Summer's Here, and There's Lots to Do!

School's out, and we've got a raft of events, shows, classes, films, concerts to get you and your family started on your summer vacation.

Where/When: At 8 p.m. on Saturday at  in Madison.
Why Go: Because enjoying Molière’s enduring comedic masterpiece sounds like a great addition to your weekend.
Pricing: Ranging from $32 to $55.

Where/When: From 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at Shanghai Jazz Restaurant, 24 Main St. in Madison.
Why Go: To hear the Chihiro Yamanaka Group perform, and to enjoy a delicious Asian gourmet diner while supporting advocacy for abused and neglected children.
Pricing: No cover.

Where/When: From 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at  in Madison.
Why Go: To see former Gov. Richard Codey sign copies of his new book, "Me, Governor?"
Pricing: $24.95

Where/When: From 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the .
Why Go: Because you’re interested in seeing a sale of oil, acrylic, watercolor, print, photography, collage, mosaic and sculptor works by members of the Art League of the Chathams.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: At noon on Sunday at  in Chatham.
Why Go: To see the Chatham Borough Policemen’s Benevolent Association play its annual softball game against the Chatham Borough Fire Department.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: At 8:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 6 Court Road in Morris Plains.
Why Go: Learn all about this famous murder trial as you sit in the actual courtroom where Antoine LeBlanc was tried in 1833 for the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Sayre and their servant, Phoebe.
Pricing: $10.

Where/When: From 9 to midnight on Friday and Saturday at  in Morristown.
Why Go: Because you want to enjoy a night of music this weekend.
Pricing: No cover.

Where/When: At 8 a.m. on Saturday at .
Why Go: To start off your Saturday with a pleasant 20-mile ride through Morristown, Harding and Chatham.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at The Merchant Block of Morris Plains.
Why Go: Your interested in getting some homemade mozzarella and ravioli, freshly baked bread and, some of New Jersey's best cheesecakes.
Pricing: Bring your wallet.

Where/When: At 8:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the .
Why Go: Because you want to enjoy an outdoor performance of one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies.
Pricing: $33 for adults, or $17 for children.

Where/When: From 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the  in Morris Township.
Why Go: To join chef and master gardener Cynthia Triolo as she presents four different recipes featuring blueberries. Recipes and samples will be provided.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: From 10 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Sunday at the  in Morris Township.
Why Go: At the Transportation Exhibit at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township, you'll discover how local transportation has changed over the past century.
Pricing: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children ages 6 to 14, $2 for children ages 2 to 3.

Hat and Purses Exhibit 
Where/When: From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the  in Morris Township.
Why Go: You’re interested in seeing more than 130 artifacts from the museum's costume collection, ranging from the 18th to 20th centuries.
Pricing: $10 for adult museum admission, or $7 for senior and children museum admission.

Where/When: At 6 p.m. on Thursday at 100 Horseneck Road in Montville.
Why Go: Among other reasons, to watch the second annual Summer Idol amateur talent competition as part of the Montville Township Independence Day Celebration.
Pricing: $18 in advance, $20 at the door.

Where/When: From 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Butler VFW, 69 Carey Avenue in Butler.
Why Go: Because you’d like to enjoy this Latin-inspired, easy-to-follow, calorie-burning, dance fitness class.
Pricing: $10

When/Where: Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Moorland Farms in Far Hills. Fireworks at nightfall.
Why Go: It's a magical evening for the whole family with the classical music of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and spectacular fireworks by Grucci. Proceeds benefit Somerset Medical Center. 
Pricing: $30 per person in advance. $60 per person at the gate. Children under 14 are admitted free.

When/Where: From 8 to 10 p.m. on Saturday at in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: To enjoy a special ride under the light of the moon. Riders must be 12 years of age and older and have the ability to walk, trot, and canter with control on the trails.
Pricing: $32 for Somerset County residents, $40 for non-residents.

Summer Color in the Perennial Garden
When/Where: From 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at Colonial Park in Somerset.
Why Go: To participate in a field study of the summer blooming plants of the park. Bring home plant care and gardening techniques tips to help make your own grow in vivid color.
Pricing: $12 per person. Registration required.

When/Where: From 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at  in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Teens and adults will receive instruction on wildlife drawing and painting with artist Andrea Gianchiglia.
Pricing: $25. Registration required. 

When/Where: At 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday at Villagers Theatre in Somerset.
Why Go: It's a song and dance extravaganza that will have your feet tapping to the "Lullaby of Broadway."
Pricing: $18 per adult, or $16 for seniors and students.

Where/When: At 11 a.m. on Saturday at the .
Why Go: So the kids can learn all about animals—and so can you.
Pricing: Free for members of the Summer Reading Program.

Where/When: From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at  in Chatham.
Why Go: For a day of information, training, mayhem and fun by Chatham High’s robotics teams.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: From 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the  in Long Valley.
Why Go: The library opens up its Summer Reading Club with a petting zoo and Sprinkles the Clown.
Pricing: Free.

When/Where: At 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Bernards Township Library in
Basking Ridge.
Why Go: To hang with friends, play some Wii, grab a snack, and participate in special programs especially designed for those entering into grades five and six.
Pricing: Free.

When/Where: From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at  in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: To experience an entire weekend of camping in a single afternoon. Don't worry, roasting marshmallows will be part of the fun.
Pricing: Free. Registration required.

When/Where: At 10 a.m. on Saturday at Lowes in Hillsborough.
Why Go: To show your patriotism on upcoming Independence Day with the pride of building a cool waving flag all by yourself.
Pricing: Free

When/Where: At 10:15 a.m. on Saturday at the  in Bridgewater.
Why Go: For children ages 3 and up to hear the hilarious tale of Farmer Brown's cows and their quest to improve their working conditions.  
Pricing: Free. Registration required.

When/Where: From 11 to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday at  in Bridgewater.
Why Go: To listen and laugh with the adventures of Curious George as he visits an ice cream shop while you create your own ice cream and waffle cone sunday.
Pricing: $5 per child & parent with Shopper Plus Card / $10 without card. Space is limited. Advanced tickets required.