ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Art

THE CRAFTMORRISTOWN CELEBRATION OF HANDMADE ARTISTRY with local and regional artisans presenting their finest creations will be held Dec. 1 through Dec. 3. Hours are Friday, Dec. 1, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $11; seniors and veterans are $9; children under 16 are free. Discount admission coupons are available at www.artrider.com. CraftMorristown is indoors and features a cafe on site and free parking. The Morristown Armory is located at 430 Western Ave. in Morristown.

GIANTS, DRAGONS & UNICORNS: THE WORLD OF MYTHIC CREATURES, an exhibition that traces the natural and cultural roots of some of the world’s most exciting mythic creatures, will be on display through Feb. 25, 2024 at Kean University, in the Liberty Hall Academic Center Gallery, 1003 Morris Ave., Building 2, Union, New Jersey. Visit galleries.kean.edu for more information.

Comedy

THE LUNATIC FRINGE IMPROV TROUPE

TAKES THE STAGE at the Glen Ridge Train Station at 8 p.m. on Dec. 2. Tickets are $12 at the door, but with a reservation, admission is only $10. Cash only. For reservations, call (973) 429-1527.The Glen Ridge Train Station is located at 228 Ridgewood Ave.

“THIS IS IMPORTANT LIVE”; ADAM DEVINE, ANDERS HOLM, BLAKE ANDERSON, AND KYLE NEWACHECK (CO-CREATORS AND “STARS” OF “WORKAHOLICS”) dive deep into serious discussions about some of the most important topics facing our society today such as grown men fighting children, diarrhea, naked grandmas, and more. Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage, 1 Center St., Newark. Tickets are $39.50 to $69.50. Reserve tickets by visiting NJPAC.org or calling 888. GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office.

CARLOS BALLARTA, STAR COMEDIAN

FROM MEXICO, comes to NJPAC on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at 7 p.m. Victoria Theater, Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch Stage, 1 Center St., Newark. Tickets are $39.50 to $69.50 and can be purchased by visiting NJPAC.org or calling 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office.

JONATHAN VAN NESS BRINGS HIS FUN & SLUTTY TOUR TO NJPAC on Friday, Feb. 2 at 8 p.m., Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage, One Center St., Newark. Tickets are $39.50 - $129.50 at www.njpac.org.

VALENTINE’S COMEDY SHOW WITH BILL BELLAMY and RADIO BIG MACK, CAPONE and BRUCE BRUCE on Saturday, Feb. 10, with shows at 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Tickets are $50.50 to $100.50. NJPAC, Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage, One Center St. Newark.

Dance

THE NUTCRACKER: STATE BALLET THEATER OF UKRAINE WILL PERFORM ON DEC. 17 AT 3 P.M. The company is recognized as one of the most prestigious institutions of classical ballet in Ukraine. With no fewer than 55 of Ukraine's finest performers, this esteemed ensemble has performed to the delight of audiences worldwide. Tickets are $39-$89. Location: NJPAC’s Prudential Hall. NJPAC is located at 1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey; To purchase tickets, contact NJPAC at 1.888.GO.NJPAC / 1.888.466.5722 or visit NJPAC.org/dance.

THE HARLEM-BASED FORCES OF NATURE

DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS A FESTIVE KWANZAA CELEBRATION that combines traditional West African and neo-African dance, hip hop, ballet, contemporary modern dance and martial arts on Dec. 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets: $49-$59. Location: NJPAC’s Victoria Theater. NJPAC is located at 1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey; To purchase tickets, contact NJPAC at 1.888.GO.NJPAC / 1.888.466.5722 or visit NJPAC.org/dance.

Lectures

A LIVE CONVERSATION WITH CHEVY CHASE FOLLOWING A SCREEN OF CHRISTMAS VACATION on Friday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m., NJPAC, Prudential Hall, 1 Center St., Newark. Tickets: $39.50-$95.50. SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL SPEAKS ON “CULTURE VS. POCKETBOOK: WHAT ISSUES WILL DRIVE THE 2024 ELECTION?” on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at SOPAC, 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange. Tickets starting at $19.

Music

FONSECA, THE COLOMBIAN SINGERSONGWRITER AND WINNER OF 7 LATIN GRAMMY® AWARDS WILL PERFORM on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. at NJPAC, Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage, 1 Center S. Newark. Tickets are $49 to $129.

YELLOW BRICK ROAD, an Elton John Tribute, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. Gerald Brann not only bears an uncanny resemblance to Elton John but recreates the Rock superstar’s vocals and piano playing to a tee, , South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange, box office (973) 313-2787.

“FELIZ NAVIDAD: HOLIDAY MUSIC FROM SPAIN AND LATIN AMERICA THROUGH THE CENTURIES,” is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 3,, at The Episcopal Church of St. James, 581 Valley Road, in Upper Mont-