Communiversity Scheduled for Saturday April 30th

Posted on 21. Apr, 2011 by PNN Editor in Arts, Dance, Events, Food, Music, Theater, University

The 41st annual Communiversity Festival of the Arts will take place Saturday, April 30 (rain or shine) from Noon to 5:00 p.m. on the streets of downtown Princeton and the adjacent Princeton University campus.

Presented by the Arts Council of Princeton and the students of Princeton University, the Festival originated as “The Art People’s Party” on the lawn of Nassau Hall in 1970. Later renamed Communiversity to capture the Town-Gown spirit of the event, the Festival has grown to attract nearly 40,000 visitors to Princeton each spring. It has become one of Central New Jersey’s most well-known events and beloved annual traditions.

Communiversity Festival of the Arts 2011 will feature more than 200 artists, crafters, and merchants from around the tri-state area; continuous live entertainment on five stages (see attached schedule); children’s activities and games; a wide array of delicious food from around the globe; and a broad representation of the many businesses and organizations that play a prominent role in the vibrant life of the Princeton community. Printed event guides – listing the names and locations of all vendors and performers – will be available, courtesy of Triangle Reprocenter of Rocky Hill, at locations throughout the Festival. Admission to the event is free.

Once again, the Communiversity spirit will expand this year to encompass the entire weekend. “Princeton Arts Weekend” kicks off on Thursday evening, April 28, with the Opening Reception for the A.R.T. (Artistic Realization Technologies) Exhibition in the Taplin Gallery at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts. The festivities continue on April 29, with Pinot to Picasso ~ Vintage 2011, the Arts Council’s sixth annual spring art and wine fundraiser. Please refer to the Arts Council website (www.artscouncilofprinceton.org) for Pinot to Picasso ticket information and for a schedule of other arts-related events happening in Princeton from Thursday evening, April 28 through Sunday evening, May 1, 2011.

This year’s Communiversity Festival of the Arts is supported in part by sponsorships from: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Palmer Square Management, AARP New Jersey, PNC Bank, Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Princeton Self Storage, Princeton Shopping Center, Whole Foods Market, All Saints’ Church, D’Angelo Italian Market, Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty, MacLean Agency, Mediterra, Mortgage Master Inc., Princeton Dental Associates, Princeton Forrestal Village, Princeton Pop Warner Little Scholars, Teresa Caffe, The Bank of Princeton, The Residences at Palmer Square, Triumph Brewing Company, Waldorf School of Princeton, Winberie’s Restaurant and Bar, and Witherspoon Grill and Blue Point Grill. Media Partners include: Packet Publications, Princeton Online, Princeton Scoop, Town Topics, US1, and WWFM. Planning support is provided by Grayson Bridge Meeting & Event Planning of Princeton.

Some of the highlights planned for this year’s Communiversity include live music by local favorites, such as Sarah Donner, The Shaxe, The Blue Meanies Beatles Tribute Band, Stolen Rhodes, Gravity Hill, Edna’s Kin, Blue Jersey Band, and the Monday Blues Jazz Orchestra. Also scheduled to perform are University bands, a cappella groups, local dance troupes, and various instrumental groups (ranging from drumming to classical music). Rounding out the exciting entertainment schedule will be children’s favorites – Stone Soup Circus, Wendy & Flying Kidz Music, and The Kamishibai Kids (Japanese paper theater). Also great for youngsters is the annual Sports Clinic hosted by Princeton Athletics in front of Firestone Library.

At the Arts Council of Princeton activity areas, children will have the opportunity to express their creativity through painting at Nana’s Make a Mess Workshop, sponsored by the family of artist Julienne Sylvia Winarsky in her memory. Youngsters can also enjoy art-themed carnival games, face painting, arts and crafts workshops, and cotton candy – a Festival favorite. Finally, the Arts Council will be hosting ceramics demonstrations and interactive activities at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts throughout the day. Communiversity t-shirts will be available for sale at the main Arts Council booth (at the intersection of Nassau and Witherspoon Streets).

Communiversity Festival of the Arts will take place in downtown Princeton on Nassau and Witherspoon Streets, in Palmer Square (along Tiger Park and on the Green), and throughout the University campus. Public parking is available in lots and garages located on Chambers Street, Hulfish Street (next to Halo Pub), and Spring Street. Additional parking can be found on side streets throughout town. Visit http://princetonnewsnetwork.com/Xo for a Downtown Princeton parking map.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP), founded in 1967, is a non-profit organization with a mission of Building Community through the Arts. Housed in the landmark Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, designed by renowned architect Michael Graves, the ACP fulfills its mission by presenting a wide range of programs including exhibitions, performances, free community cultural events, and studio-based classes and workshops in the visual, performing and literary arts. Arts Council of Princeton programs are designed to be high-quality, engaging, affordable and accessible for the diverse population in the greater Princeton region.

For more information or a complete schedule of events, visit www.artscouncilofprinceton.org