New Year's Eve News, Thursday Sounds at J-Towne Tavern, 'Smokey Joe's Cafe' in Sparta

Here's what you need to know for Thursday.

• It's never to early to make your reservations for New Year's Eve. With that in mind, we just learned the J-Towne Tavern is now accepting reservations for the big night, Tuesday, Dec. 31. The special evening with feature  dancing to the sounds of the Rickshaw Duet, which will perform hits and classics all night long. live music, dining and dancing! We have The Rickshaw Duet performing hits and classics all evening. Make your reservations early by calling 973-810-2810. And by the way, the tavern offers live music every Thursday night starting at 7:30 p.m. The J-Towne Tavern is at 5 Bowling Green Pkwy. in Lake Hopatcong.
• Speaking of New Year's Eve, we'll post event info as we get it, so send it to us: natalie.davis@patch.com.
• This is special: The Sparta Digiplex Movie Theater is one of the few in the nation screening, for one night only, "Smokey Joe's Cafe," a cinematic version of Broadway's longest running musical revue of all time. The show features 40 songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, music that provided the soundtrack to the lives of a generation of Americans. This Tony-nominated and Grammy-winning show features the original cast. Showtime is at 7 p.m.; tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors and students (plus a $1 convenience charge per ticket, if you buy it online). The theater is at 25 Center St. in nearby Sparta.
• The 18th Annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive continues. This year Jersey Cares plans to collect and distribute more than 60,000 “gently used” winter coats to men, women and children in need throughout the state. If you would like to join this rewarding effort, which runs into February, please register online at http://bit.ly/uSumYk. For additional information, contact Andrea Shuba at the Jersey Cares office at 973-424-1091 or andrea@jerseycares.org.