New Jerseys’ Performing Arts Center (www.njpac.org) in Newark is many things to many people. But it is not usually a movie theatre.

This month, NJPAC—known for concerts, plays, and culturally diverse entertainment—is hosting one of the star-studded world premieres for one of this summer’s big movies, Hairspray (www.hairspraymovie.com). It happens July 17, complete with red carpet, VIP party and fireworks.

Newark’s own Queen Latifah (www.web.queenlatifah.com/news), one of the film’s co-stars, will be honored with a star on NJPAC’s Walk of Fame.

Thanks to donations, hundreds of youngsters from community-based organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark will be able to attend for free. It’s all part of the arts center’s tenth anniversary season, which kicks off this summer with events designed to re-invigorate the place, and boost visibility and ticket sales.

Tickets ranging from $20.00 to $250.00 go on sale to the general public shortly.

To help the center celebrate, we’re giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky NJMyWay reader. Send us one or two paragraphs about what NJPAC means to you. Just sign up for the free daily e-newsletter at www.njmyway.com and click on the “Write the Editor” link to send us an e-mail by Monday, July 9.

We’ll pick the best, and publish it in this newsletter. You’ll have great seats for the premiere, and your words will help a worthwhile cause. If you’ve never been to NJPAC, stop by the free Sounds Of The City http://www.njpac.org/show_events_list.asp?shcode=15026 this Thursday night in Theatre Square before you write your tribute.

We think you’ll be inspired.

It’s free… and totally cool. The Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival all weekend long. Join a predicted 150,000 folks for music, food and crafts. www.redbankfestival.com.

Do the right thing—stop by the Ice Cream Fundraiser to help 11-year-old Jake Healy (pictured here) of Ocean Township beat leukemia. It’s Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at SG2 in Shrewsbury. SG2 is an expansion of the Stacy Gemma Boutique (www.stacygemma.com). Or, to make donations directly, call Robin West, (732) 741-8686.

You can also wander through the Ocean Grove Giant Flea Market on Saturday. Check out the tree-lined streets that according to www.oceangrovenj.com have “the largest assemblage of authentic Victorian architecture in the nation.” True, Cape May?

Some 20 miles south, in Island Heights, go green at the Barnegat Bay Festival Sunday. It features environmental activities like pontoon boat tours, an aquarium touch-tank and seedling planting. Crafters sell custom fishing rods, marine art, nature photography. www.bbep.org.

Another 50 miles south it’s more green—plus reds, yellows, blues, purples, pinks—at the Ocean City Flower Show, all weekend. Saturday and Sunday there’s also a Boardwalk Family Fun Fest with face painters, clowns and pony rides. Or hit the antique and boutique shops downtown and along Asbury Avenue. www.ocnj.us.

In northern New Jersey, follow naturalists from the New Jersey Audubon Society (www.njaudubon.org) at the Sussex County Birding and Nature Festival, Saturday and Sunday.

Join artists working in the serene meadows of the Oscar Kincaid Homestead, 587 Powerville Rd. in Boonton Township. Proceeds from art sales go to restore the historic Homestead. Call (973) 263-2567.

In South Jersey, head to the music, trolley tours and crafts at the Victorian Day Promenade in Riverton (www.victorianday.com) Saturday. Also Saturday and deeper South it’s the Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival (www.appelfarm.org) in Elmer.

We know it will be a great weekend—enjoy!

J.Crew (www.jcrew.com), the preppy clothier of neat cardigans, button-downs and rugby wear, has a new cousin. Madewell 1937 (www.madewell1937.com) is the latest entry into the urban rumpled clothing genre.

The Crew’s brand new retail sibling opened its first East Coast store last week in the Mall at Short Hills, (www.shopshorthills.com) without fanfare. But a quick stop in the shop revealed two positives:

1) The clothes are less expensive than J.Crew’s without looking cheaper.

2) While the line appears to target 20-somethings, there is plenty to keep women of other ages entertained.

That said, be warned Madewell 1937 is heavy on cuffs. Every thing that can be rolled up in the store is cuffed: jackets, shirts, pants. The obsessively casual rules.

So-called Worker jeans($79+), are still priced above the limit for most worker bees. There is a fair amount of safari and gypsy chic. It’s Banana Republican for the mall adventurer.

You will find some nifty sundresses ($118), paired with a stylish short-sleeved cotton cardigan ($44). You’ll combo these sweaters with lots of other outfits. Also, Madewell is a good spot to fill up on tee shirts for under $20.

Nothing here really demands your attention, but if you want new, and are tired of Crew, this might be a good place to dip an oar.

Locals know that when the traffic lights along Long Beach Boulevard stop blinking, and are switched to the cycle of green-yellow-red, summer season is about to start.

Beach Haven Mayor Tom Stewart says the traffic lights are switched over one week before Memorial Day. That gives the island’s year-round residents seven days to get used to it, so they won’t be running traffic lights with the streets swollen with part-timers.

Last Friday morning the lights worked fine, as the first official wave of Shore goers began flowing in at daybreak. Stewart’s restaurant, the much-loved Uncle Will’s Pancake House, (609-492-2514) was ready for the marathon.

Uncle Will’s is an LBI tradition. It’s the place where knee high ceramic pigs are placed on chairs, next to the youngest diners. As the little ones ogle the pigs, a kind of quiet stare-down takes place. For some lucky parents, the pig-quilizer effect might even last through the meal!

Stewart, who has vacationed on LBI since his childhood, says since 9-11 the crowds are larger. He’s seen more owners and fewer renters, too. That’s driven the price of rentals up, and encouraged new upscale restaurants and hotels.

Take Daddy O, (www.daddyohotel.com) , a few miles north of the Pancake House but light years away, in beach chic.

The retro-trendy hotel and restaurant has a rooftop deck, spa-showers and luxury rooms. Not your family-style economy suites. Both hotel and gourmet restaurant are drawing rave reviews.

In fact, B&Bs catering to affluent couples are popping up on the island’s family-friendly streets.

Next week we’ll take you inside one of the newest, and most luxurious you’ll find on LBI—or for that matter, anywhere in New Jersey.

The lights are truly changing on Long Beach Island.

It’s one of those years when the Fourth of July falls smack in the middle of the week, Wednesday, and you don’t know whether to take the long weekend now or next week.

Maybe take off everything in between? If only we could.

At least this week we can, finally, find fresh New Jersey blueberries at supermarkets. Go pay homage to the official state fruit at the Whitesbog 24th Annual Blueberry Festival in Browns Mills, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You’ll find music, blueberries, tours, blueberries, crafts, blueberries, Pineland folk arts, blueberries, an antique engine display, blueberries, children’s activities and blueberries. www.whitesbog.org or (609) 893-4646.

A different kind of blues, and jazz and gospel too, is to be found Saturday through Sunday at the Asbury Park Jazz Festival. It runs from noon through the late evening at Sunset Park. Schedule of performances: www.asburypark.net/home.shtml.

Third of July, Asbury Park: Southside Johnny at the Stone Pony www.stoneponyonline.com. On the Fourth itself, what’s billed as “the Jersey Shore's biggest free Independence Day celebration” takes place in Long Branch 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Food, music, sand sculpting displays, crafts and oceanfront fireworks www.longbranchchamber.org/oceanfest.htm.

Or, watch the Macy’s fireworks from our side of the Hudson. Nearly 100,000 people are expected at Liberty State Park http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/liberty.html.

A smaller party is at the Sergeantsville Inn (www.sergeantsvilleinn.com), which is hosting an All-American barbeque with corn, hot dogs, ribs hamburgers and all-you-can-eat chili plus drink specials. It kicks off at noon, and a live band starts at 3:30. $15 with reservation, $18 at the door, $7 children under 12.

Starting the weekend early? Tonight, shops on Asbury Avenue in Ocean City are sponsoring a “Ladies Nite Out” 6 p.m. to 9 pm. There will be discount shopping, food sampling and a meet and greet at Accent Gallery www.accentgallery.com. Call the Glass Frog Studio for details, (609) 398-7510.

And, even though we are not yet into the dog days of summer, you can take your pooch or your kitty to a pet ice cream social. Yes. We quote: “Dogs, cats and their owners will enjoy a fun filled day including games, free giveaways, and ice cream to keep cool during the festivities.” Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Canis Minor Pet Boutique in Jersey City. www.canisminor.net.

Take a few days of freedom and celebrate our independence—enjoy!