Things To Do in New Jersey This Weekend: April 17-April 19

New Jersey is set to deliver a weekend worth stepping out for, with cherry blossoms in full bloom, a rock icon on tour, and a comedian who pulls no punches. The 50th annual BloomFest draws visitors to Newark's Branch Brook Park, while Melissa Etheridge brings her Rise Tour to Red Bank and Aida Rodriguez takes the stage in Newark for a night of sharp, boundary-pushing comedy.

The 50th annual BloomFest Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the largest and most varied collection of Japanese flowering cherry blossom trees in the United States, with more than 5,300 trees in 18 varieties at Branch Brook Park in Newark. The weekend includes a 1-mile run, Family Day, and the main BloomFest celebration, all set against a backdrop of blooming cherry blossoms. Historic and horticultural walking tours are also available for those looking to learn more about the park's rich history.

Known for her raspy vocals and confessional lyrics, Melissa Etheridge has been a staple of American rock for more than three decades. A two-time GRAMMY winner, she scored major hits with "Come to My Window" and "I'm the Only One" and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "I Need to Wake Up," written for Al Gore's climate documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." Most recently, she starred in a two-part Paramount+ docuseries and released an accompanying live album recorded inside a Kansas correctional facility.

Aida Rodriguez is an accomplished stand-up comedian who tackles everything from social justice to the ridiculousness of everyday life with a sharp sense of humor and an honest fearlessness. She has appeared as a contestant on NBC's "Last Comic Standing;" as an actor/comedian on Netflix's "They Ready," HBO's "Entre Nos," and "Pause with Sam Jay;" and on Comedy Central's "This Week at the Comedy Cellar." Her Max special, "Fighting Words," solidifies her place among comedy's most talented and unique voices. Rodriguez also hosts the podcast "Truth Serum" and authored "Legitimate Kid," a book exploring cultural identity, childhood, and motherhood.

New Jersey's weekend brings together a legendary soul icon, sharp observational humor, and a seasoned stand-up comedian for a diverse lineup across the state. From Patti LaBelle's powerhouse vocals to the wit of Paula Poundstone and Rich Vos, there's plenty to keep audiences entertained.

New Jersey's week ahead is packed with big music and comedy names. Bruce Springsteen rocks the Prudential Center, John Legend offers an intimate evening of songs and stories, a celebrated Queen tribute hits Morristown, and two comedians square off in a can't-miss double bill.