday, August 17

     1) Come out for Open Mic night at the Isabel Rose Cafe in the Montclair Public Library. Enjoy the company of fellow musicians and poets as part of a program that runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and that is designed to be a relaxed forum focused on the music community in and around Montclair where performers can share their craft and get to know one another. One performer will be featured and a portion of the show recorded for broadcast on TV34. So come on in and join us! For further information, please feel free to call 973-744-0500 x2235.

-- Wednesday, August 18

     1) If you haven't already, head over to the Montclair Art Museum to see Engaging with Nature: American and Native American Artists (A.D. 1200 - 2004). For a review of this fascinating exhibit, go here. The museum is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays.

     2) Take children ages 3 to 5 over to Van Vleck House & Gardens for the Pre-K Discovery Program on Butterflies. It includes guided hands-on activities and a story from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $7 for Friends of Van Vleck and $12 for everyone else. Adults free. Registration required by calling 973-744-0837.

-- Thursday, August 19

     1) Come out to Watchung Booksellers to see and hear Revolutionary Readings from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Revolutionary Readings is a theatrical performance of "Revolutionary Voices: A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology," a 2000 literary anthology edited by Amy Sonnie. The Revolutionary Readings project was conceived by director Brandon Monokian and dramaturged by Victoria Fear as a response to the Rancocas Valley High School Board of Education's decision to ban the book. For more information please visit www.revolutionaryreadings.com.

-- Friday, August 20

     1) There's live music Friday night at both Just Jakes and Ruthie's Bar-B-Q.

     2) Head over to Watchung Booksellers for the Mockingjay Party. With the third book in the trilogy, Mockingjay, going on sale August 24, the bookstore has two very exciting events happening at the store to celebrate! When you Pre-Pay for your copy of Mockingjay you will automatically be entered to win a SIGNED hardcover set of the entire trilogy. And there's also a party at 7 p.m. If you are a huge fan of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy, then you get to talk theories, predictions, and everything Hunger Games. Share pizza, soda, cookies, and test your knowledge with Hunger Games trivia. RSVP by Wednesday, August 18.

-- Saturday, August 21

     1) It's one of your last chances to visit the Essex Municipal Pool, which closes for the season at 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 22. Mountainside and Nishuane pools will remain open through Labor Day, Monday, September 6 — the last day of the swim season. If you have any questions, please call the Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973-509-4915.

     2) Jazz House Kids Summer Jazz Festival will be held in Nishuane Park, Saturday, August 21 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Families, friends, and music lovers are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic lunches for a fun-filled afternoon of great music from small ensembles of talented young musicians who participated in the Jazz House Kids Summer Jazz Workshop and some very special guests. The festival also will feature special appearances by multi-Grammy winner and creative director of Jazz House Kids, Christian McBride; camp
director, Mike Lee; Jazz House founder and executive director Melissa Walker;
and esteemed faculty including Freddie Hendrix, Radam Schwartz, Bruce Williams,
and Ed Palermo. For more information about the Summer Jazz Festival, call Jazz House Kids at 973-744-2273 or the Montclair Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973-509-4915.