PRIVATEERS AND PIRATES FAMILY FESTIVAL: The Tuckerton Seaport will be filled with scallywags and cutthroats for the fourth annual Privateers and Pirates Family Festival. Landlubbers can watch cannon, pistol and sword fighting demonstrations/duels and take part in educational shows about the "golden age of piracy." No word if guests will have to walk the plank or not. There will be music by the band Pirates for Sail, and there will be a food court and local vendors on hand. $5-$8. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton. 609-296-8868.
FOUR HUGE WRESTLING EVENTS ON SATURDAY: If you love pro wrestling, Saturday is a dream come true.
The day begins 8:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Monroe for the annual Legends of the Ring Fan Fest. This festival allows mans to meet and greet, take photos with and get autographs (and merch) from the stars of wrestling of today and yesterday. Names announced are Sting, The Hardy Boyz, Bret Hart, Scott Steiner, Booker T, and Terry Funk are just some of the countless names appearing. $20 (admission - rates for wrestlers vary). Saturday, 8:30 a.m. 390 Forsgate Drive, Monroe. 609-655-4775.
At 1:30 p.m. Kaiju Big Battel will take over Starland Ballroom. KBB is essentially a Japanese monster movie taking place inside of a pro wrestling ring. However of humans doing battle, it's monsters going one-on-one in the squared circle. Yes, monsters such as: D.W. Cyclotopuss, Gambling Bug, Dr. Cube, Claw, and more going at it in the ring and sometimes inside the confines of a steel cage. $20-$25. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville, (732) 238-5500.
Following Kaiju will be Pro Wrestling Syndicate's Super Card 2016. This show will feature autograph signings from Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Mick Foley, Stan Hansen, Bret Hart and many others. Announced to compete on the show will be the farewell match for Necro Butcher, the wrestling debut of UFC's Phil Baroni, and more. $20-$30. Saturday, 6:30 p.m. 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville, (732) 238-5500.
The weekend will be capped off by a huge WrestlePro event in Keyport at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church gym. The event will feature former WWE wrestler Damien Sandow in one of his first post-WWE matches taking on Colt Cabana. There will be also be a massive main event featuring stars from WrestlePro taking on stars from Jeff Jarrett's Global Force Wrestling. Also appearing at the show will be former WWE stars Hornswoggle, Tatanka, and Booker T. $20-$40. Saturday, 6 p.m. (signings), 8 p.m. (show). Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church Gym, 376 Maple Place, Keyport.
STONE PONY SUMMER STAGE OPENS: The Stone Pony Summer Stage opens its 2016 season with a mix of punk rock and reggae. On Thursday, the stage officially opens with Rebelution, a reggae/rock outfit that has frequently headlined the Pony's outdoor area. The group just released their new record "Falling into Place" on June 3, and will be bringing The Green, J Boog, Stick Figure and more to open things up. There will be bands performing inside the venue before and after the outdoor show. $30-$35. Thursday, 5 p.m. 913 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park. 732-502-0600.
The Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival will roll into town Friday with concerts taking place inside The Pony, on the Summer Stage and at Wonder Bar. Click here for show details. The Saturday Summer Stage show will feature: The Descendents, H20, and locals Lost in Society among others -- there will be a post-show inside with Mariachi El Bronx. On Sunday, Cock Sparrer, Flag (featuring members of Black Flag), Agnostic Front, and others will take the stage. $61.10 (advance, per day). Saturday & Sunday, 2 p.m. 913 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park. 732-502-0600.
WILDWOOD BEER FEST: Tis the season for beer by the ocean. Friday and Saturday the second annual Wildwood Beer Fest will take place at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between E. Burk and East Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood. The festival will sport such local craft brews as: Forgotten Boardwalk, Demented, Beach Haus, Cape May, Dark City, Pinelands and Tuckahoe. There will also be some Philly-born crafts, and more nationally recognized crafts on hand as well. There will be plenty of food, crafts, beer seminars and live bands (like Five Hour Jones, and Stellar Mojo) through the two-day event. $43.60. Friday 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday 12 to 4 p.m. & 6 to 10 p.m. Ocean Avenue between E. Burk and E. Montgomery Avenues, Wildwood.
WEST SIDE STORY AT PAPER MILL: The revival of the Tony and Oscar-winning musical, "West Side Story" is currently running at The Paper Mill Playhouse. According to our own theater critic, you should "get tickets ... by any means possible." For those unfamiliar with the show, "West Side Story" transports the "Romeo and Juliet" story to the Upper West Side of New York City in the 1950s with The Sharks and The Jets replacing the Montagues and Capulets. The show runs till June 26. $37-$140. Wednesdays (7:30 p.m.), Thursdays (1:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.), Fridays (8 p.m.), Saturdays (1:30 p.m, 8 p.m.) Sundays (1:30 p.m., 7 p.m.). 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn. 973-376-4343.
A PAIR OF GREEK FESTIVALS: It'll be double the "Opa!" this weekend with two big Greek festivals. The annual Bayshore Greek Festival will take place at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Holmdel from Thursday-Sunday. There will be Greek food vendors, cooking demonstrations, Greek music, and crafts as well as fun for the kids through the event. Thursday (6 to 10 p.m.), Friday (5 to 11 p.m.), Saturday (1 to 11 p.m.), Sunday (12 to 8 p.m.) 20 Hillcrest Road, Holmdel. 732-739-1515.
The 46th Annual Big Greek Festival will take place at Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Randolph June 10 to 12. The festival will feature tours of the church, Greek dancing performances, live Greek bands, and a Greek marketplace. Food will be served both inside the church and at the outdoor "taverna." Friday, Saturday (12 to 11:30 p.m.), Sunday (12 to 8 p.m.) 1447 Sussex Turnpike, Randolph. 973-584-0388
NORTH JERSEY PRIDE FESTIVAL: The annual North Jersey Pride Festival will take place Sunday at Memorial Ampitheater Park in Maplewood. The event is open to all and will feature sea of vendors (over 100), and a full food court. There will be entertainment throughout the day that is "built for grown-ups, but cool for kids" from the likes of "Glee" alum Samantha Marie Ware, and a cappella group Range. The event will be emceed by Scott Nevins from Bravo's "The People's Couch." For the kids there's an interactive stage, plus face-painting, crafts, and inflatables. Free (donations are accepted). Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m. 123 Dunnell Road, Maplewood.
LIGHTHOUSE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: The annual Lighthouse International Film Festival kicks off Thursday night. The fest has been running since 2008 and has been a showcase for short and feature length documentary and narrative film. The festivities kick off with the documentary "Cameraperson" which looks at the life and career of cinematographer Kirsten Johnson. Other films featured include Ingrid Jungerman's tense comedy "Women Who Kill," and the documentary "Last Laugh" which looks at humor and The Holocaust. There is also a special seminar for female writers, directors, and creatives called "Write by the Beach." $99-$125 (passes), individual film costs vary. Thursday (7 p.m.), Friday (3:15 to 10:30 p.m.), Saturday (9 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.), Sunday (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) 120 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach Township. 609-494-1241.
Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.
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