Oct. 11 – 25
8 pm and 2 pm
THEATRE
Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing” – presented by the Westfield Community Players
“Much Ado about Nothing” with flappers and gangsters a la Al Capone? Not quite how the Bard imagined it, but his comedy of love and deception transposes easily onto the Jazz Age in this production, where champagne and witticisms flow in equal abundance. At the center of this play are Beatrice and Benedick, each determined to avoid love and remain single — but they’re drawn to spar verbally with one another whenever they meet. Is the deception here self-deception and could the sparring be a sign of mutual attraction? Benedick’s buddies, Don Pedro and Claudio, use outright trickery to bring the unlikely pair together.
Tickets: $25 general admission; $15 students and veterans with ID
Westfield Community Players
1000 North Ave., Westfield
908-232-1221
wcptheatre.org
Accessibility: Theater is on ground floor and is wheelchair accessible. Call ahead to 908-232-1221 to reserve wheelchair-accessible parking or to request additional accommodations.
Oct 10 – 19
Fri/Sat at 8 pm | Sun at 2 pm
THEATER
The Shark Is Broken
It’s the 50th Anniversary of the blockbuster movie “Jaws.” Filming Jaws is a nightmare. The weather is hell, the mechanical shark is on the fritz, and the actors? Trapped together on a too-small boat, battling egos, booze, and boredom. Robert Shaw—the old-school pro. Richard Dreyfuss—the young upstart. Roy Scheider—caught in the crossfire.
As tension rises and patience wears thin, Hollywood chaos churns beneath the surface. But from the wreckage, something legendary is born. Fifty years later, the shark still haunts us. But the real storm? It was behind the scenes. Jaws isn’t funny—but The Shark is Broken is absolutely hilarious.
Tickets $21-$26
CDC Theatre
78 Winans Ave., Cranford
908-276-7611
Wheelchair accessible venue, including accessible bathroom.
Oct. 16
7 pm
FREE MUSIC/DANCE PERFORMANCE
D’Italia Programs: Italian-American Heritage Month Celebration
Join an evening performance featuring traditional Italian music, dance, and costuming. Enjoy live music including an interactive tarantella dance lesson. Performed by D’Italia Programs.
Kenilworth Public Library
548 Boulevard, Kenilworth
908-276-2451
Venue is wheelchair-accessible, via the parking-lot entrance
Oct. 16, 22, 28 & Nov. 2
FILM FESTIVAL
The Roesch Jewish Film Festival
The JCC of Central NJ presents the Roesch Jewish Film Festival, with four films: On October 17, Tatami at 7:00 pm. On October 22, Never Alone at 7:00 pm. On October 28, The Ring at 7:00 pm. On November 2, Midas Man at 5:00 pm.
After each film, join in after the credits roll for Lights, Camera, Conversation – a welcoming space for movie-lovers to reflect, share perspectives and dive deeper into the themes, characters and emotions sparked by the film. For both a casual viewer or a cinema enthusiast, take this chance to connect, process and keep the story going.
AMC Mountainside 10
Route 22 Eastbound, Mountainside
Tickets: $18 (package available for the full series)
jccnj.org/jccinternationaljewishfilmfestival/
Wheelchair accessible, subtitles. For accommodations needed, please email bmitchell@jccnj.org.
Oct. 17 & Oct. 24
1 – 2 pm
FREE WORKSHOP
Smartphone Training
Valerie Porter presents two one-hour sessions focused on how to: use a QR code safely, retrieve deleted text messages, increase phone storage, and set up call favorites.
Free.
John T. Gregorio Center
330 Helen St., Linden
908-474-8600
Venue is wheelchair-accessible.
Oct. 18 – Nov. 2
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm (5 dates)
Sundays at 2 pm (3 dates)
THEATER
“The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie, presented by The Summit Playhouse
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is a classic whodunnit play that follows seven strangers snowed in at a remote guesthouse after a London murder. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests learn a killer is among them, and their suspicions grow as each character reveals a shady past. The play is full of humor, intrigue, and twists, and asks the audience to solve the mystery for themselves.
Tickets: $25 for Adults; $20 for Seniors & Students
thesummitplayhouse.org
The Summit Playhouse
10 New England Ave., Summit
908-273-2192
Playhouse lobby, auditorium, lounge, and restroom are fully accessible and ADA-compliant. Please see a Playhouse volunteer upon arrival for assistance with elevator.
Oct 18 (and the 3rd Saturday every month)
6 – 9 pm
POETRY OPEN MIC
What’s the Word!
Enjoy Spoken Word/Poetry in the heart of Rahway from ACP Arts Ink. Thought-provoking artists convene to bring beautiful words of passion. Every show features professional artists and spotlights up-and-coming artists. (This location also hosts the “New Jeru Poetry Slam,” where poets compete for a spot to represent New Jersey at national and regional poetry slam competitions.)
Melao Cafe and Creamery
1425 Irving St., Rahway
FREE
Venue is wheelchair-accessible
Oct. 26
3:00 – 5:00 pm
CONCERT
Afternoon Music presents Mostly Miller: Music of Reliance & Encouragement
Composer, pianist and organist Mark Miller showcases his own spirited songs and more, with baritone Julian Wamble and cellist Niles Luther. A graduate Juilliard, Miller is Professor of Church Music and Composer-in-Residence at Drew University. His energetic songs are best-sellers for publishers and have been called the soundtrack for a new generation in celebrating hospitality, equity and justice.
Tickets: $30 online ($35 at the door) Limited free student tickets available online.
Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit
4 Waldron Ave at Springfield Ave., Summit
afternoonmusic.org/current-season
Venue and event are ADA-compliant. Accessibility includes designated parking spaces, wheelchair accessibility, accessible bathrooms, and an elevator between floors. Large print programs are available upon request to 908-670-1939.
Oct. 18–19
12–5 pm both days
CELEBRATING LOCAL HISTORY
Four Centuries in a Weekend – a fall Tradition!
Learn about life in Union County over the course of four centuries. More than 30 historic sites across Union County will be open to the public. Enjoy guided tours, exhibits, hands-on activities and special events – from re-enactors to children’s games and authentic colonial-era cooking.
Presented by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
FREE admission at all sites.
Oct. 26
3:30 pm
CONCERT
Mostly Music – Chamber Music Concert “Bohemian Echoes”
This Mostly Music concert, is an exploration of Bohemian, Hungarian and Russian music, featuring violinists Chad Hoopes and Arnaud Sussmann, and violist Paul Neubauer, performing Dvořák’s Drobnosti; Ysaÿe’s Trio de Concert “Le Londres;” Kodály’s Serenade; Taneyev’s String Trio; and Dvořák’s Terzetto.
Tickets: $50. Free for students.
Temple Emanu-El
756 East Broad St., Westfield
908-789-8578
mostlymusic.org
Accessibility: Venue is totally totally ADA-accessible, on one floor. Hearing devices are available on request. The concert pieces are described.
Oct. 26
5 pm
CONCERT
Summit Chorale’s Fall Concert: I Go On
Program includes Bernstein’s Mass. Leonard Bernstein composed his Mass as a modern setting of the traditional Latin Mass with additional lyrics by himself, Stephen Schwartz, and Paul Simon. The second half of the program is filled with choral favorites, to please singers and audience alike.
Tickets: $25 In Advance || $30 At the Door || $15 with Student ID
United Methodist Church of Summit
17 Kent Place Blvd., Summit
ticketleap.events/tickets/summit-chorale/fall-concert-2025
Venue is wheelchair-accessible. Large-print programs available upon request. Email accessibility requests to events@summitchorale.org.
Offered Select Saturdays this Fall
9 am – 12:30 pm
ART WORKSHOP
One-Day Stained Glass Workshop
Create your own stained-glass masterpiece in a fun, hands-on workshop. Stained Glass Workshops are available on 5 dates; choose one or more. Each 3½-hour session focuses on a specific project— choose from a Cat, Pumpkin, Bat, Feather, or Poinsettia (Sep 13, Oct. 11, Oct. 25, Nov 15, Dec 13).
No experience required, and all materials are provided. Leave with a finished stained-glass work to take home and display.
duCret Center of Art
1030 Central Ave., Plainfield
908-757-7171
$140 fee (all materials included)
Register at ducretarts.org/fall-stained-glass-workshops/
Venue is wheelchair accessible