Planet Weekend Picks, Nov. 9-11

 

 

Friday, November 9

Small World Coffee will kick off the month long exhibit of `Flora Still Lifes’ by Henry Vega with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at the Small World Coffee Witherspoon Street location.

The photographic series ties together Vega’s interest in gardening, graphic design and painting. `Floral Still Life’ features studies inspired by the work of master still life photographers. Working with teacher Peter Cook at the Arts Council of Princeton, Vega focused on motion, light, and abstraction. He chose to limit the images to simple elements and a limited color palette on a white background. To produce stark images in vivid color, Vega employed overexposure, light sources of different color temperatures, oversaturation, exaggerated scale, and an emphasis on geometry. The result is brushstroke-like elements with blurred edges, a rich color palette, and a sense of motion.

Vega earned his bachelor’s degree in interior design from Drexel University in 1999. He worked as an interior designer for 10 years at architecture firms in Philadelphia In 2008, he moved with his partner of 11 years to Princeton. In the wake of the economic recession of 2008, Vega turned his attentions to his real passion, photography. Since then, he has explored street, event, portrait, and still life photography. In 2010 he joined the staff of the Princeton University Art Museum, where he has become the event photographer.

The show runs until Dec. 3. All works on exhibit will be available for sale.

Piano Sale at Princeton High – The Rockley Family Foundation sale includes grand pianos, baby grand pianos, digital player grand pianos, upright pianos, digital pianos, orchestral string instruments, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars. The sale includes instruments made by Pramberger, Yamaha, Seiler, Knabe, Roland, Breedlove, Tanglewood, Godin, Peavey, and other instruments manufacturers, as well as a selection of used Steinway & Sons pianos. Most instruments have been in service for less than one year, have been tuned, and include a new factory warranty. Delivery and no-interest financing is available. The Princeton Public Schools music department was given the opportunity to use new acoustic pianos at no cost for the 2011-2012 school year. These instruments, instruments provided to other institutions, and instruments otherwise made available will be sold to continue this program. To view and purchase instruments Friday and Saturday, call (609) 806-4321 to make an appointment. The final sale day, Sunday is open to the public without an appointment from noon to 5 p.m. The event is being held at the Princeton High School Performing Arts Center, located at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Walnut Lane.

Behind the Curtain: Inside Swan Lake with the American Repertory Ballet – A peak at the spring ballet includes a discussion of the history of ‘Swan Lake’ and how the school re-staged the show for a range of levels. At the Princeton Ballet School, 301 North Harrison Street,  5:15 p.m., free.

One-Hit Wonders Hosted by the Princeton Public Library – Music trivia fans can show off their knowledge and vie for prizes at this event featuring music by Pi Fight and other musicians who are members of the Einstein Alley Musicians Collaborative. Pi Fight and Friends will play songs by one-hit wonders as participants fill in trivia forms. There will also be a team round and speed round. Prizes provided by the Princeton Record Exchange. Co-sponsored by the library and Princeton Record Exchange. 7 p.m., free.

Lyle Lovett Visits McCarter Theatre – The award winning singer returns with his acoustic group. Matthews Theatre, 8 p.m. Tickets $55 to $75.

The Janus Players Present `After Juliet’ – `After Juliet’ by Sharman MacDonald is the fall production for the Janus Players at the Hun School. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. The Janus Players are hosting a nonperishable food drive and blanket drive. Donations will be taken at the door. Anyone who brings an item to donate will receive a free ticket to the performance. Performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., tickets $5.

Saturday, November 10

Art All Day – Trenton Artists, studios and creative spaces will open their doors for a one-day tour today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take a self-guided tour of the capital city’s artist studios, gallery spaces, grass roots art collectives, workshops, public art, and a host of breathtaking creative spaces. Special Art All Day trolley and guided bicycle tours will also take place. More than 65 artists will participate at 25 open studios and creative venues throughout the city. Participants include the AbOminOg Intl. Arts Collective, Ana Design, Exit 7A studio, S.A.G.E. Coalition, TerraCycle, and the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. The self-guided tour begins at Artworks Trenton  at 19 Everett Alley, where guests can pick up a map and view a group exhibit featuring participating artists. Following the self-guided tour, attendees are invited back to Artworks’ gallery space for a reception. The event is free and parking is available all day and evening at Artworks, 19 Everett Alley (off South Stockton Street, across from NJ Motor Vehicle Commission building). A 33-site public art tour will also be a part of the event, highlighting sculptures, murals, installations and other public art within New Jersey’s capital city. Another cool way to see the city and the art spaces: Art All Day free bicycle tours leave at noon and 3!

Full schedule:

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Artworks main gallery, participating artists show (free)
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Trenton self-guided open studios/public art tour (free)
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Trenton art trolley tour ($10 suggested donation)
12 noon and 3 p.m. – Special edition Onaroll Bikecarts bicycle tour (free)
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Artworks main gallery reception (free)

Historical Society of Princeton 2012 House Tour – Visit some of Princeton’s most beautiful and interesting houses. Originally scheduled for last week, the tour was postponed because of Hurricane Sandy. Runs from 10-4. You can buy tickets at Bainbridge House, 158 Nassau Street, starting at 10. Tickets are $45.

West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market – Produce, flowers, baked goods, handmade soaps, music and more at the Vaughn Drive Parking Lot at the Princeton Junction Train Station, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Montgomery EMS Community Blood Drive – Bloood supplies are low post  Hurricane Sandy. The blood collected at the drive will be used for patients at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. The drive will run from 9 am -2 pm at the Montgomery EMS squad building on 8 Harlingen Rd in Belle Mead. Lunch will be served for all blood donors an donors will receive a Thomas Sweet Ice Cream Coupon. Please call 908-359-4112 and leave your name, phone number and preferred time when you can come in to donate. Bring a photo ID, eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids. If you have any concerns or questions on medical eligibility, please contact UMCPP donor room @ 609-853-6870.

Diwali Workshop at the Plainsboro Public Library – Family event with music, food, and demonstrations. Workshops include clay pot painting, Diwali card making,  Henna and rangoli. 1 to 5 p.m., free. The library is located at 9 Van Doren Street.

Folktales from Afar at the Princeton Public Library -Princeton University students will read stories set in far away lands and lead children in a craft. Ages 3 and older, a grown-up must attend. In the library story room at 2 p.m., free.

Diwali Celebration, Princeton University Chapel – Join the Hindu Life Program  for their legendary Diwali at the Chapel celebration, that includes devotional music and dance, reflections, and a beautiful service. Starts at 7 p.m., free, and all are welcome.

House Concert, Candlelight Concerts for Epilepsy Awareness – Eric Bazilian of the Hooters performs in the Pennington home of Eric Miller. 8 p.m., $20. Register at  www.candlelightconcert.org.

Sarah Donner and Friends at Small World Coffee – Alternative folk pop singer Sarah Donner rocks your latte in all the right places. With ukulele, kazoos, and cajons it’s sure to be a fun evening. 8:30 p.m. at the Witherspoon Street location, free.

Sunday, November 11

Benefit Event, Sand Aid New Jersey – The benefit is hosted by a collective of artists and citizens determined to help rebuild the Jersey shore one beach at a time. Plainsboro, West Windsor, and Princeton Junction fire companies are collecting supplies to aid the citizens of Point Pleasant. Items needed include underwear, socks, hats, gloves, household cleaning gloves, bleach, C and D batteries, and non-perishable food items. Bands and solo musicians will perform in parking lot. At the Grover’s Mill Coffee House, Southfield Shopping Center, Princeton-Hightstown and South Mill roads, West Windsor, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.sandaidnj.net.

Veterans Day Lunch, Princeton Elks – Free lunch for veterans. Ceremony at the Montgomery Veterans Memorial at 2:30 p.m. The program includes Montgomery High School Marching Band and Pete Zaleski from the Wounded Warrior Project. The Elks lodge is located at 354 Route 518 in Blawenburg.

Veterans Day Ceremonies, West Windsor Township – 11 a.m.  ceremony in remembrance of West Windsor residents who fought in World War II will take place at the Dutch Neck monument, followed by noon ceremony at town hall.

Coalition for Peace Action Conference and Interfaith Service – The theme of the 33rd annual conference is `New Paths to Peacemaking.’  Father Pat Connor, a priest with Divine Word Missionaries, will preach at 11 a.m. at the Princeton University Chapel. The afternoon conference is from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street. Speakers include Noam Chomsky, professor emeritus of linguistics at MIT; Juan Cole, professor of history at the University of Michigan; and Amy Goodman, the host of ‘Democracy Now’ news program. Register. $40., www.peacecoalition.org.
Princeton University, 609-924-5022

International Film Festival Sponsored by the Trenton Film Society – Screenings: ‘Audre Lorde: The Berlin Years, 1984 to 1992,’ Germany, at 1:30 p.m and  ‘Sita Sings the Blues,’ USA, at 3:30 p.m. Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton, admission $10.

Antique Harpsichord Concert at Christ Congregation – Gavin Black is performing a free concert at Christ Congregation Church on Walnut Lane. The concert is being played on an antique harpsichord appropriate to the period of the music that will be performed (Frescobaldi and Storace). Black is the head of the non-profit Princeton Early Keyboard Center. For more info. visit pekc.org.

Fred Miller: “America at War” – In observance of Veterans Day, pianist and vocalist Miller presents a musical history program titled “America at War” in the community room at the Princeton Public Library. 3 p.m., free.

The Princeton Committee of the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund Fall Reception –  The 37th annual fall reception will run from 4  to 7 pm.  at the Stuart Country Day School on Stuart Road in Princeton.  The program will begin at 4, followed by a reception  catered by Main Street with music by The Bob Smith Trio. This year’s program will feature a short film and discussion of Election 2012 with  Debo P. Adegbile, LDF’s Interim President & Director Counsel,  and two of LDF’s lead attorneys.   Debo and his team will share the challenges and successes of  current cases and evaluate how LDF’s work could be affected by the election’s results. Proceeds from the event will benefit the  Fund which was founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall to conduct advocacy and litigation on on issues of   economic justice, criminal justice, education, and voting rights. Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased at the door.