A Weekend for Celebrating

This is a weekend for celebrating.

Happenings in our area focus on the joyful things in life: arts, faith, community, nature. Celebrate music at the Winter Solstice Concert or the Community Music Concert. Celebrate dance at the I.Dance Holiday Jam or at the Giwayen Mata Kwanzaa Show. Celebrate nature with a hike at South Mountain Reservation.  Celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa at several different events. 

Read on for the details of these events and others, and feel free to add your own suggestions for weekend fun in the Comments section. Enjoy!

Di Modolo in the Mall at Short Hills will host Tracy DiMarco, the star of Style Network’s Jerseylicious while their Linked by Love Collection by Di Modolo is presented.  All pieces purchased on Friday will come with a Di Modolo jewelry pouch autographed by the star. Proceeds will go to children’s charities.  Free; Friday noon to 2 p.m.; Short Hills

Musicians Adam Rudolph and Steve Gorn will donate their impressive talents for a concert to benefit . Rudolph specializes in percussion: North African Sintir, Kalimbas, Udu drums, frame drums, hand drums, percussion of all kinds. Gorn will play North Indian Bansuri Flute, Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Bamboo flutes and reeds for what promises to be an unusual and fascinating musical display. $20 suggested donation; Friday at 7 p.m.; Maplewood

Join in the final hike of the South Mountain Conservancy’s season.  Experienced guide Lou Nocito will maintain a moderate pace for the 5 to 6 mile trek from Locust Grove along the Lenape Trail, returning along the Rahway River. Meet at Locust Grove opposite the First Aid Station on Glen Ave. in Millburn.  Free; Saturday at 10:30 a.m.; Millburn

Learn about the Kwanzaa holiday and the African Diaspora at NJPAC, with workshops for adults and children in African dance, drumming, music, story-telling, and other arts for all ages.  Also featured are a Children’s Book Fair, an Arts and Crafts Village featuring face painting, hands-on activities such as spirit masks, sekere crafting, Kwanzaa wish scrolls, and more.  Free; Saturday noon to 5 p.m.; Newark

will host for their annual holiday concert, which is open to the public and free!  The Maplewood Community Concert Band will perform Christmas and Hanukkah music, while Maplewood's own 20-piece big band, Swing Town will keep your feet tapping to classic and contemporary carols and songs of the season. Free; Saturday at 2 p.m.; Maplewood

I.Dance LLC is an award winning competition team, based at the in Maplewood.  The company will perform a holiday show for the public at Clinton Elementary School.  $15 at the door; Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Maplewood

The community is invited to celebrate Advent at a concert and liturgical tribute entitled “A Celebration of the King” at .  The program will include the music and dance ministries of First Baptist Church of South Orange: Tehillah Praise, Judah Praise, the Male Chorus, Earthen Vessels and the Youth Choir.  Free; Saturday at 7:30 p.m.;  South Orange

Dickens Village will be open for viewing this Saturday, with a visit from Santa, a petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides and a craft and story program for children at the Library.  Free; Saturday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Maplewood

Giwayen Mata: The Spirit of Kwanzaa

Giwayen Mata, an all-female ensemble  will perform Nigerian and West Africa dance and drumming as part of NJPAC’s Annual Kwanzaa Festival & Marketplace.  The performance will conclude with a Tribute to the Elders at 5 p.m.  $20-$22; Saturday at 2 p.m.; Newark

invites you to a morning of art projects and Hanukkah treats.  Create “Peace Poles” that will be used to decorate the Center’s new outdoor classroom.  The 7th graders will be selling gorgeous mosaic dreidels for a charity.  Please bring in a brown bag filled with food items to be donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry.  Free; Sunday at 1 p.m.; South Orange

The Jewish Cultural School & Society (JCSS) will celebrate Hanukkah in with songs, stories, crafts and a pot-luck lunch. Families and friends of any faith (or none) are welcome! Suggested family donation: $10/members, $30/nonmembers; Sunday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Maplewood

FRESH 4.0 is the 4th Annual Exhibit by Advanced Placement Art Students.  Additionally this year the exhibit will also include AP students from Arts High School in Newark and from Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights.  A public reception will be held for the opening at .  Free; Sunday at 2 p.m.; Maplewood

Gather at for a community sing-along, complete with sheets of music and lyrics so that everyone can sing. New this year is a Karaoke machine for shining stars! A potluck reception for all will follow.  Free; Sunday at 3 p.m.;  Maplewood