Weekend Family Fun: Chinese New Year, Frozen and More! – Baristanet

Happy weekend! If you’re looking for some fun for the whole family, we’ve got you covered! Check out these great events happening in our area.

The Essex County Environmental Center will host Making Charcoal Art on Saturday from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. In this family activity, gather sticks of different wood varieties and turn them into charcoal pencils in a container placed on the fire. The sticks char without completely combusting due to the lack of oxygen and make an excellent artist charcoal. Each participant will get to make some free choice art and take some charcoal pencils home. Advance registration and minimum number of participants required; call 973.228.8776. Cost is $10 per child and $12 per adult.

Just Kidding at Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th Street, NYC) will continue its 2018-19 season with a performance of The Gustafer Yellowgold Show on Saturday at 11:00 AM. Gorgeous full-screen animation accompanies a live band in this multimedia extravaganza. Described by The New York Times as “Dr. Seuss Meets ‘Yellow Submarine,” Grammy® nominated Morgan Taylor’s multimedia performance about a little guy from the Sun has loads of adult crossover appeal, making The Gustafer Yellowgold show a true all-ages experience. Tickets are $14 for Members and $17 for Non-Members.

Newark Museum (49 Washington Street) will host its Creative Play Program on Saturday at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Three- to five-year-olds and their caretakers are invited to enjoy a special time before the Museum opens to the public. Explore the Museum’s art and science collections through storytelling, song, playful activities and an art-making project. Themes vary each month. February’s theme is Heritage. Every Saturday, the Museum will host its Family Gallery program. February’s theme is Heritage and Identity. Explore and convey the different ways we can express our heritage and identity utilizing the Museum’s collection of historic works to inspire. Drop in anytime between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. On both Saturday and Sunday, enjoy self-guided weekend family programs. There are three Gallery guides, Red, Yellow, and Blue, developed to encourage 3-5-year olds and their families to discover together and encourage observation and conversation. These guides are available at the front desk from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Finally, on both days, enjoy the MakerSPACE Drop-in Programs from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Inspired by the Museum’s collections and special events, monthly themes are designed for visitors of all ages to drop in and experiment with the tools and materials of artists. Get messy with clay and paint and found materials. Get creative with blocks and digital computer tools. All of these programs are included in the price of admission.

Barnes & Noble at Clifton Commons (395 Route 3 East, Clifton) will host Storytime and Activities Featuring Elmo’s Super-Duper Birthday on Saturday at 11:00 AM. It’s Elmo’s birthday, so it’s time to celebrate! Stop in for storytime, activities, stickers and a craft and get a coupon from the Café for a grilled cheese sandwich with milk or juice for $4! Activities to follow.

Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South Street, Morristown) will present Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix on Sunday at 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Ringling Brothers Clown College graduate Johnny Peers and his personality-plus canines are coming to tickle your funny bone with amazing and hilarious stunts! Johnny leads over a dozen dogs, mostly animals rescued from shelters or pounds, through challenging and hilarious tricks as he plays the straight man role in this wonderful show. Tickets are $12-$15.

The Growing Stage (7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong) will host A Very Frozen Event on Saturday at 2:00 PM. The event features a movie screening of Disney’s FROZEN, arts & crafts activity, sing-along, concessions ($2 snacks/$1 drinks), costume contest, and lots of prizes and surprises. Suggested donation is $5 per family (collected at the door). Reserve your spot online.

On both Saturday and Sunday, NJPAC will present Year of the Pig/Nai Ni Chen Dance Company Chinese New Year Celebration at 2:00 PM. Acrobats in colorful costumes, twirling ribbons, dancing dragons – they’re all here in Year of the Pig, a spellbinding celebration of the Chinese New Year and the end of the zodiac cycle, presented by N.J.’s acclaimed Nai Ni Chen Dance Company. Tickets are $27-$35.

On Saturday and Sunday, Frelinghuysen Arboretum (353 Hanover Avenue, Morris Twp) will host a Family Photo Scavenger Hunt. Grab a camera or phone and stop by the Haggerty Education Center for a nature photo scavenger hunt. Visitors can pick up the list, head outside and shoot away. Take a picture of every item, return to the Education Center and pick up your prize. Lists change monthly. January’s theme is “Love Is in the Air.” Cost is $10 per family at the door.

Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (247 Southern Blvd, Chatham) will host Maple Sugaring Demonstrations from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM and then from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Learn to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. Taste-test different delicious syrups, including syrup made right at the Great Swamp OEC. Preregistration is not required, but seating is first come, first served. Cost is $3 per person per session for ages 3 and up.

This weekend, Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater (100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park) will present The Jungle Book. This new ballet is based on Rudyard Kipling’s collection of stories about a boy adopted and raised by wolves fulfilling his quest for identity, love and belonging. The Jungle Book features contemporary and classical Indian dance. Performances are on Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets start at $26.

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (73 Kahdena Road, Morris Twp) will host A Winter’s Day on the Farm on Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Enjoy this outdoor family adventure, and experience life on an early 20th century farm during the cold winter months! Meet the Jersey cow, horses, sheep, and chickens, and follow the scent of seasonal foods cooking on the wood-burning cook stove at the farmhouse. Pitch in, and help with daily farm chores, climb aboard the open-air, tractor-pulled wagon for a memorable ride around the farm, and make a craft to take home. Cost is $8 per adult, $7 per senior (65+), $6 per child age 4-16, $4 per child age 2-3, and fee for kids under 2.

BergenPAC (30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood) will present The Pop-Ups as part of their Sensory Friendly Kidz Cabaret Series on Saturday at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Brooklyn musicians Jason Rabinowitz and Jacob Stein are The Pop Ups, a Grammy-nominated children’s musical duo. They have toured with Yo Gabba Gabba Live and perform their rock and roll puppet musical live show across the country. Tickets start at $19.

Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair) will host its Sunday Drop-In Studio. Drop by MAM’s Helen & Bill Geyer Art Studio to explore a range of art materials and processes based on artwork on view in the galleries. Open-ended activities are designed to spark creativity in artists of all ages and abilities with seasoned MAM studio instructors standing by to provide hands-on assistance and technical advice. Reservations are not required, and visitors of all ages are welcome! This event is free for members and included in museum admission for non-members.

For more upcoming events, check out Baristanet Calendar.