New Brunswick used to have a vibrant live music scene with at least five clubs featuring bands playing through the night. Most of those clubs — the Melody, Patrick’s and the Bowl-O-Drome — are gone, but the Court Tavern is still rocking.Not that times have been easy for the club located at 124 Church St. and which just marked its 50th anniversary. The diminishing music scene and a long construction project that left the club surrounded by scaffolding for five years hurt business. It got to the point where in 2009 friends and fans of the club lent it money so that it could stay open. A benefit…

Children of all ages will enjoy the last few days of the Middlesex County Fair this weekend, which will feature lots of kid-centered activities. The fair will be open Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission to the fair is $6 per adult, $4 for seniors 65 and over and $1 for kids 3-12. Children 2 and under will be admitted free. The Middlesex County Road is located on Cranbury Road where it meets Fern Road in East Brunswick. On Saturday, kids will love crafting their own creations at free craft tables run by local 4-H clubs and leaders, said Laura Bovitz, …

Albert Einstein. Woodrow Wilson. F. Scott Fitzgerald. Brooke Shields. These were just some of the many names Princeton Tour Company owner Mimi Omiecinski dropped during a recent walking tour around town.  “We hope our tours make people see that [Princeton] might be one of the most special places to not only visit, but also to live in,” Omiecinski said. “We are not the voice of history; we’re more like the love story.” This tour began on the Princeton University’s campus. Guide Dan Linke described the Ivy League school as one of the most diverse in the country, noting that The Great Gatsby …

Familiar songs from the 1950’s-70’s will fill the air at the amphitheater at the Community Arts Center at 721 Cranbury Road in East Brunswick on Saturday, July 30, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as Sidewalk Serenade, an oldies vocal group, puts on a free performance for the public. The event is the final performance in a summer concert series sponsored by East Brunswick Township. Music will include everything from Doo-wop to Motown to classic rock. Lawn seating will be available at the event, and concert goers are encouraged to bring their own blankets and folding chairs. Concert goers can picnic, …

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit Friday-Sunday Spring Flower Fair (19th Annual Benefit Plant Sale), Rutgers Gardens, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 112 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick. Come out and browse trees, shrubs and perennials for your yard. Friday Fifth Annual Big Band Dance, 7 p.m., Cranbury Board of Education, 23 N Main St, Cranbury. Hear Big Band era greats played by the award-winning Princeton High School Studio Band and the Cranbury …

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit. Friday Royal Wedding Viewing, 5 a.m., Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St, Princeton. Local Anglophiles can watch the wedding of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton live on TV at Princeton Public Library. The doors of the Community Room will open at 5 a.m., and tea and scones will be served. South Brunswick High School PTO Scholarship Fundraiser Concert: The British Invasion …

Friday Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, 8 p.m., Rider Theatre at Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrence Township. Tickets: $20 adults and $10 students/seniors. Reduced admission of $10 adults and $5 students/seniors (general admission) available only at the door. Classic Instrumental Jazz, 7-9 p.m., Fridays with Doug and Bernard, The Blue Rooster Bakery & Cafe, 17 N Main St, Cranbury. Enjoy jazz music played by Doug Miller, a student of the late Norman Schell, and by Bernard Geiger, a large talent on the upright bass. Saturday Easter Egg Hunt, 1 p.m., Village Park, …

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit. Friday Free live music at Molte Bene Italian Café and Market, 6-9 p.m., 116 N Main St., Hightstown. Friday-Saturday New Brunswick Restaurant Week, featuring 27 downtown New Brunswick restaurants that will be offering special discount promotions or prix-fixe menus. Visit NewBrunswick.com for more information, menus and participating restaurants. Saturday Healthy Kids Day, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  …

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit. Thursday • Drop the Middlesex County Vocational School for a performance of William Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors," Thursday and Friday, and again April 7 and April 8. Performed by the Middlesex County School of Performing Arts, the shows begin at 7 p.m. and last for 90 minutes Tickets are $12 for general admission ($15 at the door,) $5 for all students and senior citizens and free for …

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit. Friday Russian National Ballet Theatre in Romeo and Juliet, State Theatre, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. This Russian company of 50 dances will portray William Shakespeare’s star-crossed duo of Romeo and Juliet, set to a score by Tchaikovsky, at 8 p.m. For tickets (from $32) and more information, visit statetheatrenj.org. Musical Performance by Singer/Songwriter William Hart Strecker …

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit. Thursday, March 24 Vampire School Come to Churchill Junior High School, in East Brunswick Thursday, March 24, and Friday, march 25, for a performance of New Kids at Vampire School. The shows are 7 to 9 p.m. The show is a comical take on the “Twilight” saga. General admission is $8 and students and seniors are $5. Tickets go on sale a half-hour before the show. For more 732-613-6800 ext. 5885…

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit. Thursday and Friday, March 17-18: Cinderella Jr. at Hammarskjold Middle School The Hammarskjold Middle School Drama Club will present "Cinderella Jr.” on Thursday, March 17, and Friday, March 18. The production is an adaptation of the Disney animated film and focuses on poor Cinderella, who is constantly mistreated by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters. Once she’s denied the chance to go …

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit. Friday: March Social, 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. 375 Georges Rd, Dayton.  The Middlesex County Young Republicans are hosting a March Social from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the La Taverna restaurant in Dayton. $10 for dues-paying members, $15 for everyone else - and you don't have to be an MCYR to attend. Includes appetizer buffet and cash bar. Saturday: Book sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., South Brunswick High School…

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit. Friday Jazz guitar, Chambers Walk Café, 2667 Main St., Lawrenceville. Solo jazz guitar with Dick Gratton from 6-9 p.m., Friday. Friday: Jazz Café, 8 p.m., Herb Eckert Auditorium, South Brunswick Senior Center, 540 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction. Vocalist and songwriter Laura Hull. Admission, $6. Friday through Sunday: “A Little Night Music” at Kelsey Theatre, 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, …

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bar, restaurants and shops to explore. 1. Teddy’s Restaurant, 49 N. Main St., Cranbury. A night of prime rib and the classic rock sounds of Acoustic Road. No cover charge. From 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Friday. 2. “Curtains: The Musical Comedy Murder Mystery,” East Brunswick Cultural Arts Center Playhouse 22, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. A musical send-up of backstage murder mysteries set …

1. Wizard of Oz Film Festival: The Wiz Where/When: The South Brunswick Public Library; Saturday at 2 p.m. Why Go: The screening is part of the South Brunswick Reads program that encourages the entire community to read the Wizard of Oz, see the movies and get involved in discussions. Pricing: No Charge 2. Veterans Fundraiser Steak Dinner Where/When: VFW Post 9111 at 11 Henderson Road in Kendall Park; Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Why Go: Support the Veterans of Foreign Wars by enjoying a delicious dinner.  Meal includes flat iron steak made to order, baked potato, vegetable, salad, rolls, …

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bar, restaurants and shops to explore.  1. Tavern on the Lake, 101 N. Main St., Hightstown. The bar and restaurant serves a wide selection of steaks, chops, ribs, pasta, seafood, burgers, sandwiches and pizzas and offers live music—including this weekend’s bands: Take Cover on Friday at 9 p.m. and Steve The Band on Saturday at 9 p.m. Tavern is open Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m…

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bars/restaurants/shops to explore. 1. ACOUSTIC MUSIC AT ROCKN’ JOE Where/When: Rockn’ Joe, 3562 Route 27, Kendall Park, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Why Go: See Prester John with its blend of acoustic folk, jazz, pop, classical, bluegrass and the avant-garde sounds while grabbing a sledgehammer blend coffee or one of Rockn’ Joe’s famous coffee drinks and desert. 2. CURTAINS, A MUSICAL COMEDY …