Princeton Events Highlights for Week of May 5th - 11th, 2008

On Monday, May 5th, Labyrinth Books presents historian and polymath Anthony Grafton who will read and discuss his latest book, "Codex in Crisis." Grafton has been a professor of history at Princeton University since 1975 and is noted for his studies of the classical tradition from the Renaissance to the eighteenth century and the history of historical scholarship. In "Codex in Crisis," Professor Grafton examines the new information ecology and considers the implications of digitization for the ways
that we read, write, and store information. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Nassau Presbyterian Church, admission is free.

On Tuesday, May 6th, the Princeton University Farmers Market continues in the Firestone Plaza on campus from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. See our story about the Farmers' Market in the Food and Dining pages.

Also on Tuesday, McCarter Theatre Center's premier presentation of "A Seagull in the Hamptons" continues in the Berlind Theatre. See my interview with Emily Mann, the adapter and director of the show, in the Princeton News Network "Arts and Entertainment" pages. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday.

On Wednesday, May 7th, the Princeton University Women's Center presents a screening of the documentary, "The Business of Being Born," followed by a panel discussion with the film's director, Abby Epstein; and midwives Stacey Rees and Carolyn Havens Niemann. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights, and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. The screening begins at 7:00 p.m. in McCormick 101 on campus, and it's free.

On Friday, May 9th, the Voices Chorale, directed by Lyn Ransom, present "20 Years of Voices," featuring a new work by Elizabeth Alexander commissioned for the group's twentieth anniversary, titled "Shelter This Candle." The concert begins at 8:00 p.m. at St. Paul Church, 214 Nassau Street in Princeton. Admission is 18 to $25.

Also on Friday, Arlo Guthrie comes to McCarter Theater for a solo acoustic evening: just Guthrie with guitar and harmonica -- the way he began back in 1961. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are 33 to $40.

On Saturday, May 10th, it is Electronic Waste Disposal Day sponsored by the Mercer County Improvement Authority. For Mercer County residents only, this is your chance to properly dispose of old computers, VCRs, TVs, microwave ovens, the lot! From 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. rain or shine in the Sovereign Bank Arena Parking Lot 1 in Trenton.

Sunday, May 11th is Mother's Day and the 175th Anniversary of Princeton's Trinity Church at 33 Mercer Street. A celebratory service begins at 10:00 a.m. followed by ringing the Carillon Tower bells 175 times.

Also on Sunday -- and not quite so noisy -- a Mother's Day Afternoon Tea featuring Eliza Blackwell and the history of tea and Mother's Day is offered at the Chauncey Conference Center on the grounds of the Educational Testing Service off Rosedale Road in Princeton. The tea begins at 3:00 p.m. with both classic and royal tea service offered. Royal means champagne! Reservations are required at 609-921-3600.

Those are the highlights of the Princeton events calendar for May 5th through the 11th, 2008.