Arts & Entertainment
Double Your Pleasure—Double Your Fun
We're seeing double this weekend with activities that come in twos—we've got two Beauty and the Beast performances, two free movies, and two children's author events!
Spring-inspired events are cropping up (thankfully) like Easter egg dying au natural. And if you are looking for larger scale entertainment, there’s Chinese acrobats, a hypnotist, and a live Schoolhouse Rock concert.
It’s a long and loaded list this weekend—don’t forget to share your own family fun plans in the comments section (in case we missed any)!
—Movie at Sugee!
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Where/When: Sugee! 107 Watchung Ave., Montclair. Friday, March 25 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Why Go: Kick back at Sugee!, the Japanese-filled “place full of awesome” for the anime flick Hayate Combat Butler Episodes 1-4.
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Pricing: $5 per person, includes refreshments.
—Open House Make and Shake for Toddlers
Where/When: Studio Kids, 211 Glenridge Ave., Montclair. Friday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Why Go: Alisa Harmon of “Harmonize Rock and Groove” leads a combo craft and music class for toddlers. Come to the free open house and decide if it’s for you (and your little one).
Pricing: Free.
—The “Incredible Boris” Hypnotist
Where/When: , 90 Rugby Road, Cedar Grove. Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Why Go: A Hypnosis show that promises plenty of laughs and audience participation “without crossing the boundaries of good taste” (i.e. good for the whole family). Watch a clip of Boris’s hypo-antics here.
Pricing: $15 per person. For tickets or questions contact Dina (201) 247-4049.
—Beauty and the Beast
Where/When: , 65 W. Greenbrook Rd., North Caldwell. Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 26 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, March 27 at 2:30 p.m.
Why Go: The West Essex Masquers bring this Disney classic to life on the stage—excellent for children of all ages. For an added experience, Belle's Magic Roses (a fiber optic rose) will be sold for $4.99/ea. Chip will present a rose to Belle on stage and the audience joins in to light theirs at the same time.
Pricing: $15 general admission, $10 children/students with ID, and $10 for senior citizens. Pre-Sale tickets will be $12 for general admission. Call (973) 228-1200 to purchase tickets.
—Author Arthur Levine at the Montclair Public Library
Where/When: Montclair Public Library, S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair. Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m.
Why Go: Mr. Levine, noted publisher and children’s author, will speak about the many groundbreaking and classic books he has been associated with. “Goodnight Gorilla,” “Officer Buckle and Gloria,” the “Redwall” series, “The Golden Compass,” and the “Harry Potter” series are but a few of the works he has helped bring to Children and Young Adult literature. Afterwards, Mr. Levine will read his new picture book “Monday Is One Day” and discuss the creative road to writing “Monday.” Copies of “Monday Is One Day” will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Watchung Booksellers.
Pricing: Free.
—Despicable Me at Belleville Public Library
Where/When: , 221 Washington Ave, Belleville. Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m.
Why Go: If you missed this flick in the theater, now’s your chance to check it out for free. Here’s the synopsis, “When a criminal mastermind uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds himself profoundly changed by the growing love between them.” The film is 95 minutes and rated PG.
Pricing: Free.
—Racing Stripes at the Bloomfield Public Library
Where/When: Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St., Bloomfield. Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m.
Why Go: Drop in for a free craft and stay for a screening of Racing Stripes. Here’s the synopsis, “An abandoned zebra grows up believing he is a racehorse, and, with the help of his barnyard friends and a teenage girl (Hayden Panettiere), sets out to achieve his dream of racing with thoroughbreds.” The film is 102 minutes long and rated PG.
Pricing: Free.
—School House Rock Live Jr.
Where/When: JCC Metro West Maurice Levine Theater, 760 Northfield Ave, West Orange. Saturday, March 26 at 8 p.m., Sunday, March 27 at 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Why Go: You loved the grainy cartoon spots from Saturday morning TV, now your kids can get a taste of the educationally fun and infectious tunes in a live musical!
Pricing: Regular Price $16, 65+ Senior $13, Student $13, groups of 10 + $12, members $13. Go here to order tickets online.
—Saturday Storytime with author Alison Formento
Where/When: Watchung Booksellers, 54 Fairfield St., Montclair. Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m.
Why Go: Meet the author of This Tree Counts and This Tree 123 for a delightful Saturday morning storytime.
Pricing: Free.
—The Chinese Acrobats of Hebei
Where/When: SOPAC Theater, 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange. Saturday, March 26 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Why Go: Trained from childhood in acrobatics, this multi-talented troupe ranges in age from 19 to 25. Filled with Chinese tradition, unique props and outstanding acrobatics, the world-class gymnasts from Hebei perform many daring maneuvers of traditional Chinese acrobatics.
Pricing: $25 & $35, to purchase tickets go here.
—David Gonzalez Presents Sleeping Beauty
Where/When: NJPAC, 1 Center Street, Newark. Sunday, March 27 at 2 p.m.
Why Go: Part musician, part poet and part expert actor, David Gonzalez returns this season with a thoroughly unique rendering of the timeless tale of Sleeping Beauty. There will also be opportunities for children to become part of the show. Recommended for kids ages 8 and up.
Pricing: Tickets are $20 and $22, go here to purchase or for more information.
—Meet the authors of Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad
Where/When: Watchung Booksellers, 54 Fairfield St., Montclair. Sunday, March 27 at 1 p.m.
Why Go: Ok we fibbed, there are actually three children’s’ author events this weekend, and the third one is David Soman and Jackie Davis— authors of theLadybug series.
Pricing: Free.
—Egg Dying at the Montclair Historical Society
Where/When: 108 Orange Rd., Montclair. Sunday, March 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Why Go: Children can dye and decorate eggs using recycled natural materials and then enjoy a tour of the 1796 Israel Crane House. Dress to get messy and have fun (it is egg dying after all) Open to children in grades 1 to 6 with an adult. Co-sponsored by the Adult School of Montclair.
Pricing: $20 for adult and child. To register online go here.
—All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast
Where/When: , 94 Bridge St., Belleville. Sunday, March 27 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Why Go: All-You-Can-Eat + Pancakes = a heavenly Sunday morning.
Pricing: Donation of $6 for adults and $3 for kids 12 years and younger. For tickets info call Ed Saegers at (973) 216-1022.
