Art Opportunities
Concerts
JULY 8, 11 & 18
Summer Band/ Chamber Camp Concerts
Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey
19 Ginnie Lane, West Windsor
(609) 716-1931 | yocj.org
The Summer Band Camp will be presenting their Final Concert on Friday July 8th. Check website for time.
JULY 8, 6 p.m.
Summer Concert Series: R&B Night: Earth Wind & Fire Tribute
Mercer County Park Commission
(609) 443-8560 | mercercountyparks.org
Guests welcomed to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and pack coolers with sealed bottles of water. No glass bottles. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. $5 parking fee will apply for Festival Grounds events.
JULY 8, 7:30 p.m.
Manhattan Chamber Players
Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts
101 Walnut Lane, Princeton
(609) 570-8404 | princetonsummerchamberconcerts.org
[free tickets available July 1 after 10 a.m. at tickets.princeton.edu]
JULY 9, 7 p.m.
Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series: Capital Philharmonic of NJ at Cadwalader Park, Trenton
Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey
1 Memorial Drive, Trenton
(609) 558-2292 | capitalphilharmonic.org
JULY 15, 6 p.m.
Summer Concert Series: Dance Night: Epic Soul
Mercer County Park Commission
(609) 443-8560 | mercercountyparks.org
Epic Soul features some of the top musicians in the Northeast who perform over 100 dates a year together. This dedicated group, featuring members of the Chops Horns, offers a truly unique dance party experience, utilizing state of the art technology at every performance. Their three lead singers are wireless so that they can be out on the dance floor and make everyone feel like they are part of the party.
Guests welcomed to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and sealed bottles of water. Outside food and alcohol, coolers, and glass bottles are PROHIBITED. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Admission will be $5 per person. Children under 12 are free.
JULY 16, 5 p.m.
Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series: Swing Sabroso at Unity Square Park
16 E. Hanover Street,Trenton
(609) 337-8439 | trenton-downtown.com/levitt-amp-trenton
JULY 17, 2 p.m.
Summer Concert Series: Latin Night: Kombo Latino
Mercer County Park Commission
(609) 443-8560 | mercercountyparks.org
Guests welcomed to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and pack coolers with sealed bottles of water. No glass bottles. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. $5 parking fee will apply for Festival Grounds events.
JULY 21 7:30 p.m.
Zodiac Trio
Princeton University Summer Chamber Concerts
101 Walnut Lane, Princeton
(609) 570-8404 | princetonsummerchamberconcerts.org
[free tickets available July 1st after 10:00am at tickets.princeton.edu]
JULY 22, 6 p.m.
Summer Concert Series: Morris Day
Mercer County Park Commission
(609) 443-8560 | mercercountyparks.org
We are excited to welcome Morris Day to the Mercer County Park Festival Grounds on Friday, July 22.
Early bird tickets are $10 and available online until JULY 1. After July 1, tickets will be available online and at the door for $15. Users can only purchase a maximum of 4 TICKETS PER TRANSACTION. All ticket sales are FINAL, there will be NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES. Event is rain or shine, there will be a $5 parking charge per car.
Guests welcomed to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and sealed bottles of water. Outside food and alcohol, coolers, and glass bottles are PROHIBITED. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
JULY 23, 5 p.m.
Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series: Windard Harper at Mill Hill Park
16 E. Hanover Street, Trenton
(609) 337-8439 | trenton-downtown.com/levitt-amp-trenton
JULY 29, 6 p.m.
Summer Concert Series: The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band
Mercer County Park Commission
(609) 443-8560 | mercercountyparks.org
Frontiers covers all the greatest hits of Journey, taking you back to the late 70’s during Journey’s magical inception with Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon, and to the 80’s with Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, when Journey’s timeless, chart topping hits such as Open Arms, Separate Ways, Send Her My Love, Faithfully, Stone in Love, Don’t Stop Believing, Who’s Crying Now, Anyway You Want It, and many others ruled the airwaves.
Guests welcomed to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and sealed bottles of water. Outside food and alcohol, coolers, and glass bottles are PROHIBITED. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Admission will be $5 per person. Children under 12 are free.
JULY 30, 5 p.m.
Uncle Ho 2.0 & Dan Kassel, cello at Nassau Park Pavilion
West Windsor Arts Council
952 Alexander Road, Princeton
(609) 716-1931 | westwindsorarts.org
West Windsor Arts is proud to present a summer concert series at Nassau Park Pavilion!
Concert is located at the gazebo behind Panera Bread in Nassau Park Pavilion. “Doors” at 5pm. FREE AND FAMILY FRIENDLY!
JULY 31, 5 p.m.
Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series: Will Power Funk Bank at Mill Hill Park
16 E. Hanover Street,Trenton
(609) 337-8439 | trenton-downtown.com/levitt-amp-trenton
Exhibitions
NOW - OCTOBER 2
Ellarslie Open 39
Trenton City Museum
299 Parkside Ave., Trenton
(609) 989-1191 | ellarslie.org
We are thrilled to launch the 2022 Ellarslie Open! Since its early 1980s launch, the show has evolved into a premier annual juried exhibition for the New York, Pennsylvania, and New York region – and beyond. Many of the 1,000+ local and regional artists who have shown at the Trenton City Museum first became known to the museum through their work in the Ellarslie Open. Sidelined in 2020, the Open returned in 2021 with its call for art on the callforentry.org digital entry system, connecting it with longtime and new entrants alike. The 2021 show featured a diverse and bold array of 137 works selected from 619 entered.
NOW - AUGUST 2022
The Parlor Dresses Up In Wedding Finery
Trenton City Museum
299 Parkside Ave., Trenton
(609) 989-1191 | ellarslie.org
Highlighting various eras of fashion, the wedding finery displayed in our Parlor of the Gilded Age (late 19th to early 20th centuries), mixes it up a bit just for fun. All of the lovely dresses on display were made or purchased in Trenton and were worn by women in the greater Trenton area. Come and see if you can match the dresses to the decades!
JULY 18 - AUGUST 24
Mercer County Artist 2022
The Gallery at Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor
(609) 570-3528 | mccc.edu/community_gallery.shtml
Two (2) original works in any media, except photography, may be entered. A 3rd piece may be entered for an additional fee.
- 2-Dimensional works may not exceed 50 inches in any direction. Work should be framed as needed and must include a securely attached wire for hanging.
- 3-Dimensional works (sculpture, ceramics, glass, etc.) may not exceed 60 inches in any direction or 75 pounds in weight.
- Works must have been executed in the two years since October 2020. Works that have previously been exhibited at the MCCC Gallery are not eligible.
TO APPLY
Please submit JPEG files and prepare your images according to the CaFÉ guidelines. Deadline to enter is July 6. SUBMIT HERE
For more information visit The Gallery website above or email gallery@mccc.edu
Fourth of July Festivities
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EAST WINDSOR - Fourth of July Celebration, music by Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings Dixieland Jazz Band and Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One, concluding with fireworks, 6 p.m. July 2; rain date July 9, Etra Lake Park, 9 Etra Road. 609-443-4000.
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HAMILTON - Fourth of July Celebration, concert and food vendors, concluding with fireworks at dusk, 6 p.m. July 1; rain date July 2, Veterans Park, Kuser Road. HamiltonNJ.com/Fireworks, 609-890-3622.
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LAWRENCE - Fourth of July Celebration, festivities beginning 7 p.m. July 1 with live music, children’s entertainment and food trucks, culminating with fireworks, Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Road (Route 206). lawrencetwp.com, 609-844-7065.
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PENNINGTON - Fourth of July Races, for ages 3-12, 9:15 a.m. July 4, The Pennington School, 112 W. Delaware Ave. penningtonboro.org, 609-737-0276.
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PRINCETON - Fourth of July Jubilee, free celebration of current “Ma Bell” exhibit with family activities, live music and dancing and food trucks, noon-3 p.m. July 4, Morven Museum and Garden, 55 Stockton St., 609-924-8144. Fourth of July Celebration, flag raising with vocal accompaniment by Krista Hastings, speeches and reading of Declaration of Independence, concluding with tour of the battlefield, noon July 4, Princeton Battlefield State Park, Mercer Road. pbs1777.org, info@PBS1777.org or 609-232-8540.
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TRENTON - Fourth of July Celebration, re-enactment of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence outside of Philadelphia hosted by Trenton Kiwanis at 23 S. Warren St, noon July 8, 1719 William Trent House Museum, 15 Market St. williamtrenthouse.org, 609-208-9991.
History
JULY 5, 7:30 p.m.
Reading: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
The Arts Council of Princeton
102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
(609) 924-8777 | artscouncilofprinceton.org
Community members read an amended version of Frederick Douglass’ influential speech, given on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, to the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society.
To register, please click on this Google form. You may also use this form to indicate interest in being a reader.
The life and works of Frederick Douglass continue to shape our understanding of America. A gifted orator and prescient writer, Douglass forces us to reckon with the legacy of slavery and the promises of democracy. One of the most celebrated orators of his day, Douglass’ powerful language, resolute denunciations of slavery and forceful examination of the Constitution challenge us to think about the histories we tell, the values they teach, and if our actions match our aspirations. To quote Douglass, “We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the future.”
Please register to participate as either a reader or a listener.
Organizing partners, in alphabetical order: Nassau Presbyterian Church and Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church Joint Mission Committee, Not In Our Town Princeton, Paul Robeson House of Princeton, Princeton Public Library, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.
Community partners: Arts Council of Princeton, Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, First Baptist Church of Princeton, Us Visible New Jersey, Municipality of Princeton, Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Muslim Center of Greater Princeton, Princeton Civil Rights Commission, Princeton Nassau Presbyterian Church, Unitarian Universalist Church, and the YWCA Princeton.
This program will be held virtually on the Zoom platform and live transcription will be enabled. It will also be recorded and available in the future on the Princeton Public Library YouTube channel.
JULY 9, 2 p.m.
In-person & via Zoom -The First Historian of the Battle of Trenton: Francois-Jean de Chastellux, 1734-1788
William Trent House
15 Market Street
(609) 989-3027 | williamtrenthouse.org
During the last phase of the American Revolution, the French expeditionary army of the Count de Rochambeau came to the aid of George Washington's forces in 1780. To conduct war in these new, unknown lands, a group of French officers went on a mission to do extensive studies of the American lands and the former battlefields of the American Revolution. François-Jean de Chastellux, the Major General of Rochambeau's army, studied these former battlefields extensively, with the approach of a true historian.
Dr. Iris de Rode specializes in the French role in the American Revolution and has completed a biography on the Marquis de Chastellux, based on his unpublished private papers that she discovered in the Château de Chastellux.
Part of Trenton's Liberty Weekend, commemorating the reading of the Declaration of Independence in Trenton on July 8, 1776,
Dr. de Rode speak in-person at the Trent House Visitor Center and simultaneously available on Zoom at
https://tinyurl.com/THTalkJuly9.
Seating at the Trent House is limited - Reserve your in-person spot at https://tinyurl.com/RegisterJuly9
JULY 16, 12 pm
Building of the Great Architect William A. Poland
Trenton City Museum
299 Parkside Ave., Trenton
(609) 989-1191 | ellarslie.org
Join us for a WALKING TOUR of downtown buildings by the great Gilded Age architect William A. Poland. Tour led by Karl Flesch of the Trenton City Museum. Before or after the tour, be sure to check out all the activities of businesses and groups participating in TRENTON SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN.
Tours are at noon on the third Saturday of the month, April to August (April 16, May 21, June 11 (note new date), July 16, August 20). FREE of charge. (donations in support of the museum are welcome). Meet in front of the New Jersey State Museum at 205 W. State St. In partnership with the Division of Economic Development, City of Trenton’s TRENTON SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN.
JULY 19, 6:30 p.m.
Via Zoom -The Price of Silence: The Forgotten Story of New Jersey's Enslaved People - Making the Documentary
William Trent House
15 Market Street
(609) 989-3027 | williamtrenthouse.org
To be released in June, this documentary was produced by Truehart Productions, a nonprofit corporation formed in 2019 for the sole purpose of producing a documentary during this critical time when so many are struggling to understand the racial disparities that exist in our country. The film reveals the prevalence of slavery during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries and its lasting effects throughout New Jersey during the 20th century. Ridgeley Hutchinson, president of Truehart Productions, will describe the story behind the documentary with illustrations from the film. Join at tinyurl.com/THATalkJuly19.
JULY 24, 2 p.m.
In Person & via Zoom - Governor Morris' 1742 Kitchen & Other Findings from Archaeology at the Trent House
William Trent House
15 Market Street
(609) 989-3027 | williamtrenthouse.org
In 1742, when he was appointed Governor of the colony of New Jersey, Lewis Morris was looking to lease suitable housing in Trenton. Then owned by the Governor of Pennsylvania, the Trent House - then known as Kingsbury - was his choice with one condition: that a separate kitchen building be constructed for use in place of the kitchen in the basement of the house and that it be large enough to accommodate his enslaved servants. This illustration shows the two-story brick building that was built with a breezeway connecting it to the main house.
While the existence of the kitchen building has long been known, no trace of it remains above ground. In 2014 Hunter Research was commissioned by the Trent House Association, with funding from NJM Insurance Group, to conduct a preliminary excavation, which successfully uncovered evidence of the building's foundation. Since then, with continued support from NJM and additional funding from the New Jersey Historic Trust, additional structures and artifacts have been discovered. Richard Hunter, president of Hunter Research, will bring the findings together and discuss ways that this historic treasure can inform our understanding of the lives of all those living and working on the plantation at the Falls of the Delaware in the 18th century.
JULY 28, 7 p.m.
The Wreck and Recovery of the Pirate Ship - WHYDAH
The Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch
2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville
(609) 883-8294 | mcl.org
This is the exciting true story of the 1717 wreck, and the eventual 1984 discovery, of the Whydah - the only pirate ship ever found and the incredible mysteries she shared and continues to reveal. Join historical re-enactor, lecturer and tour guide Michael Jesberger for a discussion on very real pirates and their treasure! Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library. Registration is required.
Literature
JULY 5 & 19, 7 p.m.
Virtual - Creative Writing for Adults
The Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch
2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville
(609) 883-8294 | mcl.org
Join us virtually for an opportunity to share original creative writing of all kinds in a supportive, group environment. Facilitated by Chip McAuley, poet and librarian, this ongoing workshop is for everyone who enjoys working with words. We will share work, discuss writing techniques, give supportive feedback, read aloud and more in this all-in-one creativity hub. Please email hopeprogs@mcl.org to register to receive link to program.
JULY 26, 6:30 p.m.
Poetry Circle: Stephen Crane
The Mercer County Library, Lawrence Branch
Hickory Corner Road, East Windsor
(609) 448-1330 | mcl.org
Stephen Crane (1871 – 1900), was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Crane briefly attended Pennington Seminary, a boarding school in Pennington. Prolific throughout his short life, Crane is recognized primarily for his classic novel “The Red Badge of Courage”. He also published two poetry collections, “The Black Riders and Other Lines” and “War is Kind”. At the time of his death, Crane was considered an important figure in American literature. His writing had an influence on 20th-century writers such as Ernest Hemingway, and is thought to have inspired the Modernists and the Imagists. Andrew Punk, a librarian at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch, will lead this presentation. Registration is required.
Nature
JULY 2, 10 a.m.
Ice Cream Party
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
(609) 737-3299 | howellfarm.org
Farmer Jim and his crew will use a "hit and miss" engine to churn gallons of ice cream in the shade of a maple tree...while live music by the Jugtown Mountain String Band, kids’ games, and farmhouse tours add to the fun on the front lawn. Ice cream, surrey rides, and a children's craft are available for purchase.
JULY 9, 5 p.m.
Evening Blacksmithing
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
(609) 737-3299 | howellfarm.org
Learn about the finer points of shaping metal when blacksmith Daniel Lapidow fires up the forge and heats wrought iron for bending, hammering, and sharpening. Help out by turning the crank of the forge blower until the iron glows orange, while he makes harness hooks, gate hinges, and other hardware needed on the farm. Initialed horseshoes and other handmade items will be available for purchase.
JULY 16, 5 p.m.
Farmer's Choice
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
(609) 737-3299 | howellfarm.org
Howell Farm’s “Share the Harvest” program is a behind-the-scenes tour of the farm’s 2021 gardens, crop fields, and barnyard where fresh vegetables, eggs, and grain products are produced for donation to local food banks during the pandemic. Visitors are given a trivia gameboard and crossword puzzle, with answers posted on signs throughout the farm. Farmers are stationed in the barnyard to introduce the animals and answer questions about the program. Everyone who completes the puzzle receives a bag of freshly-ground wheat flour to take home!
JULY 23, 5 p.m.
Evening Animal Chores
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
609) 737-3299 | howellfarm.org
Bring your boots and work gloves, because between 5:00 and 8:00 you’ll be learning just what it takes to keep farm animals...by picking up a pitchfork and doing evening chores! Help farmers feed and water the animals, bring in the sheep from the pasture, collect eggs in the henhouse, grind corn in the barn, scrub and fill water tubs, and clean the horses’ stalls for tomorrow’s breakfast.
JULY 30 & 31, 10 a.m.
Mercer County 4-H Fair & Wheat Threshing
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
(609) 737-3299 | howellfarm.org
The Mercer County 4-H fair includes animal shows and exhibits, homemade ice cream, hay rides, pony rides, music, magic shows, and farm tours. Check out displays by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Mercer County Wildlife Center Friends, Mid-State Beekeepers Association, and many more! Free admission and parking for all; please bring a non-perishable food donation for Rutgers Against Hunger.
On Saturday, Howell Farm’s 2021 wheat sheaves will be fully dried and ready to be “threshed” to separate the grain and straw. Demonstrations will take place in the barnyard between 11:00 and 3:00 – with visitors helping to “winnow” the threshed grain to clean it, separating the wheat from the chaff and preparing it for grinding.
Theatre
JULY 8 & 15 at 8 p.m.
JULY 9 & 16 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
JULY 10 & 17 at 2 p.m.
Oliver!
Kelsey Theatre
(609) 303-0700 | kelseytheatre.org
“Consider yourself at home” for The Yardley Players presentation of Lionel Bart's classic musical based on Charles Dickens' novel, Oliver Twist. Oliver, a malnourished orphan, bravely escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of pickpockets. When he is wrongly accused of theft, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow, takes him in and Oliver seems to have found a home. But, fearing the discovery of his hideout, Fagin, the leader of the pickpockets, is intent on kidnapping him back!
July 29, 30 at 8 p.m.
July 31 at 2 p.m.
RAISE YOUR VOICE -MTI's Broadway Junior Revue
Kelsey Theatre
(609) 303-0700 | kelseytheatre.org
The Kelsey Forward Initiative and Kelsey Theatre preset MTI’s Broadway Junior Revue Raise Your Voice – a one act presentation of your favorite Broadway tunes performed by our terrifically talented teenagers!
From Broadway Junior musicals based on classic titles like Guys and Dolls and Oliver! to beloved Disney shows like The Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins, this show offers a fun introduction to musical revues by young performers.
JULY 4, 7:30 p.m.
Jasper Johns American Flag at Morven's 4th of July Jubilee
The Arts Council of Princeton
102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
(609) 924-8777 | artscouncilofprinceton.org
To celebrate Morven’s first in-person celebration in several years, they are taking a swing to the 1960’s in celebration of their current exhibition: Ma Bell: The Mother of Invention in New Jersey which features the original TelStar satellite and so many other technological innovations made right here in New Jersey that affected the entire world for generations.
Come by from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. for a celebration featuring the Arts Council of Princeton providing a Jasper Johns American Flag activity, the Historical Society of Princeton with a meaningful 1960’s Princeton adventure activity, live dancing in the gardens with the Luminarium Dance Company, and live music from the 1960s and beyond, including the hit “TelStar” with the Green Planet Band.
There will be fun and activities for everyone: family tickets are available for $25 to view inside the museum, our historic gardens are open, and food trucks will be on premises, including KonaIce and PotatoPatoto! Sponsored by Honda of Princeton.
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