Last Sunday my internet stopped working. It was back to working by Monday morning, but somehow I managed to not write a blog all week...but, here I am! Alive and well.
I did manage to get a few activites in the past two weeks, but schoolwork has become my extracurricular activity as of late, so I haven't done quite as much as I would have liked.
This I did do:
Friday, October 15th I went over to Princeton University and saw a showing of the silent film version of The Phantom of The Opera with live organ accompaniment. It was...AMAZING! The school chamber choir, dressed in black robes and hoods, made their way through the darkened cathedral with candles and chanted all at different times and tempi. Very cool effect! I had never seen A)a silent film B)a film accompanied by live organ accompaniment. It was an amazing experience, and the organist was phenomenal (and had a lot of stamina to play constantly for over 90 minutes!)
Saturday, October 23 I saw Westminster Choir College's Light in the Piazza. I had never seen the show, and I had only heard the music once or twice, not enough to say I really knew it well. I have to admit it's not my favorite show, having now seen it. None of the music is really memorable and the story is a bit odd and drawn out. It tells the story of a young girl and her mother traveling to Italy, a young Italian man falls in love with the girl, but sadly the girl was kicked in the head by a pony (yes, a pony) when she was younger and has a slight mental handicap because of it, therefore it is impossible for the two to get married. So they're not going to. And then they are. And then they're not going to. And then...well, I won't tell you how it ends...
I was, however, impressed with most of the acting and singing, the sets were gorgeous, and the chamber orchestra was fabulous. I just wish the book writer could have come up with something better than a pony.
So, for this week...I feel as though Central Jersey freezes during the Fall & Winter, and I'm not talking about snow. There seem to be less and less options for interesting arts activities going on, but here's what I came up with:
Friday, October 29th: I may just try my hand at Pick-Your-Own-Apples over at Terhune Orchards before the season comes to an end. There's also a wine tasting from 1-7pm in case the apples prove to be unsatisfying.
@ 8:00pm: The Princeton Day School is doing a production of Almost, Maine. $10.
Saturday, October 30th: It's the last day of The West Windsor Farmers Market. I will definitely be heading over there for one more helping of vegan amazingness from Catherine's Vegan Sweets!
I may be able to squeeze something else in, but I'll most likely be working on homework the rest of the time. So, in next week's blog I'll be able to tell you anything you need to know about the musical team Kander & Ebb!
Happy week...
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Back to School
Back in New Jersey after a lovely, lovely time down in Orlando, FL. The weather decided to treat me nicely and the days were gorgeous with a cool breeze and not too hot. I spent time with wonderful friends, celebrated my birthday, and filled myself with some amazing vegan food (not to be found in Central Jersey ANYWHERE as far as I have found).
I was reminded how much I love the community of Orlando and the wonderful, local places one can go to just hang out or get some food. It also re-inspired me to keep trying to find that here. Random: I met a woman on the plane ride back to Newark who is from Limerick (no joke). She asked why I was traveling and I told her I had been visiting friends and family. She told me that she had gone through similar moves several times for school and always had a difficult time with the transition, too. She reminded me that I would never replace the family I have in Orlando, but that I will meet people here to at least enjoy my time with and make the time between visits with family more enjoyable. Yay for random people telling me things I need to hear!
Anywho, here's what's on the calendar for this week:
Friday, Oct. 15th
@ 7:30 pm Concert version of "Le Nozze di Figaro" as a Fundraiser for the Westminster Choir College Class of 2011. Held at Rider University's Bristol Hall Chapel. $5.
@ 9:00 pm Silent Film "The Phantom of the Opera" with live organ accompaniment. Held at Princeton University Chapel. $10.
Saturday, Oct. 16th
@ 8:00 pm 24-Hr. Play Festival by Theatre Intime. Held in Hamilton Murray Theatre at Princeton University. $12.
@ 3:00 & 8:00 pm "Aurelia's Oratorio" at McCarter Theatre. This is supposed to be amazing. Tickets start at $20, I'll have to check if there's even any left.
And if none of this works out, perhaps I'll go and discover a new park by bike since it finally stopped raining in Mercer County!
Have a lovely week!
I was reminded how much I love the community of Orlando and the wonderful, local places one can go to just hang out or get some food. It also re-inspired me to keep trying to find that here. Random: I met a woman on the plane ride back to Newark who is from Limerick (no joke). She asked why I was traveling and I told her I had been visiting friends and family. She told me that she had gone through similar moves several times for school and always had a difficult time with the transition, too. She reminded me that I would never replace the family I have in Orlando, but that I will meet people here to at least enjoy my time with and make the time between visits with family more enjoyable. Yay for random people telling me things I need to hear!
Anywho, here's what's on the calendar for this week:
Friday, Oct. 15th
@ 7:30 pm Concert version of "Le Nozze di Figaro" as a Fundraiser for the Westminster Choir College Class of 2011. Held at Rider University's Bristol Hall Chapel. $5.
@ 9:00 pm Silent Film "The Phantom of the Opera" with live organ accompaniment. Held at Princeton University Chapel. $10.
Saturday, Oct. 16th
@ 8:00 pm 24-Hr. Play Festival by Theatre Intime. Held in Hamilton Murray Theatre at Princeton University. $12.
@ 3:00 & 8:00 pm "Aurelia's Oratorio" at McCarter Theatre. This is supposed to be amazing. Tickets start at $20, I'll have to check if there's even any left.
And if none of this works out, perhaps I'll go and discover a new park by bike since it finally stopped raining in Mercer County!
Have a lovely week!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
When I Think of Home...
Yes, that's right...I'm going home this week, and I could not be looking forward to it any more! But, first...a recap of my New Jersey discoveries for the past week:
Friday night I went to the Pennington Players production of "Seussical the Musical" at Kelsey Theatre. I was fairly impressed, considering it was a community theatre production, and sometimes the talent in those can be sketchy. I was thoroughly entertained, and the theatre was a very nice space, located on the campus of Mercer County Community College.
Saturday I drove up to Lambertville, NJ & New Hope, PA because I had heard from numerous people that these were cool places to hang out. They were right! These two towns (connected by a .2 mile bridge)
are full of adorable shops, coffee shops, cafes, & antique shops...all within walking distance of each other. I even found a VEGAN restaurant (alert Happy Cow!) called Sprig & Vine in New Hope that has brunch every Sunday from 10am-2pm. I will definitely be checking that out soon! Anyways, I had lunch at Wildflowers Cafe in New Hope. They specialize in American, Mexican, and Thai. hmm...I was a little wary, and for good reason...it was a bit on the expensive side and the Pad Thai with Tofu was lacking in the taste department. It was a very cute place, though, and for the non-vegan it's got TONS of options.
Overall, I adored my Lambertville/New Hope experience, and will hopefully make many more trips there in the future.
As for next week, I will not be attending any events in the Central New Jersey area, as I will be in ORLANDO, FLORIDA!! Woo hoo!!
So here's where I'll be this week:
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday @ SAK Comedy Lab-the funniest improv comedy theatre in Florida!
Sunday, October 10th @ Hamburger Mary's for "Brunch with Babs" featuring the amazingly talented Carla DelVillaggio as part of Orlando's gigantic Come Out With Pride Festival.
"When I think of home...I think of a place where there's love overflowing..."
Friday night I went to the Pennington Players production of "Seussical the Musical" at Kelsey Theatre. I was fairly impressed, considering it was a community theatre production, and sometimes the talent in those can be sketchy. I was thoroughly entertained, and the theatre was a very nice space, located on the campus of Mercer County Community College.
Saturday I drove up to Lambertville, NJ & New Hope, PA because I had heard from numerous people that these were cool places to hang out. They were right! These two towns (connected by a .2 mile bridge)
Overall, I adored my Lambertville/New Hope experience, and will hopefully make many more trips there in the future.
As for next week, I will not be attending any events in the Central New Jersey area, as I will be in ORLANDO, FLORIDA!! Woo hoo!!
So here's where I'll be this week:
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday @ SAK Comedy Lab-the funniest improv comedy theatre in Florida!
Sunday, October 10th @ Hamburger Mary's for "Brunch with Babs" featuring the amazingly talented Carla DelVillaggio as part of Orlando's gigantic Come Out With Pride Festival.
"When I think of home...I think of a place where there's love overflowing..."
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Another week...
I nearly forgot that I've been keeping a blog. It's been THAT good of a week! I must say though, everything I blog about for the upcoming week, I feel compelled to do, so it must be doing its job. I'm getting out and seeing things.
Tuesday, after getting lost for the umpteenth time in the farms of New Jersey, I made my way to Open Mic night at Grover's Mill Coffee House. It's actually a pretty neat looking place, and had a little more variety in their musicians than my previous foray. No vegan goods, unless you count soy milk. Which I don't. I didn't stay too long though, so not too much to say about it. A lot of high schoolers hanging out, I was feeling old and out of place ;-)
Friday night I went over to the Cranstock Music Festival. Again, neat looking set up. They were in Village Park in Cranbury, NJ and had tiki torches set up all along the circumference of the park, as well as Christmas lights hanging from trees. My only problem was each group had an hour on stage, so I was there for a little over an hour and half, and only really saw one group perform. A harp/guitar duo, and I didn't really care for the woman's voice. So, I read my play for acting class by tiki torch light, and left. More of an interesting place to go with someone to talk with, or a family, or a flashlight.
Saturday I went out to Cafe Improv at The Paul Robeson Center for the Arts in Princeton. I had gone the previous month and was impressed, so I made it a priority to go again this month. I was, once again, equally blown away by the amount of talent I was exposed to for a measly $1. The show was from 7-10pm (running a little over, as it had last month), and featured 8 different acts, all musical acts, although I guess they also allow comedy, poetry, and dance as well. One of my favorites was The Raven Rock Rounders, a band that plays self-described "good ol' American back-porch pickin'...tunes". I loved their sound, and they did an awesome cover of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" with all 4 joining in together on "...People just like it better that way." I intend to go back here as often as possible, and eventually join in on the fun and play some of my own tunes. I'll keep you posted on that one.
As for next week, there doesn't appear to be too much going on, at least not too much I am either A) interested in or B) rich enough to attend.
Here's what I do have:
Tuesday, Sept. 28:
International Folk Dance Class & Dance @ 7:00 pm. $3 (1st Class FREE)
Wednesday, Sept. 29:
Westminster Faculty Recital Featuring Organist Ken Cowan @ 7:30pm in Bristol Hall Chapel (FREE)
Friday, Oct. 1:
The Pennington Players Presents "Seussical the Musical" @ 7:30pm in Kelsey Theatre at MCCC ($12-$16)
Saturday, Oct. 2:
Wendy takes a trip. Why not? I've got the whole day free, and I'm sure I won't have TOO much homework! I'm thinking either Philadelphia or the Lambertville/New Hope area, as I've been told by numerous people that I would enjoy it. We'll see...and I'll be back next Sunday to let you know what happened.
Just please don't let me get lost this time...
Tuesday, after getting lost for the umpteenth time in the farms of New Jersey, I made my way to Open Mic night at Grover's Mill Coffee House. It's actually a pretty neat looking place, and had a little more variety in their musicians than my previous foray. No vegan goods, unless you count soy milk. Which I don't. I didn't stay too long though, so not too much to say about it. A lot of high schoolers hanging out, I was feeling old and out of place ;-)
Friday night I went over to the Cranstock Music Festival. Again, neat looking set up. They were in Village Park in Cranbury, NJ and had tiki torches set up all along the circumference of the park, as well as Christmas lights hanging from trees. My only problem was each group had an hour on stage, so I was there for a little over an hour and half, and only really saw one group perform. A harp/guitar duo, and I didn't really care for the woman's voice. So, I read my play for acting class by tiki torch light, and left. More of an interesting place to go with someone to talk with, or a family, or a flashlight.
Saturday I went out to Cafe Improv at The Paul Robeson Center for the Arts in Princeton. I had gone the previous month and was impressed, so I made it a priority to go again this month. I was, once again, equally blown away by the amount of talent I was exposed to for a measly $1. The show was from 7-10pm (running a little over, as it had last month), and featured 8 different acts, all musical acts, although I guess they also allow comedy, poetry, and dance as well. One of my favorites was The Raven Rock Rounders, a band that plays self-described "good ol' American back-porch pickin'...tunes". I loved their sound, and they did an awesome cover of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" with all 4 joining in together on "...People just like it better that way." I intend to go back here as often as possible, and eventually join in on the fun and play some of my own tunes. I'll keep you posted on that one.
As for next week, there doesn't appear to be too much going on, at least not too much I am either A) interested in or B) rich enough to attend.
Here's what I do have:
Tuesday, Sept. 28:
International Folk Dance Class & Dance @ 7:00 pm. $3 (1st Class FREE)
Wednesday, Sept. 29:
Westminster Faculty Recital Featuring Organist Ken Cowan @ 7:30pm in Bristol Hall Chapel (FREE)
Friday, Oct. 1:
The Pennington Players Presents "Seussical the Musical" @ 7:30pm in Kelsey Theatre at MCCC ($12-$16)
Saturday, Oct. 2:
Wendy takes a trip. Why not? I've got the whole day free, and I'm sure I won't have TOO much homework! I'm thinking either Philadelphia or the Lambertville/New Hope area, as I've been told by numerous people that I would enjoy it. We'll see...and I'll be back next Sunday to let you know what happened.
Just please don't let me get lost this time...
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Under The Weather
Okay. I know. This was only my second full week of blogging, and I've already dropped the ball; but, I would like to say this: I had every intention of getting out and doing the things I had said I would, and then Tuesday morning I woke up DEAD. You know what I mean. I've been sick all week, and just going down the stairs seems to wear me out. I did get out and do a few things I said I would, and I will discuss those, but I am ready to take next week by force and make up for lost time!
Last Sunday I did make it out to BT Bistro for their Trivia Night. It was supposed to start at 7:00pm. I got there at 7:00pm. You may not know this about me, but one of my biggest pet peeves is feeling like my time is being wasted. That being said, Trivia Night started around 7:45, not off to a great start. There was about 15 people in this bar attached to a Clarion Hotel, not a very rowdy group either. To top it off, if you didn't know anything about sci-fi or animals, you were out of luck as far as getting any answers correct. I am told the topics vary greatly each week, but I'm not so sure I'll be back to find out. Oh, well...the vodka & cranberry was at least good!
I also managed to get myself to a Graduate Accompanying Recital at Westminster Choir College. As that is a degree I have a strong interest in attaining, I thought I should check out what it was all about. The recital consisted of the accompanist accompanying (really??) a tenor singing three French songs. More of an educational field trip for me, but entertaining nonetheless. And free. I won't begin to go into analyzing the performance and how I felt like the accompanist had WAY too much excess body movement, because that would make me appear to have authority in the land of classical piano, and I don't.
Okay, that's it. I was supposed to go to an improv show tonight at The College of New Jersey, but I lost too much time this week being sick and I have some catching up to do. So, I am sorry Mixed Signals, I will try to catch your show another time.
As for this week, here's my options:
Tuesday, Sept. 21
@ 6:00pm the Alternative Film Club at Rider University is showing "Burn After Reading."
@ 7:00pm Folk Dance Class & Dance. $3 (could be interesting??)
Friday, Sept. 24
@ 6:00-10:00pm is the Cranstock Music Festival in Cranbury, NJ. $5 sugg. donation.
Saturday, Sept. 25
@ 11:00-3:00 is the Grand Opening Block Party of the West Windsor Arts Center.
@ 9:00-1:00pm is the West Windsor Farmer's Market.
@ 1:00-11:00pm Cranstock Music Festival again.
@ 2:00pm is The Arts Council of Princeton's ARTbox Derby. FREE to observe.
@ 7:00 is Cafe Improv at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts in Princeton. $1
**ALSO, Saturday is the Smithsonian magazine Free Museum Day taking place all day, all over the country.
Sunday, Sept. 26
@ 2:00pm is a FREE tour of Princeton University's Art Museum.
Okay, clearly I'm going to have to pick and choose for what I do Saturday. They couldn't have spread this out a little more evenly throughout the week??? Oh, well. I have been to Cafe Improv once before, it is a recurring show the last Saturday of each month. I must say it is well worth the $1 for an evening of entertainment by some amazing local singer-songwriters, so that one is probably a definite. Other than that, we'll just have to wait and see! Have a great week!!
Last Sunday I did make it out to BT Bistro for their Trivia Night. It was supposed to start at 7:00pm. I got there at 7:00pm. You may not know this about me, but one of my biggest pet peeves is feeling like my time is being wasted. That being said, Trivia Night started around 7:45, not off to a great start. There was about 15 people in this bar attached to a Clarion Hotel, not a very rowdy group either. To top it off, if you didn't know anything about sci-fi or animals, you were out of luck as far as getting any answers correct. I am told the topics vary greatly each week, but I'm not so sure I'll be back to find out. Oh, well...the vodka & cranberry was at least good!
I also managed to get myself to a Graduate Accompanying Recital at Westminster Choir College. As that is a degree I have a strong interest in attaining, I thought I should check out what it was all about. The recital consisted of the accompanist accompanying (really??) a tenor singing three French songs. More of an educational field trip for me, but entertaining nonetheless. And free. I won't begin to go into analyzing the performance and how I felt like the accompanist had WAY too much excess body movement, because that would make me appear to have authority in the land of classical piano, and I don't.
Okay, that's it. I was supposed to go to an improv show tonight at The College of New Jersey, but I lost too much time this week being sick and I have some catching up to do. So, I am sorry Mixed Signals, I will try to catch your show another time.
As for this week, here's my options:
Tuesday, Sept. 21
@ 6:00pm the Alternative Film Club at Rider University is showing "Burn After Reading."
@ 7:00pm Folk Dance Class & Dance. $3 (could be interesting??)
Friday, Sept. 24
@ 6:00-10:00pm is the Cranstock Music Festival in Cranbury, NJ. $5 sugg. donation.
Saturday, Sept. 25
@ 11:00-3:00 is the Grand Opening Block Party of the West Windsor Arts Center.
@ 9:00-1:00pm is the West Windsor Farmer's Market.
@ 1:00-11:00pm Cranstock Music Festival again.
@ 2:00pm is The Arts Council of Princeton's ARTbox Derby. FREE to observe.
@ 7:00 is Cafe Improv at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts in Princeton. $1
**ALSO, Saturday is the Smithsonian magazine Free Museum Day taking place all day, all over the country.
Sunday, Sept. 26
@ 2:00pm is a FREE tour of Princeton University's Art Museum.
Okay, clearly I'm going to have to pick and choose for what I do Saturday. They couldn't have spread this out a little more evenly throughout the week??? Oh, well. I have been to Cafe Improv once before, it is a recurring show the last Saturday of each month. I must say it is well worth the $1 for an evening of entertainment by some amazing local singer-songwriters, so that one is probably a definite. Other than that, we'll just have to wait and see! Have a great week!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sculptures Galore!
My first official week of blogging about my weekly adventures has come to an end! And I am pleased to announce that I did (almost) everything I set out to do this week.
A recap of this weeks adventures:
Tuesday I headed over to open mic night at It's a Grind Coffee House in Plainsboro. I'd be interested to see how long this has been going on, because it doesn't seem to have caught on very much yet. When I got there, an older gentleman was up at the mic reciting poetry and scatting to canned elevator music. As unpleasant as I just made that sound, he was actually quite talented and fun to listen to. When his fifteen minutes were up, that was it for the open mic night section of the evening. The host ended up doing an hour long set to pass the rest of the time and entertain the crowd of 5 of 6 of us. It actually is a cute little space, just not advertised well enough, or could be brand new. As far as the coffee shop, well...I got tea, and there were no vegan desserts, which significantly decreases the chances of me returning. There are plenty more open mic nights around though, I just hope the Scat-Master makes the rounds to the other spots.
A recap of this weeks adventures:
Tuesday I headed over to open mic night at It's a Grind Coffee House in Plainsboro. I'd be interested to see how long this has been going on, because it doesn't seem to have caught on very much yet. When I got there, an older gentleman was up at the mic reciting poetry and scatting to canned elevator music. As unpleasant as I just made that sound, he was actually quite talented and fun to listen to. When his fifteen minutes were up, that was it for the open mic night section of the evening. The host ended up doing an hour long set to pass the rest of the time and entertain the crowd of 5 of 6 of us. It actually is a cute little space, just not advertised well enough, or could be brand new. As far as the coffee shop, well...I got tea, and there were no vegan desserts, which significantly decreases the chances of me returning. There are plenty more open mic nights around though, I just hope the Scat-Master makes the rounds to the other spots.
The other event I made it out to this week was Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton. It was free to the public on Saturday in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, and it was a GORGEOUS day to be outside. This place is amazing! If you live anywhere in the Central New Jersey area and have not been there yet, you are definitely missing out. It is a 35-acre, beautifully landscaped park full of over 240 sculptures, from the abstract to contemporary, to sculptures of animals to, my personal favorite, a man relaxing on the hillside while naked women dance around him.
Okay, it wasn't my favorite, but it is pretty funny!
I spent over two hours walking the grounds, and didn't have nearly enough time to see everything. I never even got to the museum, or the two onsite cafes, or Rat's Restaurant, whose executive chef is featured on this season's "Top Chef" (although that one may have to wait until I'm playing piano on Broadway). I will definitely be going back here, and I don't even mind spending the $8.00 this time to get in. It is well worth it to support such an amazing park filled with phenomenal art.
That wraps it up for the past week. Now, this next week is my first full week back in school, but I won't let that stop me from getting out and seeing what all New Jersey has to offer.
It starts tonight, when I head out to BT Bistro at 7:00 for Trivia Night. Don't worry, I'm not expecting to win.
Tuesday, Sept. 14 is another open mic night, this time at Grover's Mill Coffee House at 7:00pm (FREE).
Friday, Sept. 17 is a Westminster Graduate Accompanying Recital at Bristol Hall Chapel on Rider University's Princeton Campus at 8:30pm (FREE).
Sunday, Sept. 19 is Mixed Signals Improv, a FREE improv comedy show by local TCNJ (The College of NJ) students, in the TCNJ Library at 8:00pm.
Sounds like a good start for the week, I'll be back to let you know how it all goes. Happy Sunday!
Here's a few more pictures from Grounds for Sculpture to leave you with...because it's just that amazing.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Goldmine!
Quick mid-week update: I just found out about Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day, coming up on September 25th. According to the website, Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian Media in which participating museums across the country open their doors for free to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket.
I found the Old Barracks Museum in nearby Trenton, NJ, and after entering my name, address, and e-mail address, I was sent my FREE ticket to enjoy the museum on the 25th of this month.
There are museums listed all over the country, so this is not just for Central Jersey!
Just thought I'd share this glorious find: a FREE day at the museum!
Did I mention it's FREE? Just go to the Smithsonian Magazine website and find the museum you'd like to visit.
Happy Thursday!
I found the Old Barracks Museum in nearby Trenton, NJ, and after entering my name, address, and e-mail address, I was sent my FREE ticket to enjoy the museum on the 25th of this month.
There are museums listed all over the country, so this is not just for Central Jersey!
Just thought I'd share this glorious find: a FREE day at the museum!
Did I mention it's FREE? Just go to the Smithsonian Magazine website and find the museum you'd like to visit.
Happy Thursday!
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