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6 Play the Richardson Auditoriaum Steinway piano, page 4; Explore the area’s basement concert scene, page 7.

Art On Wheels

The Trenton Community A-Team turns a mobile space into a traveling showcase that brings local art and creativity directly into the community.

Dan Aubrey reports, page 10.

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On Ramp is a guide to opportunities readers can act on now, from workshops, auditions and artist calls to volunteer roles, business programs and community resources. Listings are subject to change, so readers should confirm details with the sponsoring organization before making plans.

Business & Career

JobSeekers Virtual Meeting. JobSeekers will hold an online career-support meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The group meets virtually and is geared toward people who are looking for work, considering a career change or trying to improve their jobsearch strategy. Readers can use the meeting to connect with other job seekers, hear practical guidance and keep momentum going after Labor Day, when hiring activity often picks up again. It also gives job seekers a regular checkpoint for resumes, interviews, networking and accountability during a busy fall hiring season. The meeting link is available through the group’s website. sites.google.com/site/ njjobseekers *** ACG September Breakfast. ACG New Jersey will hold its September Breakfast Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at EisnerAmper in Iselin. The meeting is built around curated small-group roundtable discussions, giving business owners, advisors, investors and executives a chance to exchange ideas in a more focused setting than a standard networking reception. The format is useful for readers who want direct conversation, introductions and business-development leads rather than a lecture-style program. Suggested for readers who work in finance, mergers and acquisitions, professional services, business ownership or corporate leadership. acg.org/ newjersey *** Middlesex Networking Party. The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its Largest Networking Party

on Monday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick. The chamber describes the event as a large-scale business networking gathering for professionals who want to build contacts, promote their work and connect with companies and organizations across the region. Use this if you want one bigger business-networking item with a broader Middlesex-Mercer reach. mcrcc.org *** Women’s Leadership Summit. The Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce is taking registration for its 25th annual Women’s Leadership Summit, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 8:30 a.m. The summit is intended for business owners, executives, managers, nonprofit leaders and professionals interested in leadership development and networking. This is a forward-looking Business & Career item that can run before the event date, especially if the section needs opportunities beyond the next two weeks. mcrcc.org *** ACG Networking Power Hour. ACG New Jersey will hold a virtual Networking Power Hour on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The online session is designed around small-group breakout rooms rather than a formal presentation, giving participants a chance to introduce themselves, exchange ideas and make new contacts without traveling. Because it is virtual and only an hour long, it is a useful lower-commitment option for readers who want to keep building a professional network during the workweek. Suggested for business readers who want a low-commitment networking option before the fall conference and breakfast season gets busy. acg.org/ newjersey *** World Cup Security Lessons. ACG New Jersey will hold an October Breakfast Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, focused on lessons for business leaders from the 2026 FIFA World Cup security effort. The program is farther out, but it offers a specific leadership and oper-

Accessible, transformative, nsfo f rmative, fo t d and community-rooted: Get on board Trenton's own mobile art studio!

ations angle rather than a generic networking pitch. Suggested for executives, security professionals, event planners, operations managers and business owners interested in risk management and large-scale planning. acg. org/newjersey *** NAMI NJ Job Opening. NAMI New Jersey is hiring a part-time Recovery Program Coordinator at $20 per hour. The position involves organizing, implementing and evaluating recovery-focused and peer-related programming for the mental health organization.

This is a practical On Ramp item because it gives readers a specific job opportunity connected to nonprofit and community health work. Suggested for people with experience or interest in mental health advocacy, peer support, program coordination or nonprofit service. naminj.org *** Institute Membership Applications. The Institute for Advanced Study is inviting membership applications for the 2027-28 academic year. IAS membership is a competitive academic opportunity for scholars whose work would benefit from time at one of the world’s leading centers for independent research.

This is not a general class or public program, but it is a strong fit for U.S. 1 readers in higher education, research, mathematics, natural sciences, social science, history, philosophy and related fields. ias.edu

Arts & Creativity

BucksArts Festival Booth. BucksArts is inviting artists and writers to register for its artists’ booth at the Doylestown Arts Festival. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 11:59 p.m., making this one of the most urgent On Ramp items for the Sept. 2 issue. Participants can use the booth to share work with festival visitors and connect with the regional arts community. The deadline makes this especially time-sensitive for artists who need to review booth details, gather materials

Free , art-m hands-o n a all ag king for e skill s and level s!

All a rt su inclu pplies ded!

The Trenton Community A-TEAM (TCAT) Art Cart visits Trenton neighborhoods every week, partnering with the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) Mobile Food Truck to bring nourishment and inspiration to the community. New and special events are added regularly. Scan the QR code or visit tcateam.org/artcart to learn more!

Scan Me!

The TCAT Art Cart is supported by funding through the NJEDA’s A.R.T. - Phase II Grant Program.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

and decide whether the festival audience is a good match for their work. This is a call-to-participate item, not just an event listing, so it should get priority if space is tight. bucksarts.org *** OnStage Seniors Auditions.

Center for Modern Aging Princeton’s OnStage Seniors ensemble will hold open auditions on Thursday, Sept. 3. The community-based acting group is looking for new members, and the program is open to adults who want to perform, tell stories and take part in documentary-style theater focused on older adults’ memories and experiences. It is a good fit for people who are interested in acting, public speaking, storytelling or creative aging, even if they have not been part of a theater group before. Registration is required, and there is no audition fee. This is a close-date, highly participatory item and a good fit for Arts & Creativity or Learning & Lifestyle. cmaprinceton.org *** Kelsey Theatre Auditions.

Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College has open auditions coming up this fall for The Man Who Came to Dinner.

Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. Video auditions also will be accepted until Monday, Oct. 19, at 9 p.m. All auditions are held on the West Windsor campus unless otherwise noted. This is a strong community theater opportunity with enough lead time for readers to prepare. The video option also makes the audition more accessible for people who cannot attend one of the in-person sessions but still want to be considered. kelsey. mccc.edu *** Princeton Youth Ballet Auditions. Princeton Youth Ballet will hold season auditions on Saturday, Sept. 27. The auditions are open to dancers ages 7 to 22, or dancers in Primary B and up, who are interested in professional-level performance experience. The season includes The Nutcracker, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7. Families should have time to review rehearsal expectations, performance dates and eligibility before committing to the audition process. This is a strong Youth & Family arts item because it gives young dancers and families time to plan and prepare. princetonyouthballet.org *** Community Piano Jam. Princeton University Concerts will host an all-day Community Piano Jam on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall, on the Princeton University campus. Pianists of all ages and levels are invited to sign up for the informal event. It is described as a chance to play in a beautiful setting and share music in a welcoming atmosphere, rather than a formal performance. That makes the item broader than a concert listing because the main action for readers is signing up to play, not buying a ticket. If more pianists sign up than there are available slots, player participation will be confirmed by lottery. Audience members may drop in throughout the day. puc.princeton.edu *** Princeton Artist Fellowships. Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts is accepting applications for the Princeton Arts Fellowship and the

Hodder Fellowship. The application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 11:59 p.m. In this cycle, Princeton Arts Fellowships are expected to support early-career artists in fields such as dance, music and theater, while Hodder Fellowships support artists and writers of exceptional promise pursuing independent projects. This is a high-value application item for artists, writers, composers, choreographers, designers, directors and performers. Because the deadline falls quickly after the Sept.

2 issue date, the listing should give enough detail for readers to understand that this is a competitive fellowship opportunity requiring immediate attention. arts. princeton.edu *** McCarter Fall Classes.

McCarter Theatre Center has fall classes on sale for students of different ages and experience levels.

One new class, Broadway Remix, runs from Sept. 15 to Nov. 18 and is designed for ages 8 to 12. Students explore songs, characters and moments inspired by contemporary musical theater through acting, choreography and ensemble work. This is a strong arts-education listing because readers can register for a multiweek program rather than simply attend a show. mccarter.org *** Contemporary Art Classes.

The Center for Contemporary Art has opened registration for its fall 2026 education lineup, with classes and workshops for children and adults. Offerings include ceramics, painting, drawing, multimedia and hands-on workshops for different experience levels.

The center emphasizes both full-length classes and shorter workshops, making the program suitable for beginners who want to try something new as well as experienced artists looking to develop specific skills. This is a detailed class-registration item with a strong image option. The attached class photo also makes it one of the better visual candidates if the section needs art tied directly to an active registration opportunity. ccabedminster.org *** Works in Wood Entries. New Hope Arts is accepting entries for Works in Wood 2026. The call is for original artwork that incorporates wood as a central material, with a listed submission deadline of Sunday, Oct. 11, at 11:59 p.m.

This is a strong farther-out call for artists and makers because it gives woodworkers, sculptors, furniture makers and mixed-media artists time to review requirements, prepare images and submit work. Use this as an Arts & Creativity application item. newhopearts.org *** Arts Council Artist Opportunities. The Arts Council of Princeton has an artist opportunities page for local and regional artists looking for calls for art, mural opportunities, exhibition proposals and related ways to participate.

Current opportunities include a window to propose a show for the Arts Council’s 2028 season and information on public art and artist programs. This can work as an umbrella On Ramp item for artists, especially if you want one listing that points readers to several active and future calls rather than a single event. It is also useful as a resource for artists who check opportunities regularly and may not fit one specific call this week. artscouncilofprinceton.org *** Princeton Porchfest Wait-

list. Princeton Porchfest is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 6 p.m. The Arts Council of Princeton says interested musicians can join a performer waitlist for consideration if additional slots open. Because the event was rescheduled from April, priority may go to previously scheduled performers, so this should be framed carefully as a waitlist opportunity rather than a fully open call. It is still useful for musicians who want to be considered for the downtown porch-based music event. artscouncilofprinceton.org *** Allentown Porch Fest Participants. The Allentown Village Initiative will host its first Porch Fest on Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 4 p.m. along Main Street in Allentown. Local musicians and artists are still being sought to participate. The free event will feature performances and art on downtown porches, information about the history of participating homes, maps and schedules at a welcome table, and self-guided walking tours highlighting architecture, historic cemeteries and Allentown’s role in the Underground Railroad. Interested artists and performers can contact

Martha Ploshay at 609-529-4524 or ploshay@juno.com. allentownvinj.org *** Chili Cook-Off Entries. The Arts Council of Princeton will hold the Princeton Community Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, Oct. 11, from noon to 3 p.m. The event is a good On Ramp item if cooks can still enter because it invites participation from home cooks and professional chefs rather than simply asking readers to attend. The farther-out date gives teams time to plan recipes, gather ingredients and register. Use under Arts & Creativity or Learning & Lifestyle, depending on the balance of the section. artscouncilofprinceton. org *** Tomato Patch Jr.. Tomato Patch at Mercer County Community College is taking registration for Fall 2026 Tomato Patch Jr. The youth performing arts program gives young performers a structured way to build confidence, explore theater and develop creative skills during the school year.

This is a good Youth & Family arts-registration item, especially for parents looking for an afterschool or weekend arts program connected to the MCCC/Kelsey

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Theatre environment. tomatopatch.mccc.edu *** Kelsey Theatre Volunteers.

Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College also offers volunteer opportunities connected to its community theater companies and productions.

Needs vary by company and production, but theater volunteers can often help behind the scenes, with front-of-house work or in other production-support roles.

This is a useful ongoing item if you want a theater participation opportunity that is not limited to actors or singers. kelsey.mccc. edu

Community Connections Literacy Tutor Training. Literacy NJ’s Mercer programs are holding volunteer tutor training sessions in August and September. The organization is looking for volunteers who can help adults improve literacy and language skills. This is a strong Community Connections item because it gives readers a way to train for an ongoContinued on following page

Friday, October 16 • 10 am - 2 pm

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On Ramp Continued from preceding page

ing service role rather than attend a one-time program. Suggested for adults who want a structured volunteer opportunity with direct community impact. Because literacy tutoring usually involves training and an ongoing commitment, readers benefit from seeing this before the next round of sessions fills or begins. literacynj.org *** PLC Volunteers. Princeton Learning Cooperative is looking for adults willing to share their time and talents with teens. Volunteers may tutor, lead a small class, offer a workshop or share expertise in a subject they care about. PLC describes itself as an alternative to school for teens and emphasizes interest-driven learning, mentoring and realworld connections. This is a good ongoing volunteer item for readers with professional, artistic, academic, technical or life skills they want to share. princetonlearningcooperative.org *** VITA Tax Volunteers. United Way of Greater Mercer County is seeking volunteers for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. VITA volunteers help provide free tax preparation for individuals and families who meet income guidelines, and opportunities include greeters, tax preparers and translators. The United Way opportunity board lists ongoing roles at sites including the Salvation Army Trenton Citadel and Hamilton Free Public Library.

This is a practical volunteer item with a clear community benefit. It also works well as a forward-looking fall and winter service item because volunteers can prepare before tax season begins. uwgmc. org *** CMAP Volunteer Fair. Center for Modern Aging Princeton will hold a Third Act Volunteer Engagement Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

The program is tied to the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance and is designed to help adults find volunteer opportunities that match their interests, skills and passions. This is a strong On Ramp item because it connects readers with multiple ways to get involved rather

Piano Jam opens Richardson’s Steinway to all

For generations, some of the world’s leading pianists have taken a seat at the Steinway grand piano in Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University.

On Sunday, Sept. 27, Princeton University Concerts will give local piano players a chance to do the same.

PUC will hold its first Community Piano Jam from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall, inviting pianists of all ages and experience levels to perform a short piece of their choosing on the auditorium’s Steinway.

Participation is free, but advance registration is required. Because space is limited, performers will be selected by lottery.

The event marks the first Piano Jam in Princeton University Concerts’ 133-year history and coincides with the launch of its new Pianists in Recital series.

The idea is a variation on PUC’s annual Chamber Jam, which brings amateur musicians together with professional performers for an informal community music-making experience.

Rather than presenting a formal recital, the Piano Jam is designed to give players an opportunity to experience one of Princeton’s best-known concert spaces while sharing music with other pianists and listeners.

“Every year, the Chamber Jam reminds us what music is really about,” PUC Director Marna Seltzer said, “with amateurs and professionals side by side, playing for the pure joy of it.”

Seltzer said turning the concept over to pianists was a natural way to celebrate the new recital series.

“This year we’re celebrating that spirit in a new way — for the first time, the piano takes center stage, as we launch our 26/27 season and our brand new Pianists in Recital series,” she said.

The setting adds another dimension.

Richardson Auditorium has hosted many than promoting a single event. It is especially useful for retirees, empty nesters and other adults looking for service opportunities that match their schedules and experience. cmaprinceton.org *** NAMI Mercer Registration.

NAMI Mercer has opened registration for its 18th annual Harvest of Hope. The nonprofit mental health organization lists Landon Donovan, former United States Men’s National Soccer Team and Major League Soccer player and mental health advocate, as this year’s special guest. This is more fundraiser than class, but it fits On

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of the most prominent pianists of recent decades, including Jonathan Biss, Hélène Grimaud, Murray Perahia, Víkingur Ólafsson, Igor Levit, Paul Lewis and Mitsuko Uchida.

“What better place to do it than Richardson Auditorium, where some of the world’s greatest pianists … have played?” Seltzer said. “We look forward to opening our doors and sharing our exceptional piano with pianists of every age and ability.”

Players do not have to be conservatory students, professionals or even particularly advanced. PUC says the event is open to pianists of all ages and experience levels, and selections can come from any musical genre.

The emphasis is on participation rather than competition.

Throughout the day, professional pianists also will make appearances, including PUC artist Gregg Kallor, pianist Clayton Stephenson and Princeton University Department of Music performance faculty members Margaret Kampmeier and Francine Kay. The event builds on a community-music tradition PUC has developed through its Chamber Jam.

Ramp when framed as a way for readers to register and support local mental health education, advocacy and family programs. namimercer.org *** NAMI Youth Webinar. NAMI New Jersey is offering a free webinar on youth mental health through its Ending the Silence program. The presentation is designed to help families and community members talk about youth mental health and understand warning signs, support strategies and available resources. Use this if you need a Health & Wellness item with a practical education angle. The webinar format also makes it accessible for parents, caregivers, educators and community members who may not be able to attend an in-person program. Verify the final date and registration link before publication. naminj.org *** Forest Grove Preservation.

A Bucks County group is organizing around the preservation of Forest Grove, a small historic village with a local committee seeking public attention and support.

This should be used only if the final release includes a specific action step, such as attending a meeting, signing up for updates, volunteering or supporting preservation work. It is not as clean an On Ramp item as a class or application, but it may work as a civic-participation item if the call to action is clear. forestgrovehistory. org

Youth & Family 360 NASSAU ST. • PRINCETON WHOLEEARTHCENTER.COM

L O C A L LY O W N E D • I N D E P E N D E N T

Preserve @ Play. Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve will hold Preserve @ Play on Saturday, Sept. 26. The family-focused program invites children, parents, grandparents, neighbors, class-

Past editions have brought amateur musicians together with members of the Berlin Philharmonic under conductor Gustavo Dudamel, Chicago Symphony Winds, the East Coast Chamber Orchestra, Escher String Quartet, St. Lawrence String Quartet, Takács String Quartet, Tenebrae Choir and Chanticleer Vocal Ensemble.

The Piano Jam extends that philosophy to an instrument that can sometimes be an unusually solitary one. Unlike orchestral and chamber musicians, pianists often practice and perform alone. The Sept. 27 event is intended to turn that individual experience into a shared one.

Audience members also can participate simply by listening.

No ticket or registration is required for spectators, and visitors can drop into Richardson Auditorium throughout the day to hear the rotating group of community musicians and professional guests.

The Piano Jam also reflects a larger effort

by Princeton University Concerts to create ways for audiences to engage with music beyond traditional concerts.

Community offerings during the season include free Live Music Meditations, documentary screenings at the Princeton Garden Theatre, book discussions in partnership with Princeton Public Library and Do-ReMeet social gatherings for music lovers.

For the Piano Jam, however, the invitation is particularly simple: sit down and play.

The Princeton University Concerts Community Piano Jam will be held Sunday, Sept.

27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall on the Princeton University campus.

Participation is free, but pianists must register in advance and will be selected by lottery. Audience admission is free and does not require registration.

For more information go to puc.princeton. edu.

mates and friends to spend time outdoors at the preserve. This is a good Youth & Family registration item because it gives families a specific fall nature program to plan around, and it is far enough out to be useful beyond the immediate issue window. The preserve setting also gives the listing a strong visual possibility for family or nature photography. bhwp.org *** Trail & Treat. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail will host Trail & Treat on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Village Park in Lawrence Township. The annual family bike event celebrates Halloween with costumes, a ride and treats along the trail. It is aimed especially at families with children ages 12 and under. This is a strong farther-out Youth & Family registration item because readers need time to plan costumes, bikes and family participation. The event also has strong photo potential because of the Halloween theme, families on bikes and the Lawrence Hopewell Trail setting. lhtrail.org *** Young Patriots Day. Princeton Battlefield Society will hold Young Patriots Day on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Princeton Battlefield State Park. The program is more event-like than a call for entries, but it can work as a Youth & Family On Ramp item if framed around children and families participating in hands-on history and America’s 250th-related activities.

It also has a flyer image available.

Use if the section needs a family learning item close to mid-September. pbs1777.org *** Fall Art Camp. West Windsor Arts has a Fall Break Multi Arts Camp listed for Thursday, Nov. 5, and Friday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The camp is geared toward

children ages 6 to 12 and gives families a creative option when schools are closed. Because it is farther out, this does not need top placement in the Sept. 2 issue, but it is useful as a forward-looking Youth & Family registration item. westwindsorarts.org

Learning & Lifestyle

Morven September Programs. Morven Museum & Garden has September programs tied to its fall schedule, including docent-led tours connected to its America’s 250th exhibition, Five Independent Souls. This is not as directly participatory as an audition or application, but it can work under Learning & Lifestyle when framed as registration for guided museum programming. It should get less space than the auditions and calls for entries, but it is useful if the section needs a humanities or history item. Morven also provided an Afternoon Tea image, making it a possible art/photo candidate if a listing is used. morven.org *** MCCC Fall Registration.

Mercer County Community College has registration open for Fall Semester 2026 credit classes.

This is a broad education item rather than a narrow event, but it a& Lifestyle or Business & Career listing for readers considering a degree program, career change, transfer credits, professional training or personal enrichment.

Because fall registration is a general opportunity rather than a single program, it should remain concise but still explain the types of readers who may benefit. Suggested for use only if the section needs a general local education opportunity. mccc.edu

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DAY-BY-DAY EVENTS, SEPTEMBER 2 TO SEPTEMBER TK Thursday September 3

Event Listings: E-mail events@princetoninfo.com The following listings are a selection of events taking place in our area. Details below were believed to be accurate at time of publication. We always recommend that you confirm all necessary details when planning to attend an event. To include your event in this section email events@princetoninfo.com.

On Stage Rent, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pa. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical follows a group of young artists in New York’s East Village navigating friendship, love, loss and creativity. 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant at Peddler’s Village, 1671 Route 263, Lahaska, Pa. Immersive comedy dinner theater turns the audience into wedding guests at an over-the-top Italian American celebration. Buffet dinner is included. $109. 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday September 2 On Stage

Music

Rent, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pa. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical follows a group of young artists in New York’s East Village navigating friendship, love, loss and creativity. 1:30 p.m.

Sun Ra Arkestra, McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton.

The legendary experimental jazz ensemble, founded by visionary bandleader Sun Ra and long led by saxophonist Marshall Allen, brings its blend of big-band jazz, free improvisation, Afrofuturism and theatrical performance to Princeton.

7:30 p.m.

Art Jersey Art Meetup, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Princeton Comic Makers hosts a weekly social gathering for illustrators, animators, writers and other creatives to draw, write, develop projects, exchange feedback and meet collaborators. 7 to 9 p.m.

Uncorked Thursdays: On The Fly, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, Pa. Live music with wine, local beer, cocktails and food available. No cover. 6 to 9 p.m.

Just Jeff, Red Fox Lounge at Peddler’s Village, 2400 Street Road, New Hope, Pa. Live local music in the lounge. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Books Preparing Your Digital Legacy, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. David Lam leads a class on taking an inventory of digital accounts, website and subscription access, passwords and security so a designated person can gain access in an emergency.

1 to 2:30 p.m.

Kids & Teens Family Yoga Demonstration Class, Mercer County Library System, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. Motherhood and Movement leads a family class with a dance party, nursery-rhyme movement, breathing exercises and simplified yoga.

Caregiver participation is encouraged.

Bring mats or towels. Registration is requested. Check website for time.

Adult Craft: Painted Glasses, Mercer County Library System, Twin Rivers Branch, 276 Abbington Drive, East Windsor. Participants paint and personalize a glass to take home. Materials provided.

Registration is required. Check website for time.

Kids’ Concert with Miss Kim, Mercer County Library System, Hightstown Memorial Branch, 114 Franklin Street, Hightstown. Miss Kim performs original and classic children’s songs for children from birth through age 7 and their care-

Wedding Crashers

Audience members become wedding guests during “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding,” an comedy dinner theater experience at the Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, Pa. Performances on Thursday, Sept. 3 to Sunday, Sept. 6.

Art Nassau Street Sampler, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton.

The 17th annual community kickoff fills the museum with local food, live music and dance, art-making and activities throughout the new museum building.

Free and open to the public. 5 to 8 p.m.

Museums givers. Registration is requested. 10 to 10:30 a.m.

Discovery Time, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor.

Early-literacy and discovery activities for young children. 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Drop-in Discovery Play, Mercer County Library System, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. Open-ended play and discovery activities for young children. 4 to 5 p.m.

Paper Airplanes, Mercer County Library System, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction.

Children create, decorate and test paper airplanes. 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.

Storytime, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Interactive stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and movement for children ages 2 and

older with caregivers. 10:30 a.m.

Baby Storytime, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton.

Books, songs and rhymes for babies and toddlers from birth through 24 months with caregivers. 11:30 a.m.

Community CASA Information Session, Mercer County Library System, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. Learn how Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers support children in foster care and what is involved in becoming an advocate. Check website for time.

Current Events Chat, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor.

Informal group discussion of news and current events. 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Health Evening Yoga in the Garden, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Gratitude Yoga leads an all-levels Vinyasa class in Morven’s historic gardens. The donation-based session moves into the Stockton Education Center in case of rain or excessive heat. 6 to 7 p.m.

Food & Drink Tapas y Vino, Mediterra, 29 Hulfish Street, Princeton. Spanish-inspired small plates are paired with wines. 6 to 8 p.m.

Princeton University Farmers Market, Firestone Library Plaza, Princeton University, Princeton. Fall market features local farm and food vendors, prepared foods and artisan producers. Free and open to the public. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wormholes, Warp Drives, UFOs and Congress, Mercer County Library System, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. Physicist and author Tony Rothman examines congressional UAP hearings alongside the science of wormholes, warp drives and other speculative concepts, with video clips and discussion. For high school students and adults. Registration is requested. 6 to 8 p.m.

Kids & Teens Storytime in the Park, Woodlot Park, South Brunswick. South Brunswick Public Library takes storytime outdoors for stories and activities in one of the township parks. 10 a.m.

Celebrating Dorothy Maynor, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Continued on following page

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September 3 Continued from preceding page

Street, Princeton. Intergenerational birthday celebration honoring acclaimed soprano and former Princeton resident Dorothy Maynor, with a brief presentation by musicologist Monica Hershberger, historic photographs, birthday cake and a craft. All ages are welcome. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Baby Time, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Stories, songs and activities for babies and caregivers. 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Crafternoon: Paper Bag Owl, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Children make a paper-bag owl craft. 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Baby Storytime, Mercer County Library System, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction.

Stories, songs and rhymes for babies and caregivers. 10 to 10:30 a.m.

Playdate Pals, Mercer County Library System, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction.

Social play session for young children and caregivers. 11 a.m. to noon.

Drop-in Discovery Play, Mercer County Library System, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction. Open-ended discovery and play activities for children. 4 to 5 p.m.

Drop-in Craft, Mercer County Library System, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction.

Drop-in craft activity; materials are supplied. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Storytime, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Interactive stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and movement for children ages 2 and older with caregivers. 10:30 a.m.

Baby Storytime, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton.

Books, songs and rhymes for babies and toddlers from birth through 24 months with caregivers. 11:30 a.m.

Business September Membership Luncheon featuring Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, Princeton Marriott at Forrestal, 100 College Road East, Princeton.

Caldwell, New Jersey’s lieutenant governor and secretary of state, discusses the Sherrill administration’s priorities for economic growth, business support, affordability and civic engagement. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Community Arm In Arm Mobile Food Pantry, Hamilton Township Public Library, 1 Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Way, Hamilton.

Mobile food pantry for people facing food insecurity. No preregistration is required; Arm In Arm and library staff register participants on arrival. 2 to 4 p.m.

The OnStage Seniors Open Auditions, Center for Modern Aging Princeton, Princeton. Open auditions for the senior performance ensemble, which develops original theater pieces based on participants’ experiences. 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Crochet & Knit Corner, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Bring a current crochet or knitting project and work alongside other crafters. 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Chess for Adults, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor.

Casual chess session for adults. 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Play Mah Jongg, Mercer County Library System, West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction.

Play American mah-jongg using current

National Mah Jongg League rules and cards. Space is limited. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

ner is included. $109. 2 and 7 p.m.

The Cher Show, Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179, Lambertville.

The jukebox musical traces Cher’s life and career through three versions of the performer at different stages of her life, using hits from her six-decade catalog. 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Dorothy Maynor in Princeton and Beyond, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Musicologist Monica Hershberger discusses research for her biography of African American soprano Dorothy Maynor, including Maynor’s Princeton connections and her work as founder of the Harlem School of the Arts. Registration is requested. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Music Charles Laurita & The Mischief, Palmer Square Green, Princeton. Opening performance in Palmer Square’s fall music series. Bring a chair or blanket for outdoor seating on the Green. 1 to 3 p.m.

Food & Drink Sip & Scoop Wine & Gelato Pairing, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, Pa. Guided tasting pairs handcrafted gelato with selected wines. $40. 7 p.m.

On The Fly, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, Pa. Weekend live music at the winery. 2 to 6 p.m.

Princeton Farmers Market, Hinds Plaza, Princeton. Weekly market features local produce, prepared foods and other goods from area farmers and small businesses. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Little Red Rooster Blues Band, Bucks County Brewery, 31 Appletree Lane, Pipersville, Pa. Live blues at the brewery. Smokey Bandit BBQ is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Rodrigo Bonelli Trio, Triumph Brewing Company, 20 Palmer Square East, Princeton. Brazilian-American jazz drummer, composer and educator Rodrigo Bonelli leads a trio drawing on jazz and Brazilian traditions. 6 to 9 p.m.

Friday September 4 On Stage Cirque Italia Water Circus, Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrenceville. Touring circus production under a big top with aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, juggling, balancing acts and a signature water stage. Check venue for performance time. Check website for time.

Rent, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pa. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical follows a group of young artists in New York’s East Village navigating friendship, love, loss and creativity. 7:30 p.m.

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant at Peddler’s Village, 1671 Route 263, Lahaska, Pa. Immersive comedy dinner theater turns the audience into wedding guests at an over-the-top Italian American celebration. Buffet dinner is included. $109. 7 to 9:30 p.m.

The Cher Show, Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179, Lambertville.

The jukebox musical traces Cher’s life and career through three versions of the performer at different stages of her life, using hits from her six-decade catalog.

7:30 p.m.

Music Nat Adderley Jr. Trio, South Brunswick Arts Commission Jazz Cafe, South Brunswick Municipal Complex Senior Center, 540 Route 522, Monmouth Junction. Pianist, arranger and longtime Luther Vandross musical director Nat Adderley Jr. opens the Jazz Cafe series with his trio. Admission is $6 at the door and includes light refreshments. 8 to 10 p.m.

Steve Hiltner Duo, Triumph Brewing Company, 20 Palmer Square East, Princeton. Live music at the brewpub. 6 to 9 p.m.

The Men of Soul, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. Outdoor performance in the shopping center’s summer concert series. 6 to 8 p.m.

Sister Blue, Bucks County Brewery, 31 Appletree Lane, Pipersville, Pa. Live music at the brewery, with Empanada Casa scheduled to serve food from 4 to 8 p.m.

6 to 8 p.m.

Cinema Improv with Dave Butler and Friends, Hopewell Valley Stage, Hopewell. Drummer and producer Dave Butler leads a rotating group of musicians who create an improvised live soundtrack while the audience watches a film. The performance combines cinema, groove, improvisation and spontaneous composition. 7:30 p.m.

Mei Semones, McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Mei

Artist Jaleel Campbell opens ‘Common Threads’ at Princeton Day School on Friday, Sept. 4. The exhibition features handmade dolls, illustrations and other works and remains on view through Dec. 1.

Semones blends jazz harmony, intricate guitar work and indie-pop songwriting, drawing on both English and Japanese lyrics. 7:30 p.m.

Art Jaleel Campbell: Common Threads Opening Reception, Princeton Day School, 650 Great Road, Princeton.

Opening reception for an exhibition bringing together Campbell’s illustration, textiles, sculpture and storytelling. The show includes hand-sewn Jalethals dolls and work exploring memory, childhood, Black queer identity, family lineage, cultural expectations and creativity across a lifetime. 5 to 7 p.m.

Invisible Forces, Artworks Trenton, 19 Everett Alley, Trenton. Final day of Kate Graves’ exhibition exploring unseen physical, emotional and social forces through contemporary art. Gallery open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Accordion Photobook Workshop, Princeton University Art Museum, Laporte Family Creativity Lab, Princeton.

Local artist Christina Freeman demonstrates how to create an accordion-style photobook inspired by Ed Ruscha’s Every Building on the Sunset Strip. Materials are provided. Open to ages 14 and older. $10; registration is required. 3 to 4, 4:30 to 5:30 and 6 to 7 p.m.

Museums $5 After 5 Fridays, Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton.

Evening admission to the sculpture park and galleries is $5 after 5 p.m. 5 to 9 p.m.

Pop-Up Talk: Curator Veronica White, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton. Curator Veronica White gives a focused gallery talk on works in the museum’s collection. 2 to 3 p.m.

Collections Highlights Tour, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton.

Guided introduction to selected works and themes across the museum’s collections. 6 to 7 p.m.

Kids & Teens Play-Doh Challenge, Mercer County Library System, Hollowbrook Branch, 320 Hollowbrook Drive, Ewing. Children ages 5 to 9 race the clock to create objects from Play-Doh based on challenge cards. Registration is required. Check

website for time.

First Friday Farm Fun, Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville. Special hands-on farm program at the working dairy farm. Check website for program details. 1:30 to 5 p.m.

Food & Drink Blue Moon Acres Farm Market, 11 Willow Creek Drive, Pennington. Farm market features certified organic produce, microgreens and rice from Blue Moon Acres, along with meats, cheeses, ice cream and other locally produced foods. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Outdoors Free Admission Day, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New Hope, Pa. Visitors receive free admission to explore the preserve’s trails and seasonal native-plant displays.

Check website for time.

Sports Men’s Soccer: Princeton vs. James Madison, Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium, Princeton University, Princeton.

Princeton opens its home schedule against James Madison. 7 p.m.

Saturday September 5 On Stage Cirque Italia Water Circus, Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrenceville. Touring circus production features aerialists, acrobats, juggling, balancing acts, contortion and a water stage. 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Rent, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pa. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical follows a group of young artists in New York’s East Village navigating friendship, love, loss and creativity. 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant at Peddler’s Village, 1671 Route 263, Lahaska, Pa. Immersive comedy dinner theater turns the audience into wedding guests at an over-the-top Italian American celebration. Buffet din-

Gavin Skinner, Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Live winery music in the orchard, with wine by the glass and tasting flights available. Noon to 5 p.m.

Art Fall Art Show: Farm Animals, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Opening day of Terhune’s fifth annual fall art exhibition featuring works inspired by farm animals. The show continues through Dec. 6. Check website for time.

Open Studio, Princeton University Art Museum, 136 Creativity Lab, Princeton. Drop in for art-making activities inspired by works from the museum’s collections and special exhibitions. Materials provided. 1 p.m.

Museums Abstractions of Nature: Quarries and Industry in Pennsylvania Impressionism, James A. Michener Art Museum, 138 South Pine Street, Doylestown, Pa. Opening day for an exhibition examining a less familiar side of Pennsylvania Impressionism. Rather than focusing solely on pastoral Bucks County landscapes, the show explores artists’ fascination with quarries, factories and industrial subjects and how they transformed those settings through light, color and abstraction. Check website for time.

Collections Highlights Tour, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton.

Guided introduction to selected works and themes across the museum’s collections. 11 a.m. to noon.

Clay Has Memory: Creative Lineages from Africa Tour, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton. Guided tour of the special exhibition examining clay traditions, artistic inheritance and creative lineages connected to Africa. 3 to 4 p.m.

Kids & Teens Art for Families: Sculpture Forms, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton. Families experiment with sculpture techniques inspired by George Segal’s use of plaster bandages and create forms through hands-on work in the museum’s Creativity Labs. 10 a.m.

Mozzarella Stretch for Families, Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville. Families stretch mozzarella from curd, taste fresh mozzarella and aged Cherry Grove cheeses, and take home what they make. Noon to 1 p.m.

Festivals Sunflower Festival, Bellemont Farm.

Sunflower fields, pick-your-own flowers, games and activities, food trucks, craft

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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7

Live music finds a home underground

By Jenna Rittman

On a show night, an ordinary basement in Mercer County can become a concert venue, packed with young music fans standing just a few feet from the bands while guitars, drums and vocals fill the room.

For the musicians and fans who make up the local basement-show scene, that intimacy is part of the appeal. The shows offer inexpensive live music, give local bands a place to perform and create a community away from traditional concert venues.

With roots in the punk rock and hardcore punk scenes, basement shows, also known as house shows, are typically held in someone’s basement or home. These venues tend to pop up in college towns, including those around TCNJ, Rutgers and Rowan, and attract a younger audience.

The basement-show tradition has deep roots in New Jersey, particularly in New Brunswick, where an underground music scene has developed around Rutgers University over several decades.

House venues have provided stages for punk, indie, emo and other local bands, often giving young musicians a place to perform outside traditional clubs.

Rutgers University maintains an archive documenting New Brunswick’s rock music scene dating to 1981.

Kie Antone, vocalist and guitarist for Polyester Hall and operator of the Mercer County basement venue The Yacht Club, says a lot of planning goes into running a basement venue.

“I have to have bands picked out and posters made two weeks prior to a show, and anything can happen within that time period,” Antone says. “I’ve had

Polyester Hall performing at ‘The Boathouse’ basement venue in February. (Photo by Jenna Rittman.) bands drop the day before, and I got lucky with a fill-in.”

Fans typically hear about shows through Instagram or word of mouth.

Four to six bands are typically on the lineup for a basement show, and the $10 cover fee is cheaper than the price of a typical concert. The money goes back to the local bands.

“Almost all of the money goes to the bands,” Antone says. “I personally take a small cut of it just to help with rent, but other than that it gets split evenly among the bands. In a way I say that helps support future shows.”

Although basement shows have roots in punk rock and hardcore punk, those are not the only genres found at the shows.

vendors and a beer garden. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Food & Drink West Windsor Community Farmers Market, 877 Alexander Road, Princeton Junction. Seasonal produce, grains, meats, dairy, flowers, honey, mushrooms, baked goods and prepared breakfast and lunch from regional farms and food producers. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pennington Farmers Market, Rosedale Mills, Pennington. Growers and producers from within about 50 miles sell directly to the public, with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture and Hopewell Valley’s local food community. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Blue Moon Acres Farm Market, 11 Willow Creek Drive, Pennington. Certified organic produce, microgreens, rice and locally produced meats, cheeses, ice cream and pantry goods. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Outdoors FOPOS Fall Bird Walk, Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, Princeton. Expert birder Winnie Hughes Spar leads a guided walk to identify Princeton-area birds and discuss their behavior.

Bring binoculars and water and wear footwear suitable for potentially muddy trails. 8 to 10 a.m.

Saturday Canal Walk, Turning Basin Park, Alexander Road, Princeton. Free three-mile walk along the Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath. 10 a.m.

Sunday September 6 On Stage Cirque Italia Water Circus, Quaker Bridge Mall,

Other genres include surf rock, Midwest emo, shoegaze and more.

Some Mercer County basement venues, including The Construction Zone and The Boathouse, which Antone used to run, have themes for their shows and encourage people to dress up in costumes. Their first themed show was Family Guy, and it ended up being their most successful show ever.

“After the first one, making themed shows made it more of an event, something to look forward to,” Antone says. “I’ve seen so many amazing costumes it makes it all worth it, and as someone who likes to dress up it’s just a great time.”

Regulars also help create the atmosphere that distinguishes

Lawrenceville. Touring circus production features aerialists, acrobats, juggling, balancing acts, contortion and a water stage. 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Rent, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pa. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical follows a group of young artists in New York’s East Village navigating friendship, love, loss and creativity. The matinee is an ASL-interpreted performance. 1:30 p.m.

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant at Peddler’s Village, 1671 Route 263, Lahaska, Pa. Immersive comedy dinner theater turns the audience into wedding guests at an over-the-top Italian American celebration. Buffet dinner is included. $109. 2 to 4:30 p.m.

The Cher Show, Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179, Lambertville. The jukebox musical traces Cher’s life and career through three versions of the performer at different stages of her life, using hits from her six-decade catalog. 3 p.m.

Music Princeton University Carillon Concert, Graduate College, Princeton University, Princeton. Anton Fleissner performs on the Graduate College carillon.

Audiences listen from the lawn, rain or shine. Free.

1 p.m.

Michael Patrick, Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Live winery music in the orchard. Noon to 5 p.m.

Rodney Wright, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, Pa. Live music at the winery. 2 to 6 p.m.

Museums Ellarslie Open 43 Closing Day, Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion, Cadwalader Park,

basement shows from traditional concerts.

“There are a lot of people who come out to the shows regularly, and those people tend to always have fun no matter what,” Antone says. “That being said, sometimes you can tell when it’s a person’s first basement show, and all you can do is really hope that everyone is being respectful and that they’re enjoying themselves.”

Because the shows take place in residential areas, noise can sometimes draw attention from neighbors or police. Ewing police have not had many issues with basement shows, according to Ewing Police Chief Albert Rhodes.

“I personally have gotten pretty lucky, I’ve had some cool

Trenton. Final day of the annual juried Ellarslie Open exhibition. Visitors can see the show and vote for their favorite work before the Trenton Museum Society Purchase Award and People’s Choice Award are announced at 3 p.m.

Collections Highlights Tour, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton. Guided introduction to selected works and themes across the museum’s collections. 1 to 2 p.m.

Takeda Hideo’s Genpei: Defying Authority Tour, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton.

Guided tour of the special exhibition devoted to Japanese artist Takeda Hideo’s irreverent reinterpretation of the medieval Genpei War. 3 to 4 p.m.

Festivals Sunflower Festival, Bellemont Farm. Sunflower fields, pick-your-own flowers, games and activities, food trucks, craft vendors and a beer garden. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Food & Drink Outstanding in the Field Dinner, Cherry Grove Farm, 3200 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville. Outstanding in the Field sets its signature long table directly on the preserved dairy farm for a special farm dinner. Guest chef Eli Collins of a.kitchen collaborates with Cherry Grove farmers Oliver Hamill, Andrew Insua and Tish Streeten and head cheesemaker Paul Lawler. Cherry Grove operates nearly 500 acres of preserved farmland and produces award-winning farmstead cheeses from its grass-fed dairy herd.

Tickets are $390. 3 to about 7:45 p.m.

Sunday Supper at Northridge Restaurant, Executive chef Lance Knowling serves a rustic supper inspired by his Midwestern upbringing on a property surrounded by roughly 300 acres of farmland. 4 to 7 p.m.

neighbors and I’ve been able to have some shows run a bit later than ten,” Antone says. “Sometimes they even show up to listen to the bands, and that’s also really cool!”

Beyond giving audiences a chance to discover local bands, basement shows provide musicians with a place to perform and be heard. Some bands even debut music for the first time at a basement show.

That sense of community is a hallmark of DIY music scenes elsewhere as well. House-show networks often rely on musicians and fans supporting one another by attending shows, sharing new music and helping performers find places to play.

“In addition to that, it also gives them a third space to be and really be heard,” Antone says. “Expression is important, especially for performers and a lot of times venues turn them down.”

Antone’s surf rock band, Polyester Hall, have performed at a handful of basement shows, and have experienced the benefits of these shows firsthand.

“Being able to play at those shows gives us an opportunity to reach new audiences,” Antone says. “We definitely get more streams on nights that we do shows, but more than anything we just love playing with our friends! If we get more fans or anything with that, that’s just a plus.”

Antone hopes that basement shows become more popular in the future, especially in Mercer County.

“There are two that have popped up since the end of The Boathouse, and I hope even more show up,” Antone says. “I also hope they all flourish. It’s so great to have a place to play and listen to music and not have to spend an arm and a leg to do it.”

Outdoors Beat the Heat Summer Naturalist Walk, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New Hope, Pa. A preserve naturalist leads a morning walk highlighting late-summer flowers and the wildlife they support. 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Monday September 7 On Stage Cirque Italia Water Circus, Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrenceville. Final Labor Day performance of the touring water circus production. 7:30 p.m.

Music Andrew Lobby, Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Live Labor Day music at the winery. Wine tasting flights and glasses available. Noon to 5 p.m.

Museums Collections Highlights Tour, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton. Labor Day guided introduction to selected works from the museum’s collections. 11 a.m. to noon.

Photography as a Way of Life: Final Day, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton. Final day of the exhibition examining photographers Minor White, Aaron Siskind and Harry Callahan and their influence as artists, teachers and thinkers in mid-20th-century American photography. Check Continued on following page

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

September 7 Continued from page 6

website for time.

Outdoors Labor Day Planting Party, Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands. Volunteer outdoor planting event. 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Tuesday September 8 Rent, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pa. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical follows a group of young artists in New York’s East Village navigating friendship, love, loss and creativity. 7:30 p.m.

Pop-Up Choir Princeton, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Community singing event in which participants come together to learn and perform a song in a single evening. 7 to 8 p.m.

Books Carolyn Forche in Conversation with Patricia Smith, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton.

Forche launches Otherwhere: New and Selected Poems, a collection spanning five decades of her work, in conversation with award-winning poet Patricia Smith.

6 p.m.

Kids & Teens Read & Pick: Potatoes, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton.

forms Jamaican jazz with Grammy-winning bandmates in the Friends Theatre.

Advance registration is recommended to guarantee seating. 7 p.m.

Storytime, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Stories and early-literacy activities for children.

10:30 to 11 a.m.

Art Open Studio, Princeton University Art Museum, 136 Creativity Lab, Princeton. Drop-in art-making activities rooted in discovery and inspired by works in the museum’s collections and special exhibitions. Materials provided. 1 p.m.

Chess Club, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Chess session for young players. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Jersey Art Meetup, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Weekly gathering for illustrators, animators, writers and other creatives to work, exchange feedback and connect with collaborators. 7 to 9 p.m.

Business

On Stage

Music

Children hear a story about potatoes, learn how the crop grows and participate in a hands-on picking activity. $12. 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon.

JobSeekers, online. Networking and support meeting for professionals in transition. Virtual meeting links available through the organization. 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Community 9/11 @ 25: Legacy, Lessons, and the Future of National Security, Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, Robertson Hall, Princeton University, Princeton. Pulitzer Prize-winning national security journalist Spencer Ackerman joins Soufan Center executive director Colin Clarke and former State Department counterterrorism coordinator and U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard for a discussion of the quarter-century since the Sept. 11 attacks and their continuing national-security implications. 4:30 p.m.

Historic Local Resources, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Introduction to genealogy and local-history resources including Ancestry, Fold3, HeritageQuest, HeritageHub, the Hightstown Digital Newspaper Archive and Trenton newspaper archives reaching back to the 19th century. Bring a laptop or tablet if possible. 7 to 8 p.m.

Health Sept. 11 25th Anniversary Remem-

Film Marel Hidalgo brings Jamaican jazz to the South Brunswick Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with Grammy-winning bandmates brance Blood Drive, Mercer County Library System, Robbinsville Branch, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road, Robbinsville. New York Blood Center blood drive held to mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11. Donors receive a commemorative T-shirt while supplies last. Registration is required. Noon to 6 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Bilingual support group for caregivers. Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Sports Fall Adult Tennis Clinics Begin, Nassau Tennis Club, Skillman. Opening day of the club’s fall adult clinic session, with programs organized by level and day of the week. Advance registration is required. Check website for time.

Wednesday September 9 On Stage Rent, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pa. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical follows a group of young artists in New York’s East Village navigating friendship, love, loss and creativity. 1:30 p.m.

Music Marel Hidalgo and Jamaican Jazz, South Brunswick Public Library, 110 Kingston Lane, Monmouth Junction. Guitar prodigy Marel Hidalgo, who began performing at age 6 and is now 17, per-

Queen Kelly, Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton. Erich von Stroheim’s famously unfinished silent drama starring Gloria Swanson screens as part of the Garden’s Hollywood Summer Nights series. 7 p.m.

Books Vicky Osterweil in Conversation with Bill Gleason, Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau Street, Princeton. Osterweil discusses The Extended Universe: How Disney Killed the Movies and Took Over the World with Princeton professor Bill Gleason. The book examines Disney’s rise to cultural dominance through its films, theme parks, merchandising, intellectual-property strategy and corporate power. 6 p.m.

Kids & Teens Reading Rebels, Mercer County Library System, Hopewell Branch. Reading program for children. 4:30 p.m.

Discovery Time, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor.

Early-literacy and discovery activities.

HUNGER HUNGER ACTION MONTH SEPTEMBER IS

SEPTEMBER IS

ACTION MONTH

DONATE

VOLUNTEER

ADVOCATE

Nearly 50,000 people in Mercer County are struggling with food insecurity. You can help!

DONATE

VOLUNTEER

ADVOCATE

DONATE | VOLUNTEER | ADVOCATE Visit www.TrentonSoupKitchen.org to learn more.

Nearly 50,000 people in Mercer County are struggling with food insecurity. You can help Nearly 50,000 people in Mercer County are struggling wtih food insecurity. You can help!

Visit www.TrentonSoupKitchen.org to learn more.

Visit www.TrentonSoupKitchen.org to learn more.

NM-00049728

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

10:30 to 11 a.m.

Free Play with mTiny Robots, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Children explore screen-free coding and robotics with mTiny robots.

4:30 to 5:15 p.m.

Family Fun Time, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Family activity session for children and caregivers. 6:30 to 7 p.m.

Business Independent Business Alliance Open Space Breakfast, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, 1600 American Boulevard, Pennington. Interactive networking program in which participants help set the agenda, bring business challenges or discussion topics, move among conversations and exchange advice, referrals and expertise. 8 to 10:30 a.m.

Community McCarter Live at the Library, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. McCarter artistic director Sarah Rasmussen and director of presented programming Paula Abreu give audiences a behind-the-scenes preview of the theater’s coming season. 6 p.m.

The College Connection, Kiwanis Club of Trenton, Leonardo’s II, 2021 U.S. Highway 1, Lawrence.

Harold B. Vereen, president of the Omega Delta Upsilon Foundation, discusses how Trenton students find college opportunities through the HBCU College Fair. RSVP by Tuesday, Sept. 8, to mccormicknj@aol.com. $20 menu lunch, payable at the door. For information, call Mike McCormick at 609208-9991. Noon.

How to Promote Healthy Digital Engagement, Mercer County Library System, Ewing Branch, 61 Scotch Road, Ewing. Danielle Young, director of clinical services at Child Mind Institute, discusses how social media and technology affect children’s development and well-being and offers strategies for healthy boundaries, balance and communication. Registration is required. 2 p.m.

Food & Drink An Evening of Legendary Champagne & Burgundy, The Perch at Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Lane, Princeton. Special wine tasting and dinner event focused on Champagne and Burgundy. 6 p.m.

Princeton University Farmers Market, Firestone Library Plaza, Princeton University, Princeton.

Local farm and food vendors, prepared foods and artisan producers. Free and open to the public. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday September 10 On Stage Julio Torres: Works in Progress, McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton.

Emmy-nominated, Peabody- and WGA-winning writer, director and comedian Julio Torres brings a work-in-progress performance blending surreal comedy, visual design, dream logic and theatrical staging. Torres is known for Los Espookys, Problemista and the HBO special Color Theories. 8 p.m.

Rent, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pa. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical follows a group of young artists in New York’s East Village navigating friendship, love, loss and creativity. 1:30 p.m.

Music 2D, Red Fox Lounge at Peddler’s Village, 2400 Street Road, New Hope, Pa. Live local music in the lounge. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Art Vibrant Views, Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville. Opening day for a landscape exhibition by TingTing Hsu and Michael Schweigart. Hsu draws on places ranging from the D&R Canal to landscapes encountered while traveling, exploring changing light, color and memories attached to place. Schweigart combines memory, plein-air studies and photographs to create atmospheric landscapes with a strong sense of place. Exhibition continues through Oct. 4. Check website for time.

Museums

Princeton and the American Revolution, Historical Society of Princeton. Program in a four-part history series examining Princeton’s role in the American Revolution. 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Takeda Hideo’s Genpei: Defying Authority Tour, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton.

Guided tour of the special exhibition devoted to Takeda Hideo’s satirical reinterpretation of the medieval Genpei War. 6 to 7 p.m.

Books Shatema Threadcraft in Conversation with Reena Goldthree, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Threadcraft presents The Labors of Resurrection: Black Women, Necromancy, and Morrisonian Democracy in conversation with historian Reena Goldthree. 6 p.m.

Kids & Teens Baby Time, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Stories, songs and early-literacy activities for babies and caregivers. 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Storytime, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Interactive stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and movement for children ages 2 and older with caregivers. 10:30 a.m.

Baby Storytime, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Books, songs and rhymes for babies and toddlers from birth through 24 months with caregivers. 11:30 a.m.

Business September Business Before Business Virtual Speed Networking, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, online. Structured onehour virtual networking session for chamber members and prospective members. Free for members; $15 for future members. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Young Professionals Give Back: America’s Grow-A-Row, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce and partner chambers. Young professionals from several chambers spend the first two hours harvesting crops for America’s Grow-A-Row, followed by an hour of networking over hors d’oeuvres. Free registration is required.

5 to 8 p.m.

2026 CMAP Fall Gala, Center for Modern Aging Princeton, Nancy S. Klath Center for Lifelong Learning, 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton. Annual gala celebrating the organization’s legacy, innovation and community impact, beginning with cocktails followed by a plated dinner and program under the tent. $275. 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Crochet & Knit Corner, Mercer County Library System, Hickory Corner Branch, 138 Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor. Bring a current crochet or knitting project and work alongside other crafters.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Health Sept. 11 25th Anniversary Remembrance Blood Drive, Mercer County Library System, Hopewell Branch. New York Blood Center blood drive marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Noon to 6 p.m.

Food & Drink Trivia in the Winery, Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. D.J. Iron Mike hosts a fall trivia night at the winery. 5 to 8 p.m.

Trivia Night: Pop Culture Through the Decades, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, Pa. Teams test their knowledge of music, movies, television and pop culture from multiple decades. 7 p.m.

Princeton Farmers Market, Hinds Plaza, Princeton. Weekly market features local produce, prepared foods and goods from regional farmers and small businesses. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

First Thursday Dinner Series, Princeton Theological Seminary Farminary. Intimate dinner on the seminary’s 21-acre sustainable farm pairing a guest chef with a scholar, artist or activist for a meal and

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conversation. This edition focuses on community stories and climate realities. 6 to 8 p.m.

and light bites are sold on site. $20 in advance, $25 during concert week. 7 to 9 p.m.

Buffalo’s & Bourbon, Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn, Lambertville. Food and drink event centered on bourbon and hearty pairings. 7 to 9 p.m.

Castle Lane, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. Finale of the shopping center’s outdoor summer concert series, with music and a Triumph Brewing pop-up beer garden. 6 to 8 p.m.

Outdoors Talk of the Sourlands: Life of a Bear, The Watershed Institute, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington.

Program on black bear biology, behavior and life in the Sourlands region. 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Sports Women’s Soccer: Princeton vs. Colgate, Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium, Princeton University, Princeton. Home match against Colgate. 7 p.m.

Friday September 11 On Stage Rent, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pa. Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock musical follows a group of young artists in New York’s East Village navigating friendship, love, loss and creativity. 7:30 p.m.

The Cher Show, Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179, Lambertville. The jukebox musical traces Cher’s life and career through three versions of the performer at different stages of her life, using hits from her six-decade catalog. 7:30 p.m.

Music North of Six, Bucks County Brewery, 31 Appletree Lane, Pipersville, Pa. Live music at the brewery. 6 to 9 p.m.

The Fabulous Greaseband, Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, Pa. Finale of the winery’s 2026 Summer Wine & Music Series. The band performs rock ‘n’ roll spanning the 1950s through the 1990s. Guests bring lawn chairs; wine, beer, Crossing Crushies

Community South Brunswick and Sept. 11: 25 Years Later, South Brunswick Public Library, 110 Kingston Lane, Monmouth Junction. Panel discussion and short film examine how South Brunswick municipal leaders responded to the Sept. 11 attacks and recount the experiences of six South Brunswick police officers who went to New York to assist in rescue efforts. Advance registration is recommended. 7 p.m.

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Art Mercer County Photography 2026, Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion, 299 Parkside Avenue, Trenton. Opening day of the biennial juried exhibition of Mercer County photographers, presented in partnership with the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage. Photographer Aubrey J. Kauffman serves as juror. The exhibition continues through Oct. 11. Check website for time.

ACP BYOB: Printed Ceramic Coasters, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Artist-instructor Dave DiMarchi of 9INHANDPRESS combines relief printing and slab-built ceramics in a hands-on workshop. Participants carve, stamp and glaze a pair of coasters, which are fired and available for later pickup. 6:30 p.m.

Museums Docent Tour of Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. A docent leads an in-depth tour of Morven’s America 250 exhibition examining the lives, ideals, personal connections and contradictions of New Jersey’s five signers of the Declaration of Independence. Registration includes museum admission and is required in advance. 1 p.m.

Community on Tap, Historical Society of Princeton, Dohm Alley, Princeton. Free 15-minute guided tours of Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution examine taverns as centers of commerce, communication, politics and community life and show how historians reconstruct tavern culture using maps, newspapers, licenses, archaeology and personal accounts. Tours at noon and 1 p.m.

Collections Highlights Tour, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton. Guided introduction to selected works and themes across the museum’s collections. 6 to 7 p.m.

Actor Alec Baldwin In Conversation on Music with Moderator Terrance McKnight featuring Pianist Tony Siqi Yun

An intimate look at a lifelong connection to classical music — a source of refuge, renewal, and reflection amid the demands of living in the public eye.

Sat. Sep. 19, 2026 3PM Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall puc.princeton.edu 609.258.9220 $27 General; $12 Students

Part of the Music & Healing series: exploring the intersection of music and human experience through conversation and live performance.

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U.S. 1

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

Art Cart delivers a new kind of soul food to town

By Dan AUBRey

It’s a hot summer day and brightly dressed Brook Beatty stands on South Broad Street in downtown Trenton.

After staring for a few moments at the growing line of clients waiting in the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen’s mobile food line in front of the First Methodist Church, she starts yelling.

“Hey! You want to take a tour?” She then points to the bus behind her.

The clients give bewildered looks and start to think. Perhaps, like others, they’ll follow up on the artist’s invitation and wander over to see what’s happening — and try their hand at a bit of art-making.

But perhaps, just like others, they won’t.

But it doesn’t matter because it’s the opportunity that counts.

And so it goes with the Trenton Community A-Team’s new Art Cart.

The newly converted bookmobile is making the rounds in designated neighborhoods, bringing art directly to people where they are and advancing a project that has been connecting marginalized regional communities through art-making for more than 25 years.

The Trenton Community A-Team — or just TCAT — is a nonprofit organization that supports, develops and promotes selftaught — or untrained — artists in underserved areas of Trenton and surrounding communities.

Founded in 2014, TCAT continues the goals of the original yet unincorporated A-Team efforts launched in 2000 by five artists at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) by offering art-making sessions in its Studio 51.

That’s a converted carriage house located in Trenton’s Creek to Canal Arts District in what is known as Trenton’s old city area.

TCAT also partners with the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and interacts with other formal or informal groups, including the ANEW group at HomeFront in Lawrence.

Meanwhile, the new self-contained mobile art studio and gallery accompanies TASK’s mobile meal truck services throughout the city.

The former bookmobile, with a wheelchair lift, originally had been used by the City of New Bedford Library in Massachusetts until 2025.

Built by Thomas Built Bus in North Carolina in 2007, it was purchased by TCAT for $34,030. An additional $26,204 was allocated to JM Custom Coach Builders in Hamilton to convert the interior to art studio spaces, install a retractable awning and address exterior livery and wrapping.

TCAT artists painted the interior and staff the bus as it accompanies the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen’s mobile division during its weekly Trenton neighborhood stops.

The Art Cart’s regular Trenton sched-

Artists Maria Nash (above left), Brook Beatty, Deborah Kisela, and Lisa Lewis with the Trenton Community A-Team Art Cart. At right, Turning Point Church TASK Clients work on projects inside the Art Cart. At right is A-Team founder Shorty Rose. ule includes stops from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at First Baptist Church, 128 Centre St.; from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. on the second Tuesday at Bible Way Cathedral of Deliverance, 333 Home Ave.; from 2 to 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday at Turning Point United Methodist Church, 15 S. Broad St.; and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the fourth Thursday in the Nexus parking lot, 431 Greenwood Ave. The Art Cart will also be featured at Artworks Trenton’s Art All Day event on Saturday, Sept. 19. On Sunday, Sept. 20, it will visit Bordentown as part of the Old City Hall Restoration Committee’s Sunday Soiree series. The program will spotlight the Trenton Community A-Team’s artistic outreach and include readings by A-Team poets from their publication, “Fresh Type & Novel Visions.”

Plans are also being discussed to take the Art Cart to additional locations throughout the region, including Princeton, Hopewell and Hamilton.

The mobile art project was made possible through a recent $408,717 grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s $15 million Phase II of the Activation, Revitalization and Transformation, or A.R.T., program.

Coordinated in cooperation with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the program was designed to stimulate community placemaking efforts by leveraging New Jersey’s arts and cultural sector as a creative force for change and by supporting nonprofit organizations focused on public art installations and arts-based initiatives.

The first phase of the initiative was piloted in 2023 in Newark and Atlantic City.

The program was expanded to include 31 New Jersey municipalities, including Trenton.

In addition to supporting the operation of the Art Cart, A.R.T. provided TCAT with funds to strengthen and promote Trenton culture through the creation of a suite of mural paintings near the Trenton Transit Center and a guide to Trenton cultural attractions.

Yet it is the Art Cart that provides the main community connection.

Using the original A-Team approach that offered only availability, the Art Cart offers no classes or programs, just an invitation

to enter, create and interact with one of the A-Team artists.

The results are beyond art therapy.

Just ask the Princeton-based social psychologist who — despite her insistence on not being named — is known for volunteering at the soup kitchen since the 1980s. She is a witness to the creation of the A-Team.

During a recent discussion, she corrects a misconception that many people have about people from lower economic and challenged backgrounds making art: “Therapy is a different need. Creating art in any form is self-expression. How frustrating if it is blocked and one can’t express it.

“When people create art, they go into a state that provides them with the opportunity to explore thoughts and feelings. The art comes from the artists. Human beings are being themselves. (And) the art connects one person to other people. It provides identity and social connection. And artists do not get into trouble when they do their art.”

She is not alone in her thinking.

As TCAT organizers note, “Art has long been recognized as a catalyst for community cohesion and resilience.” And “a survey by the National Endowment for the Arts found that adults who attended arts events and/or created art within the previous month were more likely to participate in social opportunities, building relationships at a grass roots level.”

That this is a universal need — rather than one connected only to a population that lacks available resources or encouragement — is reflected in a TCAT statement: “Our programs are open to all and we continue to nurture creativity and work skills for budding artists.”

“Because of our location and partnership with TASK, our primary audience is nearly 100 percent African Americans below the poverty level.”

In fact, as TCAT materials note, the founding A-Team artists “were beneficiaries of the services of TASK, were neighborhood residents of color with limited financial means. Some lived with disabilities, and one was a formerly incarcerated individual.”

But don’t take their word for it.

“I founded the A-Team with my sister Rose, who died, and (fellow artist) Frankie

‘Shakespeare gives clear instruction about who these characters are and how they should be played. It’s up to the actor to see the cues and get it right,’ Page says.

Mack,” says Herman “Shorty” Rose, 72.

“When I got out of prison, my sister invited me to the soup kitchen,” he says when interviewed about the founding of the group. “When I hit the street and saw all the colors, it started — my mind was creating something every day. When I got myself down to the soup kitchen I made my things out of everything I could find.”

With a sense of art and a need for community, Rose, his sister and a few others found themselves organizing with people who were taking an art class offered at the kitchen and turning it into a community with an identity.

“We came up different names (for the group). We wrote the names down and put them in a bag. Whatever name came out would be the name. And it was the A-Team.

We weren’t trying to take the name from the TV show.”

The result was that artists met once a week for about five hours in the multipurpose room at TASK and worked on projects of their choice. To join, an artist must be active with the group, produce a piece of artwork, share artwork and, when possible, attend a monthly A-Team business meeting.

Reflecting on what he saw, Rose says, “If it wasn’t for the A-Team a lot of people would have nothing to do, just come in and eat. When we put the pictures on the walls, it makes the people feel good. It makes them feel like they’re at an art gallery. People love it. People can’t afford pictures, but they see them. They may see them in their dreams.

“It also makes people who pass through the door look in (at the A-Team artists).

They see we’re open to the public and don’t turn anyone away. I say, ‘Don’t just look, but come on in and show what you can do. Bring your talents here. Let people see your work.’”

That’s the same approach that Art Cart artists like Beatty are using on the streets.

Rose’s reasons for helping to create the project are both personal and social.

“Art is keeping me out of the jail. It’s keeping me off the street and out of trouble. I had to change my ways. You’ve got

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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11

Fast Lane

to have something to fall back on. Trenton is not the way it’s supposed to be. I was born and raised Trenton — South Trenton on Lamberton Street. I’ve seen Trenton flip a million times.

We’ve got nothing here anymore.

There’s nothing for the kids to go to anymore. They’re talking about the kids getting in trouble — so make something.”

And that is just what TCAT artists are doing.

As TCAT board president John Kelly writes, “Our efforts have gained recognition in promoting Trenton as the region’s most noted group of ‘outsider artists,’ or individuals with no formal artistic training who create artworks expressing an entirely unique style and vision.

“Many of our participants have developed the quality of their art to a level in which they are nearing self-supporting careers by promoting and selling their art.

We help them market and sell their art by establishing connections to local galleries and press.

We also help the artists build specific social skills for the art world, such as how to represent oneself professionally in formal and informal interactions with people of all

social classes.”

Kelly says that since its inception, hundreds of A-Team artists have shown artworks in hundreds of exhibitions at locations well beyond Trenton. Venues include the Trenton City Museum, New Jersey State Museum, Artworks, Grounds For Sculpture, Princeton Historical Society’s Updike Farm and private galleries, such as the former Outsider Art Gallery in Milford, New Jersey.

And while the new Art Cart bus is up and running, it isn’t the end of the road for the organization.

In addition to the other A.R.T.funded projects — the mural project and paint sessions near the Trenton Transit Center, a downtown Trenton art map and cooperative ventures with other downtown organizations — TCAT is looking to secure its future, one beyond the single-year A.R.T. project funding and, thanks to government cutbacks, a shrinking pool of arts funding.

As Kelly says, “Nonprofits, no matter how large or small they may be, struggle to be funded and to be visible. Arts organizations are especially challenged to get support amidst the clamor of

the nonprofit community.”

The CPA and past TASK board member says TCAT is specifically looking for funds to help address rent, insurance, art supplies and costs related to art and artist promotion.

There is also the reality of supporting the two-member staff, who, in addition to having TASK employment history, are also artists: full-time director and filmmaker Anthony Catanese and part-time program manager and independent rock musician and songwriter Jaime Parker.

Kelly says the goal is to “make Trenton a more vibrant home of the arts. We need Board members, and we are actively seeking out those who can and are interested in helping us. (And) we are open to new artists joining our collaborative group.”

Yet Rose hits the real reason to keep the program and bus on the road: “When I come down here, I don’t think about the street.

I think about one place. Being here and doing things for the A-Team.”

But for now, to get on board, visit the Trenton Community A-Team at tcateam.org.

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