Remembering South Cape May, a Very Hungry Caterpillar, and an Artist in Conversation

Update: Don't miss Maplewood's own Bob Kenselaar at Words, Friday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. for his book signing and reading of Remembering South Cape May. More details below.

A tempting mix of activities across our towns this long-holiday weekend will be made even more attractive by the promise of warmer weather to come, (above freezing!),  so there are no excuses for you and your family to not get out and enjoy the sights and sounds that will be abundant around these parts starting Friday.

Here's our full weekend to-do for easy reference and checklisting, plus more coming soon events at the bottom of the rundown:

• : Springfield Avenue's Stories In Motion and host Alistair Williams brings us "the coolest Dance Party in town" this weekend.  Celebrate Black History Month by learning West African dances and getting in on the percussion jam.  Pizza and desert will be served.  $20 per child and  siblings are $10. An RSVP is required to join this event.  Friday, 6:30pm–8:30pm, Maplewood
• and Wendy Moffat: Words Bookstore in Maplewood hosts two book events this weekend, with author Bob Kenselaar signing and discussing his book Remembering South Cape May, The Jersey Shore Town That Vanished into The Sea on Friday evening, and author Wendy Moffat doing the same for her new book A Great Unrecorded History, a New Life of E.M. Forster, on Sunday afternoon.  Friday, 7:30pm / Sunday,  2:00pm, Maplewood
• The Robber Bridegroom - Seton Hall Theatre: Seton Hall Theatre and the Seton Hall Arts Council present their production of the Alfred Uhry and Robert Waldman musical all weekend long at SOPAC.  "A rousing, bawdy Southern fairy tale set in eighteenth century Mississippi, The Robber Bridegroom is a story about the courting of the only daughter of the richest planter in the country and a rascally robber of the woods. A rollicking country romp!"  Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for Seniors and SHU Alums, and $8 for  Students and SHU Employees with ID.  Friday and Saturday, 8:00pm and Sunday, 2:00pm, South Orange
• Lakota Wolf Preserve and Cora Hartshorn Arboretum: From the Arboretum: "Back by popular demand, a family visit to the Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia, NJ off route 80.  See packs of wolves right here in NJ!  We'll car caravan to the site and start out with a hot beverage and a light snack.  We'll get an informal talk, then enjoy a scenic walk to the observation area where you can get close to these amazing animals and hear the beautiful chorus of the howling pack - it is unforgettable!"  Children pay $10 (12 and under) and adults pay $20.  Sing-up in advance on the Arboretum site.  Saturday, 9:00am–12:30pm, Millburn to Columbia, NJ
• : As part of the Paper Mill Playhouse's ongoing Children's Theater series, the Playhouse presents the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia and their production of  The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-Up Chameleon by award-winning children's book illustrator and writer, Eric Carle, retold on stage in black light.  Tickets are $15 for orchestra and box seats and $12 for mezzanine seats.  Recommended for ages 4 and up.  Saturday, 10:00am, Millburn
• : The Friends are holding a one-day Bag-of-Books Sale at the Maplewood Memorial Library on Baker Street this Saturday. Thousands of hardback and paperback books on a variety of subjects will be on sale, including fiction, mystery, classics, romance, history, biography, science, business, cookbooks, sports, hobbies, non-fiction, children, and tween.  Videos, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks will also be available for purchase. A bag (provided by the Friends) will be $8 and can be filled to overflowing.  For $14, you can fill a large canvas Friends' Tote.  Books can also be purchased individually.  Saturday, 10:00am–5:00pm, Maplewood
• : SHU's women's basketball Pirates take on their rivals from Villanova this Saturday afternoon at the Walsh Gym on Seton Hall  campus in South Orange.  Come out and root for the local team and enjoy some great collegiate basketball.  Saturday, 2:00pm, South Orange
• : In celebration of Black History Month, the Absalom Jones Committee of Saint George's Episcopal Church on Ridgewood Road in Maplewood will be hosting a Potluck Dinner and Dance! The music will be provided by DJ Trevor Long and everyone is invited and encouraged to bring a dish of their choice.  Dishes should serve 20 (small portions) and creative dishes will be welcomed.  This dinner is not a dry occasion, so anyone should feel free to bring a libation for themselves and one to share.   Saturday, 7:00pm, Maplewood
• : The Ethical Culture Society of Essex County will be having their 3rd Saturday Arts Night this weekend to discuss how Yasmeen Anderson turned her passion for photography into a profession and art pursuit.  The event presents a conversation with Ms. Anderson, and light refreshments will be served in a salon-style setting in the anterooms of the foyer of the Society's headquarters on Prospect Street in Maplewood.  All are welcome.   Saturday, 7:00–9:00pm, Maplewood
• : From Highland Place: "Join us for an evening of fine cuisine and brilliant music from pianist/singer/composer Piano Man Larry Hunt and his band.  They will perform some great jazz, blues, roots rock, and New Orleans grooves. The last few times he has performed here, the place was packed so, reservations are recommended."  There is no cover charge, but there is a $20 minimum per person.  Saturday, 7:30pm–10:00pm, Maplewood
• : Presented by The American Red Cross and The Danielle Brender Fund, Inc., there is no charge for participating in this event, but pre-registration is required to attend.  Space is limited so early sign-up is encouraged.  A light breakfast with buffet luncheon will be served at no charge as well.  Sunday, 8:00am–2:00pm, Millburn
• :  A free Collage workshop for adults will be held at Maplewood 1978 Arts Center this Sunday afternoon.  The session will be led by Evelyn Graves, noted teacher and collage artist.  "Collage lends itself to spontaneity and creativity and is always fun. It's a treasure hunt for just the right pieces to fit the work. Bring some treasures with you (photos, magazine clippings, small objects, anything that can be glued down)."  Sunday, call for time, Maplewood
• : The South Orange Symphony, directed by Robert Helmacy, will present a free concert on Sunday afternoon at South Orange Middle School. The program includes Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, Wagner's "Overture to Rienzi", and Khachaturian's "Adagio from Spartacus".  A silent auction to benefit the symphony will be held during intermission.  Sunday, 3:00pm, South Orange
• Mall at Short Hills: Multiple events will be taking place at The Mall at Short Hills this weekend, including a reception for Israeli artists Sveta Esser and Alex Pauker at the Wentworth Gallery, a Pet Adoption Day with St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center at Kiehl's, and a Latin Cooking Technique Class at Williams-Sonoma.  Check the Mall's website for details on these and other activities.  All weekend, times vary, Short Hills

Coming soon:

• : February 26
• : February 26
• : February 27
• : February 27
• Artist Conversation with Eleta Caldwell, Gladys Grauer, Bisa Washington: February 27
• : February 27
• Cora Hartshorn Arboretum: Eyes of the Wild: March 3
• : March 4 and 5
• Dreamcatcher Repertory Theater: Distracted: March 4-20
• The Strollers: The Garbage Cantata: March 11-27
• The Life and Transformation of the Great American Newspaper: March 13
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Mar 16 - Apr 10
• Maplewood Restaurant Week: March 21-27
• Millburn Classic Car Show: May 15
• 5th annual Celebrate South Orange: June 11