Local history, rock music, community theater & BBQ: North Jersey things to do, June 13-16
With history, nature, sports, music and barbecue, North Jersey has a little bit of everything this weekend.
For some local history, take a guided tour at the Paterson's Great Falls Park or learn about the Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild in Montclair. The outdoor types might also enjoy a hike in Tenafly.
For some rock music, revisit the '90s in Teaneck with tributes to Nirvana, Hole and Weezer; or the '70s and '80s with Almost Queen. If Latin music is preferred, look no further than the Prudential Center for Grupo Firme. For a more refined musical (and dance!) experience, there's a chorus and orchestra concert at American Dream, and an afternoon of tango in Rutherford.
Plus, local theater productions include "Cartoon" at Bergen Community College and "Applause" in Leonia; there's a barbecue extravaganza at the Meadowlands Racetrack; and the Red Bulls have a home soccer game in Harrison.
Not enough? Check out Maddie McGay's list of more things to do this Father's Day weekend.
Enjoy!
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Mostly sunny days, possible storms Friday
According to the National Weather Service:
Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Friday: Mostly sunny with a high around 90, but showers are likely, with a possible thunderstorm, in the afternoon and evening. Low in the mid-60s.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high in the mid-80s and a low around 60.
Father's Day: Sunny during the day on Sunday, with a high in the low 80s. Partly cloudy at night, with a low in the mid-60s
Paterson Great Falls orientation walking tour
Take "A Stroll Through History" at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park at 2 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday until Nov. 30. This free guided tour meets at the Alexander Hamilton Statue near the picnic tables.
The story of Paterson and its Great Falls demonstrates how the natural and cultural diversity of the area helped fuel the economic and social growth of a young nation. Join a staff member for this 45- to 60-minute, one-mile walk to discover how the natural world inspired a founding father, entrepreneurs, immigrants, poets and artists to build the nation's first industrial city.
Wear comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing/shoes. The walk will be on along paved and unpaved paths with uneven footing. Guided tours led by the National Park Service or its designees can follow paved, wheelchair-accessible routes (assistance may be required, especially along narrow city sidewalks). If you have any concerns or questions, contact the park and review the accessibility resources. Tours are provided on weekends as staffing permits. Call 973-523-0370 the day of your visit to ensure availability.
Go: A Stroll Through History at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, 72 McBride Ave. Extension. 1 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Free.
Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild at Montclair History Center
The NHQG celebrates its 29th anniversary with its exhibit, "Honoring Our Heritage: One Stitch at a Time," at the Crane House & Historic YWCA Museum in Montclair, on view every Sunday through July 14. In addition to a variety of a quilting styles, NHQG will present quilts and wall hangings that showcase patchwork, applique, collage and abstract textiles. Additional special exhibits include Legacy of Black Mermaids, African American Suffragists, African Gala, Mardi Gras Masks, NHQG Retreat, Unique Pincushions and African Village.
The schedule includes workshops and demonstrations for families this Saturday and Sunday. Plus, join the NHQG on Zoom for "History at Home: Legacy of Black Mermaids with the Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild" on Thursday. Drawn from the rich folklore of Water Goddesses and Mermen, Black Mermaids traveled with the enslaved to comfort them on the ships that took them away from their homeland.
Go: "Honoring Our Heritage: One Stitch at a Time" at Montclair History Center's Crane House & Historic YMCA Museum, 110 Orange Road, Montclair. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. In lieu of regular tour admission prices, suggested donations of $5 per visitor will be honored. The program is free but registration is required at montclairhistory.org/all-events. Visit nubianquilters.org for information about NHQG. "History at Home: Legacy of Black Mermaids with the Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild" via Zoom, 7 p.m. Thursday; free.
Bergen Alumni Theatre production of 'Cartoon'
Bergenstages and the Bergen Institute for the Creative Arts at Bergen Community College presents the Bergen Alumni Theatre production of "Cartoon" by Steve Yockey, directed by Christine Dunning with fight direction by Kevin Maphis, on Friday and Saturday.
Join the exploits of a band of mismatched cartoon stereotypes on a wild ride through an animated world. Presented in the style of a Commedia dell’Arte scenario gone berserk, "Cartoon" is a devilishly violent, PG-13 rated social commentary that explores the rapid coalescence of media, politics and consumer giants. A young, idealistic upstart named Trouble steals the giant hammer that Esther, the bratty dictator, uses to maintain a monotonous but peaceful order. Chaos ensues. Bombs explode. Puppets are set free. Anime girls fight. And as the bodies pile up, the violence begins to creep off the stage. There’s nothing like a punch in the face to really get the blood moving.
Go: "Cartoon" at the Ender Hall Lab Theatre on the campus of Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $5 to $15.
Meadowlands Racetrack BBQ Extravaganza
On Saturday at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, chow down on some barbecue from area food trucks and restaurants in the area. The vendors will compete for $2,500 in prize money in categories such as chicken, pulled pork, brisket, ribs and people’s choice.
Food trucks will include Magic Mike's Smoked Meat, Fire & Coal BBQ Grill, DAW Concessions, Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn, Freakin Empanadas, Totally Nutz, Latin Bites, Antojitos de mi Tierra, Bitchn’ Bacon, Cyldes Homemade Italian Ice & Ice Cream, Cat Like Reflexes, Rods Fish N Chips, Delicious Lola Josefa’s, Holy Grail Burgers, Michael’s Backyard BBQ, Love JoJo’s Cookies, Top Tea Plug, The Jamaican Food Truck, Kimchi Smoke, The Hen & The Hog, Rhythm + Ribz Smokehouse, Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co, Uncle Eddies Touch of Sauce, Gringo Arepas and Highland Bites.
Go: BBQ Extravaganza at Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Live racing begins at 6:20. Food truck winners will be announced at 9. Free admission. playmeadowlands.com
Players Guild of Leonia presents 'Applause'
With sass, wit and a pulsing 1970s score, "Applause" presents show biz in all its glory and ferocity on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The updated musical version of Mary Orr's story "All About Eve" concerns superstar Margot Channing and her ambitious, scheming assistant, Eve Harrington. Directed by Craig M. Tiede, book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams. The musical's songs include "But Alive," "Applause," "Welcome to the Theater" and "Something Greater."
"The strength of 'All About Eve,' so soundly conceived and executed on the screen, lay in the timelessness of its basic story," wrote Comden and Green. "It is a tale of treachery…told in terms of the witty, glamorous theatre star and the mousy, adoring girl from the sticks who ingratiates herself into the star's private world, and then systematically attempts to take over her career, her lover and her life."
Go: "Applause" at the Players Guild of Leonia, 130 Grand Ave. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $29; $25 for seniors and students. Free parking is available at the Leonia Swim Club on Moore Street, just off of Grand Avenue. leoniaplayers.org for information, showtix4u.com for tickets.
Argentine tango comes to Williams Center
Spend your afternoon in Rutherford and experience Argentine tango with a beginner’s class, performance and music for dancing. Plus, taste original empanadas recipes and ice cream from Argentina by Cones.
From the international show, “Tango Lovers,” and the “Tango Houses” Cafe de los Angelitos and Rojo Tango/Faena Hotel in Buenos Aires, Yesica Esquivel and Ariel Leguizamon will teach and perform. DJ Rainier Pereira will provide the music.
Esquivel and Leguizamon are professional dancers of Argentine tango and folklore. They been dancing together for 17 years, and they have toured with Roberto Herrera’s company, “Tanguera, The Musical,” “Estampas Porte?as” and “Tango Legends;” and in Buenos Aires at the dinner tango shows, “Piazzolla Tango,” “Catulo Tango,” “Candilejas,” “La Casa de Anibal Troilo” and “Taconeando.” They were champions of Pelando Variaciones 2016 and guest artists and teachers at Portland Tango Festival 2017, Baden-Baden tango festival 2019/2022 (Germany) and CITA 2022 (Argentina).
Organized by Rougertango and the Williams Center, Rougertango reveals the pulse of the Porte?a Culture, the culture of the birthplace of Argentine Tango, Buenos Aires, through live music by musicians and singers, dance performances, lessons and workshops, and the poetry of tango lyrics.
Go: Argentine Tango at the Williams Center, 15 Sylvan St., Rutherford. Saturday. Doors open at 2 p.m., beginner's class from 2:30 to 3:15, performance at 4, dancing until 6. williamscenter.co. $21.79.
Nirvana, Hole, Weezer tributes in Teaneck
Experience the soundtrack of the '90s with Lounge Act - A Tribute to Nirvana, performing Saturday at Debonair Music Hall, along with All Violet - Hole Tribute and Say It Ain't Scorcho - A Weezer Tribute at this all-ages show.
Go: Lounge Act, All Violet and Say It Ain't Scorcho at Debonair Music Hall, 1409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 7. $15 general admission; $20 reserved seating; $5 more at the door. debonairmusichall.com, 201-833-0011.
Grupo Firme at Prudential Center
Part of the arena's Latin Concert Series, presented by Goya, Grupo Firme bring their La Ultima Peda Tour to Prudential Center on Saturday.
Go: Grupo Firme at Prudential Center, 25 Lafeyette St., Newark. 8 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 7. $59.50 to $399.50.
Red Bulls soccer in Harrison
The New York Red Bulls face the Nashville SC on Saturday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison. It's Collectible Night, with a soccer player mini-figurine giveaway.
Go: Red Bulls soccer at Red Bull Arena, 600 Cape May St., Harrison. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $14 to $256. newyorkredbulls.com for information. ticketmaster.com for tickets.
A Tribute to Queen at BergenPAC
Donning genuine costumes, Almost Queen will deliver a live performance on Saturday showcasing the signature four-part harmonies and intricate musical interludes of the original band. The Steve Leonard Trio will open the show.
Go: Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen at BergenPAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood. 8 p.m. Saturday. $45 to $85. bergenpac.org.
Summer Family Hike at Tenafly Nature Center
Celebrate Father's Day and family with a guided walk with a TNC Environmental Educator on Sunday. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or just hoping for a pretty photo op with the family, celebrate the day with a walk in nature. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No strollers. In case of inclement weather, the program will be cancelled. Space is limited and advance registration is required.
Go: Summer Family Hike at the Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. $5 for members; $10 for non-members; free for children under age 2. https://tenaflynaturecenter.org/seasonal-programs/, 201-568-6093.
Father's Day concert at American Dream
The Edison Chinese Chorus and Edison Philharmonic Orchestra will present a hundred-member choir, conducted by Chunhe Zhang, with a cello solo by David Yu, a baritone performance by Xuefeng Wan and a Chinese folk dance.
Go: Father's Day concert by the Edison Chinese Chorus and Edison Philharmonic Orchestra at American Dream (Dream Stage, Court A, Level 1) in East Rutherford. 2 to 4 p.m Sunday. americandream.com.
Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Write to Daniel Galioto at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Things to do in NJ June 13-16: hikes, music, BBQ
