Five Things: Country Crafts, Film Festivals

Make times for a Country Craft Show. Held at Raritan Center, the features artisans from around the country, offering decorative items, handcrafted furniture, rugs, lamps, florals, artwork, quilts and other items. Hours are 5 pm to 9 pm on Friday; 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday; and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $8; handstamp admits you for all three days. 

Enjoy a film festival at the . The fall begins at 2 pm and continues every Friday for six weeks. Today's film is "Mystic River." Admission is free. For more info, call 732-634-4450, ext. 7130.

Time to cut a rug with your at the Metuchen Dance Center tonight at 8:30 pm and swing to standard dance tunes. No partner is necessary to attend. A $15 ticket buys you refreshments and a complimentary introductory lesson. For more info, call 732-549-2244.

Last few days for an art show.  The Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Brunswick is holding its which continues through Oct. 22. Entitled "Mass Distractions and Cultural Decay," the exhibit showcases the work of over 150 artists dealing with the themes of racism, classism, nationalism, militarism, sexism, imperialism, colonialism and consumerism. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm (and until 6 pm on Wednesday), and Saturday from noon to 4 pm. Admission is free. For more info, call 732-932-2222, ext. 798.

Popcorn and Starbaby, two captivating of original children’s book illustrations by Frank Asch, are featured in an exhibit at the Zimmerli Museum at Rutgers. Hours today are 10 am to 4:30 pm. Regular admission is $6; persons over 65, $5; and admission is free to Museum members, Rutgers University students and staff,  and children under 18. For more info, call 732-932-7237.