Date Night: Find a Way to Spread Some Spirit

The Borgata, Atlantic City

THIS WEEKEND Thursday through Sunday — The Borgata Comedy Club features a show with Jeff Pirami, Rob Magnotti and Vic DiBitetto, 9 p.m.

 NEXT WEEK Vinnie Mark, Jodi Weiner, JJ Ramirez tickle the funny bones of Music Box audiences, Dec. 22-24, all shows start at 9 p.m.

BOOK IT NOW Fitz and the Tantrums, 9p.m., Friday, Dec. 30; New Year's Eve party with comedian Seth Meyers, 7 and 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31, Rob Thomas, 9 p.m., Jan. 6-7, The Music Box; Frankie Valli, 9 p.m., Jan 13, The Music Box 

Check out theborgata.com for details about these and other shows.

Kean University, Union

THIS WEEKEND Through Friday — "Claiming Citizenship: African-Americans and New Deal Photography," presented by the Kean University Human Rights Institute Gallery, noon to 4 p.m.; Sunday — Holiday Brass, 3 p.m.  

NEXT WEEK No shows

BOOK IT NOW George Winston, 3 p.m., Sunday, March 4 

Check out keanstage.com for details about these and other shows.

Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

THIS WEEKEND Friday through Monday, Dec. 26 — New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker; the beloved holiday classic, with a traditional staging by the state's top ballet company. 

BOOK IT NOW Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons deliver their impressive list of hits — and show those guys on Broadway how it's done — on Jan. 17, 18 and 19; Legendary crooner Tony Bennett brings his heart to Morristown, Thursday, Feb. 2

Check out mayoarts.org for details about these and other shows.

NJPAC, Newark

THIS WEEKEND Saturday — Giwayen Mata, the Spirit of Kwanzaa arrives with this performance featuring Nigerian and West Africa dance and drumming from Atlanta’s trailblazing, all-female ensemble, 5 p.m.; Sunday — Sing the Truth, Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright pay tribute to three recently departed musical legends: Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta,  3 p.m. 

BOOK IT NOW The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 6, Prudential Hall; Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with Richard Smallwood and Tye Tribbett, 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12Prudential Hall

Check out njpac.org for details about these and other shows.

The Prudential Center, Newark

 THIS WEEKEND Friday — Devils v. Dallas Stars, 7 p.m.; Saturday — NJ Nets v. New York Knick in Preseason NBA Basketball (remember that?), 2 p.m. Sunday — Seton Hall v. Mercer, noon

NEXT WEEK Devils v. New York Rangers, 7 p.m., Tuesday; Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 4 and 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22

BOOK IT NOW Devils v. Washington Capitals, 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23; Nets v. Atlanta Hawks, SEASON HOME OPENER, Tuesday, Dec. 27 

Check out prucenter.com for details about these and other shows.

Scotty's, Springfield

THIS WEEKEND: Friday and Saturday — Coleman Green, the actor/stand-up, headlines a show that also features Joe Eichler and Mike Casey.

NEXT WEEK No shows scheduled

BOOK IT NOW New Year's Eve with Bob Dibuono and Doug Karpf, the double-bill features Karpf,the Springfield native and resident.

For details and more information, log onto scottyssteakhouse.com.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Madison

THIS WEEKEND A Christmas Carol, the staging of the Charles Dickens classic, runs through Jan 1.

Click on shakespearenj.org for details.

Shanghai Jazz, Madison

THIS WEEKEND Thursday — Clarinetist/saxophonist Dan Levinson brings his eponymous trio for a Madison appearance; Friday —  Grammy-nominated blue/jazz guitarist Dave Stryker and his trio; Saturday — Grammy-nominated pianist Keith Ingham and his trio perform "A Charlie Brown Christmas," featuring the mmusic of Vince Guaraldi

NEXT WEEK Pianist Dan Crisci performs great American standards and holiday favorites, Tuesday; Pianist/vocalist John Korba of the Hall & Oates band and Broadway's Rent, performs with vocalist Herb Woodson, Wednesday

BOOK IT NOW The Matt King Trio performs holiday songs, Friday, Dec. 23; Keith Ingham performs one Christmas Eve show of traditional favorites, Sat., Dec. 24

 All shows 6:30 and 8:30. Check out shanghaijazz.com for more details.

South Orange Performing Arts Center

THIS WEEKEND Friday — A Freddy Cole Holiday, featuring the smooth crooner —brother of legend Nat King Cole — delivering a warm show of Christmas favorites, 8 p.m.

NEXT WEEK No shows scheduled

BOOK IT NOW The "Blues in the Loft" series inexpensive shows highlighting up-and-coming performers. Tickets are $15, 5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22

Go to sopacnow.org for more details about all shows.

State Theatre, New Brunswick

THIS WEEKEND Saturday and Sunday — The American Repertory Ballet performs The Nutcracker, 8 p.m.

NEXT WEEK The Irish Tenors Christmas Reunion 2011; Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan — the original Irish Tenors — will perform American and Irish holiday classics, 8 p.m., Wednesday

BOOK IT NOW  "Salute to Vienna," Welcome the New Year with Salute to Vienna, patterned after Vienna’s world famous “Neujahrskonzert,” for the 13th season at the State Theatre, 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31, 

Check out statetheatrenj.org for more details.

Stress Factory Comedy Club, New Brunswick

THIS WEEKEND Thursday through Saturday — Ross Bennett, whom you have likely seen perform on The Big Laff Off, Comedy Central’s Stand Up Stand Up, Entertainment Tonight, Comic Strip Live, shows at 8 and 10:30 p.m.

NEXT WEEK DAN NATURMAN, who has appeared on Last Comic Standing, Letterman, Comedy Central, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 22, 23

BOOK IT NOW Monday, DEC 26th — TRACEY MORGAN, star of 30 Rock, HBO Specials, Howard Stern & every late night show on TV.; John Oliver, Jan. 12-14; Mitch Fatel, Jan. 9-21

 Check out stressfactory.com for more details.

Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

THIS WEEKEND Saturday — no shows this weekend 

BOOK IT NOW You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 6,7; "Defending the Caveman," Saturday, Feb. 25, Jill Sobule, Saturday, March 17, The Charlie Daniels Band, Friday, March 23

Check out ucpac.org for details about these and other shows.

Wellmont Theatre, Montclair

THIS WEEKEND Saturday — From Good Homes, a homegrown Jersey sit all over the country, brings their mix of Celtic/folk/rock/jazz influences for a night at the Wellmont, 8 p.m.

 NEXT WEEK Kyuss Lives!, with The Sword, Black Cobra, Atomic Bitchwax, 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10; 

BOOK IT NOW Dark Star Orchestra, immersed in a decade of conjuring the ghosts of the Dead while trying to keep the Dead alive, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 30, 31, Levon Helm Band, led by the iconic member of The Band, performs, Friday, Feb. 2, Singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson, Friday, March 2.

Check out wellmonttheatre.com for more shows.

Related Topics: Date Night, Entertainment, Mayo Center, Shakespeare Festival, Shanghai Jazz, and Stress Factory