SJ Web Site Reviews - Entertainment

Let’s broaden our horizons once again and still stay back home in South Jersey. I am going to take a look at some indoor entertainment this week, some quality indoor entertainment. Armed with only a mouse, Internet access, and some Boolean logic for searching, it’s all there for you to take advantage of. We’re way past letting our fingers do the walking – we have a far more interesting technique available.

So take a stroll through these sites and see if you find anything that warrants a change from Saturday night videos. When I started searching, I was thinking "Arts"... where can I find theatres in South Jersey? I have to admit, it took perseverance, but I found some great leads, including a unique method of celebrating New Year’s Eve, but I’ll get to that later.

I’d like to begin with Appel Farm’s concert site. I associated Appel Farm with warmer weather, but check out their theatre, which seats 250, and offers family matinees as well as evening concerts. I found two listings for some interesting Saturday matinees, which promise audience interaction and "performing artists from around the world". The philosophy of Appel Farm, located in Salem County’s town of Elmer, is to afford people the opportunity to perform and appreciate art.

Appel Farm is a non-profit organization; my advice is to bookmark the site to be certain not to miss any of their unique offerings in the Arts. Check out their homepage for directions and more information on this worthy enterprise. If you’re knocking around on a Saturday with no direction in mind, how about a quick visit to The Hopkins House, Camden County Cultural & Heritage Commission, in Haddon Township? They have some interesting exhibits going on right now, and their website is friendly, offering specifics as to the exhibits as well as directions. The Hopkins House, located on Cooper River, is dedicated to bringing the Arts to all of us to enjoy. It’s not just a Saturday possibility, though; as there are poetry readings, as well as a wealth of possibilities with their "Access to the Arts" link.

Spend some time perusing their site as well as the New Jersey Council of the Arts Website, which is absolutely crammed with leads to interestingly different offers of artistic enlightenment. For example, a click on Haddonfield Plays and Players (yields information on these current and upcoming plays: Oliver, Our Town, and Number the Stars. If you’ve been bored with your typical weekend plans, you no longer have any excuse to stay home. The Arts Council homepage has enough offerings to entice anyone.

Okay, finally getting to New Year’s Eve…I want to give you lots of advance notice for planning, so you have to stick with me here. There is a coalition, called "First Night" in New Jersey that offers an alternative to going out and, well, you know – the typical New Year’s Eve Party. This is a community-based, alcohol free alternative that provides: yes, here comes a quote, "...all genres of the performing arts: music, dance, theater, dance bands, magic, storytelling, mime". I just couldn’t condense it better myself.

After checking the link, you’ll see the history that dates back to 1976 in Boston, and a link for Ocean City – one of my favorite shore spots. The concept is a great one, and I’ll be checking the site for updates and more information. For now, you’ll have to make some phone calls or check back with me closer to New Year’s. Keep the idea in mind, though, as it appears to be an excellent family oriented New Year celebration.

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Author: SouthJersey.com Staff Writer - Janis Labenz.