NJ Weekend Feb. 20-21: Shake, Sculpt, Juggle, Watch, Swap or Tap--Mostly FREE!

2/19/10 - By MiraBest

Choices, choices, choices:  This weekend, you can shake it, sculpt it, juggle it, watch it, swap it or tap it! Experience a dizzying array of dance styles at the Bickford Theatre, dig the African drumbeat at Discovery Museum, or sculpt a personal masterpiece at Grounds for Sculpture (c’mon, you KNOW you love that scene in “Ghost!”)  Seeking something more sedate? Catch a master juggler, a puppet show or an all-time favorite book-turned-musical. For a more educational time, give your kids a head start on heart health or recycle some fun at a toy swap.  Take a family vote and head out–with all of this going on, if you don’t choose, you lose!

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Dancing Through the Ages at Bickford Theatre
(Morristown)
Tiring of boogying to your iTunes playlist?  Head out to this show and your kids’ll be busting some new moves on the family room floor! Dance Innovations leads audiences through a history of dance, covering the Charleston, Lindy, Swing, Broadway Jazz, Disco, Hiphop, Ballet and Lyrical styles. Beware–you’ll be encouraged to participate–so grab those legwarmers and a sweatband before you hit the road! Saturday, 12:30 and 2:30pm. $9./participant.


Universal African Drum and Dance & ChildrenSong
(Cherry Hill)
Beat the cold with some Sahara heat as a dazzling group of dancers, musicians and stilt-walkers bring the beat of Africa to you! After your kids catch the spirit, the beat goes on with ChildrenSong at 3pm. In celebration of Black History Month, spirituals and songs from the Civil Rights movement will ring through the room, and children are welcome to sing along! Saturday, 1pm and 3pm. $9.95/adults and kids over 12 months.

Heart and Soul Too! Youth Fest at Englewood Hospital
(Englewood)
Not only is February for lovers, it’s American Heart Month, and Englewood hospital celebrates by hosting its first heart health youthfest. Meet New York Giants players, watch a presentation of “Edutainment” by the Hip Hop Culture Center of Harlem, catch Steppers for Christ from Mount Calvary Baptist Church, see a self defense demonstration, gather free health info for the whole family, and more! Enjoy healthy snacks, prizes and giveaways, too.  FREE Saturday, 1-4pm.

Greg Kennedy Innovative Juggler at Bergen Community College (Paramus)
Sometimes it seems life’s a juggling act—especially when you’re trying to get the kids out the door in the morning! Now see how a REAL world class juggler handles it! Greg Kennedy received the highest honor (Gold Medal) from The International Jugglers Association Championship, so he’s sure to thrill your brood with feats that defy the imagination, even if they don’t get the kids on the bus on time! Saturday, 3pm, $12/adults, $10 children.

Tots on Tour! Grounds for Sculpture

Have a budding Michelangelo on your hands? Indulge your 3-5 year old’s creative side with a storytime, park exploration, and the chance to create an original work of art. Space is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. Saturday,11am and 1pm. FREE with admission, which is $10./adults (one adult must accompany each child participating); $6./kids for 6-12yrs; under 5 FREE.

The Banana Princess at East Brunswick Public Library (East Brunswick)
“High on a hill was a lonely goatherd; Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo!” If your child digs the marionette scene in “The Sound of Music” they’ll be sure to love the Banana Princess Puppet show put on by the Galapagos Puppet Theatre, too! Suitable for children ages 4-and-up. Tickets on sale at the circulation desk for $2. Sunday, 1:30 and 3:30pm. Call 732-390-6767 for more information, and to confirm ticket availability.

The Great West Essex Toy Swap at Temple Sholom
(Cedar Grove)
If your toy budget surpasses that of your kids’ college fund, head over to this version of freecycle.com for some thrifty fun! Here’s how it works: bring your used toys (no clothes or books) on Saturday after 4pm, receive tickets of differing values based on your donation, then return on Sunday from 10am -3pm to “shop” for your “new”ones! Recycling at it’s best! FREE

“Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type” at William Paterson University (Wayne)
Based on the Caldecott Honor book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, your little bookworm will love seeing this story come to life. Get set for lots of laughs in this musical specifically for the PreK set (up to age 4). Head over early for a pre-show activity at 1:15pm, then stay for the post-show autograph session. Saturday, 2pm. $9. Tickets available online. (https://tickets.wpunj.edu/TheatreManager/1/login&event=0

Maple Sugaring (Basking Ridge)
If you still haven’t tried maple sugaring, this’d be a sweet weekend to give it a go! 
Learn how to tap trees, then watch the boiling process. Be sure to bring your boots and bundle up–this 90-minute program takes place at the Sugar Shack, a ½ mile hike from the Education Center. FREE. Saturday and Sunday, 10am, 12pm, 2pm. For more information, call 908-766-2489 ext. 332.

And More Maple Sugaring (Chatham)
Learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. Taste testing at the end, too (pancakes not included)! Great Swamp. $3. Call 973-635-6629 for more information. Saturday and Sunday, 2-3pm.