The Weekender: Summer's Lease

Late August means roadwork, paving, and more roadwork...and lots of folks are out of town. That's okay; more fun for the rest of us, right? This weekend will be a good one for dining downtown out of doors, of course, and taking in some local fun.    Downtown after Sundown Concerts 8–10:30 pm. Friday: Boys of the Gate, The Kludge. Saturday: Scratch 'n Sniff, Dave Rimelis.

Our own Alexandra Birnbaum will be snapping pictures—and looking for buys—at the Prospect Rummage sale on Prospect Presbyterian Church, Saturday, August 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The sale continues on two more Saturdays: August 28 and September 11.

After you finish shopping, head over to St. George's Church at 550 Ridgewood Road at 1 p.m. for a vocal recital by recent high school graduate Amanda Grafton. Amanda is heading to The Manhattan School of Music where she plans to pursue studies in classical voice and opera. She will be singing a 12-piece recital as part of the celebration. The performance is free. Patch contributor Mike Lashinsky will also be there, recording Amanda's performance on video.

Want more music in a church-like setting? Head over to Morrow Church at 7 p.m. on Saturday for a performance of Willie Wonka Jr. by local college students. Tickets are a suggested $10 at the door. All proceeds go to Haitian earthquake relief. There is an encore performance on Sunday at 2 p.m. Story from Kelly Malloy to come!

On Sunday, August 22, SOMbike will be holding not one but two group rides. The first one, at 7 a.m., promises to be a long one—a ten-mile route including hill climbs crafted by Andrew Riss who organizes of the mid-week rides. The second ride assembles at 10 a.m. Both rides start from the NJ Transit parking lot in Maplewood Village at Baker Street and Maplewood Avenue.

And if that fails, head for the Maplewood Theater, Clearview's Millburn Cinemas or SOPAC's Clearview Cinema. Films playing locally include Eat Pray Love, The Expendables and The Kids Are All Right.