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The Weekender

Rock 'n' Roll, Chocolates and Specials, Sinatra, Dancing and More

Get out and help melt the rest of that ice and snow with some shopping, some dancing, some rocking out and romancing this pre-Valentine's Day weekend!

 

There's a lot going on this weekend in our area but, hopefully, it won't include any snowflakes. 

Highlights include plenty of rocking 'n' rolling with the likes of Willie Nile headlining the latest Rent Party jam, and Richard Marx teamed with Vertical Horizon's Matt Scannell at SOPAC.  If jazz is more your mood music of choice, then catch Sarah Partridge and Band as they bookend a reading and signing by James Kaplan at Words of his new book about the Chairman of the Board.  Or head to Churrasco BBQ & Steakhouse for live jazz this Thursday, celebrating Black History Month.  For classical aficionados, don't miss the Far Brook School's music faculty and their distinguished guests as they play a selection of classical and Celtic folk favorites in honor of romance and Valentine's Day, in Millburn.

Speaking of Valentine's, no one around here seems to be waiting for the official day on Monday to get their love and chocolate-filled holiday started.  Maplewood Village has their annual Valentine's Day Chocolate Walk on Saturday with a ton of sweets and specials from pink and brown ballooned merchants throughout the heart of town.  In South Orange, the discounts and dining specials are spread out through the entire weekend as many businesses in downtown South Orange will be offering great sales, gifts, and food specials from Saturday all the way through Monday. 

If you need to bust a move or just want to see someone else's good moves on stage, you have several excellent options this weekend.   To dance the night away yourself, head to DanceSport4You Center for their Saturday Dance Social and their Sunday evening Singles Night.  To see dancing on display instead, the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company performs their program at SOPAC, while our own local Maplewood Middle Schoolers put up a production of the always fun and frenetic Bye Bye Birdie.

Here's the big list of those events and other weekend's activities, as well as other great stuff in weekends to come:

  • Willie Nile Returns To Rent Party: Rock legend Willie Nile and special guest Christine Santelli put on a not-to-be missed show to raise funds to  help fight hunger in our community, with the evening's proceeds going to the St. Joseph's and Our Lady of Sorrows food pantries.  Donations of non-perishable food items is encouraged!  Admission is $25.  Friday from 7:30 to 11:30pm, South Orange
  • Richard Marx & Matt Scannell: From SOPAC: "Grammy Award winner Richard Marx and Vertical Horizon’s front man Matt Scannell perform an acoustic evening of classic hits. Richard Marx sold over 30 million albums and had thirteen #1 songs, including Endless Summer Nights, Right Here Waiting and Now and Forever. Aside from his own hit songs, Marx wrote This I Promise You by NSYNC and co-wrote Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross."  Tickets range from $65-$40.  Friday at 8:00pm, South Orange
  • Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company at SOPAC: From SOPAC: "Celebrate the season of love with CDDC at its 28th Season Gala Performance.  With thrilling athleticism and theatrical nuance, CDDC returns with this evening to remember."  Tickets are $30 and $25. Saturday at 8:00pm, South Orange
  • Maplewood Village Annual Valentine’s Day Chocolate Walk: From Maplewood Village Alliance: "Spend the afternoon shopping and dining in Maplewood Village.  Just follow the pink and brown balloons to explore everything the Village has to offer and enjoy chocolate treats along the way."  Saturday from 11:00am to 4:00pm, Maplewood
  • James Kaplan and Sarah Partridge at Words: From Words: "Hear live jazz at 7pm and 9pm from Sarah Partridge and Band, and at 8pm meet author James Kaplan as he introduces his book Frank: The Voice. An event pass buys you entrance for you and a guest, light refreshments, and a signed, hard-cover copy of the book.  Event Pass is $45.    Saturday, Maplewood
  • Main Street South Orange Valentine's Day: Numerous businesses in downtown South Orange will be open and offering wonderful promotions, romantic dining, and special discounts all weekend long in celebration of Valentine's Day.  Check MSSO's list for specific merchant offers.  Saturday through Monday, South Orange
  • Artist Andrea Rosenfeld at The Zen Shop:  From the Zen Shop: "Professional artist, jewelry designer and Reiki practitioner, Andrea Rosenfeld will be at the Zen Shop on Sunday.  Come and see Andrea's beautiful creations of lively art jewelry from gemstones, exotic wood, and precious metals.  All are welcome."  Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00pm, Short Hills
  • Romance in the Air, an Afternoon of Chamber Music & Chocolates:  Far Brook School's music faculty and distinguished guests will perform works by European masters Debussy, Chopin, Poulenc, Ravel, and Schumann and American composer Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson. The program will also feature a selection of Celtic traditional folk songs.  Suggested contribution of $20 benefits Far Brook's Instrument Fund.  Sunday at 3:00pm, Millburn
  • Studio B's Celluloid Candy: Wallace and Gromit Festival: From Studio B: "Sick of being house-bound? Come out to the Burgdorff Center and bring the kids for a Wallace and Gromit film festival featuring: A Matter of Loaf and Death, A Close Shave, and The Wrong Trousers."  Tickets available at the door. Tickets are $5 adults and $3 kids.  Sunday at 3:00pm, Maplewood
  • Durand-Hedden House: Traditional House Styles for Modern Living: From Durand-Hedden: "How does a 21st century residential architect who admires and respects … the domestic style of a century ago reconcile those traditional design themes with the modern desire for big windows, sleek design, a family room and a wall for the flat screen TV? John Ike, a noted architect and Maplewood resident ... will provide some insight into those modern-day challenges." Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00pm, Maplewood
  • Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel - STISY Ice Skating: Go ice skating with Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel's youth group, STISY.  Cost includes admission, skate rental, lunch and transportation.  $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  Sunday from 12:00 to 3:00pm, South Orange
  • Saturday Dance Social and Singles Night: Dancesport4You Center (also known as NJ Dance Center) in Maplewood offers two nights of dancing, fun and socializing this weekend.  Saturday's event is $18 and Sunday's is for singles only and is $20.  Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00pm / Sunday from 6:00 to 9:00pm, Maplewood
  • Maplewood Middle School, Bye Bye Birdie: The MMMS kids put on their own take of the classic Tony-award winning musical about rock star Conrad Birdie and his draft into the army, a parody based on the true story of Elvis Presley's entry into the military in 1957 and the related, ensuing hysteria.  Tickets are $10.   Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm / Sunday at 2:00pm, Maplewood

Coming soon:

 

Donald Pun lives in Maplewood and posts the event round-up column here each weekend.   Previously, he was a regular contributor for the NY Times' Maplewood, South Orange, and Millburn Local blog section.


Other The Weekender Articles
LGBT Pride Picnic, Wicked Watermelon, Pond Tour, Real Housewife, and Endless Summer Concerts
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LGBT Ice Cream Social, Sidewalk Sales, and a Forest Clean-Up
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Stone Soup, Potty Mouths, Celebrating South Orange and Bicycling to Newark
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Art Tour and Shows, Garage Sales, Richard Codey, The Midtown Men, and The Berenstain Bears
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Memorial Day Parades and other Weekend Highlights
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Dave Mason, Mayapple Festival, South Orange House Tour, and May Fest Is On!
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See all The Weekender articles

Express Yourself Studios

11:06 am on Thursday, February 10, 2011

FYI, Express Yourself Studios, located at 1912 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood has several events slated for the Valentine's Day Weekend. All are welcome to celebrate the holiday and participate in two great events that include the following:

COUPLES' COCKTAILS & CANVAS FEBRUARY 10 - 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Bring your bottle of wine (or favorite beverage), your sweetie and explore your creative side and have a great start to the St. Valentine's Holiday! No experience necessary...the main objective is to have fun! Everyone leaves with a finished masterpiece!! All materials and light refreshments provided. $25 per person (adults only). Visit http://www.expressyourselfstudios.com/V-DAY-WORKSHOP.html to register.

ARTS & CRAFTS DROP-IN FEBRUARY 12 – 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Children ages 2-10 are invited to create a mixed media heart collage painting utilizing acrylic paints, pastels and paper.. Visit the studio anytime between 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $15 per child, one hour studio time. All materials and small treats included. Log on to http://www.expressyourselfstudios.com/V-DAY-WORKSHOP.html to register.

To R.S.V.P for any workshop please call the studio 973-763-5256 or register online at www.expressyourselfstudios.com.

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