Weekender: Music and Hiking in the Heat

It's going to be a hot weekend, but you can go for a hike or listen to some music outside if you want to brave the heat.

The South Mountain Conservancy is hosting hikes throughout the weekend in South Mountain Reservation. On Saturday there is a hike to Hemlock Falls at 9:30-11 a.m. Meet at the Tulip Springs area for the hike.

Sunday is another Cool of the Evening River Stroll at 6:30-8 p.m. Meet at Dogwood Hill. The group will walk at an easy pace from the stone bridge to Thistle Mill Ford where a scene in Edison's "The Great Train Robbery" was filmed. Including Painter's Point. Dogwood Hill is on the west side of Brookside Drive about .6 miles south of South Orange Avenue and 1 mile north of Glen Avenue. 

Maplewood is host to a free summer concert series starting Sunday at 5-9 p.m. in the ampitheatre at Memorial Park. The concert this Sunday will feature all local bands: the Maplewood Concert Band, Bones Unlimited and Swing Town. Bring along a picnic basket and enjoy the music at these family concerts. The rain location for Sunday's event is the community center at DeHart Park. The event is sponsored by Studio B and the Maplewood Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

Also in Maplewood, the Morrow Turnover Sale continues at Morrow Church on Ridgewood Road Saturday at 9 a.m. to noon. With the Turnover Sale still receiving new merchandise, and three days left—Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday—in which to buy it, the time to shop strategically is now.

In South Orange, things are really hopping this weekend—or should we say, tapping? Jersey Tap Fest, the first annual New Jersey tap dance festival, continues at SOPAC. The fest's big finale, a performance honoring living tap dance legend Harold 'Stumpy' Cromer is Saturday at 7 p.m.

Thanks to Main Street South Orange and the Village of South Orange, locals can also enjoy music al fresco at the Downtown after Sundown concert Saturday at 8-10:30 p.m. at Spiotta Park And Sloan Street. The Kludge will be at Sloan Street and the David Easton Bad will be at Spiotta Park. These events are free. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket.

At Seton Hall University you can enjoy summer theater-in-the-round with a performance of "Mystery Play" by Jean-Claude Van Itallie on Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday performance is at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Location is 400 S. Orange Avenue in the Bishop Dougherty University Center.