Community Corner
Skating, Theater, and More Playmobile Than You Can Shake A Plastic Figure At
Here's our weekly Grab & Go Guide to help you plan your weekend.
Children’s theater is big on the agenda this weekend, but there's also an ice skating dance party, birdhouse making, free movies, family yoga, and more Playmobile than you can shake a little plastic figure at. So do as the title says and Grab & Go with this guide, or upstage us and tell us about your fantastic plans for the weekend!
Where/When: Clary Anderson Arena at 41 Chestnut Street in Montclair. Friday nights 8:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Verona-Cedar Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Why Go: Because as a culture we will never tire of skating in circles to funky beats.
Pricing: $7/person
Find out what's happening in Verona-Cedar Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
—Studio Players Presents Beauty and the Beast
Where/When: at 14 Alvin Place in Upper Montclair. Feb. 19 & Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Why Go: This Beauty and the Beast is a comedic, sassy version of the Disney original and Studio Players promises “Lots of surprises, hilarious characters, and some unexpected twists that make this an event that will appeal to boys as well as girls.”
Pricing: $8/person. For ticket ordering information go here or call 973-744-9753.
—The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites
Where/When: Paper Mill Playhouse at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn. Feb. 19 at 10 a.m.
Why Go: The Paper Mill’s reputation for exceptional shows combined with the fabulous imagination of Eric Carle is sure to please everyone. The Little Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia http://www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca/index.shtml will present The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-Up Chameleon by the award-winning children's book illustrator and writer, which will be retold on stage in black light. The show is recommended for ages 4 and up.
Pricing: $15 for orchestra and box seats and $12 for mezzanine seats. Buy Tickets or call 973-376-4343 for more information.
—Yates Musical Theater Presents Peter Rabbit
Where/When: at 467 Franklin Street in Bloomfield (The Westminster Arts Center). Feb. 19, at 11 a.m.
Why Go: Singing, dancing and guaranteed laughter centering on a mischievous rabbit and his friends.
Pricing: $10 general admission; $8 seniors/children. Buy tickets here.
—Imagination Station at the ,
Where/When: Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue in Montclair. Saturday, Feb. 19, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Why Go: MAM events always deliver, and Imagination Station is no exception. This very popular program focuses on a different artwork or theme each week –this week’s theme is fashion design. Families will be engaged in active looking, lively discussion, interactive activities, and scavenger hunts, and have a unique opportunity to sketch in the galleries. Space is limited
Pricing: Member adults free, nonmember adults $12, children $6.
—Build a Bird House with Essex County
Where/When: Essex County Environmental Center, 621b Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland. Saturday, Feb. 19, at 10:30 a.m.
Why Go: Kids can help coax back the fair weather with the Build a Bird House workshop. The class will teach participants to build a home that encourages breeding birds and other wildlife to take residence. Putting out a birdhouse now creates a good chance of having a nesting pair of songbirds in by spring.
Pricing: $6 per child and $8 per adult. Advance registration is required.
—Alice in Wonderland at the Belleville Library
Where/When: , 221 Washington Avenue in Belleville. Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m.
Why Go: If you haven’t seen Director Tim Burton’s take on Lewis Carroll's 1865 fantasy novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, then scoot over to the Belleville Library for a free afternoon screening. The film stars Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and is rated PG.
Pricing: Free!
—Family Yoga
Where/When: , 116 Greenwood Avenue in Montclair. Weekly on Sundays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Why Go: It’s never a bad idea to spend a few stretchy, unplugged hours with the kids before another bustling week begins again.
Pricing: Donation. Call 973-752-8232 or for more information go here.
Where/When: CMOM is located in The Tisch Building at 212 West 83rd Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenues. Hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Why Go: You may be jealous of the lucky person who got to curate this fun exhibit (and good thing it’s behind glass). In addition to perusing the Playmobile displays, families can participate in a scavenger hunt to find specific things in each Playmobile scene, like the zoo, a school and the castle/knights set. And when you’ve had your fill of tiny German-made imaginary fun, the museum offers more than enough to soak up, like the Wizard of Oz Exhibit or the PlayWorks exploring area.
Pricing: Children and adults $10, seniors $7, children under 12 months free, members free.
—Free Movie at the Caldwell Public Library
Where/When: at 268 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell. Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m.
Why Go: The Caldwell Library is graciously offering up free popcorn and a screening of the Disney classic Pete’s Dragon. The film is rated G and runs for 105 minutes. Here’s Disney’s synopsis of the film, “Pete, a young orphan, flees from his cruel guardians to a Maine fishing town with a lovable but mischievous dragon named Elliott -- his one true friend! Fortunately for Pete, they are taken in by a kind lighthouse keeper, Nora, and her Father.”
Pricing: Free!
