ZINE PROJECT: Regular art-making sessions are part of the Arts Council of Princeton’s new community zine project, which is accessible for all skill levels. Sign up at artscouncilofprinceton.org.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) has announced the new iteration of their popular Princeton Sketchbook Club program: a community zine project.

Short for magazine or fanzines, “zines” are self-published books that can be easily reproduced and distributed within a community. They can be about a variety of different subjects from politics to art, mental health, culture, science, activism, and much more.

Participants are invited to join a growing group of creatives that will make zines based on their respective interests to be displayed in a collaborative Zine Library in the ACP’s downtown Paul Robeson Center for the Arts. more

The Trent House Association will host a program of plein air painting sponsored by Artworks and led by teaching artist John Gummere on three Saturdays – August 5, August 12, and August 19 — from 4 to 6 p.m. The sessions will be held on the grounds of the William Trent House Museum at 15 Market Street, Trenton, across from the Hughes Justice Complex. Registration for one, two, or all three sessions can be made at artworks.org/Events for $35 per session. Plenty of free parking is available at the rear of the museum property.

Gummere is a Pennsylvania-based painter who began his creative career as an architecture student at Columbia University. He has studied art in a variety of academic institutions including the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Philadelphia College of Arts, and the Tyler School of Art. He paints with oils on canvas or panels in a representational style, with an emphasis on city scenes, landscapes, and interior compositions. His work can be seen at behance.net/JohnGummere. more

SING WITH THE PINK LADIES: If you know the words to every song in the iconic movie “Grease,” August 5 is your chance to belt them out at the State Theatre New Jersey.

On Saturday, August 5 at 8 p.m., State Theatre New Jersey and WMTR will present Grease Sing-Along in celebration of the movie’s 45th anniversary.

Tickets are $19. The Grease soundtrack boasts several popular songs, including “Greased Lightnin’,” “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “Summer Nights,” the Academy Award -nominated “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Beauty School Drop Out,” and the eponymous title track “Grease.” more

LAST IN A SERIES: The Dalí Quartet wraps up Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts’ 2023 season on Friday, July 28 at Nassau Presbyterian Church.

Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts’ 2023 series will close with the Dali Quartet on Friday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street. Works by Schubert, Piazzolla, and Tchaikovsky are on the program.

The Dalí Quartet is known for bringing Latin American quartet repertoire to an equal standing alongside the Classical and Romantic canon. The quartet has been called upon for return engagements at the National Gallery of Art, Friends of Chamber Music in Portland, Chamber Music at Beall, and the SA’OAXACA International Music Festival in México, among others.  more

In an effort to encourage audiences to engage with live music in new ways, Princeton University Concerts (PUC) has forged partnership with local organizations including American Repertory Ballet, Princeton Public Library, the Princeton Garden Theatre, and The Singles Group; along with local artist Diana Weymar.

Learning experiences designed to foster community outside the concert hall include book clubs, documentary screenings, an embroidery workshop, Dance for PD (Parkinson’s disease) classes, and facilitated social events. Many of these events are free. more

STRAIGHT FROM TEXAS: Singer/composer/actor Lyle Lovett makes a stop at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick next month.

State Theatre New Jersey presents Lyle Lovett and His Large Band on Friday, August 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $39-$99.

A singer, composer, and actor, Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues.  more

STUDENT TALENT: “Wilting” directed by Fred Midgley is part of the 2023 Princeton Student Film Festival.

The 2023 Princeton Student Film Festival will be held Wednesday, August 2, at Princeton Public Library. Screenings will begin at 6 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. Many of the filmmakers will be in attendance to talk about and answer questions about their films.

The festival, in its twentieth year, features 10 short works by high school and college students from the Princeton area and throughout the United States and abroad. Genres include animation, dramatic feature, documentary, personal narrative and thrillers. more

“IMMERSED”: This oil on canvas painting by Alla Podolsky is part of “The Stories We Tell,” her dual exhibit with Laura Rutherford Renner, on view August 10 through September 3 at the Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville. An opening reception is on August 12 from 5 to 8 p.m.

“The Stories We Tell,” a new exhibit of paintings by Laura Rutherford Renner and Alla Podolsky, will be on view at the Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville August 10 through September 3. An opening reception is on Saturday, August 12 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Renner, from Collingswood, enjoys painting figures engaged in the experience of  their environments. Her work has been recently described as “bold, brave, and a true voice.” more

The Art Committee at Phillips’ Mill has announced the Call for Art for the 94^th “Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Exhibition.” Artists who live – or have a studio – within a 25-mile radius of the Mill are invited to submit their work from July 30 to August 27. The Art Committee encourages all artists to submit, from the highly established to the emerging beginner, from the widely shown to the underrepresented. All submissions will be done online through Smarter Entry before work is dropped off at the Mill for in person jurying. For all details, refer to this year’s prospectus, which can be found on the Mill’s website at phillipsmill.org/art/juried-art-show-prospectus and includes entry instructions, links, and dates for events surrounding the 2023 show. more

“IN CELEBRATION OF BARNS”: Artists are invited to submit art depicting barns for Terhune Orchards’ fall art show. Entries must be submitted by September 5; the exhibition will be on view September 9 through December 10 in Terhune’s 250-year-old red barn.

Calling all artists! Following Terhune Orchards’ successful art show last year, “Celebrating Old Trees,” this year they hope everyone will join them with art depicting barns — all kinds of barns, from everywhere (not just at Terhune Orchards). more

DOYLESTOWN ARTS FESTIVAL: The 32nd annual festival on September 9 and 10 in Doylestown, Pa., will feature over 150 artists, five stages of live music, live art demonstrations, and activities for all to enjoy.

The Doylestown Arts Festival will return for its 32nd anniversary this September 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The festival remains free to attend and is designed to illuminate the region’s ongoing commitment to arts and culture. For two days the historic downtown Doylestown, Pa., streets will be transformed into a lively outdoor marketplace full of art and music from local and regionally recognized creators. more

The annual So Percussion Summer Institute, the Edward T. Cone Ensemble-in-Residence at Princeton University, is taking place through July 29. The institute, a two-week intensive program for composers and musicians, offers a range of free concerts of new and experimental music, performed both by So Percussion and students. more

WE LOVE YOU CONRAD: The 1950s-era musical “Bye Bye Birdie” tells the story of Elvis-style rocker Conrad Birdie, who gives “One Last Kiss” to the winner of a national contest before he reports for military duty.

Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre presents Bye Bye Birdie, a musical for all ages, from July 28 through August 6. more

HISTORY BECOMES THEATER: The cast of “The Crossing” presenting highlights of the new musical on July 2.  (Photo by Matt Matrale, Princeton Battlefield Society)

On July 2, 120 area residents attended the local premiere of excerpts from the musical The Crossing at Princeton Junior School, an event sponsored by the Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) to celebrate the Independence Day weekend. more

Music is a focus at the Monmouth County Fair, running July 26-30 at East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road in Freehold.

Performers include the Amish Outlaws, The Nerds, Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl, Coast 2 Coast Philly, the Sensational Soul Cruisers, and Rockit Academy. Other entertainment includes the Flying Fools High Diving Show, Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Bwana Jim Wildlife Show, The Raptor Project, Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy, Mutts Gone Nuts, and Aaron Bonk’s Fire, Whips, and Danger Tricks.

The fair is open 4-11 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, July 26-28; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, July 29; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, July 30. Admission is $8 (children under 12, veterans, and active military will ID free). Visit MonmouthCountyFair.com for information.

“KEEP LIFE IN BALANCE”: This life-sized sculpture by the late Seward Johnson is installed at the Timberlane Middle School / Hopewell Valley Central High School campus as part of the six-month exhibition “Seward Johnson: Celebrating the Everyday.”

Ten life-sized Seward Johnson sculptures have cropped up throughout Hopewell Valley, thanks to an ambitious public art project organized by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council in collaboration with the Johnson Atelier. This six-month exhibition, “Seward Johnson: Celebrating the Everyday,” pays homage to the renowned late artist, who proudly called Hopewell his home. more

“PATH TO THE MOON”: This watercolor painting by Lori Fol is featured in “Jump into Pictures,” on view through August 26 at West Windsor Arts. An opening reception is on July 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The “Jump into Pictures” art show at West Windsor Arts celebrates the vibrant world of children’s book illustrations and includes fun activities everyone can participate in. The exhibition is on view through August 26, with a free opening reception on Friday, July 21 from 7-8:30 p.m. more

CREATIVE BARGAINS: The Arts Council of Princeton’s August 5 yART sale on August 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will feature more than 30 vendors selling one-of-a-kind items at studio clean-out prices.

The Arts Council of Princeton’s (ACP) yART sale, to be held on Saturday, August 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., promises attendees the opportunity to shop for creative bargains and unique finds, all handcrafted by local artisans. more

“THE NEXT FOREVER”: An early production of the climate change musical, “The Great Immensity,” presented by The Civilians, the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Princeton Atelier, and Princeton University’s High Meadows Environmental Institute. (Photo by Denise Applewhite)

The Civilians, Princeton University’s High Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI), and the Lewis Center for the Arts announce The Next Forever, a one-of-a-kind partnership that will create new stories for a changing planet. This three-year initiative will explore how dynamic storytelling can engage vital environmental subjects and provide the vision and inspiration society needs to navigate the challenges of our planet’s future — the “next forever.” more