Planet Princeton Weekend Picks, Jan. 23-25

Friday, January 23

Opening Reception for Haitian Art Exhibit –  Works by Haitian artist Edens Cathyl and Haitian flags from private collections. On view until Feb. 12. Reception 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton. Free.

Tina and Friends Rock the Vines – Live music and open mic night with local songstress Tina Margot. Bring your instrument and stretch your vocal cords. Snacks and wines by the glass or bottle. Outside food is permitted. Outside alcohol is not permitted. 6:30 p.m.to 9:30 p.m. Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes. No cover to attend.

Gavin Black Harpsichord Recital – Gavin Black will play music of Frescobaldi, Storace, Froberger, Cabezon, Cabanilles, Bull, and Morley on a seventeenth century Italian harpsichord. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Christ Congregation Church
50 Walnut Lane, Princeton. Free.

Sizwe Banzi is Dead – Creative collaboration from South African artists Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona.  To stay above the water, Sizwe Banzi might just have to put himself below the ground. John Kani won the Tony Award for Best Actor for his astonishing performance in a historic collaboration with South Africa’s greatest playwright, Athol Fugard (Master Harold and the Boys, Valley Song). As relevant now as it was then, “Sizwe Banzi Is Dead” is an exquisite demonstration of the political power of storytelling. A striking tale of heroism and perseverance, the drama is filled with surprising humor and uplifting faith in the human spirit. McCarter Theater,  Berlind, 91 University Place, Princeton. 8 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $25 and up.

Saturday, January 24

Ice Harvest at the Howell Living History Farm – Help farmers cut, chop, and shave ice, fill an ice house, and make ice cream. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 70 Wooden’s Lane, Lambertville. Free.

Screening of “Moon Man” – Part of the Garden Theatre’s family event series. 10:30 a.m. 160 Nassau Street. Admission $4.

“Frozen” Sing-A-Long – Sing along to the score the Disney film at the Kelsey Theatre. Mercer County Community College, West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.  10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Admission $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students and children.

Laurie Berkner Band Visits McCarter Theatre – Through her six albums, her status as a longtime fixture of TV’s Noggin (now Nick Jr.), numerous DVDs, music videos and more, Laurie Berkner has led the vanguard of the progressive “kindie rock” revolution. Berker’s energetic and family friendly sounds speak to kids without talking down to them, charming kids of all ages (parents too). Berkner, a Princeton native, will be joined by her longtime collaborators Adam Bernstein, Susie Lampert, and Bob Golden in old and new hits, including songs from her Rocketship CD and her DVD, Party Day. Shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. McCarter Theatre , 91 University Place, Princeton. Tickets $25 and up.

“Daisy to the Rescue” Reading and Discussion – Author Jeff Campbell shares some of the 50 life-saving animal rescue stories from his book and discusses what these events reveal about the presence of empathy, compassion, and awareness in animals, as well as the importance of the human-animal bond. For children 8 and older. 3 p.m. Princeton Public Library Community Room. Free

A Yoga Journey Within – Through the asana practice, uncover the truths that lie deep within. Iinward journey to begin to transforming lives. Allowing the chakras to be your guide to give space for the whispers of the soul to be heard. Open to all, modifications will be offered to make each pose accessible to most people. 1:30 p.m. Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, 88 Orchard Road, Suite 6, Skillman. Admission $35 day of event.

Insight Meditation Open House – Whether you are curious about meditation as a way to deal with stress and calm your mind, or you are a long-term meditator who wants some fine tuning, PCYH invite you to explore Insight Meditation, known in Asia as Vipassana. At the heart of Insight Meditation is the practice of mindfulness – a process that cultivates a clear, non-judgmental awareness of our thoughts, and actions. You will get the opportunity for short meditation practice sittings and time for questions. Open to beginners and experienced meditators. 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Princeton Center for Yoga & Health, 88 Orchard Road, Suite 6, Skillman. Free, donations welcome.

Cafe Improv – Music and more at the Arts Council of Princeton. Runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Drop in and leave any time during the show or stay the whole time. Admission $2, $1 for Arts Council members, seniors and students.

Sunday, January 25

Wassail the Apple Trees – Free winter festival celebrating the apple trees. The annual Wassailing Party is a fun gathering that follows a longtime British tradition. Wassail is an ancient Saxon word that means “health be to you.”  Festivities will include dancing and singing by the Handsome Molly Dancers and reenactments of traditional old English rituals. Everyone joins in with the music making, hanging gifts of cider-soaked bread in the apple tree branches while chanting words of praise for the new year. Live music will be provided by the group Spiced Punch. Free refreshments include hot cider and homemade cider donuts. Visitors can warm themselves next to a campfire (roasting marshmallows included!) or in the farm store.
Winery tasting room will be open and will be serving hot mulled wine and snacks. Wine writer Charlie Toms will sign copies of his latest book. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Lawrenceville. Free.

Dryden Ensemble Concert – Bach Cantata Fest, a tribute to William H. Scheide, features soprano Ah Young Hong and baritone William Sharp. 3 p.m., Miller Chapel, Princeton Theological Seminary, 64 Mercer Street. Tickets $25.

Family Dance – Join the Princeton Country Dancers for an old-fashioned barn dance for all ages (recommended for ages 4 and up) with live music and caller. No experience necessary. 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Suzanne Patterson Center
1 Monument Drive, Princeton. $5 per person, $15 per family.