Planet Weekend Picks, Feb. 22-24

Bruce Cockburn performs at McCarter Theatre Friday night.
Bruce Cockburn performs at McCarter Theatre Friday night.

Friday, February 22

Princeton High School Hurricane Sandy Relief Night – Enjoy dessert and live performances by several music groups from the high school and support a good cause. Event starts at 7 p.m. at the high school performing arts center. Tickets $10 at the door general admission, $7 for students. All proceeds donated to charity to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims in New Jersey.

Live from Kingston – DiGiovanni Photography is hosting an evening of live music and entertainment that includes folk, indie rock, comedy and more.  Doors open at 7:30 p.m., performances begin at 8 p.m. Studio located at 4577 Route 27 in downtown Kingston. Park on Route 27  or park along Church Street. Teas, sodas, coffees and bottled water from Osteria Procaccini will be available for purchase. Admission $6.

Screening of “Slavery by Another Name” – The documentary, based on the book by Douglas Blackmon, challenges the belief that slavery in America ended with the Emancipation Proclamation and sheds light on the practice of forced labor that existed into the 20th century. Princeton Public Library Community Room, 7 p.m., free.

Bruce Cockburn Performs at McCarter Theatre – Legendary Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist Bruce Cockburn performs in the Matthews Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets $20 and up.

Saturday, February 23

Princeton Future Community Forum on Regional Planning – How can neighboring communities plan together as a region? Hear two speakers talk about regional issues. Jon Carnegie from Rutgers University will discuss the Route One growth strategy. Tom Wright Jr. and Rob Freudenberg of the Regional Plan Association will discuss how other regions plan. A panel of elected officials will respond, including Plainsboro Mayor Peter Cantu, West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh and Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert, The forum, which is part of a series, will be held at the old Borough Hall at One Monument Drive from 9 a.m. to Noon.

Art for Families: Art, Myth, and Percy Jackson – Visit the Princeton University Arts Museum on Saturday mornings for family fun. Drop in anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and enjoy a self-guided, interactive tour followed by a related art project. Each week has a different theme. Come for fifteen minutes or two hours-whatever your schedule allows. All ages are welcome; no tickets or reservations are needed. This Saturday, Percy Jackson enthusiasts will have the opportunity to explore our ancient Greek galleries in search of clues to solve the Sphinx’s riddle and to make a Medusa mask. Free.

Chinese New Year Celebration– Sponsored by Princeton High School and the Princeton Chinese Language School, and organized by PHS Mandarin teacher Shwu-Fen Lin, the celebration will feature students from various heritages and backgrounds who will share different aspects of the Chinese culture.There will be a lion dance, traditional Chinese dance and more. Princeton Public Library Community Room, 2 p.m., free.

United States Tennis Association Kids Day at Princeton University – Princeton Men’s Tennis game vs. FDU begins at 2 p.m. After the game, the men’s team will sign autographs and host a free clinic. For children eight grade and under. Free admission and free pizza for kids.

“One Voice” Concert at Nassau Presbyterian Church – Concert featuring the Trenton Children’s Chorus and Westminster Conservatory Children’s Choir. They will be joined by jazz violinist Scott Tixier, named “Rising Star” by the 2012 Downbeat Critics Poll, performing a Brian Mann composition commissioned by the Trenton Children’s Chorus. Admission is free. A free-will offering to support both children’s choirs’ scholarship funds will be taken during the concert. 7 p.m. at 61 Nassau St.

Cafe Improv – Music, poetry,comedy and more at the Arts Council of Princeton. For a list of performers visit www.cafeimprov.com. Runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Watch the whole show or stop by for a few acts. Admission $2, $1  for Arts Council of Princeton members, students and seniors.

Sunday, February 24

Central Jersey Slow Food “Eat Slow” Winter Farmers Market – Visit Tre Piani at Forrestal Village and check out locally grown and produces foods including produce, cheese, breads, jam, wines, wild mushrooms and more. Starts at 11 a.m.

Jersey Transit A Cappella Concert – The a cappella ensemble Jersey Transit uses complex vocal harmonies augmented by claps, grunts and Aboriginal clicking noises. Princeton Public Library Community Room, 3 p.m., free.

An Afternoon with the Harlem Quartet – Nominated for 2 Grammies, the Harlem Quartet has been praised for its “panache” by the New York TImes.  This young exciting string quartet blends the classical with jazz with a repertoire ranging from Mozart to Marsalis. Presented by the Riverside Symphonia. 4 p.m. at Church of St. John the Evangelist, 44 Bridge Street in Lambertville. Tickets $20 and up.

Avatar of Krystal Knapp

Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.