Planet Weekend Picks, May 3-5

Quilt squares by Erin Wilson, one of many artists featured at Morven this weekend.
Quilt squares by Erin Wilson, one of many artists featured at Morven this weekend.

Friday, May 3

“Into the Woods”, McCarter Theatre – Fresh from their six-actor off-Broadway runaway hit Cymbeline, the acclaimed Fiasco Theater teams up with McCarter Theatre to conjure this enchanting tale into being with an ensemble of ten actors, and a single piano.The ensemble includes Jessie Austrian, Noah Brody, Paul L. Coffey, Andy Grotelueschen, Liz Hayes, Claire Karpen, Jennifer Mudge, Patrick Mulryan, Ben Steinfeld, and Emily Young. Berlind Theatre, tickets $20 and up. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. www.mccarter.org.

Traces Acrobatic Troupe at McCarter Theatre  – Montreal-based acrobatic troupe of seven members offer a circus show featuring athletic vaudeville, circus traditions, and streetwise performance. Matthews Theatre, 8 p.m.Tickets $20 and up. 

Saturday, May 4

Opening Day of the West Windsor Community Farmers Market – Fruits and vegetables, flowers, baked goodies, live music and more. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Vaughn Drive Parking Lot at the Princeton Junction Train Station. Free.

Miles for Isles – Support Isles, the green development non-profit, by participating in Miles for Isles, a 5K Run and 1-mile walk at Mercer County Park in West Windsor.  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the race starts at 10 a.m.. Snacks and prizes This is a USATF sanctioned race. Fee $25 for 5k, $20 for 1-mile walk.

Exploring Witherspoon Woods – Join Jeff Hoagland, education director of the Stonybrook-Millstone Watershed Association, for a look at the ecology, geology and human history of this unique forest in Princeton. During this hike, discover‘life and death in the forest while examining a myriad of adaptations in various species. This hike courses through mature forest, along old stonewalls, across small streams and through a memorable boulder field including Devil’s Cave. 9:30 a.m. to noon. Adults and Families (children 6 and older), Fee: $5 per person.

Morven in May: A Celebration of Art, Craft & Garden – In addition to Morven’s annual plant sale, the museum at 55 Stockton Street in downtown Princeton welcomes talented artists and craftspeople from the region. Art and plant sale public hours Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets $10, $ for Friends of Morven, children 12 and under free. No admission for plant sale only.  Saturday and Sunday during show and sale hours, children ages 6-12 are invited to participate in a search for art and garden treasures. This is a free self-guided activity; parents must accompany children (one adult per two children). Wendy Hollender, illustrator of “Foraging and Feasting”, will give a talk at 2 p.m. Saturday. Free with art sale admission.

Kite DayKite Day Weekend at Terhune Orchards – Bring a kite or buy one on the farm to fly in the farm pasture. Visit the animals, play old-fashioned games. Live music and food. Winery tasting room open noon to 5 p.m. 330 Cold Soil Road, Lawrence, free. Festival is Saturday and Sunday. Bee keeper demonstrations both days at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., sheep shearing Sunday afternoon.

Spring Fling at the Princeton Shopping Center – The Riverside Bluegrass and Montgomery jazz ensemble Two-Five-One perform at the family event that includes hands-on arts activities, free pony rides, a petting zoo, and a paint-your-own flower pot activity at Ace Housewares. Stop by the Arts Council table to create one-of-a-kind garden markers and to learn more about our summer camps. Merchants throughout the Center will be offering sales or discounts, in addition to special spring-related activities. Rescue Pet Fashion Show at 1 p.m., Events runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free.

Quaker Bridge Mall Family Fun Day – Free event will include sing-a-longs, interactive activities with Mad Science of NJ, magic trick demonstrations, a performance by West Windsor Arts Center and more.  The Family Fun Day event is one of many Kidgits events happening at Quaker Bridge Mall. The Simon Kidgits Club was introduced by Simon Property Group, Inc. in 2003 to provide events and educational programs focusing on health, wellness, safety and entertainment for children ages three to eight years old. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SCORE Small Business Fair – The Fair connects local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with organizations and resources available to help small businesses in the greater Princeton area succeed. Learn, connect and network with exhibitors, other small business owners, library research staff and experienced SCORE business counselors. At the Fair, Princeton SCORE will also offer 4 mini-seminars to provide a taste of their ongoing educational programs geared toward starting and growing a small business. Princeton Public Community Room, 11 a.m.

Woodrow Wilson School 2013 Colloquium “Challenges to U.S. Policy in the Middle East” – Priority seating in Dodds is reserved for graduate alumni and guests.  Wait line for Dodds and there will be simulcast in all bowls at the Woodrow Wilson School. 8:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., free.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – DanceVision presents the original ballet , based on the Shakespeare classic. Choreography brings to life this tale of magical characters caught up in a comedic entanglement of love, jealousy, trickery, and fun, where fairies, pixies, and sprites make mischief with the lives of unsuspecting mortals. Graduation Ball will be performed as a special bonus feature. Watch what ensues as a group of male cadets dance at a girl’s school in this humorous, playful ballet. Kendall Hall, The College of New Jersey, 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $20, $15 for students, seniors and children.

Sunday, May 5

Specialized Women’s Ride Day with Knapp’s Cyclery – Casual 20-25 mile women’s only ride at 10:30 a.m., starting in Lawrence.  For every woman who attends, Knapp’s will donate $10 to the Anchor House Foundation in support of runaway and abused children in our area. Bring your road bikes, your helmets and your good vibes, and celebrate women who are passionate about cycling, all for a great cause. All women are welcome. If you’d like to attend, meet in the parking lot of our Lawrence location, 1761 Princeton Avenue, at 10:30 a.m.
The 10th Annual Big Red Race at the Lawrenceville School –  5K race and activities for adults and children benefits children of Lawrence Township selected to attend the school’s summer camp. 2500 Main Street, Lawrenceville. Race starts at 10:15 a.m., registration opens at 9 a.m. Fee for registering day of event is $25 for adults, $15 for high school students and younger. For more info. visit bigredrace.com.

Lawrence Township Diversity & Culture Day – Join Lawrence Township residents as they connect and celebrate the different racial, ethnic, and cultural groups living in the community. Come and experience food from around the world from local restaurants.  Experience the music, stories, exhibits, and the dance of different cultures. Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Pike. Noon to 4 p.m., free.

Cinco de Mayo – The Princeton Public Library joins the Arts Council of Princeton in presenting this annual celebration of Mexican culture, featuring family-friendly activities, music and dancing. Hinds Plaza and Library Community Room, 1 p.m.

Princeton Girlchoir Spring Concert – The concert “World Music Suite: Music from Eastern Europe and Beyond” features the Svitanya Eastern European Women’s Ensemble. Princeton Presbyterian Church, 545 Meadow Road, West Windsor, 4 p.m.,  tickets $22 and up.