Rock 'n' Roll, Chocolates and Specials Coming This Weekend

There's a lot going on this weekend in our area but, hopefully, it won't include any snowflakes. 

Highlights include plenty of rocking 'n' rolling with the likes of , and Richard Marx teamed with Vertical Horizon's Matt Scannell at SOPAC.  If jazz is more your mood music of choice, then catch  as they bookend  of his new book about the Chairman of the Board.  Or head to  this Thursday, celebrating Black History Month.  For classical aficionados, don't miss  as they play a selection of classical and Celtic folk favorites in honor of romance and Valentine's Day in Millburn.

Speaking of Valentine's, no one around here seems to be waiting for the official day on Monday to get their love and chocolate-filled holiday started.  on Saturday with a ton of sweets and specials from pink and brown ballooned merchants throughout the heart of town.  In South Orange, the discounts and dining specials are spread out through the entire weekend as many businesses in downtown South Orange will be offering great sales, gifts, and food specials from Saturday all the way through Monday. 

If you need to bust a move or just want to see someone else's good moves on stage, you have several excellent options this weekend.   To dance the night away yourself, head to DanceSport4You Center for  and .  To see dancing on display instead, , while our own local Maplewood Middle Schoolers put up .

Here's the big list of those events and other weekend's activities, as well as other great stuff in weekends to come:

• : Rock legend Willie Nile and special guest Christine Santelli put on a not-to-be missed show to raise funds to  help fight hunger in our community, with the evening's proceeds going to the St. Joseph's and Our Lady of Sorrows food pantries.  Donations of non-perishable food items is encouraged!  Admission is $25. Friday from 7:30-11:30 p.m., South Orange
• Richard Marx & Matt Scannell: From SOPAC: "Grammy Award winner Richard Marx and Vertical Horizon’s front man Matt Scannell perform an acoustic evening of classic hits. Richard Marx sold over 30 million albums and had thirteen #1 songs, including Endless Summer Nights, Right Here Waiting and Now and Forever. Aside from his own hit songs, Marx wrote This I Promise You by NSYNC and co-wrote Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross."  Tickets range from $65-$40.  Friday at 8 p.m., South Orange
• : From SOPAC: "Celebrate the season of love with CDDC at its 28th Season Gala Performance.  With thrilling athleticism and theatrical nuance, CDDC returns with this evening to remember."  Tickets are $30 and $25. Saturday at 8 p.m., South Orange
• : From Maplewood Village Alliance: "Spend the afternoon shopping and dining in Maplewood Village.  Just follow the pink and brown balloons to explore everything the Village has to offer and enjoy chocolate treats along the way."  Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Maplewood
• : From Words: "Hear live jazz at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. from Sarah Partridge and Band, and at 8 p.m. meet author James Kaplan as he introduces his book Frank: The Voice. An event pass buys you entrance for you and a guest, light refreshments, and a signed, hard-cover copy of the book.  Event Pass is $45.    Saturday, Maplewood
• Main Street South Orange Valentine's Day: Numerous businesses in downtown South Orange will be open and offering wonderful promotions, romantic dining, and special discounts all weekend long in celebration of Valentine's Day.  Check MSSO's list for specific merchant offers.  Saturday through Monday, South Orange
• :  From the Zen Shop: "Professional artist, jewelry designer and Reiki practitioner, Andrea Rosenfeld will be at the Zen Shop on Sunday.  Come and see Andrea's beautiful creations of lively art jewelry from gemstones, exotic wood, and precious metals.  All are welcome."  Sunday from 2-6 p.m., Short Hills
• :  Far Brook School's music faculty and distinguished guests will perform works by European masters Debussy, Chopin, Poulenc, Ravel, and Schumann and American composer Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson. The program will also feature a selection of Celtic traditional folk songs.  Suggested contribution of $20 benefits Far Brook's Instrument Fund.  Sunday at 3 p.m., Millburn
• : From Studio B: "Sick of being house-bound? Come out to the Burgdorff Center and bring the kids for a Wallace and Gromit film festival featuring: A Matter of Loaf and Death, A Close Shave, and The Wrong Trousers."  Tickets available at the door. Tickets are $5 adults and $3 kids.  Sunday at 3 p.m., Maplewood
• : From Durand-Hedden: "How does a 21st century residential architect who admires and respects … the domestic style of a century ago reconcile those traditional design themes with the modern desire for big windows, sleek design, a family room and a wall for the flat screen TV? John Ike, a noted architect and Maplewood resident ... will provide some insight into those modern-day challenges." Sunday from 1-4 p.m., Maplewood
• : Go ice skating with Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel's youth group, STISY.  Cost includes admission, skate rental, lunch and transportation.  $20 for members and $25 for non-members.  Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., South Orange
•  and : Dancesport4You Center (also known as NJ Dance Center) in Maplewood offers two nights of dancing, fun and socializing this weekend.  Saturday's event is $18 and Sunday's is for singles only and is $20.  Saturday from 8-11 p.m. / Sunday from 6-9 p.m., Maplewood
• : The MMMS kids put on their own take of the classic Tony-award winning musical about rock star Conrad Birdie and his draft into the army, a parody based on the true story of Elvis Presley's entry into the military in 1957 and the related, ensuing hysteria.  Tickets are $10.   Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. / Sunday at 2 p.m., Maplewood

Coming soon:

• : Feb. 19
• : Feb. 19
• Lakota Wolf Preserve and Cora Hartshorn Arboretum: Feb. 19
• : Feb. 19
• : Feb. 19
• : Feb. 20
• : Feb. 20
• :  Feb. 20
• : Feb. 26
• : Feb. 26
• : Feb. 27
• : Feb. 27
• Artist Conversation with Eleta Caldwell, Gladys Grauer, Bisa Washington at 1978 Arts Center: Feb. 27
• : Feb. 27
• : March 4 and 5

Donald Pun lives in Maplewood and posts the event round-up column here each weekend.   Previously, he was a regular contributor for the NY Times' Maplewood, South Orange, and Millburn Local blog section.