Bryant Park’s Festive Winter Village is Back for 2021

Image Source: bryantpark.org

The European inspired open-air market curated by Urbanspace in New York City’s Bryant Park hosts artisans from New York and around the world. Enjoy world class shopping, eats, and drinks as you stroll through the shops, which are housed in custom-designed kiosks. The Winter Village operates from now through January 2, 2022. Monday-Friday hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekend hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Face coverings are strongly encouraged for all Holiday Shops staff and visitors. It is estimated that over 170 holiday shops will participate in this year’s Winter Village. more

Beloved Toys “R” Us Opens Flagship Store at American Dream Mall

Image Source: www.americandream.com

American Dream Mall, an entertainment and retail complex in East Rutherford, will be the site of the new Toys “R” Us flagship store. The two-story complex will stretch across 20,000 square feet of retail space. It will also be located adjacent to the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park and DreamWorks Water Park inside of American Dream Mall. more

An Evening with Harry Connick Jr. at Count Basie

Don’t miss An Evening with Harry Connick Jr. on Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. Ticket prices start at $50 per person and doors open at 7 p.m.

Connick’s career has exemplified excellence across theater, film, and music. A best-selling musician, singer, and composer, he is particularly known for his live performances, which exude energy and fun, an attribute of his native New Orleans roots. Connick has appeared on Broadway and in over 20 feature films. He began singing and playing piano at age 5 with his musician father. more

Start a New Year Tradition with the Arts Council of Princeton

The new year is coming, and with all the challenges that many of us have endured over the past couple of years, the Arts Council of Princeton has partnered with Miya Table & Home to create a community project that is a refresh, a restart, and a recommitment to our personal goals, hopes, and dreams. This special Daruma workshop will take place on Tuesday, December 28 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Arts Council of Princeton, located at 102 Witherspoon Street. more

Center for Contemporary Art Offers Winter Courses for Children & Teens with ASD and Other Special Needs

The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster will be offering two winter art courses for children and teens with ASD and other special needs. Both classes will be taught in person. 

The art course for children ages 6-10 will be taught on Mondays at 4-4:45 p.m. from January 24-March 7.

The art course for children ages 11-16 with special needs will be taught on Mondays at 5-5:45 p.m. from January 24-March 7. more

Give the Gift of a Whitney Membership This Holiday Season

Image Source: www.whitney.org

Delight, inspire, and surprise the art lover and creative talent in your life with a Gift Whitney Membership this holiday season. Members enjoy unlimited free admission, half-priced guest tickets, dedicated viewings, Whitney Gift Store discounts, early admission to new exhibits, and so much more.  more

Book by PU Professor Named to “Financial Times” Best Books List

A book authored by local historian Harold James has been named to the Financial Times’ Best Books of 2021: Politics List. 

The War of Words: A Glossary of Globalization, published by Yale University Press, reveals the origins of key buzzwords and concepts used in contemporary political debate such as “neoliberalism,” “geopolitics,” and “globalization,” while highlighting communication challenges associated with their misuse.  more

NJ Transit Launches Holiday Travel Promotions

Customers can now celebrate the season and save!

The holiday season is here! To celebrate, NJ Transit is offering several promotional discounts running through the rest of 2021. Both new and current customers can save on holiday travel by using various promotional codes in the NJ TRANSIT mobile app, including an invitation for new customers to “Try NJT” to take a free ride, “Buy One, Get One” deals, as well as discounts to Newark Liberty International Airport and MetLife Stadium for NFL football.  In addition, the family SuperSaver fare, which allows kids 11 and under to ride for free, will be extended from December 17 through January 3.  Full details are available at  njtransit.com/holiday. more

Jane Lynch – “A Swingin’ Little Christmas!” Live in Concert

Thursday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m.

What do you get when you mix one part cabaret, one part comedy, and one heaping helping of Christmas kitsch? A Swingin’ Little Christmas! It’s a fun fresh twist on the Christmas specials of the ’50s and’60s when harmonies were tight, and swing was the thing. 

Starring Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jane Lynch (Glee, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), along with Kate Flannery (The Office, Dancing with the Stars), Tim Davis (Glee’s vocal arranger), and The Tony Guerrero Quintet. These top-notch talents will jingle your bells and get you in the holiday spirit faster than a glass of eggnog. more

Casey Abrams Trio at Ramapo College

The Berrie Center for the Arts at Ramapo College of New Jersey welcomes The Casey Abrams Trio on Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m.

Casey Abrams burst onto the national scene with his appearance on Season 10 of American Idol. With his stand-up bass and smooth, vocals Abrams has carved out his unique jazz-funk sound. His brand-new album, “Casey Keysey,” was released in October. more

Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Creative Writing Presents Fall 2021 Student Reading

Part of the Althea Ward Clark W’21 Reading Series at Princeton

Students enrolled in fall creative writing courses in the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Creative Writing at Princeton University will read from their new works of fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and literary translation on Tuesday, December 7 at 5 p.m. in the Chancellor Green Rotunda on the Princeton campus as part of the Program’s Althea Ward Clark W’21 Reading Series. The reading is the culmination of students’ work in the Program in Creative Writing’s fall creative writing workshops.  more

PBS’s “Drive by History: Eats” Asks and Answers What Historical Figures May Have Eaten

What would George Washington or Walt Whitman have dined on? The new PBS series Drive by History: Eats answers these questions and more as it dives deep into New Jersey’s culinary past. 

In the first episode, New Jersey resident and Blair Academy alum Melissa F. Clark ’05 explores a meal designed to curry George Washington’s favor at The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. Using ingredients that would have been on hand during the summer of 1778 and employing the food trends popular during the period, Clark dishes up a delectable fried breaded chicken with sorrel sauce and raspberry fool for dessert.  more

The Hun School Welcomes Freestyle Love Supreme Academy

Image Source: Hun School Office of Communications

On Wednesday, November 17, The Hun School welcomed Freestyle Love Supreme Academy to campus as part of the School’s Centennial Speaker Series and Her at Hun: Celebrating 50 Years of Girls and Women. The outdoor performance was high-energy, interactive, and carried a message of positivity and inclusivity.

Freestyle Love Supreme (FLS) was conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, and Anthony Veneziale. The group is currently performing on Broadway and are the subject of a Grammy Award-winning documentary on Hulu. FLS Academy are talented members of the cast who spin cues from the audience into humorous bits, instantaneous songs, and fully realized musical numbers. From singing to rapping to beatboxing with harmonies and freestyle flow, each show is unique to their audience.  more

Santa Arrival Party at MarketFair Mall

Celebrate Santa's arrival as his helpers and musicians prepare for his grand entrance to MarketFair on Friday, November 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy interactive holiday shows, arts and crafts, balloon sculpting, Mrs. Claus Storytime, and giveaways for the first 150 registrants.

Make a Santa photo reservation from November 26 through December 24 at marketfairshoppes.com. Your family will enjoy having photos of sweet memories that they will treasure forever.  more

Paul Muldoon Livestream Event, December 1

Labyrinth Books in Princeton will host a hybrid, livestream event with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon on Wednesday, December 1 at 6 p.m. Muldoon will introduce his 14th collection of poetry, entitled Howdie-Skelp: Poems. He will be joined by fellow poet Michael Dickman.  more

Penn Medicine Pavilion Offers a New Level of Care for Philadelphia-Area Patients

Image Source: www.pennmedicine.org

At the end of October 2021, Penn Medicine opened the doors to its 1.5-million-square-foot future-ready pavilion. The 17-story building on Penn Medicine’s West Philadelphia campus houses 504 private patient rooms and 47 operating rooms. The pavilion will play host to the latest inpatient care for cardiology, cardiac surgery, medical and surgical oncology, neurology and neurosurgery, and transplant surgery. It will also be the site for Penn Medicine’s new emergency department. more

Mimi’s Cookies: Custom Cookies for Any Occasion

Waldwick, New Jersey, baker Mimi of Mimi’s Cookies, makes cookie creations that not only taste delicious, but are beautiful and personal as well. 

What started 20 years ago as a hobby, Mimi has transformed her love of baking into a full-blown business in Bergen County and now ships throughout New Jersey. Known for her artful ability to create chic, custom designs, Mimi will cater to whatever the occasion may be. Holidays, birthdays, reunions, baby showers, graduations, religious celebrations and more, the possibilities are endless.  more

Winter Skating on Palmer Square is Back!

Image Source: www.palmersquare.com

Make lasting memories this winter season by skating on Palmer Square in Princeton’s “eco-friendly” outdoor synthetic skating rink. Located on Hulfish Street behind the Nassau Inn, open skate will run from Saturday, November 20 through Sunday, February 27.

Hours are Thursday and Friday, 4-7 p.m.; and every Saturday and Sunday, 12-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. more

Edison Township Menorah Lighting

Celebrate Hanukkah 2021 with the Lighting of the Edison Township Menorah on Tuesday, November 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. The event will be held at the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Road in Edison. Following the lighting ceremony, guests will join local dignitaries, JCC members and visitors from around the state for indoor entertainment, light refreshments, music, and more. The event is free to attend, and all are welcome. Masks are required during the ceremony but may be removed when enjoying refreshments. For more information, visit www.jccmc.org. 

Sauce for the Goose Art Market 2021

Ready, set, shop small!

The Arts Council of Princeton’s Sauce for the Goose Outdoor Art Market returns to the Princeton Shopping Center on Saturday, November 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, November 14. 

Purchase handmade gifts directly from local artisans and crafters working in ceramics, textiles, jewelry, fine art, and more. Find one-of-a-kind gifts all while supporting the creatives living and working in the greater Princeton community. more

Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Dance Presents Princeton Dance Festival

Choreographer Omari Wiles (center foreground) with Princeton students in rehearsal for his new work to be featured in the 2021 Princeton Dance Festival (Photo by Jonathan Sweeney).

The 2021 Princeton Dance Festival returns with in-person performances featuring new and repertory works by choreographers Rebecca Lazier, Kyle Marshall, Justin Peck (staged by Michael Breeden), Larissa Velez-Jackson, Omari Wiles, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and Germaine Acogny (staged by Samantha Speis), and new work staged by Tina Fehlandt inspired by Mark Morris’ choreography on the 40th anniversary of the founding of his famed dance company, performed by Princeton dance students. All performances will take place at McCarter Theatre on November 19-21.  more

Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrin-yoku Experience, Nov. 21

On Sunday, November 21 from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve will lead a unique and relaxing nature therapy walk. These guided walks are an immersive and slow-paced experience with proven health benefits. Inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing and led by certified nature and forest therapy guide Linda Domino, guests will explore the land of the Preserve and awaken their senses to its sounds, creatures, textures, and beauty.  more

The Shakespeare Theatre’s Not-So-Silent Auction — Holiday Edition

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s unique and virtual (silent) auction returns just in time for the start of the holiday season! This year’s event launches on November 10 and will continue for 10 days. The third installment of this event promises hidden gems, unique finds, gifts for theater lovers, and plenty of one-of-a-kind objects.  more

Morven Museum’s Festival of Trees Opens Nov. 17

Image Source: www.morven.org

Morven Museum’s Festival of Trees will be on view Wednesdays through Sundays from November 17 to January 10, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This holiday tradition will celebrate its 16th year with a juried collection of themed trees and mantels displayed throughout the museum’s galleries, all decorated by members of garden clubs and organizations. 

This year’s decorators include American Spaniel Club, Contemporary Garden Club, Mount Laurel Garden Club, New Jersey Audubon Society, Nottingham Garden Club, Princeton Public Library, Stony Brook Garden Club, The Garden Club of Princeton, The Present Day Club, and West Trenton Garden Club.  more

Fused Glass Ornament Workshop at WWAC

Just in time for the holidays, West Windsor Arts Council (WWAC) is offering a fused glass ornament workshop on Wednesday, November 24 at 3 p.m. at 952 Alexander Road in Princeton Junction. 

The class will be two hours long, during which participants will make three of their own inspired keepsake glass ornaments. The class will include hands-on instruction on how to design several ornaments for tack fusing, including cutting small pieces of glass and using a flame to shape glass stringers. The participants will glue their ornaments and fuse them together using a special kiln in the studio. The finished products will be returned to the students in 7-10 days, complete with a silver-plated bail for hanging on their Christmas tree.  more

“Slice of Life” Quilt Art Celebrates 300 Years of Hightstown History

Ever wonder what your day-to-day life would be like if you lived 100 years ago? 200 years ago? How about 300 years ago? The Hightstown Woman’s Club thought just that same thing and created a “Slice of Life” Art Quilt to commemorate 300 years of living in Hightstown, New Jersey. On Sunday, November 14 at 2 p.m., they will be presenting this work of living history and art to the Borough officials at the historic Fire House event room, 140 North Main Street. 

At the event, the Woman’s Club CIP Committee will reveal the two-year process that brought them to the finished product. This was a community effort, with 26 makers from Hightstown and East Windsor participating. An accompanying book has been produced with a rich historic compilation of the art quilt subjects, and will be available to view and purchase in time for the holidays.  more

Monmouth Museum Holiday Train Display Returns

The Holiday Train Display at Monmouth Museum makes a much anticipated return this November 21 through December 31. Situated in the Main Gallery, the display will be accompanied by elaborately decorated Christmas trees and seasonal artwork crafted by The Arc of Monmouth participants. The Arc is a nonprofit I/DD organization that aims to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group’s holiday artwork is sure to get visitors into the Christmas spirit.  more

Celebrating Community and the Library: 2021 Virtual Events

Princeton Public Library invites book lovers to connect and enjoy community at the Beyond Words 2021 events. The virtual talks for November and December will conversations with journalist and novelist Omar El  Akkad on November 12 at 7 p.m. and novelist Jean Hanff Korelitz on December 3 at 7 p.m. The cost to attend is $60 per participant, per event.

El Akkad is the author of the recently-released What Strange Paradise, which has been shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize for excellence in Canadian fiction. He is also the author of the award-winning 2017 novel American War. He will be joined in conversation by Professor Deborah Amos, the Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University, an NPR international correspondent, and recipient of a 2021-22 Berlin Prize Fellowship. more

Broadway Musical “Anastasia” Debuts in NJ

Image Source: https://www.stnj.org

Inspired by the beloved film, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia is coming to the State Theatre of New Jersey in New Brunswick. From the Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this show transports viewers from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. more

Flemington’s Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 2021

The CEA School of Flemington presents the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K on Thursday, November 25. Winding through the historic streets of Hunterdon County, the race is an inspiring and uplifting way to celebrate a season of thanks, goodwill, and gratitude.

Since 1993, the CEA Turkey Trot has attracted upwards of 6,000 runners and walkers, all in benefit of the CEA’s employment programs, which bring much needed jobs to individuals with disabilities. The CEA School, located at South Hunterdon Regional High School ,was established to meet the needs of Hunterdon County’s students in a more inclusive environment. The CEA School is a New Jersey Department of Education approved private school located within a public school setting serving middle and high school aged students with disabilities. more