NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—This weekend there is a lot going on in New Brunswick.

With the holidays right around the corner, the New Brunswick Community Arts Council to host their second annual Holiday Market at the George Street Playhouse (9 Livingston Ave.).

The market will feature several renowned merchants from the tri-state area, all of whom will be selling handmade crafts and products including clothing, jewelery, pottery, art, and glassware.  The event will go from 5pm to 9:30pm on Friday night.

Also on Friday, The Court Tavern (124 Church Street), will be hosting a special “Friday the 13th” themed concert including several local area horror punk rock and heavy punk bands.  The bands will include Monster Rat, The Turnbucklers, Zombie Mafia, New Politicians, Industry, and Chernobyl Disaster.  Doors open at 7pm and the show will begin at 9pm.  The concert is 21+ admission. 

And beginning at 10pm on Friday, The Old Bay (61 Church Street) will be hosting the album release party for Los Angeles based hip- hop artist, Kosha Dillz. Kosha’s new album, “Awkward In A Good Way,” is his third full- length album, and features ten brand new tracks that will be played at the show with a DJ and live hip- hop band.

Kosha Dillz is originally of Perth Amboy. Opening acts wil include Nelson, Sureshot, and Prime Prolifik.  There will be a $5 cover at the door and entry is 21+.

Saturday at noon, the Harvest Moon Brewery (392 George St.) is unveiling five new beers including a strong ale aged in a Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrel.

Rutgers fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and Hidden Grounds Coffee Shop (106 Easton Ave.) have teamed up to help fundraising efforts to help the victims of the recent typhoon tragedy in the Phillipines.  All of the proceeds will be donated to the victims in Guiuan, one of the hardest hit regions.

The fundraiser will start with the kickoff at Hidden Grounds on Friday at 7pm, and will feature music and plenty of information on how to help donate, get involved, and do something great for a part of the world who truly needs it. The fundraising will last for two months, and Hidden Grounds has agreed to match 50% of whatever amount of proceeds APO raises.

Another good cause is holding a fundraising event Saturday.  New Labor, the group that we have reported on before for their powerful anti-wage-theft campaign, will be hosting their 4th annual New Labor Gala and fundraiser dinner at the Labor Education Center at Rutgers University (50 Labor Center Way).

The event is to celebrate the effort to  fight for workers’ rights and social justice throughout New Jersey. The menu will feature traditional food and drink, and dancing can certainly be expected. Ticket prices start at $75 per person, or for $100 per person, attendees will get to sponsor a New Labor member.The Gala will begin at 7pm and will end at 10:30pm.

On Saturday, World of Beer (335 George Street) will be featuring Montclair- based throwback cover band, Rainbow Fresh. The band is a testament to what has been called “the golden era of rock and roll.”

They are described on their Facebook page as “Led Zeppelin’s little brother playing Steely Dan songs,” and they have opened for world famous acts such as The Steve Miller Band, Les Paul, and Chris Baron of the Spin Doctors.  The show starts at 9pm on Saturday and goes until midnight.

Lastly, on both Friday and Sunday, New Brunswick City Market will be offering free  horsedrawn carriage rides through downtown in honor of the holiday season. The carriages will be picking up and dropping off at The Hyatt Regency Hotel (2 Albany Street).