Weekender: Fabulous Films, Music, Poetry, and Wine

It's Friday and you still don't know what to do this weekend. Let Montclair Patch help you plan. Here are five ideas that will get you out and about and having fun.

1. Fourth Annual African American Film Festival—Screening of Antwone Fisher

Where/When: Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue, in Montclair on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.

Why Go? The Montclair Art Museum’s African American Cultural Committee is collaborating with the Montclair African American Heritage Committee for this Fourth Annual Film Festival. The festival includes film screenings and interesting discussions on topics relevant to the evolution of Black American cinema from the early 20th century to the present.

Pricing: Free

2. Billy Hector Plays Tierney's

Where/When: Tierney's is at 136-138 Valley Road in Montclair. Show is on Saturday, Feb. 19 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Why Go? Because frontman Billy Hector has twice received the Best Guitarist Award from music critic Bob Makin of the East Coast Rocker who states, "Billy plays with guts and displays some of the best chops you'll see anywhere." Billy and his band shared billing with Bonnie Raitt at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "Tribute to Muddy Waters".

Pricing: $8 cover

3.  

Where/When: at 5 Seymour Street in Montclair, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.  

Why Go? You know this guy must be an amazing violinist if he performed at the Hamburg Philharmonics when he was only 10 years old. He currently is a student a Julliard School in New York City.

Pricing: $50, $40 & $30

4. The Montclair Underdog Film Festival

Where/When: Montclair State University's screening room in University Hall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20.

Why Go? This will be one of the greatest events of the year. It's your one chance to see the wide range of nominated Oscar films—short films—that aren't likely to show up at any nearby cinema.

Pricing: Tickets are $10 for the morning, $15 for the afternoon, $20 for the whole day, and $10 for the special screening.

5. Amanti Vino is rolling out the red carpet for Academy Awards Poetry Night!

Where/When: Amanti Vino at 30 Church Street in Montclair on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Why Go? Because you'll get to celebrate Movies and Movie Stars in poetry with the help of poets Laura Boss, Jessica de Koninck, Maria Mazziotti Gillan, and James Gwyn. An open mic will follow. And Amanti Vino is always fun!

Pricing: Free!