Special Olympics competition held in Brookdale Park

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EARTHQUAKE’S FATHER’S DAY COMEDY SHOW COMES TO NJPAC IN NEWARK. The line-up features guest stars Donnell Rawlings, Bill Bellamy and Jessica “Jess Hilarious” Moore at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on-sale now, and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com. NJPAC is located at 1 Center St., Newark. Exhibits.

THE MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM HAS AN EXHIBITION featuring the work of Vanessa German and titled “…please imagine all the things I cannot say….” The show will run until June 25 at the museum, 3 S. Mountain Ave. in Montclair. This show will take the form of a large-scale, immersive installation of mixed media artworks and will be the artist’s first solo museum show in the New York City area. A Los Angeles native, German currently resides in rural North Carolina. She is a self-taught sculptor, painter, poet and performance artist who refers to herself as a citizen artist and is interested in art as a form of healing, protection and activism. The mostly female power figures she creates explore themes of strength, love and justice, while engaging with the complicated history of race in the United States.

THE CRANE HOUSE & HISTORIC YWCA WILL BE OPEN Tuesday, June 6 through Friday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for self-guided tours. General admission fees will be waived this week. No prior registration required. The house is located at 110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ 07042

Festivals & Fairs

SOMA BACKSTAGE READING SERIES – June 3 and June 4: The SOMA backStage Reading Series emerged from SOPAC’s Creative Community Brain Trust member Dana Spialter and her local theater company SOMA Stage. This series will present readings of new plays and musicals written by or starring South Orange and Maplewood’s (SOMA’s) theater professionals in the Loft at SOPAC. After each work’s matinee performance, audience members are invited to participate in a talkback and share their thoughts with the creative teams. This spring’s inaugural series includes readings of two new works:

New Musical: REVIVAL by Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen, Saturday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 4 at p.m. Free event, with a suggested donation of $15.

New Play: STILL by Lia Romeo, Saturday, June 3 at 3 p.m.and Sunday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. Free event, with a suggested donation of $15.

INAUGURAL LGBTQIA+ PRIDE WEEKEND AT SOPAC – June 9-June 11

In partnership with North Jersey Pride, the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents its inaugural LGBTQIA+ SOPAC Pride Weekend on Friday, June 9 – Saturday, June 11, celebrating SOMA’s robust LGBTQIA+ community. Jessica Kirson on Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m. Stand-up comedian and South Orange native Jessica Kirson won the Nightlight Award for “Best Stand Up Comedian” in New York City. Tickets starting at $27.

AKENYA on Saturday, June 10 at 8 p.m. Singersongwriter AKENYA makes her SOPAC and NJ debut. Tickets starting at $31. The Night Before Pride Party at SOPAC, Saturday, June 10 at 9 p.m. Celebrate the vibrant and passionate LGBTQIA+ community with a fabulous night of great music provided by DJ Ryan The Person. Must be 21+ to attend. Tickets starting at $30.

Tony Awards Viewing Party Sunday, June 11 at 7 p.m. Free event, with a suggested donation of $15 and required RSVP.

ON FRIDAY, JUNE 23, PULITZER PRIZE WINNER MAGGIE HABERMAN RETURNS TO SOPAC TO SPEAK about national affairs journalism and share her perspective on power and politics in Washington, D.C.

THE MONTCLAIR HISTORY CENTER WILL

GIVE A FREE ZOOM PRESENTATION ON GEORGE MARSHALL PLASKETT on June 15 at 7 p.m. Plaskett came to the U.S. as a 12-year-old orphan from the Caribbean. He began working as a bell boy at night and attending school during the day. His strong desire for education resulted in his receiving bachelor of divinity degree at age 24. Plaskett founded Trinity Episcopal Church in Montclair and many other churches. The program will be presented by Nesta Stephens, a former parishioner at Trinity Episcopal, which closed in 2007 The Zoom Meeting link is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/92938168537?pwd=T0 pGbVgxVUMwVjV0WDBMZlFkbUI0Zz09. The meeting ID is 929 3816 8537 and the passcode is 818319.

A GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF WATCHUNG PARK AND PLAZA in Montclair is scheduled for Sunday, Jun 4 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. In the early days of Montclair’s settlement, Watchung Avenue divided the Dutch farmlands of Speertown in the north end of today’s Montclair from the English farmlands of Cranetown. All that changed when the railroad came through in the late 1800s. Developers bought the farms and created business districts and housing around the new stations. This walk will take you through a turn-of-the-century business district and commuter suburb, developed between 1900 and 1930. The tour will include a special stop at the site of the new Judy Weston Garden in Watchung Park. This event is free. Reservations are required. Go to https://www.montclairhistory.org/allevents/2023/6/4/guided-walking-tour-ofwatchung-park-and-plaza

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: THIS JUST IN: LATEST DISCOVERIES IN THE UNIVERSE at NJPAC on Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. A thought-provoking evening with astrophysicist, professor, and author Neil deGrasse Tyson of the Hayden Planetarium. Tyson will discuss how a “cosmic perspective” profoundly influences what we think and feel about science, culture, politics, and life. NJPAC, Prudential Hall, 1 Center St. Newark. Tickets are $39.50 to $99.50 and are on sale now at NJPAC.org, 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office at 1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey.

NJPAC PRESENTS AVERY SUNSHINE, A PHENOMENAL SINGER TAKING NO DETOURS IN CREATING MELODIOUS MUSIC FOR THE MASSES, on Sunday, June 4, at 7 p.m. Her sound is uplifting, vibrant and, exactly as her namesake suggests, full of sunshine. She brings people together through her riveting stage performances, candid and often humorous stage banter, and optimistic anthems about love and life. Tickets can be purchased by visiting njpac.org, calling 888-4665722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

ENJOY A NIGHT OF FADO WITH HÉLDER MOUTINHO AND MARIA EMÍLIA AT NJPAC on Saturday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. The singers bring their unique stylings to the stage accompanied by expressive Portuguese guitar. Moutinho evokes love, loss and longing in his beautifully emotional vocals. The magnetic Emília, originally from Brazil, is equally adept at conveying deep melancholy and hopeful joy. Tickets can be purchased by visiting njpac.org, calling 888-466-5722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

UNDER COVER MUSIC FEST INVITES PEOPLE TO THE SLOAN STREET LOT IN SOUTH ORANGE TO ENJOY MUSIC FROM 9 COVER BANDS with no cover change, dancing, local food, beer and kids activities on June 3. This year’s exciting line-up will feature the talent of worldclass local musicians covering a diverse selection of the greatest hits from the Foo Fighters & The Pretenders (Mark Murphy’s Music Student Bands), Pearl Jam (Charlie Pollock & Friends), Rihanna (Mike Griot Presents: Vivian Sessoms), Chaka Khan (Autumn Jones), REM (South Orange Crush), Harry Styles (Misha Hankey & Mark Murphy’s Music Faculty Band), Tom Petty (Matt & The Moondogs) and Stevie Wonder (Curtis Winchester & Friends). Between sets DJ Thomas Schmid will be spinning the latest tunes to keep everyone dancing. This event is free and open to all.

SINGER-SONGWRITER MARISA MONTE, ONE OF BRAZIL’S MOST ADVENTUROUS AND INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED STARS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, will be performing at the

New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Friday, June 23, at 8 p.m. Monte is known best for her exquisite voice as well as her international popularity, yet she’s also accomplished in other realms such as songwriting, production and collaboration. Tickets can be purchased by visiting njpac.org, calling 888-466-5722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

SANTANA AT THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER on June 21. When Santana shows up with that signature Latin-blues-rock groove, you know you’re in for an electrifying experience.

TROP ROCK CONCERT WITH GARY PHILIP on June 17 at 2 p.m. in the Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St. Philip plays the genre that combines southern rock, rock, and country music and gives it a tropical feel. He covers artists from the 1950s on. The concert is free.

THE BEST OF THE EAGLES, tribute band on Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m. Founded in 2012 by world-class musicians from central New Jersey, the Best of the Eagles is more than just a tribute band. It’s a band that encapsulates the aura of one of America’s classic rock bands. Witness the magic of the Best of the Eagles at SOPAC. Tickets starting at $29.

REVOLUTIONARY WORLD MUSIC ENSEMBLE SHAKTI WILL CONTINUE TO DISCOVER AND EXPLORE THE MUSICAL COMMONGROUND BRIDGING EAST AND WEST at NJPAC on Sunday, Aug. 20, at 8 p.m. Born in the mid-1970s out of the deep artistic and spiritual connection bonding British guitarist John McLaughlin and Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain, Shakti’s cross-cultural musical conversation dissolved boundaries with passion, grace and dexterity. Today’s Shakti features: McLaughlin; Hussain; Shankar Mahadevan, vocals; Ganesh Rajagopalan, violin; and Selvaganesh Vinayakram percussion, son of original Shakti ghatam player T.H. “Vikku” Vinayakram; with special guest Béla Fleck. Tickets can be purchased by visiting njpac.org, calling 888-466-5722 or visiting the NJPAC box office at 1 Center St. in Newark.

NUTLEY — The township’s Family Service Bureau’s live music festival Rock Hunger VI returns to Old Canal Inn on Saturday, June 10.

Rock ‘n soul band The Attic, which includes Nutley resident Dave Popkin, returns for its sixth Rock Hunger concert, according to a press release from the burea, which said that the four-band lineup will also include popular Nutley natives The Sticky Wickets, punk/new wave cover band Porch Rockers, and talented local band Mother Hubbard.

The event will run from 2 to 6:30 p.m. This is an outdoor show with a rain date of June 11. A cash bar and food service will be available. The event will feature a 50/50 raffle and tricky tray. All proceeds will benefit NFSB programs and services, including the food pantry, which currently provides food to more than 200 local families. NFSB is celebrating its’ 110th anniversary in 2023.

Sponsorship packages are available. Advance ticket purchase online is recommended due to the limited capacity for this event: www.nutleyfamily.org.

Tickets for Rock Hunger VI are $25 in advance and at the door. Old Canal Inn, a local landmark established in 1934, is located at 2 East Passaic Ave., Nutley.

AN EVENING WITH NATALIE MERCHANT AS SHE BRINGS HER KEEP YOUR COURAGE TOUR TO NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 25 at 7 p.m. She began her musical career as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the pop music band 10,000 Maniacs, releasing one platinum, two double-platinum, and one triple-platinum record with the group. Merchant’s nine albums as a solo artist have a combined sales of seven million copies. Her newest album, Keep Your Courage, was just released. Tickets for Natalie Merchant are gone on sale now and can be purchased by visiting NJPAC.org or calling 888. GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office at 1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey.

PATTI LABELLE WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN NEWARK on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry. Tickets to see Patti Labelle and

Will Downing go on-sale Friday, May 19th at 10am at NJPAC.org 888. G.O.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office. Patti Labelle Ticket Link

AMERICAN THEATER GROUP WILL PRESENT “RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN” A SEARING NEW DRAMA BY SHARYN ROTHSTEIN. The show will run at JCC MetroWest in West Orange and at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge. MetroWest is located at 760 Northfield Ave. Performances will run Thursday through Saturday, June 8 to June 10 at 7 p.m. with an additional 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday the 10th. The Sieminski Theater is located at 8000 Fellowship Road in Basking Ridge. Performances will be June 15 to June 18, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for both venues can be purchased at www.americantheatergroup.org.

NUTLEY — The Nutley Public Library will host a screening and discussion of “RUST: How to Break the Chains of Poverty in U.S. Inner Cities.”

The film, by Emmy-nominated filmmakers Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno, will be shown on Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m., according to a press release from the library.

The film, which has a runtime of 86 minutes, presents the history of Rust Belt poverty, detailing industrialization and deindustrialization, racism, and mass incarceration, using the city of Newark, as a microcosm. It explores solutions to inner-city poverty through the voices of scholars, economists, physicians, activists, and the community.

The filmmakers, who often speak at global and local venues, will then lead a discussion with a question and answer period, covering the filmmaking process and their process in documenting social justice issues.

No registration is required. The program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.

For additional information, visit: https://nutleypubliclibrary.org/rust/.