A glance at N.J. entertainment this weekend (Dec. 2-4)

WHAT’S GOING ON? Here is a small sample of area happenings you may want to check out in the coming days.

Judy Collins will present "Holiday and Hits" Friday, Dec. 2, at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.

Art/Museums

DEC. 3

HOPEWELL Hopewell Tour des Arts, showcase of area artists at Morpeth Contemporary, 43 W. Broad St. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday; Gallery 14, 14 Mercer St., noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; and Highland Design Farm, 159 Van Dyke Road, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, through Dec. 4. Morpeth Contemporary, 43 W. Broad St. morpethcontemporary.com, info@hopewelltourdesarts.com.

MIDDLETOWN Creative Arts Center Exhibit and Sale, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., through Dec. 10. Thompson Park, Newman Springs Road in Lincroft. 732-842-4000.

Comedy

DEC. 2

RED BANK Steven Crowder and Dave Landau, “Rebels with a Cause,” 7 p.m., Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St. $49-$200. thebasie.org, 732-842-9000.

DEC. 3

NEWARK Russell Peters, 7 p.m., also Dec. 3, 10 p.m. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Prudential Hall, 1 Center St. $101-$106. njpac.org, 201-503-1333.

SUMMIT The Flip Side, Vivid Stage improv troupe, 8 p.m., Oakes Center, 120 Morris Ave. $15-$20. vividstage.org, 908-514-9654.

WOODBRIDGE “Gen. X vs. Millennial Comedy,” Marc Price and Eugene T. Barnes, 8 p.m., Avenel Performing Arts Center, 150 Avenel St. in Avenel. $39.50. avenelarts.com, 732-314-0500.

Dance

DEC. 2

DEAL Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater, “Nutcracker Rocks” adaptation of the holiday ballet, 7 p.m., also Dec. 3, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, 1 and 5 p.m. Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave. $48-$54. axelrodartscenter.com, 732-531-9100.

PRINCETON Princeton Dance Festival, “relaxed” program of repertory and new works performed by more than 50 Princeton dance students, 8 p.m., also Dec. 3, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, 2 p.m. McCarter Theatre Center, Berlind Theatre, 91 University Place. $10-$17. mccarter.org, arts.princeton.edu.

The Chanticleer male chorus will be in concert at Kean University's Enlow Recital Hall on the Hillside campus Saturday, Dec. 3.

DEC. 3

ENGLEWOOD New Jersey Ballet, “The Nutcracker,” 1 p.m., also Dec. 3, 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 4, 1 and 4:30 p.m. Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St. $29-$59. bergenpac.org, 201-227-1030.

DEC. 4

RAHWAY Moving Youth Dance Company, “The Nutcracker,” 1 p.m., also Dec. 4, 4 p.m. Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving St. $30-$32. ucpac.org, 732-499-8226.

Fairs/Festivals

DEC. 2

SOMERVILLE Holiday Jubilee, performances, vendors, Santa, ice skating, 5:30-10:30 p.m., Downtown Somerville, Division Street. downtownsomerville.com, 908-541-1600.

DEC. 4

FRANKLIN TWP. Sinterklaas, visit from Sinterklaas, children’s games and crafts, music, family scavenger hunt, food, vendors, 1-3 p.m., Hageman Dairy Barn, 209 S. Middlebush Road in Somerset. themeadowsfoundation.org, tmf.org.1289@gmail.com.

Literary/Books

DEC. 3

PATERSON Poets Airea D. Matthews and Jose Antonio Rodriguez, free reading followed by open mic, 1 p.m., Passaic County Community College, Poetry Center, Hamilton Club Building, 32 Church St. poetrycenterpccc.com, 973-684-6555.

Music

DEC. 2

HOPEWELL Lucy Kaplansky, 8 p.m., Hopewell Theater, 5 S. Greenwood Ave. $30-$35. hopewelltheater.com, 609-466-1964.

MIDLAND PARK Cathedral Choir of Northern NJ, free performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” 7 p.m., also Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Midland Park Christian Reformed Church, 183 Godwin Ave. cathedralchoir.org, 862-221-8486.

MONTCLAIR Ember Choral Arts and American Modern Ensemble, free holiday program, 7:30 p.m., Church of the Immaculate Conception, 30 N. Fullerton Ave. emberarts.org, 888-407-6002, info@emberarts.org.

MORRISTOWN David Foster and Katharine McPhee, “The Kat and Dave Show,” 8 p.m., Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St. $85-$150. mayoarts.org, 973-539-8008.

NEW BRUNSWICK STOMP, percussion stage show, 8 p.m., also Dec. 3, 2 and 8 p.m. State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Ave. $40-$98. stnj.org, 732-246-7469.

NEWARK New Jersey Symphony, “Hugh Wolff Conducts Beethoven & Mozart” with pianist Richard Goode, 8 p.m., also Dec. 4, 3 p.m. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Prudential Hall, 1 Center St. $25-$90. njsymphony.org, 800-255-3476.

NEWTON “Christmas with the Celts,” Irish holiday show, 8 p.m., The Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St. $39-$49. skypac.org, 973-940-6398.

RANDOLPH CCM Chamber Choir and Wind Ensemble, holiday concert, 7:30 p.m., County College of Morris, Dragonetti Auditorium, 214 Center Grove Road. ccm.edu/perform, https://bit.ly/CCM_Performing_Arts.

READINGTON Whitehouse Wind Symphony, free holiday concert, 7:30 p.m., Whitehouse United Methodist Church, 73 Route 28 in Whitehouse. whitehousewindsymphony.org, whitehousewindsymphony@gmail.com.

RED BANK Martin Sexton, 8 p.m., Count Basie Center for the Arts, The Vogel, 99 Monmouth St. $20-$69. thebasie.org, 732-842-9000.

SAYREVILLE Midtown, 7 p.m., also Dec. 3, 7 p.m. Starland Ballroom, 570 Jernee Mill Road. Sold out. starlandballroom.com, 732-238-5500.

SOUTH ORANGE Judy Collins, “Holiday and Hits,” 8 p.m., South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way. $58-$78. sopacnow.org, 973-313-2787.

TOMS RIVER Westminster Concert Bell Choir, 7:30 p.m., Ocean County College, Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, Hooper Avenue and College Drive. $20. grunincenter.org, 732-255-0500.

WAYNE Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone, “An Olde English Christmas,” 8 p.m., William Paterson University, Shea Center for Performing Arts, 300 Pompton Road. $45-$75. wp-presents.org, 973-720-2371.

David Foster and Katharine McPhee will perform Friday, Dec. 2, at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown.

DEC. 3

BLAIRSTOWN Aztec Two Step 2.0, full band, 8 p.m., Roy’s Hall, 30 Main St. $32-$37. royshall.org, 908-362-1399.

CARTERET The Smithereens, with guest vocalists, 8 p.m., Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center, 46 Washington Ave. $35-$55. carteretpac.com, 877-849-2722.

GARWOOD Awful Waffle, Dissidente, PWRUP, 7 p.m., Crossroads, 78 North Ave. $20. xxroads.com, 908-232-5666.

HILLSIDE Chanticleer, male chorus, 7:30 p.m., Kean University, Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Ave., East Campus. $60-$75. keanstage.com, 908-737-7469.

MORRISTOWN “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis,” 3 p.m., also Dec. 3, 8 p.m. Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St. $59-$99. mayoarts.org, 973-539-8008.

NEWARK New Jersey Symphony, “A Joyful Noise” family concert, 2 p.m., New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Victoria Theater, 1 Center St. $20. njsymphony.org, 800-255-3476.

NEWTON The Machine, Pink Floyd tribute, 8 p.m., The Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St. $39-$54. skypac.org, 973-940-6398.

NORTH BRUNSWICK Philomusica Concert Choir, winter concert of works by Mozart, Schubert, Poulence and others with holiday sing-along, 8 p.m., also Dec. 4, 4 p.m. Our Lady of Peace Church, 1740 Route 130 North. $8-$20. philomusica.org, info@philomusica.org.

RED BANK “Doo Wop at the Basie,” Kenny Vance and the Planotones, Jimmy Gallaghe and the Passions, Jimmy Clanton, Norman Fox, La La Brooks, Classic Sounds, 7 p.m., Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St. $20-$55. thebasie.org, 732-842-9000.

ROXBURY Chris Westfall, John Denver tribute, 7:30 p.m., Investors Bank Theater, RoxPAC at Horseshoe Lake Complex, 72 Eyland Ave. in Succasunna. $20. roxburyartsalliance.org, 973-945-0284.

SOUTH ORANGE Martin Sexton, 8 p.m., South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way. $38-$48. sopacnow.org, 973-313-2787.

TUCKERTON Popa Chubby, 7:30 p.m., Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main St. $37-$45. lizzierosemusic.com, 609-389-0118.

WEST LONG BRANCH Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea, holiday concert of carols and seasonal selections, 8 p.m., Monmouth University, Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Ave. $55-$65. monmouth.edu/mca, 732-263-5715.

DEC. 4

BELMAR Concert Piano Fundraiser, music by Danny White, Pat Roddy, Tommy LaBella and others and food tasting to raise funds for a new outdoor piano, noon-5 p.m., Taylor Pavilion, Ocean and Fifth avenues. $50. belmar.com, belmararts.org.

CHERRY HILL Greater Philadelphia Choral Society, holiday concert, 3 p.m., Trinity Presbyterian Church, 499 Route 70. $15-$25. gpchoralsociety.com, 804-212-4945, info@gpchoralsociety.com.

EWING Boheme Opera NJ, Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” in English, 4 p.m., The College of New Jersey, Kendall Hall, Main Stage, 2000 Pennington Road. $15-$50. bohemeopera.org, 609-581-9551.

FLEMINGTON Whitehouse Wind Symphony, free holiday concert, 3 p.m., Flemington United Methodist Church, 116 Main St. whitehousewindsymphony.org, whitehousewindsymphony@gmail.com.

HOPEWELL TWP. StoneHearth Bluegrass Band, 3-4 p.m., Titusville Presbyterian Church, 48 River Drive. $15-$20. titusvillechurch.org, 609-737-2212.

LAKEWOOD “Beatles vs. Stones Musical Showdown,” tribute, 8 p.m., Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Ave. $40-$55. strand.org, 732-367-7789.

MONTCLAIR Yacht Rock Revue, 8 p.m., Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St. $25-$55. thewellmonttheater.com, 973-783-9500.

MORRISTOWN “Top of the World,” Carpenters tribute holiday show, 3 p.m., Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St. $29-$59. mayoarts.org, 973-539-8008.

Opera at Florham, “Holiday Spectacular” program of holiday classics performed by opera singers and vocalists from Fairleigh Dickinson University, 3 p.m., St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 6 Sussex Ave. $11-$28. operaatflorham.org/events-tickets, 973-443-8620.

PLAINSBORO Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra, holiday concert with pianist Chiu-Ling Lin, 7 p.m., Princeton Alliance Church, 20 Schalks Crossing Road. $20-$40. bravuraphil.org, 609-933-4729.

RED BANK Indigo Girls, 7 p.m., Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St. $29.50-$69.50. thebasie.org, 732-842-9000.

STANHOPE North Jersey Blues Society Holiday Party, with Regina Bonelli, Jersey Swamp Cats, silent auction and guitar raffle, 3:30 p.m., Stanhope House, 45 Main St. $20. stanhopehousenj.com, 973-347-7777.

Theater

DEC. 2

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS “Bob’s Your Elf,” dessert-theater production the Norm Foster holiday comedy, 7:30 p.m., also Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. First Avenue Playhouse, 123 First Ave. $20-$25; reservations required. firstavenueplayhouse.org, 732-291-7552.

CHESTER “Tragedy: a Tragedy,” Chester Theatre Group black box production of Will Eno comedy built around a radio news reporting team, 8 p.m., also Dec. 3, 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Black River Playhouse, Grove and Maple streets. $18-$20. chestertheatregroup.org, 908-879-7304.

ENGLEWOOD “The Play About the Baby,” Edward Albee comedy, 8 p.m., also Dec. 3-4, 8 p.m. Black Box Performing Arts Center, 49 E. Palisade Ave. $35-$40. blackboxpac.com, 201-569-2070, blackboxpac@gmail.com.

HACKETTSTOWN “Cinderella,” holiday production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, 8 p.m., also Dec. 3, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Centenary University, Sitnik Theater, Lackland Center, 400 Jefferson St. $15-$27.50. centenarystageco.org, 908-979-0900.

HILLSBOROUGH “A Wicked Christmas Carol,” holiday story inspired by L. Frank Baum’s “Oz” books and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” 8 p.m., also Dec. 3, 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Somerset Valley Playhouse, 689 Amwell Road (Route 514). $18-$20. svptheatre.org, 908-369-7469.

HOBOKEN “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol,” family holiday comedy by Tom Mula adapted from on the Charles Dickens story, 8 p.m., also Dec. 3, 8 p.m. Mile Square Theatre, 1400 Clinton St. $24-$35. milesquaretheatre.org, 201-683-7014.

MONTVILLE “American Son,” drama about an estranged biracial couple confronting feelings about race and bias, 8 p.m., also Dec. 3, 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, 2 p.m. The Barn Theatre, 32 Skyline Drive. $25. barntheatre.org, 973-334-9320.

OAKLYN “She Loves Me,” holiday musical romance, 8 p.m., also Dec. 3, 8 p.m.; Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Ritz Theatre, 915 Whitehorse Pike. $27. ritztheatreco.org, 856-858-5230.

PRINCETON “Play,” new devised theater piece researched, developed and created by Princeton student performers, writers and designers, 8 p.m., also Dec. 3, 6 and 8 p.m. Princeton University, Wallace Theater, Lewis Arts Complex, 122 Alexander St. $10-$17. tickets.princeton.edu, 609-258-1500.

RANDOLPH “A Christmas Carol,” musical stage production of the Dickens holiday story, 7 p.m., also Dec. 3-4, 2 p.m. Brundage Park Playhouse, 2 Bungalow Lane at Carrell Road. $20-$25. brundageparkplayhouse.org, 973-989-7092.

SPRING LAKE “Scrooge,” on-site production of the musical, 7:30 p.m., also Dec. 3, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Spring Lake Community House, 300 Madison Ave. $30-$40. springlaketheatre.com, 732-449-4530.

WEST WINDSOR “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” family stage production, 9:45 a.m., also Dec. 2, 11:15 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 3-4, 1 and 4 p.m. Mercer County Community College, Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road. $12-$15. kelseytheatre.org, 609-570-3333.

DEC. 3

MANASQUAN “A Christmas Story, the Musical,” based on the film, 7:30 p.m., also Dec. 4, 3 p.m. Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive. $26-$43. algonquinarts.org, 732-528-9211.

TOMS RIVER “A Christmas Carol,” Yates Musical Theatre for Children adaptation of the Charles Dickens tale, 1 p.m., Ocean County College, Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, Hooper Avenue and College Drive. $12-$15. grunincenter.org, 732-255-0500.

DEC. 4

CAPE MAY “Christmas Presents from the Past,” short stories adapted for stage and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth, 8 p.m., East Lynne Theater Company, Cape May Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St. $20-$28. eastlynnetheater.org, 609-884-5898.

GALLOWAY “My Yiddishe Chanukah,” musical and theatrical celebration with young performers accompanied by a klezmer ensemble, 2 p.m., Stockton University, Stockton Performing Arts Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive. $5-$8. stocktonpac.org, 609-652-9000.

Other

DEC. 2

BEDMINSTER Colonial Christmas, cocktail reception with music by Linda Russell, heavy hors d’oeuvres, antique firearms demonstration, 6-9 p.m., Jacobus Vanderveer House, River Road Park, 955 Route 202/206 South. $150. jvanderveerhouse.org, 908-396-6053.

MAPLEWOOD Dickens Village, opening day of annual holiday celebration with visit from Santa, live music and tree-lighting, 1-5 p.m., Ricalton Square, Maplewood Village. maplewoodchamber.org, 973-761-4333.

DEC. 3

SOUTH BOUND BROOK Holiday Weekend, open house with tours, displays, performances by Franklin HS Madrigal Singers, 1-4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. Saturday candlelight tour, also Dec. 4, Abraham Staats House, 17 Von Steuben Lane. $10-$15 for candlelight tour. staatshouse.org, 732-369-3583.

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