January 29, 2025

The Film “Amadeus” and The Myth of Mozart

Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) continues its series of Soundtracks Talks at the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, with “Amadeus and the Myth of Mozart” on Wednesday, February 5 at 7 p.m. in the library’s Community Room.

Chris Collier, executive director of the Princeton Garden Theatre, and Michael Pratt, conductor of the Princeton University Orchestra (PUO), will watch and discuss excerpts of the 1984 Academy Award-winning movie Amadeus. Their conversation anticipates the Garden Theatre’s showing of the restored theatrical cut of the film the following evening, Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m.

Collier is the executive director of Renew Theaters, a nonprofit management company that operates four nonprofit, member-supported theaters in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He has worked at Renew since 2007, starting as a manager of his hometown Ambler Theater. Over his 17 years with Renew, the company has doubled in size, both in staff and number of theaters. Collier holds degrees in musicology from Dartmouth College and the University of Oxford, where he focused his research on film music and conducting.  more

Works by Ben Jones at Arts Council

“THE INFINITE INTERWEAVE”: This acrylic, digital print by Ben Jones is part of “Exploring, Expanding the Connections,” on view through February 22 at the Arts Council of Princeton.

The art of Ben Jones, on view in “Exploring, Expanding the Connections” at the Arts Council of Princeton through February 22, is a spiritual journey that continues the struggle for identity, freedom, justice. and love for the salvation of the human family. Jones reveals his sense of responsibility to his ancestral legacy by continuing the work against oppression, exploitation, and hegemony through the symbolic power of his work.  more

“Artifacts of African Diaspora” at MCCC Trenton Campus

“ARTIFACTS OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA”: This artifact will be on display in an exhibition on view February 1 through April 30 at Mercer County Community College’s James Kearney Campus in Trenton. An opening reception is on Saturday, February 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Mercer County Community College (MCCC) Black History Month Committee, in conjunction with the TRIO Program and American Association for Women in Community Colleges Mercer Chapter, will present “Artifacts of African Diaspora” at the college’s James Kerney Campus, Trenton Hall, 137 North Broad Street, Trenton, February 1 through April 30. An opening reception is on Saturday, February 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The three-month long exhibit will illuminate the historical significance of the African diaspora in visual and musical arts. Visitors will find a variety of artifacts on display including musical instruments, sculptures, books, historical documents, and more that will provide an immersive education about the evolution of African American art and culture from slavery to modern times.  more

“Water Gap Barn”

“Hunterdon County Images,” a collection of paintings by Carol Sanzalone, is on view in the dining room at Bell’s Tavern, 183 North Union Street, Lambertville, through February 28. Inspired by the interaction of texture and patterns created by the many colorful images in and around Lambertville and beyond, Sanzalone has been an exhibiting member of the Artists’ Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, for 20 years. 

Underwater Symphony” Exhibit Now at Princeton Public Library

“NAUTICAL HARMONY”: This work by Richa Rashmi is featured in “Underwater Symphony,” an exhibit inspired by the underwater world, on view through March 15 at Princeton Public Library.

“Underwater Symphony,” an exhibit of paintings and drawings by artist Richa Rashmi, is on view at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street. Located in the Technology Center and the hallway on the library’s second floor, the works will be on view through March 15.

The exhibit reflects the intricate beauty of marine life, the mysteries of the deep, and the mesmerizing world beneath the ocean’s surface. It is intended to inspire a greater appreciation for the oceans and their inhabitants. more

High Intensity Workout Designed for Women Is Hallmark of 30 Minute Hit Exercise Program

“I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU!”: “The beauty of our program is its 30-minute time frame, and the hours are flexible. You can come whenever you want. It is a high intensity workout, designed for women, and it’s fun and friendly.” Nancy Ismail, owner of 30 Minute Hit Princeton, demonstrates the “Round House Kick,” a circuit exercise, which helps strengthen the lower body, core, and balance.

By Jean Stratton

As the New Year is upon us, many people start putting together that annual resolution list. What is on yours? A new look, travel, home improvement, maybe losing a few pounds? Perhaps. But for those interested in fitness, exercise, and just moving about with more energy and enthusiasm, there is now something special — and it is specifically for the ladies!

30 Minute Hit Princeton, located in The Market Place at 3885 Route 27, just north of Kingston, opened last April, and offers a high intensity 30-minute workout for women and teenage girls. more

Boosted by the Return of Khramtsov from Injury, PU Women’s Hockey Ties Brown, Defeats Yale

IT’S KK: Princeton University women’s hockey player Katherine Khramtsov goes after the puck last Friday night as the Tigers hosted Brown. Junior forward Khramtsov chipped in two assists as Princeton skated to a 2-2 tie with the Bears through regulation and overtime before the Bears won a shootout 1-0. The Tigers, who beat Yale 3-0 on Saturday to improve 14-8-1 overall and 8-7-1 ECAC Hockey, host Dartmouth on January 31 and Harvard on February 1. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

While the Princeton University women’s hockey team was excited to play its first game at Hobey Baker Rink since December 10 when it hosted Brown last Friday evening, it was particularly meaningful for Katherine Khramtsov.

Having been sidelined from early November to mid-January due to a shoulder injury, junior forward Khramtsov was fired up to be back on home ice. more

Unable to Overcome Another Uneven Effort, Princeton Men’s Hoops Loses 85-76 to Cornell

SHARPSHOOTER: Princeton University men’s basketball player Blake Peters puts up a shot in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior guard Peters scored 20 points off the bench in a losing cause as Princeton fell 85-76 to Cornell. The Tigers, now 14-3 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, host Yale (11-6 overall, 4-0 Ivy) on January 31 and Brown (9-8 overall, 1-3 Ivy) on February 1. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Justin Feil

The Princeton University men’s basketball team survived slow starts and sloppy play through its first three Ivy League games this season.

Not the fourth.

Hosting Cornell last Saturday, the Tigers rallied from a 23-7 first half deficit to take the lead at halftime, then built a small lead in the second half but could never pull away as the Big Red made some big baskets down the stretch to pull out an 85-76 win over Princeton before a crowd of 4,094 at Jadwin Gym. The Tigers dropped out of a first-place tie in the Ivy League after falling to 14-5 overall, 3-1 Ivy League. Cornell improved to 11-6 overall, 3-1 Ivy. more

Sparked by Senior Quartet of Brophy, Gu, Xu Twins, PHS Boys Swimming Pulls Out 4th County Title

STROKES OF BRILLIANCE: Princeton High boys’ swimmer David Brophy heads to victory in a freestyle race earlier this season. Last Saturday, senior star Brophy placed first in both the 200-meter freestyle and 100 butterfly at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships. Brophy’s superb performance helped PHS finish first in the team standings at the meet. It marked the fourth straight team crown for the Tigers at the county competition, formerly known as the Mercer County Swimming Championships. Brophy, for his part, was named the Most Valuable Swimmer for the boys at the meet. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With Princeton High boys’ swimming team locked in a tense battle against rival WW/P-South for the team title at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) meet last Saturday, the contest came down to the final event of the competition, the 400-meter freestyle.

Swimming the anchor leg for PHS, senior star David Brophy came through, out-sprinting Nick Straka of Lawrence to the wall at the WW/P-North pool as PHS took first to clinch the title. more

With Junior Standout Flanagan Winning 2 Races, PHS Girls’ Swimmers Take a 4th County Crown

CHAMPIONS AGAIN: Princeton High girls’ swimming star Annie Flanagan displays her freestyle form in a race last season. Last Saturday, junior star Flanagan placed first in both the 50-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships. Flanagan’s heroics helped PHS place first in the team standings at the meet. It marked the fourth straight title for the Tigers in the county competition, formerly known as the Mercer County Swimming Championships. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Annie Flanagan got into the starting block for the 50-meter freestyle race at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Swimming Championships last Saturday, she couldn’t stand still.

“I try to hype myself up,” said Princeton High junior star Flanagan. “I jump around, I will slap my chest, my legs, and kind of shake it out.” more

Senior Star Rose Makes History for PHS Wrestling, Winning 4th Straight Title in County Competition

FOUR PEAT: Princeton High wrestler Cole Rose poses for a preseason photo. Last Saturday, senior star Rose placed first at 132 pounds at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament (formerly known as the Mercer County Tournament.) It marked the fourth straight title for Rose in county competition. PHS finished sixth in the team standings of the event won by Hopewell Valley. (Photo provided courtesy of Cole Rose)

By Justin Feil

When Cole Rose was an up-and-coming wrestler, he sometimes worked out in Alec Bobchin’s basement.

Rose always aspired to be at least as good as his Princeton High teammate Bobchin, and he achieved one measure of that mark last Saturday when he joined Bobchin as the only PHS wrestlers to win four straight titles at the boys’ Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament (formerly known as the Mercer County Tournament).  more

Utilizing an Emphasis on Mental Preparation, PHS Track Teams Excel in CVC Competition

LETTING IT FLY: Princeton High senior star Sean Wilton lets the shot put fly last Sunday at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Championships meet (formerly known as the Mercer County Championships). Last Sunday, Wilton set a personal record of 61’00.50 in winning the shot put. Wilton’s win helped PHS tie for second in the team standings at the meet. (Photo by Rohan Viswanathan)

By Bill Alden

While the athletes in the Princeton High track and field program train hard physically, they have been increasingly emphasizing the mental aspect of their sport.

“We have been talking a whole lot as a team and actually having sessions with a more sports psychology focus and growth mindset,” said PHS head coach Ben Samara. “It is talking about the mindset of being an athlete and all of the things that come with that. I think our athletes have really embraced that. It is how you approach a challenge, how you approach failure, and how you approach setbacks. The mental approach is really starting to pay off for us as a program as a whole.” more

Senior Gilligan Produces Breakthrough Moment As PDS Boys’ Hockey Falls to Lawrenceville

LIFE OF REILLY: Princeton Day School boys’ hockey player Reilly Gilligan gets ready to spring into action last Wednesday as PDS hosted Lawrenceville. Senior defenseman Gilligan scored the lone goal for the Panthers as they fell 4-1 to the Big Red. The Panthers, who dropped to 5-6-1 with the defeat, host Seton Hall Prep on January 30. (Photo by David Bremer)

By Bill Alden

With Princeton Day School hosting the annual boys’ hockey border war against Lawrenceville last Wednesday evening, McGraw Rink was packed and the tunes from disc jockey Darius Young were pumping as the foes took the ice.

Having suffered a frustrating 6-4 defeat to Delbarton a day earlier, PDS senior defenseman Reilly Gilligan and his teammates were fired up for their clash with the Big Red. more

January 22, 2025

Celebrating Dr. King

The Arts Council of Princeton honored Martin Luther King Jr. Day with an art-making workshop, community gathering, and more on Monday afternoon. Participants share how King and/or his legacy inspires them in this week’s Town Talk on Page 6. (Photo by Sarah Teo)

Voters Prepare to Weigh In on PPS Referendum

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, January 28, to vote on a Princeton Public Schools (PPS) facilities bond referendum with a total cost of $89.1 million if all three questions pass.

“The board separated the referendum into three questions, and if approved, it will allow us to receive up to an estimated $19.9 million in state financial aid to offset the financial impact on taxpayers,” PPS Board of Education (BOE) President Dafna Kedal wrote in a January 21 email. “We encourage everyone to visit princetonk12.org/referendum to learn more about the projects, and of course to vote by January 28.”

Kendal went on to emphasize the importance of the process of informing Princeton residents about the referendum during the past few months. “We have held at least 30 events for community members to come out and tour the schools, learn about the referendum projects, and ask questions,” she wrote. “Our administration and professionals have done a great job explaining the projects and why we need to increase capacity for student enrollment as the municipality’s population grows.” more

Winter Season Brings Norovirus and Other Maladies to Princeton

By Donald Gilpin

It’s flu season, along with rising case numbers of RSV and COVID-19, not to mention warnings of a bird flu threat. And if that’s not enough, U.S. health officials are now claiming it’s the worst season in many years for outbreaks of the norovirus, which is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute gastroenteritis among people of all ages in the U.S.

Princeton Deputy Administrator/Health Officer Jeff Grosser reported that the Princeton Health Department has been monitoring the situation closely, investigating two separate norovirus outbreaks in a Princeton school and a day care last week, along with a few other localized outbreaks.

Cases of norovirus are common during the winter months, Grosser said, “especially in schools where the virus spreads quickly due to close contacts and shared surfaces.” The Princeton Health Department was able to identify 10 to 12 students/staff in each outbreak. “This demonstrates the quick spreading nature of norovirus,” Grosser added. more

Talk on New University Art Museum Offers a “Sneak Peek” at its Interior

By Anne Levin

On a snowy evening last week, the auditorium at Princeton University’s Friend Center was packed with a standing-room-only crowd for a talk about the new building of the Princeton University Art Museum. James Steward, the museum’s director, and Chris Newth, its senior associate director for collections and exhibitions, revealed some of the challenges and surprises — happy and otherwise — that have come up during the project.

“We are finally at a point where we can say we are opening this year,” said Steward at the beginning of the event titled “Conversation: Hidden Stories: Preparing a New Museum.” But he wasn’t ready to set a specific date.

The January 16 event was part of the museum’s “Late Thursdays” programming. The focus was, largely, on the materials and design of the building’s interior. The museum’s three floors are to have a total square footage of 144,000 square feet, almost double the size of its former building.  more

Science on Saturday is Underway at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab

SATURDAY SCIENCE: Jongsoo Yoo, a principal research physicist and deputy head of discovery plasma science at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), focuses on solar flares in the first in a series of seven Science on Saturday lectures featuring a slate of distinguished speakers on a range of topics of current interest.  (Photo by Elle Starkman/PPPL Communications Department)

By Donald Gilpin

Solar flares, quantum computing, microplastic pollution, direct recycling, schizophrenia, the science of polling, and more. Science fans of all ages are gathering on Saturday mornings over the next two months to participate in the 41st year of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s (PPPL) Science on Saturday Lecture Series.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fusion Energy Sciences program, this year’s Science on Saturday series launched on January 18 with a presentation by Jongsoo Yoo, principal research physicist and deputy head of discovery plasma science at PPPL, who focused on the surface of the sun, magnetic reconnection, and the mysterious process behind solar flares. more

“Here There Are Blueberries” Leaves Audiences with Profound Questions

“SELFIES” FROM A SHOCKING SOURCE: The 2007 discovery of a photo album depicting workers from the Auschwitz concentration camp enjoying picnics and gatherings on their days off is the basis of a play opening at McCarter Theatre on Friday, January 24. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)

By Anne Levin

At performances of the play Here There Are Blueberries at McCarter Theatre January 24-February 9, panelists taking part in post-show discussions are as key to the experience as the actors cast in the play.

The drama/detective story by Tectonic Theater Project director Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, inspired by an album of Nazi-era photographs, poses profound questions about ethical issues and human nature. Audiences at past productions by the La Jolla Playhouse and Shakespeare Theatre Company (McCarter’s production kicks off a national tour) have been reluctant to leave their seats once the play comes to an end.

“We have found, over and over, that the people wanted to stay and talk about what they had just seen,” said Kaufman. “They need to process it. That’s why we have the talkbacks.”

 more

Federal Agencies Award Grants to Local Arts and Humanities Projects

By Anne Levin

Princeton-based arts and humanities initiatives are among the recipients of grants in the most recent round of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Princeton University Concerts (PUC) has received $20,000 from the NEA for its Healing with Music series, while Morven Museum and Garden was granted $25,000 for a project addressing the history of slavery. In addition, Divya Cherian, associate professor of history at Princeton University, has been awarded $60,000 from the NEH for a book project titled Conjured States: Witchcraft and Politics in Western India, 1750-1900. more

On David Lynch: “Only When It Is Dark Enough, Can You See the Stars”

By Stuart Mitchner

There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, “Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole. It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”

—from the announcement of David Lynch’s death

If David Lynch were still delivering daily weather reports on his YouTube channel, and if he’d lived to see Inauguration Day, his January 20 forecast would have ended with his usual cheery, heartfelt “golden sunshine and blue skies all the way” closing line, topped off with a smile and a vigorous salute, regardless of the actual weather in L.A. or D.C. Unfortunately, actual earthly weather in the form of the Santa Ana winds driving the wildfires devastating his city forced the mandatory evacuation of Lynch’s home on the night of Wednesday, January 8. The timing and the circumstances were, as some online bloggers have noted, “Lynchian.” Not only was the director of Mulholland Drive living adjacent to the street that gave his most celebrated film its title, he was homebound, seriously ill with emphysema, and in need of “supplemental oxygen for most activities.” Even though the evacuation order was rescinded the next morning, the damage had apparently been done. Less than a week later, Lynch’s family announced his January 15 death.

Smoking

David Lynch may not have been the master of his fate, but he clearly understood that the cause of his poor health had to do with something more personal than weather. “Smoking was something that I absolutely loved but, in the end, it bit me,” he told Sight and Sound magazine in September 2024. “It was part of the art life for me: the tobacco and the smell of it and lighting things and smoking and going back and sitting back and having a smoke and looking at your work, or thinking about things; nothing like it in this world is so beautiful…. Meanwhile, it’s killing me.” more

Princeton Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Music Director’s Milestone Birthday

By Nancy Plum

Musical ensembles often observe the significant birthdays of composers of the past or anniversaries of their leaders. Princeton Symphony Orchestra took this idea one step further by celebrating the 60th birthday of Music Director Rossen Milanov earlier in January with presentations of two monumental orchestral works. The concert on the night of Saturday, January 11 at Richardson Auditorium (the program was repeated the following afternoon) brought together Orchestra musicians, conductor Milanov, one of his long-term collaborators, and two of his favorite pieces in the ensemble’s annual Edward T. Cone commemorative events.

Joining Princeton Symphony in Igor Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major was guest soloist Leila Josefowicz, who has played with the Orchestra numerous times in past seasons. A violinist with a solid international reputation, Josefowicz clearly demonstrated a strong connection to both Milanov and the players while showing her own brand of performance fire.  more

A Physician’s Housekeeper Wants to Invent a Joke in “The Clean House”; Offbeat, Poignant Comedy Continues Kelsey’s “Season of Transformations”

“THE CLEAN HOUSE”: Performances are underway for “The Clean House.” Presented by Shakespeare 70 and Kelsey Theatre, and directed by Janet Quartarone with the assistance of Maggie Gronenthal, the play runs through January 26 at Kelsey Theatre. Above, from left: Lane (Laura McWater), a physician, faces a devastating revelation brought about by the actions of her sister Virginia (Laurie Hardy); her husband Charles (Stan Cahill); the mysterious Ana (Jaqueline Booth); and her cleaning lady, Matilde (Lisbeth Burgos), who wants to invent the funniest joke in the world. (Photo by Jake Burbage)

By Donald H. Sanborn III

Kelsey Theatre is continuing its “Season of Transformations” with The Clean House. Sarah Ruhl’s quirky, bittersweet comedy depicts a married couple — both of whom are physicians — whose Brazilian housekeeper hates to clean house, and dreams of inventing “the funniest joke in the world.”

An arrangement is made whereby the sister of one of the doctors will do the housekeeper’s job of cleaning the couple’s home. This leads to a discovery that upends the couple’s marriage, and necessitates complicated choices and self-examination.  more

Conductor and Pianist Specialize in Mozart

ALL MOZART: Pianist Orli Shaham is the soloist at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s program of works by the composer on February 8 and 9 at Richardson Auditorium. (Photo by Christian Steiner)

Pianist Orli Shaham is the soloist with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) on February 8 at 8 p.m. and February 9 at 4 p.m. in an all-Mozart program at Richardson Auditorium.

Ballet music from Idomeneo (excerpts), the Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 453 Will be performed. Gérard Korsten, conductor and Mozart specialist, will make his debut with the PSO.

Locals may recall Ms. Shaham from her Baby Got Bach program for children which made its Princeton debut in 2016 with So Percussion. She also recorded a piano concerto, Stumble to Grace, by Princeton-based composer Steve Mackey.  more

Irish Instrumentalists

Guitarist Bill O’Neal will perform at the Fanny Parnell Poetry Project’s “Poetry, Politics, and Ms. Parnell,” on Saturday, February 1 at 3 p.m. at Bordentown’s Old City Hall, 11 Crosswicks Street. Known for his monthly sessions at Tir na Nog in Trenton, O’Neal will be joined with George Zienowicz, a pipe player and fiddler as well as a neon artist. Admission is free to the program, which will be followed by “Poets and Pints” poetry reading at Bordentown Square Tap and Grill at 4 p.m. Visit oldcityhallprograms@gmail.com for more information.