Planet Princeton Weekend Picks, May 6-8

Morven craftsMorven in May, one of Princeton’s most anticipated spring rituals, kicks off today, May 6, with a preview party for the Friends of Morven. The event is open to the general public Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Morven in MayThe juried exhibition and sale of contemporary, American-made fine craft features 36 professional artists from around the United States.  Crafts include decorative and wearable textiles, jewelry, furniture, ceramics, glass, metal, and more. Works will be displayed in gallery-style booths under a tent on the museum’s great lawn.

Morven plantsThe event also features a popular plant sale that includes heirloom flowers, annuals and perennials, flowering shrubs, and plants propagated from Morven’s own garden.

Tickets to the main craft show tent will be available at the craft show entrance.Admission is $10 per person, $8 for Friends of Morven, and tickets are good for the entire weekend. No tickets are necessary for the plant sale.

Friday, May 6

Opening Reception for ‘Start Fresh’ Exhibition- The Arts Council of Princeton presents Start Fresh, a group exhibition curated by Eva Mantell. The exhibition features original works from Polly Apfelbaum, Lindsay Feuer, Susan Hockaday, Natalie Jeremijenko, Melissa Marks, and Scott Wright. Bringing together the work of six artists and about 80 students from the Arts Council’s arts and health programs, Start Fresh is about the potential for art to spark renewal. Start Fresh will be on view in the Arts Council’s Taplin Gallery from May 6 through June 24.  5 to 7 p.m. Free.  More information

Oh-la-la French Pop-Up Boutique – Organized by a group of French artisans, designers and sellers, the 8th edition of “Oh-la-la! Ephemeral boutique” offers gifts, art and other products for all budgets. The even features French confectioneries, oil paintings, arts photographs, home textile and decor, handmade tailored clothing, kids book, jewelries and sculptures. Open to the general public, the Oh-la-la! pop-up boutique is a free admission event promoting French talents and creativity. The theme for the sale is “Côté Jardin”, which means that the boutique will be set to create a bucolic and relaxing garden atmosphere. The “Café de la gare” will carry French snacks like quiches, Café gourmand, and the unavoidable French breakfast café-croissants. Trunk show Friday 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday hours 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell. More information

Children’s Book Signing and Dance Party with Lolly and YoYo – Join in the celebration of the new book MOVE! by Lolly Hopwood and YoYo Kusters. For years, kids have delighted in the great music this duo has performed. Now they are bringing their high energy style to kids through a new book meant to get them moving. Kids from 2-10 will have a blast with Lolly and YoYo and parents will love how MOVE! gets their kids moving! 6 p.m. jaZams Pop-Up-Space, 30 Nassau Street ( right next door to LuLu Lemon), Princeton. Free. More information

The Arts Council of Princeton presents Teen Open Mic Night- Presented exclusively for local high school students, this free event brings together students from surrounding high schools to perform original compositions, karaoke, improv and a capella and gives teens an opportunity to meet others outside their school district. This event is for teens only – no parents/adults other than staff will be admitted. Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Arts Council of Princeton,  7 p.m. Free. More information

13 the Musical – It’s a high energy rock & roll Musical! Evan Goldman lives in NYC and turning 13 and preparing for his Bar Mitzvah when his Mom moves him to small town Indiana. He just wants to make new friends Easier said than done! The star quarterback is threatening to ruin his life, his only friend Patrice won’t speak to him and the school freak see an opportunity for blackmail! Music from Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown at Acting Naturally Theatre, 164 N. Flowers Mill Rd., Langhorne, Pa. Shows Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets $23. More information

I. M LOST! – This new one-person, devised ethnographic play is based on interviews with people who clown, conceived and performed by Princeton University senior Nathalie Ellis-Einhorn and directed by senior Oge Ude. Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Marie and Edward Matthews ’53 Acting Studio, 185 Nassau, Princeton. $11 – $17. More information

Fauré’s Requiem – The Voices Chorale performs Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Opus 48 and Cantique de Jean Racine, as well as other lighter French and Italian music. A chamber orchestra will accompany the singers. Voices is an auditioned chorus with more than fifty members from NJ and Pennsylvania. This is the last performance of the season. 8 p.m., Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton Tickets $25 and up. More information

Saturday, May 7

Birding at Garret Mountain Reservation with Washington Crossing Audubon Society- Join the Washington Crossing Audubon Society from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a walk led by Brad Merritt and Charles Brine to observe spring songbird migrants at Garret Mountain Reservation, a Passaic County Park located just south of Paterson. Bring a lunch. Directions: Take I-287 to I-80. Go east to exit 56A (Squirrelwood Road). Go to the stop sign and turn right on Rifle Camp Road. Go up the hill about 0.5 miles to Mountain Ave., which comes in from the left. Turn left on Mountain Ave. (look for an army tank and the reservoir on the left) and go 0.3 miles to the entrance to Garret Mountain Reservation. Go right up the hill for a short distance to a large parking area. Contact Brad Merritt (609) 921-8964 for additional information or the evening prior in case of inclement weather. Free. More information

Princeton United Methodist Church Flea Market – Bargain hunt at the flea market at the corner of Nassau Street and Vendeventer Avenue from 9 a.m. to 9 to 3 p.m. (rain or shine). Flowering plants for Mother’s Day, food, baked goods, jewelry, crafts, household goods, and books. Proceeds help the United Methodist Women support local and global charities. More information

Light-Rail Tour of the D&R Canal – The Delaware & Raritan Canal Watch will sponsor a light rail tour of the D & R Canal between Bordentown and Trenton. The NJ Transit River Line route follows the path of the canal from Crosswicks Creek to Trenton. See the abandoned canal, Watson’s Creek and the Abbott Marshlands. In the City of Trenton, where Route 129 is on the former path of the canal, remnants of the industrial and commercial buildings that lined the canal can be observed and compared with early photos. Meet 9:15 a.m. at the River Line Bordentown station, 100 West Park St., for an introductory talk before boarding the train to Trenton for this whirlwind tour. The return to Bordentown will be at 10:55. Round trip tickets are $3 or $1.40 for seniors. Bring exact change or credit card. 9:15 am – 11:00 am, Bordentown Light Rail station, 100 West Park St, Bordentown. More information

Sun Power: Green Plants, Solar Balloons & the Watershed Center – Enjoy a look at the power of the sun. Through a tour and exploratory hike, learn how the Watershed Center and the plants at the reserve are powered by the same energy source – the sun. Families will explore practical and creative uses of the sun’s energy including a solar balloon launch and solar bug race. This event is co-sponsored by Washington Crossing Audubon Society. 10 a.m. to – noon, The Watershed Center, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington. Free. More information

Hamilton Jewelers Spring Designer Day – Meet brand representatives and enjoy a beautiful collection of the latest spring designs from the world’s top brands including Chantecler, Gucci, Ippolita, Pomellato, Roberto Coin and Temple St. Clair. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hamilton Jewelers, 92 Nassau Street, Princeton. More information

Mother Nature Festival – Come to the Mother Nature Festival on May 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lawrence Nature Center. There will be a wildlife show by the Philadelphia Zoo. Solarman will show how electricity works. Hands-on activities for kids and much more. The event is rain or shine. 11 a.m. to  4 p.m., Lawrence Nature Center, 481 Drexel Ave, Lawrenceville. Free. More information

Hopewell Valley Golf and Country Club Open House – The Hopewell Valley Golf and Country Club is hosting an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to introduce the community to the Hopewell Valley team and all the club’s amenities and services. Tours will take place throughout the day to show families everything the club has to offer from golf, tennis, paddle tennis, and swim to dining, event and outing facilities. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  More information

Mothers’ Day Wine Trail Weekend at Terhune Orchards – Celebrate mom on this special weekend. Free tastings for moms. Special samplings from the farm bakery. Noon to  5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Free for moms, otherwise tastings $5. More information

A Day at The Races – Join the Junior League of Greater Princeton as they celebrate the Kentucky Derby. A benefit to support the mission of the Junior League, with viewing the Derby on a jumbo screen, Southern fare, Junior League Juleps, wine, beer and a cigar bar. Also Derby-inspired games, tricky tray auction with grand prize of 2 tickets to the Belmont Stakes. 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. , Greenacres Country Club, 2170 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrence. Admission $95. More information

Musical Landscapes: The Americas – Sinfoniettanova season finale concert “Musical Landscapes: The Americas,” 7:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 177 Princeton-Hightstown Rd. Tickets $15 adults. $12 seniors, $8 students and children under 12 are free. More information

Sunday, May 8

Birding at the Princeton Institute Woods – Join the Washington Crossing Audubon Society at 8 a.m. for a free, guided walk to observe the spring migration of warblers and other songbirds at the Institute Woods near the Institute for Advanced Studies. Directions: From Princeton take Alexander St. towards Rte. 1. At the bend before the canal turn right on West Dr. Go a short distance on West Dr. and park near the entrance to Rogers Refuge. Contact Brad Merritt (609) 921-8964 for additional information or the evening prior in case of inclement weather.  8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Free. More information

Mothers’ Day Open House at Mountain Lakes Preserve – Bring Mom to Mountain Lakes at The Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve on Mothers’ Day. The Preserve is located at 57 Mountain Avenue in Princeton, with parking in the Community Park North lot. V isitors with disabilities may park up the driveway near the house.Mountain Lakes House will be open from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and light refreshments will be offered on the lovely stone terrace overlooking the lakes. FOPOS will also have a special treat for all moms.There will be a family-friendly 45-minute guided walk in the Preserve at 4 p.m. More information