Donald Pun is an operations director and project/product manager for a media company in New York, who recently moved to Maplewood from Manhattan with his wife. A native New Yorker, Donald had never seen an actual cardinal or a robin. He’s also slowly accepting the fact that a friendly “Hello” or “Good Morning” here doesn’t come with any ulterior motives.  Our area will be brimming over with numerous entertainment options this weekend.  The varied choices include free movies; book readings and discussions; hip-shaking Louisiana zydeco; intimate jazz in a café-style setting; multiple, classical music performances, and a star-studded theatrical fund raiser for Columbia High School.  Throw in a few fun and altruistic events to raise awareness of alternative energy and the local after-school program, and we have the makings of an awesome few days in Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn.  The weekend begins this Friday with popcorn and movie night at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Maplewood. There will be a free showing of the “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” the hit movie based on a bestselling novel by Rebecca Wells, and starring Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd.  On Saturday, after a laid-back brunch with the family, walk off those pancakes and head over to Memorial Park for the Solar Carnival and Awards Ceremony.  The event, meant to get the word out on the benefits of solar energy and more active “green” awareness, will feature former New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio speaking and handing out awards to local “solar pioneers,” the first of our neighbors “to install solar panels under the new NJ Clean Energy & BP Solar Programs.” There will also be fun family activities available, like pony rides, a petting zoo, DJ music and a rock side climb.  If being out in the sun Saturday afternoon while talking about the sun is not your thing, try “Singing for Peace” instead.  The Children’s Music Network and the Ethical Culture Society of Essex County will be having their family-friendly event, with workshops, sing-alongs, and an early potluck dinner, starting at 1 p.m. at the society’s headquarters on Prospect Street, with all welcome to join in.  In downtown Maplewood, also on Saturday afternoon, Words Bookstore will be host to not one, but two events.  The first, at 2 p.m., will feature author Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute. She will be presenting new scientific findings of child development from her recently released book, “Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs.”  That will be followed at 4 p.m. by College Life, Uncensored, a panel of college students, all former Columbia High School alumni, now enrolled at various colleges and universities, discussing their “wide range of academic, social and emotional adjustments” to their new environments .  The panel will be moderated by Maureen P. Tillman, psychotherapist, founder of College with Confidence and The Local’s own College Corner feature. Helpful advice will be offered by both Maureen and the panel participants to all attendees.  With a full afternoon of sun, singing and thoughtful readings and discussion under your belts, go home, take a nap and then get right back up for a Saturday night of music, music and more music.  The world-renowned sound of Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas will be filling the air with their good-time tunes at the Maplewood Woman’s Club on Woodland Road.  Straight from southwest Louisiana, fueled by Nathan’s accordion, the requisite washboard and the band’s propulsive back beat, this annual blues concert from ArtsMaplewood and OnStage is sure to be raucous and rolling, with plenty of dancing to spare.  In South Orange, the monthly Jazz at the Baird series continues with “the premier release event” for the latest album by “young lion” jazz guitarist Yotam Silberstein.  According to the Baird: “Born and raised in Tel-Aviv, Israel, Yotam has already become a regular on the global jazz touring scene since coming to the US in 2005 in his early twenties. He’s toured or played with greats such as Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, James Moody, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart to name a few.”  The 50-plus strong South Orange Symphony, now in its 61st season, will be playing a free public concert at the South Orange Middle School’s Sterling Hall as well, with a program of Tchaikovsky and Chopin, featuring pianist Sungpil Kim, the 2009 South Orange Symphony artist competition award winner.  On Sunday, after a late night out, take it easy with some more classical music in the afternoon, courtesy of the Metropolitan Orchestra of New Jersey. The orchestra will be presenting “Springtime in Vienna,” with works by Brahms, Smetena and, of course, Strauss, including his overture from “Die Fledermaus” and “Tales from the Vienna Woods.”  The orchestra will be performing at the Community Congregational Church in Millburn/Short Hills.  If you’d rather walk off the previous night’s excesses instead, join Walk This Way, sponsored by The Maplewood and South Orange Departments of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and the South Mountain YMCA.  Highlighting the After School Program’s “ongoing commitment to healthy eating choices and physical activities for children and families”, this walking event will begin at 2 p.m. in Memorial Park in Maplewood and will include music, balloons, prizes and giveaways.  Finally, after a packed weekend of entertainment and pleasant diversion, muster up the energy to head on over to Columbia High School on Sunday evening for “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance, Gotta Give,” the “star-studded variety show that is the centerpiece of A Night on the Towns, a fund raiser for the restoration of the Columbia High School auditorium, sponsored by SOMEF (the South Orange Maplewood Education Foundation).”  Directed by Bethany Pettigrew and Tricia Benn, “Tony winner Christine Ebersole, Emmy winner Andre Braugher and film and TV star Suzzanne Douglass are scheduled to appear, along with Lori Mirabal, the Lydia Johnson Dance Company, Heidi Burgermaster with a CHS Alumni Jazz Band, a Music Faculty Trumpet Trio and more.”  A post-show dessert reception is included in the ticket price, with special “show and cocktail party packages” also available.
Brimming is the word for the fun stuff going on this weekend in the three towns, including dancing, dining, reading, walking and watching.