Special Events
Summer Events in the English Barn
We invite to you join us for summertime fun at the Farmstead Arts Center. We have Country Line Dancing, Comedy, Klezmer music and more to come!
See each event tab below for event and ticket information. Note that door sales are CASH only.
We do encourage online sales to avoid disappointment. When sales reach capacity, we will post on our website and tickets will read “SOLD OUT”. We make this suggestion because it is never fun to turn anyone away at the door.
The Farm House will be open for the public to view the current art show for one hour prior to each event. “Small but Mighty” presented by the Garden State Watercolor Society runs through August 4. “Spectrum III”, which will feature works by Farmstead studio artists and teachers and students, opens August 11 and runs through the end of September.
The English Barn and Farm House are wheelchair accessible. The buildings are smoke-free. Alcohol not permitted.
Klezmer Tanz - Sunday, July 28 - 2:00 pm
Join us for an afternoon of upbeat and lively Jewish folk music and learn the figures, steps & styling of traditional and contemporary Yiddish dance featuring:
Tsu Fil Duvids (Yiddish for “Too Many Daves”) – a klezmer ensemble based in central NJ comprised of Dave Goldfarb on clarinet, Dave Schiff on Bass, Dave Schlossberg on piano, Rob (Dave) Lowe on violin, Asher (Dave) Siebert on trumpet, Bill (Dave) Selden on accordion, Richard (Dave) Buchbinder on melodica and keyboards, Mike (Dave) Santoro on trombone, and Beverly (Davida) Novick on drums. The ensemble rarely performs will all nine performers.
The group’s repertoire includes traditional tunes from Eastern Europe, American klezmer and Yiddish melodies. In addition to playing at simchas (Jewish celebrations), Tsu Fil Duvids has performed concerts at synagogues in the tri-state area and has been heard at Limmud Learningfests in NY & Philadelphia, the Crossroads Theater in New Brunswick, the Marasco Center in Monroe, the Rejoice Festival of Jewish Music in South Brunswick and the JetLag Festival in the Catskills.
Steven Lee Weintraub is a teacher, choreographer, and performer of Jewish dance, particularly Yiddish dance, the dance to klezmer music.
Born on Governor’s Island, Bar Mitzvahed in the Bronx, and living now in Philadelphia, Steve received his dance training in Manhattan with Alvin Ailey and Erick Hawkins, among others. He is in international demand as a teacher of traditional Yiddish dance at festivals and workshops including Klezkamp, Klezkanada, and festivals in Krakow, Furth, Paris and London to name a few. Steven delights in introducing people to the figures, steps and stylings of the dances that belong to Klezmer music. He has often been called the “Pied Piper of Yiddish Dance”; his years of experience leading and researching Yiddish dance allow him to quickly weave dancers and music together in astonishing ways. Young and old, from all backgrounds, find it easy to share in the joy of Yiddish dancing.
Purchase tickets here. Cash only at the door.
General Admission: $25
Tickets for Two or Three: $22 each
Friends/Family Pack (4+): $18.00 each
Free for kids 5 and under!
Light refreshments included!
Sit Down for Stand-Up Comedy - Saturday, August 10 - 7:00 pm
Join us for an evening of comedy and dessert in our English Barn!
The show will feature four talented, family-friendly, New Jersey based comics including:
Headliner: Doug Karpf – a quick-witted comedian, known for his rapid punch lines and hilarious improvisations. Much of his inspiration comes from being a father living day to day in his native state of New Jersey. Having mastered the skill of finding humor in everyday life, he brings an unmistakable charismatic presence to the stage that leaves viewers roaring with laughter and sharing with each other, “I know EXACTLY what he’s talking about!”. Doug performs at clubs across the country and has performed for the United States Armed Forces. He has also opened for country music star Jason Aldean. Doug’s credits include the Borgata, Rascal’s, Caesar’s Resorts, Catch-a-Rising-Star, Broadway Comedy Club, just to name a few.
Don Staffin – a.k.a. “The Gardener” is an author, columnist and comedian who has been entertaining readers and audiences worldwide by sharing his life in “The Garden of Estrogen” surrounded by females. A New Jersey native, Don has performed in London, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Manila, New Orleans, and around the tri-state area at the Broadway Comedy Club, Dangerfield’s, The Comedy Cove and more.
Jack McManus – a NYC-based writer and comedian and a native of Bridgewater, New Jersey. He has performed stand-up throughout the tri-state area, and his short comedic plays have been performed across the East Coast.
Michele Kerekes – who has been delighting audiences for more than 10 years as a member of the Improvables, an improv comedy ensemble based in Central NJ. With a quick wit and insightful take on a variety of subjects, Michele is also a hilariously funny standup performer!
Ticket prices include laughs, cookies and soft drinks. Purchase Tickets here
General Admission: $20
Tickets for Two or Three: $18 each
Friends/Family Pack (4+): $15 each
CASH ONLY at the door.
Have Barn - Will Line Dance - Saturday, August 24 - 6:00 - 9:30 pm
Learn the steps, stomp your feet, and kick up your heels when you join us for line dancing in our English Barn! Fun for all ages with live DJ’s – Randy Jenkins and Scott Tracy (formally of the Colorado Café). The first half hour will be dedicated to lessons. Our DJs will cover the basics of this easy-to-pick-up style. Light refreshments included!
Purchase Tickets here. General Admission: $20 Two-Three Tickets: $18 each Friends/Family Pack (4+): $15 each
CASH ONLY at the door.
Upcoming Events
Made possible, in part, by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. 
Farmstead Arts Center, 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920
admin@farmsteadarts.org | (908) 636 7576
Office Hours: Monday - Wednesday 9 am – 1 pm
Farm House (open to the public): Monday - Wednesday 11 am – 1 pm
Gallery Hours (when there is a show in progress):
Same as the Farm House hours plus Sundays 1 pm – 4 pm (unless there is a concert or other event)
