Want to treat mom to a gourmet brunch? A wine tasting with desserts? Perhaps take in a show?
For those looking to do something special, there is a little something for every mother this weekend throughout the region. Classical music concerts, a Mother's Day lighthouse climb, a charity walk to honor a loved one - even a statewide "wine trail" with its own packed schedule of events are all taking place this Saturday and Sunday.
Below is a roundup of Mother's Day weekend events.
Shirley Mae Run for Breast Cancer
More than 250 breast cancer survivors will gather on Saturday, May 12, to kick off the 10th annual Shirley Mae Run & Michael J. Walk, taking place on the Boardwalk in front of Tropicana Casino and Resort.
The event begins with a complementary survivor breakfast honoring South Jersey breast cancer survivors. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. The run and walk begin at
9:10 a.m., followed by the Kids Fun Run. Registration fee for the 5K run is $35; $30 for the 1.5 mile walk. There are special discounts for students and children younger than 12.
First-, second- and third-place finishers in the 5K Run will take home cash prizes. First, second and third place finishers in the Kids' Run (children 12 and under) will receive prizes & medals.
Free self-parking is available for the event until 11:30 a.m. at the Tropicana. For more information and to register, visit www.shirleymaefund.org or call 609-822-7172.
Wine Trail Weekend
The Garden State Wine Growers Association will host their annual Mother's Day Wine Trail Weekend on Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13, at participating wineries across the state.
Wineries will host a variety of events designed to treat mom, including cooking demonstrations, gourmet brunch, dessert pairings, live music and complimentary wine samplings. A few participants include:
Bellview Winery in Landisville, hosting a "Wine & Desserts Weekend" on both Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours will take place at 1 and 3 p.m. and no reservations are necessary. Go to www.bellviewwinery.com.
Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City will offer three dining options on Mother's Day. Joseph's Restaurant will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. as well as Renault's Gourmet Dinner, with entrees starting at $35. Renault's Grand Ballroom will have entrees priced at $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 4 to 10. Go to www.renaultwinery.com.
Tomasello Winery in Hammonton will serve a Mother's Day Brunch from
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. $24.95 per adult; $9.95 for children younger than 14. Reservations are required. Call 1-800-MMM-WINE or go to www.tomasellowinery.com.
For a complete list of participating wineries throughout the region, go to www.newjerseywines.com.
2012 Street Life Concert
Some of the region's most highly acclaimed singers and musicians will once again join together to perform for the 7th annual Street Life concert, a benefit concert for Serenity House and Hansen House, on Wednesday, May 16, at the Concert Venue at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City.
This year's Street Life event - dedicated to the music of Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston - will bring together 15 featured performers and their bands. The Hansen Foundation presents the concert and this year will honor the Scarborough Family in memory of Randy Scarborough.
Philadelphia entertainer Eddie Bruce will perform and serve as master of ceremonies.
The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. VIP seats are $150 and include a dessert reception with the musicians after the show. Go to www.hansenfoundationnj.org to purchase tickets or call Nina Soifer at 609-965-3700, ext. 16.
All proceeds from the Street Life Concert will benefit Serenity House and Hansen House.
'Uncle Jacques Symphony' at Cape May Stage
A new, one-man show will make its way to Cape May Stage with the New Jersey premiere of "Uncle Jacques Symphony," the inaugural production of their 2012 Main Stage season.
The production opens Friday, May 11, at
8 p.m. and runs through Friday, June 15, at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse in Cape May. Dominic Hoffman wrote and stars in the 90-minute performance about the life of a Chicago jazz drummer, Jacques Hoffman, his struggles after leaving the jazz club scene, and his relationship with seven diverse friends.
The Robert Shackleton Playhouse is located at Bank & Lafayette Streets in Cape May. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Beginning June 4, performances run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and matinees on Sundays at 3p.m.
Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $15 for students. Friday, May 11, is a half-price preview show.
Call 609-884-1341 for reservations or go to www.capemaystage.org.
Classical Music Concert at Noyes Museum
The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton College will host a classical music concert featuring Yoon Yon on viola and Heera Ghorashi on piano Saturday, May 12, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Yon will perform selections by Bach followed by a brief intermission. Yon and Ghorashi then will perform pieces by Elgar, Massenet, Gluck and Kreissler.
Admission is $7 for members and $10 for nonmembers. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The museum is located at 733 Lily Lake Road in Oceanville. Call 609-652-8848 or go to www.noyesmuseum.org.
Beethoven, Bartok and Bizet at Symphony Concert
A lyrical piano concerto of Ludwig van Beethoven, the ethnic folk idiom of Bela Bartok and the young Georges Bizet will make up the program of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony's last subscription concert series of the 2011-12 season on May 12 and 13.
Music Director Jed Gaylin will conduct the two concerts, which take place 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at the Frank Guaracini Jr. Fine and Performing Arts Center at Cumberland County College in Vineland, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13, at the Richard Stockton College Performing Arts Center on Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway Township.
The program will include Terrence Wilson, in Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19, followed by Bartok's Romanian Folk Dances. The concerts will close with Bizet's Symphony in C.
All Bay-Atlantic Symphony performances will be preceded one hour prior to start time with a "Pre-Concert Conversation with the Maestro."
Tickets are $25. Call the Guaracini Fine and Performing Arts Center box office at 856-692-8499, or the Stockton College Performing Arts Center box office at 609-652-9000.
Call the Bay-Atlantic Symphony at 856-451-1169 or go to www.bayatlanticsymphony.org.
Manhattan Transfer at Landis Theater
The Landis Theater Performing Arts Center will celebrate its two-year anniversary on Saturday, May 12, with a special performance by multiple Grammy Award winners The Manhattan Transfer.
Tickets for The Manhattan Transfer are $45 and $60. A limited number of $100 Gold Circle tickets also are available for this performance. Gold Circle patrons are invited to a post-concert party including food, cocktails and an opportunity to meet The Manhattan Transfer.
Call 856-691-1121, visit www.landistheater.com or the box office located at 830 East Landis Avenue.
Free lighthouse climb
Moms can celebrate Mother's Day from new heights this weekend. All moms climb for free this Saturday and Sunday at the Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City.
The lighthouse is located at 31 South Rhode Island Avenue. Climbs take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Call 609-449-1360.
Free rides for moms at Morey's Piers
Turn mom's world upside-down this Mother's Day with a visit to Morey's Piers' annual Mother's Day celebration on Sunday, May 13.
From 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., moms ride free on Mariner's Landing and Surfside Piers, located on the Wildwoods Boardwalk. All moms can pick up a complimentary wristband at any ticket booth.
Go to www.moreyspiers.com or call 609-522-3900 for more information.
Brunch, dinner at Congress Hall and The Virginia's Ebbitt Room
Congress Hall and The Ebbitt Room at The Virginia Hotel in Cape May will offer brunch and dinner specials for Mother's Day.
Brunch at Congress Hall is from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Cost is $38 for adults; and $13 for children under 12. Children younger than 3 are free.
Guests who make Mother's Day reservations at The Ebbitt Room will be entered to win a free one-night stay at The Virginia. A prixe fix dinner menu is being offered for $42 per person.
For more information on Congress Hall or to make a reservation call 609-884-8421. For more information or to make a reservation at The Ebbitt Room, call The Virginia Hotel at 609-884-5700.
