The Weekender: Jazz, Passion, and Belly Flops

Groove to jazz fusion, experience interactive art, or belly flop at the pool – this weekend offers diverse choices for your leisure time.  Read on for some Patch Picks for local events to make your days off into something special.  For even more events, check out the Patch calendar.  Enjoy!

Two days of electric jazz and big band rock come to the with the Luna Fusion Fest.  Starting with a free children’s workshop, Short Fuse, featuring percussionist and educator Gregg Bendian, the weekend continues with The Mahavishnu Project Saturday evening, and a Sunday seminar on sound recording titled Sounds Like Fun.  Concluding with an evening performance by Eddy’s Chemistry Set, the festival promises to become an annual treat for fusion lovers. Performances are $20 for adults, $15 for children, while the workshops are free; Saturday 3 and 8 p.m. and Sunday 3 and 7 p.m.; West Orange

Artists Gerard Amsellem and Mikel Frank have been creating an exhibit Visual Passion: On Love, described as an “interactive, multimedia art collaboration/narrative”.  The public is invited to share in the four-day experience with the artists, live performance pieces, musical and other artistic elements to fully experience this evolving work, at . Free; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 2 to 9 p.m. with a closing reception Sunday at 6 p.m.; Maplewood

Most of the trails at run north/south, so this 7-mile circular hike running east/west will be a rare treat.  Starting on the eastern border of the reservation, the hike will pass into Old Short Hills Park, where the group will stop for lunch (bring your own!).  Meet at the NYC lookout on Bramhall Terr., 0.3 miles in from South Orange Ave. on Crest Drive.  Free; Saturday at 9:30 a.m.; South Mountain Reservation

Family Night at the will include live entertainment, games, food, and activities, so pack up the kids and head to Livingston for an evening of family fun. Free for pool members, $10 non-members; Sunday 5 – 8 p.m.; Livingston

The West Orange Recreation Department will host its Annual Sports & Games Family Night at the .  Events include an adult/child raft race, a belly flop contest, a water balloon competition and a picnic dinner, all included in the admission price.  $6 for adults and $4 for children; Friday at 7 p.m.; West Orange

will be the site of a free, outdoor concert by The Bronx Wanderers, featuring the great music of the '50s, '60s, and '70s, but don’t be suprised if you also hear hits by Coldplay!  Free; Sunday at 7 p.m.; Livington