Out and About in Central New Jersey

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Summer Reading Programs Start Next Week …sign up–earn prizes and keep your reading skills sharp and attend lots of fun programs all summer long.

@ The Bridgewater Library

Our Summer Reading Clubs will begin on Monday June 20th. Read, Win Prizes, and Attend Lots of Fun Programs this Summer!

The week of June 20th is also the last week of our regularly scheduled spring programming schedule: Storytime (For Ages 3-6, siblings welcome) Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. Second session at 1:30pm.

Toddler Time (For Ages 18 months-36 months) Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m.

Baby Time (For ages birth - 18 months) Thursdays 9:30 a.m.

Pajama Time (all ages) Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. (PJs optional)

No Registration Required for any of these. Join us for stories, songs, movement and fun!

SCLSNJ is out on the town Friday, June 24! Visit our table on from 5-8 p.m. on Division St. in Somerville during Cruise Night to play video games, listen to story times, sign up for the summer reading club and have a chance to win prizes. Learn more.

Click HERE to register for these programs.

TWEENS & TEENS:

Programs for the Whole Family (all ages welcome) – Click on the Program to register.

Summer Blast Off Party on June 22, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at SCLSNJ's Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch
Game Fest on July 16, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at SCLSNJ's Warren Township Library branch
Turtle Dance Music Presents The Head-to-Toe Movement Show on July 19, 7-7:45 p.m. at SCLSNJ's North Plainfield Memorial Library branch
Drone Demonstration on July 20, 10-11:30 a.m. at SCLSNJ's Peapack & Gladstone Library branch

For Children and Teens/Tweens

Snakes 'n Scales presents Animal Diets: You are WHO you eat! (Grades K-5) on July 14, 3-3:45 p.m. at SCLSNJ's Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch
Chess Workshop (Entering grades 2+) on July 19, 6-7:30 p.m. at SCLSNJ's Peapack & Gladstone Library branch
Insectropolis presents: Bugs on the Go (Ages 5+) on July 20, 2-2:40 p.m. at SCLSNJ's Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch
Play Hard, Eat Smart (Ages 4-8) on July 22, 10:30-11:15 a.m. at SCLSNJ's Somerville Library branch
Piccirillo Sciencetellers Presents: Power & Energy (Entering grades K-5) on July 28, 3-3:45 p.m. at SCLSNJ's Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch

Around the Community:

KIDS ARE FREE AT THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY PERFORMANCE OF “THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged)(revised)” AT THE OUTDOOR STAGE

WHEN: beginning on June 22nd and continuing through July 31s; Tuesdays through Sundays at 8:00 pm, with a special twilight performance on Sundays at 4:30 pm
WHERE: The Greek amphitheatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth, is conveniently located at 2 Convent Road, off Madison Avenue (Rt. 124) in Morris Township, just minutes from Routes 287, 78, and 10. TICKETS: call the box office at 973.408.5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org online. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group discounts.

Pack a picnic, pack up the family, and enjoy Shakespeare under the stars!

Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Outdoor Stage production of The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (abridged)(revised).

Back by popular demand, three wild and crazy actors will take you on an irreverent, madcap romp through Shakespeare’s entire canon. Featuring some new surprises since our last production in 2008, this is a terrific show to introduce Shakespeare to young people, and a hilarious spoof that appeals to audiences of all ages — from Bardophiles to Bardophobes! As always, picnicking under the stars with family and friends makes for a delightful evening where art, nature, and the ancient tradition of outdoor theatre all come together!

This year, the Theatre is excited to announce young people 18 and under go for free thanks to generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Take a virtual tour! The Google Tour program is made possible in part by support from Kessler Foundation, in partnership with the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

Pay-What-You-Can Performance: The first preview performance on Wednesday, June 22, at 8:00 p.m., offers an opportunity for reduced-price tickets, as an incentive to first-time theatergoers and/or those who would otherwise not be able to afford a night at the theatre -- pay what you are able for that evening’s 8:00 p.m. preview performance. Offer is subject to availability. Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 for details.

The Outdoor Stage is also generously supported by Bank of America. A partner of The Outdoor Stage since 2004, their committed and generous support has helped make The Shakespeare Theatre’s Outdoor Stage a hallmark of the summer season in the region. Bank of America customers can obtain tickets for the Outdoor Stage at the great price of $25 by using code “BOFA” for online sales and/or with the presentation of their bank cards at the box office. For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Nestled into the hillside on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth, this stone and grass amphitheatre has been a popular performance space since its creation in 1932. Surrounded by a large lawn, the amphitheatre is ideal for picnicking before the show. Audience members may bring their own food and beverages, or purchase snacks and soft drinks on-site. Patrons are encouraged to bring either a low-backed beach chair or picnic blanket to sit on. Higher-backed beach chairs are allowed in the top rows of the theatre. Seating at The Outdoor Stage is general admission.

CAMP OUT OVERNIGHT @ SUNRISE LAKE BEACH: JUNE 24

www.morrisparks.net

morrisparks.net

IMPROV CLASSES OFFERED FOR KIDS @ DREAMCATCHER REP THIS SUMMER

Registration ends June 30th for Summer Theatre Conservatory!

Dreamcatcher's Summer Theatre Conservatory has been redesigned for the summer of 2016 as a three-week theatre experience in Summit, NJ. We have combined the best of our conservatory, where students build skills and study with theatre professionals in a variety of subjects, with our beloved Dreamcatcher Junior program, where the students create and perform their own play. read more

Why should kids get all the fun? IMPROV COMEDY for Adults & Teens

Level 1- Thursdays, June 30 - August 4, 2016
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm (six weeks)
Level 1 is for those who have not yet taken Improv with Lulu French.
Level 2- Tuesdays, June 28 - August 2, 2016
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm (six weeks)
Level 2 is for those who have already taken Improv with Lulu French. Read more...

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Late-breaking Addition: Teen Book Festival at Barnes & Noble this Weekend

B-Fest Teen Book Festival, here we come!

b-fest

Barnes & Noble is hosting B-Fest, the first ever nationwide Teen Book Festival, a three-day event over the weekend of June 10 – June 12^thcelebrating all the best young adult literature has to offer.

This is going to be the biggest weekend of author events in Barnes & Noble history, including not just signings but trivia, exciting sweepstakes, giveaways (while supplies last), and more. Be the first to sample upcoming teen novels, take part in games, and discover great new reads. Follow along with the fun at #BFestBuzz! More information about the nationwide event can be found here: Barnes & Noble B-Fest.

New Jersey YA authors Marlo Berliner and Brynn Chapman will be part of the festivities! They will giving a workshop for teens at three Barnes and Noble stores in NJ!

“CONNECTING TEENS TO THE EXCITING WORLD OF PUBLISHING”

Workshop- presented by YA authors Marlo Berliner (The Ghost Chronicles) and Brynn Chapman (Boneseeker and The Requiem Red). This event is a must for any teen who dares call themselves an avid reader or fan of YA!
Marlo and Brynn will discuss how teens can discover the hottest new young adult books, receive content tailored specifically to their preferences, access exclusive excerpts and giveaways, and connect with their favorite authors online in a variety of new and exciting ways. Marlo and Brynn will also discuss how teens can begin writing and sharing their own fan fiction, flash fiction, poetry and short stories. The door to the publishing world is more open to teens than ever before, Marlo and Brynn will be here to help lead them through it!

They will be at Bridgewater on Friday:

7:00 PM Friday, June 10^th Barnes and Noble in Bridgewater, NJ.

Somerset Shopping Center
319 Route 202/206
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
908-526-7425

RSVP: Bridgewater Event

If you miss that, they will be at these locations during the weekend:

1:00 PM Saturday, June 11^th Barnes and Noble in Hamilton, NJ.

The Hamilton Marketplace
425 Marketplace Boulevard
Hamilton, NJ 08691
609-581-2523

RSVP: Hamilton Event

11:00 – 2:00 PM Sunday, June 12^th Barnes and Noble in Freehold, NJ.

3981 US Hwy 9
Freehold, NJ 07728
732-409-2929

RSVP: Freehold Event

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Stock up on Children’s Books Today (Wednesday) in Basking Ridge. Create Prehistoric Cave Paintings at Bridgewater Library next Monday and Lego Structures on Thursday. Attend a Civil War Reinactment in Morristown or a Live-Action “Where the Wild Things Are” in Redbank.

@ Bridgewater Library

Our Summer Reading Club will begin on Monday June 20th. Read, Win Prizes, and Attend Lots of Fun Programs at the Library this Summer!

Want to stock up your own bookshelves for summer reading?

BOOKSALE AT THE BASKING RIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER

Lots of fun programs for kids and teens at the Bridgewater Library this month – check us out!

Storytime (For Ages 3-6, siblings welcome) Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. Second session at 1:30pm.

Toddler Time (For Ages 18 months-36 months) Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m.

Baby Time (For ages birth - 18 months) Thursdays 9:30 a.m.

Pajama Time (all ages) Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. (PJs optional)

No Registration Required for any of these. Join us for stories, songs, movement and fun!

Click HERE to register for these programs.

Around the Community:

Somerset County Tourism

June 10-12, 2016 Somerset County Events! Join The Mailing List

1. Rose Day Festival, Colonial Park Gardens
2. Flag Day Festival, Downtown Somerville
3. Big Tree Hike, Duke Farms
4. Maggiano's Masterpieces, Maggiano's Little Italy Bridgewater
5. Beryllium Quintet in Concert, Wagner Farm Arboretum
6. Make Your Own Corn Husk Doll, Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum
7. Paca Picnic, Bluebird Farm Alpacas
8. Spring Adult Horse Show, Lord Stirling Stable
9. Open Space Nature Walks, Negri-Nepote Grassland Preserve
10. Garden Social, EEC- Basking Ridge

Check the full calendar of events!

morrisparks.net

NEW BLOCK OF TIX FOR “WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE” RELEASED BY TWO RIVER THEATER

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW! Approximate running time: 60 minutes

WHERE: Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701 732.345.1400 tworivertheater.org info@trtc.org TICKETS: $25

Sail along with Max to the land of the Wild Things. Adapted from the beloved classic, the audience helps to transform Max’s bedroom into the various landscapes of his adventures from a rolling ocean to a forest.

The audience then becomes the Wild Things as we are each given a mask and encouraged to “let the Wild Rumpus start!” This Award-Winning, internationally acclaimed production is an intimate “guided play” experience for kids ages 3 to 7 and their adults.

Tickets at Playhouse22.org

Make Your Own Corn Husk Doll with Holly Doyle @ Jacobus Vanderveer House and Museum Tickets
Sunday, June 12th
Workshop I at 1 p.m. | Workshop II at 3 p.m.

Perfect activity for scouting troops!

For centuries, corn was the staple grain of the Americas and sustained generations of indigenous people. Every part of the ear was used – from making rope and fill for pillows, to children’s toys and rituals. During Colonial times, when mothers and daughters husked corn for the family meal, they saved the husks and made their own dolls, often adorned with remnants of clothing. Learn how to create your own corn husk doll.

Must be 8 or older to participate. Limited to 15 children per workshop. Pre-registration required. Admission: Adults $10 per person; Children 8 years of age or older $5 per person; Children 7 and Under Free. Register on-line here. Museum open for tours to the general public from 1 – 4 p.m. $10 Admission. Children 12 and Under Free.

GPS Directions: enter 3055 River Road, Bedminster, NJ (enter through River Road Park)

Looking for more fun ideas to do with your family? Take a look at: “MOMMY POPPINS-NJ”, “FREE FAMILY FUN NJ” and FUN LINKS FOR FAMILIES -- EVENT LISTINGS (see list on the right side of the blog).

Let Your Fingers Do More Walking –

Important read... for parents of daughters & sons!

The Problem with 'Boys Will Be Boys' excusing “boy behavior” can lead to discounting the need for girls’ consent – including rape…

14 Books That Connect Students With Valuable Scientists’ Struggles

By Deborah Farmer Kris

Teens who read about the personal and intellectual struggles of scientists feel more motivated to learn science. That was the finding of a recent study out of Teachers College, Columbia University and the University of Washington.

Why? Many high school students view scientific ability as a fixed trait that is not responsive to effort. As the researchers wrote: “When students struggle in science classes, they may misperceive their struggle as an indication that they are not good at science and will never succeed.” When students learn about how even famous scientists struggled, they began to see that learning and growing from setbacks is part of a successful professional journey. Read MORE

And related:

Practice Makes Possible: What We Learn By Studying Amazing Kids Heard on All Things Considered

June is Jumping–Music & Art at the Library plus theater, history and more in our community. New Research: “Talent” vs. “Practice” & the subtle danger in the message: “Boys Will Be Boys!”

@ Bridgewater Library

Lots of fun programs for kids and teens at the library this month – check us out!

Storytime (For Ages 3-6, siblings welcome) Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. Second session at 1:30pm.

Toddler Time (For Ages 18 months-36 months) Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m.

Baby Time (For ages birth - 18 months) Thursdays 9:30 a.m.

Pajama Time (all ages) Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. (PJs optional)

No Registration Required for any of these. Join us for stories, songs, movement and fun!

Click HERE to register for these programs.

Around the Community:

MIDDLESEX COUNTY VOCATIONAL & TECHNICAL SCHOOLS TO PRESENT “STEAM PLAYS PROJECT”

STEAM PLAYS PROJECT
a collection of plays inspired by science, technology, engineering,
arts, and mathematics

Magnet Arts School performances developed in collaboration with Princeton’s McCarter Theatre Center and NJIT’s Theatre Program

WHEN: June 2nd through 4th, and June 9th through 11th at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Middlesex County Vocational Technical School auditorium, 112 Rues Lane, East Brunswick
TICKETS: Pre-sale tickets can be purchased by contactingmcvtstheatre@gmail.com, $15 for adults and $5 for students.
Tickets at the door are $17 for adults and $7 for students. Teachers and administrators K through 12 are free.
The show will run approximately two hours with intermission.
Free parking at the venue.

Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools The STEAM Plays Project is a collection of performances developed and created by the students at MCVTS Theatre, in collaboration with McCarter Theatre Center and NJIT Theatre Program. The students spent the 2015-2016 school year exploring individual senses of identity and creating pieces inspired by
and developed with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) tools and ideas. By adding “Arts” to the STEM equation, a “STEAM”-powered way of thinking emerges.

Four original pieces will premiere in this production:

All Possibilities As True, written by guest artist Jessica Dickey, forces a bunch of teenagers to face their greatest fears during a during a quantum mechanics lecture in their physics classroom.

Packing, by MCVTS Junior Michael Villanueva, deals with the friction between two friends when one of them has to move to a predominantly white suburb.

Support Group for Weirdos, written by guest artist Nathan Alan Davi, is a dark comedy of three high school outcasts who band together with the help of a prosthetic arm.

ID is a devised piece of theatre created by the sophomore and junior students that explores personal disconnection, fears, and aspirations surrounding the idea of America.

The pieces will feature four projectors, a live camera feed, kinect technology, robotics, movable lights, and wearable tech, all of it developed by students under the guidance of several resident artists.

morrisparks.net

SEUSSICAL AND HENRY & MUDGE COMING SOON AT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE

SEUSSICAL Saturday, June 11, 2016, at 10AM
Theatreworks USA For ages 5 & up

WHERE: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn
TICKETS: All tickets are only $12.75.
Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org.

A SPECIAL AUTISM-FRIENDLY PRESENTATION

HENRY AND MUDGE Sunday, June 12, 2016, at 10AM Theatreworks USA For ages 4 & up

An Autism-Friendly Performance planned in cooperation with the Paper Mill Autism Advisory Team. “Meet Your Seat” Open House Friday, June 10, 2016, 4:00 – 6:00 pm

BRING THE KIDS TO RED BANK TO SEE “WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE”—TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR LIMITED RUN

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!

WHERE: Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701 732.345.1400 tworivertheater.org info@trtc.org

Looking for more fun ideas to do with your family? Take a look at: “MOMMY POPPINS-NJ”, “FREE FAMILY FUN NJ” and FUN LINKS FOR FAMILIES -- EVENT LISTINGS (see list on the right side of the blog).

Let Your Fingers Do More Walking –

Important read... for parents of daughters & sons!

The Problem with 'Boys Will Be Boys' excusing “boy behavior” can lead to discounting the need for girls’ consent – including rape…

KATEELLIOTTSFF.TUMBLR.COM

For months, every morning when my daughter was in preschool, I watched her construct an elaborate castle out of blocks, colorful plastic discs, bits of rope, ribbons and feathers, only to have the same little boy gleefully destroy it within…

14 Books That Connect Students With Valuable Scientists’ Struggles

By Deborah Farmer Kris

And related:

Practice Makes Possible: What We Learn By Studying Amazing Kids

Heard on All Things Considered

"Talent" comic by LA Johnson

LA Johnson/NPR

What made Mozart great? Or Bobby Fischer? Or Serena Williams?

The answer sits somewhere on the scales of human achievement. On one side: natural talent. On the other: hard work. Many would argue that success hangs in some delicate balance between them. But not Anders Ericsson.

Ericsson has spent decades studying the power of practice, and in his new book, Peak: Secrets From The New Science Of Expertise, co-authored with Robert Pool, he argues that "talent" is often a story we tell ourselves to justify our own failure or to protect children from the possibility of failure. Read MORE

Out and About in Central New Jersey

Welcome to our Online Newsletter and Virtual Bulletin Board!

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Summer Reading Programs Start Next Week …sign up–earn prizes and keep your reading skills sharp and attend lots of fun programs all summer long.

KIDS ARE FREE AT THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY PERFORMANCE OF “THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged)(revised)” AT THE OUTDOOR STAGE

CAMP OUT OVERNIGHT @ SUNRISE LAKE BEACH: JUNE 24

IMPROV CLASSES OFFERED FOR KIDS @ DREAMCATCHER REP THIS SUMMER

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Late-breaking Addition: Teen Book Festival at Barnes & Noble this Weekend

B-Fest Teen Book Festival, here we come!

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Stock up on Children’s Books Today (Wednesday) in Basking Ridge. Create Prehistoric Cave Paintings at Bridgewater Library next Monday and Lego Structures on Thursday. Attend a Civil War Reinactment in Morristown or a Live-Action “Where the Wild Things Are” in Redbank.

NEW BLOCK OF TIX FOR “WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE” RELEASED BY TWO RIVER THEATER

Looking for more fun ideas to do with your family? Take a look at: “MOMMY POPPINS-NJ”, “FREE FAMILY FUN NJ” and FUN LINKS FOR FAMILIES -- EVENT LISTINGS (see list on the right side of the blog).

14 Books That Connect Students With Valuable Scientists’ Struggles

Practice Makes Possible: What We Learn By Studying Amazing Kids Heard on All Things Considered

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

June is Jumping–Music & Art at the Library plus theater, history and more in our community. New Research: “Talent” vs. “Practice” & the subtle danger in the message: “Boys Will Be Boys!”

Looking for more fun ideas to do with your family? Take a look at: “MOMMY POPPINS-NJ”, “FREE FAMILY FUN NJ” and FUN LINKS FOR FAMILIES -- EVENT LISTINGS (see list on the right side of the blog).

14 Books That Connect Students With Valuable Scientists’ Struggles

Practice Makes Possible: What We Learn By Studying Amazing Kids