June 2021 Calendar of Events

All events are current as of May 28, 2021.  Please check event contacts or websites for any changes in information. As we learn of events, we will add them to our calendar at somatwotownsforallages.org.

Pride Month Events

Join SOMA as we celebrate Pride 2021 with a month of activities and celebrations. From poetry readings and educational opportunities to family picnics and Drag Queen Bingo, SOMA organizations and community members have partnered to create a memorable month for all.  For events happening in both towns, go to somapride.com.

RECURRING EVENTS 

 
Wednesdays, June 2 through October 2021
South Orange Farmers Market from 2 - 7 pm @ Sloan Street Parking Lot, SO
Farmer's Market- Get your fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, nuts, bread and much more every Wednesday starting June 2 from 2-7pm in the Sloan Street Parking Lot.  
 
Mondays, June 7 through 11/22/21
Maplewood Farmers Market from 2 - 7 pm
1866 Springfield Avenue (corner of Yale Street and Springfield Avenue), Maplewood
Every Monday through 11/22/21. 
 
Wednesdays 
Creative Writing @ 1 pm. Online @ South Orange Public Library
Join SOPL every Wednesday for this virtual creative writing session on Zoom. Each week we'll introduce a prompt, write for a few minutes, and then share what we've come up with! Visit www.sopl.org/events/ to join.
 
Every other Friday
Special Conversations with Special People 
June 11 and 25 @ 1 pm.  Online with SOPL
Join the South Orange Public Library every other Friday at 1 pm during the summer for a virtual discussion on Zoom from a distinguished local guest!
For more information, go to https://www.sopl.org/events/
 
Now through July 9th
Morrow Neighbor to Neighbor Program Registration 
This summer home-repair program marshals volunteer teams of adults and students to provide home repairs, free of charge, to qualifying senior homeowners in the SOMA area. The work will be done July 12th - July 15th, 8 am - 1 pm. If you are interested in volunteering or are in need of these services, register now by contacting Rev Ehlers at 973-763-7676 X21

Saturdays
Village Sunset Music Series:  6:30 - 8:30 pm, Maplewood Ave-Maplewood
This Saturday music series will feature the talents of local musicians. Come eat and stroll, while enjoying the masks on-socially distanced performance every week! For a list of performers, go to http://www.maplewoodartsandculture.org/.
 
Saturdays
South Orange Summer Saturdays
South Orange Downtown is your go to destination for live music, local shopping and great dining. Join us every Saturday for live music downtown as music pods pop up in front of your favorite local businesses during the day and in the Sloan Street Parking Lot at night, 6 pm - 9 pm. Go to https://www.sovillagecenter.org/pub/event/story/2556/ for information.
 
Caregiver Survey
The Caregivers Task Force, NJ Division of Aging, is seeking information about your caregiving experience. This information will inform future caregiver policy development and help them better understand caregiver concerns. Survey is Online.
For English: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3y4eKyb7i8zURMy
For Spanish: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_86ddPczUzYhS4Xc

Wednesday, June 2

 
Laughs in the Loft @ 7:30 pm, SOPAC Loft
Starting June 2^nd, join us for Laughs in the Loft, a new SOPAC series featuring stand-up comics from our own backyard and beyond! Laughs in the Loft is every first Wednesday of the month and each event will feature four comedians in a NYC-style showcase. The talent will be announced approximately two weeks prior to each show. Come be part of something exciting, fun and hilarious. You never know who might drop in!  $20 at www.SOPACnow.org. 

Saturday, June 5

 
Blood Drive   10 am - 2 pm @ Maplewood Main Library
Donations are urgently needed, AND you may have the antibodies to help Covid patients.  DONOR GUIDELINES: * Masks must be worn. * Weigh at least 110 lbs. * Eat a meal beforehand. * Bring ID. * Drink plenty of water before and after. *Walk in, or make an appointment at https://donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/53304
Sponsored by Maplewood Library, The Maplewood Department of Health, and the Maplewood Fire Department.

Tuesday, June 8

 
Primary Elections:  Voting is from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
This is an in person election and not a vote by mail election so please check your respective towns for more details.   For Maplewood election information, go to https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/home/news/2021-primary-election-tuesday-june-8-2021.
For South Orange election information, go to
https://www.southorange.org/830/primary-election--june-8th-2021
 
Friends of the SO Public Library Meeting   5 - 6:30 pm. 
The monthly meeting of the Friends of South Orange Public Library is open to all. 
To attend, go to https://www.sopl.org/event/friends-of-sopl-meeting-virtual-6/

Wednesday, June 9

 
The Blues: An Introduction   7:30 - 9 pm.  Online at SOMA Adult School, $20
The Blues: An Introduction will explore the history of the blues from the genre's first appearance on sheet music in 1912 through the "revivals" of the 1960s, 1990s and beyond.  To register, go to https://www.ssreg.com/som/classes/results.asp?string=0015
 
Read Around The World: Albania   Online @ 7 pm - Maplewood Library
Our June title is The Doll: A Portrait of My Mother by Ismail Kadare
In this delicate and disarming autobiographical novel, Albania’s most renowned novelist and poet explores his relationship with his mother in a wrought tale of home, family, creative aspirations, and personal and political freedom. To register go to, https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sfu2rqTIiHNRc5DewWcqrprwZN8SuTKFf

Wednesday, June 9

 
Safe Driving, Safe Walking for Seniors @ 11 am - Online at Atlantic Health
Statistics show that senior citizens are at greater risk of being involved in a pedestrian crash as a driver and as a pedestrian. This presentation will discuss pedestrian safety from both the driver’s perspective and the pedestrian’s perspective and will include a review of current laws and safety measures created to keep everyone safe.  Register at 
https://atlantichealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VHw6iYdOSayT-k14Q0QmfA

Thursday, June 10

 
Classic & Contemporary Book Discussion Group 
7 pm-Online @ Maplewood Library
Our June title is The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
In this gothic horror story, a young governess is sent to a country house to take charge of two orphans. She soon becomes convinced that something dark is menacing her young charges. Henry James's masterpiece is considered to be the greatest ghost story ever written.
Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkdOmtrzwoHNWY2taNkUtM2ug1zlzhR4Ra
 
Columbia HS: Matilda   6 - 9 pm.  June 10^th to June 13^th.  Free.
Floods Hill in South Orange off N. Ridgewood Road and Mead Street
Enjoy an evening out under the stars experiencing the incredible talent our high school actors, singers, and dancers display while performing the award winning play, Matilda. Performances are on 6/10, 6/11, 6/12, and 6/13. Bring your own blanket or a low beach chair. https://www.chsmusicals.com/
 
SOMA Grieving and Loss Support Group
June 10 and June 24 @ 4 pm via Zoom 
Join our SOMA group to find a warm and accepting community to connect with.  To register, please contact Carol Berman, our SOMA Senior Adult Social Worker, at sosocialworker@southorange.org or 973-986-4321.  

Saturday, June 12

 
Friends of the Library Jewelry Sale 
11 am - 5 pm. South Orange Public Library Parking Lot
The Friends are holding their first-ever Jewelry Sale featuring a large selection of vintage and costume jewelry in a moderate range of prices. Come and bring your friends!  All jewelry was donated. Sale proceeds will fund library services for the South Orange community. Face masks required. Cash or credit/debit cards only.  

Monday, June 14

 
Juneteenth Flag Ceremony   4 pm - 5 pm
Outside of South Orange Municipal Office, 76 South Orange Ave, South Orange
Join us for this commemorative flag ceremony featuring speeches and a rendition of the Negro National Anthem. Refreshments will be served and the road closed so lawn chairs can be set up on the grass, sidewalk, and road. 

Thursday, June 17

 
Be Allies to our LGBTQ Friends and Families @ 7:30 pm via Zoom.
Join the Hilton Neighborhood Association, Columbia High School's Spectrum, and SOMA Two Towns for All Ages at this Pride event.  Go to www.Zoom.com, click on join a meeting, Type in the Meeting ID: 993 9766 0058, type in the Password: 328990

Saturday, June 19

 
Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience with Paquito D'Rivera   
Shows at 7 and 9:30 pm @ SOPAC. Ticket prices $55 to $65 
The Afro-Latin Experience, led by Dizzy Gillespie’s long time Bassist, and 2019 Grammy winner, John Lee, guides you through this musical journey, as the ensemble brings to life the driving rhythms, dynamic melodies, and flowing vocals of the Dizzy Gillespie vision of Afro–Latin music. Go to 
https://www.sopacnow.org/events/dizzy-gillespie/ to purchase tickets. 
 
Juneteenth - A Celebration of Freedom   11 am - 4 pm by reservation only
Durand-Hedden House, 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood
The Durand-Hedden House, in partnership with the South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, will host a Juneteenth celebration. Come to see historical reenactors from the Civil War era, be inspired by a group of Black poets, and visit the exhibit on the History of Slavery in New Jersey. This is free, advance reservations required.  Register at https://www.durandhedden.org/ or https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/events.
 
Juneteenth Celebration at Flood's Hill  6 pm - 9:30 pm
Floods Hill in South Orange off N. Ridgewood and Mead Street
For more information, go to southorange.org.

Monday, June 21

 
Summer Reading for Adults and Children Kickoff 11 am - 5 pm @SOPL
Join in as our intergenerational community continues to embrace a love of learning through books and eBooks. Read, listen, imagine, and learn all you can this summer. The experience culminates with a celebration on August 16th.  Contact SOPL at 973-762-0230 or librarian@sopl.org for additional information.  

Thursday, June 24

 
SOMA Grieving and Loss Support Group
June 10 and June 24 @ 4 pm via Zoom 
Join our SOMA group to find a warm and accepting community to connect with.  To register, please contact Carol Berman, our SOMA Senior Adult Social Worker, at sosocialworker@southorange.org or 973-986-4321.  

Saturday, June 26

Volunteer Fair   2 - 4 pm, Free @ Maplewood Memorial Park amphitheater (across from the train station) Rain date, Sunday, June 27, 2 - 4 pm
All are invited! Come share your talents and sign up to volunteer with one of our many community organizations who will be in attendance.  If you are interested in participating as a community organization, contact us at soma2towns@gmail.com.  Organized by SOMA Two Towns for all Ages (somatwotownsforallages.org).
 
Morrow Turnover Sale Opening Day   9:30 am - 12 pm
Morrow Church, 600 Ridgewood Rd, Maplewood
Come find treasures for yourself and your loved ones at the two and a half week sale also known as the “Miracle on Baker Street“. As always, the money raised supports programs for women and children. Additional sale dates are: Tuesdays - June 29th, July 6th (7 pm - 9 pm), July 13th (9:30 am - 12 pm) Thursdays - July 1st, July 8th (7 pm - 9 pm) Saturday - July 10th (9:30 am - 12 pm) Drop off your quality donations June 18th through July 7th, except on sale days. To allow for safe spacing, books, music/videos, and linens won’t be accepted. A special children’s clothing and children’s book sale will be held in August. If you are interested in volunteering or need additional information, please reach out to turnover@morrowchurch.org or call 973-763-7676.  

Monday, June 28

 
Ancestry Workshop @ 7pm. Online @ Maplewood Memorial Library
Maplewood Library cardholders can learn to use our Ancestry Library Edition database.
Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUrd-msrzMuGNU5FhBv479_nsn3MdqjgvcB
 
Book and Movie Discussion @ 7 pm. Online @ South Orange Public Library
You are invited to read, Heat and Dust by Ruth Jhabvala, and then watch the movie by the same title. The movie is available through Kanopy and is free with a library card. To access the link, go to sopl.org/events or contact Nancy Janow at njanow@sopl.org.