November 20, 2024

MCCC Students in Two Productions at Kelsey

Mercer County Community College (MCCC) students from different departments are collaborating on an interpretation of a classic Greek tragedy The Bacchae of Euripides and A Mouthful of Birds, November 21-24, at the Kelsey Theatre on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus.

Both productions involve students from the Theater, Dance, and Entertainment Technology; Fashion Apparel/Design; and Advertising and Graphic Design programs serving as performers and costume designers and providing advertising/promotion support.

According to Jody Gazenbeek-Person, MCCC’s Theatre, Dance, and Entertainment Technology coordinator, the intra-program experience serves as a real-life lesson for a career in the entertainment industry, where understanding all aspects of a production is important for success.  more

Pianist and Professor

Mikhail Voskresensky will present an all-new program on Saturday, December 14 at 7 p.m. in Bristol Chapel, on the campus of Westminster Choir College, 101 Walnut Lane. He will perform works by Beethoven, Mozart, Grieg, Scriabin, and Chopin. Tickets are $45 ($20 for students).

Violinist and Pianist Make Princeton Debut

Dutch violinist Janine Jansen is set to make her long-anticipated Princeton University Concerts (PUC) debut with Belgian pianist Denis Kozhukhin on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium.

The program features Robert Schumann Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 105; Clara Schumann Three Romances, Op. 22; and Johannes Brahms Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100 and Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108.

“We have been eager to present this legendary duo for a very long time,” said PUC Director Marna Seltzer, “and after the pandemic and illness delayed their debut, it feels surreal that this historic moment has finally arrived. As we head into the holiday season, I can think of no greater gift.” more

Youthful Dancers

Princeton Youth Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker,” choreographed by Risa Kaplowitz and Talin Kenar, is on stage at Princeton High School Performing Arts Center Saturday, December 7 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, December 8 at 12 and 4 p.m. This version of the familiar holiday ballet is a coming-of-age story. Tickets are on sale at pyb.booktix.com.

Live Performance, Film is Narrated Travelogue

On December 3 at 7:30 p.m., Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts presents Courtney Stephens’ live performance/film essay, Terra Femme, at the James Stewart Film Theater, 185 Nassau Street. Admission is free and open to the public.

An essay film, a memoir, a post-colonial reckoning, Terra Femme is a work of live cinema that takes the form of a narrated travelogue, with Stephens leading the viewer through errant cinematic scrapbooks, seeking out the stories behind the images, and wondering after the early 20th century women who captured and witnessed them. This live performance/film has toured widely.

The essay film is comprised of amateur travelogues filmed by women in the 1920s-1950s. With a score by Sarah Davachi, the fims raise questions about female representation in the archive, the role of amateurism in early non-fiction filmmaking, and the politics of the Western gaze. more

Chanticleer Vocal Ensemble Presents Holiday Program

Princeton University Concerts (PUC) will welcome the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer back for a special event performance of their A Chanticleer Christmas program of a cappella choral music, ranging from Renaissance masterworks to spirituals, on Saturday, December 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Princeton University Chapel.

Prior to the concert, PUC will host a Do-Re-Meet LGBTQIA+ & Allies Mingle in the form of a festive “ugly sweater party,” at 5:30 p.m. at Maclean House on the campus.

Chanticleer first came to PUC in October 2023, engaging with the community by inviting singers of all ages and abilities to sing alongside as part of PUC’s free annual Chamber Jam conducted by Artistic Director Tim Keeler, a 2011 graduate of the Princeton University Music Department; singing for one of PUC’s free Live Music Meditation events; and performing a concert at Richardson Auditorium. more

Day With(out) Art 2024 Program at Garden Theatre

The Garden Theatre is partnering with the Princeton University Art Museum to again commemorate Day With(out) Art, an occasion to remember those artists and creators impacted by the AIDS crisis. This year’s program is on Tuesday, December 3 at 7 p.m.

The collection of videos Red Reminds Me…. will be screened, free to the public. The program will be introduced by Princeton University Art Museum Director James Steward, and followed by a discussion between Steward and one of the video’s directors, David Oscar Harvey.

Day With(out) Art was organized by Visual AIDS, “the only contemporary arts organization fully committed to AIDS awareness and creating dialogue around HIV issues today,” according to their website. It was first held on December 1, 1989, to coincide with the World Health Organization’s second annual World AIDS Day, and meant to “celebrate the lives and achievements of lost colleagues and friends.” more

Arts Council to Host “Crafting a Heart” Event

“CRAFTING A HEART”: The Arts Council of Princeton will host a workshop with Gisele Fetterman, right, and Diana Weymar, left, on Wednesday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m. A hands-on art activity and signed copy of Weymar’s new book are included in registration.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) will present a workshop with Gisele Fetterman and craftivist Diana Weymar on Wednesday, December 4. Attendees will learn to create a unique mosaic heart out of ceramic and tile pieces and learn more about using art to transform anxiety into action.

All attendees will receive a signed copy of Weymar’s new book, Crafting a Better World. Additional books will be available for purchase at the event.

This beginner-friendly workshop includes all materials and small-group instruction. Registration is $65 and is available on artscouncilofprinceton.org. more

Day of Artful Joy at Princeton Makes

DAY OF ARTFUL JOY: Artisan card maker Danyelle Kessler will teach children and adults how to make unique greeting cards on Saturday, November 23 from $12:30 to 2 p.m. at Princeton Makes in the Princeton Shopping Center.

Art Against Racism is partnering with Princeton Makes, a Princeton-based artist cooperative, to present a Day of Artful Joy on Saturday, November 23. It will be a day of creativity and fun celebrating International Art and Health Month. This event is part of Arts and Health Mercer, sponsored by Mercer County art and cultural organizations. Learn more at artshealthmercer.org. The activities will be held at Princton Makes, located in the Princeton Shopping Center.

The Lovey Monsters Beginners Sewing Class for Kids will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Ronah Harris, an artist and the creator of Lovey Monsters, will help kids unleash their imagination and craft their very own adorable monster stuffy. To enjoy this blend of creativity and fluffiness, one can purchase the Monster Lovey kit available for $12.50. more

PU Program in Visual Arts Hosts Open Studios

OPEN STUDIOS: At the 2023 Open Studios event a then-junior, now senior, shares their work with a visitor. This year’s event is on November 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 185 Nassau Street on the Princeton University campus. (Photo by Jon Sweeney)

Juniors and seniors majoring and minoring in visual arts at Princeton University will open their studios to share and discuss their works-in-progress on November 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 185 Nassau Street on the Princeton campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The evening of Open Studios will feature work by students in a wide range of media including photography, sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, graphic design, and film, as well as multi- and interdisciplinary work. The student artists, from the classes of 2025 and 2026, will be present to discuss their work.  more

Basketball Training, Clinics, Camps, and More are Available at Jump Shot Gym in Hillsborough

SHOOTING SKILLS: “Jump Shot Gym is a specialized facility with eight basketball hoops and Dr. Dish shooting machines.” says Lara De Meo Hoyt, co-owner, with Jim Hoyt, of Jump Shot Gym. Shown is a student sharpening her shooting skills with the aid of the Dr. Dish machine and her customized app. 

By Jean Stratton

It’s all about repetition,” says Jim Hoyt.

Co-owner with his wife, Lara De Meo Hoyt, of Jump Shot Gym in Hillsborough, he points out the importance of practicing basketball shots again and again in order to achieve a successful outcome.

“In a typical setting, players may get 20 to 50 shots in practice. Here, with our state-of-the-art program and special Dr. Dish machines, they get 400 to 900. They can make many more shots here. It’s all about repetition.” more

Producing Stirring Run to Ivy Tournament Title, PU Men’s Soccer Facing Akron in NCAA Opener

TOURNAMENT TOUGH: Princeton University men’s soccer player Nico Nee, right, battles for the ball in game earlier this season. Last weekend, senior forward Nee starred as third-seeded Princeton won the Ivy League Tournament, topping second-seeded Cornell 3-2 in overtime in a semifinal contest on Friday and then defeating top-seeded Penn 3-1 in the final on Sunday. Nee scored the tying goal against Cornell and the first goal in the win over Penn. The Tigers (12-6 overall) will play at Akron (11-4-4) in an NCAA first round contest on November 21 with the victor playing at 14th-seeded Indiana on November 24 in the second round. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University men’s soccer team put together its finest soccer of the season in a whirlwind weekend to get back in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2021.

Senior forward Nico Nee scored the tying goal in a 3-2 double overtime win for the third-seeded Tigers over second-seeded Cornell in the Ivy League Tournament semifinals last Friday, then the first goal of a 3-1 win over Penn for the Ivy tournament title Sunday. Junior forward Danny Ittycheria scored twice in the win over Cornell, and capped off the win over Penn with a late tally. It’s the Tigers’ first Ivy League Tournament championship in just the second year the event has been held. more

With Sophomore Chea Emerging as Floor General, PU Women’s Hoops Tops Villanova in Home Opener

ON POINT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ashley Chea heads upcourt in a game last season. Last Wednesday, sophomore point guard Chea scored a career-high 17 points to help Princeton defeat Villanova 70-61 in its home opener. On Sunday, Chea tallied 14 points in a losing cause as the Tigers fell 74-66 at Quinnipiac. Princeton, now 2-2, plays at Seton Hall on November 21 and at Rutgers on November 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

During her freshman season with the Princeton University women’s basketball team last winter, Ashley Chea served as an understudy to senior star point guard Kaitlyn Chen.

With Chen having departed and now playing for UConn as a graduate transfer, Chea is now applying the knowledge she gained from her mentor.

“I learned so much from her, I think that this year I am trying to take on her role but me and Kaitlyn play super differently,” said Chea, a 5’8 native of Los Angeles, Calif.  “I think both of our confidence spikes up when times are heated. I just try my best to lead the team and do whatever they need me to do.” more

PU Men’s Hoops Falters Late in Loss to Loyola, Bounces Back to Defeat Merrimack, Now 4-1

INSIDE PRESENCE: Princeton University men’s basketball player Malik Abdullahi defends a foe in recent action. Freshman forward Abdullahi has provided the Tigers with a spark in the paint. Abdullahi scored 11 points and had four rebounds along with one block in a 73-68 loss to Loyola University Chicago on Friday and followed that up with eight points and three rebounds in a 68-57 win over Merrimack last Sunday. Abdullahi was later named Ivy League Rookie of the Week. Princeton, now 4-1, will be competing in the Myrtle Beach Invitational in Conway, S.C., from November 21-24 before returning home to host Nazareth on November 27. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In its first three games this season, the Princeton University men’s basketball team displayed a knack for pulling out nail-biters.

In its season opener against visiting Iona on November 4, Princeton overcame a 16-point second half deficit to pull out an 81-80 win. Against Duquesne four days later, the Tigers trailed by four points with five minutes left before prevailing 75-68. Facing Northeastern on November 10, Princeton trailed 74-71 but produced another late surge to win 79-76. more

Princeton Football Squanders 28-21 Lead at Yale, Falls 42-28 to Bulldogs, Hosting Penn in Finale

CRUNCH TIME: Princeton University football running back John Volker gets corralled by two Dartmouth defenders earlier this season. Last Saturday, Volker rushed for 56 yards and one touchdown but it wasn’t enough as Princeton fell 42-28 at Yale. The Tigers, now 2-7 overall and 1-5 Ivy League, host Penn (4-5 overall, 2-4 Ivy) on November 23 in their season finale. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It proved to be a disappointing case of déjà vu for Bob Surace and the Princeton University football team as the Tigers played at Yale last Saturday.

Jumping out to a 28-21 lead over the Bulldogs early in the third quarter, things went downhill from there for Princeton. Yale reeled off 21 unanswered points to pull away to a 42-28 win before 7,594 at the Yale Bowl, dropping the Tigers to 2-7 overall and 1-5 Ivy League. more

Putting the Finishing Touch on Dominant Campaign, PHS Girls’ Volleyball Rolls to 2nd Straight State Title

ENCORE PERFORMANCE: Members of the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team celebrate last Saturday after they defeated Ramapo 2-0 (25-8, 25-11) in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state finals at Franklin High. It marked the second straight Group 3 state title for PHS and putting the finishing touch on a sensational 28-1 campaign. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Lois Matsukawa served for Princeton High girls’ volleyball team to open its New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state final against Ramapo last Saturday, she zipped the ball over the net which resulted in the Tigers taking a 1-0 lead on a block at the net.

PHS rattled off five straight points on Matsukawa’s serve and never looked back on the way to a comprehensive 2-0 (25-8, 25-11) win over the Raiders at Franklin High, earning its second straight Group 3 state title and putting the finishing touch on a sensational 28-1 campaign.

With PHS having won the program’s first-ever state title last fall, senior center Matsukawa and her teammates were calm and collected as they took the court last Saturday. more

Senior Libero Makes Home Finale Memorable, Helping PHS Girls’ Volleyball Return to State Final

SHINING PEARL: Princeton High girls’ volleyball player Pearl Agel sets the ball last Saturday in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state final. Senior libero Agel starred as PHS defeated Moorestown 2-0 (25-8, 25-9) in the NJSIAA Group 3 state semifinal round last Thursday in its home finale and then went on to top Ramapo 2-0 (25-8, 25-11) in the Group 3 final on Sunday at Franklin High. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Princeton High girls’ volleyball team hosted Moorestown last Thursday in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 3 state semis, it was the last-ever home game for Pearl Agel and she was determined to make it memorable.

“We were excited, we just really wanted to bring our all,” said senior libero Agel. “We always say, ‘Let’s play Princeton volleyball. Let’s play together, that is really important.’ I have had such a blast at the school and I am so happy.” more

With Hamerschlag’s Header Making the Difference, PHS Boys’ Soccer Tops Monroe 1-0 in Sectional Final

TITLE CHASE: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Chase Hamerschlag boots the ball last Friday as PHS hosted Monroe in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final. Junior center back Hamerschlag scored a goal on a header to give third-seeded PHS a 1-0 win over fifth seeded Monroe. The Tigers, who improved to 18-2-4, were slated to play at Southern (17-5-1) on November 19 in the Group 4 semis with the victor advancing to the state final on November 24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament final on October 26, Chase Hamerschlag headed in a goal off a pass from Aaron Thyrum on a corner kick in the second half to give the Princeton High boys’ soccer team a 1-0 win over
Notre Dame.

History repeated itself last Friday as third-seeded PHS hosted fifth-seeded Monroe in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final. With the teams knotted in a scoreless tie in the second half, junior center back Hamerschlag soared above a Falcon defender to head in a pass from Thyrum on a set piece to give PHS a 1-0 victory. more

With Hegedus Setting the Tone with Bold Start, PHS Girls’ Cross Country Takes 2nd at MOC

FAST COMPANY: Members of the Princeton High girls’ cross country team show off the medals they earned for placing second in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Meet of Champions last Saturday at Holmdel Park. It marked the highest-ever finish for the program at the meet.

By Justin Feil

Grace Hegedus has been bursting from the starting line over the past two seasons for the Princeton High girls’ cross country team.

The sophomore set the tone for a team on the rise last year in her first varsity season, and this year she continued to do so as the deeper Tiger squad reached heights unseen. more

Determined Group of Seniors Set Winning Tone As PDS Boys’ Soccer Made Run to Sectional Final

BEST FOOT FORWARD: Princeton Day School boys’ soccer player Todd Devin, right, kicks the ball in a game last season. Last Friday, senior midfielder Devin scored two goals as sixth-seeded PDS fell to top-seeded Moorestown Friends on penalty kicks after the teams had tied at 3-3 through regulation and overtime in the final of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public B tournament. The defeat left the Panthers with a final record of 8-14. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Although the Princeton Day School boys’ soccer team brought a mediocre 5-13 record into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) South Jersey Non-Public B tournament, Todd Devin was confident that the squad would be a tough out in the tourney.

“We started playing this tournament my freshman year and every year we are told at the beginning of the year no matter how the regular season goes, we can always make a run,” said PDS senior midfielder Devin. “That was pretty prevalent early in because we were playing in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) and we were playing the best teams. Five of seven teams went far in states. We know we are playing good competition through the whole season. We get to the state tournament and we always know that we have a chance to win and no game is out of our reach.” more

November 13, 2024

Grin and Bear It

Members of the Princeton University women’s soccer team are all smiles as they celebrate after defeating Brown 2-0 last Sunday afternoon in the Ivy League Tournament final at Roberts Stadium. The Tigers improved to 14-4 with the win over the Bears. Princeton is headed to the NCAA tournament where it will play at Virginia (12-5) in a first round contest on November 15. For more details on the game, see page 30. (Photo by Bill Alden)

BOE Winners Look to Upcoming Challenges

By Donald Gilpin

With a few final mail-ins and provisional ballots still being counted, incumbent Mara Franceschi and new candidates Christopher Santarpio and Ari Meisel have won three-year terms on the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE) beginning January 1, 2025, defeating three other challengers in a hotly contested race.

The unofficial results based on most recent tallies show Franceschi as the top vote-getter with 5,617 votes (20.66 percent), followed by Santarpio with 4,851 (17.84 percent) and Meisel with 4,662 (17.15 percent). Erica Snyder fell short with 4,523 votes (16.64 percent), as did Z. Lisa Potter with 4.385 (16.13 percent) and Shenwei Zhao with 3,084 (11.34 percent).

Final counts and certification by the Mercer County clerk are expected to take place next week. more

Princeton University Reports 3.9% Endowment Gains, Lowest in Ivy League

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton University’s endowment fund has reported a return of 3.9 percent and a total value of $34.1 billion for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2024. The University has recorded an average annual return of 9.2 percent over the past 10 years, but the 2024 gain was the smallest among the eight Ivy League universities and follows Princeton’s losses of 1.5 percent and 1.7 percent in the two previous years.

Returns for the 2024 fiscal year at other Ivy League institutions ranged from 11.5 percent at Columbia to 5.7 percent at Yale, with Princeton’s underperformance for the year apparently due to large investments in private equity and venture capital at a time when publicly traded stocks, particularly technology stocks and the S&P 500 index, have outperformed most experts’ predictions.

PRINCO, the Princeton University Investment Company, emphasizes a “long horizon” investment strategy, focusing on many decades rather than a single year. The endowment’s investments returned 46.9 percent in 2021 and have averaged 9.9 percent over the past 20 years.  more

Ribbon Cutting to Officially Open 153-Acre Green Space Preserve

By Anne Levin

On Friday, November 15 at 2:30 p.m., municipal and environmental officials will cut the ribbon on Princeton’s newest open space preserve. The 153-acre expanse formerly known as the Lanwin tract has frontage on Province Line and Cherry Valley roads and is located in the northwest corner of Princeton.

The parcel was at one time targeted for a housing development, which would have resulted in the loss of some 4,000 trees that form part of an old-growth forest. But through an agreement struck in October 2021 between the municipality, Bryce Thompson, and Lanwin Development, the tract was acquired for $8.775 million and set aside for conservation and passive recreational use. more

Morven Museum’s Annual Festival of Trees Highlights Traditions and Celebrations

FESTIVAL MAGIC: Morven Museum & Garden’s 19th annual Festival of Trees, accompanied by a lineup of programs and events, will take place at the historic Stockton Street house from November 20 to January 5, with trees and mantels decorated throughout the museum galleries under the theme of Traditions and Celebrations. (Photo courtesy of Morven Museum & Garden)

By Donald Gilpin

Morven Museum & Garden’s 19th annual Festival of Trees will open on Wednesday, November 20 with displays by a wide variety of decorators representing more than 20 different local nonprofits, schools, garden clubs, community groups, and individual artists.

Running through January 5, 2025, the Festival will feature a juried selection of creations by groups and individuals who submitted applications to decorate trees and mantels throughout the museum’s galleries. more