Annual Events February 15-18

There’s lots to do this weekend including boat shows, beer and wine festivals, film festivals, RV shows, chili contests, a polar bear plunge and so much more!

 

FEBRUARY 15

 

The NJ Boat Sale & Expo will be held February 15-18th at the NJ Convention and Expo Center in Edison. There will be boat dealers as well as vendors selling all sorts of marine equipment. There will be seminars and demonstrations as well as a Kids Cove for the young ones. For more information visit http://jerseyboatexpo.com

 

*****

 

The Black Maria Film Festival continues February 15th at Ramapo College. The festival, now in its 37th year, is devoted to celebrating and preserving the diversity, invention, and vitality of the short film. The competition is a juried film competition. The subject matter is often provocative and crosses all genres including narrative, experimental, animation, and documentary that push the boundaries of film. The festival’s touring collection addresses topics such as the environment, public health, climate change, substance abuse, gun violence, sustainability, immigration, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ issues. Short films are celebrated as central to the festival – not as a sidebar to feature length films. For tickets an information visit http://www.blackmariafilmfestival.org

 

Additional Festival dates include February 17th at the Madison Public Library, February 24th at Sussex County College, February 26 at Princeton University, March 7 at the Hoboken Historical Museum, March 14 and 21 at the Sitnik Theater, March 28 in East Brunswick, March 29 at Monmouth University, April 4 at the Hoboken Historical Museum, April 9 at the Secaucus Public Library, April 18 at the Bickford Theater, May 2 at the Hoboken Historical Museum, May 20 at the Secaucus Public Library, June 6 at the Hoboken Historical Museum, June 29 at Thomas Edison National Historic Park, and July 6 at the LBI Foundation for the Arts.

 

 

FEBRUARY 16

 

Take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count the weekend of February 17-20th. Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the Great Backyard Bird Count was the first online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time. Last year, 130 countries counted 5,689 species of birds on more than 162,000 checklists.

 

How do you participate? For at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, February 16-19, simply tally the numbers and kinds of birds you see. You can count from any location, anywhere in the world, for as long as you wish. To find out more visit http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc

 

*****

 

The Rutgers Film Co-op and the NJ Media Arts Center host two film festivals each spring. The NJ Film Festival and the Super 8mm Film and Digital Video Festival are held at Rutgers University at Vorhees Hall and the Ruth Adams Building on weekends thru out the spring. The NJ Film festival will run February 16, 23, and March 2nd. The 30th Super 8mm and Digital Video Festival is held February 23-24. The films are selected by a panel of judges who include previous winners, Cinema Studies Faculty and students and members of the press/media. 400 films were submitted to the Festival and the panel of judges chose 29 finalists.

 

General admission is $10, $9 for students and seniors and $8 for members of the Rutgers Film Coop. Advance tickets are not sold in advance except for groups of three or more, For more details and to see a lineup of the films that will be shown at the festival, call them at 732 932-8482 or visit their website at http://www.njfilmfest.com

 

*****

 

The Nam Knights hold their annual Beefsteak Dinner on February 16th at The Fiesta in Woodridge. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $55 pp. Visit http://www.namknights.org or call Chris Mueger at 201 852-2929.

 

 

FEBRUARY 17

 

The 23rd annual Camping RV Show returns to Atlantic City February 16-18. Prospective buyers will find Class A & C Motor Homes & Highline Rigs, travel trailers and 5th wheels on display. If you’re searching for a new motor home you’ll find it here! RV owners and buyers will also enjoy information on RV lifestyle and products, campgrounds, and travel destinations. You can also visit with the regions highest rated campgrounds to plan your family’s 2018 RV travel. For more information visit http://www.atlanticcityrvshow.com.

 

 

*****

 

The Cheers Bergen: Craft Beer & Wine Festival will be held February 17th atn the Garden State Plaza. There will be over 100 Craft Brews & Wines with Unlimited Samplings, Great Food & Live Music. There will be two sessions (430 and 6) and tickets are $70 with designated driver tickets at $15. To buy tickets or for more information visit http://cheersbergen.com/

 

*****

 

The Black Maria Film Festival continues February 17th at the Madison Public Library. The festival, now in its 37th year, is devoted to celebrating and preserving the diversity, invention, and vitality of the short film. The competition is a juried film competition. The subject matter is often provocative and crosses all genres including narrative, experimental, animation, and documentary that push the boundaries of film. The festival’s touring collection addresses topics such as the environment, public health, climate change, substance abuse, gun violence, sustainability, immigration, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ issues. Short films are celebrated as central to the festival – not as a sidebar to feature length films. For tickets an information visit http://www.blackmariafilmfestival.org

 

Additional Festival dates include February 24th at Sussex County College, February 26 at Princeton University, March 7 at the Hoboken Historical Museum, March 14 and 21 at the Sitnik Theater, March 28 in East Brunswick, March 29 at Monmouth University, April 4 at the Hoboken Historical Museum, April 9 at the Secaucus Public Library, April 18 at the Bickford Theater, May 2 at the Hoboken Historical Museum, May 20 at the Secaucus Public Library, June 6 at the Hoboken Historical Museum, June 29 at Thomas Edison National Historic Park, and July 6 at the LBI Foundation for the Arts.

 

*****

 

Terhune Orchards holds its wine and chocolate weekend February 10-11th and 17-18th. Wine & Chocolate Weekends feature Carol’s Creative Chocolates, a local artisan chocolate maker specializing in high quality single-origin chocolates. Chocolate will specially paired with wines from Terhune Orchards Vineyard and Winery. These special tasting include a paired tasting of five Terhune Orchards wines paired with of Carol’s chocolates and a souvenir glass for $15 per person. For more information visit http://terhuneorchards.com

 

 

FEBRUARY 18

 

The Home of Happiness is a troop of actors who perform the Rocky Horror Picture Show live on stage in front of a big movie screen where the movie plays. Known for their crowd interaction and bawdiness, this show will have you shivering in antici-pation. The group has numerous themed events and costume contests and the Saturday after Valentine’s Day (February 18) is a lingerie themed night. Come dressed in your finest evening wear and join the costume contest, then grab your newspapers and toast and enjoy the show. You can join them in dancing the time warp again and and again and again and again every Saturday night at midnight at the Caldwell Cinema IV, 317 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell. For more information visit http://www.homeofhappiness.com

 

*****

 

Every Presidents Day weekend, Mike’s Seafood sponsors an annual Polar Bear Run/Walk for Autism in Sea Isle City. On February 18th, this non-competitive 5K walk/run will be held outside La Costa Inn at 4000 Landis Ave, Sea Isle City. Inside a heated tent will be live music, face painters, magicians and the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the event. Proceeds benefit Autism Speaks, Specials Services Schools, Autism Support Groups, and Families with Special Needs Children! Visit them on their website at http://www.polarbearrunwalkforautism.com or http://www.facebook.com/polarbearrunwalkforautism

 

*****

 

January and February will see the return of the annual West Orange Classic Film Fest, now celebrating its 13th year. The festival features 8 classic films, shown each Sunday afternoon at the AMC theater in the Essex Green Shopping Center. Movie lovers can watch classic films such as Double Indemnity an the Deer Hunter for $10 which includes a film chat to follow, led by film scholars and critics. Members of the West Orange Arts Council can get discounted tickets for $7.00.

 

The series continues February 18th with Do the Right Thing, and concludes with Shane (2/25). Film critics who have participated in previous years suggest films for each years festival, and previous attendees are polled as well. Stephen Witty, entertainment columnist and movie critic for the Star Ledger will be hosting two different screenings this year. After each film is a discussion among attendees and the guest speakers, which usually last about 30-60 minutes. Come down to the festival at AMC Theater 495 Prospect Ave, West Orange, 973 731-6692. For more information visit http://www.woarts.org or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/182685978621/

 

*****

 

The Wayne American Legion Post 174 hosts its 9th annual chili competition on February 18th. This annual fundraiser will features trophies and a $100 prize for the winning chili. For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/events/295918460808218/