Planet Princeton Weekend Picks, May 16-18
Friday, May 16
D&R Greenway Spring Native Plant Sale – The D&R Greenway Land Trust invites the public to its annual spring native plant sale, held outside the Johnson Education Center. The D&R Greenway’s Native Plant Nursery is a resource for locally sourced native plants that contribute to a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem. Plants are available in quart and gallon-sized pots from $5 to $12. The sale will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. until noon Saturday. The Nursery is located at One Preservation Place off Rosedale Road.
The Bent Spoon 10th Anniversary Celebration – May 16 marks the anniversary of the grand opening of The Bent Spoon at 35 Palmer Square West. The Bent Spoon will host a day-long celebration, featuring prizes and giveaways. The Bent Spoon’s twelve original artisan ice cream flavors will be available on Friday. From 3 to 4 p.m., the first 100 customers with bent spoon punch cards will receive vouchers redeemable for complimentary nibbles, and shop staff will be offering samples of The Bent Spoon’s new spoon pops.
Greek Festival at St. George Church – Annual festival with classic Greek food and wine, flea market, raffle, music, and dancers in native costume. The pastry shop features baklava, galatoboureko, kourambiedes, walnut cake, and breads. Outdoor grills serve up souvlaki and gyros. Take out available. Rain or shine, runs until 11:30 p.n.. $2 admission. 1200 Klockner Road, Hamilton.
Sound Bites Concert featuring The Juke Joint Jonny Trio – Juke Joint Jonny is a blues man, band leader, singer, songwriter and historian. With a unique acoustic fingerpicking technique, Jonny incorporates various styles of “old school” blues in his songwriting. Playing 6 and 12 string guitars and a vintage National steel slide guitar, Juke Joint Jonny takes you on a journey through the Delta, Piedmont, Chicago and Swing Styles of the Blues with a “lived it” approach. Join the Juke Joint Jonny Trio for a pre-concert workshop that covers the techniques and origins of traditional blues. This hands-on experience introduces several guitars and percussive instruments that are native to the blues while demonstrating the fundamental structure of a blues composition. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments to participate in a group performance at the end of the workshop. Workshop is free, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Concert at 8 p.m., admission $10, $8 for Arts Council members.
Roebling: The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge – The story of John Roebling and his family as they persevered in their dedication to completing the Brooklyn Bridge. Written by Mark Violi, directed by Ruth Markoe, with score by Frank Gullon. Theater to Go, New Jersey State Museum, 206 West State Street, Trenton. 8 p.m. Friday ,$25 ticket fee includes opening night reception. Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 17
Princeton Bike Rodeo – The town of Princeton will be hosting its 4th Annual Wheels Rodeo from 10: a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Princeton municipal parking lot at 400 Witherspoon Street. The rain date will be Sunday May 18. The event is open to bikes, tricycles, skateboards, and rollerblades, and will include a road course, free raffles, free refreshments, and free car seat inspections. Bicycle helmets will be required for the road course. The first 100 kids will receive a free bicycle helmet. Sponsored by: Princeton Human Services, Princeton Police Dept., Mayors Wellness Campaign, Princeton Recreation Dept., Greater Mercer TMA, and Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee of Princeton.
Healthy Children Healthy Planet – Celebrate school gardening in Princeton and have a family fun day in the Riverside School garden with the community. The garden is all about teaching and using the outdoors to make curriculum come alive. Teachers have found creative ways of using the space, and kids who need space and physical activity to learn love the garden. The children are free to pick, explore and run around as long as they keep their feet out of the garden beds. Garden tours, garden activities, yoga in the garden, arts and crafts, plants, food and music. 10 am. to 2 p.m., 58 Riverside Drive, Princeton.
NAMI Mercer Walk – Annual Walk for NAMI Mercer at Educational Testing Service. Walk to combat the stigma associated with mental health issues, and raise money to benefit education and support programs for families affected by mental illness. Wellness fair, food, music, and health information. 9 a.m. Fee on site to register.
SolarJam 2014: Local Student Solar Fair – Princeton area’s first ever student solar celebration, “SolarJam 2014,” will be held at Princeton High School. Nine area schools are sending teams of students from 3rd-11th grade who have built either solar mini cars or created passive solar projects. The solar mini cars will participate in a fun race. The event is sponsored by PSE&G and organized by OASIS (Organizing Action on Sustainability In Schools), a local non-profit school consortium. Noon. Free.
Pig Roast BBQ and Fundraiser at the Princeton Elks Lodge – A fun event for a great cause. Support the Princeton Elks Lodge Special Childrens’ Fund. BBQ, Thomas Sweet Ice Cream, music by PiFight, Novo Rodeo and Acoustic Road. 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Princeton Elks Lodge, 354 Route 518, Skillman. Tickets $35 at the door.
OnStage: “Live with That!” – OnStage presents a new show “Live with That!” about the decisions we make, big and small that have shaped our lives–everything from starting college at age 40, to moving a parent into a nursing home, to dealing with a daughter’s less-than-ideal date. The show is comprised of original monologues and scenes drawn from interviews with area residents. For more about ONSTAGE, visit onstageseniors.org. 7:30 p.m., Arts Council of Princeton. Tickets $15, $12 for Arts Council members, students and seniors.
Sunday, May 18
A-Team Artists Art Sale at Trinity Church – Art created by the A-TEAM artists at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen will be on display and for sale from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the hallway next to Pierce Hall at Trinity Church. Even though they have no formal art training, the men and women of the A-TEAM discovered they have artistic talent and they receive encouragement and guidance when they gather every Tuesday morning at TASK to create art. All proceeds from the art sale go to the artists of the A-TEAM.
Herb Gardening class at Terhune Orchards -Pam Mount talks about culinary herbs used in cooking, how to set up an herb garden, and how to harvest and use herbs. Rain or shine. 1 p.m., 330 Cold Soil Road, Lawrenceville.
Premiere of “The Sourlands: A New Jersey Treasure” – Screening of the documentary that introduces viewers to the forest between New York City and Philadelphia. Musical performance by Carol Heffler, who composed original music for the film. $25 includes refreshments. 7 p.m., Off Broadstreet Theater, 5 South Greenwood Avenue, Hopewell.
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.
And Tom Chapin is appearing at the Princeton Folk Society…