Reggae dance parties, Comic book parties, cat shows, music, and more are yours to enjoy this weekend.
The weekend begins tonight! Put your dancing shoes on, because 10 time GRAMMY nominated band Third World performs at NJPAC’s Sounds of the City—a free outdoor concert series. One of Jamaica’s most popular crossover acts among international audiences, Third World is known for embracing themes that are positive, progressive and universally relevant. Singer Bunny Rugs describes the group’s sound as “Strictly a reggae band, no. Definitely a reggae band, yes.”
Third World at Sounds of the City
Thursday, July 17 from 5 pm – 10 pm
NJPAC, One Centre Street, Newark, NJ
Free
Big Beat will perform at Hat City Kitchen in Orange on Friday night. Big Beat plays hip hop, modern jazz, and is a big band — but don’t think they sound like Glenn Miller. Formed by a trio of arrangers and composer who say they are “fed up with music that is just plain boring,” Big Beat doesn’t discriminate when it comes to genres. With a powerful 13 piece horn section, driving rhythm section, and soulful vocalists, Big Beat is the only band that can play tunes by Maxwell and Mulgrew Miller in the same set. It’s music that feels good and makes you feel like dancing. And it’s something you won’t want to miss.
Big Beat
Friday, July 18 at 8 pm
Hat City Kitchen, 459 Valley Street, Orange, NJ
$10 cover
East Side Mags, Montclair’s new comic book shop, makes its recent opening official with a Grand Opening Celebration all weekend long. You can enjoy live music performances, writer and illustrator signings and more:
- Friday, July 18: A live music performance from Policemen in Pickups, a rock band from Essex County.
- Saturday, July 19: Brian Smith signing – writer/illustrator for Spongebob Squarepants, Stuff of Legend, The Intrepid EscapeGoat, Monsuno, Max Steel, Voltron Force and the new, upcoming title from IDW called Tree Mail).
- Sunday, July 20: Signings by web comic Upside Down Grin and Dylan Klymenco. In addition, the artist will enter anyone buying a print in a raffle to win one free commission and an exclusive, limited-run print will be created for the grand opening by UDG and on sale only for that day at East Side Mags.
East Side Mags Grand Opening Celebration
Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 20
7 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
Free
Real cat lovers, I mean REAL cat lovers, may want to head to Somerset, NJ this weekend for the 78th annual Garden State Cat Club Cat Expo. Known as America’s Biggest Cat Expo/Show, the fundraiser draws more than 3,000 attendees and features cat shows, an agility competition, seminars and showcases such as “How to Select a Pet Sitter” and “Feline Grooming,” pet CPR demos, Cats in Cars (adorable kitties driving their own little vehicles around the show hall), the always-popular Adopt-A-CAT program, a cat-product trade show with a huge selection of cat trees, toys, and gifts, and the International Ragdoll Congress, an event honoring the blue-eyed breed that is only held in the US every four years. Proceeds from the show will benefit New Jersey animal shelters, disaster relief efforts and feline health studies. To date, the Garden State Cat Club has donated over $64,500 for disaster relief and area shelters.
Garden State Cat Club Cat Expo
Saturday, July 19 and 20 from 10 am – 4 pm
Garden State Exhibit Center, 50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children under 12
Bradd Marquis brings his soulful sounds to Montclair’s intimate Adinkra House on Saturday, July 19. Marquis is described as a kind of clean-cut, old school charm unseen since the days of Sam Cooke. The spiritual troubadour with the pulse of the common man, Marquis strums the pains, feelings, and thoughts of that brother who struggles to find the words to say. With upbeat, melodic, and undeniably soulful party music, Marquis returns with his most assured set to-date.
Bradd Marquis at Adinkra House
Saturday, July 19. Doors open at 8 pm / show at 9 pm
Adinkra House, 26 Pleasant Avenue, Montclair, NJ, 07042
Donation $25 at the door/ $20 in advance online.
Check our calendar for other local happenings.