Date Night Tips for Union County Grownups

You survived a week of rain, humidity and other details from the harried home, so treat yourself to a little diversion. From A.C. to the Community Theater, you've got plenty of options to suspend reality and enjoy some kid-free quality time!

The Borgata, Atlantic City

THIS WEEKEND: Tonight: Kaskade at MIXX and Sky Blu (of LMFAO) at mur.mur. Tomorrow: Karina Smirnoff at MIXX, Mixx Sundays 2/DJ Vice at MIXX; Joe Jonas at mur.mur

NEXT WEEK: Donny Osmond is up Saturday, Aug. 27. 

BOOK IT NOW: Bearded bluesy boogie rockers ZZ Top performs Sept. 2, followed by Journey on Sept. 3. Check out theborgata.com for details about these and other shows.

Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

THIS WEEKEND: No shows this weekend.

NEXT WEEK: Country and pop star, actress and Dancing with the Stars finalist Marie Osmond performs at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Jay Leno will bring his brand of comedy on Friday, Aug. 26.

BOOK IT NOW: Lyle Lovett and His Large Band bring Lovett's wry humor and eclectic collection of hardcore country, Texas swing, gospel and funky folk tunes; 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 29; Guitar hero Kenny Wayne Sheppard rocks the Mayo in support of his new CD, How I Go, at 8 p.m. Friday, September 9. 

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

NJPAC, Newark

THIS WEEKEND:  No shows this weekend.

NEXT WEEK On Thursday, "Sounds of the City" in NJPAC's Theater Square features FREE music performances. The Salsa Dance Party features Ray Rodriguez y Swing Sabroso, Flaco Navaja, DJ Lobos, DJ Ash and Smiling David and Pzazz Dance Company.

BOOK IT NOW Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard — better knowns as ZZ Top — bring their dusty Texas rock and impressive list of hits to NJPAC's Prudential Hall. Tuesday, Aug. 30. Stone Temple Pilots bring their Grammy-winning alt-rock angst to Prudential Hall at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.

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

PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

THIS WEEKEND: Tonight: Kesha brings her wacky pop act at 7:30. Tomorrow: Selena Gomez shows off her autotuned best for an adoring pubescent crowd at 7 p.m. Sunday: "What song is it you wanna hear?" If you know what those words mean, then you'll be turning out for Lynrd Skynrd at 7:30. Here's hoping they play "Gimme Three Steps."

NEXT WEEK: Journey, Foreigner and Night Ranger make sure nobody forgets the '80s at 7 p.m. on Wednesday; Maroon 5 and Train hit the stage at 8 on Friday, Aug. 26. 

BOOK IT NOW: Rib Rock Fest: J. Geils Band and B.B. King perform on Sunday, Aug. 28. (The bill is not as odd as it seems; before they made hits way back when, the J. Geils Band was  gritty blues unit.); Stevie Nicks brings her ethereal image and materializes before the people at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1.

 Check out centerholmdel.com/ for information.

The Prudential Center, Newark

THIS WEEKEND: no shows scheduled

NEXT WEEK: Street League Skateboarding Championship comes to the center at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.

BOOK IT NOW: Roger Daltrey performs at 7:30 on Sunday, Sept. 18.; Devils fans rejoice: the puck drops on their first preseason home game at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23; So You Think You Can Dance?comes at 7 p.m. Oct. 4.

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

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Madison

THIS WEEKEND: Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Dario Fo's play translated by Ed Emmery and directed by Paul Mullins. This irreverent political farce, inspired by a real-life event involving a man who "fell" from the window of a police station, is an outrageously sly and caustic comedy filled with physical and linguistic acrobatics. Tonight through Aug. 28.

BOOK IT NOW: Othello, This tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal follows the epic downfall of the Moor of Venice and his beautiful Desdemona at the hands of the elusive Iago. Sept. 7 through Oct. 2.

Click on shakespearenj.org for details.

Shanghai Jazz, Madison

THIS WEEKEND: Pianist/vocalist Tony DeSare, who's a regular at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City, has been described as the next Harry Connick Jr. He brings his Toney DeSare Trio tonight. The Herb Woodson Blues Soul Quartet performs tomorrow.

BOOK IT NOW:  Russell Malone, jazz guitarist, performs with David Wong on bass. brings his ripped flannel shirt and redneck humor. Thursday. Guitar legend and Jersey guy Bucky Pizzarelli performs on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

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

South Orange Performing Arts Center

THIS WEEKEND: No shows this weekend.

BOOK IT NOW: Legendary rocker Roger McGuin of the Byrds will perform a charity event on Sunday, Sept. 18

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

State Theatre, New Brunswick

THIS WEEKEND: Country legend Randy Travis brings his smooth baritone and 25 years worth of hits to the State at 8 p.m. tonight!

BOOK IT NOW:  Larry The Cable Guy brings his ripped flannel shirt and redneck humor. Saturday, Aug. 27

Check out statetheatrenj.org for more details.

Stress Factory Comedy Club, New Brunswick:

This Weekend: Eric Griffin, whom you'll recognize from Comics Unleashed and a Showtime special, performs tonight and tomorrow.

NEXT WEEK: Bill Burr, fresh from an HBO comedy special and his work on Comedy Central, performs Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 28.

BOOK IT NOW: Christopher Titus, Sept. 2-4 and Patrice O'Neal, Sept. 22-24.

Check out stressfactory.com for more details.

Wellmont Theatre, Montclair

BOOK IT NOW Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, Friday, Sept. 23; George Thorogood & The Destroyers; Sat., Oct 1. Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Thu., Oct. 6; Trey Anastasio Band, Wed., Oct. 12.

Check out wellmonttheatre.com for more shows.