Live music, theater and art abound North Jersey this weekend. See “Over the River and Through the Woods” in Hackensack and “The Cake” in Oradell; check out art exhibits (and a reception) in Demarest; see a Chicago tribute in Newton; enjoy pop music in Wayne; rock out to metal in Clifton; listen to an organ recital in Newark; and even learn about the songwriting process in Morristown.
See below for details and the weather forecast. Happy weekend!
Allan Drossman and ‘Insights and Inspirations’ art exhibits in Demarest
A reception with light snacks and refreshments will be held on March 12 at the Art School at Old Church for two exhibits, both on display through March 31.
The posthumous “Allan Drossman, A Retrospective” exhibit in the Mikhal Zakin Gallery explores Drossman’s decades-long exploration of clay, reflecting concern for our natural environment, and its beauty, destruction and rebirth. During his professional career in graphic arts, designing for both ABC and CBS News, he won three Emmy and two Writers Guild awards. In the late 1990s, he discovered clay as a medium and “found his soul” while taking classes at The Art School at Old Church. To honor his memory and the school’s role in developing his love of ceramics, all proceeds from the sale of his work will benefit TASOC’s programs and financial aid initiatives.
“Insights and Inspirations” in the Café Gallery is an exhibition by the school’s students, inviting viewers to explore an array of mediums and expressions. Guided by professional artists Jane Chang and Molly Ma, these emerging artists have developed their skills in an environment that nurtures individuality and celebrates creative growth.
Go: “Allan Drossman, A Retrospective” and “Insights and Inspirations” exhibit reception at TASOC, 561 Piermont Road, Demarest. 6 to 8 p.m. March 12. 201-767-7160. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
The Metallicave Radio Show presents An Evening of Thrash III in Clifton
Metal bands Cruel Bomb, the Donner Party, InGaw, Scarlet King, ThrashBag and Boiling Point will perform at Dingbatz on March 13. Plus, there will be giveaways all night.
Go: An Evening of Thrash III at Dingbatz, 620 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $10.
Beginnings – A Celebration of the Music of Chicago in Newton
Beginnings re-creates Chicago’s songbook, spanning five decades, five number one albums and more than 20 top 10 hits. On March 13 at the Newton Theatre, expect to hear songs including “Beginnings,” “Make Me Smile,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Call on Me,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Old Days,” “You’re the Inspiration,” “Alive Again,” “Color My World,” “Just You and Me,” “I’ve Been Searchin’ So Long,” “Free” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.”
Go: Beginnings – A Celebration of the Music of Chicago at the Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St. 8 p.m. March 13 (doors open at 7). Reserved seating starts at $52.50.
New Jersey Songwriters’ Summit returns to Morristown
Songwriters of all levels and genres are invited to sign up for this fourth annual event presented by the Folk Project on March 14 at Morristown Unitarian Fellowship. It will feature participatory workshops with four songwriters and a concert that will be open to the public. The daytime program will be in-person only, but the concert will also be webcast.
The event is organized by Tina Ross, a singer-songwriter who hosts the monthly “Inside the Song” podcast that delves into a guest’s songs. This year’s instructors are Nashville-based singer-songwriter Amy Speace, who teaches English and writing at Cumberland University; Susan Cattaneo, a Boston singer-songwriter, who taught at Berklee College of Music; New York’s Mark Aaron James, whose songs have been performed by Jimmy Buffett and the World Peace Choir; and Carolann Solebello, a member of the Jack Hardy Songwriters’ Exchange in New York and a founding member of the Americana trio Red Molly.
Go: New Jersey Songwriters’ Summit at Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road. 9 a.m. March 14. $144 for advance registration for workshops, meals and concert; $25 for concert only. 845-544-4583, folkproject.org, tinarossmusic.com.
‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ in Hackensack
Presented by the nonprofit Company Theatre Group, this play by Oradell native Joe DiPietro tells the story of an Italian-American family in Hoboken in a tale of the unbreakable (and sometimes unbearable) bond of the family. Performances at Hackensack Performing Arts Center will be on March 14 and March 15. The cast includes Teddy Coluca, Paul Whelihan (artistic director of Pushcart Players), Andrea Prendamano (founding member of the Company), actor/singer Elizabeth Nicholas Synnott; and newcomers Joey Nasta and Veronica Shea (artistic director of Off-Brand Opera).
Go: “Over the River and Through the Woods” at HacPAC, 102 State St., Hackensack. 2 and 7 p.m. March 14, and 2 p.m. March 15. $43.19.
Bergen County Players present ‘The Cake’ in Oradell
In this topical dramatic comedy – written by Bekah Brunstetter and directed by Carol Fisher – a vivacious, conservative North Carolina baker Della faces a crisis of conscience when Jen, whom she loves like a daughter, asks her to bake a cake for Jen’s lesbian wedding. Opening night is March 14 and BCP will perform the show each weekend through April 11.
Go: “The Cake” by Bergen County Players, 298 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell. 8 p.m. March 14 ($30) and 2 p.m. March 15 ($28). 201-261-4200.
Singer Chris Ruggiero performs in Wayne
The 26-year-old will share his story and perform hit songs of the last six decades on March 14 at William Paterson University. The arrangements have been crafted by musicians who worked with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Neil Diamond, Englebert Humperdinck, Julio Iglesias, Paul Anka and Barry Manilow.
Go: Chris Ruggiero at the Shea Center for Performing Arts, WPU, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne. 8 p.m. March 14. $43 to $58.
Christopher Houlihan organ recital in Newark
Houlihan will perform on March 15 as part of the concert series in its 57th season at Cathedral Basilica.
Go: Christopher Houlihan at Cathedral Basilica, 89 Ridge St., Newark. 3 p.m. March 15. 973-484-2400.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.northjersey.com ’













