The Weekender: Take a Trek, Watch Some Shrek

I know we say this all the time, but really, truly, this weekend in the towns, there is something for everyone. Seriously.

If you're outdoorsy, there's a challenging hike in the Reservation. If your indoorsy, you can sort books (no kidding) at the South Orange Public Library, or see art in Millburn, or eat brunch while listening to live gospel music in Maplewood.

But I do go on. Let's get down to specifics:

More than 60 artists from northern and central New Jersey have their work on display at the Renee Foosaner Art Gallery at Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn. The juried exhibit is the summer show of the Millburn-Short Hills Arts Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the development of local artists. The show remains on view until Aug. 19. The public is invited to a free meet-the-artists reception from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 30.

At 7:30 p.m. on July 30, the Paper Mill will offer the first of three performances of "New Voices of 2010," bringing to its historic stage120 of New Jersey's most talented high school students celebrating "the songs and shows that open the doors of our imaginations." Subsequent performances of  "New Voices" will take place at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 31.

In South Orange, you can catch Dreamcatcher Junior's Hippopotamus Sandwich, a musical revue of songs, stories, and poems, performs at Baird on Fri., July 30 at 7:30p.m. and Sat., July 31 at 2p.m. All tickets cost $10. There is no charge for season passholders. To guarantee a seat, buy tickets online. The in-person box office accepts cash only. Conceived and adapted by Jessica O'Hara-Baker and Tricia Woods, with direction from Jessica O'Hara-Baker and Tricia Woods, and choreographed by Laura Ekstrand, Hippopotamus Sandwich is based on the poetry of Shel Silverstein.

If the weather remains this beautiful, you may be unable to resist the urge to go on a hike in the South Mountain Reservation on Saturday July 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The hike meets and departs from 112 Glenview Rd, South Orange, NJ 07079 (Elmdale parking lot on Brookside Drive, and is described as a "challenging four-mile trail will pass through Elmdale Trail." It will be led by Lou Nocito. Call 973- 953-7099 for more information or visit the website.

If the weather is not so lovely, you may want to join the Friends of the South Orange Public Library (FOSOPL) as they invite book lovers and heavy lifters alike to help sort some 90 boxes of donated books. From 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sat. when the library is closed, volunteers are welcome to stock the new "Book Nook," which will function as a small, second-hand bookstore and provide funds for the library. There's still room for more volunteers: if you would like to participate, please email Janyce Wolf at: friends@sopl.org.

In Maplewood, HighlandPlace will be hopping this weekend with Nat Adderley Jr. bringing jazz to the joint on Friday night, piano man Larry Hunt on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and a gospel and jazz brunch on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. (prix fixe brunch for $24; reservations needed).

The Maplewood Recreation Department and the Maplewood Pool Committee are hosting Family Fun Day at the Maplewood Community Pool on Sunday, August 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. Highlights include:

12:00 – 12:45 pm Activities & Games

1:00 – 1:45 pm Thomas Sullivan, Escape Artist & Magician

2:00 – 3:45 pm Arts & Crafts with Ms. Susan

2:00 – 4:00 pm Live Music provided by JB & Friends

Also, drawings for special prizes and food specials on an outdoor grill at the Snack Bar. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken and other picnic delights. You must be a member or be an invited guest of a member. So if you're from South Orange or Millburn, it's time to call in some favors from your Maplewood friends.

Another option for Sunday afternoon is a visit to St. James's Gate Publick House to see Cat and Fiddle Session play Irish music from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thanks to Baristanet for bringing this one to our attention!

Finally, if you are planning ahead for next week, you can get your inner ogre out on Tuesday, August 3 when South Orange holds its first-ever National Night Out (NNO) from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Flood's Hill. The event includes a public safety fair, a Kids Zone, and an outdoor showing of Shrek. Best of all, says Sheena Collum of the Citizens Public Safety Committee, the evening is free and open to the public. Read more about the event here.