Planet Weekend Picks, April 12-14

 

Amazin’ Grace and the Grace Little Band performs at the Arts Council of Princeton on Saturday.
Amazin’ Grace and the Grace Little Band performs at the Arts Council of Princeton on Saturday.

Friday, April 12

Screening of `Last Shop Standing’ – In recognition of Record Store Day, this film, inspired by a book of the same name by Graham Jones is being shown in advance of its official U.S. release.  The film examines the rapid rise of record shops from the 1960s to the 1980s, the rise of the CD and new technologies and the effect that the continuing rise in downloading is having on record shops. Record shop owners and musicians share how record shops have been a part of their musical education as places to discover new brands and new music. Princeton Public Library Community Room, 7 p.m.
 
Art Opening at Small World Coffee – Opening for artist Brian Casally, whose whimsical pen and ink drawings are on display at the Witherspoon location. Live music. 8-10 p.m., free.

Musical `Beauty and the Beast’ – Performance of the Disney classic by Princeton High School’s Spectacle Theatre, 8 p.m., Princeton High, tickets $7.

The Winter’s Tale, McCarter Theatre – Shakespeare’s tragedy directed by Rebecca Taichman includes music and comedy. Tickets $20 and up. Performances Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 13

Annual Book Sale, Princeton Theological Seminary – Thousands of titles on subjects including religion, theology, fiction, travel, the arts, and children’s literature. Proceeds benefit theological institutions around the world. Whiteley Gymnasium, 36 Hibben Road, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission, $5.

Spring Bee Keeping Workshop at the Howell Living History Farm – Bob Hughes, a professional beekeeper, give the bees a complete health check and make sure the queen, drones, and worker bees are ready to make some honey. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., free.

Local Author Day at the Princeton Public Library – Workshops at 10 and 11 a.m. for published and non-published writers kick off Local Author Day at the library. An author fair where 42 local authors will display and sign their books is the highlight of the event. Featured authors will read from their books at intervals throughout the day. They include Meg Cox (“The New Book of Family Traditions”); Jean Hanff Korelitz (“Admission”); John W. Hartmann (“Jacket”); and John P. Calu and David A. Hart (“Spirits of Cedar Bridge”). Community Room, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free.

Quaker Bridge Mall Kidgits Princess Party Event – Quaker Bridge Mall invites young princesses and princes to attend the mall’s Kidgits Princess Party from 1 – 3 p.m. in the Center Court. Meet some of your favorite fairy tale guests and enjoy special activities, including a musical performance by famous princess characters, an interactive story time, castle coloring, sash decorating and much more. There will be photo opportunities with the princesses in front of the storybook backdrop so come dressed in your best royal attire for a magical afternoon. Free.

Read-Out, The New Jim Crow Project – Brief sections of Michelle Alexander’s book, ‘The New Jim Crow,’ will be read. Citizens talk about being imprisoned, working with the imprisoned, or are related to imprisoned people; information about mass incarceration. Hinds Plaza, Princeton Public Library, 5 p.m., free.

Amazin’ Grace and the Grace Little Band – Amazin’ Grace and the Grace Little Band performs at the Arts Council of Princeton at 8 p.m. Admission $15, $10 for Arts Council members, students and seniors.

Screening of ‘Dear Governor Cuomo,’ – Documentary by Jon Bowermester about a gathering of musicians, scientists, and filmmakers that took place on the governor’s front doorstep after the new that he might lift the moratorium on hydraulic fracking in New York. Q&A follows the film. 7 p.m. in the community room, free.

Eddie West and George Milly at Small World Coffee – Eddie West has toured the country playing folk music. His voice, with an acoustic guitar and harmonica, create a sound reminiscent of the great 70’s songwriters. Former bandmate George Milly will appear on lead guitar, returning to their unique musical partnership that has lasted over ten years. 8:30 p.m. at the Witherspoon Street location, free.

Sunday, April 14

Bard’s Birthday Bash -McCarter Theatre Center and the Princeton Public Library celebrate the Bard’s birthday with crafts for all ages, and a chance to participate in or watch Princeton’s first-ever Shakespeare Slam, featuring sonnets and soliloquies. Cake and music too. 2 p.m. in the library Community Room, free.

Faculty Recital, New School for Music Study – ‘Piano Music the World Loves’ includes works by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and Debussy.Miller Chapel, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, 3 p.m. , free.