Breweries fight hunger, and more things to do this weekend at the Jersey Shore

Who wants to get some steps in?

Screamin’ Hill Brewery, located on Bullock Farm in the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township, hosts its Back Road Ramble on Saturday morning.

It’s a .05 kilometer (or 164 feet), slightly uphill racewalking relay to support the hunger-fighting efforts of Farmers Against Hunger and Grow a Row.

Each team is comprised of four people, meaning each participant is only responsible for 41 feet of the race.

Go: Second annual Back Road Ramble, 10 a.m. Saturday, Screamin’ Hill Brewery, Bullock Farm, 83 Emley’s Hill Road, Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township, $140 registration for a four-person relay team includes a T-shirt, glass and magnet for each participant, screaminhill.com/events/event/back-road-ramble.

Firkin Chili Fundraiser Cook-Off

ManaFirkin Brewing Co. in the Manahawkin section of Stafford is used to serving up hometown beers, but now they’re working to feed members of their community in Ocean County.

The brewery is hosting a chili cook-off to fight hunger on Sunday afternoon. Anyone who wants to sample the chili for themselves can purchase a $10 wristband at the event, with all proceeds working to feed families in Stafford and Barnegat.

Anyone who wants to offer their chili to the cause can register by messaging the brewery on its social media channels or emailing KerinneLKuhn@gmail.com for details.

The day’s festivities will also include ManaFirkin brews in its beer garden and live local music.

Go: Firkin Chili Fundraiser Cook-Off, noon Sunday, ManaFirkin Brewing Co., 450 East Bay Ave., Manahawkin section of Stafford, $10 to sample the chili; manafirkin.com.

George R.R. Martin comes home to NJ

What happens when two culture-shaping Jersey guys sit down to talk shop? We don’t know, but we can’t wait to find out.

George R.R. Martin, the Bayonne-native author whose “Song of Ice and Fire” series inspired HBO’s “Game of Thrones” franchise, will be in live conversation with Red Bank-born “Clerks” auteur Kevin Smith at the latter's SModcastle Cinemas in Atlantic Highlands on Thursday.

“Curious George: An Evening with George R.R. Martin” is sure to be an evening of sprawling pop culture conversation between two Garden State natives who remain remarkably busy.

Smith recently released his latest film, “Clerks III,” and Martin, whose work inspired this fall’s HBO hit “House of the Dragon,” is promoting the new book “The Rise of the Dragon: An Illustrated History of the Targaryen Dynasty, Vol. 1.”

Thursday night’s event can be streamed via the online podcast archive and screening room That Kevin Smith Club for subscribers at the $10-per-month Mallrat membership tier and higher. In-person tickets are sold out.

Go: “Curious George: An Evening with George R.R. Martin” hosted by Kevin Smith, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, SModcastle Cinemas, 82 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands; thatkevinsmithclub.com.

'Avenue Q' on the Jersey Shore

Can we tell you how to get to “Avenue Q”? It’s easy – just head to the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park. That’s where the Tony-winning musical from writers Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty will be on stage starting Friday (running through Sunday, Nov. 20).

The puppet-filled adult musical comedy, the story of a college graduate named Princeton making his way in the big city, ran on and off-Broadway for a combined 16 years. According to a news release, the Axelrod production marks the first time “Avenue Q” has played the Jersey Shore since its 2019 closing in New York City.

And for puppet purists out there, fear not: According to the Axelrod, this production features the original cast of “Avenue Q” puppets designed by Rick Lyon.

Go: “Avenue Q,” opening Friday and running through Sunday, Nov. 20, Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park, $32 to $65, not recommended for attendees younger than 14; 732-531-9106, ext. 14, www.axelrodartscenter.com.

'Frozen' star comes to Holmdel

Broadway, television and film's Patti Murin is headed to Holmdel Theatre Company in the latest installment of the theater's celebrated Broadway at the Barn series.

Murin, who originated the role of Princess Anna in Disney's "Frozen" on Broadway, visits Holmdel on Saturday in the midst of busy November. She stars in the Hallmark movie "In Merry Measure," which is set to debut on Friday, Nov. 11, while her upcoming album with husband Colin Donnell, "Something Stupid," will be released on Friday, Nov. 18. Murin and Donnell also recently revealed that they are expecting their second daughter.

Column: Thank you "Frozen," for everything

Murin, who plans to include Broadway classics, new musical theater favorites and pop tunes in her Holmdel cabaret performance, was encouraged to perform at Broadway in the Barn by her "Frozen" co-star Caissie Levy, who debuted in Holmdel earlier this year.

“Caissie raved about what a wonderful place the Holmdel Theatre is,” Murin said in a release. “I love intimate performances like that because it feels like every person there is truly in it. I enjoy looking at the audience and connecting with them. It’s like a big, fun party.”

Holmdel Theatre Company is also offering a fundraising raffle to win two house seats to the new Broadway musical "& Juliet," which stars frequent Broadway at the Barn performer Betsy Wolfe.

Every $20 donation by Sunday, Dec. 4, equals one entry, with a $100 donation receiving three bonus entries. The winner will be announced on Monday, Dec. 5. To enter, visit ci.ovationtix.com/35876/store/donations/48843.

Go: Patti Murin in Broadway at the Barn; 8 p.m. Saturday, Holmdel Theatre Company, 36 Crawfords Corner Road, $49; holmdeltheatrecompany.org.

Geoffrey Owens does Shakespeare in Middletown

Geoffrey Owens, a TV and stage fixture for decades, takes the stage of the Middletown on Saturday. Owens, perhaps best known for his work as Elvin on “The Cosby Show,” stars in “Now I Am Alone,” a celebration of the works of William Shakespeare presented by the Middletown Arts Center and the Dunbar Repertory Company.

The 90-minute show draws on elements of Shakespeare’s comedies, tragedies and romances.

In addition to his work on and off-Broadway and in regional theater, Owens has appeared in Ron Howard’s “The Paper,” as well as episodes of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “That’s So Raven” and “Law and Order.”

Go: “Now I Am Alone” starring Geoffrey Owens, 3 p.m. Saturday, Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., $9 at the door; middletownarts.org.

Dia De Los Muertos Festival in Lakewood

Bring out your Dead — the Lakewood Country Club will host a Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, festival on Saturday, featuring Grateful Dead tribute act Cosmic Jerry Band.

DJ Rich Sparta and mariachis will also keep the music going, and the festivites will include a bring-your-own-drum circle, a haunted garden, henna tattoos, face painting, fortune tellers, indoor and outdoor vendor markets, and a food drive to benefit food pantries in Ocean County.

Go: Dia De Los Muertos Festival featuring Cosmic Jerry Band, noon to midnight Saturday, Lakewood Country Club, 145 Country Club Drive, $20.

Matt O'Ree Band celebrates new album at OCC

Jersey Shore blues-rock stalwarts the Matt O'Ree Band celebrate their new album "Hand in Glove" in Toms River on Thursday. The band's release show happens at the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre at the Jay and Linda Center for the Arts on the campus of Ocean County College.

O'Ree previously served as a touring guitarist for Bon Jovi, and his 2016 LP "Brotherhood" featured appearances from Bruce Springsteen, and Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the M.G.'s.

"Hand in Glove" is the band's seventh album, and the first 100 copies will be signed and numbered.

Go: Matt O'Ree Band, 7 p.m. Thursday, Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre, Jay and Linda Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, College Drive, Toms River, $30; grunincenter.org.

Celebrate Baker's Grove one-year anniversary in Shrewsbury

One year ago, pastry chef Matthew Rosenzweig opened his bakery, The Baker's Grove, in The Grove West in Shrewsbury.

This weekend, he invites folks to celebrate the bake shop's birthday. Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Rosenzweig will be joined by small businesses who have popped up at the bakery since its opening: Benchmark Breads, Pie Girl, Mav’s Top Buns, Farm Fresh Roots, Handcrafted Chocolate, and Flower Spot. There will be birthday cake, pastries, bread, pies, chocolate and more.

On Sunday, customers who make a purchase between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. will be treated to a free salted chocolate chunk cookie.

Go: The Baker's Grove, 524 Broad St., Shrewsbury; 732-243-3249, thebakersgrove.com.

Local sounds at Stone Pony

It's going to be a night of local voices Saturday at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

That's because Jackson Pines, Alexander Simone and Who Dat?, Sean Tobin and Cranston Dean will be on stage.

“It will be a night of talented songwriters with unique voices who take musicianship very seriously, from Cranston Dean's earthy voice and songwriting acuity, to Sean Tobin's Asbury Park poetry, all the way through to Alexander Simone and WhoDat? bringing the funky soul rock to keep the party going after our set,” said Joe Makoviecki of the Jackson Pines.

Go: Jackson Pines with Alexander Simone and Who Dat?, Sean Tobin Band and Cranston Dean, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Stone Pony, Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park. $17 in advance, $20 at the door; stoneponyonline.com.

Contributing: Staff writers Ilana Keller, Sarah Griesemer and Chris Jordan.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Fun things to do in NJ: Kevin Smith talks to George R.R. Martin