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Arts & Entertainment

The Weekender: Check Out Events for the Holiday Week

Newark Museum's Holiday Fun Days next week

Here are some of the festive events happening in Newark.   Feel free to add your own in the comments section. Click on the "events" tab to see other opportunities.

WHAT:
WHERE:   St. John’s Community Center, 142 Maple Street
WHEN:  
Saturday noon
WHY GO: Councilman Ras J. Baraka is partnering with Partners in A.C.T.S. to host a holiday gathering for senior citizens and grandparents.   If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please call (973) 803-8232 to reserve your space.  Lunch will be served.  Gifts, games and fun for all ages!

WHAT:  
WHERE:   Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark
WHEN:     Friday, Saturday, Sunday    12:00pm–5:00pm
WHY GO:   This historically accurate installation offers the opportunity to step back in time to learn about nineteenth-century life and traditions. From the Christmas tree (a German tradition) to the wooden shoes by the hearth (a Dutch tradition) to the stockings on the chimney and plum pudding in the dining room (English traditions), visitors can get a sense of how Christmas evolved into a home-based secular holiday in the nineteenth century, linked to but distinct from the religious commemoration that was celebrated in church.
COST:  Museum Admission: Adult $10; Children, Seniors & Students with Valid I.D.: $6; Members free

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WHAT:
WHERE:   Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark
WHEN:     Friday, Saturday, Sunday    12:00pm–5:00pm
WHY GO:   Season of Light (Limited run)   Saturdays & Sundays, 2 pm - Recommended for adults and children ages 6 and up    40 minutes
Trace the development of many of the world's endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season—from Yule logs and sparkling Christmas tree lights to the lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah. This show recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice—not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi.
Seven Wonders    Fridays, 2 pm  Saturdays & Sundays, 2 & 4 pm - Recommended for adults and children ages 9 and up    40 minutes
Turn back the pages of time and witness the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as they have not been seen for thousands of years. 
The Little Star that Could    Saturdays & Sundays, 1 & 3 pm - Recommended for adults and children ages 5 to 8   35 minutes
A little star is born all by himself.  Lonely for some friends, he embarks on a journey through the galaxy.  Along the way he meets different stars, learns about their lives, colors and temperatures.  At the end of his voyage he is introduced to a star cluster, the Milky Way and the planets in our Solar System.
COST:   Adults $15; children under 12, seniors, and college students $9 - includes Museum & Planetarium admission

WHAT:  

WHERE:   Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
WHEN:     Friday, Saturday, Sunday  through 12/31 - exception -  Zoo is closed on Dec. 25 and there will not be a light display on Dec. 24.
WHY GO: 
Experience Turtle Back Zoo in the winter as 100,000 bulbs and 40 lit displays illuminate the zoo this holiday season!
COST:   Free.   Turtle Back Zoo will be collecting non-perishable food, winter coats and unwrapped new toys for the needy each evening of holiday lights.

WHAT: 
WHERE:  Memorial West United Presbyterian Church-286 So. 7th St
WHEN:   Sunday, Christmas Day   3:30pm
WHAT:   A community wide Christmas Day Dinner and lots of fun and toys for anyone who wishes to participate; this is the event's 6th year.  They are also accepting donations from food to monetary gifts.  Last year over 200 people were fed.  For more information contact Judy Anyanaso at 973-262-4598 also volunteers are appreciated.

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WHAT:  
WHERE:  , 49 Washington St, Newark
WHEN:     December 27, 28, 29 & 30     12:30 to 4pm
WHY GO:  Make the Newark Museum part of your holiday tradition!  Celebrate the season with four days of family festivities including: live music, theater performances, art and science hands-on activities, gallery games and scavenger hunts.
Also enjoy:  special planetarium shows that illuminate stories of miracles from around the world and  tours of the Ballantine House bedecked for Christmas with all the trimmings of the Victorian age.
Hands-on Activities:
Miracle of light—Roll a beeswax candle for your winter holiday celebration—be it Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice or more—and fill your home with cheery light!
Miracle of creation—Discover the Navajo legend of Spider Woman, who created the universe by weaving it on her giant loom, while learning to weave with artist Liz Heine on a real loom.
Miracle of good fortune—Join in an ancient tradition of pilgrims for blessing and empowerment by making a clay impression, or tsa
tsa, using authentic molds from our Asian art collection.
Gallery Tours:
1 & 3 pm    Ballantine House at Christmas: Feasting with Family and Friends2 & 4 pm    Patchwork from Folk Art to Fine ArtPerformances:
Tuesday, December 27, 2 pm
Yuletide Carolers present Songs of the HolidaysNothing captures the magic of the season like the Yuletide Carolers, adorned in authentic Victorian attire, and singing the world’s best-loved carols!
Wednesday, December 28, 2 pm
Pushcart Players present A Season of MiraclesA sparkling collection of holiday tales from different cultures around the world are set to music and the magic of theater. Miracles, heartwarming laughter, kindness and joy abound within each story.

WHAT: 
WHERE:  
Springfield Branch of the Newark Public Library, 50 Hayes St,
WHEN:  
Wednesday, Dec 28    5pm – 7pm
WHY GO:   High school seniors are invited to attend the free SAP Prep Classes and HSPA Classes.
• Register for Free SAT and ACT tests
• College Essay Writing Workshops
• Obtain assistance with completing college applications & personal statements
For further information please call the Springfield Branch at 973-733-7736 or Mr. Brown, Coordinator at 862-368-4261.

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We are currently recruiting for Advocates for Essex County Court Appointed Special Advocates. (CASA) Too many children in Essex County will spend this holiday season in state protective care because home is no longer safe for them to live there. Some of these children will have a CASA volunteer who will bring them a gift, spend time with them and reassure them that they are on their way to a safe, permanent, loving home.
Unfortunately, not all of the children in the state's care this holiday season will have the benefit of a CASA volunteer or program to reach them. Essex CASA wants to ensure these children are reached in 2012 and beyond. Our vision is to provide a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one.
Please consider becoming a CASA volunteer.Visit our website for more information and to fill out an application online. www.casaessex.org

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