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The Walking Dead-themed convention Walker Stalker Con will take place this weekend in Edison at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center in Edison.

(Alex Remnick)

INDIE STREET FILM FESTIVAL: The Count Basie Theatre presents a new film festival that "is looking to discover films and filmmakers who prove story is independent of budget." This festival is the Indie Street Film Festival. There will be screenings and events all over Red Bank, at Count Basie, Bow Tie Cinemas, Two River Theater, Jamian's, 10th Ave Burrito, Red Bank Middle School, Belmonte, Gotham, and The Molly Pitcher Inn. Notable films being screened include the Hurricane Sandy documentary "After Sandy," the comedian-driven film "Can We Take a Joke?", "Chosen" starring Harvey Keitel, "Little Men" starring Greg Kinnear, and "Morris from America" starring Craig Robinson. $15 to $849. Thursday to Saturday (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.), Sunday (11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), Red Bank.

WALKER STALKER CON: Popular cast members, and alumni of the zombie apocalypse series, "The Walking Dead" will appear at Walker Stalker Con in Edison this weekend. Confirmed guests from the current cast include: Norman Reedus (Daryl), Chandler Riggs (Carl), Lennie James (Morgan), Michael Cudlitz (Abraham), Josh McDermitt (Eugene), and Sonequa Martin-Green (Sasha). Major alumni include: Chad L. Coleman (Tyreese), Scott Wilson (Hershel), Emily Kinney (Beth), and Alexandra Breckenridge (Jessie). There are numerous other former cast members from the first season to the most recent booked for the con. There will be non-"TWD" guests on hand including: Elvira, Zach Galligan ("Gremlins"), and Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad). There is also an interactive "Walking Dead" experience fans can take part in. $45-$1,400. Saturday (10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Sunday (10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison. 732-417-1400.

GARDEN STATE COMIC FEST: The Garden State Comic Fest is for those who adore comic books -- not just the movies that get made from them. The big guests headlining this fest include writers, creators, artists and editors who have worked on everything from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to "Nick Fury" to "The Captain Derek Jeter." There will a special guest celebrity at the festival as Jason David Frank, aka Tommy, the White/Green Ranger from "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" will be in attendance. $25 to $45. Saturday (11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Sunday (11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.) 161 East Hanover, Morristown. 973-326-7651.

ASBURY PARK COMEDY AND PODCAST FESTIVAL: Asbury Park is known for its music, but it's also a burgeoning spot for stand-up comedy as well. The crew at the Pizza Beer Revolution podcast have put together two afternoon shows filled with local, and national comedians to celebrate the comedy movement (and the podcast movement) at the House of Independents. The first show will feature "Daily Show" correspondent Roy Wood Jr., former host of "That Metal Show" Jim Florentine, and "Impractical Jokers" star Brian "Q" Quinn. The second show will star Sal Vulcano and Joe Gatto of "Impractical Jokers," Z100 jock Mo Bounce, and Mike Zapcic and Ming Chen from AMC's "Comic Book Men." There will be numerous local comedians as well as podcasters joining the shows. $20-$50. Sunday, 1:30 pm and 4:30 p.m. 572 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park. 732-977-5284.

MAPLEWOODSTOCK: The annual Maplewoodstock returns once again to bring some quality national touring acts to its stage. Headliners this year include: jam band Railroad Earth, the quirky NRBQ, soulful songstress Maya Azucena, and Jersey's own Nicole Atkins. There will be a number of great local bands performing like Deaf Rhino, Rose Boulevard, and Pepperwine, amongst others. There will also be a huge gathering of food vendors, crafters, and beers on hand too. Free. Saturday (12 to 9:15 p.m.), Sunday (12 to 8:15 p.m.) 580 Valley Street, Maplewood. 973-763-4202.

BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES AT THE JERSEY SHORE: The iconic Budweiser Clydesdales will be hoofing it through the Jersey Shore this weekend. These majestic horses, who have been associated with the King of Beers since 1933, will be fully "hitched" just like in the commercials and will be available for photos. On Thursday, they will be walking around Asbury Park 3 to 5 p.m. starting at The Paramount Theatre and making their way down Cookman Avenue. On Friday they will parade down Ocean Avenue in Belmar. Saturday, the Clydesdales will be at Monmouth Park beginning at 2 p.m. You will need to pay the $5 admission fee to the track to see the horses. The Shore Tour will conclude in Seaside Heights, where they will march down Ocean Terrace starting at 1 p.m.

Songstress Nicole Atkins will amaze crowds with her resplendent voice at Maplewoodstock on Sunday.

BBQ, BOURBON & BIERGARTEN IN MONTCLAIR: Sometimes you need the 'three b's' in your life -- barbecue, bourbon and beer. On Saturday, the Montclair Food and Wine Festival will take care of all of these at their BBQ, Bourbon and Biergarten event at the Montclair Art Museum. Food will be provided by area restaurants such as: Essex Junction, The Orange Squirrel, The Shannon Rose, and Arianne Kitchen and Bar. There will be craft beers and bourbons from: 21st Amendment, Bulleit, Troegs, and Hudson Baby. There will be guests on hands like WPLJ's Annie Marie Leamy from "Todd and Jayde in the Morning," Food Network judge Edward Schoenfeld, and author John Holl. $85. Saturday, 6 to 10 p.m. 3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair.

SUBLIME WITH ROME AT PNC BANK ARTS CENTER: If you're ready to get down with the punk-rock and reggae sounds of the LBC -- then you need to be in Holmdel Friday. Sublime with Rome will make their headlining return to the outdoor venue with like-minded Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds, and Bleeker in support. The band is currently comprised of singer Rome Ramirez, original Sublime member Eric Wilson, and veteran touring drummer Josh Freese (Devo, The Vandals). $29.50-89.50. Friday, 6:30 p.m. Exit 116 and Garden State Parkway, Holmdel.

RAKIM IN ASBURY PARK AND MONTCLAIR: One of the most respected, and legendary names in hip-hop, Rakim, will be performing shows this weekend at The Wellmont Theater, and House of Independents. The MC will be performing his iconic album "Paid in Full" (which he created with Eric B back in 1987) in its entirety. The album has been named the best rap album of all-time by MTV, and Rolling Stone, and Rakim himself was named one of the top five MC's of all-time by MTV. $25-$55. Friday, 7 p.m. 5 Seymour Street, Montclair. 973-783-9500. | $30. Saturday, 572 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park. 732-977-5284.

JUSTIN BIEBER IN NEWARK: Beliebers unite! One of the most talked about pop stars of this generation (in both a good and bad way) will be performing Saturday night at The Prudential Center in Newark. Canada's somewhat favorite export will be performing all of hits -- from his days of being a charming little YouTube sensation to the hits off 2015 record, "Purpose." Parents, and adults alike, bring your earplugs, the deafening screams of women of all ages may cause hearing permanent hearing loss. $50.50-$126. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. 25 Lafayette Street, Newark. 973-757-6600.

Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.