Issuu

‘The Game’s Afoot’ at Princeton Summer Theater, page 6;

brings a taste of the Balkans to area farmers’ markets, 9.

Making an Impression

Zora Levkovski

Pictured: Paul Cézanne. Mont Sainte-Victoire (La Montagne Sainte-Victoire), 1892–1895, Oil on canvas. The Barnes Foundation, BF13.

NEH Cuts Undermine President’s Goal to Honor American Heroes

In April, the New Jersey Council for the Humanities received a letter terminating our funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. It stated that NEH was “repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda.”

We now know what that agenda entails: diverting funds away from state humanities councils to help pay for the National Garden of American Heroes, a monumental statue park President Trump first proposed in 2020.

The executive order authorizing the Garden states it will memorialize “heroes who deserve honor, recognition, and lasting tribute.” But we ask, why redirect funding from humanities councils that were already honoring American heroes, in ways that were more accessible and community-oriented?

Some examples from our state:

With NJCH support, the Newark History Society recently held a series of events celebrating Cudjo Banquante, an enslaved man who fought in the Revolutionary War and became Newark’s first documented Black businessman. Events included exhibits, film screenings, concerts, an academic symposium, genealogical workshops and free bus tours, all aiming to root Banquante’s story in his own community and make it highly accessible to its members.

Other NJCH-supported efforts have honored T. Thomas Fortune, who was born into slavery and

went on to become a leading Black journalist and civil rights activist. Our funding helped transform his former home into a center for research and education about his life and the history of the Black press. The community-oriented center includes both permanent and rotating exhibits, film screenings, school tours, and professional development experiences for educators and young people.

In Princeton, multiple NJCH grants have helped establish the Bayard Rustin Queer History Archive, the first comprehensive effort to preserve the papers and ephemera of the civil rights leader who organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The archive, which includes an open exhibit of physical artifacts, an extensive digital repository of documents and a video library containing the reflections of individuals who knew and worked with Rustin, is designed to be easily accessible to the public and to academic researchers.

Our 2024 partnership with Mississippi Humanities brought local and national recognition to the life and legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer. Hamer, a child of the Magnolia State and icon of the Civil Rights Movement, made a lasting mark on American history with her heroic testimony at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City.

That partnership included a series of free public programs, the

by Carin Berkowitz

unveiling of a historical marker on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, and a discussion with veterans of that momentous occasion in commemoration of its 60th anniversary.

Multiple NJCH grants have supported the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls. This funding has helped add rich layers of understanding to the life story of the WWII veteran and baseball icon, as well as supporting interactive exhibits exploring history, culture, science and society within the context of the Great American Pastime.

Walt Whitman, sometimes referred to as “The Bard of Camden,” spent the last years of his life in that New Jersey city, where NJCH’s small mobile office building is located. The Civil War nurse and prolific poet is one of the most-studied figures in American literature. Our efforts have sought to bring his life “off the page,” including conferences devoted to understanding his place within multiple American cultures and numerous living history appearances by interpreters at libraries, nonprofit organizations and community centers.

Certainly, the Garden State is proud that Whitman was included alongside many other New Jerseyans in the initial list of planned National Garden honorees.

But we question the value of uprooting funding for vibrant, community-oriented efforts that honor these individuals within the very places that shaped them in favor of

efforts to “fix in the soil of a single place” steely statues of them, location TBD.

President Trump’s plan will work against his stated goal to honor American heroes, by decreasing the number of such stories told, making them harder to access and removing from them a fuller context of history.

Statues alone, especially in a remote location (South Dakota has been floated), offer little access or engagement for the communities that most need to see themselves in our national story.

Exploring a historic person, event or time period typically does not cement our understanding of the subject into a single narrative. Rather, doing so expands the possibilities for further discussion. One perspective doesn’t cancel out another, and nuanced understandings, even contradicting views, can and should exist when we appreciate context. Providing that complex context is the work of the humanities.

The same principle should apply to how we fund historical work. Investing in new monuments shouldn’t come at the cost of cancelling programs that bring history to life within communities.

Carin Berkowitz, Ph.D., is executive director of the NJ Council for the Humanities.

SURVIVAL GUIDE

Friday, July 11

State Launches Historical Marker Initiative for Semiquincentennial

The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), in partnership with RevolutionNJ, New Jersey’s official 250th commemoration partnership, is launching a limited series of state historical markers for the Semiquincentennial. This special initiative of the State Historical Marker Program will install markers around the state sharing the whole history of American independence from its origins to the American Revolution to its revolutionary legacy.

“The history of New Jersey belongs to all who reside here, which is why installing historical markers in public spaces is a key legacy project of our 250th programming,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the NJHC in her capacity as Secretary of State. “By providing the historical context for our present, we can help New Jerseyans better shape their future.”

The location and subject of the markers will be determined through a communitydriven process. The NJHC invites counties, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to submit nominations for the creation and replacement of 50 historical markers across the state. A research assistance webinar will be held on Friday, July 11, at noon. To register, or for additional information about the program, visit bit.ly/ NJhistoricalmarkers. Members of the public can also contact NJHC staff at njhc.programs@sos.nj.gov.

“Historical markers support a shared story about a community’s past and offer sources of inspiration, learning, reflection, and local pride,” said Sara Cureton, executive director of the NJHC. “This is why we have focused on making our marker programs community-driven projects.”

In 2009, the New Jersey Legislature designated the NJHC as the stewards of a statewide historical marker program. As part of this legislation, the NJHC was tasked with “establishing a program to encourage public and private organizations around the state to identify and propose site of historical and cultural interest to be recognized by the placement of roadside markers.” In 2024, the program received funding to launch an initiative to commemorate America’s Semiquincentennial.

The goal of the State Historical Marker Program 250th initiative is to explore the whole history of America’s independence from its origins to the American Revolution and its revolutionary legacy. While the initiative is connected to the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, proposed markers can address any time period as long as they relate to at least one of the RevolutionNJ themes. More information about RevolutionNJ’s themes can be found at https://RevNJ.org.

Nominations will also be accepted to replace extant and missing state-owned markers from the 20th century. As part of the replacement process, nominated markers will be reviewed for historical accuracy. Nominators will also be given the opportunity to propose new marker text and suggest a new location if desired. All state markers erected in honor of America’s 250th, whether new or replacements, must be supported by historical research to ensure accuracy. The NJHC can provide resources to those seeking assistance with this research and is available to answer questions.

The priority deadline for the submission of a completed nomination is Friday, July 25, at 2 p.m. The first-round deadline for the submission of a completed nomination is Tuesday, August 12, at 2 p.m., and the final

deadline for the submission of a completed nomination is Tuesday, October 7. Submissions are not accepted by paper, mail, or fax and must be submitted online. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the guidelines before starting the application.

Business Meetings

Wednesday July 9

Networking, BNI Falcons, IHOP, 610 Route 33, East Windsor, 877-264-0500. www.bninjpa.org. Hybrid meeting. Speakers: Al Ferro, cybersecurity and IT; and Brian Lavan, mortgage programs, 1st time homebuyers, and cash out refinance options. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Thursday July 10

Networking BNI Tigers Chapter, Conference Center at Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3237. www.bninjpa.org. In-person meeting. Speaker: Joseph C Maida, accounting. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Networking, BNI Top Flight, Town Diner, 431 Route 130, East Windsor, 609-4438222. www.bninjpa.org. 7 a.m.

Monthly Membership Luncheon, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, 100 College Road East, Princeton, 609-9241776. www.princetonmercerchamber.org.

“The NJ AI Hub: Building a World-Class AI Innovation Ecosystem,” presented by its inaugural executive director, Liat Krawczyk, who shares how the Hub will bring together AI researchers, entrepreneurs, industry, educational institutions, and the public sector to advance world-class research and development; drive transformative AI innovation; empower the workforce for the AI era; and shape the future of responsible AI deployment. Register. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Why You See That Ad: How Your Data Is Collected and What You Can Do About It, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. This hourlong class is designed to help internet and app users understand what information is being collected about them, who collects it, how it is used and what the risks are. Register. 1 to 2 p.m.

Friday July 11

Networking, BNI Driven, Elks Lodge #2622, 1580 Kuser Road, Hamilton, 609585-9610. www.bninjpa.org. Speakers: Keith Owens, plumbing; and Michael Spielberger, real estate law. 7 a.m.

JobSeekers, Professional Service Group of Mercer County, Plainsboro Public Library, 9 Van Doren Street, Plainsboro . www.psgofmercercounty.org. Stuart Weiner presents “A Demonstration of Mr. Simon: An AI-Powered Job Interview Tool.” 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Monday July 14

Small Business Supplier Diversity Vendor Fair, The College of New Jersey, Brower Student Center Room 225, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing, 609-771-2947. www.sbdcnj.com. Opportunity to connect directly with TCNJ’s Procurement Department and campus buyers. Register. 10 a.m. to noon.

Tuesday July 15

Business Before Business Virtual Speed Networking, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, 609-924-1776. www.princetonmercerchamber.org. Network over morning coffee and re-engage with chamber friends. Register. $15; free for members. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday July 16

Networking BNI Falcons, IHOP, 610 Route 33, East Windsor, 877-264-0500. www.bninjpa.org. Hybrid meeting. Speakers: Olin Johnson, commercial and residential painting services; and Mark Ragnoli, screen printing and embroidery samplings. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Non-Profit Wellness Breakfast, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, NJM Insurance Group, 301 Sullivan Way, West Trenton, 609-924-1776. www.princetonmercerchamber.org. Come together with other non-profit executives and employees for a relaxing morning of mindfulness and a chance to recharge. Facilitators from the Wellness Team at Penn Medicine Princeton Health lead simple exercises, mindfulness meditations, and a meaningful conversation in a relaxed, supportive setting. Light breakfast provided. 8 to 10 a.m.

ART FILM LITERATURE DANCE DRAMA MUSIC PRE VIEW

DAY-BY-DAY EVENTS, JULY 9 TO 16

Event Listings: E-mail events@princetoninfo.com

While many venues have returned to hosting in-person events, others are still taking place online. Event descriptions specify if an event is being held virtually or in a hybrid format. To include your virtual or in-person event in this section email events@princetoninfo.com.

Wednesday July 9

Live Music

Live Band Jam Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, 609-393-7300. www.coopersnj.com. Hosted by Lance Reichert with full backline provided. 7 p.m.

Outdoor Concerts

Concerts on the Landing, Trenton War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton. www.nj.gov/state/ memorial. Fry Boys Country Jamboree performs a free lunchtime concert on the steps of the War Memorial. Concert moves inside in case of inclement weather. Noon to 2 p.m.

World Music

Summer Sound Journey, Office of Religious Life, Murray-Dodge Hall, Princeton University. chapel. princeton.edu. Ruth Cunningham, a sound healing practitioner, offers composed and improvised music for meditation, contemplation, and prayer. Free. 5:30 p.m.

On Stage

Leader of the Pack, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania. www.bcptheater.org. Bop along to the songs you love in this Broadway musical celebrating the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo-wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the ‘60s charts. 1:30 p.m.

Film

Hollywood Summer Nights, Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, 609279-1999. www.thegardentheatre.com. The Great Dictator. $13.50. 7 p.m.

Dancing

Contra Dance Princeton Country Dancers, Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton. www.princetoncountrydancers.org. Sue Gola with Princeton Pickup Band (PUB). $15. 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Wellness

Wild Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New

Music in the Park

Blue Curtain returns to Pettoranello Gardens Amphitheater in Princeton for a free three-concert series opening on Saturday, July 12, with a performance by internationally acclaimed trombonist, composer, and bandleader Jimmy Bosch.

Hope, PA. www.bhwp.org. Gentle yoga that builds body awareness, strength, flexibility and a better understanding of how humans connect to and reflect natural systems with Priscilla Hayes. Register. Pay what you can, $8 and up. 8 to 9 a.m.

Yoga in the Garden, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. www.morven. org. All-level donation-based Vinyasa yoga class held outdoors in the garden (indoors in case of rain). Bring a yoga mat, towel, and water bottle. Register. 6 p.m.

History

The Coming of the Jersey Turnpike, New Egypt Historical Society, Plumsted Municipal Building, 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Old-style radio show first performed in December 1950 presented by historical society staff. 7 p.m.

Lectures

The Law of the Land: The Supreme Court Year in Review Center for Modern Aging Princeton, Nancy S. Klath Center for Lifelong Learning, 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton, 609-751-9699. www.cmaprinceton.org. 92nd Street Y is back with a Live Stream of their annual review of the Supreme Court’s latest Term with a host of great panelists. This blockbuster year included emergency challenges to many of President Trump’s Executive Orders, testing presidential authority in immigration, deportation, and budget cuts. Key cases addressed voting and transgender rights, ghost guns, parental rights in education, online age verification, flavored e-cigarettes, antitrust actions, Mexico’s gun lawsuit, nuclear waste storage, and

employment discrimination. Panelists: Tiffany Graham, constitutional law scholar and professor; William Treanor, Georgetown Law Dean; Neal Katyal, Supreme Court advocate and former Deputy Solicitor General; and Jeffrey Rosen, President/CEO of the National Constitution Center. Moderated by law professor and legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum. Register. $5. 7 p.m.

Outdoor Action

Stewardship Session, Friends of Princeton Open Space, Mountain Lakes Preserve, Mountain Avenue, Princeton. www.fopos. org/events-programs. Volunteers work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship team to perform ecosystem restoration and invasive species removal. Register. 1 to 3 p.m.

Socials

Jersey Art Meetup, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Princeton Comic Makers presents: JERSEY ART MEETUPS (JAM), a weekly social event connecting creatives within the greater Central Jersey area through a shared passion for sequential art and new media. Attendees may use this open workshop space to draw, write, and develop their own artwork, with an opportunity to receive peer review and feedback from other members if desired. Illustrators, animators, writers, and generalists are all welcome to join and discuss their art and career goals, share learning resources, promote current projects, or find friends and collaborators. Must be 16+ to attend. Free. 7 to 9 p.m.

Thursday July 10

Outdoor Concerts

Music in the Park, Lawrenceville Main Street, Weeden Park, Lawrenceville. www.lawrencevillemainstreet.com. Concert, food for sale, games and activities for kids, and more. Califon Hellbenders performs. 6 to 9 p.m.

On Stage

Devil and Daisy Dirt: A Garden State Gothic, Alt-Folk Event, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Bluegrass tall tale about the Jersey Devil with live music and an 8’ wearable puppet. Register. Free. 7:30 p.m.

Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot, Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University. www.princetonsummertheater.org. Murder mystery set in the Connecticut castle of a Broadway actor best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. $35. 7:30 p.m.

Film

Hollywood Summer Nights, Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, 609-

279-1999. www.thegardentheatre.com. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. $13.50. 7 p.m.

Literati

Speed Reads, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary. org. Read a sample of an advance reader’s copy of a recently (or soon-to-be released) book and discuss with the group. 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Farm Markets

Princeton Farmers Market, Princeton Public Library, Hinds Plaza, 55 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529. www. princetonfarmersmarket.com. More than 30 vendors including local organic produce, pasture raised meat and eggs, farmstead cheeses, fresh baked goods, empanadas, all-natural dog and cat treats, homemade jam, oldworld style pickles, fresh flowers, handcrafted jewelry, knife sharpening, and more. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For Families

Magic Show: Pigments of your Imagination, Lawrence Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. www.mcl.org. Join magical story-teller Conrad Cologne in a laughter filled, interactive reading adventure. In this all new 45 minute long family program, get ready to explore art and the limits of your imagination as stories come to life with magic, drawings jump off the page and we take a thrilling reading adventure. For children of all ages, with a caregiver. Register. 11 a.m.

Friday July 11

Classical Music

Galvin Cello Quartet, Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University, 609570-8404. www.princetonsummerchamberconcerts.org. Mozart, Debussy, Beethoven, Handel, Gardel, Paganini, Mussorgsky, and Mehmari. Free tickets available one week prior to concert. 7:30 p.m.

Live Music

Sunset Sips & Sounds, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, 609-924-2310. www. terhuneorchards.com. Live music by Jerry Steele. Light fare, wine, and wine slushies available. 5 to 8 p.m.

The Jone Dylan Band, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington, 609-737-4465. www. hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. Country/rock. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Split Decision Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, 609-393-7300. www.coopersnj.com. With DJ John Rossi. Register. $10 to $20 via EventBrite. 9 p.m.

Outdoor Concerts

Summer Concert Series, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. www. princetonshoppingcenter.com.

Live music in the courtyard by local bands and a pop-up beer garden from Triumph Brewery. Free. 6 to 8 p.m.

Summer Concert Series, Hopewell Valley Golf Course 114 Pennington-Hopewell Road, Hopewell, 609-964-7393. www. hvgc.com. Free concert by the Flying Ivories. Bring your family and a lawn chair. 6:30 p.m.

Formerly of Chicago The Players, Mercer County 2025 Summer Concert Series, Mercer County Festival Grounds, Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. www.mercercounty.org. $5 entrance fee. Free parking. Food and drinks available for purchase. No outside food or drink permitted except sealed water bottles. 6:30 p.m.

Live at the Library, Plainsboro Public Library, 9 Van Doren Street, Plainsboro. www.plainsborolibrary.org. Rob Lanter Jazz Trio performs on the patio outside the front entrance. 7 p.m.

Art

Peace and Tranquility, Gourgaud Gallery, 23A North Main Street, Cranbury. www.cranburyartscouncil.org. Opening reception for solo exhibit by Karen Repka, who combines her love of photography and art by creating works based on her photographic compositions. On view through July 30. 5 to 7 p.m.

On Stage Leader of the Pack, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania. www.bcptheater.org. Bop along to the songs you love in this Broadway musical celebrating the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo-wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the ‘60s charts. 7:30 p.m.

Meet Me in St. Louis, Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-5703333. www.kelseytheatre.org. The heartwarming musical based on the Judy Garland movie follows the Smith family ahead of the 1904 World’s Fair. $26. 8 p.m. The Spongebob Musical Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www. musicmountaintheatre.org. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. $35. 8 p.m.

Family

Theater

Beauty & The Beast, Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www. musicmountaintheatre.org. The classic tale of a prince, turned into a Beast by an evil witch, and his love for the beautiful, Belle. $13. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Film

Music for Mushrooms Plus Discussion ACME Screening Room, 25 South Union Street, Lambertville. www.acmescreeningroom.org. “Music For Mushrooms” follows musician East Forest as he explores the healing power of music and psychedelics. Blending immersive soundscapes with guided experiences, the film reveals how music can foster deep introspection and transformation in an anxious world. Rated NR, 1h38m. Post-film discussion with NJ Psychedelic Therapy Association, Psychedelic Oncology, and Clusterbusters. Register. $12 to $17. 7 p.m.

Dancing

Dancing Under the Stars, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www. princetonlibrary.org. Members of Central Jersey Dance demonstrate basic steps and lead others in an evening of dancing to recorded music of all kinds on Hinds Plaza, weather permitting; or Community Room. 7 to 10 p.m.

Friday Night Folk Dance, Princeton Folk Dance, Suzanne Patterson Center, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton. www.princetonfolkdance.org. Lesson followed by open dancing. No partner necessary. $10. 8 p.m.

Comedy

Trenton Makes Improv 11 - The Shelving Unit About Nothing, Passage Theater, Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton. www.passagetheatre. org. Two hours of made-up-onthe-spot entertainment. Register. $15. 7:45 p.m.

Farm Markets

Farm Market Blue Moon Acres 11 Willow Creek Drive, Pennington, 609-737-8333. bluemoonacres.net. Selection of Blue Moongrown Certified Organic produce, micro greens, eggs, rice, Herbarium body care products made with herbs grown on the farm, as well as an array of products from other local vendors. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Socials

Trenton2Nite City of Trenton UEZ, Downtown Trenton. www. trentonuez.org/trenton2nite. Food, entertainment, shopping, and community on the second Friday of each month. 5 to 7 p.m.

Trivia Night, Working Dog Winery, 610 Windsor Perrineville Road, East Windsor, 609-3716000. www.workingdogwinerynj. com. With Sam the trivia guy. 6 to 8 p.m.

Saturday July 12

Live Music

Aaron Qmen and DeLaVida Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington, 609-7374465. www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. Multi-instrumentalist/ ecclectic at 1 and Latin/Afro at 5:30 p.m. 1 to 8:30 p.m.

Jersey Surecats, Working Dog Winery, 610 Windsor Perrineville Road, East Windsor, 609-3716000. www.workingdogwinerynj. com. Live music plus food truck from Mexi Boys. 1 to 5 p.m.

Outdoor Concerts

Summer Music Series, Palmer Square Green, Princeton. www. palmersquare.com. JB Rocks performs. 1 to 3 p.m.

Summer Music & More, West Windsor Arts, Nassau Park Pavilion, 510 Nassau Park Boulevard, West Windsor. www.westwindsorarts.org. Channel Collective performs the first of three in a free, family-friendly summer concert series celebrating local music and art. Hands-on art activities for all ages and an outdoor setting perfect for a picnic. 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Music in the Alley, Halo Pub, 9 Hulfish Street, Princeton, 609-

921-1710. www.halofarm.com. 6 to 9 p.m.

Jimmy Bosch, Blue Curtain, Pettoranello Gardens Amphitheater, Route 206 and Mountain Avenue, Princeton. www.facebook.com/ BlueCurtainConcerts. Salsa masters. Free. In case of rain or extreme heat, show moves to Princeton High School PAC. 8 p.m.

Art

Footsteps, Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville. www. lambertvillearts.com. Opening reception for exhibit featuring the paintings of Joe Kazimierczyk and photography of Ilya Raskin. On view through August 3. 5 to 7 p.m.

On Stage

Leader of the Pack Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania. www.bcptheater.org. Bop along to the songs you love in this Broadway musical celebrating the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo-wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the ‘60s charts. 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Meet Me in St. Louis, Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-5703333. www.kelseytheatre.org. The heartwarming musical based on the Judy Garland movie follows the Smith family ahead of the 1904 World’s Fair. $26. 2 p.m. Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University. www.princetonsummertheater.org. Murder mystery set in the Connecticut castle of a Broadway actor best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. $30 to $35. 2 and 7:30 p.m.

The Spongebob Musical, Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www. musicmountaintheatre.org. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. $35. 3 and 8 p.m.

Family Theater

Beauty & The Beast Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www. musicmountaintheatre.org. The classic tale of a prince, turned into a Beast by an evil witch, and his love for the beautiful, Belle. $13. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Film

Family Matinee: “The Goonies”, Princeton Public Library, Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. In this classic 1980s adventure film, a group of misfit kids sets out to find a pirate’s ancient treasure in the hope of saving their home from foreclosure. PG. 1 hour, 54 minutes. $5. 10 a.m.

Dancing

English Country Dance, Princeton Country Dancers, Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton. www.princetoncountrydancers.org. Lesson followed by dance. $15. 7 to 10:30 p.m.

‘Footsteps,’ an exhibit featuring the paintings of Joe Kazimierczyk (‘Allamuchy Falls,’ above) and photography of Ilya Raskin (‘Japanese Snow Monkeys, Nagano, Japan,’ above left), opens with a reception on Saturday, July 12, at the Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville and remains on view through Sunday, August 3.

Literati

Poetry Reading Group, West Windsor Public Library, 333 North Post Road, West WiIndsor. www.poetryreadinggroup.wordpress.com. Read, share, and discuss the best in classic and contemporary poetry. Free. 2 p.m.

Comedy

Sean Morton, Catch A Rising Star, Hyatt Regency Princeton, 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton, 781-568-1471. www.catcharisingstar.com. $26.50 - $34.50. 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Farm Markets

Pennington Farmers Market, Rosedale Mills, 101 Route 31, Pennington. www.penningtonfarmersmarket.org. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and more from local producers. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, Vaughn Drive Lot, 877 Alexander Road, Princeton Junction. www.wwcfm.org. Up to 50 farms and other vendors on site selling fresh produce, meat,

sweets, beer, tea, bread, pickles, and more. Live music and other special events weekly. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Farmers Market, Montgomery Friends of Open Space, Montgomery Township Municipal Center, 100 Community Drive, Skillman, 609-915-0817. www.montgomeryfriends.org. Jersey Fresh produce and farm products, baked goods, sauces, fibers, honey, flowers, coffee, and music. Rain or shine. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

History

Walking Tour of Historic New Hope, New Hope Historical Society, Parry Mansion Museum, 32 South Main Street, New Hope, PA. www.newhopehistorical.org. Guided tour of New Hope explores three centuries of unique history that has shaped New Hope into what is today including: 1700s - discover how General George Washington lead the Continental Army; understand New Hope’s broader role in the Revolutionary War; 1800s - hear stories about the canal, the mills, the ferry, and the bridge that all helped New Hope become the commercial center of Bucks County; learn about the entrepreneurs and leaders who shaped New Hope; 1900s - see how New Hope transformed from a commercial mecca into the eclectic arts, music, and theater magnet that it is today; discover the fa-

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Princeton Summer Theater Review: ‘The Game’s Afoot’

DISCLAIMER: Professional pride, nor prejudice, has nothing to do with the assessment that the most interesting and bestacted character in the Princeton Summer Theater production of Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot” is the theater critic.

Yes, the theater critic, who is invited, for reasons it would be naughty to disclose, by actor-playwright William Gillette to a Christmas gathering of theater folk she has snubbed or maligned, however wittily, in what she says is the most influential newspaper column in the United States. The holiday “do” takes place at Gillette’s newly occupied landmark home, a castle on the Connecticut River, one you can visit if you attend a show at East Haddam’s Goodspeed Opera House. (Or even if you don’t.)

Gillette, author, with Arthur Conan Doyle’s cooperation and blessing, of a wildly popular stage version of “Sherlock Holmes” that kept him occupied for several decades at the turn of the last century and was successfully revived on Broadway in 1974, has been shot from the audience and wounded in the final performance of the 1936 season of his show (an anachronism) and asks guests to join him for Christmas while he is recovering.

“The Game’s Afoot” begins with the climax scene from “Sherlock Holmes,” one that tellingly relates how Holmes withholds one bit of evidence to protect someone whose reputation he doesn’t want to see tarnished by her brush with crime, and includes the gun shot that pierces Gillette’s shoulder during the curtain call.

After playing Holmes for so long, Gillette imagines himself to be a gifted sleuth and asks his cast members and the critic to his castle in a ploy to catch his would-be murderer.

Of course, “The Game’s Afoot” is by Ken Ludwig, and while it retains suspense and evolves into an engaging mystery by its second act, it is as comic in tone as it is serious, marrying farce, silly character traits, and running gags, such as the party guests, being actors, lapsing into Shakespeare, along with salient clues and genuine concern for the safety of the characters.

It is refreshing that Ludwig keeps the mystery in sight and that Summer Theater director Wasif Sami brings it in gradual stages to the fore so that Sherlock Holmes and the investigation of a crime

doesn’t get lost in the comic shuffle, as frequently happens today.

Sami and an uneven cast miss some of Ludwig’s nuances and don’t quite catch every joke in his dialogue during a first act that borders on drawing room comedy, but they manage, even in the midst of one extended farcical sequence involving a corpse and a room hidden behind a revolving wall, to bring matters home in a more finelytuned second act.

Summer Theater’s “Game’s Afoot” doesn’t always retain a necessary crispness, but it and its cast are amiable enough that you’re willing to go along with the lapses and take pleasure in the scenes or speeches that coalesce more tightly, for instance a totally riveting delivery by Lana Gaige, as Holmes, about how crime detection comes down to being a game.

One overriding problem at the beginning of Sami’s production is the inability of several cast members to project. Some passages, including key lines, Shakespearean or not, in the early scenes are nearly inaudible. (I had to cock my left ear to pick up all of the dialogue during some scenes, and I have excellent hearing.)

There’s a point about 15 minutes into the piece where Holmes asks his guests in general something akin to “Did everybody hear me?” I would never say anything out loud during a performance, but in my head, I was answering, “No, not always,” a reference to many in Sami’s company, though not to Gaige, who is consistently audible and clear.

The situation gets worse when characters speak upstage or at angles. The Hamilton Murray Theater is too small a house for the muffled readings to continue. Come on, team, vocal warmups! Practice! Test each other. Make folks hear you in the lounge.

One actor that finds nuances and more in not one but two characters is Emmie Collins who doubles as the overly candid critic and the local detective who arrives at Gillette Castle to solve a murder that takes place there.

Collins is a breath of fresh air when she arrives last among the cast on the Summer Theater stage. Confident, appropriately big in personality and gesture, and brittle in a way that enhances Ludwig’s dialogue, Collins brings extra liveliness, verve, intention, and wit to her work.

As the critic, Daria Chase, she is

by Neal Zoren

unapologetically honest and encourages the actors who may have stung by her spoken barbs to be better sports and realize she’s doing a job that involves entertaining a reader while being as accurate as critical subjectivity allows in composing her judgments.

In the context of “The Game’s Afoot,” that means rubbing occasional salt into reopened wounds, telling sensitive actors she means every word she writes, and letting it be known she could write much more if she wanted to use her column to spill juicy, gossipy beans.

Collins makes Daria delightful, in a sophisticated way, to the Summer Stage audience, and a bane to the actors who bristle at practically every comment she makes.

Daria is brought to Gillette Castle for a purpose, to conduct a seance that might reveal who shot William Gillette. Collins is excellent as a woman who takes her spiritual work seriously and expects it to be treated in kind. This requires Collins turning tables and going from catty, chatty, and rude to businesslike and respectful of her craft. She handles the transition perfectly.

And it’s not the only time Collins has to abandon one mood, voice, and demeanor for another. Offensive, offended Daria makes her exit following Gillette’s reasoned but botched mockery of her seance, giving Collins the chance to return to the stage as Inspector Goring of the local police, unexplained British accent and all.

Collins is as plucky and amusing as Goring as she is animated and provocative as Daria.

Goring explains her methods as she proceeds with her investigation, and Collins makes that process into shrewdness that masquerades as bumbling. In doing so, she finds the comic touch that galvanizes the second act of Sami’s production and makes Ludwig’s plays stronger and more pointed. All while being an entertaining, effective policewoman.

Collins was notable in roles she played at Summer Theater a few seasons back. She has returned more seasoned and is a good example for some of this year’s actors, such as Lucy Grunden and Orion Lopez-Ramirez, who show their potential in their “Game’s Afoot” performances.

Lana Gaige grows in stature and assurance as their performance

July 12

Continued from preceding page

mous actors and artists who launched their careers here in New Hope. Register. $10. 1 p.m.

Kids Stuff

Fairy Festival, Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, 609-7377592. www.thewatershed.org. Build fairy cottages using natural materials, create fun crafts, splash together as we play mermaid games, flutter around an obstacle course, and more. Come dressed as a fairy or other mythical creature. For ages 2 and up with a caregiver. Register. $10. 10

Collins, rear, and Lana

proceeds. Gaige seems a tad clownish in Gillette’s first appearances, but as matters in Gillette’s house become more intense, as finding a murderer from among friends replaces discovering who might have shot him, and as it becomes clear Gillette may have to protect someone the same way Holmes does, Gaige rises to the occasion. Their second act is superb, with moments that show thoughtfulness and the way snowballing calamity affects Gillette’s usually steady, stoic demeanor by adding worry and apprehension to his real-life repertoire.

In profile, Gaige is quite Holmes-like and has the look of a matinee idol. All through “Game’s Afoot,” I kept thinking they would be aptly cast as another playwright, Oscar Wilde, whom Gaige physically resembles.

Orion Lopez-Ramirez finds a smart route to the callow but scheming Simon Bright, a juvenile lead in Gillette’s company and one who figures out how to ease his existence off-stage. Lopez-Ramirez is agile, youthful, and even a little naive, all of which informs his character’s secret side.

Lucy Grunden does well as the most reasonable, if also most conspiratorial among Gillette’s group. Alex Conboy reminds one of the period in which Ludwig sets “Game’s Afoot” in taking the style of matrons from movies from the 1930s. Sidney Humes-James cleverly mutes aspects of the character,

a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For Families

Saturdays in July/Sabados en julio, Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Cadwalader Park, Trenton, 609-989-1191. www.ellarslie.org. Breakfast and snacks, arts and crafts projects, museum exploration, and stories about the park and museum for ages 5 to 12 accompanied by an adult. Register; space is limited. Free. 9 a.m. to noon. Made in the Shade Marquand Park, 87 Lovers Lane, Princeton. Fun-filled morning of nature-themed activities for children and families. Experience the magic of trees and forest life through hands-on games, crafts, and creative play. Activities include Tree Bingo, sun printing, thermometer demo, storytime, and more. Kids will receive a free coloring book that celebrates the diversity of trees in Marquand Park, as well as light snacks to enjoy in the shade. Activities are

An opening reception takes place Friday, July 11, for ‘Peace and Tranquility,’ a solo show by Karen Repka at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury on view through July 30. The work pictured at left is titled ‘Captain.’

an actress and newlywed who is also an heiress. Ja’quann Spann shows a knack for physical comedy, both in his double takes and a choreographed scene he does with Gaige and a corpse.

Jeff Van Nelson provides another in a string of elegant yet utilitarian sets for Summer Theater. He provides the right proportions of Christmas decorations and the kind of furniture and props Gillette would have at a country estate.

Susan McClernon’s costumes were perfect for “Game’s Afoot’s” period. I especially enjoyed the witty touch of having HumesJames dressed in a hunter green dress while Grunden wore a red dress, bringing a Christmas touch to their costumes.

Florencia Curchitser’s lighting was eerie at times, especially in the seance scene when the snow falling outside the castle took on the shape of a spirit or ghost. Colin Lansky’s sound design certainly let you know a storm was afoot. The boom of the thunder was pronounced while everyday things like a ringing telephone or the playing back of an audio tape registered as totally authentic.

The Game’s Afoot, Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University. Through Saturday, July 19. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $30 to $35. www. princetonsummertheater.org

best suited for children ages 3–10, but all are welcome. Families are encouraged to bring water bottles, sun hats, and a sense of adventure. Free. Rain date July 13. 10 a.m. to noon.

Blueberry Bash, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, 609-924-2310. www.terhuneorchards.com. Celebrate the state’s official fruit with live music, a puppet show, a bubble party, farm-fresh food, and a visit to the pick-your-own blueberry patch. $15 to $18 admission for ages 3 and up. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Magic Show: Dennis the Magician, West Windsor Library, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. www.mcl.org. For all ages. Register. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Lectures

July 14 - The Origins of Bastille Day/Le 14 Juillet les Origines de la Fête Nationale, Alliance Francaise, Princeton United Methodist Church, 7 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton. allianceprinceton.com. French history seminar delivered in French by Jean-Baptiste Berthelin. Register. $60. 11 a.m.

Continued on page 8

Emmie

Gaige, front,

‘The Game’s Afoot’ at Princeton Summer Theater through Saturday, July 19.

Bats of New Jersey D&R Greenway Land Trust, Discovery Center at Point Breeze, 101 East Park Street, Bordentown. www.drgreenway.org. Presentation by wildlife biologist Leah Wells from the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey. Learn about how bats emerge in surprising places and about efforts to conserve the bat population across New Jersey. Discover the nine species of bats that inhabit New Jersey and learn about preservation of their habitats. Register. $15 donation. 2 p.m.

Outdoor Action

Trenton Walks!, , Trenton Battle Monument, 348 North Warren Street, Trenton. gmtma.org/trailhappenings. Learn about plans for the Johnson Trolley Trail from Trenton to Princeton on this special Walk through North Trenton with representatives from Equitable Cities and BFJ Planning. Stops along the 2.5-mile loop will provide opportunities for community input to the trail proposal. 9:30 a.m.

Saturday Morning Walking Club Lawrence Hopewell Trail. www. lhtrail.org/walkingclub. Walks are generally 2-3 miles. See the website for the meeting point and other details. Free. 9:30 a.m.

Foraging as Stewardship: Wineberries, Friends of Princeton Open Space, Mountain Lakes Preserve, Mountain Avenue, Princeton. www.fopos.org/eventsprograms. Wineberries are one of New Jersey’s most abundant summer brambleberries, but they are also very invasive, outcompete native plants, and form dense thickets that prevent forest regeneration. Fortunately, they are delicious. Join FOPOS and local experts Matt and Shannon for a wineberry forage walk. Register. 10 a.m. to noon.

Princeton Canal Walkers Turning Basin Park, Alexander Road, Princeton. 3 mile walk on the towpath, weather permitting. Free. Register to canalwalkers@googlegroups.com for notices of weather-related cancellations. 10 a.m.

Nature Photography with Your Phone, Friends of Princeton Open Space, Mountain Lakes House, Mountain Avenue, Princeton. www.fopos.org/events-programs. Community members of all ages are welcome to join us for a workshop led by Kirstin Ohrt, creator of Footpathing.com, on training your eye to take better photos of nature with your smartphone. Register through Princeton Public Library. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Socials

Unity in the Community, Galilee Baptist Church, 440 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Fun, fellowship, food, games, and music, as well as free health screenings. Noon to 6 p.m.

Sunday July 13

Live Music

Chris Giakas Working Dog Winery, 610 Windsor Perrineville Road, East Windsor, 609-3716000. www.workingdogwinerynj. com. Live music plus food truck from Beach Shack. 1 to 5 p.m. On the Fly, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington, 609-737-4465. www. hopewellvalleyvineyards.com.

Pop/rock. 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Outdoor Concerts

Listen Local: New Yacht City, Princeton Public Library, Hinds Plaza, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary. org. New Yacht City plays smooth yacht rock and R&B-inspired sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s featuring songs from bands like Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers and Toto. 4 p.m.

World Music

Summer Carillon Concerts: Music that Paints the Silence Princeton University Carillon, 88 College Road West, Princeton, 609-258-7989. Wesley Arai of California. Free. 1 p.m.

Art

Meet and Greet Artists Talk, Gallery 14, 14 Mercer Street, Hopewell, 609-333-8511. www. gallery14.org. Scott Hoerl (“Still Life Photos +”) and Jill Mudge (“Narratives in Nature”) speak in the gallery in conjunction with their ongoing exhibits on view through July 20. 1:30 p.m.

On Stage

Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot, Princeton Summer Theater Hamilton Murray Theater, Princeton University. www.princetonsummertheater.org. Murder mystery set in the Connecticut castle of a Broadway actor best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. $30. 2 p.m.

The Spongebob Musical Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www. musicmountaintheatre.org. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. $35. 3 p.m.

Film

National Theatre Live, Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, 609-279-1999. www.thegardentheatre.com. “A Streetcar Named Desire” (2014). 12:30 p.m.

Wellness

Free Class Yoga4Sobriety Plainsboro Municipal Building, 641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro. Yoga4Sobriety.com/schedule. Free 12 step-based yoga class. Beginners welcome; no experience required. Bring a mat and an open mind. No registration required for in-person attendance; visit website for access via Zoom. 9 to 10:15 a.m.

History

Battlefield Tour, Princeton Battlefield Society, 500 Mercer Road, Princeton. www.pbs1777. org. Presentation on the Battle of Princeton, with a tour of the historic Thomas Clarke House & Museum, presented by historian and author Larry Kidder. Register. $10. 1 p.m.

For Families

Blueberry Bash Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, 609-924-2310. www. terhuneorchards.com. Celebrate the state’s official fruit with live music, a puppet show, a bubble party, farm-fresh food, and a visit to the pick-your-own blueberry patch. $15 to $18 admission for

The Galvin Cello Quartet performs a free concert featuring music of Mozart, Debussy, Beethoven, and more on Friday, July 11, in Richardson Auditorium as part of the Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts series.

ages 3 and up. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lectures

Trees of Point Breeze, D&R Greenway Land Trust, Discovery Center at Point Breeze, 101 East Park Street, Bordentown. www. drgreenway.org. Dr. Daniel Druckenbrod, professor of environmental sciences at Rider University, discusses his tree studies in the forests of Point Breeze. He leads a journey across the forests of the 60-acre preserve, including trees he studied closely for historical relevance in relation to Joseph Bonaparte and other notable estate owners over many decades. Three of Dr. Druckenbrod’s core samples are on display at the Discovery Center, including one from a tree dated before the Bonaparte era. A noted dendrologist, he has conducted a scientific study that began under the ownership of Divine Word Missionaries and continued with permission from the State and co-managers the City of Bordentown and D&R Greenway. Register. $15 donation. 2 p.m.

Science Lectures

Science Under the Stars: Shredded Stars: How Black Holes Light Up Their Surroundings, New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton. www. statemuseum.nj.gov. Free talk with Dr. Ben Zhang, Princeton University. In an intergenerational relay spanning three centuries, craftsmen, philosophers, teachers, explorers, and publishers around the world revealed a wealth of information contained in sunlight and starlight, telling a story of the universe that goes far beyond what meets the eye. Along the way, they also changed our concept of vision itself. Today, scientists have even more sophisticated ways of using light, or radiation, to study the material world. They work every day to unravel the mysteries of everything from invisible germs to distant exoplanets. 4:15 p.m.

Outdoor Action

Trenton Walks!, , Cadwalader Park, Parkside Avenue, Trenton. gmtma.org/trail-happenings. Special Cadwalader Park Pollinator Meadow Lecture and Walk through the park, starting with a lecture by Friends of Open Space Executive Director Jennifer Rogers on pollinator meadows at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, followed by a walk and continued talk in the Cadwalader Park pollinator meadow off Cadwalader Drive in the park, about 1.2 miles. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Socials

Bastille Day Picnic, Alliance Francaise of Princeton, Princeton Country Club Picnic Grounds, 1 Wheeler Way, Princeton. www. allianceprinceton.com. Bring a picnic and enjoy French conversation, French music, a chance to meet fellow Francophiles, door

prizes, and the game Petanque (boules). Beverages and dessert provided; no alcohol permitted. Register. $25; $20 members. Noon to 3 p.m.

Monday July 14

Classical Music

Manhattan Chamber Players, Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University, 609-570-8404. www.princetonsummerchamberconcerts.org. Music of Mozart, Schumann, Enescu, Poulenc, and Bruch. Free tickets available one week prior to concert. 7:30 p.m.

Film

Monday Movie Matinees, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www. princetonlibrary.org. Films that reflect “Color Our World,” the theme of this year’s Summer Reading program for adults, are screened on Monday afternoons. “Oranges and Sunshine” (2020, R, 1 hour, 45 minutes): The story of social worker Margaret Humphreys, who uncovered the scandal of the systematic deportation of impoverished British children to Australia, and who worked to reunite them with their families. Based on actual events. 2 to 4:15 p.m.

Good Causes

Arm In Arm Mobile Food Pantry, Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. www.arminarm.org. Food and personal care products made available to those in need. No registration required. The Lawrence Township Health Department, the Mercer County Board of Social Services and the Mercer County Nutrition Program will have informational tables. 2 to 4 p.m.

Tuesday July 15

Live Music

Acappella Chorus Rehearsal, The Gardenstatesmen, Plainsboro Recreation Center, 641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro, 609-462-3371. Male acapella chorus invites all guests to rehearsals to sing or listen and stay as long as they wish. Call to confirm before visiting. 7:30 p.m. Art

Painting in the Capital City, City of Trenton Department of Recreation, Natural Resources and

Culture, Stacy Park Log Basin, 1399 Riverside Drive, Trenton. www.trentonnj.org/rec. Canvases, paint, and brushes will be provided. Participants will be shown different techniques of mixing and applying colors and textures. 6 to 8 p.m.

On Stage

Dancing

Tuesday Night Folk Dance Princeton Folk Dance, Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton. www.princetonfolkdance.org. No partner necessary. $5. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Farm Markets

Robbinsville Farmers Market, Miry Run Recreation Area, 66 Sharon Road, Robbinsville, 609924-9529. www.robbinsville-twp. org. Fresh local fruits & vegetables and other fresh foods, as well as household, flower, and pet items, plus weekly special events. 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Kids Stuff

Summer Kids Club: Bubble Magic, MarketFair, 3535 Route 1, West Windsor. www.marketfairshoppes.com. Interactive activities and entertainment for all ages based on a weekly theme. Kids storytime follows at Barnes & Noble. Free; parents must stay. 10 to 11 a.m.

Kids Stuff

Free Tour, Princeton Aiport, 41 Airpark Road, Montgomery, 609921-3100. www.princetonairport. com. Fun and educational 30-40 minute tours designed for ages 5 and up to inspire young minds and introduce them to the real people, planes, and possibilities that make flying such an amazing experience. See planes, sit in the pilot’s seat, learn about flying and maintaining planes, ask questions, and take pictures. Canceled in case of bad weather. 10:30 a.m.

Outdoor Storytime, Princeton Public Library, Princeton Shopping Center Courtyard, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. www. princetonlibrary.org. This interactive storytime features books, songs, rhymes and movement for kids 18 months and older, accompanied by an adult. Bring a blanket. 10:30 to 11 a.m.

From Grandma’s Kitchen to a Market Near You

It’s nearly four in the afternoon in the Macedonian town of Strumica, and guests will soon arrive. Time to break out the homemade baked items and pour water in the cezve to start brewing the rich, concentrated coffee so beloved in this part of the world.

In Macedonia, afternoons like these are a cultural tradition, a time to visit neighbors, friends, and family to share conversation over coffee and treats.

Blending time-honored ingredients with local Jersey Fresh products, Zora Levkovski, chef and owner of Little Balkan, brings a delicious sampling of authentic goodies to a weekly circuit of farmers markets.

“I started Little Balkan in 2022 after culinary school. I was working in New York at the Fulton Stall Market as their seasonal cook. It was there that I learned so much from other local producers and farmers,” Levkovski recalls.

“It started with halva as it’s naturally shelf-stable and a popular retail product.”

Halva is a dense delicacy made from finely ground sesame seeds. It has a velvety, somewhat grainy texture like fudge and is a genetic match for coffee. Levkovski often blends other flavor components into her halva, as her menu attests: Hazelnut & Turkish Coffee; Pistachio & Sour Cherry; and Vanilla Chocolate Swirl.

In some ways, though, Little Balkan started much earlier, when Levkovski was a girl and spent her summers with her maternal grandmother in the town of Strumica in Macedonia. Levkovski’s grandmother made most of their meals from scratch in a tiny kitchen.

“When I think about how my grandmother cooked and baked in her little kitchen it just amazes me. She used every available space. I remember how we used the dining

Wednesday July 16

Outdoor Concerts

by Patrick Walsh

Zora Levkovski, right, at her Little Balkan stand, which makes regular appearances at the Princeton, West Windsor, Highland Park, and Pennington farmers’ markets. Above, samples of her goodies including halva swirls, left, and honey cookies.

table as a workstation. She’d cover it with a clean sheet to roll dough for savory pastries like banitsa.”

Banitsa is made by stacking very thin layers of phyllo, crumbly white cheese such as feta, plain yogurt, whisked eggs, and sometimes a vegetable like spinach or other leafy green, then baking the whole thing in the oven.

“She didn’t have any modern tools or gadgets, just classic utensils like a rolling pin, a flour sieve, a baking spatula. When she made sweet treats like cookies she would press the shapes out with a simple glass.”

While Levkovski happily avails herself of the best equipment, such as her beloved KitchenAid mixer, she also works in close quarters. In fact, you could say the Little Balkan is truly a cottage industry: Levkovski is officially a home baker, running her company out of her

Concerts on the Landing, Trenton War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton. www.nj.gov/state/memorial. Singer-songwriter Lindsay Jordan performs a free lunchtime concert on the steps of the War Memorial. Concert moves inside in case of inclement weather. Noon to 2 p.m. Pop Music

Purple Xperience, Bristol Riverside Theater, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pennsylvania. www.brtstage.org. Marshal Charloff’s tribute to the music of Prince, blending R&B, soul, and new wave. $50 and up. 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Straight No Chaser State Theater New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. www.stnj.org. “SUMMER: The 90s Part 2” features the a capella group’s twist on 90s classics like Lisa Loeb’s “Stay (I Missed You),” “Everybody” by Backstreet Boys, “Linger” from The Cranberries, and Santana’s “Maria Maria.” $40 to $86. 7:30 p.m.

Art

Brushstrokes of Joy: A CMAP Summer Art Showcase Center for Modern Aging Princeton, Nancy S. Klath Center for Lifelong Learning, 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton, 609-751-9699. www.cmaprinceton. org. CMAP art students, guided by instructor Christina Rang, present a joyful and eclectic collection of works -- each piece a reflection of their unique voice and artistic journey. 6 p.m.

On Stage

small kitchen in Hamilton under a New Jersey cottage food permit.

“There’s a lot of us actually, but we can only sell at farmers markets,” Levkovski says. “The cottage food permit also places some restrictions on what we can and can’t make, but it opens up so many possibilities. Artisan chefs and bakers who’d otherwise need their own commercial kitchens to bring their creations to market can share their gift with the world. And customers get to enjoy real-deal homemade treats.”

Some Little Balkan treats take advantage of in-season produce like Jersey-grown blueberries and strawberries, such as her shortbread cookies made with seasonal fruit jam or sponge cakes with fruit filling. Levkovski makes honey cookies, a variation on a traditional Balkan tea biscuit, with honey from local New Jersey apiaries.

Film

Waltz with Bashir, Center for Modern Aging Princeton, Nancy S. Klath Center for Lifelong Learning, 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton, 609-751-9699. www.cmaprinceton.org. An animated documentary where a filmmaker tries to uncover his repressed memories of the 1982 Lebanon War, specifically the Sabra and Shatila massacre. Register. $10. 5:30 p.m.

Film

Hollywood Summer Nights, Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, 609-279-1999. www.thegardentheatre.com. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. $13.50. 7 p.m.

Dancing

Contra Dance, Princeton Country Dancers, Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton. www.princetoncountrydancers.org. Liesl Jandry with Flying Buttresses. $15. 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Literati

Summer Reading Soirée with Claire Messud and Amy Jo Burns Princeton Public Library, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. The author and Harvard University professor discusses her book “This Strange Eventful History” in conversation with Amy Jo Burns at this annual gathering of book lovers featuring refreshments, door prizes, and more. Register. Free. 6:30 to 8 p.m.

enjoys fusing Balkan specialties with American standards, such as her halva chocolate chip cookies: she tops a classic chewy chocolate chip cookie with chunks of melt-in-your-mouth halva.

And then there’s her tahini-peanut butter bars. As Levkovski explains: “After her first visit to America, my grandmother fell in love with — of all things — peanut butter! They don’t have peanut butter in Macedonia. So, when I make my tahini-peanut butter bars I think of her. I guess that’s a truly BalkanAmerican recipe.”

Those tahini-peanut butter bars,

Wellness

Wild Gentle Yoga: Yoga to Connect with Yourself and Nature, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve 1635 River Road, New Hope, PA. www.bhwp.org. Gentle yoga that builds body awareness, strength, flexibility and a better understanding of how humans connect to and reflect natural systems with Priscilla Hayes. Register. Pay what you can, $8 and up. 8 to 9 a.m. Yoga in the Garden, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. www.morven.org. All-level donation-based Vinyasa yoga class held outdoors in the garden (indoors in case of rain). Bring a yoga mat, towel, and water bottle. Register. 6 p.m.

Lectures

Every Color Has a Story: History on the Palette, Mercer County Library. events.mcl.org. Do you know the history of the colors in your world? All the dyes, tints, hues, and shades of the colors around you can be traced back to a specific point in history – and the stories they tell are amazing! Which came first – the fruit orange or the color orange? Was Lincoln Green named after Mary Lincoln? Laura Keyes will share with you the powerful – and colorful –history of color. Register for link to program. 7 p.m.

Socials

halva, and the rest of Levkovski’s confections have made Little Balkan one of the most popular farmers market stands in the area.

Look for the Little Balkan stand at Princeton Farmers Market every other Thursday; West Windsor Farmers Market on the first and third Saturdays of each month; Highland Park Farmers Market on the fourth Friday of the month; and the Pennington Farmers Market as a pop-up vendor (market dates are posted on the Little Balkan Website and Instagram pages).

For more information, visit www.littlebalkan.com or follow @ littlebalkan on Instagram.

Wildlife biologist Leah Wells gives a presentation on the bats of New Jersey at the Discovery Center at Point Breeze on Saturday, July 12. Pictured above is the Eastern Red Bat.

Jersey Art Meetup Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.Weekly social event connecting creatives within the greater Central Jersey area through a shared passion for sequential art and new media. Attendees may use this open workshop space to draw, write, and develop their own artwork, with an opportunity to receive peer review and feedback from other

members if desired. Illustrators, animators, writers, and generalists are all welcome to join and discuss their art and career goals, share learning resources, promote current projects, or find friends and collaborators. Must be 16+ to attend. Free. 7 to 9 p.m.

Levkovski

PRE VIEW

Beeline to the Barnes for Art That Makes an Impression

Tby Patricia Taylor

his summer Philadelphia’s Barnes Foundation is offering visitors a unique glimpse into its French paintings. Taking advantage of the need to move artwork from 12 galleries during a floor refinishing project, the Foundation has created a new exhibition that does not follow the strictures established by Dr. Barnes in his will creating the museum.

Under the curating leadership of Cindy Kang, a select 55 French impressionist paintings from those galleries now appear in thematically arranged displays. Gone, for this summer, are the “ensembles” designed by Barnes to place disparate carvings, paintings, and other works in dialogue with one another in the museum’s crowded rooms.

Kang titled the exhibit “From Paris to Provence: French Paintings at the Barnes.” Her aim, she explains, “is to show how particular places — with their distinctive landscapes, lights, and people — shaped the work of each artist.”

The exhibit is divided into what is called sections, of which there are five. The first presents paintings created in Paris and northern France. Kang has selected a stellar collection of French impressionists at the time: Cezanne, Cousin, Degas, Manet, Monet, Seurat, Renoir, and van Gogh. Of the 19 paintings here, Renoir predominates with seven.

The second section is titled “Moving to the South of France.” Here four van Gogh paintings stand out. To buttress the concept of light on the creation of a painting, Kang had these paintings placed on a wall colored in shades of Provence’s warm sunlight.

Van Gogh’s famous “The Postman” is placed here. The subject was indeed a postman who worked at the Arles train station. While van Gogh painted six portraits of this man, the portrait at the Barnes is believed to be the only one signed. When it returns to its mandatory placement in the museum, Kang said, it will once more be stuffed in a corner. The Barnes’ collection includes the world’s largest group of paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cezanne. While, as noted

above, works from both artists are included in this summer’s exhibition, those by Cezanne, Kang says, are the heart of the show.

Sections 3 and 4 then are devoted to Cezanne. In Section 3, titled “Cezanne in Provence,” one can admire nine of his works, including that of Mont Sainte-Victoire as well four of his depictions of bathers.

Section 4 presents 10 paintings illustrating scenes and people associated with Jas de Bouffan, his family’s estate in Provence. Kang emphasized that the floor refinishing project provides the only opportunity to bring these paintings together.

To give even further background on Cezanne’s Provence work, there are photographs of the family’s mansion. One illustrates a high corner structure with a north-facing window on top of the mansion. This studio was a gift from Cezanne’s father, enabling the painter to fully capture the area’s light. There, he painted numerous still lifes and flower groupings, five of

which are in this section.

The last section highlights immigrant artists in Paris. Works by Modigliani and de Chirico (Italian), Soutine (Russian), and Miro (Spanish) are displayed.

In this writer’s opinion, it is such a special treat to view these beautifully presented art works without the constrictions of Barnes’ will. Time is short, however, as the exhibition closes August 31 and will never be repeated.

From Paris to Provence: French Paintings at the Barnes, The Barnes Foundation, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. On view through August 31, Thursdays through Mondays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.barnesfoundation.org or 215-278-7000

A note on logistics: With the union strike being held as this article is written, it is probably most convenient to drive. Parking at the Foudnation is “first come, first served.” If the lot is full, there are several nearby places. Check out www.parking.com for further information.

Clockwise from top left, portraits by Vincent van Gogh; van Gogh’s ‘The Factory,’ (July–September 1887, oil on canvas); Edgar Degas’ ‘Jockeys and Race Horses’ (c. 1890–1895, oil on panel); Paul Cézanne’s ‘Mont Sainte-Victoire’ (1892–1895, oil on canvas); and Claude Monet’s ‘The Studio Boat’ (1876, oil on canvas). Images courtesy of The Barnes Foundation.

With regard to trains, Amtrak provides direct connections to Philadelphia from Princeton Junction and Trenton. NJ transit trains end at Trenton, where one can walk across the platform and board a Septa train (when there is not a strike).

The Barnes offers frequent tours, for up to 10 guests, of its exhibits and collections. Call to check on costs and any needed reservations. On August 3, there will be a Free Sunday program offered.

LiFe in the Fast Lane

The Plainsboro Planning Board on June 16 approved an application for a massive mixed-use development on the historic Princeton Nurseries site.

The project, being developed by WRV Nurseries Plainsboro, LLC, would transform the 109-acre Plainsboro section of the former nursery grounds into a development featuring apartments, townhouses, single-family residences, senior housing, and commercial buildings, including office and retail.

The plan calls for 950 residential units, a 75,000-square-foot hotel, and almost 320,000 square feet of commercial space.

The Princeton Nurseries Property spans a total of 272 acres across Plainsboro and South Brunswick townships. In addition to the Plainsboro plan, the developer is also seeking approval for a 341,273-square-foot data center on a 143-acre tract in the portion of the nurseries site in South Brunswick.

WRV purchased the property from Princeton University in 2024. The tract was originally part of Forrestal Center and slated for all commercial offices, but plans changed after the demand for offices decreased following the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Plainsboro staff report dated June 4 outlined many of the conditions that the planning board approved with the application. The report underscored the project’s scale and complexity, stating that it is “one of the largest redevelopment efforts proposed in Plainsboro Township in recent years.”

Central to the proposal are two mixed-use multifamily buildings that would accommodate 335 apartments. The first building would have 136 units, including 62 one-bedroom, 64 two-bedroom, and 10 three-bedroom apartments.

The second building would have 199 units, including 88 one-bedroom, 94 two-bedroom, and 17 three-bedroom apartments. The building would include 44 afford-

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able housing units. The planning board approval requires that all of the affordable units be spread throughout the buildings to help ensure that they are indistinguishable from the market-rate units.

Also approved was a plan for 230 townhouses on the western portion of the property. Of those, 32 units would be designated as affordable housing. There would also be 20 single-family homes.

The eastern section of the site would feature 51 townhouses, 114 stacked townhouses (including 20 affordable units), 72 age-restricted flats, and 31 age-restricted carriage homes. An additional 97 senior residential units are anticipated in subsequent phases but are not included in the current application.

The commercial construction is slated to begin in Phase 2 of the plan. It includes 75,000-squarefoot hotel with 125 rooms and a 6,170-square-foot restaurant.

Another building would contain about 10,000 square feet of retail space, and another would include 30,000 square feet of retail space or a grocery store.

Phase 3 calls for a mixed-use building containing 97 age-restricted rental units and either 28,000 or 35,000 square feet of retail space. The developer also plans to build 40,000 square feet of retail space in the building along with the possibility of an additional 18,000 square feet of retail in the first two buildings.

Traffic impacts are a significant consideration for the project.

Township staff said that although current traffic volumes on Route 1 are similar to pre-pandemic traffic levels, the impact on local roads has reduced since the pandemic.

The developer will be required to submit a traffic signal warrant analysis and detailed construction plans for roadway and intersection improvements as conditions of approval. It will also be required to enter into a Title 39 Enforcement Agreement with the township that will enable the police to enforce

According to the Friends of Princeton Nursery website, Princeton Nurseries was founded shortly before the first World War by horticulturist William Flemer Sr. and grew to become a pioneering force in American landscape design and agriculture.

By the mid-20th century, the company was known not only for its scale — farming more than 1,200 acres across four municipalities — but also for its horticultural breakthroughs that transformed suburban and urban planting nationwide.

Flemer said he selected the Kingston area in 1911 after an extensive search along the Eastern Seaboard. The site’s rich glacial soil, proximity to the newly built Carnegie Lake, and access to both the Delaware & Raritan Canal and the Pennsylvania Railroad made it ideal for large-scale cultivation and distribution.

The nursery began with a 65-acre purchase of the Myrick farm in 1913 for $9,000, followed by acquisitions of the Higgins, Van Dyke, and Archibald Gulick farms

A mixed-used development is planned for the Plainsboro section of the Princeton Nurseries site, located between the white dotted line and College Road West above it.

— bringing the total to 265 acres by the time Flemer’s son, William Flemer Jr., returned from service in the Ambulance Corps in World War I.

Inspired by the French countryside he had seen during the war, Flemer Jr. landscaped the property with roads lined with plane trees and a checkerboard of windbreaks.

He also made it a priority to purchase homes along with farmland to house nursery employees, creating a self-sufficient community. Nearly two dozen historic structures from that era remain today.

At its height, the nursery employed more than 300 people and held patents for dozens of ornamental trees and shrubs.

Its most celebrated trees include the “October Glory” red maple and the Princeton elm, a hardy, diseaseresistant cultivar developed in response to the devastation of American elms by Dutch elm disease.

A number of those trees can still be found in the historic Elm Allée that lines Washington Road in West

Windsor.

As development pressures mounted in central New Jersey, the nursery began acquiring land in Allentown in the early 1960s and fully relocated its operations there by 1995. The business officially closed in 2010.

Much of the original Kingston site has since been preserved. In 2005, more than 240 acres of the former nursery were permanently protected through a partnership between South Brunswick Township, Princeton Nurseries, and the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program. That preserved land includes the 53-acre Mapleton Preserve, jointly owned by the state and South Brunswick, and now home to the D&R Canal State Park Headquarters.

The grounds remain dotted with specimen trees planted by the nursery, some of them rare and unusual.

— Bill Sanservino

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VACATION RENTALS

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paid for World War II Military Items. Helmets,

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RETAIL, OFFICE, MEDICAL & WAREHOUSE

SPACE FOR LEASE

• Six building complex totaling 47,094 sf (+/-)

• Private bathroom, kitchenette & separate utilities for each suite

• 28,000 sf (+/-) of ground-level retail, office & medical space

• Optional built-to-suit space designed to fit your needs

• Separate utilities for each suite

• 191 Luxury apartments on-site

• Over 120 parking spaces with handicap accessibility

• High visibility with 29,646 (+/-) vehicles on Route 206 & 14,760 vehicles on Amwell Road passing the center daily

• Nine acres of professionally landscaped & managed office & medical space

• 336 Parking spaces available with handicap accessibility

• Close proximity to hotels & restaurants in the Princeton & Trenton areas

• Four building warehouse complex totaling 150,000 sf (+/-) situated in a prime location right off Route 31

• All buildings feature 32’ clear ceiling heights, 50’ x 50’ column spacing, heavy power, LED warehouse lighting, 360-degree site circulation, heavy floor load, loading docks &/or drive-ins

• Separate utilities and entrances for each suite

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• 270 Parking spaces available with handicap accessibility