May 4-6: Nerd Nerdington

Main Street Nerds, cute it up this weekend at the Boonton Art Walk on Friday night or the Clinton Pansy Festival on Sunday.  Both events great for Nerds with Kids and Artsy Nerds as well.

Low cost culture fixes for Music Nerds at Peak Performances in Montclair, where the Shanghai Quartet will be rocking the Bartok, or on the Drew University campus, where the Masterwork Chorus will take a bite out of Vivaldi; both on Saturday (both $15).

Movie Nerds should check out the Montclair Film Festival, running all weekend, and can pick up Fest-related cookies while in town.

Outdoorsy Nerds can stock up at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum Annual Plant Sale on Saturday and Sunday.

Book Nerds might appreciate the poetry slam stylings of Cool Women: Poetry in the Park at Grounds for Sculpture on Sunday.

ps. If you like the blog in real life, 'Like' it in fake life on Facebook!  (If we get 100 'Likes,' a fairy gets its wings.)

Nerd Alert: Spring!

NANJ is BACK from Winter Hiatus and ready to turn its collective face to the sun.

This weekend:

Friday night, Book Nerds who were savvy enough to participate in World Book Night can pick up their free copies of their favorite books to give away at Watchung Bookseller's Book Night party. If you don't want to miss out for next year, check out the World Book Night website.

The mad minds behind the now-closed Raconteur Bookshop are staging a live version of Nosferatu: The First Vampyre this weekend. Find out more here.

Saturday is RECORD STORE DAY! Search the website for nearby free entertainment and support your local indie. Princeton Record exchange will have They Might Be Giants, and Main Street Jukebox in Stroudsburg, PA will have Bovine Social Club.

The Garden State Rollergirls host an intraleague grrrudge match on Saturday in Wallington.

Nerds with Kids can celebrate Earth Day at the Turtle Back Zoo's Party for the Planet on Sunday.

Villa Milagro Vineyards will be hosting a Wine & Cheese tasting event all weekend, and Unionville Vineyards hosts a Bridal and Special Event Fair on Sunday; the latter requires RSVP.

Coming up:

Those cool cats at Loew's Landmark Jersey City will be marking the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster by screening classic films about other sea-worthy disasters, like The Poseidon Adventure and Lifeboat, next weekend.

Grab tickets to any of our local minor league baseball stadium's games--The Newark Bears and the Somerset Patriots are both gearing up for opening day.

Boonton Art Walk May 4.

Montclair Film Festival May 1-6; see website for tickets and lineup.

Classy Diversions: Nerd NJ January 13-15 and Beyond

This weekend, Grownup Food Nerds may want to take advantage of something the wineries are calling Wine Trail Weekend, which is probably just a promotion of their wine tasting and tours, but is also a good excuse to support local businesses and farms and, well, try lots and lots of wine. Visit Old York Cellars, Terhune Orchards and Winery, Hopewell Valley Vineyards andUnionville Vineyards. It's a like a pub crawl, only classier, and you have to drive. Check out their websites or Facebook page for more info.

Book Nerds and Music Nerds, take your last chances to celebrate both at The Raconteur before it closes its doors at the end of this month. The last few planned events are no less fascinating for being the last few.

The historic Loews Jersey City returns with a classic lineup this weekend, including The Purple Rose of Cairo and Cinema Paradiso (Director's Cut). It's also cheaper and less soulless here than at your local multiplex. In other Jersey movie nerds, the NJ International Film Fest returns for the Winter season.

Finally, if you have been abducted by aliens and the experience is interfering with your ability to function, this meeting is for you.

In Long Range Nerd News:

Sports Nerds and Fans of the Weird may want to become judges at auditions for the next Newark Bears mascot! You will also review vocalists for the National Anthem, and dancers. Newark Bears publicity describes the experience as "humorous, interesting, and at times emotional." Interested parties should e-mail info at newarkbears dot com ASAP to sign up to judge the January 28th auditions.

Nerds with Kids and Artsy Nerds may want to mark their calendars for the first weekend in February, when the New York Theatre Ballet will hold a "mini residency" at the County College of Morris.

Nerdy New Year: Things to Win, Support Local Radio

Special Independent Radio Edition:

Craft beer fans rejoice! WFMU will host a special beer nerd Meet-Up at Barcade in Jersey City (163 Newark Ave), where they'll tap a rare keg of Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout on Mon Jan 23rd at 7pm. Reserve a guaranteed serving by pledging $20 to WFMU (doesn't include drink price) and be sure to mention beer in your pledge comments. Space is limited to the first 50 pledges, so act quickly!

Make a pledge to WBGO and you could win a Big Party for the Big Game, Sunday February 5th. Set the place, invite your friends and WBGO News Director and Sports Jam host Doug Doyle will bring you all the food for your party, as you gather to watch football-s biggest night.
Not only will you be treated to an amazing array of tasty treats, but you and your friends will be featured on Doug-s program, Sports Jam, broadcast on WBGO Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. and podcast online at wbgo.org. It draws sports and music figures from all walks of life to tell their stories at the intersection of sports and music. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Monte Irvin, Tony Meola, Oksana Baiul, and so many others have been guests. Now it-s your turn, if you-re the winner!
No matter who wins the big game, you-ll never forget this night!
Pledge right now ( http://wbgojazz88.pmailus.com/pmailweb/ct?d=T5Jf-gBzAOEAAAQIAAW26Q ) to keep your station swinging, and be automatically
entered to win Doug-s Super Party.

At The Raconteur, celebrate the old days of radio with "Marx Brothers Lost Radio"--a live performance featuring "Welcome Back Kotter's" Bobby Hegyes.
8:00 PM, Fri. Jan 6
7:30 & 9:00 PM, Sat. Jan 7
Featuring acclaimed Groucho impersonator Ron MacCloskey (in full costume & makeup) and Welcome Back Kotter's Bobby Hegyes (Epstein) as Chico Marx. Reservations required, $10.

Things to Do for Nerds: December 17-18

The last big event ever (snif) at The Raconteur in Metuchen is this weekend--Movie Nerds, take note: Meet John Sayles! Book Nerds, seek solace, bargains, and rare finds, and raise a glass.

Holiday Nerds or Nerds with Kids can drive around and gawk at some of the outlandish light displays on houses, with this guide from Weird NJ, or just head down to your nearest downtown Main Street and admire the sparkliness. (Stopping along the way to support the local businesses, of course.) For a more detailed listing of the many Christmas-themed events and displays around the area, read more here. And if you're an Artsy Nerd looking to go all-out traditional, NJ Ballet's The Nutcracker will begin its run in Morristown this weekend.

Nerdy Jersey: Happy December!

Welcome to the madness, fellow nerds. Here are some ways to ramp up or chill out this weekend in New Jersey:

Friday, Dec 2:
Artsy and Crafty Nerds have plenty to keep them busy this weekend. First up is the Morristown Armory Holiday Craft Fair, starting today and running all weekend ($7 admission).
Book Nerds (and let's face it, Holiday Nerds) can experience an elaborate staged radio play version of A Christmas Carol at The Raconteur Bookshop in Metuchen ($10 suggested donation). This iconic shop will close next month, so check out their events while you still can.
Movie (and Media) Nerds may be interested in The Walton's 40th Reunion at the Loews Jersey City theater tonight, featuring a screening and some original cast members ($20)! Curiouser and curiouser.
Main Street Nerds can visit Boonton this evening for its Holiday Open House and Window Walk; stores will be open late, shoppers can vote on window displays for a chance to win money, and carriage and antique car tours of the holiday lights will be available. Central Jersey Main Street Nerds should get a curbside seat in Clinton as their annual Dickens Days continue with a Christmas Parade.
Activist Nerds will be happy to shop at the Gifts of Conscience Holiday Gift Fair at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship tonight and throughout the weekend, featuring gifts from Ten Thousand Villages and other do-the-right-thing sort of organizations.
Nerds with Kids may want to visit the Turtle Back Zoo's Holiday Lights Spectacular, running throughout the weekend (FREE).

Saturday, Dec 3:Frelinghuysen Arboretum also hosts a craft fair this weekend, but the big draw is probably the outlandish gingerbread houses on display ($2 suggested donation).
Central Jersey Artsy Nerds should check out Off the Wall today at the West Windsor Arts Center, showcasing "affordable art exhibit" during which you can literally take your purchases off the wall (FREE admission).
See the Winter Wonders lights display at Grounds for Sculpture from a horse-drawn carriage (Grounds admission price).
Winter Holiday Festival at Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge will include crafty things, hayrides, Santa, and displays of horse-riding prowess (FREE).
Morristown Armory Holiday Craft Fair ($7 admission).
A Christmas Carol at The Raconteur Bookshop in Metuchen ($10 suggested donation).
Gifts of Conscience Holiday Gift Fair at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship.
Turtle Back Zoo's Holiday Lights Spectacular (FREE).

Sunday, Dec 4:
Ramapo Valley Railroad holds an open house so Nerds with Kids can see a "massive train layout with mountains, cities, rivers, yards, a windmill, and more, with plenty of trains, and plenty of free parking."
Morristown Armory Holiday Craft Fair ($7 admission).
Gifts of Conscience Holiday Gift Fair at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship.
Turtle Back Zoo's Holiday Lights Spectacular (FREE).

And as we tumble headlong into this holiday season, an admonition from one nerd to another: Shop local. Shop Main Street. Make a day of it and enjoy the unique character of our cute Jersey towns, instead of the barren sameness of a mall parking garage. Walk around outside, instead of in recycled air. Make friends with shopkeepers, instead of dealing with surly teenagers. Help preserve small businesses, instead of giant corporations. And most of all, find truly unique and interesting gifts (or gift certificates) for those you love.

Nerds in Fall: November 11, 12, 13

Book & Movie Nerds hit the jackpot this weekend: Between the Teaneck International Film Festival, the Holy Batvention event at the Landmark Loews Jersey City, and Gertrude Stein Radio Drama at the Raconteur in Metuchen, nerdy events are happening all over the North/Central Jersey map for you.

And on the Sports Nerd/Curiouser and Curiouser End: The Garden State Rollergirls host their last bout of the year in Wallington.

All unique, all nerdy, all in the $10 range, all in New Jersey.