Planet Princeton Weekend Picks, Nov. 14-16

Eli's 1st Day of School 5-7-13This Sunday, the Peacock Inn is hosting a fundraiser to support the Waller Education Fund and remember Eli Waller. Yardville Elementary Pre-schooler Eli Waller died in his sleep on Sept. 25 and tests later showed he had Enterovirus-D68. His mom, Suzanne Waller, has been a server at the Peacock Inn for the last four years.

The fundraiser, which will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will include food and wine. The Waller family will attend the event. All of the food and wine are being donated, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the education fund.

Eli’s father, Andy Waller, announced last month that the family is establishing  a non-profit called the First Day of School Foundation. The organization will honor Eli’s memory by  providing support for special education students.

The minimum donation to attend the event is $100, but the Peacock Inn will gladly accept larger donations for the fund. To reserve a ticket call the Peacock Inn at (609) 924-1707. The Peacock Inn is located at  20 Bayard Lane (Route 206) in downtown Princeton.

Friday, November 14

Double Feature: “The Hunger Games” and “Catching Fire” – A double feature of “The Hunger Games” movies based on the novels by Suzanne Collins is shown in advance of the November theatrical release of “Mockingjay – Part 1.” 4 p.m. Princeton Public Library Community Room. free

“Botanicals Illuminated” Art Exhibit Opening – Opening reception for ‘Botanicals Illuminated,’ an exhibit by Art Plus 10, a group of Princeton area artists including Betty Curtiss and Tasha O’Neill. On view to January 9. Reception 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. D&R Greenway Land Trust, Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton. Free.

Gavin Black Plays Bach – Gavin Black plays selections from both book of J. S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier. This is the first of a series of five performances this season by Gavin Black covering harpsichord and clavichord repertoire from two hundred years and many countries. 8 p.m. Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton. Free.

Noah Haidu Quartet Visits the Arts Council of Princeton – Pianist and composer Noah Haidu is evidence that 21st century jazz can be adventurous, fresh and swing hard, that an exciting, modern pianist can play memorable melodies and soulful grooves. Noah combines new rhythmic ideas, harmonic sophistication, spontaneity, and soul into his own unique approach. Noah Haidu Quartet features Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Jon Irabagon (Saxophone), and Billy Hart (Drums). Part of the Fall Jazz and Beyond series.

Hopewell Valley Central High School Presents “Blood Brothers” – The Hopewell Valley Central High School Theatre Department will present the Laurence Olivier Drama Desk award-winning and Tony-nominated musical on November 14 & 15 at 7:30 p.m in the Hopewell Valley Performing Art Center. Tickets $12 for adults and $8 for students. Hopewell Valley Central High School, 259 Pennington-Titusville Rd., Pennington.

Saturday, November 15

Area Farmers Markets –West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot, Princeton Junction Train Station, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pennington Farmers Market, Rosedale Mills, 101 Route 31 North, Pennington, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bacon, Sausage, and Scrapple Making at the Howell Living History Farm – Farmers will work all day rendering lard, making pork products, and showing visitors the origins of different cuts of pork. Cracklins and other delicacies will be free to the asking. Pork sandwiches for sale. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 70 Wooden’s Lane, Lambertville. Free.

Central Jersey Chess Tournament – Open to kindergarten to grade 12 of all levels. All players receive a medal or trophy. Register on site for $45. New Jersey Chess, Princeton Academy, 1128 Great Road, Princeton :30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

PSO Bravo! –  Members of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra talk about the sounds of percussion instruments and how they fit into the orchestra in this educational program. 3 p.m. Princeton Public Library Community Room. Co-sponsored by the library and Princeton Symphony Orchestra. Free.

Dryden Ensemble in Concert – “Purcell: A Theatrical Musick” presented by the Dryden Ensemble in Miller Chapel at Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street, Princeton. 7:30 p.m. Admission $25.

Theatre Intime Presents “Romeo and Juliet” – The student-run theater group Theatre Intime will perform Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Looking for a clue! left to right Manuel Marichal '16, Meagan Raker '18, Maddy Cohen '16 and Patrick Rounds '15Princeton Triangle Club Presents “An Inconvenient Sleuth” – The Princeton Triangle Club will present “An Inconvenient Sleuth” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14 and 15, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, at McCarter Theatre Center. For tickets, call the McCarter box office at 609-258-2787.

“Red Noses” Performed at McCarter Theatre – McCarter Theatre Centre, Berlind Theatre, and the Lewis Center for the Arts Program in Theater at Princeton University present “Red Noses”, a farce about a ragtag group of performers who strive to bring joy during the Black Plague. Performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For tickets call the McCarter box office at 609-258-2787.

Community Lantern Walk – “Festivals of Light in the fall and winter seasons are celebrated in a multitude of cultures. Gather together with members of the Princeton community to carry light and warmth into the darkness is reassuring, and affirms symbolically that light can continue to shine even as the sun wanes. Join the Waldorf School of Princeton, jaZams, the Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton Tour Company, Yoga Stream, and Chez Alice for the Community Lantern Walk. A free event open to all ages, the walk will begin on the green in Palmer Square and wind around downtown Princeton. Songs, warm cider, and stories. Lanterns are available for purchase at jaZams, or participants may bring their own. Registration is mandatory. Email princetonlanternwalk@gmail.com to attend the event.

Sunday, November 16

1717Talk and  Exhibit Opening Featuring Bob Moses – Educator and civil rights activist  Bob Moses launches the library’s Freedom Summer programs with a talk at John Witherspoon Middle School about his role in the 1965 campaign to register African-Americans in Mississippi to vote. Moses was one of the most influential black leaders of the civil rights movement. He initiated and organized voter registration drives, sit-ins, and Freedom Schools for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. He helped to lead the Council of Federated Organizations into the Mississippi Summer Project, now known as Freedom Summer. 2 p.m., John Witherspoon Middle School Auditorium. Free

A reception and viewing of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s traveling exhibit “Risking Everything: A Freedom Summer Exhibit for Students,” follows in the school’s Learning Commons. The exhibit features photographs, manuscripts and other materials that document the work of the Freedom Summer volunteers. It will remain in the John Witherspoon Learning Commons through Nov. 23 and then move to the Carl A. Fields Center at Princeton University Nov. 25 to Dec. 5. Co-sponsored by the Not In Our Town, The Garden Theatre, the library and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Concert Featuring Contemporary Greek Songs – The Orange Pan-Hellenic Association and Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies will present “New Greek Songs: Cycles in Tradition,” a concert featuring student performers, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, in Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall, at Princeton University. Free.