Planet Princeton Weekend Picks, June 20-22

Art All Night 2012-2 CW Zink
Art All Night is expected to draw more than 30,000 visitors from all over New Jersey and beyond. Photo courtesy of Clifford Zink.
A mural created at Art All Night last year.
A mural created at Art All Night.

Trenton is the place to be this weekend. From Art All Night to the Trenton Film Festival to the iron pour at the Old Barracks to celebrate New Jersey’s 350th birthday, the city will be bustling with creative activities.

Art All Night, now in its ninth year, returns to the Roebling Wire Works complex at 675 South Broad Street in Trenton from 3 p.m. Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday. The 24-hour celebration of the arts, sponsored by the Trenton-based nonprofit Artworks, features more than 1,000 pieces by children, adults and professional artists. The event also features food, films, music, workshops, crafts, and kid-friendly activities. One of the top area events if the year with more than 30,000 visitors, Art All Night is free and open to the public. Highlights include a mobile glass-blowing installation and a competition by dueling muralists. For a full schedule of events and more information visit the Art All Night website.

Friday, June 20

jaZams Summer Block Party on Palmer Square – Crafts, games, food, activities, and music. Screening of “Finding Nemo” on the green at dusk. Free admission. Food available. Starts at 6 p.m.

The Trenton Film Festival – A juried festival Friday through Sunday showcasing 30-plus films by independent filmmakers, students and local filmmakers. A signature event that started in 2004, the Trenton Film Festival is back after a several-year hiatus. Screenings at the Mill Hill Playhouse,  205 East Front Street (at Montgomery St.) Trenton. For a full schedule visit the Trenton Film Society website. Films at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.

Date Night: Dinner and a Movie at the Princeton Shopping Center – Enjoy dinner at a restaurant at the Princeton Shopping Center and then step outside for a free romantic movie under the stars. This week’s selection will be “Say Anything,” the fourth in a series of five Friday nights through June 27th. Movie starts at 8 p.m.

Family Outdoor Movie Night at the Princeton Family YMCA – Free outdoor screening of “The Goonies” at the Princeton Family YMCA.  Bring your blankets, a picnic dinner or snacks and the entire family.  In the event of rain, the movie will be held inside in the YMCA’s Dodge Gymnasium. Starts at 8 p.m.
Jose Conde y Ola Fresca performs at the Princeton Festival – A blend of funk, salsa, and Cuban roots music. 8 p.m., Clark Music Center, Lawrenceville School. Admission $25.

Saturday, June 21

Farm Roll Bike Tour – Blue Moon Acres hosts a bike tour of the Hopewell area. Two distances to choose from, 30-mile ride, or a 15-mile tour. The ride ends with local beer, wine and food at Blue Moon Acres. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the tours kicking off at 9 a.m. and lasting until around 1:30 p.m. Party from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fee is $45, $35 for children (Children riding in a seat on an adult’s bike are free.) 11 Willow Creek Drive, Pennington.

Montgomery Friends Farmers’ Market – First Montgomery market of the year. Fruits and veggies, and more. Village Shopper, 1340 Rt. 206, Skillman, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pennington Farmers Market – Fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, cheese, yogurt, bread, flowers, and more. Rosedale Mills, 101 Route 31 North, Pennington, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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

Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Festival – Dragon boat festival teams benefit the Breast Cancer Resource Center of the YWCA Princeton. Hosted by the Machestic Dragons, an area team of breast cancer survivors and supporters. Register for individual, team, or group. Life-jackets, paddles, and boats provided. Free for spectators. Music, activities, vendors, silent auction, and food.8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mercer Lake, Mercer County Park, West Windsor.

An AbOminOg iron pour Photo of courtesy of Clifford Zink.
Picture of past AbOminOg iron pour event at Art All night. Photo  courtesy of Clifford Zink.

Iron Pour at the Old Barracks Museum – The Trenton arts collective AbOminOg Intl. pours medallions commemorating the 350th anniversary of New Jersey statehood on Saturday at dusk. The grounds of the Old Barracks Museum will open at 7 p.m.Limited-edition medallions can be reserved ahead and will be available for purchase on Sunday. Sculptures also on display. For more about AbOminOg and a video see our previous post.

Sunday, June 22

350th Anniversary of Founding of New Jersey – Festivities will span West State Street and the Capitol Complex, from the Old Barracks to 225 West State Street. The full day family event will include live music, performances, the New Jersey Hall of Fame traveling museum, food trucks, children’s games, and more. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

twoartistsTwo Artists, One Show – Open studio event in downtown Princeton. Works by Princeton artists Leslie Bertsch-Neumeyer and Ed Belbruno. Noon Sunday until 5 p.m., 44 Park Place No. 3, Princeton.

Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards – An evening of nature, music, and outdoor family fun at Terhune Orchards from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Children will have the chance to make their own bug boxes, antennas and firefly wings. There is a $5 charge for craft activities. Children can also take pony rides for a fee. Free wagon rides around the farm and orchards, and visit with our farm animals are always fun for everyone. Returning this year is the ever-popular Miss Amy and her Big Kids Band. Miss Amy invites children to participate in the dancing and singing. Children can also participate in the “Art of Flying” by Schafer’s Gymnastics. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, 08540.

Princeton Community Democratic Organization Panel “Trenton from the Grassroots: Dynamic Visions for a Better Future” – Panelists Include architect John Hatch, the Rev. Toby Sanders, Tracey Syphax, and Trenton prosecutor Nakia White. Moderated by Jeff Laurenti, former director of foreign policy programs for the Century Foundation. 7:30 p.m., the Suzanne Patterson Center (located behind former borough hall in downtown Princeton). Meeting is free and open to the public.