Need weekend plans? 13 things to do in North Jersey June 6-9

What will you be doing this weekend in North Jersey?

Theater-goers have options in Millburn and Clifton this weekend with "Beautiful" at the Paper Mill and "Woe! Misery! Children's Theater!" in Clifton. There's also a chance to see the stars of the future at BergenPAC, where performing arts school students will have their recitals for the public to see and hear. Speaking of the stars of future, the students of School of Rock Cresskill will have performances in various genres all weekend long in Teaneck.

There are plenty of ways to see the musicians of today this weekend, as well - from local groups like Central Brass in Ringwood, and Street Hassle in both Millburn and Florham Park, to the stars country music - George Strait and Chris Stapleton - at MetLife Stadium. And there's more than just music, with the Oradell Arts Fest presenting arts of all kinds and the improv comedy of Howdy Stranger in Hackensack.

For some local sports action, baseball fans can check out the New Jersey Jackals at home in Paterson this weekend, and soccer fans can see the NY/NJ Gotham Football Club in Harrison.

Plus, there's an adult luau at American Dream's Legoland and an Adam Nimoy book signing in Ridgewood.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mostly sunny weekend, with possible rainy bookends

According to the National Weather Service:

  • Thursday night: Showers with a chance of a thunderstorm. Low in the mid-60s.

  • Friday: Mostly sunny, high in the low-80s. Low around 60.

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high in the upper 70s and a low around 60.

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny early in the day, with a high in the upper 70s, and a chance of afternoon and evening showers. Low around 60.

'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical' at Paper Mill Playhouse

Following the early life and career of Carole King on her journey from teenage songwriter to chart-topping solo artist, this show - with a book by Douglas McGrath and music by Gerry Goffin & King and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil - will be at Paper Mill in Millburn through July 2. King wrote for many big names in music but it wasn’t until she made the leap from the writer’s room to the stage that she truly found her voice. This story of love, heartbreak and empowerment features more than two dozen hits, including “One Fine Day,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “Natural Woman.”

The cast includes Kyra Kennedy as King, Marrick Smith at Gerry Goffin, Samantha Massell as Cynthia Weil, Jacob Ben-Shmuel as Barry Mann, Bryan Fenkart as Don Kirshner and Suzanne Grodner as Genie Klein. Music direction by Wendy Bobbitt Cavett, choreography by Jennifer Werner. Directed by Casey Hushion.

Go: "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" at Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn. 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and 7 p.m. Sunday. $35 to $155.

Central Brass concert in Ringwood

Central Brass
Central Brass

The New Jersey Botanical Garden in Ringwood welcomes Central Brass for an outdoor concert on Saturday. The brass quintet offers popular, Broadway, Americana, jazz, folk, ragtime and classical music. Bring a lawn chair. The concert moves to the Carriage House in bad weather.

Go: Central Brass at New Jersey Botanical Garden, Morris Road, Ringwood. 6:30 p.m. Saturday. $5 donation requested. Visit njbg.org or find CentralBrassNJ on Facebook.

Jackals baseball at Hinchliffe Stadium

May 9, 2024; Paterson, NJ, USA; NJ Jackals #25 Hemmanuel Rosario rounds third base after hitting a home run during the NJ Jackals home opener at Hinchliffe Stadium.
May 9, 2024; Paterson, NJ, USA; NJ Jackals #25 Hemmanuel Rosario rounds third base after hitting a home run during the NJ Jackals home opener at Hinchliffe Stadium.

The Jackals are home in Paterson this weekend, with a three-game series against the Ottawa Titans.

Saturday is Wrestling Night at Hinchliffe Stadium, with Pro Magic Wrestling matches after the game. Sunday is Roberto Clemente Day, with a Clemente poster giveaway and $5 tickets for kids and seniors.

It's also Strike-Out Hunger Weekend with CUMAC. Help support the ecosystem of organizations working to combat food insecurity in Paterson. Bring a bag of non-perishable food to either game and get a free ticket to a future Jackals game in 2024.

Go: New Jersey Jackals at Hinchliffe Stadium, 1 Jasper St., Paterson. 6:35 p.m. Friday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday, 4:35 p.m. Sunday, $5 to $25. jackals.com, 973-746-7434, [email protected]. Gates open an hour prior to the start of the game.

Street Hassle to perform in Millburn and Florham Park

This self-described "powerful horn band" will bring classic rock, blues, Motown and pop to Taylor Park in Millburn on Thursday and the Florham Park gazebo on Sunday. The group boasts a six-piece horn section featuring players that have worked with Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, and a repertoire that aims to appeal to all audiences.

Go: Street Hassle at Taylor Park, 110 Main St., Millburn, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday (rain date is June 13); and at the Florham Park gazebo, 111 Ridgedale Ave., on the Great Lawn, at 7 p.m. Sunday. If weather is questionable for the latter, visit florhamparkgazebo.com for updates. Free.

Luau-Themed Adult Night at Legoland Discovery Center

New attraction at the Legoland Discovery Center at American Dream in East Rutherford
New attraction at the Legoland Discovery Center at American Dream in East Rutherford

Experience an adults-only night on Friday at Legoland in American Dream in East Rutherford, with summer-themed build activities and prizes. Get full access to the center, including themed build stations, Miniland, Imagination Express Ride, 4D Cinema and more.

The fun includes a group free-build competition, a luau costume contest, Hub activities every 15 minutes, summer themed creative workshop build sessions, a chance to meet a master model builder, a one-night-only cafe menu and more.

Go: Luau-Themed Adult Night at Legoland Discovery Center, American Dream in East Rutherford. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. Last entry at 7:30 p.m. $19. Guests must be age 18 or older. legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

Adam Nimoy book-signing at Bookends

Adam Nimoy, son of "Star Trek" actor Leonard Nimoy, will sign copies of his book, "The Most Human," in Ridgewood on Friday. Attend the event or have a signed copy shipped to you.

Go: Adam Nimoy book signing at Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, 7 p.m. Friday. Each person needs a book for entry. $33.99. 201-445-0726, book-ends.com.

'Woe! Misery! Children's Theater!' at Clifton Arts Center

For this joint fundraiser, Kismet Performing Artists Theatre's debuts its new play from playwright Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend on Friday, Saturday (two performances) and Sunday. This play for grown-ups is a comedy with a twist, that provides a backstage glimpse at a traveling theatre troupe as they bring a popular children’s television show to the stage. While the play is set backstage, the audience watches as the troupe tries to make it through their first multi-matinee day. The ensuing events tell a tale of the dreams we can’t shake, the souls that we sell and what it means to be an artist.

Produced by Judi Niebuhr and directed by Kathleen Kellaigh. The cast includes Tanvi Jani of Jersey City, Pamela Yachouh of New Milford, C. W. Robertson of Clifton, Brooke Kaye of Wayne. Tara Freifeld is stage manager. Devin Sogluizzo is assistant stage manager. Set design and build, as well as sound, are by Kurt Irizarry. Lighting and lighting design are by Maz Sailer.

Go: "Woe! Misery! Children's Theater!" at Clifton Arts Center, 90 Clifton Ave. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $35 plus fees when purchased in advance at kismettheatre.org; $40 plus fees if purchased at the door. All seating is reserved. 973-559-3276.

School of Rock Cresskill at Debonair Music Hall

The students of School of Rock take over the Teaneck venue all weekend with six different performances. On Saturday, they present Yacht Rock, with easy listening, dad rock and the West Coast sound; a tribute to Radiohead, torchbearers of the progressive rock tradition; and British Invasion, featuring music by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Kinks and more. Then on Sunday, a tribute to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, representing the epitome of 1980s metal; '80 Prom, featuring music by Cyndi Lauper, A-Ha, Wham!, the Police, Madonna and more; and Modern Punk, featuring music by Blink 182, Green Day, Sum 41, Knuckle Puck and more.

Go: School of Rock Cresskill at Debonair Music Hall, 1409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck. Yacht Rock, Radiohead tribute and British Invasion at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively, Saturday; Iron Maiden and Judas Priest tribute, '80s Prom and Modern Punk, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively, Sunday. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Free. debonairmusichall.com, 201-833-0011.

NY/NJ Gotham soccer in Harrison Sunday

May 19, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams (10) waves to the fans after scoring a record-setting goal in the second half against Chicago Red Stars at Red Bull Arena.
May 19, 2024; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams (10) waves to the fans after scoring a record-setting goal in the second half against Chicago Red Stars at Red Bull Arena.

For some hometown women's pro soccer, check out the New York/New Jersey Gotham Football Club as they face the Angel City FC at Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon. There will also be Pride theme at the game.

Go: NY/NJ Gotham FC, Red Bull Arena, 600 Cape May St., Harrison. 12:30 p.m. Saturday. $17.46 to $270.21. gothamfc.com.

Performing arts schools' recitals at BergenPAC

Just Off Broadway Performing Arts Academy in Hillsdale will showcase its students in the 18th annual recital, "A Moment in Time,” on Saturday. Students of all ages and levels will perform tunes in different genres.

"Raise The Curtain" is the BergenPAC Performing Arts School end-of-school-year recital on Sunday. Choose from the theater or dance performance or buy tickets as a bundle.

Go: "A Moment in Time" and "Raise the Curtain" at Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood. "A Moment in Time" is at 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, $36 to $41. "Raise the Curtain" is Sunday at 1 p.m. for theater, 4:30 for dance. Box office 201-227-1030 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays). bergenpac.org.

George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town at MetLife Stadium

After setting venue attendance records across seven stadium shows, country music icon George Strait and eight-time Grammy winner Chris Stapleton continue with their tour, including this stop in East Rutherford on Saturday. Returning alongside them are special guests and Grammy-winning band Little Big Town.

Go: George Strait, Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. 5:45 p.m. Saturday. Parking lots open at 12:45 p.m. $40 per car; $160 per bus and RV; $100 per limo. Gates open at 4:30.

Howdy Stranger Improv Comedy in Hackensack

Experience Howdy Stranger’s improv comedy show on Saturday at HacPAC. Winners of the NYC Tournament of Improvisers, the troupe has been making audiences laugh for more than 15 years. Their unscripted performances are completely made up on the spot, so be ready to shout your ideas to inspire every scene of this interactive show. Howdy Stranger shows are family-friendly, but parents are cautioned there may be adult themes unsuitable for young children.

Go: Howdy Stranger Improv Comedy at HacPAC, 102 State St., Hackensack. 8 p.m. Saturday. $20 to $25. hacpac.org, 207-820-3007.

Oradell Arts Fest

For live performances of multicultural and multigenerational music theater and dance, Oradell is the place to be on Sunday afternoon. There will be art exhibitions, a live art demo, literary events, and arts and crafts throughout the borough. This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Bergen County Division of Historic and Cultural Affairs from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Go: Oradell Arts Fest on Saturday at Schirra Park (Kinderkamack Road between Veldran and Oradell avenues), the senior center (1 Veterans Place) and the Veterans Place parking area, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Oradell Public Library, 1 to 5 p.m. Find Oradell Arts on Facebook and Instagram.

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 North Jersey this weekend: See Jackals, Legoland