Union County Date Night: Kid-Free, Grown-Up Fun

Okay, the travel leagues and the kids' sports stuff should have come to their merciful conclusions. Time to ditch the kids, reconnect with your significant other and paint the town plaid! Have a blast with this variety of highbrow and pop-culture activities dedicated to grown-ups.  As always, we need to hear from you. Tell us what else you want from this Date Night Roundup so we can serve you best. Looking forward to hearing more ideas about what you want to do with your free time!

The Borgata, Atlantic City

THIS WEEKEND Alt-folk-rockers The Decemberists perform tonight. Steely Dan bring their tight jazzy-bluesy tunes (and arcane lyrical references) tomorrow. Also, tomorrow: Bob Saget does everything in his power to make us forget his squeaky-clean "Full House" persona.

NEXT WEEK  Stone Temple Pilots deliver their version of rock 'n roll on Saturday, Aug. 6

BOOK IT NOW Russell Brand performs on Saturday, Aug. 13 and Sunday, Aug. 14;Jay Leno will bring his brand of comedy onFriday, Aug. 26 Check out theborgata.com for details about these and other shows.

Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

THIS WEEKEND shows this weekend.

NEXT WEEK Gipsy Kings bring "Bamboleo" and the rest of French-influenced catalog and fast-fingered guitar work on 8 p.m., Tuesday; India: Sounds of the North, Bells of the South gives audiences a peek into the works of Subanjali dance troupe; in a tectonic cultural shift, Queensryche will rattle the walls at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

BOOK IT NOW Lyle Lovett and His Large Band bring Lovett's wry writing and eclectic college of hardcore country, Texas swing, gospel and funky folk tunes; 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 29

Check out mayoarts.org for details about these and other shows.

NJPAC, Newark

THIS WEEKEND 

NEXT WEEK On Wednesday, "Sounds of the City: Rock, Soul, Bachata!" in NJPAC's Theater Square features Stephanie White & The Philth Harmonic, Nelly Soriano, Abby Dobson, and DJ Adam Cruz. The free show starts at 5 p.m., Wednesday

BOOK IT NOW An evening of soulful, chart-topping R&B with KEM and special guest El DeBarge. Friday, August 12. Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard — better knowns as ZZ Top — bring their dusty Texas rock and impressive list of hits to NJPAC's Prudential Hall. Tuesday, Aug. 30.

Check out njpac.org for details about these and other shows.

PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel

THIS WEEKEND Tim McGraw will prove his country-music chops shouldn't be judged by performance in "Country Strong" with Gywneth Paltrow. He and his band will be pumping up the crowd and tearing around the stage at 7 p.m. tonight!

NEXT WEEK Def Leppard will prove they rock better than they spell, 7 p.m., Wednesday; The "Honda Civic Tour," gives Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance the chance to prove to their fans that corporate sponsorship don't ruin a rocker's reputation; 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 5

BOOK IT NOW Janet Jackson will deliver her mix of dance, pop and soul at 7 p.m., Saturday, August 6; Jersey native Chelsea Handler brings her boozy, equal-opportunity offender's comedy to an enabling bunch of fans, 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12

 Check out centerholmdel.com/ for information.

The Prudential Center, Newark

THIS WEEKEND  New York Liberty v. Phoenix Mercury, 7 p.m., Saturday

NEXT WEEK Josh Groban, the easy-listening hit-making machine will be bringing his smooth sounds to subrbanites flocking to the Rock; 7:30 p.m., Tuesday

BOOK IT NOW "American Idols Live" brings the folks who lived on your TV screens into Newark for a lovefest with fans of the show; 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 14 and Monday, Aug. 15; Who fans might approach it with curious trepidation, but Roger Daltrey performs at 7:30, Sunday, Sept. 18.

Check out centernewark.com for details about these and other shows.

South Orange Performing Arts Center

THIS WEEKEND No shows this weekend.

WEDNESDAYS IN THE PARK Throughout July, SOPAC is sponsoring free outdoor concerts at Flood's Hill in South Orange. Bring a blanket, something to eat and drink and settle in for an evening of music under the stars. The show Wednesday, "Rock The Hill," has been delighting audiences for three years with its eclectic mix of local and visiting garage bands. Known for putting on honest-to-goodness rock shows, Rock the House takes Flood’s Hill to close out the 2011 Concerts in the Park series.

BOOK IT NOW SOPAC is hosting a red-carpet extravaganza, hosted by Natural Life Entertainment, a black-tie masquerade affair that will feature great sounds and laughter from some of the hottest and funniest comedians. A buffet & cocktails will be served. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Autism Society. Saturday, Aug. 6.

 Go to sopacnow.org for more details about all shows.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Madison

THIS WEEKEND On the Theatre's outdoor Greek Amphitheater at the College of St. Elizabeth, the exuberant A Midsummer Night's Dream will be performed through Sunday.

BOOK IT NOW Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Dario Fo's play translated by Ed Emmery and directed by Paul Mullins. This irreverent political farce, inspired by a real-life event involving a man who "fell" from the window of a police station, is an outrageously sly and caustic comedy filled with physical and linguistic acrobatics. Wednesday through Aug. 28.

 Click on shakespearenj.org for details.

Shanghai Jazz, Madison

THIS WEEKEND The Eric Olsen Trio performs at 6:30 and 8:30 tonight. The Rob Paparozzi Trio performs at 6:30 and 8:30 tomorrow.

NEXT WEEK: Vocalist/cornetist Warrren Vache is back, with Warren Vache & Friends; Wednesday night

For all shows, check for times and other details on shanghaijazz.com.

State Theatre, New Brunswick

THIS WEEKEND NO SHOWS THIS WEEKEND.

THIS WEEK Allison Krauss and Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglass, bring their country and bluegrass style. Wednesday;

BOOK IT NOW  Larry The Cable Guy brings his ripped flannel shirt and redneck humor. Saturday, Aug. 27

Check out statetheatrenj.org for more details. 

Stress Factory Comedy Club, New Brunswick, The Lovemaster, seen on The Love Master and Chelsea Lately.

NEXT WEEK "Nick Cannon's Fresh Faces Comedy Showcase" Mr. Mariah Carey is happy to get out of the house now that their twins have arrived, so he'll be there to emcee this forum for new talent. Thursday

Check out stressfactory.com for more details. 

Wellmont Theatre, Montclair

NEXT WEEK: INXS and Berlin bring rev up their hits from the '80s and '90s; black jeans, turtlenecks and boots optional (after all, it's 100 degrees out here!); 8 p.m., Wednesday 

BOOK IT NOW Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, Friday, Sept. 23; George Thorogood & The Destroyers; Sat., Oct 1.

Check out wellmonttheatre.com for more shows.