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Arts & Entertainment

A Weekend to Party, Play and Explore

With Purim and St. Patrick's Day approaching, towns are stepping up to celebrate.

With Purim and St. Patrick’s Day approaching, towns are stepping up to celebrate with several entertaining events. There’s also a one-day-only Bubblemania show at the Liberty Science Center and Imagination Station is back at the Montclair Art Museum—two great places to explore on any day. 

Looking for some solid, classic fun instead? We’ve got roller skating, bowling, and a board game night. This weekend’s list of activities should satisfy the whole family – teens and tweens included! And if you know of something we don’t, share it in the comments section!

—After School Blast at Brunswick Bowling

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Where/When: 679 Washington Avenue in Belleville. Monday to Friday, 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Why Go: A fun (and inexpensive) way to end the week. Kids can enjoy up to two hours of unlimited bowling. (Bowling must be completed by 5:30 p.m.).

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Pricing: $6.99 per child which includes unlimited bowling, shoe rental, small fries, small drink, and more!

—Board Game Meet-Up

Where/When: Time Warp Comics & Games, 555a Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove. Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Why Go: Gaming old school style—break out your board games, grab some friends, or meet new ones at Time Warp Comics and Games.

Pricing: Free.

Erin-Go-Bark/St. Catrick's Adoption Event

Where/When: Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Montclair Animal Shelter.

Why Go: The cats and dogs of the Montclair Animal Shelter are seeking a bit of the Luck O’ the Irish as they try to find a permanent home. The staff and volunteers are hosting a special event with face painting and other games for kids, with local merchants donating prizes for a raffle. Irish soda bread and other baked goods will be on hand. Adoption fees will be discounted during the event. For further information or directions, please call the shelter at (973) 744-8600.

Pricing: Free.

—Four Leaf Clover Cookie Decorating

Where/When: Whole Foods, 701 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Friday, March 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Why Go: A sweet and fun way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Pricing: $10 per child. Sign up at Customer Service or call 973-746-5110.

—Free Roller Skating

Where/When: Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Center, 7th Avenue and Clifton Avenue in Newark. Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Why Go: It’s the Roller Skating Center’s Sweet 16 Birthday and if you bring a birthday card your admission is free!

Pricing: Free admission with a birthday card; skate rental is $3.50.

—Lunch with the Leprechaun

Where/When: , 240 Belleville Avenue in Bloomfield. Saturday at noon.

Why Go: It’s the season for all things Irish and the Oakeside Cultural Center has a fun afternoon planned with crafts, lunch, Irish dancing and, of course, a Leprechaun! The event is best for ages 3 to 9.

Pricing: $14 per person, registration is required, please call 973-429-0960.

—Imagination Station at the 

Where/When: Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair. Saturday, Feb. 26, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Why Go: MAM events always deliver, and Imagination Station is no exception. This very popular program focuses on a different artwork or theme each week—this week’s theme is Let’s Go For A Ride. Families will be engaged in active looking, lively discussion, interactive activities, and scavenger hunts, and have a unique opportunity to sketch in the galleries. Space is limited. This is also a great time to visit MAM’s Mapplethorpe and Warhol Exhibits.

Pricing: Member adults free, nonmember adults $12, children $6.

—Teen Casting Call at Euphoria

Where/When: 209 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., then again from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Why Go:  Euphoria, Montclair’s new trendy boutique, is teaming up with Teen Portrait, also of Montclair, to cast teens for a portrait series to be on view in the store. Finalists will receive a $100 gift certificate plus an 8x10 professional portrait.

For more information go here.

Pricing: Free. 

—Bubblemania

Where/When: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Boulevard in Jersey City. Saturday at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. 

Why Go: An amazing one-day only show all about bubbles. Watch bubbles get shaped into spaceships, chains and be filled with fog! The show is set to upbeat music with a comedic vibe and promises to educate as well as entertain. Learn how the bubble shapes form, how to make a cube bubble and the science of bubble bursting. Need a preview? Check out this video.

Pricing: $5 per person with the purchase of an exhibition ticket. Call 201-253-1310 for advance reservations.

—West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Where/When: Parade begins at 66 Main Street by Town Hall and will end at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Sunday at 12:15 p.m.

Why Go: West Orange is a town rich in Irish history and their annual parade shows it off well. For more information go here.

Pricing: Free.

—Purim Party at the JCC

Where/When: The Leon and Toby Cooperman JCC, 760 Northfield Avenue in West Orange. Sunday at 10 a.m.

Why Go: Kids ages 2 to 5 can come in costume to celebrate the festive Jewish holiday of Purim. All are welcome.

Pricing: Free.

—Purim Carnival at Daughters of Israel

Where/When: 1155 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange. Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Why Go: Daughters of Israel is hosting a carnival in honor of the Jewish Holiday of Purim. Festivities include live entertainment, carnival games, raffles, a costume contest and prizes.

Pricing: Carnival admission is free; tickets for games, raffles, and food will be available for purchase.

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