The Weekender: Post-Maplewoodstock Blues? No Need

Maplewoodstock may be over (boohoo!) but the summer music season goes on across our towns.

In Maplewood, thanks to the Maplewood Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, there is a free summer concert series starting Sunday, July 18, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the ampitheatre at Memorial Park (same venue as Maplewoodstock). The concert this Sunday will feature all local bands: the Maplewood Concert Band, Bones Unlimited and Swing Town. Bring along a picnic basket and enjoy the music at these family concerts. The rain location for Sunday's event is the community center at DeHart Park.

[The July 25 concert, Maplewood JazzFest, will feature renowned jazz performers Holli Ross, Tricia Woods, Dan Crisci, Gregory Rivkin, Jorge Continentino, Bill Tally, Mark Ferranti, Bob DeVos, Courtney Sappington and Sarah Partridge among many others. But more about that next week!]

Also in Maplewood, the Morrow Turnover Sale continue at Morrow Church on Ridgewood Road in Maplewood this Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. With the Turnover Sale still receiving new merchandise, and three days left—Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday—in which to buy it, the time to shop strategically is now. Read Lois Cantwell's tips on how to be a savvy rummage sale shopper and you'll be set to elbow your way to some treasures.

Over in South Orange, things are really hopping this weekend—or should we say, tapping? Jersey Tap Fest, the first annual New Jersey tap dance festival, continues at SOPAC, with classes that celebrate young, emerging tap artists and master classes available to the public through 7:15 p.m. Friday, July 16, and an evening event at 7:30 p.m. The fest's big finale, a performance honoring living tap dance legend, Dr. Harold 'Stumpy' Cromer, will take place on July 17 at 7:00 p.m. Read Marcia Worth's story on Tap Fest for more information.

Thanks to Main Street South Orange and the Village of South Orange, locals can also enjoy music al fresco at the Downtown after Sundown concerts, both Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. ro 10:30 p.m. at Spiotta Park And Sloan Street. This Friday at Sloan Street: Courtney Sappington Jazz Duo, featuring Courtney Sappington on Guitar. Performing at Spiotta Park: The Holli Ross Trio featuring jazz vocalist, Holli Ross. On Saturday, The Kludge will be at Sloan Street and the David Easton Bad will be at Spiotta Park. These events are free! Bring a blanket and a picnic basket.

And at Seton Hall University, you can enjoy summer theater-in-the-round with a performance of "Mystery Play" by Jean-Claude Van Itallie on July 16, 17, 18. The Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Location is 400 S. Orange Avenue in the Bishop Dougherty University Center.

And if the heat gets to you remember it's national ice cream month (thanks for the reminder, Maplewood Muse!). In Maplewood, visit the Village Ice Cream Parlour, 185 Maplewood Avenue or Scoops & Soups, 1846 Springfield Avenue. In South Orange, visit the Carvel, 109 South Orange Avenue; South Orange Cold Stone, 3 Sloan Street; or Rita's on 121 South Orange Avenue. And in Millburn, you can get your ice cream at Coco at 340 Millburn Ave or Haagen-Dazs at 358 Millburn Avenue.

Stay cool!