Planet Princeton Weekend Picks, Dec. 19-21

Klezdispensers
The Klez Dispensers will perform at the Arts Council of Princeton on Sunday at 3 p.m.

 

Friday, December 19

Call and Response Artist Exhibit Opening Reception –  The work of Andrew Ellis Johnson is on display in the Bernstein Gallery at the Woodrow Wilson School until Jan. 30. Artist Reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Robertson Hall, Princeton University, Washington Road, Princeton. Free.

Cranbury Christmas Lights Multimedia Show – More than 120,000 lights controlled by 640 channels. Sixteen songs range from traditional to whimsical. Park on North Main Street or on side streets. No parking directly in front of the house or across the street from the house. Dress for the weather. The exhibit will be lit every night through Dec. 31, but will only have music on 18 nights. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 128 North Main Street, Cranbury. Free will donations for Princeton Alliance Church food bank in Plainsboro and other charities in the area.

The Nutcracker – The New Jersey Youth Ballet performs the narrated version of the classic ballet. 7 p.m., Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Admission $16.

Dance with Princeton Folk Dance – Beginners welcome. Lesson followed by dance. No partner needed. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Suzanne Patterson Center, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton. Admission $5.

A Christmas Carol – McCarter Theatre presents Dickens’ classic masterpiece. The timeless story follows Ebenezer Scrooge on a magical and transformative journey through past, present, and future as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas and generosity of spirit that embodies the holiday season. 7:30pm., 91 University Place. Tickets $25 and up.

Handel’s Messiah – The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents the holiday classic at Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University. 7:30 p.m. The concert has limited availability. Call the McCarter Theatre Box Office at 609-258-2787 to make a reservation.

Annual Holiday Concert at Westminster Choir College – Holiday concert in Bristol Chapel. 8 p.m. 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton. Admission $15.

Princeton Basketball Men’s Basketball cs. Lipscomb – The Tigers play Lipscomb at 7:30 p.m. in Jadwin Gym. General admission $12.

Saturday, December 20

Screening of “Polar Express” – The Garden Theater on Nassau Street in downtown Princeton presents the holiday favorite as part of its family event series. 10:30 a.m. Tickets $4.

Insight Meditation Open House at Princeton Center for Yoga & Health – Sitting and walking meditation and mindfulness. 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Orchard Hill Center, 88 Orchard Road, Skillman. Free.

The Nutcracker – The New Jersey Youth Ballet performs the narrated version of the classic ballet. 1 p.m. and 4 p.m, Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Admission $16.

A Christmas Carol – McCarter Theatre presents Dickens’ classic masterpiece. The timeless story follows Ebenezer Scrooge on a magical and transformative journey through past, present, and future as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas and generosity of spirit that embodies the holiday season. 2 p.m. and 7:30pm., 91 University Place. Tickets $25 and up.

Princeton Youth Ballet Presents The Snow Queen – The Princeton Youth Ballet  will perform “The Snow Queen” at Princeton High School Performing Arts Center at 4 p.m.. The ballet is based on the same Hans Christian Andersen story that inspired the hit Disney movie, “Frozen.” The Snow Queen is the perfect holiday ballet for all ages. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults, and $20 for children, students, and seniors.

Princeton Pro Musica in Concert: A Bach Christmas: Magnificat and Christmas Oratorio – A Bach Christmas with selections on period instruments. 8 p.m. Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University. Tickets $25 and up.

Annual Holiday Concert at Westminster Choir College – Holiday concert in Bristol Chapel. 8 p.m. 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton. Admission $15.

Cranbury Christmas Lights Multimedia Show – More than 120,000 lights controlled by 640 channels. Sixteen songs range from traditional to whimsical. Park on North Main Street or on side streets. No parking directly in front of the house or across the street from the house. Dress for the weather. The exhibit will be lit every night through Dec. 31, but will only have music on 18 nights. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 128 North Main Street, Cranbury. Free will donations for Princeton Alliance Church food bank in Plainsboro and other charities in the area.

Sunday, December 21

The Nutcracker – The New Jersey Youth Ballet performs the narrated version of the classic ballet. 1 p.m. and 4 p.m, Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Admission $16.

A Christmas Carol – McCarter Theatre presents Dickens’ classic masterpiece. The timeless story follows Ebenezer Scrooge on a magical and transformative journey through past, present, and future as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas and generosity of spirit that embodies the holiday season. 1 p.m. and 5:30pm., 91 University Place. Tickets $25 and up.

Princeton Brass Holiday Concert – Holiday music performed by the Princeton Brass band at Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University. 2 p.m. Free.

Sunday Stories at the Princeton Public Library – Stories, songs and rhymes for children 2-8 years of age and their families. Princeton Public Library. Grown-ups must attend. Ages 2-8. 3:30 p.m. Story room at the library. 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Free.

Klez Dispensers Chanukah Concert – The Klez Dispensers have been dishing up their signature swinging American-style klezmer since their college days. Audiences can’t get enough of their impeccable arrangements, inspiring improvisations, and engaging repertoire from the early years of klezmer, as well as exciting original compositions. Tickets available at the door half an hour before show time on a first come, first serve basis. The performance always sells out. Refreshments sponsored by the Princeton Jewish Center. 3 p.m. Arts Council of Princeton. $12, $10 Arts Council members, students and seniors

Masters of Good Cheer – The New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus performs at Princeton United Methodist Church, 4 p.m. Corner of Nassau Street at Vandeventer Avenue in downtown Princeton. Admission $25 at the door.

Princeton Youth Ballet Presents The Snow Queen – The Princeton Youth Ballet will perform “The Snow Queen” at Princeton High School Performing Arts Center at 4 p.m.. The ballet is based on the same Hans Christian Andersen story that inspired the hit Disney movie, “Frozen.” The Snow Queen is the perfect holiday ballet for all ages. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults, and $20 for children, students, and seniors.

 

Candlelight Winter Solstice Yoga and Yoga –  Relax and enjoy the quiet on the longest night of the year with Princeton Center for Yoga & Health. Two-hour workshop will start with a slow flow, featuring restorative poses, pranayama, and self-massage, followed by a deeply relaxing yoga nidra. Donation class, with proceeds going to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 88 Orchard Road, Skillman.

Cranbury Christmas Lights Multimedia Show – More than 120,000 lights controlled by 640 channels. Sixteen songs range from traditional to whimsical. Park on North Main Street or on side streets. No parking directly in front of the house or across the street from the house. Dress for the weather. The exhibit will be lit every night through Dec. 31, but will only have music on 18 nights. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 128 North Main Street, Cranbury. Free will donations for Princeton Alliance Church food bank in Plainsboro and other charities in the area.