Celebrate Easter, Passover and the Earth

This week, Easter and Passover celebrations abound; events focus on R&B and spoken word; and Earth Day observations await in New Jersey.

Glassboro Earth Day Ride and Drive Event
Glassboro Town Square,
1 S. Main St., Glassboro, New Jersey
April 22; noon-3 p.m.
Free
Glassboro has vowed to become a wholly sustainable town by 2035. To that end, the community is hosting its first Earth Day Ride and Drive event to highlight the varied options in electric vehicles. Electric vehicles — including Teslas, BMW i3s, and Chevy Bolts — will be available to drive. Sustainability experts will be on hand to answer any questions. This is being billed as an educational event only, so no sales pressure. However, you must register to test drive.

Cher: Here We Go Again Tour
Wells Fargo Center
3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
April 20; 8 p.m.
$47.95-$550
Hyphenate extraordinaire Cher just keeps going – releasing her 26th studio album, “Dancing Queen,” last year. The ABBA tribute album is just one of myriad projects from Cher’s heralded five decades-and-counting career. Though the outspoken entertainer is often controversial, she’s also one of the top-selling musicians in history, an activist for LGBT rights (and an iconic figure in that community) and just a Tony short of an EGOT (Emmy, Tony, Grammy and Oscar.) “The Cher Show,” a Broadway musical about her life, opened in 2018.

Sittin’ In: Live Sessions featuring Ursula Rucker
Commonwealth Plaza in the Kimmel Center
300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
April 24; 9 p.m.
Free
Philly native Ursula Rucker has been a linchpin of the Philadelphia poetry community for decades. She is known for her collaborations with many artists, including fellow Philly native and jazz bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma, and with The Roots, appearing on three of their albums. She has recorded six albums of her own, most recently 2011’s “She Said.” Her guests at this “Supa Sista” event will be spoken word artists Geri Omni, A’Xavier Lovehall, Khemist and visual artist Anthony Carlos Molden.

Eric Roberson
The Queen
500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Delaware
April 20; 8 p.m.
$30-$40
R&B is the genre that best fits Eric Roberson’s eclectic style, but it’s not a complete description — unless you add in elements of jazz and soul. The New Jersey-born musician sings, writes, produces, and, in 2017, released a trilogy entitled “Earth, Wind and Fire.” He’s put out almost an album a year since 2001 while collaborating with Philadelphia artists Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Vivian Green, Musiq Soulchild and Will Smith.

Philly Loves Prince
Johnny Brenda’s
1201 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia
April 20; 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
$10
April 21 will mark three years since Prince’s untimely passing at the age of 57. Large annual gatherings take place at his entertainment complex Paisley Park in suburban Minneapolis in April and at a Brooklyn street party in June hosted by friend and collaborator Spike Lee. To commemorate his life and work, many smaller events are planned and one of them is in Philly. It’s hosted by Flyy Girrl and deejayed by Mike Nyce and Mr Sonny James, with art by Ameerah K. Expect to dance to his music and some of his affiliated acts all night with others who love and miss one of music’s most prolific icons.

Cherry Blossom Days
Morris Arboretum
100 E. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia
April 20; 1o a.m.-3 p.m.
Free with museum admission
Morris Arboretum is beautiful throughout the year, but it’s especially gorgeous during cherry blossom season. John and Lydia Morris, founders of the arboretum, planted the trees and Japanese gardens that are an essential part of the green space. On Saturday, one of two annual Cherry Blossom Days, Japanese drummers and a samurai arts group are scheduled to perform.

The Voices of Women in Flamenco
Fleisher Art Memorial
719 Catharine St., Philadelphia
April 19, 8-11 p.m.
$30
Pasion y Arte is Philadelphia’s all-female flamenco dance company. Through the use of the tablao format, where the passionate dance style is performed in an intimate environment, the troupe will showcase women’s contributions to the Spanish art form. Wine and refreshments are included with admission.

Barnes Takeover: Sattriya Dance Company
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
April 20; 8-10 p.m.
$12; $10 students
Sattriya, an Indian dance tradition celebrating the god Krishna, is more than 600 years old. Sattriya Dance Company co-founders Madhusmita Bora and Prerona Bhuyan are bringing that tradition to the Barnes this weekend as part of the Barnes’ Takeover series. The series invites artists of varying kinds to reimagine the museum’s collection through their own creative lens.

African American History and Culture Showcase
Pennsylvania Convention Center
12th and Arch streets, Philadelphia
April 20-21; 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Free
African Americans have an extensive history in Philadelphia dating back to Colonial times. So it makes perfect sense that an event that combines African American historical artifacts, exhibits and presentations would take place in the city. This showcase combines art, music and culture to provide a well-rounded view of the contributions of African Americans to the U.S. and the world. Exhibitors and presenters include Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery, the Philadelphia Clef Club, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Philadelphia Black Sports and Cultural Association.

PEEPS in the Village
2400 Street Road, New Hope, Pennsylvania
April 17-28
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m.
Free
The first annual “PEEPS in the Village” display showcases more than 70 items including sculptures, wall art and paintings — featuring the popular Pennsylvania-made candies. A competition allows visitors to vote on their favorite piece and awards prizes to the winner.

Philadelphia’s 88th Annual Easter Promenade
Starts at South and Fifth and Passyunk
April 21;12:30 p.m.-2 p.m.
Free
Fashions may have changed in the years since Philly’s first Easter Promenade in 1931, but people still love to get dressed up in their finery to attend. Master of ceremonies Henri David, who’s had that role for 40 years, will oversee the annual celebration now located on South Street after stints at Rittenhouse Square and the Gallery Mall. Celebrity judges help determine the best-dressed pets, kids and adults in several different categories. Food, music, dancing the bunny hop and photo ops with the Easter Bunny and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Cottontail are all part of the day’s festivities.

Passover Seder Community Dinners
Various venues, prices
Passover is the most celebrated ritual in the Jewish community, commemorating the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt. This year, it begins Friday and continues through April 27 with traditional Seder dinners planned throughout the Philadelphia region.

The Great Reading Terminal Easter Egg Hunt
Reading Terminal Market
51 N. 12th St., Philadelphia
April 20; 8 a.m.-noon
Free, for children up to 11 and their parents or guardians
Bring your own basket to hunt for the many eggs hidden around the market. A story time and an egg-dyeing session are included in the day’s schedule.

Easter Egg Roll at Hawk Haven Winery
Hawk Haven Winery
600 S. Railroad Ave., Rio Grande, New Jersey
April 20; 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Free, but you must register for each category
The Hawk Haven Winery’s second annual Easter Egg Roll continues in the tradition by offering serious prizes in multiple competitions. Kids and adults can compete in individual and relay categories; on teams with combined age groups; or in adults- or kids-only categories. Prizes include gift certificates for musics, music, and the winery. Food and wine (for 21 and up) are available for purchase. It’s free to participate but registration is required.

Gloucester County Easter Egg Hunt
New Street Park, Glassboro, New Jersey
April 20; 10 a.m.
Free
More than 25,000 hidden eggs await discovery in what’s billed as “the region’s largest Easter egg hunt.” Kids will compete in different age groups to find the eggs filled with candy and prizes. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to pose for photos; music and dancing will be part of the day; and coffee and doughnuts will be available for adults to keep up their stamina while running around with their egg-seeking kids.