State Theatre New Jersey presents “The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes” on Saturday, October 19 at 8 p.m.

After a screening of the movie The Princess Bride, actor Elwes (Westly) will engage in a moderated discussion for a behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the set of the classic film, revealing never-before-shared stories. The moderator is journalist and musician Alex Biese.

A limited number of VIP packages are available and include the best seats in the house, a Meet and Greet with Elwes, and a signed copy of his book, As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride.  more

THREE SOLOISTS: In performances of Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto” at Richardson Auditorium by the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, the soloists are, from left, Steven Beck, pianist; Basia Danilow, violin; and Alistair MacRae, cellist.

Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) concertmaster Basia Danilow and principal cellist Alistair MacRae team up with pianist Steven Beck October 19-20 for performances of Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C Major, Op. 56, “Triple Concerto.” Conducted by Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov, the concerts at Richardson Auditorium also include Michael Abels’ More Seasons and Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25, “Classical.”

The entire program provides variations on traditional musical forms, and even the usual order of orchestral concert programming. “Rather than designing the program in the customary way — overture, concerto, symphony —I have decided to move the programming blocks a bit to allow the audience to experience first the more modern works by Prokofiev and Ables before hearing the Beethoven’s original masterpiece —’Triple Concerto’ — in the second half of the concert,” said Milanov. more

ON THE WESTMINSTER CAMPUS: Ruth Ochs conducts the Westminster Community Orchestra in the Marion Buckelew Cullen Center on Walnut Lane in upcoming performances November 3 and December 11.

The Westminster Community Orchestra (WCO) and conductor Ruth Ochs will perform two programs in November and December in Hillman Performance Hall, housed in the Marion Buckelew Cullen Center, 101 Walnut Lane.

The orchestra will present its first performance, Celebrate America!, on Sunday, November 3 at 3 p.m., featuring works by George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, George Whitefield Chadwick, Florence Price, Aaron Copland, and Richard Rodgers. The program will also include Georg Philipp Telemann’s Recorder Concerto in C, with Westminster Conservatory student Tegan Costello as soloist. The concert highlights a variety of musical themes that are distinctly American. There are no tickets required; a suggested admission of $10/person will be collected at the door. more

“TOTAL FREAK OUT”: This pumpkin was carved by Matt Derby for the Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s Ninth Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve. This year’s event runs October 9 through 13 at Woolsey Park in Hopewell Township.

The Hopewell Valley Arts Council is celebrating a decade of community tradition with its 10th Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve at Woolsey Park in Hopewell Township from October 9 through 13. Bringing together families, art lovers, and fall enthusiasts, this event features 30 massive pumpkins carved into creative masterpieces under a big top tent.

Since its inception, the Amazing Pumpkin Carve has grown into one of Hopewell Valley’s favorite fall events, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The pumpkins, carved by local artists, range from whimsical to spooky, showcasing the talent and creativity within the community. Rain or shine, attendees can enjoy the pumpkin displays inside the tent. more

GOLU EXTRAVAGANZA: West Windsor Arts brings the Southern Indian tradition of Navrati Golu to its gallery space with “From Ethereal to Real: A Navratri Golu,” an installation of intricately arranged, handcrafted dolls and heirlooms in settings that explore global warming through allegory, metaphor, and mythology. A related event is on Saturday, October 5, from 4 to 9 p.m.

Since expanding its programming to include more one-of-a-kind, community-building events — built by community members — West Windsor Arts has hosted dancing in the dark parties, game nights, holi celebrations, immersive classical musical performances, and more.

On Saturday, October 5, from 4 to 9 p.m., the arts center will bring the Southern Indian tradition of Navrati Golu to its gallery space. “From Ethereal to Real: A Navratri Golu” will feature an installation of intricately arranged, handcrafted dolls and heirlooms in settings that explore global warming through allegory, metaphor, and mythology. The evening will also include impromptu, live Indian classical music, a presentation on the significance of the golu, and fun art activities for children. more

“LOTUS FIELD, FALL”: Leni Paquet-Morante, whose work is shown here, is among the artists of Princeton Makes, which will host its second annual Art in the Courtyard — Fall Festival on Sunday, October 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Princeton Shopping Center courtyard.

Princeton Makes will host its second annual Art in the Courtyard — Fall Festival on Sunday, October 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Princeton Shopping Center courtyard. The festival is a celebration of creativity and community and will showcase the local artistic talent of Princeton and neighboring areas.

Art in the Courtyard is designed to give local artists and artisans the opportunity to spotlight their work. But the festival goes beyond artistic displays; it is a celebration of the entire Princeton and neighboring areas. Princeton Makes is focused on community building and welcomes everyone to contribute to a community art project to be made during the event. more

Princeton University Library presents “Monsters & Machines: Caricature, Visual Satire, and the Twentieth-Century Bestiary” in the Milberg Gallery at Firestone Library, on view through December 8.

The exhibition examines the global use of bestiary in visual satire during the period from the beginning of World War I through the end of the Cold War. It is curated by a team of PUL librarians: Thomas Keenan, Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies librarian; Lidia Santarelli, librarian for History, New York University; Deborah Schlein, Near Eastern Studies librarian; and Alain St. Pierre, librarian for History, History of Science, and African Studies. more

Kairy Koshoeva

Pianist Kairy Koshoeva is the soloist in the Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra’s first concert of the season on Sunday, September 29 at 7 p.m. at Princeton Alliance Church. 20 Schalks Crossing Road in Plainsboro.

The orchestra’s music director Chiu-Tze Lin conducts the concert, which includes Koshoeva performing the Rachamaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor. Koshoeva is on the faculty of the New School for Music Study in Kingston, and frequently collaborates as a guest artist for the Department of Music at Princeton University.

Among the awards she has won are the International Piano Competition in Vicenza, Italy; the N. Rubinstein Competition in Paris; the gold medal at the 2004 Rachmaninoff Awards in Moscow; and first prize at the Chautauqua Music Festival concerto competition in Chautauqua, N.Y. She has played internationally as well across the U.S. Her performances included appearing as a soloist with the Kansas City Symphony and at the Chautauqua Music Festival, as well as with the National Symphony of Kyrgyzstan and orchestras in Houston and Jefferson City. She has also performed with the Moscow chamber orchestra “Cantus Firmus.” more

Matthew Neenan
(Photo by Alexander Iziliaev)

The Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Dance at Princeton University announces Rennie Harris, Matthew Neenan, and Yue Yin as Caroline Hearst Choreographers-in-Residence for the 2024-2025 academic year: As guest artists, all three are creating new works or teaching repertory works that will be performed at the Princeton Dance Festival in November.

Launched in 2017, the Caroline Hearst Choreographers-in-Residence Program fosters the Program in Dance’s connections with the dance field. It provides selected professional choreographers with resources and a rich environment to develop their work and offers opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage with diverse creative practices. The artists share their work and processes with the Princeton community through workshops, conversations, residencies, open rehearsals, and performances. more

Indigenous People’s Day will be celebrated on Thursday, October 24 at 3 p.m. with a performance of Polynesian dance to music of the ukulele, at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of Mercer County Library System, 2751 Brunswick Pike. This event is supported by Friends of the Lawrence Library. Register in advance at mcl.org.

MAN WITH A HORN: Chris Botti, Grammy-winning trumpeter, comes to State Theatre New Jersey on October 12 at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, October 12 at 8 p.m., trumpeter Chris Botti will appear at the State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue. Botti performs with a group of renowned fellow musicians including violinist Joshua Bell and Israeli guitarist Gilad Hekselman. Tickets range from $29-$69.

During the past three decades, Botti has collaborated with Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and others. He has topped the jazz charts with numerous albums, earned multiple Gold and Platinum records, and performed with symphony orchestras and on stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House. more

AN ALL-NEW SERIES: The Signum Quartet are among the ensembles taking part in the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s four-concert chamber series this season at Trinity Church. (Photo by Irene Zandel)

The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) has announced the opening of its all-new, four-concert chamber music series at Trinity Church. The first event is on Thursday October 10 at 7 p.m., featuring music composed for piano trio. Players are violinist Emma Richman, cellist Wangshu Xiang, and pianist Yoon Lee.

Additional concerts showcase a rare instrument of the viol family, a string trio, and string quartet, successively. General admission tickets are $45 per person, per concert with a 50 percent discount for children 5-17.  more

RAPT AUDIENCE: Young listeners and their families are the focus of “CMS Kids: Tuneful Travels,” a special program taking place in the Lee Rehearsal Room of the Lewis Arts Complex on Saturday, October 19 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Princeton University Concerts welcomes back the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) for the first family program of the season on Saturday, October 19 at 1 and 3 p.m.

Rami Vamos hosts these events in the Lee Rehearsal Room of the Lewis Arts Complex. “CMS Kids: Tuneful Travels” is curated for kids ages 3-6 and their families. Vamos and the professional musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will guide audiences through a magical journey where music for piano, violin, and bassoon becomes an expression of joy and movement.
The concert is adapted for neurodiverse audiences, including children with autism and other special needs. The performance is less formal than traditional concerts and more supportive of sensory, communication, movement, and learning needs. more

On October 4-6 and 25-27, Roxey Ballet presents “The C Word,” a celebration in dance, music, and spoken word of the strength and resilience of breast cancer survivors. The performances, which are in person and virtual, take place at Mill Ballet, 46 North Sugan Road, New Hope, Pa.

Choreographed by Mark Roxey, the multimedia production tells the personal stories of women who have overcome breast cancer. Funded by a grant from New Music USA, it is a tribute to the human spirit. Roxey has collaborated with composers Robert Maggio and Matthew Hardy to bring these stories to life. more

FALL EXHIBITIONS: Solo exhibitions by Angela Pilgrim, whose work is shown at left, and Barbara Wallace, right. will be on view at The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster September 27 through December 8. An opening reception is on September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster has announced two fall solo exhibitions on view September 27 through December 8. The opening reception will be held on Friday, September 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

“Angela Pilgrim: New Growth” presents the work of Angela Pilgrim, whose studio is in Newark. She said, “My work explores the Black female gaze through figurative imagery of the body. Utilizing portraiture, printmaking, pattern making and mixed media, I investigate themes of beauty, spirituality and reflection. By creating visual stories that invoke critical thinking processes regarding interiority, my work aims to reverse and rebuild how Black women see themselves, both within their communities and expanded to a much larger world view.” more

“LAVENDER HORIZON”: This work by Elizabeth Grimaldi is featured in “Reciprocal Inspiration and a Cranbury School Legacy: Elizabeth Grimaldi and Elaina Phillips,” on view October 2 through October 30 at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury

The Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury will present “Reciprocal Inspiration and a Cranbury School Legacy: Elizabeth Grimaldi and Elaina Phillips” October 2 through October 30.

In the exhibition, Elizabeth Grimaldi, a retired Cranbury School teacher and administrator, will exhibit her original paintings. Additionally, works by Elaina Philips, her former student, will be on display.  more

OPEN STUDIO: Sculptor Don Campbell is among the local artists who will open their studio doors to the public for the 17th Annual Hopewell Tour des Arts on September 28 and 29.

During the 17th Annual Hopewell Tour des Arts on September 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and September 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 60 local artists will open their studio doors to the public. Among stops on this year’s tour is the studio of sculptor Don Campbell.

Nestled in the heart of Hopewell, Campbell’s barn studio offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of narrative sculpture. Campbell, a master storyteller in clay, is known for his ability to capture emotion, form, and narrative in his absract, portrait, and figurative works. His pieces, deeply inspired by the realms of consciousness and nature, invite viewers to engage with the unfolding stories embedded within each sculpture. more

The 2024 New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show opens on Saturday, October 5 at Meadow Lakes Senior Living, 300 Meadow Lakes, East Windsor, and will remain on display and open to the public through Wednesday, October 30. This is the 58th annual State Senior Citizen Art Show, and features more than 250 works of art by artists over the age of 60, representing 20 of the state’s 21 counties.

The work — by both professional and non-professional artists in 11 categories (acrylic, craft, digital arts, mixed media, oil, pastels, photography, print, sculpture, watercolor, and works on paper) — will be reviewed by a three-person panel of professional artists. After careful review, the judges will select first, second, and third place winners and honorable mentions in each category. more

SAME DAY, DIFFERENT VERSE: The full cast of “Groundhog Day The Musical,” which comes to Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College from September 20-29.

It’s a case of “déjà vu all over again” — with a comedic, musical twist — when Playful Theatre Productions opens the 2024-25 Kelsey Theatre season with Groundhog Day The Musical, September 20-29, on Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) West Windsor Campus.

Based on the 1993 movie starring Bill Murray,  Groundhog Day follows a day in the life of arrogant big-city weatherman Phil Conners, who is dreading the annual trip to Punxsutawney, Pa., to report on the town’s Groundhog Day ceremony. But his frustration with the event can’t compare to what follows, when a storm keeps him in town and he finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. Stuck in an endless loop of arrogance and cynicism amongst the quirky townsfolk, Phil must learn to take advantage of his second, third, and fourth chances to break the cycle and transform his life. more