March 19, 2025

NJ Bike & Walk Summit at PU March 29 Welcomes Transportation, Policy Leaders

By Donald Gilpin

More than 200 bicycle and pedestrian advocates, transportation and urban planners, and municipal leaders and elected officials from across the state will gather at Princeton University’s McDonnell Hall on March 29 for the 14th Annual New Jersey Bike & Walk Summit.

Keynote addresses by New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Fran K. O’Connor and “Strong Town” Founder and President Charles L. Marohn Jr. will be followed by a panel of leading experts discussing “The Crossroads of Transportation Policy.”

A selection of 18 breakout sessions on such topics as “Trails: Catalyst for Change,” “Safety Plans,” “Choosing the Right Funding to Get Stuff Done,” “Building Better Trails,” “Driver Accountability,” “Walk Witherspoon Street” (hosted by Sustainable Princeton), and “A Walk Through Alleyways to Coffee” (hosted by Princeton Future) will take place throughout the morning and early afternoon. more

After the Book Sale: Mapping Franz Kafka, Finding Weldon Kees

By Stuart Mitchner

Nobody has seen or heard from Weldon Kees since Monday, July 18, 1955.

—Anthony Lane, in “The Disappearing Poet”

I was on my way out of the Bryn Mawr-Wellesley Preview Sale with $10 worth of books when I noticed a devastated Cedok guide to Prague on a table of discards. Although the back cover was detached, the book was full of information and photos from a time when Franz Kafka and his family were living in the Czech capital. Attached to the ravaged back cover was a large colorful fold-out map of Prague in first-rate condition, which I’ve been using to locate entries from Kafka’s Diaries 1910-1923 (Schocken 1975).

On March 14, 1915/2025 I found Kafka “in Chotek Park. Most beautiful spot in Prague. Birds sang, the Castle with its arcade, the old trees hung with last year’s foliage, the dim light.” Even if you can’t “be there” in 2025 by tracing his movement on a map, you can at least feel closer to the living, breathing, feeling, thinking man who began the same entry: “A morning: In bed until half past eleven. Jumble of thoughts which slowly takes shape and hardens in incredible fashion.” In the evening he goes for a walk with “the defensible but untrustworthy ideas of the morning” in his head. Struck by the phrase “in incredible fashion,” I looked up his most notoriously “incredible” work and found that Verwandlung (Metamorphoses) was published six months later in a journal and in December 1915 as a book.  more

NJ Symphony Combines Impressionist, Contemporary, And Romantic Music in Princeton Performance

By Nancy Plum

In a concert linking the crispness of winter to a hint of spring, New Jersey Symphony performed works of Claude Debussy, Nico Muhly, and Sergei Rachmaninoff, showing the depth of both player and conducting talent. The Symphony divided the conducting responsibilities in Friday night’s performance at Richardson Auditorium between Music Director Xian Zhang and the Symphony’s Colton Conducting Fellow Gregory D. McDaniel. A Houston native, McDaniel has conducted opera companies and orchestras nationwide, as well as in Canada.

McDaniel directed the first half of the program, leading off with André Caplet’s orchestral arrangement of Claude Debussy’s popular Clair de Lune for piano. Originally a movement in a piano suite, Clair de Lune became one of the composer’s most recognized pieces, leading to numerous arrangements, including at least six for orchestra. McDaniel began Debussy’s familiar music languidly, with a dreamy flow from the strings topped off by delicate flute passages from Bart Feller and Kathleen Nester. McDaniel built the sound well, always knowing exactly where he was going. The overall effect was lush, sustained by a subtle pair of horns.  more

“Kinky Boots” Opens at Kelsey Theatre

NOT-SENSIBLE SHOES: Cast members of the musical “Kinky Boots,” which tells the true story of a British factory owner who transformed his output of boring loafers to stilettos for drag queens, on stage at Kelsey Theatre March 21-30.

A struggling maker of men’s shoes reverses his fortunes when he transforms his footwear from functional to fabulous with the help of an entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos in the musical Kinky Boots, at the Kelsey Theatre, March 21-30, on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus.

Presented by Thank You 5 Productions, Kinky Boots is based on the true story of Charlie, who realizes the demand is dying down for his sensible men’s loafers. A chance meeting with Lola, a London entertainer in need of a sturdier pair of heels, results in a partnership leading to the factory pivoting to make shoes for a new clientele: drag queens.  more

Prize-Winner

Emily Boksner, Westminster Conservatory student, will perform with the Westminster Community Orchestra under the direction of Ruth Ochs on Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. in Hillman Hall on the Westminster campus.

Princeton Pro Musica Presents “Carmina Burana”

On Sunday, March 30 at 4 p.m., Princeton Pro Musica and Roxey Ballet will join creative forces to perform Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in the Kendall Main Stage Theater at the College of New Jersey in Ewing, under the direction of Princeton Pro Musica Artistic Director Ryan J. Brandau.

Carmina Burana is a set of poems and songs written by Bavarian monks in the 13th century, uncovered in the early 19th century, and set for large mixed chorus, treble chorus, and orchestra by Carl Orff in 1936. While written nearly 800 years ago, the poems are relevant.

Themes of time, fortune, springtime, passion, debauchery, and satirical critiques of those in power are in the text, eschewing religious piety, and embracing instead basic and primal human experiences. more

Marie Irene Fornés is Subject of Symposium

Maria Irene Fornés
(Photo by James M. Kent)

Events highlighting theater-maker María Irene Fornés including a reconstruction of Fornés’ last play, Dr. Kheal, and a live podcast recording, both open to the public, part of a major symposium on Fornés at Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts.

The 2025 Latinx Theatre Commons María Irene Fornés Institute Symposium is a co-production of Latinx Theatre Commons and the Lewis Center for the Arts.

Born in Cuba in 1930, Fornes is a playwright, director, designer, and teacher who became a guiding presence for emerging theater artists of the 1980s and ’90s, especially those invested in staging feminist, queer, and Latinx aesthetics and experiences. She died in 2018.

DrKheal2: One Big Thing offers a tandem encounter with Fornés’ 1968 play on March 21 at 5 p.m. in which a learned professor delivers a lecture about the meaning of all things. Professor Brian Herrera and alum Kyle Berlin each perform the role of Dr. Kheal simultaneously in different time periods in different venues for half the audience. The audiences then switch venues and experience the other Dr. Kheal, followed by an interactive conversation about the futures of higher education. The event is in CoLab and the Wallace Theater in the Lewis Arts complex. more

Rock Group Night Ranger Comes to New Brunswick

ROCK LEGENDS: Night Ranger performs at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick on April 3 at 7:30 p.m.

State Theatre New Jersey presents the rock group Night Ranger on Thursday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $39-$214.

Having sold over 17 million albums worldwide, performed on over 4000 stages, and claimed a radio audience exceeding one billion, Night Ranger has transcended the arena rock sound and style well beyond that era. The group’s hits include “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” “When You Close Your Eyes,” and “(You Can Still) Rock in America.”  more

“Imagine-Observe” Exhibit Coming to Artists’ Gallery

“FOUNDATION”: This painting by Larry Mitnick is featured in “Imagine-Observe,” his joint exhibition with Mark Oliver, on view April 10 through May 4 at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville.

Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville will present “Imagine-Observe,” an exhibition showcasing the abstract work of architect/painter Larry Mitnick and observational work of architect/painter Mark Oliver, April 10 through May 4 By using inventive techniques and form, these artists continue to push the definition of contemporary art. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 19 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Mitnick’s works are hand-painted acrylic paintings on canvas. In each abstract piece the viewer discovers a unique set of spatial, formal, and color progressions, often inspired by nature. There are a variety of compositions exploring animated boundaries and voided centers. Contrasting hard-edged opaque and transparent forms with textured brushwork, Mitnick excites one’s eyes, mind and imagination. more

Closing Reception for “When the Land Calls”

“WHEEL II”: This work by Mike Benevenia is part of “When the Land Calls,” now on view in the Johnson Education Center at D&R Greenway Land Trust. A closing reception is on Saturday, March 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.

D&R Greenway Land Trust will host a closing reception for its “When the Land Calls” exhibit on Saturday March 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place.

“When the Land Calls” is a celebration of an inspiring story about preserving art, land, and community. The exhibit, co-curated by David Scott Lawson and Yvonne DeCarolis, opened in December to a packed house of over 200 guests. Artists Ellen Rebarber and Mike Benevenia engaged the crowd and described their emotional journey of being brought together by area resident Yvonne DeCarolis and her vision to bring art and music to her land. more

Tickets Now on Sale for ACP’s Art People Party

ART PEOPLE PARTY: The Arts Council of Princeton’s signature spring fundraiser will be held on Friday, April 4 from 7 to 10 p.m. Shown are attendees at a previous event. Tickets are available now at artscouncilofprinceton.org.

Tickets are available for the Arts Council of Princeton’s (ACP) signature spring fundraiser, Art People Party, to be held on Friday, April 4 from 7-10 p.m. Known for transforming spaces with whimsy décor and artistic installations, the event will embody the theme of PROM, a kaleidoscope of youthful nostalgia and present day wisdom as imagined through a joyful, inclusive, and artistic lens.

Art People Party promises creative fashions, an open beer and wine bar, dinner, and DJ dance party, while the signature “Tombola” art experience sees that every ticket holder leaves with original artwork. Each Tombola ticket holder previews the available choices, all contributed by talented regional artists, and makes a quick decision when their number is drawn. Partygoers will enjoy creative photo opportunities, watch live art-making unfold, and dance the night away with friends old and new. more

Call for Signature Image: Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show

“MARCH AFTERNOON”: This painting by Donna Ruane Rogers was selected as the 2024 signature image for Phillips’ Mill’s Annual Juried Art Show. Submissions for this year’s signature image must be received by April 15.

Phillips’ Mill’s 96th Annual Juried Art Show committee invites artists to participate in its search for the signature image for this year’s show. The signature image, an artistic representation of the historic Mill, is used on marketing and advertising materials including posters, ads, invitations, postcards, social media, banners, and on the Phillips’ Mill website.

Submissions are being accepted through April 15.

The artist will receive a $500 honorarium and the signature image will automatically be included in the juried art show. The artist may also submit additional entries to the show as outlined in the show’s prospectus. more

Princeton Women’s Hoops Falls to Harvard in Ivy Semis But Gets Bid to NCAAs; to Face Iowa State in First Four

MARCHING ON: Princeton University women’s basketball player Ashley Chea, center, looks to get past two defenders in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, sophomore guard Chea scored 15 points in a losing cause as the third-seeded Tigers fell 70-67 to third-seeded Harvard in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament in Providence, R.I. The Tigers, who moved to 21-7 with the defeat, later earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they are seeded 11th and will play fellow 11-seed Iowa State in a First Four game on March 19 at Notre Dame. The victor will then face sixth-seeded Michigan in a first round contest on March 21. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It is an oft-stated sports adage that it is hard to beat the same team three times in a single season.

Last Friday, the Princeton University women’s basketball team found out the hard way that there is some truth to that saying. After having defeated Harvard twice in regular season action, the third-seeded Tigers lost 70-67 to the third-seeded Crimson in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament in Providence, R.I. more

Tiger Men’s Hoops Battles to Final Buzzer But Falls 59-57 to Yale in Ivy Madness Semis

PEP TALK: Princeton University men’s basketball head coach Mitch Henderson makes a point to Xaivian Lee, left, Jackson Hicke (obscured), and Blake Peters during Princeton’s 83-82 win over Rutgers on December 21. Last Saturday, the fourth-seeded Tigers fell 59-57 to top-seeded and eventual champion Yale in a semifinal contest at the Ivy Madness postseason tournament in Providence, R.I. The defeat left Princeton with a final record of 19-11. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Justin Feil

Xaivian Lee took the last-second shot like he had so many times with success this winter for the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

But this 3-pointer caromed off the back of the rim at Brown’s Pizzitola Sports Center in Providence, R.I., as fourth-seeded Princeton battled top-seeded Yale last Saturday in the semifinals of the Ivy Madness postseason tournament. more

After Being Sidelined by Injury to Begin the Winter, Knox Starred as PDS Girls’ Hockey Won State Title

HARD KNOX: Princeton Day School girls’ hockey player Eibhleann Knox brings the puck up the ice in recent action. Last week, senior star forward Knox tallied two goals and three assists as top-seeded PDS defeated second-seeded Immaculate Heart Academy 7-0 in the final of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Girls’ Ice Hockey Tournament at the Prudential Center in Newark. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Eibhleann Knox’s senior season for the Princeton Day School girls’ hockey team got off to a rough start this winter when she was sidelined by a broken collarbone.

As star forward Knox watched PDS pile up wins in December and January, she was frustrated by her inability to contribute. more

Making Huge Strides Under New Coach Reddington, PDS Girls’ Hoops Went 13-10, Improving by 10 Wins

ON THE RISE: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Shelby Ruf flies in for a layup in a game this winter. Senior forward and co-captain Ruf helped PDS enjoy a reversal of fortune this winter under first-year head coach Pat Reddington as it went 13-10 after going 3-16 in 2023-24. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Displaying the progress it made over the course of the winter, the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team ended the regular season with a pair of impressive wins as it topped Stuart Country Day and Delran.

“Those were really good games because we had really, really strong fourth quarters in both of those games,” said PDS first year head coach Pat Reddington, whose team defeated Stuart 51-38 on February 18 and Delran 61-42 four days later. “We had two 26-point fourth quarters; we had games where we finished with 26 points. It was good, our press helped us. Our defense led to offense for us. It was very positive.” more

Hun Boys’ Hockey Struggled to Get Wins this Winter, But Future Looks Bright with Solid Core of Returners

By Bill Alden

While the Hun School boys’ hockey team struggled to pile up wins this winter, Eric Szeker had no qualms with the effort he got from his players.

“It was a tough season record-wise — we were in a lot of games where it was competitive coming down to the end,” said Hun head coach Szeker, who team went 5-17-2 this winter. “A couple got away from us, just trying to get aggressive and trying to come back. No matter what our situation was, whether illness hit us or injuries, everybody that showed up competed every single day. We learned a lot for sure.”

Hun’s season-ending 4-1 loss to crosstown rival Princeton Day School on February 12 proved to be a microcosm of the winter. more

Making History for Wilberforce School Swimming, Yanovsky Competed in NJSIAA Meet of Champions

MAKING A SPLASH: Wilberforce School swimmer Vasily Yanovsky displays his breaststroke form in a meet this winter. Junior star Yanovsky qualified for the 100-yard breast in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Meet of Champions, becoming the first swimmer in program history to compete at the MOC. (Photo provided by the Wilberforce School)

By Bill Alden

Vasily Yanovsky was shooting for a specific target this winter as he came into his junior season for the Wilberforce School swimming team.

“For me, the main goal was trying to break a minute in the 100 breaststroke,” said Yanovsky, who swims for the Peddie Aquatic Association club program when he is not in season for Wilberforce.
“It is a goal that transcends club and high school swimming for me. It is just like a mental barrier mostly, that I have been trying to do.” more

March 12, 2025

Trailblazer

Princeton High senior star wrestler Blasé Mele, holding bracket poster, celebrates with teammates last Saturday after he won the 144-pound final at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) State Wrestling Championships. In so doing, Mele became the first boys’ state champion in PHS history. Joining Mele, from left, are Matt Brophy, Forest Rose, Danny Monga, Cole Rose, Josh Hanan, and Lulu Bahr. For more details on Mele’s triumph, see page 29. (Photo provided by Jess Monzo)

Council Approves Acquisition of Vacant Land

By Anne Levin

The reading of special proclamations, swearing in of Princeton Fire Department officials, and presentation of several awards drew a standing-room-only crowd to Princeton Council’s meeting Monday evening at Witherspoon Hall.

Most of the well-wishers departed once the ceremonies were over and Council got down to government business, which included the passage of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of 25 acres of vacant land, the introduction of the municipal budget for 2025, and several resolutions. A scheduled presentation on the Princeton Community Transit Plan by the consultants Nelson Nygaard was replaced with a brief update by Deputy Administrator Deanna Stockton.

Several members of the Princeton Fire Department were presented with awards for their years of service. Sworn in were Fire Chief Adam Kooker, Fire Official Frank D’Amore, and Firefighter David Phillips.  more

Paul Robeson House Opening is Delayed, Programing Continues

By Donald Gilpin

The Paul Robeson House of Princeton (PRHP) will not be opening its doors to the public next month, due to delays in raising the funds necessary for completing the restoration project, but the PRHP is carrying on its multifaceted cultural and educational programming as well as its fundraising campaign.

PRHP Board President Ben Colbert described the current status of the construction and renovation project that has been ongoing for more than 10 years. “We are in the final phase, but it is a major phase,” he said in a March 10 phone conversation. “The exterior of the building is 99 percent completed.” He noted that there is considerable interior work to be done, including installing of the electrical system.

Colbert went on to highlight the broad-based backing that the project has received so far. “We are very fortunate,” he said. “We have had tremendous support from the community. We have invested nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in renovations that we thought were going to cost a couple of thousand. We’ve completely rebuilt the entire structure from its foundations.” more

Mia Sacks Announces Run For Third Term on Council

By Anne Levin

Mia Sacks

Princeton Council President Mia Sacks will run for a third term on Princeton Council, she announced this week.

The seats on the governing body held by Sacks and Michelle Pirone Lambros are up for grabs in the coming elections. Lambros announced her candidacy for a third term last month.

Sacks, a Princeton native, has served on Council since 2020. She has been Council president for the past three years.

“My commitment to Princeton has always been about one thing: giving back to my hometown,” she wrote in an official statement. “For me, this isn’t about politics — it’s about investing in the future of Princeton — which means balancing growth with sustainability; strengthening our infrastructure; ensuring our public school system has the resources in needs; and creating an environment in which small businesses can thrive. Most importantly, it’s about making Princeton a place where our children will want and can afford to return.” more

Contemporary Comedy at McCarter Theatre Explores Women in Science, Three Centuries Apart

CREATIVE TEAM: Preparing “Legacy of Light” at McCarter Theatre has been a happy collaboration for, from left: Karen Zacarias, Gina Fonseca, Allen Gilmore, Lenne Klingaman, Trey DeLuna, Kimberly Chatterjee, Zach Fine, and Sarah Rasmussen.

By Anne Levin

How does being a woman scientist in 18th century France compare to following a similar path in 21st century Princeton? That, along with other questions about career, family, love, and astrophysics form the basis of Legacy of Light, a comedy by Karen Zacarias opening at McCarter Theatre March 19 and running through April 6.

First produced in 2009 at Washington’s Arena Stage, where Zacarias is a playwright-in-residence, the play intertwines the stories of French scientist Emilie du Chatelet, who lived from 1706 to 1749, with that of a modern-day astrophysicist. The six characters in the ensemble include Chatelet and another historical figure, Voltaire.  more

Power of Sports to Shape Female Leaders Is Focus of April 26 Conference at Stuart

By Donald Gilpin

With an emphasis on cultivating leadership skills through sports, the “She Leads, She Wins” Girls Athletics and Leadership Conference will take place at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart on Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Stuart is thrilled to announce the launch of its first-ever middle school girls’ leadership conference and athletics clinics, an exciting and inspiring event designed to empower young women both on and off the field,” said Stuart Interim Director of Athletics Missy Bruvik. “This unique program will encourage middle school girls to try new sports, take risks, and develop leadership skills that will serve them well in athletics, academics, and beyond.”

Sponsored and organized by the National Center for Girls’ Leadership at Stuart, along with LaunchBreak and LetHerPlay, the event is designed to empower middle school female athletes in grades 5-8.  more

Mercer County Students Prepare for March 22 Science and Engineering Fair

By Donald Gilpin

The 72nd Annual Mercer Science and Engineering Fair will be taking place on March 22, and about 80 middle school and high school students from schools throughout the County are putting the finishing touches on their innovative projects.

At Princeton University for the first time and in person for the first time since before the COVID pandemic, this year’s competition will give students an opportunity to present their projects, meet like-minded peers, and engage with experts in the fields of science, engineering, and technology.

“Whether they have an innovative invention or a fresh scientific discovery, this is their chance to make an impact!” wrote Chad Colvin, executive director of Princeton Museum of Innovation and Leadership, which is sponsoring this year’s fair along with the Princeton Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department and the Mercer County Science and Engineering Club. The event will be held in the Computer Science Building on the University campus. more