South Jersey things to do: Negro Leagues exhibit, Fire & Ice, theater, midget car races
History of the Negro Leagues on display at The Carroll Gallery
The Carroll Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate will host “A Diamond of Their Own: The Remarkable History of the Negro Leagues” through April 30.
The exhibit is presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) and Center for Community Arts in partnership with artist Sydnei SmithJordan.
It features original artwork created by SmithJordan and artist Chanelle René, that celebrates the indomitable spirit and talent of the men and women who played for the Negro Leagues.
The exhibit includes vintage baseball memorabilia and artifacts, courtesy of the Center for Community Arts, The Dempsey family, Mark Kulkowitz, SmithJordan, and Janis Washington White, including historic photos and text from the early days of the Negro Leagues.
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White, a fifth generation West Cape May native, is an ancestor to members of the Cape May Giants baseball team, Cape May's direct link to the Negro Leagues, and gave welcome remarks at the exhibit's opening during the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend:
“Why was Negro League Baseball formed? After all, Major League Baseball was founded in 1876 and black players were contracted as early as 1884. But in 1887, a gentleman's agreement was formed among the owners that began to block new contracts with black players through the minor leagues. This led to the eventual disappearance of blacks in the Major Leagues. Although white managers denied such an agreement existed, no black players appeared in the Major Leagues again until 1947.”
“It’s important to look at history for what it was, at the time,” White said. “The Negro Baseball Leagues were created due to segregation. Players of color were not permitted to play in the National/American Baseball Leagues solely because of the color of their skin. This exhibit celebrates players of color and their accomplishments in spite of the obstacles placed upon them.”
Admission is free.
The gallery is in the Carriage House on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate at 1048 Washington St., in Cape May.
The Carroll Gallery is open weekends in winter.
For gallery hours and information, call (609) 884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
Fire & Ice Festival planned in Mount Holly
Enjoy free, family fun at Mount Holly’s Fire & Ice Festival, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 29.
The event will feature ice carvers along the streets carving 300 pound blocks of ice, a chili contest at The Union on Washington Street, music by Suze & Watson, a chance to learn about curling from the Jersey Pinelands Curling Club, vendors, food trucks, exhibits, art and more.
The fee for chili tasting is $3, which helps cover the awards. Tasting for the public starts at noon.
The festival will be held at 1 High St.
For information, visit www.facebook.com/FireAndIceFestivalNJ or fireandicefestival.com.
Longwood Gardens presents ‘Winter Wonder’
Visitors are invited to enjoy “Winter Wonder” at Longwood Gardens through March 27.
This winter, experience a warm, colorful oasis in the grand Conservatory. Vibrant Streptocarpus ‘Concord Blue’ baskets float above, pink and purple Saintpaulia (African-violets) delight, and tall Clerodendrum schmidtii (chains-of-glory) stun.
From beds of coral Cymbidium to a dedicated area showcasing highlights from the vast collection, find hundreds of orchids in spectacular bloom.
January also marked the return of performances to the Conservatory, experience an extraordinary lineup of artists from audience favorites to new talent, all bringing a world of music to the ever-changing beauty of the conservatory.
Outside, stroll 400 acres of winter’s beauty. Although subdued colors reign, the occasional burst of bright yellow and orange of blooming witch-hazel dots the landscape, while winter grasses add a textural element.
Tickets are $25 for ages 19 to 61, $22 for ages 62 and older and college students with identification, $18 for active military and veterans, $13 for ages 5 to 18 and free for ages 4 and younger. Timed tickets are required.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Monday.
The gardens are at 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, Pa.
For tickets or information, call (610) 388-1000 or visit longwoodgardens.org.
Fall ‘Head Over Heels’ at the Grand Theatre
The Road Company will present the musical, “Head Over Heels,” from Jan. 27 through Feb. 12 at the Grand Theatre.
This new musical is set to the music of the iconic 1980s all-female rock band, The Go-Go’s, including “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “Mad About You!”
Follow the escapades of an eccentric royal family on an outrageous mission to save their kingdom from extinction. However, when they learn that the key to the realm’s survival lies within each of their own hearts, they must look within and discover that “Love is Love.”
Also, in the Grand Galleria, the exhibit, “Show Us Your Beat,” will be on display from Jan. 27 through March 4.
The exhibit features photography by Joe Bruno, works on wood by Jack Brycki, painting and sculpture by Michael Ford, folk art by Quinton Greene and paintings by Paula Raraha.
Tickets are $20 to $30.
The theater is at 405 S. Main St., in Williamstown.
For tickets or information, call (856) 728-2120 or visit www.roadcompany.com.
Wheaton Conversations features Dan Dailey and Richard Royal
Join Dan Dailey and Richard Royal for Wheaton Conversations as they converse about their art and creative process while interacting with the audience at 6 p.m. Jan. 27 via Zoom.
To register for this event and for information on all of the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center’s Wheaton Conversations, including recordings of past conversations, visit www.wheatonarts.org/wheaton-conversations.
What song will you sing at Cool Cricket’s Karaoke?
The Cool Cricket Bar & Grill will host Karaoke at 9 p.m. Fridays.
DJ Super-Dave is the host.
The bar is at 216 4th St., in Fieldsboro.
For information, call (609) 291-9110 or visit www.thecoolcricket.com.
Enjoy concerts and shows at the Levoy Theatre
A variety of events are planned at the Levoy Theatre.
The schedule includes:
David Brighton’s Space Oddity, the Ultimate David Bowie Experience, 8 p.m. Jan. 29, tickets $30 to $39.
David Bromberg Big Band, 7 p.m. Jan. 30, tickets $44 to $59.
Superunknown, a tribute to the legacy of Chris Cornell, 8 p.m. Feb. 11, tickets $19 to $22.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” adapted for the stage by Simon Levy, presented by Gloucester County Institute of Technology drama students, 8 p.m. Feb. 18, 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 19 and 3 p.m. Feb. 20, tickets $15 for adults and $12 for children.
A Conversation with John Leguizamo, 8 p.m. Feb. 25, tickets $59 to $79.
Hollywood Nights, a Bob Seger Experience, 8 p.m. Feb. 26, tickets $26 to $34.
The theater is at 130 N. High St., in Millville.
For tickets or information, call (856) 327-6400 or visit levoy.net.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater takes to the stage
Kimmel Cultural Campus presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29, and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Academy of Music.
Celebrating more than 60 years of unparalleled artistry, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater never fails to remind us of the power of dance to bring people together.
These dancers dazzle with their trademark technical brilliance and passionate energy.
The company returns with new and classic works, including founder Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece “Revelations.”
Tickets start at $25.
The Academy of Music is at 240 S. Broad St., in Philadelphia.
For tickets or information, call (215) 893-1999 or visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
Get your ticket for Cirque Mechanics’ Birdhouse Factory
Penn Live Arts will present Cirque Mechanics’ Birdhouse Factory at 3 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Zellerbach Theatre at the Annenberg Center.
Enter the most unlikely setting for a circus, a factory. One where the workers are acrobats, and the machines are circus props.
A place where spectators will watch a contortionist perform on a turntable powered by unicyclists, be captivated by the trapeze artist flying high thanks to the spins of an acrobat inside a giant gear-like wheel and be stunned when the trampoline wall artists defy the laws of physics by virtually flying and walking on air. Giggle at the antics of the comedic characters, be impressed by the acro-dancing and be enchanted by the story of laughter, love, flight and birdhouses.
Tickets are $51.
The center is at 3680 Walnut St., in Philadelphia.
For tickets or information, call (215) 898-3900 or visit pennlivearts.org.
Midget car races planned at Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall will host NAPA Know How Weekend featuring TQ Midget, Slingshot and Champ Kart racing.
The event will include triple 20 qualifiers for the TQ Midgets on Friday night followed by the 40 lap Gambler’s Classic on Saturday.
Racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and 7 p.m. Jan. 29.
Tickets start at $5.
Boardwalk Hall is at 2301 Boardwalk in Atlantic City.
For tickets or information, visit boardwalkhall.com.
Flashback Fridays planned at The Wave
The Wave at Golden Nugget will feature Flashback Fridays hosted by Michael James.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. Bands will take the stage at 9 p.m.
The schedule includes:
Winslow, the Eagles tribute band, Jan. 28.
Who’s Next, the Who tribute band, Feb. 4.
Lounge Fly, Stone Temple Pilot tribute band, Feb. 11.
Trilogy Tribute, Jagger, Morrison and Joplin tribute bands, Feb. 18.
Hello I Must Be Going, a Phil Collins tribute band, Feb. 25.
Admission is free.
Golden Nugget is at 600 Huron Ave., in Atlantic City.
For information, call (609) 441-2000 or visit www.goldennugget.com/atlantic-city/entertainment/upcoming-events/flashback-fridays.
Last chance to see ‘Matilda’ at the Broadway Theatre
Broadway Theatre of Pitman will present Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical.” The show is full of high-energy dance numbers including “School Song,” “All I Know” and “The Smell of Rebellion.”
Performances will be offered at various times through Feb. 6.
Tickets are $35.
The theater is at 43 S. Broadway in Pitman.
For tickets or information, call (856) 384-8381 or visit www.thebroadwaytheatre.org.
VisitSouthJersey.com contributed to this report. Send event information and community news items to lvoit@gannett.com. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription to The Daily Journal/ Courier Post/ Burlington County Times.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey things to do: Negro Leagues, Fire & Ice, theater, dance
