Things to Do for Jersey Nerds: Oct 1-2

Happy New Year, Nerds! Looking for something sweet to do after you've finished your apples and honey? Not sure what we're talking about? Either way, Nerd Alert is here for you.

Saturday, October 1:
Chante for Haiti in Montclair-- "a day of music, dancing, story telling and community" in support of Lamp for Haiti. ($20)
Shop and stroll at the Maplewood Village Fall Market, from noon to 5 PM.
Check out Piano Circus--"six performers circling six pianos" at Peak Performances in Montclair (8 PM/$15)
Undress for Success--literally--with lots of other ladies in South Orange as a benefit for breast cancer research and awareness. No fooling.
Bring the kiddies to the Essex County Octoberfest at the Environmental Center, or to the NJ Botanical Gardens in Ringwood for their Harvest Fest, which continues Sunday. For an event with kiddie and adult attractions, visit Unionville Vineyards for their Harvest Festival, where you can taste wine, stomp grapes, or get your face painted, among other things ($15/click for a coupon).
Catch a truly indie flick at the ongoing NJ International Film Festival at Rutgers New Brunswick

Sunday, October 2
NJ Botanical Gardens Harvest Fest continues, or check out Califon's Harvest Fest
The Musconetcong Watershed Association sponsors its 9th Annual Wine-Tasting Event in Asbury
The Whippany Railway Museum presents its Pumpkin Festival, plus old trains!
The Morristown Festival on the Green includes lots of local businesses and organizations from noon-5 PM
See dancers leap and frolic amongst the art at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton
Give historic Williamsburg a run for its money at the Lord Stirling 1770s Festival in Basking Ridge

Food Nerds, Festival Nerds Clean Up Sept. 24-25

New Jersey Restaurant Week wraps up this weekend with multi-course lunch and dinner specials for $19 and $35, respectively, or less! Locations throughout the state; see the website for details.

Get to do some actual grape stomping at Villa Milagro Vineyard's Feast of San Gennaro this Saturday.

Loew's Jersey City has some swinging 60s (and early 70s) films from the vaults that Movie Nerds may be interested in seeing (including the dashing Steve McQueen...)

Town Street Festivals happening this weekend:
Saturday & Sunday: Chester's Oktoberfest, Bloomfield's HarvestFest
Saturday only: Tewksbury's Harvest Fest, Hoboken's Arts and Music Festival, Morristown Green's Hurricane Irene Disaster Relief Drive (plus music, food, and other fun)
Sunday only: Westfield's Festifall, Englewood Cliffs Street Fair

Nerdy Things to Do: Sept 9-11

Crafty Nerds! Your time has come back! Kick off the handmade sweater-wearing season at the Chester Craft Show ($3 admission; check the website for a discount). You may also want to grab your Farm Nerd friends for the 17th Annual Sheep & Fiber Festival at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds.

Movie Nerds welcome back the NJ International Film Festival at Rutgers with its Fall season. This weekend, free food!

Food, Festival and Multicultural Nerds never miss a good street fair, and the Hoboken Italian Festival puts the other street fairs to shame.... though the Brazilian Day Festival at Independence Park in Newark may give her a run for her money.

Music Nerds should bob their heads all the way to the Somerville Jazz Festival (FREE) on Sunday.

Lastly, some heads-ups for future nerdiness that may sell out quickly:
Sept. 15: The Somerset Patriots honor Joe Torre for his charitable work; Torre will greet fans and accept an award at the game.
Oct. 22: David Johansen and and Garland Jeffreys At the Tabernacle in Mount Tabor.

The Social Nerdwork

Don't forget... if you are on The Facebook, 'Like' our page: Nerd Alert North Jersey. Sometimes last minute updates get posted here, along with contributions from other regional nerds. Thanks!

Fall Is Good For Nerds

There's a slight chill in the air, school supplies on display, and water in the basement. What better time to embrace your nerdiness?

Friday, Sept 2
Festival Nerds rejoice--it's opening day for the Boonton Fireman's Carnival, the biggest thing to hit small-town carnivals since the Califon Fair, as well as the St. Bart's Italian Festival in Scotch Plains. Food Nerds and Nerds with Kids will also be pleased.
Music Nerds can see some FREE music in Madison outside the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, or in Clinton for their last evening of music of the summer.

Saturday, Sept 3
The Somerset Patriots are giving away FREE tickets to Saturday's game on a first come, first served basis to Sports Nerds who were flooded/de-electrified or otherwise significantly impacted by last weekend's tropical storm.
Nostalgia Nerds, Crafty Nerds or those just looking for something unusual can check out the Plowing Match between competitive teams of draft horses as the Howell Living History Farm in Titusville! BBQ, games for children of nerds, and crafts will also be available.
Saturday is also opening day at Stony Hill Farm Market in Chester, and the corn maze will--repeat, will--be open. No word on the availability of apple cider donuts.

Sunday, Sept 4
Festival Nerds and Multicultural Nerds can attend the Scandinavian Festival in Budd Lake, or one of the ongoing festivals mentioned above.