November 13, 2024

American Repertory Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”

HOLIDAY BALLET: American Repertory dancers, from left, Lily Krisko, Erikka Reenstierna-Cates, Rachel Quiner, Roland Jones, and Tomoya Suzuki will appear in “The Nutcracker” at McCarter Theatre and other New Jersey venues this season. (Photo by Harald Schrader)

American Repertory Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is one of the longest running in the nation. Performances will take place from Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 22, in Princeton, Red Bank, Trenton, and New Brunswick, starting with McCarter Theatre November 29-December 1.

Students from Princeton Ballet School (PBS), the official school of American Repertory Ballet (ARB), participate in the ballet, which tells the story of Clara, a young girl who receives a magical Christmas gift and embarks on an enchanted journey. Clara and her Nutcracker Prince battle larger-than-life mice alongside toy soldiers, and travel through a whirlwind of dancing snowflakes to the Land of Sweets. Greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Clara enjoys a suite of dances before opening her eyes to the familiar sights of her home, wondering if it was all a dream. more

Trombone Shorty, Orleans Avenue Play Brass Band

NEW ORLEANS SOUNDS: The music of Trombone Shorty’s native city is the focus of his appearance at State Theatre New Jersey on November 21.

State Theatre New Jersey presents Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue with support from New Breed Brass Band on Thursday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $39-$79.

The show is crafted in the rich music scene of Trombone Shorty’s hometown of New Orleans, La. Evoking the tradition of the second-line parades of the city, the performance fuses jazz, funk, pop, hip hop, and rock music into a celebratory bayou sound.  more

Orchestra Accompaniment at “Spider-Man” Screening

MOVIE WITH MUSIC: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in Concert” mixes the famed film with music by a live orchestra on November 14 at State Theatre New Jersey. (Photo by Victor Frankowski)

State Theatre New Jersey presents Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in Concert on Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $29-$99.

Building on the success of the sold-out global shows of the first Oscar-winning Spider-Man animated Spider-Verse film, comes the sequel: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. more

Holiday Movies Planned at the Garden Theatre

The Garden Theatre has announced its programming lineup for the holiday season. Starting on Black Friday and running through Christmas Eve, the selection features cheerful classics, from Jim Henson to Jimmy Stewart to Dr. Seuss to Bruce Willis.

On Black Friday, November 29, Elf will be screened as part of the $5 Family Matinee series, which is free for members. The following day, A Christmas Story, the definitive Christmas film, is on the schedule. This series continues throughout December with The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Polar Express, the 2018 animated The Grinch, and a rare exhibition of the cherished Rankin & Bass work, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, on Christmas Eve. more

Airborne

Roxey Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker,” now in its 29th season, is onstage at Villa Victoria Theater in Ewing Township November 30 to December 8. The schedule includes a sensory-friendly performance on December 1, school matinees, and a tea dance party. Visit roxeyballet.org/nutcracker for dates, times, and tickets.

Richardson Chamber Players Present “Songs With/out Words”

On Sunday, November 24 at 3 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium, performance faculty from the Princeton University Department of Music comprising the Richardson Chamber Players will present “Songs With/out Words,” a program of songs with and without words written by female composers on both sides of the Atlantic.

Songs for mezzo-soprano and piano by lieder composer Josephine Lang, and for mezzo-soprano and mixed chamber ensemble by Dame Ethel Smyth, bookend the program. Included are works for string quartet, solo piano, and flute, viola, and harp that reference American, Jamaican, and European song and poetry in between. In addition to Lang and Smyth, the program includes music by Florence Price, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, and Eleanor Alberga. more

Family Show Followed By Treats in the Lobby

HOLIDAY MUSICAL REVUE: The MTM Players celebrate Christmas at Kelsey Theatre, on the campus of Mercer County Community College, November 29-December 1.

The MTM Players bring the family-friendly musical revue “The Best Time of the Year – Music & Memories of Christmas” to Kelsey Theatre, on the campus of Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, for one weekend and five performances, November 29-December 1.

The show celebrates the holiday season with song, dance, visual projections, snow — and even kazoos — featuring carols and Christmas songs. The hour-long performance is followed by treats and pictures in the lobby with Santa. more

Two Area Choruses Collaborate for Concert

JOINING FORCES: Voices Chorale NJ and the Trenton Children’s Chorus are presenting a concert together to celebrate the holiday season on December 14 at Trinity Church.

A celebration of the holiday season featuring Voices Chorale NJ and the Trenton Children’s Chorus will take place on Saturday, December 14 at 4 p.m., at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street.

“Sing Out, My Soul!” features Vivaldi’s Gloria accompanied by a chamber ensemble, as well as contemporary choral compositions and arrangements that invoke the many moods of the holiday season. Following Gloria, which Vivaldi wrote over 300 years ago, the program fast-forwards through the centuries, presenting old and new texts set to music by contemporary composers as well as a Hanukkah prayer, and a song of rejoicing in Latin (Gaudete!).  more

Holiday Pops Concerts Feature Andrea Ross

FESTIVE GATHERING: Members of the Princeton High School Choir are among the performers at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s annual Holiday POPS! concerts on December 14, at Richardson Auditorium. (Photo courtesy of PSO Staff)

The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is set to celebrate the holiday season with Broadway vocalist Andrea Ross at this year’s Holiday POPS! concerts on Saturday, December 14 at 3 and 6 p.m., at Richardson Auditorium.

Mentored by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ms. Ross, a soprano, will perform “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” and more. The Princeton High School Choir lends its collective voice to choral favorites including “Joy to the World” and “O Holy Night,” and leads the audience in the annual carol sing-along. Returning to Princeton from West Virginia’s Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, John Devlin conducts both performances.  more

Covered Bridge Artisans Tour Celebrates 30 Years

“COTTAGE FLOWERS”: Works by Karen Caldwell of Sunflower Glass Studio and others can be viewed November 29 through December 1 on the 30th Annual Covered Bridge Artisans Studio Tour.

This Thanksgiving weekend, the Covered Bridge Artisans will celebrate three decades of artistry, craftsmanship, and community with their 30th Annual Studio Tour. Taking place from November 29 to December 1 from 10 a,m. to 5 p.m. each day, this event invites visitors to explore the studios and workspaces of some of the Delaware River Valley region’s most talented artisans.

This self-guided tour will take place in nine professional artists’ studios in Lambertville, Stockton, Sergeantsville, and New Hope, Pa., areas with 12 additional artists at the Sandy Ridge Church.  more

Eclipse

This acrylic on canvas work by Larry Mitnick is featured in “Making Space,” an exhibition of his paintings at Belle’s Tavern, 183 North Union Street, Lambertville, through the end of December. Mitnick’s work has been exhibited internationally and he is currently a member artist at Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville.

Dwarf Wedge Mussel

Mary Waltham of Princeton received an honorable mention for this watercolor work at the “11th Annual New Jersey Highlands Juried Art Exhibition,” presented by New Jersey Highlands Coalition at the Maxfield Engine House in Boonton. The exhibit features a mix of photography, paintings, mixed media, prints and sculpture focused on the landscapes, flora, fauna and historic and cultural resources of the Highlands region. A virtual exhibit featuring all of this year’s artists can be viewed at highlandsart.org.

Open Studio Holiday Sale at Willowood Pottery

MASTER POTTER: Caryn Newman, shown here creating a hand-built vase, holds her annual Open Studio Holiday Sale this Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Willowood Pottery, 7 Willowood Drive, Ewing.

Once a year local Master Potter Caryn Newman opens her studio to the public – this year on Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Busy firing work in her kiln from the past six months for this show, Newman said her latest work has some changes.

Decades of pottery-making added up, and she needed a shoulder replacement this past May. After a short break, she got back into the studio and started with hand-building new pieces as she recovered, instead of using the pottery wheel. more

New Sticky Fingers Cooking Program for Kids Offers Fun and Creative Cooking Opportunities

COOPERATION AND COOKING: “With the program, I can dedicate my efforts to focusing on community, cooperation, acceptance and kindness for and with children.” Chris Johnson, owner of the Sticky Fingers Cooking franchise in Princeton, is enthusiastic about this new after school cooking program for children.

By Jean Stratton

Chris Johnson knew about cooking from a young age.

“I was always interested,” he recalls, “and I especially enjoyed watching and helping my favorite aunt in the kitchen.”

A New Englander from Maine and Massachusetts, he headed to New York for job opportunities, eventually working in the corporate world, focusing on legal technology. more

Sparked by MacNab’s Playmaking, Stellar Defensive Play, PU Women’s Soccer Tops Brown in Ivy Final, Back in NCAAs

BIG MAC: Princeton University women’s soccer player Heather MacNab, left, chases after the ball in recent action. Last Sunday, senior defender MacNab had two assists to help top-seeded Princeton defeat third-seeded Brown 2-0 in the Ivy League Tournament final. The Tigers, now 14-4, are headed to the NCAA tournament where they will play at Virginia (12-5) in a first round contest on November 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In early October, Princeton University women’s soccer player Heather MacNab left the field at Roberts Stadium on a cart after suffering a severe gash to her forehead in a scary collision with a Penn player.

As senior defender MacNab lay on the ground that night, she was already planning her return. more

With Star Yeager Back from Olympics to Lead Attack, PU Field Hockey Earns Berth in NCAAs, Will Face BC

STICKING OUT: Princeton University field hockey player Beth Yeager, right, dribbles the ball in a game earlier this season. Last Sunday, junior star Yeager picked up an assist in a losing cause as Princeton fell 2-1 to Harvard in overtime in the Ivy League Tournament final. Yeager, a U.S. Olympian who was named the Ivy Offensive Player of the Year this fall, will look to keep producing as the Tigers, now 13-5, start play in the NCAA tournament where they are an at-large selection and will face Boston College (14-6) in a first round contest on November 15 at Saint Joseph’s. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

The last time Beth Yeager and the Princeton University field hockey team lost, they bounced back with seven straight wins.

The Tigers would settle for four straight this time in the wake of being awarded an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament hours after falling to Harvard, 2-1, in the Ivy League Tournament final in overtime Sunday. When Harvard scored with less than three minutes to play in regulation, Princeton responded with Yeager’s corner smash redirected in by Ella Cashman with 59 seconds left to force overtime. The Crimson scored 4:11 into the OT to pull out the win. more

PU Football Produces Spirited Effort Against Dartmouth But Loses 26-17 in Moving to 2-6, Falling into Ivy Cellar

HILL TO CLIMB: Princeton University football defensive back Nasir Hill tracks down a Dartmouth ball carrier last Friday night. Junior defensive back Hill made 12 tackles in the game as the Princeton defense battled hard in a 27-16 loss to the Big Green. The Tigers, now 2-6 overall and 1-4 Ivy League, play at Yale (5-3 overall, 2-3 Ivy) on November 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

On paper, it looked like a mismatch when the Princeton University football team hosted Dartmouth last Friday night.

Ivy League frontrunner and once-beaten Dartmouth entered the evening tied for first place in the league standings while Princeton was mired in a three-team tie for last, having been routed by Harvard (45-13 on October 26) and Cornell (49-35 on November 2) in its last two contests. more

PU Men’s Hockey Shows Flashes on Opening Weekend But Goes 0-2 in First Action Under New Coach Syer

By Bill Alden

Playing in its first game under new head coach Ben Syer, the Princeton University men’s hockey team put on quite a show as it hosted Harvard in its season opener last Friday.

Battling the Crimson in a back-and-forth contest before a standing-room only crowd of 2,352 at Hobey Baker Rink, Princeton jumped out to a 2-1 lead and then rallied from a 3-2 deficit to force overtime before falling 4-3.

Heading into its game against Dartmouth a night later, the Tigers were looking to build on their effort against Harvard. more

After Finding a Home with PHS Girls’ Cross Country, Karra Helps Tigers Win Their 1st-Ever Group 4 State Title

GROUP LEADERS: Members of the Princeton High girls’ cross country team show off the hardware they won for placing first in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state meet last Saturday at Holmdel Park. It was the first Group 4 title in program history. The Tigers will next be in action when they compete in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on November 16 at Holmdel Park.

By Justin Feil

Kajol Karra was looking for a new start and a positive community when she joined the girls’ cross country team last fall in her first year at Princeton High.

A year later, she’s helping to pace the Tigers’ historic season.

Junior standout Karra placed eighth individually to lead PHS to its first New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state championship at Holmdel Park on Saturday. more

Looking Dominant as it Pursues a 2nd Straight State Title, 25-1 PHS Girls’ Volleyball Rolls Into Sectional Final

HITTING THEIR STRIDE: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Kaelin Bobetich goes up for a big hit in recent action. Last Friday, junior star Bobetich contributed nine kills, five digs, and two blocks to help top-seeded PHS defeat fourth-seeded Jackson Memorial 2-0 (25-9, 25-8) in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 sectional semis. The Tigers, who improved to 25-1 with the win, were slated to host third-seeded Middletown South (22-6) in the sectional final on November 12 with the victor advancing to the Group 3 state semis on November 14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Many coaches aim to have their teams peaking as they head into postseason action but not Patty Manhart.

Having guided her Princeton High girls’ volleyball team to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state title last season and the squad to a 25-1 record this fall and a spot in the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional final, PHS head coach Manhart strives to have her players clicking on all cylinders any time they step on the court. more

Senior Breitman Comes Up Big for PHS Boys’ Soccer As Tigers Top New Brunswick to Make Sectional Semis

STEPPING UP: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Azariah Breitman goes after the ball in a 2023 game. Last Friday, senior star Breitman scored two goals to help third-seeded PHS defeat 11th-seeded New Brunswick 3-0 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional quarterfinals. The Tigers, who improved to 16-2-4 in the win, were slated to play at second-seeded Manalapan in the sectional semis on November 12 with the victor advancing to the final on November 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High boys’ soccer team battled New Brunswick in the first half of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional quarterfinals last Friday, Azariah Breitman implored his teammates to pick up the intensity.

Yelling “Let’s go boys, energy” at various points, PHS senior striker Breitman made several forays into the box to no avail in the early going as the third-seeded Tigers were locked in a scoreless draw with an upset-minded 11th-seeded New Brunswick. more

PHS Girls’ Soccer Sees Cinderella Run End, Losing to Montgomery in Sectional Quarters

HEADY PLAY: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Romy Johnson, right, heads the ball last Thursday as PHS played at Montgomery in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 quarterfinals. After upsetting top-seeded Freehold on penalty kicks in the first round of the sectional, the 16th-seeded Tigers fell 1-0 to eighth-seeded Montgomery. PHS ended the fall at 7-10-3, rebounding from a shaky 1-8-2 start. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Princeton High girls’ soccer team lost 2-0 to Steinert on October 7 to fall to 1-8-2, it would have been understandable if the squad threw in the towel on the campaign.

The defeat marked the sixth straight loss for the Tigers in a stretch that saw them outscored 11-1. more

Hun Boys’ Soccer Falls to Pennington in Prep A Final Battling to the End as it Posts Stellar 13-4-2 Record

STANDING TALL: Hun School boys’ soccer goalie Diego Pena surveys the action in a game earlier this fall. Last Wednesday, senior standout Pena made 12 saves and scored a goal on a penalty kick as second-seeded Hun fell 6-1 at top-seeded Pennington in the Prep A state final. The Raiders finished the fall with a 13-4-2 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Prep A boys’ soccer final was over last Wednesday, Hun School stars Luciano Verduci and Gonzalo Perez Nunez were lying prone on the ground near the bench, getting treated for some knocks to their legs and spent from running all over the field.

Verduci and Perez Nunez exemplified how hard second-seeded Hun battled as it fell 6-1 at top-seeded Pennington. more

PDS Boys’ Cross Country Wins Non-Public B Meet As McLaughlin Sets the Pace for Young Panthers Squad

TITLE DOUBLE: Members of the Princeton Day School boys’ cross country team are all smiles after they placed first in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B state meet last Saturday at Holmdel Park. It marked the first Non-Public title in program history for the squad. It was also the second title this fall as the Panthers had previously won its first Prep B state championship in 15 years on October 30. PDS is next in action when it races in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on November 16 at Holmdel Park.

By Justin Feil

The Princeton Day School boys’ cross country season that began with uncertainty is ending with confidence.

Last Saturday, junior star Grayson McLaughlin finished third to lead a young Panther boys’ team to its first New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B state championship on the heels of its first Prep B state championship in 15 years.  more

Asking Community to Consider How it Can Better Promote Diversity in Local Leadership

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to the recent Princeton Board of Education election results. First and foremost, I extend my congratulations to Ms. Franceschi, Mr. Santarpio, and Mr. Meisel on their election to the Board. Their dedication to our community is appreciated, and I trust they will work diligently to serve the best interests of our students.

However, I must express my disappointment at the placements of Lisa Potter and Shenwei Zhao. Although I no longer have children in PPS — my 19-year-old is now in their second year of college — I remain deeply invested in the future of our education system. After witnessing the tumultuous four years my child experienced in high school, marked by challenges such as COVID-19 and administrative upheavals, I recognize the significant impact that Board of Education decisions have on our students’ lives. more