Featured Events in Princeton in April, 2025 (June Updated)

Join us for our April Nature Walk through the trails of the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. Led by the Friends of Princeton Open Space stewardship team, this guided walk will offer a chance to explore lush trails, vibrant spring blooms, and the sights and sounds of nature as the season comes alive. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-time visitor, it's the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors and reconnect with nature. Our stewardship team will also share insights into the history of the preserve and the ongoing land stewardship efforts that help protect this special place for future generations. Be sure to wear sturdy, weather-appropriate footwear. Feel free to bring a camera or binoculars along to help you spot and capture the beauty of wildlife as we explore. Information Source: Friends of Princeton Open Space | eventbrite

This special event produces a hybrid visit in partnership between the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence (RGME) and the Princeton Bibliophiles & Book-Collectors (PB&C) , an affiliate of t he Friends of the Princeton University Library (FPUL) . This meeting will take place in the Conference Room of the Princeton Public Library , Witherspoon Street, Princeton 08540. Parking is available in the Spring Street Parking Lot nearby. This is the Registration Portal to Attend IN PERSON Space is limited for the In-Person Event. Please be sure to register here so that we can know whom and how many to expect to attend in person. Registration is free. We invite Voluntary Donations for the RGME, a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization principally run by volunteers. To Attend ONLINE, p lease see our ONLINE Registration Portal https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ronald-smeltzer-talks-about-emilie-du-chatelet-woman-of-science-online-tickets-1310959468059 Information 1) The Event co-sponsored by the Princeton Bibliophiles & Collectors and the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence The PB&C , led by Ronald Smeltzer, and the RGME , directed by Mildred Budny, have collaborated before with some RGME Symposia held at Princeton University (2018, 2019) before the Covid Pandemic. Now we move forward with a new form of collaboration. With this event, the Meetings of the PB&BC resume after a hiatus. The RGME shares the organizational tasks, manages the registration, and adds an online functionality for a fully hybrid event. This practice reflects RGME practices for its online events since 2021 and developments since 2024 for its In-Person Visits , with a hybrid feature, to Special Collections of various kinds, both private and public. This meeting represents the first in this year's RGME In-Person Visits, for which several are scheduled for later this year. The meeting will take place, as customary in recent years for the PB&BC, at the Princeton Public Library, for which the Conference Room has been reserved. The RGME will bring the online function, through an interactive Zoom Meeting . This step corresponds with the RGME's tradition since 2021 of providing online access for our events. This meeting also represents a development in Princeton for the RGME to hold an In-Person Visit -- with online access for a fully hybrid occasion -- to Special Collections of various kinds, private and public, as we resumed in November 2024. 2) The Speaker and Subject Ronald K. Smeltzer will describe highlights of his years'-long interest in collecting and researching materials relating to Émilie du Châtelet (1706–1749), French mathematician and physicist. Some results of this work have appeared in the lendmark exhibition at the Grolier Club, Extraordinary Women in Science & Medicine: Four Centuries of Achievement, co-curated by Ronald K. Smelzer, Robert J. Rubin, and Paulette Rose (2013). Now, Ronald will speak informally about reflections on this subject, with a view to her life, life's work, collaboration with Voltaire (1694-1788), and early death at the age of 42. Among her many scholarly accomplishments are the Instutitions du Physique (Paris, 1740, with a second edition in 1742, translated also into German and Italian in 1743) and her translation into French of the Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy by Isaac Newton (1643-1727). Ronald's collecting interests and discoveries concern a variety of published and unpublished materials, gathered over many years. Ronald's collecting interests and discoveries concern a variety of published and unpublished materials, gathered over many years. His talk illustrates merits of gathering into one collection an ensemble of materials about a particular subject, including different copies of a given edition, which may, upon inspection and comparison, exhibit significant differences. As he says about the discoveries, "It is important to look." At our meeting, we have the opportunity to hear from the scholar-collector about his experiences n] forming the collection and bringing their discoveries to wider knowledge. It might be possible, in person, to see several examples from the collection. Here we might learn more about them, in person and online, from Ronald himself. Please join us if you can. We look forward to welcoming you. Thanks We thank the Friends of the Princeton University Library and also the Princeton Public Library for help with arranging and hosting this landmark event for the RGME in association with the PB&C. ***** Image : Frontispiece for the First Edition of the Institutions de Physique (Paris, 1740), center, with an image of female figure in classical dress climbing to the Temple of Truth. Image Public Domain. Information Source: Research Group on Manuscript Evidence | eventbrite

PSC Spring Showcase Announcement Join us for an exciting afternoon of skating as our talented performers take to the ice! This showcase will feature stunning solo routines, dynamic duets, and captivating mini ensembles, all filled with energy and unforgettable performances. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the joy of skating with our amazing community! 📅 Showcase Date: Sunday, April 27, 2025 📍 Location: Lisa McGraw Rink, Princeton Day School 🎯 Registration Deadline: Friday, April, 18, 20254 ⏰ Showtime: 1-3 PM ⛸️ Skaters’ Arrival Time: 12 PM – Check-in Location: Rink Lobby PSC Group lesson skaters and families: During the final four weeks of class, all skaters in group lessons will learn a program to be performed at the showcase. There is no need to sign up for this event. The end-of-year showcase is included as part of our group lesson program. If you are unable to attend the showcase, please inform your group lesson coach as soon as possible to help us plan accordingly. Want to be in the show? All skaters from all clubs are welcome! Talk to your skating coach about putting together a program. We would love to see you on the ice! Additional Show Rehearsal for Group Lessons: Group lesson skaters will practice during class. We will have additional practice for group numbers on Friday, April 25, 5:15-6:15 PM, Saturday, April 26, from 11:15-11:45 AM, and Sunday, April 28, from 12-12:45 PM. Show Schedule: We will share the show schedule the week of the event. We ask all families and guests to plan to stay for the entire show (1-3 PM) to cheer on all our skaters. Show rehearsal will start at 12 noon the day of the show (April 27) so skaters should arrive at 12 noon dressed and ready to get on the ice. Event Tickets: All Guests need tickets, and wristbands must be worn. Showcase skaters do not need tickets. Get involved: PSC is a volunteer-based organization, and we need your help to make this event a success and finish our skating year with a celebration. The Club is a private member-owned 501(c)(7) organization. Private means that you and your friends will be guaranteed quiet enjoyment of the Club's amenities and events. Please volunteer, make a food donation, donate a door prize, buy event tickets, or make a gift – support our Club. Questions: Email Coach Courtney: chodock@gmail.com. The show is an annual fundraiser for the Club and we are thankful for your support. We are looking forward to a GREAT show! Information Source: Princeton Skating Club | eventbrite

Join us on one of Jersey's best trails on our way to New York City. Part of the 100-mile Cross-Jersey Challenge. Start: Turning Basin Park, Princeton Optional start: Trenton Transit Center (6am) Finish: New Brunswick Station Distance: 28/40mi Where to find us: Meet at Turning Basin Park (or in Trenton by 6am sharp, or at Princeton Station by 9:30am. Terrain: Mostly gravel Transit: NJ Transit or Septa to Trenton or Princeton Station, with a short walk from Princeton Station to Turning Basin Park. Return: NJ Transit rail Parking: Free parking at Princeton Station, Turning Basin Park, or $7 parking at Trenton River Line parking lot across from the station. Difficulty: Expert - a challenging distance Category: nature Coordinator: Charles Updike - 916-225-0569, or charlesupdike@gmail.com (Optional ) Walk the full 40-mile walk starting early at 6 am in Trenton. One of our best challenge walks. The route is generally quiet and remote, with few road crossings, a few portajohns along the way, and no provisions available on the route. Be sure to bring plenty of fluids and food for the journey. (Landing Lane spillway is reconstructed and the full towpath is open.) The FreeWalkers are again offering the Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge, with a goal of walking the 100 miles of the East Coast Greenway across the entire state at any time during the year. This walk is part of the ECG trail from Trenton to New York City. You have the option of completing the challenge over three to five days. Option 1: Complete the 40-mile Great Canal Walk from Trenton to New Brunswick in one day, or walk the Spring Ahead to Princeton and do the 28-mile Great Canal Walk from. Princeton. Option 2: Complete the 50-mile Big Walk in one day, or walk 24 miles of the Big Walk to Elizabeth and complete the remaining 26 miles on the Staten Island Marathon Walk. Highlights: D & R Canal towpath Spring 2025 Cross Jersey Challenge Mar 22 Spring Ahead Walk (optional) 14mi Apr 5 Great Canal Walk 28/40mi Apr 26 Kruimer Walk 13mi May 17 Paul's Big Walk 24/50mi May 31 Staten Island Marathon Walk (optional) 22/26mi Partners: The East Coast Greenway Alliance is a non-profit organization developing a public multi-use 3,000 mile trail from Canada to Key West through New Jersey and New York. Donations and memberships help make this dream trail a reality. Circuit Trails is 800 miles of interconnected trails in Greater Philadelphia in the making, already one of America's largest trail networks. Once connected, the Circuit Trails will be one of the nation's premier urban trail networks and it will provide multiple benefits to neighborhoods, communities and the region as a whole. The 9/11 National Memorial Trail is a network of over 1,300 miles of trails connecting New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in tribute to the heroes who perished on September 11, 2001, and the heroes who, in response, answered the call for their country. The FreeWalkers are again offering the Cross-Jersey Walking Challenge, with a goal of walking the 100 miles of the East Coast Greenway across the entire state at any time during the year. This walk is part of the ECG trail from Trenton to New York City. - Information Source: FreeWalkers.org | eventbrite

It has been attributed to Picasso “Everything we create is a self-portrait.” Therefore, we can move towards the notion that when we all tell our stories and document our journeys through the creation of artwork, we reveal some aspect of ourselves. In the space of telling /sharing our stories, we come together as a community. An artist’s journey or story comes through in any image they create. Every day is a new visual story and is an ongoing exploration of who you are and your experiences. For example, landscapes and florals might be rooted in memory, location, or feeling as part of your journey. Whereas non-representational art is a way of communicating your journey with what comes through in color, shapes, and textures. Members were invited to share their visual stories through art created within the past two years. Information Source: West Windsor Arts Council | eventbrite

Information Source: Cathy’s Critters | eventbrite

Let Her Play is encouraging girls to attend Princeton Women's Water Polo vs. Wagner on April 16th at 6:30 pm at DiNunzio Pool (Princeton University). If you sign up to attend (for free!) you will be able to attend the meet & greet with the team following the game and receive some pretty cool swag from Let Her Play + Princeton Athletics! Registration only needed for the school-aged participant(s) (parent / guardian should purchase tickets and enter the participant name(s) under attendee information). Registration will close 24 hours prior to the event. Let Her Play is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization with a mission to prepare girls for life through sports participation. Did you know that there is a 7% wage gap between former athletes and former non-athletes? AND 73% of executives look for sports on a resume? (EY + espnW, 2017) Yet only 1:3 girls between the ages of 6-12 are playing sports in the United States (Aspen Institute, 2020). AND they drop out at a rate that is 1.5x that of boys by the time they hit adolescence (Refinery 29, 2017). Do you want to know why sports has such a significant impact ? Because sports teaches key life skills that are arguably not learned any other way (in addition to providing benefits to overall health and wellbeing). At Let Her Play, we're getting girls enrolled and engaged in sports programs nationwide to better prepare them for life and give them the ability to confidently leave it all on the field. This event is co-sponsored by Princeton University Athletics. Information Source: Let Her Play | eventbrite

Get ready, Princeton! The fiercest Drag Bingo event is about to take over the Downtown Pub & Event Center—and honey, you do not want to miss this show! Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 Doors open: 6:30 PM Showtime: 7:00 PM Tickets: Only $10 (Free Bingo Play Included!) Location: 432 S Main St, Princeton, IL 61356 Hosted by the dazzling diva herself, JJ Adonis, and the sassy, suave Fil A. Gotts—this dynamic duo is ready to bring the sass, class, and full-throttle fun! Get your dabbers ready, because these two are serving fierce looks, wild prizes, and a night full of laughter, camp, and B-I-N-G-O madness! Expect outrageous performances, cheeky banter, and maybe a little shady competition. Bring your friends. Bring your good vibes. Bring your A-game. This is DRAG BINGO like you’ve never experienced before! See you there, darling! Tickets are limited, so snatch yours now! $10 at the door (includes free bingo play!) Let’s get loud. Let’s get lucky. Let’s get fabulous! JJ Adonis & Fil A. Gotts are waiting… BINGO BALLS WILL DROP! ✨ 💋 🎉 👑 Information Source: JJ Adonis & Fil A. Gotts | eventbrite

RAIS conference provides a platform for interdisciplinary research and encourages meaningful conversations addressing the pressing issues that shape our society. We believe in the power of diverse perspectives and aim to stimulate dialogue among professors, researchers, students, and business executives from various cultures, religions, and nations. As a researcher, you will have the opportunity to present your research and make a valuable contribution to your field of expertise. Your unique perspectives are invaluable and can add to the depth of discussions and knowledge. The accepted papers will be published in the RAIS Conference Proceedings with ISSN 2578-8574 and will be indexed in Google Scholar, IDEAS/RePEc, Econpapers, CEEOL, etc. Information Source: Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies | eventbrite

Join the Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) for a volunteer stewardship session on Saturday, April 19th, 2025 from 10AM - 12PM! Volunteers will work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship staff to perform ecosystem restoration and invasive species removal in the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. We will focus on timely efforts and maintaining our natural lands. Meetup Location: Mountain Lakes House Parking Lot Here is a link to the parking lot location on Google maps & Apple Maps . Directions & Parking: We will meet in the parking lot of the Mountain Lake House which is located in the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. The address of the preserve is 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540 . You can drive, bike, or walk down the long paved driveway entrance to preserve, marked by a series of black mail boxes. The gravel parking lot is on your left about a 1/2 mile down the driveway. Can't make this session? Consider making a donation to show your love for our local environment! All donations support our year-round stewardship work. Information Source: Friends of Princeton Open Space | eventbrite

As part of the third edition of the Princeton French Film Festival, you're invited to the exceptional and exclusive screening of Ru (2023), a movie based on the eponymous autobiographical novel by award-winning writer Kim Thuy who will be in attendance for a Q&A. Practical information: Open to everyone upon registration. In Vietnamese and French with English subtitles, the screening will start at 7 :15 PM on Friday, April 25th, 2025 , and will last approximately 120 minutes. Doors to the screening room open at 7:00 PM. Synopsis: After a dangerous sea crossing and a stay in a camp in Malaysia, the young Vietnamese Tinh and her family are accepted as refugees in Canada and arrive in Montreal where they begin their new life. But for Tinh, adapting has its share of difficulties. Already shy and reserved by nature, she must learn a new language and integrate into her new environment. Haunted by the hardships of the journey, Tinh will have to draw deep within herself the resilience necessary for her survival and her happiness. Information Source: Princeton Film Festival Society | eventbrite

Poets, storytellers, and spoken word fans, join us for a special Porchfest -edition of Story & Verse , the Arts Council of Princeton's monthly open mic. Whether you're a seasoned writer or a first-time performer, Story & Verse offers a warm and welcoming platform to express yourself and engage with a diverse audience of creatives, casual appreciators, and everyone in between. In honor of Porchfest, we're thrilled to take the show outdoors, joining in on the community fun and gathering together an enthusiastic audience for the literary and performing arts on Hinds Plaza. Held in partnership with the Arts Council of Princeton, the Princeton Public Library and the Princeton University Art Museum, this event will welcome featured performer, spoken word poet, activist, and ceramic artist Roberto Lugo. Lugo’s work will be on view in the exhibition Roberto Lugo / Orange and Black from Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, July 6 at Art@Bainbridge . The exhibition features vases that draw on the shapes, techniques, and decorative motifs of ancient Greek vases to tell personal and communal stories of contemporary social and political oppression. To learn more about open mic signup on 4/26, visit artscouncilofprinceton.org/story-and-verse . In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Library's Community Room. A bout our host: Brass Rabbit is an artist, contemporary curator, and arts administrator based in Trenton, New Jersey. Rabbit has been creating and hosting poetry, spoken word, and storytelling events in the tri-state area for over a decade. As a performer, the art of storytelling holds a very special place in her heart, but listening to and supporting others is where she feels most at home. Hosting the Story & Verse Open Mic at the Arts Council of Princeton could be called a dream job, but for Rabbit, the position completely lacks any “work-like” qualities and is more of an outstanding experience she looks forward to each month. Previously, Rabbit has hosted the Levitt Amp Music Series, Voice to Ear Festival, Word on Front Poetry Festival, independent poetry and storytelling open mics, and even curated an art exhibition celebrating the art of poetry. This program is presented as part of Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home , a major public humanities initiative taking place across the nation in 2024 and 2025, directed by Library of America and funded with generous support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Emerson Collective. Information Source: Arts Council of Princeton | eventbrite

Join FOPOS for a special Earth Day Community Volunteer Event at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve in Princeton, NJ. Volunteers will work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship staff to perform riparian and forest restoration in the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve. Join us as we head out to one of our restoration project sites for critical tasks such as invasive species removal, spring planting, or installing cages around native plants to protect them from deer & beaver browse. We have two volunteer sessions : 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Please pick the timeslot that works best for you! Where to meet: Mountain Lakes House Parking lot. Be sure to drive down the long paved driveway entrance to the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve at 57 Mountain Ave, Princeton NJ, 08540, marked by a series of black mail boxes, the gravel parking lot is on your left about a 1/2 mile down the driveway. What to bring: Bring a water bottle, work gloves, and hand tools such as pruners or loppers if you have them. With 100+ volunteers expected, FOPOS would be grateful if you could bring your own gloves & tools. Thank you! What to wear: We recommend wearing long sleeves, long pants, and work boots -- this will best protect you from any thorns, ticks, and/or poison ivy. Community Potluck: We are excited to offer you space to picnic at the Preserve from 12pm-1pm! We will provide lemonade and iced tea, and some light refreshments. You are welcome to bring a dish to share and enjoy with us. Cheers! Native plant giveaway: We will have native plant giveaways for our volunteers during the potluck. Looking to volunteer as a group of 10 or more? Families, students, community / corporate groups, please email info@fopos.org with “VOLUNTEER” in the subject line. Information Source: Friends of Princeton Open Space | eventbrite