Best Virtual Entertainment in December
Here are some suggestions for you and your family to enjoy the history, arts and culture from cherished New Jersey historians, musicians and more. This sector of the economy has been particularly hard hit by Covid, but they soldier on to bring us joy during the holiday season and beyond.
Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey offers several free online broadcasts during December. There is Mozart, Beethoven, another installment of “Bach, Bagels and Bob-Holiday Edition,” as well as “Auld Lang Syne,” an original holiday opera by Maestro Robert Butts about two high school sweethearts who re-connect at Christmas after 40 years. The opera will air on December 20th. BONJ’s December schedule
Crossroads of the American Revolution This December marks the 244th anniversary of the Continental Army’s crucial Christmas night 1776 crossing of the Delaware River, starting the ten crucial days that turned the tide of the American Revolution. The Battles of Trenton and Princeton that followed were decisive wins for General George Washington’s American forces, boosting morale and building a renewed sense of focus in the early days of 1777. You can watch the Crossing from your home at 10:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, December 25 as Washington Crossing Historic Park presents a re-enactment of the historic event on their YouTube page.
First Night Morris will present its 29th annual extravaganza on December 31st. First Night Morris County 2021 is the biggest and brightest New Year’s Eve celebration in New Jersey, providing a family-friendly and re-imagined evening of fun, including fireworks. The stellar program features over 100 artists, 40 performances: dance, theatre/comedy, music (rock, jazz, blues, and classical), visual arts, world cultures, children’s programs, a film festival and so much more. Tickets on sale now
The Folk Project created a series of online “acoustic stayaway” concerts which are available for free each Tuesday and Friday. Each artist receives 100% of the donations collected that evening. Mark your calendar for their Happy Zoom Year Party on Friday, December 29. Why on December 29? They just could not wait to say goodbye to 2020! Calendar of Events
MPAC in Morristown is offering several livestream events during the month of December (between December 5th and December 19th) that feature a wide variety of musical genres. Three tribute bands are booked: Led Zeppelin, Journey, and the Grateful Dead. Darlene Love, the Three Sicilian Tenors, Engelbert Humperdinck and Broadway stars are performing Christmas shows. The cast of “Jagged Little Pill” will re-unite for a livestream performance. December at MPAC
NJ Ballet is launching a virtual Nutcracker series that will contain new footage from the ballet’s home in Florham Park, as well as interviews and rarely seen clips from the archives highlighting New Jersey’s most cherished production. Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, NJ Ballet is happy to present its “Nutcracker” productions, including the first one which starred international star, Edward Villella. New programs air on Wednesday evenings between December 2nd and 30th. Sign up for the presentations
North Jersey American Revolution Round Table NJARRT has been offering some wonderful speakers via Zoom since September. On December 10th, David Cowen, CEO of the American Museum of Finance will lecture on “Alexander Hamilton and the Founding of the American Capital Markets.” The talk starts at 7 p.m. Email your interest in attending arrt.nj@gmail.com
Opera at Florham Mark you calendar for this holiday program from Opera at Florham. On Sunday, December 13th at 3:00 p.m. view the concert from home. The concert is “Buon Natale with Maria Natale” and features operatic superstar soprano Maria Natale and acclaimed pianist and Opera at Florham’s Artistic Director Mary Pinto performing seasonal holiday classics and operatic selections. Guest Matthew Ciuffitelli adds his rich baritone voice to the program. Virtual ticket purchases
