COMING FROM SCOTLAND: The Tannahill Weavers mix traditional Celtic music with rock and roll, bringing the highland pipes into the mix. They will perform at Christ Congregation Church on Friday, September 20 at 8 p.m.

The Princeton Folk Music Society opens its 2024-25 season with the Scottish folk rock group The Tannahill Weavers, coming to Christ Congregation Church on Friday, September 20 at 8 p.m.

The band features a combination of traditional melodies, driving rhythmic accompaniment, and three-part vocal harmonies. They are known for being the first Scottish folk group to incorporate an instrument long thought to be too loud to play with other traditional folk instruments: the highland pipes. more

El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico comes to State Theatre New Jersey on Friday, September 13 at 8 p.m. Since the 1960s, the salsa orchestra has showcased the culture of Puerto Rico with more than 70 albums and numerous appearances. The six-piece band has earned a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the ASCAP Latin Heritage Award, among other honors. Tickets are $39-$229. The State Theatre is at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Visit Stnj.org.

AMERICAN PIE AND MORE: Don McLean brings his “Starry Starry Night Tour” to New Brunswick on September 21.

State Theatre New Jersey presents Don McLean — Starry Starry Night Tour on Saturday, September 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $34-$89.

McLean is a Grammy Award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, and a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. His smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named a Top 5 song of the 20th Century by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA). more

“ROSEDALE LAKE TREES”: This work by Susan Hockaday was featured in the Mercer County Photography 2022 exhibition. The entry day for this year’s exhibition is on Saturday, October 5 at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Trenton’s Cadwalader Park. The 2024 exhibition will be on view October 12 through December 1.

Photographers who live, work, or study in Mercer County are invited to enter up to two photographs for consideration in the juried Mercer County Photography 2024 exhibition. The juror for 2024 is Gary D. Saretzky. Entry day is in person on Saturday, October 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, located in Trenton’s Cadwalader Park. The exhibition prospectus, which includes entry forms, is available to download from www.ellarslie.org/mercer-county-photography-2024. The entry fee is $10 per item, payable by cash or check.

Mercer County Photography 2024 opens with a reception and awards ceremony on Saturday, October 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. On view through November 24, the exhibition is a collaboration with the Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage, through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.  more

FROM MANSION TO MUSEUM: Morven Museum & Garden’s panel discussion on the journey from a mansion to a museum will take place on September 12. Key figures in the three-phase restoration project were, from left, Project Director Emily Croll; Policy Advisor Carol Cronheim; Director of the New Jersey State Museum Leah Sloshberg; and President of the Board of Trustees Georgie Schley. (Photo courtesy of Morven Archive).

Morven Museum & Garden will host a panel discussion on the journey from a governor’s mansion to opening as a museum in 2004. The in-person and online event will take place on Thursday, September 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the museum, 55 Stockton Street.

The panel will feature speakers representing both private and public spheres, who were essential to preserving Morven as an educational space. The panelists will share the ins and outs of navigating state politics, researching and restoring an over 200-year-old house, and the challenges of getting support to preserve one of New Jersey’s most historic sites. more

This work by Irene Rubin is part of the 10th annual Points of View Art Show, on view August 24 and 25 from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Saw Mill at Prallsville Mill in Stockton. An opening reception is on Friday, August 23 from 5 to 8 p.m.

“CONTAINER”: This painting by Larry Mitnick is part of “Progressions,” his joint exhibition with Alan Klawans, on view September 5 through October 6 at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville. An opening reception is on September 7 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville will present “Progressions,” an exhibition showcasing the abstract work of illustrator/artist Alan Klawans and architect/painter Larry Mitnick, from September 5 through October 6. An opening reception is on Saturday, September 7 from 4 to 7 p.m.

By using inventive techniques and forms, these artists continue to push the definition of contemporary abstract art.  more

By Wendy Greenberg

Margery Cuyler

Addy McBean is a math whiz and a problem solver. She “loves anything and everything to do with numbers, from counting her dog’s tail wags to guessing how many books are scattered by her mom’s bed or how many stars are in the sky,” according to the book jacket of Addy McBean, Numbers Queen.

Addy is one of latest characters created by Princeton author Margery Cuyler, who was inspired to write about a female math whiz after visiting a second-grade classroom and seeing how creatively math is taught today.

Addy McBean, Numbers Queen, released on July 23, is the latest of Cuyler’s books, and the first in a planned chapter book series for ages 7 and 8, published by Aladdin Quix, an imprint in the children’s publishing division at Simon & Schuster, A chapter book, said Cuyler, fills the gap between a picture book and novels for children over the age of 8. more

ONE-RING SPECTACLE: Cirque de Paris performs in a tent at Princeton MarketFair starting August 22. Among the major attractions is Reinaldo Monteiro, who performs his “Rola-Bola” act balancing boards stacked on cylinders.

Cirque de Paris presented by Anouchka Bouglione makes its Princeton area debut under the Big Top at MarketFair, 3535 U.S.1, from August 22 through September 1. The cast includes aerialists, jugglers, tightwire dancers, a twirling hula hooper, and clowns. Beyond the ring, audience members of all ages can get involved at a pre-show and intermission with activities and treats.

“When presented with the opportunity to host Cirque de Paris at MarketFair, we were both intrigued and thrilled to be the first city in New Jersey to offer these spectacular shows,” said Anthony Palino, general manager of MarketFair. “We’re proud to present this one-of-a-kind experience to our community, marking a notable and exciting chapter for MarketFair.” more

Mercer County’s 2nd Annual Fiesta Latina, which celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, in Mercer County Park’s Festival Grounds. The event will feature live music, craft vendors, children’s activities, and more.

“Mercer County is enriched by our diversity, and the Latino community forms an integral part of our county and our culture,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “I’m thrilled for the Fiesta Latina to return this year. Open to all, this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy lively music, dance, food, and fun.”

Hours of the festival are 12-7 p.m. both days. On Saturday, Grammy Award nominee and musician Toño Rosario will take the stage along with the salsa group Puerto Rican Power. The day’s celebration will be hosted by comedian Joey Vega, supplemented by a blend of sounds from DJ Ralph Mercado. On Sunday, the music stylings of cumbia, merengue, mariachi, and more will be heard. Headlining will be three-time Grammy salsa and Latin jazz composer and performer Jeremy Bosch, accompanied by Jose Tabares’ All Star Band. more

BACK ON STAGE: Emily Cordies-Maso is among the dancers who will be performing as part of American Repertory’s upcoming season, which includes works by Lar Lubovitch, Antony Tudor, Stephan Martinez, Luis Napoles, and Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel. (Photo by Harald Schrader)

American Repertory Ballet (ARB) has announced its 2024-2025 season, a celebration of classic repertoire alongside new works.

A founding resident company of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), ARB presents three programs of dance at its home venue with “Wonderment” in October 2024, the world premiere of Spirit of the Highlands in March 2025, and “Pasión” in May 2025. The Nutcracker will return for the holiday season in November and December 2024 in Princeton, Red Bank, Trenton, and New Brunswick. more

“RITA’S DISHES”: This oil painting by Jeanne Chesterton is part of the 10th annual Points of View Art Show, on view August 23, 24, and 25 at the Saw Mill at Prallsville Mill in Stockton. An opening reception is on Friday, August 23 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The first Points of View Art Show was in September 2014. Ten years later, Jeanne Chesterton and Ilene Rubin will host their 10th Points of View Art Show beginning with a reception on August 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. The show continues Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 from 12 to 5 p.m. each day at the Saw Mill at Prallsville Mill, 33 Risler Street in Stockton.

Showcasing their art this year will be Chesterton and Rubin, along with artists Cheryl Bomba, Jill LeClair, Mike Mann, and Beth Schoenleber. All art is for sale.  more

Members of the Parent Teacher Organization at Johnson Park (JP) Elementary School recently collaborated with the Arts Council of Princeton and others on new artwork featuring the JP Pledge. Melissa Kuscin, left, and Lisa Peck of the Arts Council are shown painting the colorful mural in the cafeteria at the school.

Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) has been awarded a $288,890 grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA). This new level of annual support, which can be anticipated for three years, will enable GFS to maximize its role as a leading cultural institution in New Jersey. This funding will help support general operations, and bolster Grounds For Sculpture’s mission to be more accessible to a diverse array of New Jerseyans while presenting a strong calendar of programming, which includes arts, wellness, and horticultural experiences.

“We are honored to be among the cultural organizations that the State Council on the Arts has awarded this generous operational funding,” said Gary Schneider, executive director of Grounds For Sculpture. “The incredible support the state has contributed to the arts not only provides us vital resources to fulfill our mission, but also helps expand our offerings to engage with a broader, more diverse community.”  more

“MOMENT OF LIGHT”: The Crystal Springs Farm Award for a Work in the Style of the Pennsylvania Impressionists was given by Kathy and Ted Fernberger to Dot Bunn for her painting in the 2023 “Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill.” This year’s show begins on September 21.

Honors and awards have been a component of the annual “Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill” for decades, recognizing some of the finest work by area artists, as well as honoring people important to the Phillips’ Mill Community Association and its patrons. This year’s show, the “95th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill,” will be held at the historic Mill and online September 21 through October 27, and will feature a wide variety of awards. Art lovers interested in establishing new awards for this year’s show can do so now through August 25.

In addition to an Honored Artist and Signature Image artist, who are selected by the art show committee, a full roster of awards for works juried into the show are bestowed each year. Which works will receive these awards is determined by the art show’s panel of jurors and are funded by patrons of the show, individuals, businesses, and sometimes families who enjoy supporting the Mill, the show, and the artists in this unique way.  more