SEULS EN SCENE: Ludmilla Dabo, accompanied by Molière Award-winning writer, director, and musician David Lescot, in “Portrait de Ludmilla Dabo en Nina Simone.” (Photo by Tristan Jeanne-Valès /courtesy of Compagnie du Kaïros)

Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts, Department of French and Italian, and L’Avant-Scène will present the 12th edition of Seuls en Scène French Theater Festival, which will take place from September 8 to 29 at venues across the University’s campus. Most performances will be in French, some with English supertitles. All events are open to the public, and, with the exception of one event, are free, however tickets are required.

Seuls en Scène ushers in the 23rd season of L’Avant-Scène, a French theater troupe of Princeton students. It also celebrates professional theatrical achievements from the past year: many of the invited artists to Seuls en Scène are prominent contributors to contemporary theater in France. The festival is organized by Florent Masse, professor of the practice in the Department of French and Italian and artistic director of L’Avant-Scène, and presented in collaboration with the 52nd Edition of Festival d’Automne in Paris. more

TOMMY: Virtuoso guitarist Tommy Emmanuel comes to the State Theatre New Jersey on September 8. (Photo by Simone Cecchetti)

State Theatre New Jersey presents Tommy Emmanuel, CGP, on Friday, September 8 at 8 p.m. Opening the show are special guests Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams. Tickets range from $29-$224.

The “CGP” of Emmanuel’s title stands for “Certified Guitar Player,” an honor bestowed upon him by his hero, Chet Atkins. Emmanuel is known for his ability to play three parts at once. In 2018, Emmanuel made the album, Accomplice One, a series of duets with musicians including Rodney Crowell, Mark Knopfler, Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell, Jerry Douglas, Jake Shimabukuro, and others. The sequel, Accomplice Two, also boasts a range of artists. more

RINGING AND SINGING: Newcomers are welcome to learn how to play handbells and join the choir at United Methodist Church of Princeton.

Handbell ringers at both beginner and expert levels have an opportunity to play in choirs directed by Hyosang Park, artistic director of Philadelphia Bronze and music director at Princeton United Methodist Church (PrincetonUMC).  more

“DELAWARE BANDOLIER BAG”: This work from the 1850s is featured in “Never Broken: Visualizing Lenape Histories,” on view at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa., September 9 through January 14.

The James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pa., will present “Never Broken: Visualizing Lenape Histories,” an exhibition that considers the power of art to construct and dismantle inaccurate Indigenous histories through a display of contemporary work by Lenape (also called Delaware) artists in dialogue with historic Lenape ceramics, beadwork, and other cultural objects and representations of Penn’s Treaty by European American artists.

On view September 9 through January 14, “Never Broken” features recent and newly commissioned work by Ahchipaptunhe (Delaware Tribe of Indians and Cherokee), Joe Baker (Delaware Tribe of Indians), Holly Wilson (Delaware Nation and Cherokee), and Nathan Young (Delaware Tribe of Indians, Pawnee, and Kiowa) that express personal and tribal identity and address the Lenape’s violent displacement from Lenapehoking, the Lenape homeland which encompasses the region where the Michener Art Museum currently stands.  more

Michael Diaz-Griffith

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) will present Michael Diaz-Griffith in a book talk for his new release, The New Antiquarians, as part of their ART OF series on Friday, September 8 at 5:30 p.m.

The once rarefied world of antiques is bursting open thanks to a new generation of collectors. The New Antiquarians features 22 young connoisseurs whose spirited interiors exemplify unorthodox approaches to living with history. Hailing from across the United States and Britain, they blend the old with the new, embrace anachronism and pastiche, employ serious knowledge with humor and wit, and consider vintage and historical objects through the lens of contemporary values. The New Antiquarians is an exuberant entry point into the world of antiques, highlighting one-of-a-kind collections and the single-minded collectors whose stories suggest compelling new ways of living with the past.

Diaz-Griffith is an art historian, designer, and executive director and COO of the Design Leadership Network (DLN). Prior to joining the DLN, Diaz-Griffith served as executive director of Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation and as associate executive director of The Winter Show, America’s most prestigious and longest-running art and antiques fair. more

“WONDER BAR (ASBURY PARK)”: This oil painting by Marge Miccio is featured in “Ode to New Jersey Art Show,” on view August 29 through October 28 at West Windsor Arts. An opening reception is on September 8 from 7-8:30 p.m.

The “Ode to New Jersey Art Show” at West Windsor Arts celebrates the unique connections that artists have to the dynamic and ever changing state of New Jersey. The exhibition will run from August 29 to October 28, with a free opening reception on Friday, September 8 from 7-8:30 p.m. at West Windsor Arts.

As artists returned from distant summer vacations, West Windsor Arts invited them to participate in “Ode to New Jersey” to remind them of the exceptional qualities that make this state home. Artists were encouraged to explore the history, heritage, symbols, and memories of New Jersey in their creations. From Jersey tomatoes to neon diners, serene sunrises to bustling night scenes, and crowded boardwalks to isolated barns, artists delivered on conveying the uniqueness and diversity of the Garden State.  more

A FRESH MIX: Ethan Stiefel’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” returns to American Repertory Ballet this season, along with classical and contemporary works by several choreographers.

American Repertory Ballet (ARB) has designed its 2023-2024 season to expand the company’s artistic boundaries and introduce new dance and music. The company opens with performances at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) October 13-15.

“ARB’s artists and programming together create exceptional experiences unlike the repertoire that others are presenting. We do this not simply to be different, but because this is how we as an organization believe that we can contribute to our communities and beyond, as well as towards the broader context of the art form,” said Stiefel. “We’ve placed an emphasis on showcasing new work and a dynamic range of talent while also exhibiting a true commitment to advancing classical ballet. Our 2023-2024 season will continue to further and freshly evolve both ourselves and our art.” more

Roxey Ballet will host the second annual River Dance Festival on August 18-20 at Mill Ballet in New Hope, Pa., featuring more than 20 choreographers and 80 dancers from across the nation.

The mission of the festival is to give artists a platform to present their work showcasing a variety of talent featuring BIPOC artists and select works based on social justice.

“I’m delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to both choreographers and the viewing public, said Artistic Director Mark Roxey. “A festival of this scale is a unique experience, with three days of performances featuring over 20 choreographers. We are thrilled to welcome these talented artists to our Delaware River towns to share their voices through dance on topics of racial equality, social justice, and cultural diversity.” more

Six main events and four Musician’s Choice Chamber Music events have been announced by the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey in celebration of the orchestra’s 10th season. Performances take place at Patriots Theatre at the War Memorial, Mill Hill Playhouse, the Roebling Machine Shop, and other locations in and around Trenton.

Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition with piano soloist Maja Rajkovic is at the War Memorial on October 21. Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat follows on December 2 at Mill Hill Playhouse. On New Year’s Eve, the orchestra performs Richard Strauss’s Don Juan, a world premiere by John Dickson, and music by George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers, at the War Memorial.  more

“EVERYTHING’S FINE”: Artist Gwenn Seemel will discuss her work on Wednesday, August 16 at 7 p.m. in the Newsroom at Princeton Public Library. Her exhibit, “Everything’s Fine: Surreal Paintings About Mental Health,” is on view through October 15 in the library’s Reading Room.

Artist Gwenn Seemel, whose exhibit, “Everything’s Fine: Surreal Paintings About Mental Health,” is on view at Princeton Public Library, discusses her work on Wednesday, August 16 at 7 p.m. in the Newsroom.

“The collection is called ‘Everything’s Fine’ because I want to make it clear that I know everything’s not,” Seemel said in her artist’s statement. “There’s the virus, whose long-term impact is still to be determined, as well as the ever scarier threats of global warming and the daily trauma of systemic racism, misogyny, gun violence, and the unrelenting political divide. Amidst these pressures, I don’t want anyone to think they’re the only one struggling with anxiety or depression.” more

COVER ART WINNER: This watercolor by Nora Elliott, a rising 8th grader at Timberlane Middle School, will be featured on this year’s Hopewell Harvest Fair Almanac. The fair is on September 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of Hopewell Elementary School.

The board of trustees of the Hopewell Harvest Fair has announced the winner of the annual Cover Art Contest. Nora Elliott, a rising 8th grader at Timberlane Middle School, submitted her watercolor painting which truly captures the spirit of the fair. Her work will be featured on the Hopewell Harvest Fair Almanac, which will be available locally in late August.

The Harvest Fair returns again to the grounds of Hopewell Elementary School on Saturday, September 23 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. It’s a local tradition, attracting fairgoers from all over the area to enjoy a day of old-fashioned fun, while raising funds for local nonprofits. Lead Sponsors of the 2023 Hopewell Harvest Fair are Morehouse Engineering and Lakeland Bank. Sapphire Amusement sponsors include Capital Health, BeiGene USA, Hopewell Boro Auto Repair, Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart, TechNeed, and Union Line Garage. more

“VIEW FROM THE TERRACE”: This oil painting by Ilene Rubin is featured in the Ninth Annual Points of View Art Show and Sale, running August 24-28 at the Saw Mill building on the grounds of the Prallsville Mill in Stockton. A reception is on Friday, August 25 from 5-8 p.m.

The Ninth Annual Points of View Art Show and Sale, featuring five local artists, will be presented Thursday, August 24 through Monday, August 28. This year, the show will be located at The Saw Mill building on the grounds of the Prallsville Mill complex, located at 33 Risler Street in Stockton. Showcasing their art will be Jeanne Chesterton, Ilene Rubin, Sandy Askey-Adams, Susan Gilli, and Christine Seo. All the art is for sale.

The show opens on August 24 from 12-5 p.m. and continues through August 28 from 12-5 p.m. There will be a reception on Friday, August 25 from 5-8 p.m. more

“NEZHA”: Works by modern Chinese sculptor Liu Shiming are on view at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Brunswick through September 22. A reception is on September 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University has announced a retrospective exhibition of the renowned modern Chinese sculptor Liu Shiming, whose body of work engages the past and present, the epic, the mythological, and the everyday. The exhibition, “Liu Shiming: Life Gives Beauty Form,” features more than 80 sculptures made over Shiming’s 60-year career, including 27 works that are being exhibited for the first time in the United States. The exhibition also features 12 drawings that illuminate Shiming’s approach to close observational study of the human form and everyday life. The retrospective will run through September 22, with a public reception on September 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.

As part of the public celebration on September 6, the Department of Art and Design is hosting a panel discussion from 5:30 to 7 p.m. examining Shiming’s work and legacy. Panelists include Rutgers University faculty Tamara Sears, associate professor of art history, School of Arts and Sciences; John Yau, poet and professor of critical studies in the Department of Art and Design; and Xiaojue Wang, associate professor, Chinese Literature, School of Arts and Sciences. more

BLUES VIRTUOSO: Grammy Award-winning musician Gary Clark Jr. comes to the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick on August 27.

State Theatre New Jersey and The Bowery presents Gary Clark Jr. on Sunday, August 27 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $59-$199.

Clark is a 21st-century rock ’n’ roll musician — a blues virtuoso who blends in reggae, punk, R&B, hip-hop, and soul. He has been performing since his childhood in Texas, and won his first Grammy Award in 2014 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Please Come Home” from his 2012 debut Blak And Blu.  more

A BUSY SEASON: South African soprano Golda Schultz is among the artists booked for the coming arts season by Princeton University Concerts. (Photo by Dario Acosta)

Single ticket sales for Princeton University Concerts’ (PUC) 130th Season are now available for purchase online only. Sales will be available over the phone beginning Tuesday, September 5.

PUC has also launched its new Admit All ticket access program for low-income patrons, and added All in the Family concerts to the season roster. General ticket prices range from $10 to $60. Student ticket prices range from $5 to $15. Children’s tickets to All in the Family concerts are $5. more

“GREAT BLUE HERON”: The Arts Council of Princeton unveiled a new community mural last week in downtown Princeton, designed and painted by Trenton-based artist Jonathan Conner, known as LANK. It is the 10th temporary mural on Spring Street since the site’s inception in 2020.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) unveiled a new community mural last week at Spring and Witherspoon streets, honoring the D&R Canal and its most famous avian resident.

The new work was designed and painted by artist Jonathan Conner, who goes by LANK. A lover of the outdoors and wildlife, his mural features a great blue heron, a nod to his favorite way to travel from Trenton to Princeton — the D&R Canal path. The gold line running through the mural is an approximate map of the path. more

“NATURE REVISITED”: Works by Evie Sutkowski are on view at Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury through August 31. An opening reception is on August 13 from 1-3 p.m.

Gourgaud Gallery, located in Cranbury Town Hall, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, presents “Nature Revisited” by artist Evie Sutkowski, on view through the end of August. An opening reception is on Sunday, August 13 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The artwork in the exhibition includes the mediums of watercolor, collage, mixed-media, eco-print, and cyanotype.  more

SUMMER MUSIC: Voices Chorale NJ, led by David A. McConnell, is already preparing for the coming holiday season. The choir is looking for new members.

Voices Chorale NJ is inviting all singers to join them for an open summer sing featuring excerpts from the upcoming 2023-24 season, including Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass.

The event is on Monday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Music Together Worldwide Headquarters, 225 Pennington-Hopewell Road, Hopewell. Admission is free though donations are welcome. more

GREATER ACCESS: A new initiative by Princeton University Concerts will offer discounted tickets to those who qualify for events such as this “Performances Up Close” appearance by pianist Thomas Weaver and saxophonist Jess Gillam. (Photo by Alex Moravcsik)

A new ticket access program from Princeton University Concerts (PUC) provides discounted tickets to those enrolled in qualifying aid programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, and public housing, as well as to NJ Families First Discovery Pass holders.

All tickets offered through the “Admit All” program will be $10 or less for qualified applicants. The program is supported by the generosity of Princeton resident and PUC Committee member Reba Orszag.

“Accessibility is at the heart of our mission,” said PUC Director Marna Seltzer, “and PUC is committed to a price point that is one of the lowest in the region. I try to ensure that there is ‘something for everyone’ throughout each season, and we want to ensure that everyone can experience the world’s greatest musicians among friends, regardless of financial circumstance.” more

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Brit Floyd marks “50 Years of Dark Side” at State Theatre New Jersey on August 17. (Photo by Patrick Kealey)

On Thursday, August 17 at 8 p.m., State Theatre New Jersey presents “Brit Floyd — 50 Years of Dark Side” at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Tickets range from $39-$179.

Brit Floyd returns to the stage in 2023 to perform a brand-new production celebrating 50 years of the ground-breaking and iconic musical work, The Dark Side of the Moon. The show will feature classic tracks from the album such as “Time,” “Money,” “Us and Them,” and “The Great Gig in the Sky.” more

HONORED ARTIST: Pamela Miller is shown with her painting “Badger: A Gentleman and a Scholar.” The recipient of the Honored Artist award at Phillips’ Mill’s “94th Annual Juried Art Show,” Miller was also recognized for this year’s Signature Image honor.

Traditions run deep at Phillips’ Mill, and two are the Honored Artist and Signature Image for the Mill’s “Annual Juried Art Show,” now in its 94th year. In an unprecedented coincidence, independent voting for the two honors this year resulted in the selection of artist Pamela Miller as the recipient of both.

Born in New York City and raised in Flushing, N.Y., Miller has lived in Bucks County, Pa., for years. She earned her degree at Northland College in Wisconsin and taught painting for many years at the New Hope Adult School. Although she began as a potter, Miller is best known for her landscapes. In the 1980s, she began to work with pastels, finding joy in the immediacy of that medium. She has developed her own technique of sharpening her sticks and using them like finely pointed brushes. Miller also enjoys painting portraits of children. Her work has been included in many of Phillips’ Mill’s juried art exhibitions over the years and is also exhibited at the Coryell Gallery in Lambertville. Miller was part of the “Phillips’ Mill 75th Retrospective Invitational” show in 2005. more