Brrrr! It’s the weekend and it’s time to warm up with all the kinds of fun activities that North Jersey has to offer.
There’s always live music to help turn up the heat, with the Kootz in Closter, a Seattle grunge tribute in Teaneck, Peabo Bryson at BergenPAC, Shaky Moon in Lake Hopatcong, Rhyme or Reason in Ramsey, Venom Inc. and more metal in Clifton, the Light of Day songwriter showcase in Montclair, and a Genesis tribute in Newton.
The Lunar New Year is upon us and you can celebrate with performances at the Garden State Plaza and NJPAC. If you like games, there’s Board Game Night in Rutherford and TV-themed bingo in Millburn. Plus, you can learn about Yiddish film music, laugh with Laurie Kilmartin, check out Monster Jam motorsports at Prudential Center, go to a workshop about stress in children, witness a K-pop dance competition at American Dream, participate in maple sugaring in Tenafly and Chatham, enjoy magic and comedy with Kevin Lane at HacPAC, have a few beers out in the cold in Denville, watch the football games in the Meadowlands, or see Snooki and Joey in Montclair.
There’s so much to do, so forget the cold and enjoy the weekend!
Weather forecast for Jan. 23 to Jan. 26
According to the National Weather Service:
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Thursday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high around 30. Mostly clear at night with a low in the teens.Friday: Sunny, with a high around 30. Mostly clear at night, with a low approaching 10.Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 30. Mostly cloudy at night, with a low in the mid-20s.Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high around 40. Mostly cloudy at night, with a low in the mid-20s.
Board Game Night in Rutherford
This weekly casual gathering in the Atrium of the 100-year old Williams Center is centered around playing contemporary board games of various types. All are welcome to bring a game and friends on Thursday evening. Explore old and new games. If can play-test a game that you are creating and get some feedback on your project. More than 50 games are available.
Go: Board Game Night at the Williams Center, 15 Sylvan St., Rutherford. 7 p.m. Thursdays. Free. williamscenter.co.
Mrs. Roper Bingo night in Millburn
Come and knock on our door … we’ve been waiting for you!
Get ready for a night of nostalgia and fun at the Carriage House on Thursday. Dust off your favorite caftans for this evening of bingo with a twist, as numbers are called with a “Three’s Company” flair. Plus, you can dance the night away to yacht rock hits. Prizes await lucky winners. Dressing in costume is highly encouraged, so grab your best friends, channel your inner Mrs. Roper and prepare for a night of laughter, bingo, fun and performances.
Go: Mrs. Roper Bingo night at the Carriage House, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn. 7 p.m. Thursday; doors open at 6. $25 ticket includes four bingo cards; additional cards available for $10. A separate two-item food and beverage minimum applies. my.papermill.org
The Kootz in Closter
The Kootz bring an acoustic version of their self-described “rock and roll with fiber” to the Stern and Bow on Thursday evening.
Go: The Kootz at the Stern and Bow, 171 Schraalenburgh Road, Closter. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday. 201-750-3350. thekootz.com
‘Music of the Yiddish Silver Screen’ in Teaneck
Eve Sicular, bandleader and drummer for both Isle of Klezbos and Metropolitan Klezmer, will presents a lecture diving into the soundtracks of Yiddish films on Friday at the Puffin Cultural Forum. Her multimedia array will feature such clips as the tenement wedding scene in “Uncle Moses,” a coming-out tango from “Americaner Schadchen,” a lovelorn lament from “The Dybbuk,” and Molly Picon’s swinging theme song from “Mamele,” all of which her bands have also adapted into their own arrangements.
Using her experiences as a film archivist for Yivo Institute, curatorial staffer for MoMA’s Yiddish cinema retrospective, “Bridge of Light,” and film programmer for Yiddish New York Festival, she will also share footage from movie sources including a melange of Socialist credo and dialect humor; a glimpse of Soviet Yiddish star Solomon Mikhoels in a musical comedy; and a Polish operatic subtext for a Moishe Oysher lullaby, among other insights.
Go: “Music of the Yiddish Silver Screen” at Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck. 7 p.m. Friday. $10 suggested donation. Visit puffinculturalforum.org for tickets (or call 201-836-3499 by 5 p.m. Jan. 23). Those who cannot pay the suggested donation should call or write to aortega@puffinfoundation.org.
Laurie Kilmartin in Rutherford
The “Conan” staff writer is headlining four shows with her dark comedy at Bananas Comedy Club on Friday and Saturday. Kilmartin’s 2024 stand-up special was named one of the best stand-up releases of the year by NPR’s “Bullseye.”
The Emmy-nominated and WGA award-winning writer has also written for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, “The Late Late Show” and “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn.” Her standup special, “45 Jokes About My Dead Dad,” made Vulture’s list of Top Ten Comedy Specials of 2016. She has also written two books, “Dead People Suck” and the New York Times bestseller, “Sh*tty Mom.” She and fellow comic Jackie Kashian host a podcast about standup comedy.
Go: Laurie Kilmartin at Bananas Comedy Club, Renaissance Hotel, 801 Rutherford Ave., Rutherford. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $24 to $40. bananascomedyclub.com, 201-727-1090.
Monster Jam at Prudential Center
Action-packed motorsports return to Newark with four high-octane shows at the Rock.
Go: Monster Jam at the Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $20 to $147.
Grunge is Not Dead – A Tribute Night to Seattle Grunge in Teaneck
This concert at Debonair Music Hall on Friday will feature Lounge Act (tribute to Nirvana), Oceans (Pearl Jam tribute) and Jar of Flies (tribute to Alice in Chains). The show will also feature an opening set by Holzli, a New Jersey band that writes its own music, influenced by Hendrix, Bowie, Soundgarden, Incubus, St. Vincent and Bill Withers.
Go: Grunge is Not Dead – A Tribute Night to Seattle Grunge at Debonair Music Hall, 1409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck. 7:30 p.m. Friday; doors open at 7. $15 in advance; $20 day of show. debonairmusichall.com
Peabo Bryson at Bergen Performing Arts Center
The two-time Grammy Award-winner brings his 50th Anniversary Tour to Englewood on Friday. He has 20 albums to his credit and was the first artist to have separate records topping four different charts. His songs include “I’m So into You,” “Reaching for the Sky,” “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” with Roberta Flack, “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle from the “Aladdin” soundtrack.
Go: Peabo Bryson at BergenPAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood. 8 p.m. Friday. $49 to $99. ticketmaster.com, 201-227-1030.
Shaky Moon Band in Lake Hopatcong
This Northwest New Jersey band will play ’70s and ’80s classic rock at the Beacon on Lake Hopatcong on Friday evening.
Go: Shaky Moon Band at the Beacon, 453 River Styx Road, Hopatcong. 8 to 11:30 p.m. Friday. thebeaconlh.com.
Rhyme or Reason to perform in Ramsey
The classic rock band from Hillsdale will play rock, dance, funk and pop music at the Shannon Rose on Friday night.
Go: Rhyme or Reason at the Shannon Rose, 1200 State Route 17, Ramsey. 9 p.m. to midnight Friday. 201-962-7602. theshannonrose.com, facebook.com
Guiding Children in the Modern Age – workshop in Roseland
Join Dr. Daniel Atkins for a 90-minute workshop on Saturday morning at the Essex County Environmental Center on the origins of stress in the body and how this is manifesting in the chronically online modern age. Parents, teachers, caregivers and others who work with children are invited to share their struggles connecting to kids. Dr. Atkins explores topics of the mind-body connection, intimacy in relationships and rediscovering authenticity beyond social conditioning. Following the discussion, he invites participants into an optional guided meditation.
Go: Guiding Children in the Modern Age at Essex County Environmental Center Garibaldi Hall, 621A Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland. 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The workshop is free; participants are welcome to donate to the nonprofit Essex County Parks Foundation. Register at my.hornblower.com.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Garden State Plaza
Ring in the Year of the Snake with a Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday in Paramus, welcoming good fortune and happiness. Watch traditional dances come to life in a display of skill and culture with dragon and lion dance performances, enjoy musical and dance showcases that celebrate Asian traditions, and take part in interactive experiences and family-friendly crafts.
Go: Lunar New Year Celebration in the Family Entertainment Court (near Entrance 11 and Planet Playskool) at Garden State Plaza in Paramus. 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Free, but RSVP is required. westfield.com. 201-843-2121.
The 6th Aland K-Pop Dance Competition at American Dream
This competition, on Saturday afternoon in East Rutherford, brings together K-Pop dance teams for a showcase of talent and creativity. The event is hosted by Aland, a Korea-based fashion store located in the mall.
Go: The 6th Aland K-Pop Dance Competition on the Dream Stage, Court A, Level 1 at American Dream in East Rutherford. 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. americandream.com
Maple Sugaring Demos in Chatham and Tenafly
Visit the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center on Saturday or Sunday to learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap and make real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. Finish with a syrup taste test. This program will be held indoors and outdoors, so dress for the weather. Syrup will be available for purchase, while supplies last.
Go: Maple Sugaring Demo at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham Township. 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $6. Ages 6 and older. Advance registration is required – visit morrisparks.net or call 973-635-6629.
On Sundays through April 16, at Tenafly Nature Center, learn how to identify a maple tree and discover the history of syrup making and how technology has changed the way sap is gathered over the centuries. The group will check the TNC’s tapped tree and boil down sap to make fresh, warm maple syrup, a sweet treat for all to taste. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress warmly as the program will take place indoors and outdoors.
Go: Maple sugaring at Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday. Rain or shine. $8 for members; $12 for non-members; free for children under 2. No strollers. Space is limited and advance registration is required.
Venom Inc., Salem’s Childe, Mourning, Gersey Deoful in Clifton
Venom Inc. started officially in 2015 with the reunion of three members of the “Prime Evil” era of black metal band Venom. The current group, with two of those members – Jeff “Mantas” Dunn and Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan – along with Marc “JXN” Jackson and Curran “Beleth” Murphy, will perform at Dingbatz on Saturday.
Also on the bill are Salem’s Childe, an Indiana band that plays a mix of thrash, groove, prog and modern hard rock; Mourning, a New Jersey blackened death metal band; and Gersey Deoful, a Satanic black metal band, also from New Jersey.
Go: Venom Inc. at Dingbatz, 620 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. 7 p.m. Saturday. $25 in advance; $30 day of show. All ages; 21+ to drink. dingbatzlive.com
Light of Day WinterFest – Songwriters in the Round
Willie Nile, Jake Thistle, Williams Honor, Adam Ezra, Joe D’Urso, Danielia Cotton, John Caspi, Amanda Cross & Derek Cruz, Rick Winowski, and Deni Bonet & Chris Flynn will take the stage Saturday at Outpost In The Burbs in Montclair for this event for the Light of Day Foundation.
The show is part of a multi-venue event (other performances take place in Asbury Park, Red Bank and New York City) to raise money and awareness for its continuing quest to end Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and progressive supranuclear palsy within our lifetime. This is the 25th Winterfest for Light of Day.
Go: Light of Day Winterfest at Outpost in the Burbs, First Congregational Church, 40 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $35 in advance; $40 day of show; $80 VIP (plus fees). lightofDay.org, outpostintheburbs.org
New Jersey Symphony: 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration at NJPAC
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at this evening of community and cultural exchange, appropriate for families and children, on Saturday evening in Newark. Music director Xian Zhang, pianist Min Kwon, the Peking University Alumni Chorus and the Starry Arts Children’s Choir (directed by Rebecca Shen) all return for this joyous concert.
Go: New Jersey Symphony: 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark. $29 to $89. njpac.org
‘Magic & Comedy’ at Hackensack Performing Arts Center
Bergen County resident Kevin Lane is a magician, illusionist, and mentalist who has performed all over the world. With more than 36 years of experience in his art, he brings his witty humor and spellbinding magic to HacPAC on Saturday evening. Along with special guests Rocco Silvano and Rich Vos, he has put this show together to honor some of the greatest magicians the world has known. Having been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, he is performing this event as a tribute to the magicians and friends recently lost. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the American Cancer Society, to help end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Go: “Magic & Comedy” at HacPAC, 102 State St., Hackensack. 8 p.m. Saturday; doors open at 7. $106.49. www.hacpac.org
The Genesis Show: 1976 Trick of the Tail Tour at Newton Theatre
After performing the 1980 Duke Tour for the last three years, The Genesis Show returns to Newton Theatre with the 1976 A Trick of the Tail Tour. It features Peter Gabriel-era songs like “Supper’s Ready,” “Firth of Fifth,” “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway,” “Cinema Show” and more. It also showcases the start of the Phil Collins era and songs such as “Dance On A Volcano,” “Entangled,” and “Squonk.”
Go: The Genesis Show: 1976 Trick of the Tail Tour at the Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St. 8 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. $39 to $49, additional fees may apply. skypac.org
Polar Beer Club at Diamond Spring Brewing in Denville
Pop by for a beer anytime during the weekly Sunday afternoon meetup at the brewery. Relax in the garden with a beer in your hand, an Adirondack chair beneath you, a warm blanket on your lap, and $2 off pints with a dedicated beertender for the group during the meetup. Grab your fluffy coat and ski pants and join the club weekly all winter. Hang out with friends, meet new people, even bring your dog — and just for fun, receive a 2025 Polar Beer Club Member’s-Only pin and bragging rights if you attend at least six meetups this season.
Go: Polar Beer Club at Diamond Spring Brewing, 50 Broadway, Denville. 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays through March 30. New members must visit https://idyllic-morning-104.myflodesk.com/polarbeer to register.
Watch playoff football at Meadowlands Racetrack
Sunday’s NFC and AFC conference championship games are streaming on the giant screens at FanDuel Sportsbook; and at the Lounge, with a central bar, table service and a variety of seating options. Those over age 21 can place wagers with a teller or at a self-service machine. The Washington Commanders take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the afternoon and the Buffalo Bills play the Kansas City Chiefs in the evening.
Go: NFL football streaming at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. Sunday. Commanders vs. Eagles at 3 p.m.; Bills vs. Chiefs at 6:30. playmeadowlands.com
‘It’s Happening with Snooki & Joey Live’ at the Wellmont Theater
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, from MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” will be in Montclair on Sunday to spill the tea with her best squirrel friend, makeup artist Joey Camasta, These hot messes will be talking celeb gossip, hot topics and, of course, getting way too personal. This is a live show for a podcast hosted by Snooki and Camasta. They started their podcast in 2017 and they have put out more than 200 episodes. They discuss everything from music and social media to their own professional and personal adventures. The podcast has a 4.8 star rating on Apple Podcasts with more than 4,000 ratings.
Go: “It’s Happening with Snooki & Joey Live” at the Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St., Montclair. 8 p.m. Sunday; doors open at 7. $35 to $84. wellmonttheater.com
