Easter Events, Concerts, and Strengthening Families

An Easter Flower Sale today (support Hancock Fire Co.) and 2 Easter Egg Hunts for kids tomorrow, plus 3 music events around town tomorrow night. Enjoy the holiday weekend.

Friday, noon-6 pm, and Saturday, 9 am - 4 pm, Hancock Fire Company. Easter Flower Sale.

Saturday, 2-4 pm, Elmwood Park Bandshell. Community Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by Redemption1010 Church. FREE event for ages 4-12. For more information, contact Pastor Jeff at 215-350-8475 or info@redemption1010.com.

Saturday, 3-4:30 pm, MLK Park (Oak and Arch). Easter Funday. Easter Egg Hunts. Prizes. Light refreshments.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Lindsay and Coupe deVille perform.

Saturday, 7 pm at Coffee Talk (507 W Marshall). Herman Bruning performs.

Saturday, 7 pm at Centre Theatre (208 Dekalb). Rotation Records presents Hometown Hip Hop.

Monday, 5:30- 8 pm at Stewart Middle School. Family Night Out. For parents and youth aged 10-14. Help your youth succeed during their teen years. Free program, dinner, raffles and prizes. This program is 7 Mondays from April 2- May 14. To sign up, contact Carolyn Herrera 610-630-2111, x270 or email xcherrera@fsmontco.org.

Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Municipal Hall. Council meeting.

Next Saturday, April 7, 10 am-3 pm at Norristown Public Library. Comic Fest. Gaming, cosplay, workshops, vendors and more. Plenty of things to see and do for any interest and age. Special activities for kids include: Read to a Superhero Therapy Dog from 11-1, Writing a Great Comic workshop at 11 am, and Creative Cartooning at 1 pm, plus crafts, special guests, and other fun activities. For info contact Asha Verma, 610-278-5100, ext 0 or averma@mclinc.org.

Also next Saturday, 11 am-4 pm at Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). The Ladies of Selma II. FREE and open to the public. Norristown Preservation Society takes another look at the feminine side of our American past. Learn about the Women of Selma Mansion, historical women’s clothing, and the surprising political histories of pockets and pot holders. Help churn fresh butter. Sample historical recipes. Music and more. Drop in.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover.

Spring Break, Arts, Music, Crafts, Movies, Pancakes (!)

As we head into Spring Break week, you'll find a bunch of Easter/Spring related events around town. (None too soon ~ we're tired of snowstorms.) And a lot of activities for students, young and old, this week.

Friday, March 23, 11 am-1 pm, Municipal Hall (235 E Airy). FREE Art Show at Municipal Hall. Join Expressive Paths as they unveil work done by local school district children.

Saturday, 9-11 am, Hancock Fire Company (820 W Airy). Easter Bunny Pancake Breakfast. Adults $8, Kids 4-10 $5.

Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, Norristown Farm Park. March For Our Lives Norristown. Come out and support the students from Parkland Florida and help them make their voices heard loud and clear across the nation. If you have any questions or want to help call Helen Riley, 484-620-5345 or email bruhel1428@gmail.com.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Jazz 180 performs. No cover.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, call for hours. Spring Break Open Gym at Carver Center (249 Jacoby). 610-272-7480. gwcarvercenter19401@gmail.com.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10- am-4 pm at Norristown Public Library Community Room. Restorative Justice Training sponsored by the Montgomery County Prevention Project. Learn how circles help build unity and transform self, family and community. Learn a new way of thinking and resolving issues to improve community relations. Learn how to address root causes of conflict. Learn how to use Peacekeeping and Dialogue Circles as an alternative to school suspensions, placement and incarceration. For adults and high school students. Seating is limited call 484-808-5774 for more information.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall. Zoning meeting.

Wednesday, 1 pm, Norristown Library Board Room (Powell and Swede). Mary's Matinee. FREE movie. This week's feature is "Wonder." Drop in. For info, contact Mary Motta 610-278-5100, x111 or mmotta@mclinc.org.

Wednesday, 2 pm, Norristown Library Youth Services Dept (2nd Floor). FREE Spring Break Movie. Showing the LEGO Batman Movie, rated PG. For kids ages 4 and up. Drop in. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. For info contact 610-278-5100 x205.

Thursday, 10:30-11:15 am, Norristown Library Youth Services Dept (2nd Floor). Spring Fling. Explore different activity stations with your child. Make a spring craft, count flower petals, or create a sidewalk chalk masterpiece. Play with our collection of developmental toys. Recommended ages: 2 to 5 years with a caregiver. Drop in. For info: 610-278-5100 x205.

Next Friday, March 30, Municipal Offices will be closed.

Also next Friday, noon-6 pm, and Saturday, 9 am-4 pm, Hancock Fire Company. Easter Flower Sale.

Next Saturday, 2-4 pm, Elmwood Park Bandshell. Community Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by Redemption1010 Church. FREE event for ages 4-12. For more information, contact Pastor Jeff at 215-350-8475 or info@redemption1010.com.

Next Saturday, 3-4:30 pm, MLK Park (Oak and Arch). Easter Funday. Easter Egg Hunts. Light refreshments. Prizes.

Art, Dance, Film, Music, Crafts, Discussions, Small Business, Education

Spring officially begins this Tuesday, though temperatures have been 10 degrees below average all month. You can warm up at any of these events this week. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Saturday, March 17, 1:30-4 pm, Montgomery County OIC, 2nd Floor, 1101 Arch St. Educate to Advocate: A Drug and Alcohol Prevention Project. FREE event, open to all ages. Panel discussion, focus group, and presentation by Philly Young Playwrights. Lunch and light refreshments will be served. For more information, call (610) 279-9700.

Saturday, 2 pm at Norristown Library Community Room (Powell and Swede, 1st floor). Due to bad weather 2 weeks ago, the FREE screening and Q&A of the documentary film BLACK BALLERINA was rescheduled. Black Ballerina tells the story of black women from different generations who fell in love with ballet, and stimulates a fresh discussion about race, inclusion and opportunity across all sectors of American society. Producer/Director Frances McElroy will be on-hand for a Q& A discussion after the viewing of the 57 minute film. BLACK BALLERINA is produced by Shirley Road Productions and distributed by American Public Television. Door prizes, too, and the Friends of the Library will provide refreshments. (Note from Elena: I've seen this film and it's amazing. Definitely worth seeing. Bring your teens, especially girls.)

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Pat's Run performs.

Sunday, 10 am-4 pm, Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). Norristown Preservation Society hosts their Spring Craft Fair. Crafty gifts and decorations for Easter and Mother's Day will be available, such as jewelry, candles, homemade items, candy, bath items, baked goods, and more. Besides items for sale, they’ll have raffle baskets. The event is FREE and open to the public. All profits from the sale of vendor spaces go towards the restoration and maintenance of Selma Mansion.

Tuesday, 5:30-7:30 pm, Norristown Library (Powell and Swede). Free small business workshop. Ready to start a business in Norristown? Call the small business center at 610-277-1085 for info.

Tuesday, 6-7:30 pm, Norristown Library, NASD Art Gallery Night. Norristown area students display their fabulous art creations in the Children’s Department. Musical entertainment provided by a combined middle school/high school jazz band. Light refreshments will be served. All ages. For info, contact 610-278-5100 x 205

Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Municipal Hall. Council meeting.

Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 pm. Montco Intermediate Unit, 2 West Lafayette. Diversity Fair. Teacher and administrator recruitment.

Wednesday, 6-8 pm, Corbett Inc (56 Buttonwood). Financing workshop for small businesses offered by the Norristown Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, 6-8 pm, Historical Society of Montco (1654 Dekalb). The Art & History of Letter Writing Workshop. The workshop will examine some of the letters from the collections of the Historical Society of Montgomery County and other examples of early handwritten texts. We’ll also give attendees a chance to try their own hand at creating the penmanship styles and language that would have been used in America throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. $10 Members/$15 Nonmembers. For info, contact Barry Rauhauser, 610-272-0297 or contact@hsmcpa.org.

Next Friday, March 23, 11 am-1 pm, Municipal Hall (235 E Airy). Art Show at Municipal Hall. Join Expressive Paths as they unveil work done by local school district children.

Next Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, Norristown Farm Park. March For Our Lives Norristown. Come out and support the students from Parkland Florida and help them make their voices loud and clear across the nation. If you have any questions or want to help call Helen Riley, 484-620-5345 or email bruhel1428@gmail.com.

8 FREE EVENTS, for kids, teens, adults

Friday, March 9, 7-9 pm, Theatre Horizon, 401 Dekalb. PowerNet. A FREE Youth Empowerment Event that will highlight voter registration, college planning, job skill development, and networking. The latter part of the event will also feature an Artist Showcase; featuring young local poets and musicians that have committed to share and celebrate the positive vibe of the event. For info, 215-668-7100 or email radioconsortium@gmail.com.

Saturday, Noon-2 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. "Blanket & A Book." A FREE book and blanket for the first 50 families. Sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Omega chapter. For families and kids of all ages. Come and celebrate family and share fantastic books for children that feature characters, authors, and illustrators of color.  Drop in. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact 610-278-5100 x 205 for info.

Saturday, 7 pm, Centre Theatre (208 Dekalb). JT Presents Catch A Vibe. Hip Hop, Spoken Word, Open Mic.

Tuesday, 2-3 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. St. Patrick's Day Party! Can you find a four leaf clover? If not, come into the Children’s Dept and make one to take home. Wear your green and have some Irish fun. For kids in grades K-6. Drop in. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact 610-278-5100 x 205 for info.

Tuesday, 6:30-7:45 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room. Parsley: The Amazing Herb. Learn about how to enjoy--and grow--this underrated herb. Join herb enthusiast Jane Irvin for a demonstration and talk about parsley, the hidden gem of the kitchen. You’ll learn about parsley’s varieties, its special health benefits, and its folklore. Jane is sure to change your mind about leaving parsley behind on your plate. It’s easy to grow in the garden or even in the house. Contact Asha Verma, 610-278-5100 x0 or averma@mclinc.org.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall. Planning Commission meeting. Also, a special Zoning Board hearing, same night and time. I assume one will be in Council Chambers and the other in the Conference Room. The Zoning agenda is at this link.

Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room. Mary's Matinee. Enjoy a free movie in our boardroom the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Our very own Mary carefully selects a new-release film for your viewing pleasure. This showing: "Brad's Status." Drop in. Contact Mary Motta, 610-278-5100 x111 or mmotta@mclinc.org.

Thursday, 10 am-noon, 7-Eleven at 708 E Johnson Hwy. Coffee With A Cop (rescheduled from last week).

Next Saturday, March 17, 1:30-4 pm, Montgomery County OIC, 2nd Floor, 1101 Arch St. Educate to Advocate: A Drug and Alcohol Prevention Project. FREE event, open to all ages. Panel discussion, focus group, and presentation by Philly Young Playwrights. Lunch and light refreshments will be served. For more information, call (610) 279-9700.

Next Saturday, 2 pm at Norristown Library Community Room (Powell and Swede, 1st floor). Due to bad weather last week, the FREE screening and Q&A of the documentary film BLACK BALLERINA was rescheduled. Black Ballerina tells the story of black women from different generations who fell in love with ballet, and stimulates a fresh discussion about race, inclusion and opportunity across all sectors of American society. Producer/Director Frances McElroy will be on-hand for a Q& A discussion after the viewing of the 57 minute film. BLACK BALLERINA is produced by Shirley Road Productions and distributed by American Public Television. Door prizes, too, and the Friends of the Library will provide refreshments. (Note from Elena: I've seen this film and it's amazing. Definitely worth seeing. I'll be there, and I'm bringing pretzels for anyone who shows up!)

FREE Film, Music, Workshops, This Week

No events today, which is a good thing because we're having a nor'easter. Better to stay inside if you can. But check out the interesting and FREE events for all ages at the library tomorrow at 2 pm.

Saturday, March 3, 2 pm at Norristown Library Community Room (Powell and Swede, 1st floor). BLACK BALLERINA: FREE Screening and Q&A of the Documentary Film. Black Ballerina tells the story of black women from different generations who fell in love with ballet, and stimulates a fresh discussion about race, inclusion and opportunity across all sectors of American society. Producer/Director Frances McElroy will be on-hand for a Q& A discussion after the viewing of the 57 minute film. She's a 2009 Pew Fellow in the Arts and 2010 Leeway Foundation Transformation Awardee. BLACK BALLERINA is produced by Shirley Road Productions and distributed by American Public Television. Door prizes, too, and the Friends of the Library will provide refreshments. For info, contact Asha Verma at 610-278-5100, x0 or averma@mclinc.org. (Note from Elena: I've seen this film and it's amazing. Definitely worth seeing. I'll be there.)

Saturday, 2-3 pm in the Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department (2nd floor). Dr. Seuss' Birthday Celebration. Create your own Cat In the Hat thinking cap. How high can you stack the Cat's hats contest. Create your own Which Pet Should I Get? pet. And 2 very special guest readers ~ Crandall Jones, Norristown Municipal Administrator, and Valerie Scott Cooper, Councilwoman for the 3rd District. For kids of all ages. Drop in. For info, call 610-278-5100 x 205.

Saturday, 7-11 pm, Five Saints Distillery (Main and Green). Little Scarecrow performs. No cover.

Sunday, 2-5 pm, Elmwood Park Zoo. Free admission to all Norristown residents who show a valid ID.

Tuesday, 2-3:30 pm, Norristown Public Library Board Room. Mystery Tuesdays Book Club. This month's book is "The Cuckoo's Calling," by Robert Galbraith. Copies of the book are available at the Front Desk.  We encourage registration. Call or drop by the Front Desk to register.  Monica D'Antonio of Montgomery County Community College hosts this group. Contact Cliff Hirst 610-278-5100, x 0 or cliffhirstmnl@gmail.com.

Tuesday, 6:30-7:30 pm, Historical Society of Montgomery County, 1654 DeKalb. "Maximizing Ancestry.com." New, special topic genealogy class presented by Sydney F. Cruice Dixon, genealogist. FREE to members, $10 for non-members. To reserve a seat or for further information, contact the Society at 610-272-0297.

Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Municipal Hall. Council meeting.

Thursday, 10 am-noon, 7-Eleven at 708 E Johnson Hwy. Coffee With A Cop.

Thursday, 4-5:30 pm, Montco OIC (1101 Arch, 2nd floor). FREE Young Playwrights Monologue Workshops for Middle School students on March 1, 8, and 15 (sorry, didn't get notice of them before last week's blog). No experience needed. Final performance will be March 17 at 1:30 pm.

Next Saturday, March 10, 7 pm, Centre Theatre (208 Dekalb). JT Presents Catch A Vibe. Hip Hop, Spoken Word, Open Mic.