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