Movie Nerd Alert: Fork & Screen

Thanks to some friends who turned us on to AMC's Fork & Screen, we spent last Friday evening reclining in what can best be described as Barcaloungers, noshing on decent bar-menu food and enjoying a cocktail, while watching "Bridesmaids" on the big screen. The movie tickets were only a few dollars more than your average movie ticket, and the bar food was only a few dollars more than your average bar food. The real draw was the novelty of laying back and stretching out in those glorious padded recliners, several feet from the nearest movie patron (though the generous armrests do fold up if you are so inclined). It was kind of like being at home, if your home has a forty foot movie screen. It's possible that what we experienced was actually "Cinema Suites," but you'll have to work that out for yourself. Reservations are probably a good idea at peak times.

Festival Nerd Alert: May 21

The Bourbon Street Blues Fest at Memorial Field in Lebanon Township (GPS Address: 70 Bunnvale Road, Califon, NJ 07830) will feature music (duh), vendors, and food.
$$: Tickets are $15-25
Nerd Alert: It's not supposed to rain tomorrow!

Festival Nerd Alert: May 20-22

Brave the crowds to enjoy the food at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Randolph this weekend; it's time for the 41st annual Greek Festival! Parking can be tough and the whole scene is a bit of a madhouse a madhouse, but the food. Oh, the food! What is a festival for? There will also be music and some other diversions.
Nerd Loves a Bargain: Admission is only $2 (food extra), but visit the festival website to get a coupon for free admission for two.

History Nerd Alert: May 21

From our friends at The Raconteur in Metuchen:

8 PM, Sat May 21
MARK JACOBSON
Reading/Signing
THE LAMPSHADE: A HOLOCAUST DETECTIVE STORY
“A disquieting yet utterly fascinating account, artfully told, studded with characters that would have been impossible to invent.” Jon Krakauer. Few growing up in the aftermath of World War II will ever forget the horrifying reports that Nazi concentration camp doctors had removed the skin of prisoners to make lampshades. In The Lampshade, bestselling journalist Mark Jacobson tells the story of how he came into possession of one of these awful objects, and of his search to establish the origin, and larger meaning, of what can only be described as an icon of terror.

Jacobson is a Contributing Editor at New York Magazine. In 2000, he published a profile of Frank Lucas, "once the city's biggest, baddest heroin kingpin"; this formed the basis for the Ridley Scott film, "American Gangster," starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.To read more about Jacobson, click HERE. To read more about this event, click HERE and scroll down. FREE!

Movie Nerd Alert: May 20-21

Loew's Jersey City presents more classic cinema at bargain prices ($5-7) this weekend, including:

Friday, May 20 - 7:45 pm
Barry Lyndon
Starring Ryan O’Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee.
Directed by Stanley Kubrick. (1975, 184 mins. Rated PG)

Saturday, May 21 - 6:00 pm
Days of Heaven
Starring Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard, Linda Manz.
Directed by Terrnence Malick. (1978, 95 mins. Rated PG)

Saturday, May 21 - 8:15
Sunrise
George O’Brien & Janet Gaynor.
Directed by F.W. Murnau. (1927, 110mins. Unrated, but suitable for most audiences.)

Nerd Alert: Loew's says "We will be screening "Sunrise" with live organ accompaniment, along with choice excerpts of the original recorded soundtrack."

Music Nerd Alert: May 21

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars will be performing at SOPAC this Saturday.
$$: Tickets are in the $25-35 range
Nerd Alert: The band was formed in a refugee camp during Sierra Leone's civil war. Whoa.

Artsy Nerd Alert: May 19

This Thursday, brave the rain and support local artists at the Montclair Gallery Walk from 6-9 pm.
Nerd Alert: Look for short films shown throughout the night, and local restaurants giving discounts.

Nerd Alert Roundup: May 14-15

So sorry for the Blogger-maintenance induced delay in posting this week. Here's the general outlook for the weekend:

On Saturday May 14th:
Artsy Nerds can enjoy Art on the Avenue on Bloomfield Ave. in Caldwell from 10am - 5pm, or a Preview performance of The Tallest Building in the World at Luna Stage in West Orange, which tackles the story of how the Twin Towers came to be (History Nerd Alert).
History and Nostalgia Nerds can also visit 9 Morris County museums and historical sites free of charge from noon - 5pm (a donation of non-perishable food items will be accepted for the Interfaith Food Pantry). History Nerds who are also Nerds with Kids might want to meet some baby lambs and watch the hand-shearing of sheep at Cooper Gristmill in Chester Township from 11am - 4pm, at an event called Born to Be Shorn, which promises "hands-on activities such as weaving and spinning and [making] crafts to take home. The suggested donation is $3 adults, $2 seniors, and $1 children."
Movie Nerds, History Nerds and Multicultural Nerds can attend a screening at The Raconteur Bookshop in Metuchen of "Don't Burn It," Vietnam's submission for Best Foreign Language Film in the 2010 Academy Awards; the screening will be followed by a discussion with a star of the film who is also a Vietnam War veteran.
Villa Milagro Vineyards in Finesville invites Food Nerds to watch them hand-bottle wine.
Nerds who Love a Bargain should stop by South Orange Garage Sale Day from 9am - 3pm.

On Sunday May 15:
Festival Nerds can check out Maplewood MayFest from 11am - 5pm along Springfield Ave.
Music Nerds and Book Nerds who live near the Delaware River should make reservations at the legendary Deer Head Inn for the Clap Hands Bash--Celebrating the Poetry & Song of Tom Waits. Nerd Alert: award-winning Jersey poet BJ Ward and Tim Carbone of Jersey roots band Railroad Earth will both make appearances, among other talented musicians and writers.

Comic Nerd Alert: May 7

Holy oversight, Batman: We nearly missed Free Comic Book Day, happening TODAY. Click here to locate a participating store near you.

Music Nerd Alert: May 6 and beyond

Fridays-on-the-Green concert series kicks off this week in Morristown and continues throughout May. It's FREE, but you have to be able to get there on your lunch hour: concerts start at 12:15 and are only half an hour each.

Movie Nerd Alert: May 6-7

The update from our friends at Raconteur Bookshop:

8 PM, Fri. May 6
ROBUS 1, RAY STRIFE, & LADY IN THE RADIATOR
CD release Party
Live Music
Indie rock and rap.

6 – 7:30 PM, Sat. May 7
WILLIAM LUSTIG
Pre-MANIAC Reception
Some serious New York grit is about to get all up in Metuchen when legendary cult director and Blue Underground head honcho William Lustig invades the The Forum with a brand new 35 mm print of Maniac. Join the Raconteur for a Dixie cup of comp wine and some up-close conversation with Lustig, then trot on down to the theater for the 8 PM screening and Q&A (brought to you by Crystal Plumage films). But be warned, this is strictly for fans of the genre. To read more about this event, click HERE and scroll down.

Sports Nerd Alert: May 6 and beyond

It's opening weekend for the Somerset Patriots! Nothing like the minor leagues to see a game on the cheap without any parking hassles. There's also the wacky spirit of camaraderie and the bizarre on-field contests between innings, not to mention the excuse to eat fried food in the outdoors.
$ (ticket prices range from $7-14)

Nerd Alert: Fireworks!

We'll also be keeping our eye on the Newark Bears, whose season begins later this month. We were sad to learn that the Sussex Skyhawks won't be operating this year.

Nerd Loves a Bargain: May 6, 7, 8

Many thanks to local nerds who tipped us off to the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Rummage Sale at the Fairgrounds in Far Hills this weekend. The website promises "75,000 square feet [of] clothing, appliances, antiques, sporting goods, furniture, dishes, books..." etc.

Nerd Alert: Sunday is half price day!

Music Nerd Alert: May 7

An eclectic mix this coming weekend for a music nerd to choose from: Kinnara, a madrigal-style ensemble performing in Summit ($20), WAMFest continues at FDU Florham with Owen (FREE), and the Raritan River Music Festival offers Tempesta Di Mare, a chamber baroque group, at Prallsville Mills in Stockton, an interesting structure in itself (advance tickets $19, $12 for students & seniors). Or you could always see what's going on at The Stanhope House ($10 or less).

Nostalgia Nerd Alert: May 7

If you'd like to go poking around a cool old town in a competitive sort of way, Watson Adventures is offering their Hidden Hoboken Scavenger Hunt, which promises "native son Frank Sinatra’s homes and places he sang; the location of Elysian Fields, where the first baseball game was played; locations from the movie On the Waterfront; cobblestone streets and a literal yellow-brick road."

$$: Tickets are about $20 and a typical hunt lasts a few hours
Nerd Alert: It sure sounds cheesy, but we can vouch for the company's "Princeton Prowl" hunt as pretty challenging and architecture-focused. We did not win, but still had fun and discovered beautiful parts of (and interesting things about) the university campus. Good for a small group; otherwise be prepared to be teamed up with some randoms.

Garden Nerd Alert: May 5-7

Here's hoping you got some good ideas from Nerd Alert's inaugural weekend. Coming up, more opportunities to dig in the dirt with garden club sales around the area:

Maplewood Garden Club's 74th annual sale: May 5 (noon-8pm), May 6 (8am - 8pm), May 7 (8am - 4pm).

Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum plant sale: May 7 (9am - 3pm) at the arboretum in Morris Twp.

The Short Hills Garden Club sale: May 6 (1pm - 7pm), May 7 (8am - 1pm).

Friends of the Laurelwood Arboretum: May 7 (9am - 3pm) at the arboretum in Wayne.

Not for nothing, but Mother's Day is coming up this weekend. You may as well go all traditional and buy her a plant, but maybe this year make it some herbs for the kitchen window.