“FOUND SOUNDS”: The Princeton-based ensemble Sō Percussion demonstrates their ability to use unusual sounds and found instruments in a talk at Princeton Public Library on March 4. (Photo by Victoria Pickering)

Members of the award-winning ensemble Sō Percussion will give a talk on “Found Sounds” on Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m., a presentation of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) Soundtracks Series at the Princeton Public Library.

They will discuss the unique soundscapes which can be created using everyday items. The ensemble regularly incorporates unusual sounds and found instruments in performances, including in works on their 2025 Grammy Award-winning album Rectangles and Circumstance with Caroline Shaw.  more

The Princeton Playhouse Ensembles of Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Theater and Music Theater presents “Foibles and Fables: Songs of Magic and Memory!” on Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Berlind Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place.

The musical celebrates music theater storytelling, performance, composition, arranging, direction, and choreography, featuring the work and leadership of current Princeton students and alumni. The Playhouse Ensembles will be joined by Broadway performer Becca Stevens, violist and composer Nathan Schram, and other special guests. Selections from Hadestown, Pippin, Shuffle Along, Stephen Sondheim’s Evening Primrose, and other known works as well as premieres by guest artists and students are on the program. more

Milton Suggs
(Photo by Jacob Blickenstaff)

Jazz at Lincoln Center brings the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras to McCarter Theatre on Friday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. The touring concert, which celebrates the New Orleans Songbook, is led by pianist Luther S. Allison.

Vocalists Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs are joined by a band presenting the music of Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Ellis Marsalis, James Black, Henry Butler, The Meters, Professor Longhair, and more.

“New Orleans is arguably the most important city in the history of Black American Music. The depth of its culture is bar none, and the influence of art from this city has undeniably shaped the development of nearly all genres of music. I am honored to pay tribute to my heroes of the New Orleans lineage with such a tremendous band,” said Allison.

For over three decades, Jazz at Lincoln Center has been a leading advocate for jazz, culture, and arts education worldwide. Under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, JALC has brought jazz from New York to 446 cities in more than 40 countries.

McCarter Theatre is at 91 University Place. Visit Mccarter.org for tickets.

FESTIVE FUN: Ryan Shaw and Capathia Jenkins return to the Princeton Festival on June 6 with songs by Prince, Whitney. Houson, Stevie Wonder, and Elvis Presley, among others. This year’s festival runs June 6-21.

The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will hold the annual Princeton Festival from June 6-21 on the grounds of Morven Museum & Garden. The performing arts showcase includes a concert by soprano Renée Fleming, an evening of songs by Sondheim, Puccini’s opera Tosca, an evening of dance by American Repertory Ballet, and more.

“This year’s Festival will amaze you with its breadth and variety of musical experiences,” said PSO Music Director Rossen Milanov. “Whether you like Classical, Baroque, vocal, pop music or dance and opera, I guarantee you that you will find it in our Festival line-up. Prepare to be transported by exquisite music in a beautiful setting, surrounded by nature.”

Opening Weekend begins Friday, June 6 with “ICON: The Voices That Changed Music” featuring songs by such artists as Prince, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and more, performed by returning Festival artists Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw, with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lucas Waldin. more

SINGING TOGETHER: Bela Nakum will share her love for British music with members of the new Princeton Britpop Choir weekly beginning March 13 at Princeton United Methodist Church.

Princeton area resident Bela Nakum has founded the Princeton Britpop Choir, with a goal of creating a supportive community where all can experience the joy of singing together in harmony. The first class, on Thursday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m., will be held at Princeton United Methodist Church, 7 Vandeventer Avenue.

Members of the choir will meet weekly on Thursday evenings.

Though Nakum grew up in the greater Princeton area, she spent summers visiting her family in the United Kingdom and developed a love for British music. While her musical background is in classical choral music, she aims to combine her love of music, the cultures she grew up in, and her desire to create a supportive community — open to everyone from classically trained musicians to those with no experience. more

YOUTH ART: This work by sixth grade student Rebecca Mazzoni is part of an exhibit celebrating National Youth Art Month at Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury.

During March, National Youth Art Month, Cranbury School will be celebrating youth art at the Gourgaud Gallery at Town Hall in Cranbury.

The show will run from March 3 to March 25 with a special opening date of Saturday, March 15th from 1 to 2 p.m.  more

GR8 WORKS: The fundraising sale of original 8 x 8-inch artworks, which runs March 4 through April 5 at West Windsor Arts, benefits the art center’s Artist in Residence programs. 

West Windsor Arts has announced the GR8 Works Fundraising Art Show, an exhibition and sale of original 8 x 8-inch artworks, which opens March 4 and benefits the art center’s Artist in Residence programs.

“This is a very special show for us because it brings together talented local artists enthusiastically showing their support for the arts by donating 50 or 100 percent of the proceeds from their artwork sales to West Windsor Arts,” says Aylin Green, executive director, West Windsor Arts. Participating artists gain recognition for their work by being part of the show, and also contribute to an organization dedicated to elevating artistic expression within the community.

“The response has been tremendous,” said Green, “We reached out to our community of artists to be a part of the GR8 Works Art Show by creating an original 8 x 8-inch artwork. The works of more than 100 artists will be on display and for sale. It’s a great opportunity for art lovers to pick up original work at a great price.” more

Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) recently received a $3 million gift from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, a contribution that marks one of the largest single donations from an individual in the organization’s history. This endowment gift will play a crucial role in ensuring the lasting legacy of GFS and its commitment to promoting the interplay of art, nature, and wellness for the community.

Betty Wold Johnson, a devoted supporter of the arts and the cousin of Seward Johnson, the visionary founder of GFS, has left an indelible mark on the institution. She was one of the most celebrated philanthropists of her generation, and her commitment to the arts and her family’s legacy of creativity continue to inspire the GFS’ mission to engage the public with art in nature.

“We are immensely grateful to the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation for this remarkable gift,” said GFS Executive Director Gary Garrido Schneider. “This contribution not only enhances our endowment but also strengthens our ability to provide innovative exhibitions, educational programs, and community initiatives. We are committed to ensuring that Grounds For Sculpture remains a source of inspiration for generations to come.” more

OPERA AND MORE: Ruth Ochs leads the Princeton University Sinfonia in a program of music from opera as well as works by student composers.

Ruth Ochs conducts the Princeton University Sinfonia on Friday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus for “A Night at the Opera,” an evening of excerpts from operas by Bizet, Mozart, Rossini, Delibes, and Rimsky-Korsakov.

The concert will include Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Procession of the Nobles” from Mlada and “Dance of the Tumblers” from The Snow Maiden; two selections by Bizet, a quintet from Carmen, as well as the famous duet “Au fond du temple saint” from The Pearl Fishers; the “Flower Duet” from Delibes’ Lakmé, and the finale from Act 1 of Rossini’s The Italian Girl in Algiers.

The program also features new works by student composers Kasey Shao ’25 and Julia Young ’27, and Clara Conatser ’25 will play movements from Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3. Singers from the University’s Glee Club Opera Scenes and the University Clarinet Ensemble will also perform. Tickets are $15 general admission/$5 students and are available at tickets.princeton.edu. For more information call (609) 258-4241 or visit music.princeton.edu.