It’s almost the weekend and Patch is ready to plan-you-up!  Here’s just a teaser of what’s going on…live music and dining al fresco, literary events, State Fair Meadowlands, and popular “regulars” like a community bike ride, Imagination Station and cooking class at Whole Foods. 

There are loads more, so check below and be sure to clue us in if we’ve left anything out!  

-- Storytelling with Julie Pasqual 

Where/When: Montclair Public Library, 50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ.  (Auditorium) Friday, June 24 at 11:00am or 2pm.  

Why Go:  Storyteller Julie Pascal returns to the MPL to delight listeners with folktales from around the globe.  After the show be sure to enroll in the Summer Reading Club in the 3rd floor Youth Services Department. 

Pricing: Free 

-- Author Luncheon: Lisa See 

Where/When: Montclair Public Library, 50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ. (Terra at the Isabel Rose Cafe) Friday, June 24, at 1:00pm.
Why Go: Lisa See, NYT bestselling author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, and Shanghai Girls, will talk about her latest book, Dreams of Joy. 

Pricing: This is a ticketed event, $40 includes a copy of the book and lunch. Please contact Watchung Booksellers to RSVP 973-744-7177.  

—Kids Sushi Rolling Workshop

Where/When: Whole Foods, 701 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair. Friday, June 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Why Go: It's another Friday cooking class at Whole Foods. This week kids (and maybe some parents) tackle sushi rolling.  

Pricing: $10 per child.

—Live Blues at Ruthie’s

Where/When: Ruthie's Bar-B-Q, 64 1/2 Chestnut St., Montclair. Friday, June 24 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Why Go: The food at Ruthie's (great BBQ and Pizza) stands on its own, but combined with stellar bands and atmosphere, it's an elevated evening for sure. This Friday Ben and the Franklin’s play live.   

Pricing: No Cover, BYOB. 

-- Live Jazz at Palazzo 

Where/When: Palazzo, S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair NJ.  Friday June 24 at 7pm.

Why Go: Dine on Palazzo’s delicious Italian and old world cuisine amidst live jazz courtesy of Joe Licari (clarinet) and Steve Elmer (piano.) 

Pricing: No cover

--Community Bike Ride 

Where/When: Montclair Public Library, 50 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair. Friday, June 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Why Go: It’s the last Friday of the month and time again for the Bike Walk Montclair Community Ride. There are no leaders or predetermined route; ride starts promptly at 7 p.m. Riders should wear helmets and have well lighted bikes. For more information go here. 

Pricing: Free.

-- Beauty and the Beast at NJPAC 

Where/When: NJPAC, 1 Center Street, Newark NJ.  Friday June 24 at 8pm, Saturday, June 25 at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday, June 26 at 2pm and 8pm. 

Why Go: The Disney classic Beauty and the Beast was a hit on Broadway and now it’s a bit closer (and cheaper!) at NJPAC.  The running time for this performance is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes with one intermission.

Pricing: Tickets range from $24 to $90. Go HEREfor more information or to order online. 

--Jazzman Grassella Oliphant at Trumpets 

Where/When: Where: Trumpets Jazz Club & Restaurant, 6 Depot Sq, Montclair, NJ.  Friday,  June 24 at 6:00pm. 

Why Go: Jazz Drummer and leader, Grassella Oliphant will be performing live, plus Trumpets is boasting a new chef and menu. 

Pricing: Call for advanced seating on weekend events.  Online tickets available here

-- State Fair Meadowlands 

Where/When: 50 State Highway 120, East Rutherford, NJ 07073.  Friday, June 24 through Sunday July 10.  Mon-Thur 6pm to 12am, Friday 6pm to 2am, Saturday 2pm to 2am and Sunday 2pm to 12pm. 

Why Go:  The State Fair Meadowlands is celebrating its 25^th year with loads of entertainment, rides, food and more, there’s truly too much to list! Go here  for more details.

Pricing: All Tickets Include Free Live Entertainment.  Children less than 34 inches tall are admitted free but must have a ticket to ride.

Monday through Thursday, Persons 13 & Older - $7.00 Children 12 and Under and Senior Citizens - $5.00 Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays Persons 13 & Older - $9.00 Children 12 & Under and Senior Citizens - $6.00

—Imagination Station at the Montclair Art Museum. 

Where/When: Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Ave., Montclair NJ. Saturday, June 25 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 

Why Go: MAM events always deliver, and Imagination Station is no exception. This very popular program focuses on a different artwork or theme each week—this week’s theme is Patterns and Designs. Families will be engaged in active looking, lively discussion, interactive activities, and scavenger hunts, and have a unique opportunity to sketch in the galleries. Space is limited. 

Pricing: Member adults free, nonmember adults $12, children $6.

—Free Saturday Museum Tours 

Where/When: Montclair Art Museum, 3 S. Mountain Ave., Montclair NJ. Saturday, June 25.

Why Go: Take advantage of a 45-minute free docent-led tour of the museum’s galleries and exhibits. 

Pricing: Free with museum admission.

-- MFEE Salsa and Sangria Toast 

Where/When: Arthur Murray Dance Center, 365 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair, NJ.  Saturday, June 25 from 7:00pm – 10:00pm. 

Why Go:  If you haven’t gotten your fill of Teacher Toasts yet, this unique one could be for you. Join others in toasting the Adult School of Montclair teachers with a night of sangria and salsa lessons. 

Pricing:  $40 per person includes food, two dance lessons, two glasses of sangria and a raffle ticket.  To attend, go to www.mfee.org to reserve online

—Drop-in Craft at BPL 

Where/When: Bloomfield Public Library, 90 Broad St., Bloomfield. Saturday, June 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Why Go: Have an easy day at the library—literally drop in anytime for a fun craft. 

Pricing: Free.

-- White Elephant Burlesque at Piano’s Bar and Grill

Where/When: Piano's Bar & Grill, 36 Broad St., Bloomfield NJ. Saturday, June 25 from 8:30pm to 11pm.

Why Go: Come to Piano’s for a wildly entertaining evening described as “gypsy cabaret” meets “vaudevillian burlesque.”  For more information on White Elephant Burlesque shows go here

Pricing: $10 cover, no minimum.

-- Rummage Sale at Temple Ner Tamid 

Where/When: 936 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ. Sunday, June 26, from 9:00am–3:00pm. 

Why Go: You’re bound to find something at a sale that collected items from over 500-families! The bountiful loot will include clothes, housewares, toys, linens and more. 

Pricing: Free

-- Richard Reichter Swing Band at Van Vleck 

Where/When: Van Vleck House and Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St, Montclair, NJ. Sunday, June 26 from 1:00pm–3:00pm. 

Why Go:  Spend a blissful Sunday afternoon in Van Vleck Gardens with the Richard Reiter Swing Band.  The band will perform favorite swing numbers like Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, As Time Goes By and Jump Jive an' Wail.  The audience is invited to sing and dance along. This event will take place rain or shine. 

Pricing: $10 per person. Go here for more information.

—Tycoon Dog Performs Live at the Turtle Back Zoo 

Where/When: 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange. Friday, April 15 at 8 p.m. 

Why Go: Come hear the self-described “hypnotic rock” music of Tycoon Dog in the Zoo’s amphitheater.  Performance is free with museum admission. 

Pricing: $10 Adults, $7 children and seniors, $7 Zoo Members.

—Live Music at Terra

Where/When: Terra at the Isabel Rose located at the Montclair Public Library, 50 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair NJ. Sunday, June 26 at 2pm. 

Why Go: Terra is continuing its live music events in its new library digs. This Sunday, groove to rockabilly band Crash Gordonand, of course, enjoy all of Terra’s delicious fair-trade offerings. 

Pricing: No Cover

-- "Health, Love and Soul" Free Diabetes Information Workshop 

Where/When: HLS, 387 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair NJ.  Sunday June 26 at 3:30pm.

Why Go:  The fit folks at Montclair’s yummy new eatery, Health Love & Soul, are bringing you a free, informative workshop on diabetes awareness.  Pam Cooper, from the American Diabetes Association will be the guest speaker.  

Pricing: Free

--Art Opening at Gelato Giuliana http://www.gelatogiuliananj.com/ 
Where/When: 49 Church Street, Montclair, NJ.  Friday, June 24 from 6pm to 8pm.
Why Go:  While getting your creamy cold gelato fix, check out artwork by noted Montclair muralist Jennifer Levine
Pricing: Free admission