Few people outside of their loyal audience, and true theatre congnescenti, recognize that one of the best professional theaters in New Jersey makes its home in Trenton, and has done for nearly 30 years.
Trenton is strategically located between two of the top jazz centers in the US: New York and Philly. Performers can pick up a few bucks in Trenton, and still make their regular Saturday gig in the big city. The result is an amazing series of jazz performances at the perfect price: free! That’s right, there’s no cover and only a $10 minimum. You could see the same folks at Chris’ in Philly, or Smoke! in NYC, and drop $50-100.
Several times a year DanceSpora performs extraordinary dance recitals, mixing elements of classical, modern, and hip-hop. Gaining a national reputation, the company is the collaboration of Pennsylvania Ballet alum Heidi Cruz-Austin and accomplished modern/hip-hop dancer David Austin, a Trenton native.
A city museum that’s actually interesting? Yes, if it’s the “Ellarslie” museum, located in a converted 19th century mansion in the middle of Cadwalader Park (a slightly faded masterpiece designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, better know for his other design: Central Park).
The “State Street Project” is the umbrella name for the programs at Passage Theatre that work with inner-city Trenton youth. It’s a huge part of what Passage does, much of it behind the scenes. When they mount a public production, RUN, don’t walk to your phone and reserve seats (they’re always inexpensive, and often free). Everything they do is worth seeing by kids and adults alike.
The society supports regular showings of movies during the year (usually at the Mill Hill Playhouse where Passage Theatre mounts its productions). The society also sponsors a number of film festivals: the Trenton Film Festival, the Not Quite Legal Festival (for teens), and a foreign festival.
About 20 minutes up Rt. 1, the Institute for Advanced Study sponsors an exceptional series of events, mostly free to the public (though some require registration), typically 8-10 each month.
Trenton Circus Squad is a truly remarkable organization located in the historic (and extremely photogenic) Roebling Machine Shop, adjoining Roebling Market. Kids aged 6-18 are eligible to take free classes in circus arts: riding a unicycle, walking on stilts, juggling, wire walking, acrobatics, trapeze, slapstick comedy, human pyramids, German wheel and mini-trampoline. [sphere 9296 long=”180″] … Continue reading Bread and Circus Training
Once a year, the sometimes somnolent ArtWorks organization wakes up and throws one of the great parties on the planet (and certainly one of the most exciting events in central New Jersey). Art All Night runs for 24 straight hours — 3 PM to 3 PM.
Updated 2017 In an era where a single, regular-season ticket at Yankee stadium can set you back more than $500, there’s something refreshing about minor league baseball. Tickets can be had for a little about $13/seat (and less if you book with a group or are over 60), and even the worst seat in the … Continue reading Take me out to the…
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus has been coming to Trenton for decades. It’s the biggest circus in the world, long promoted as “The Greatest Show on Earth”. No longer politically correct, the circus has announced it’s phasing out the elephants by 2018. So this year may be one of the last to … Continue reading Run Away to
McCarter Theater is one of the finest regional theaters in the country (and has won the Tony award to prove it), producing plays ranging from classics to edgy new works (6 productions in 2015-16). The production quality is incredible, featuring some of the best professional directors, designers, and actors working in the US. Performances are … Continue reading Liberal Arts
Philadelphia has its own, unique, and very rich theater scene. It’s an easy drive from Trenton (under 40 minutes door-to-door, usually). Yes, there are presentation houses that book current touring companies from Broadway shows (at near Broadway prices). But there are also many, many outstanding theater companies that produce their own stage plays using predominantly … Continue reading 98 Miles Off-Broadway
New conductor Dan Spalding has energized the orchestra and is creating truly interesting concerts at the lovely war memorial. Highly recommended.
Trenton (and its surrounding environs) has a lot of terrific places to get food, from the in-town grocery stores (Food Bazaar and Supreme) to the official Trenton Farmers Market (technically not in Trenton) and the many many many specialty vendors. But it remains a town with so-called “food deserts” (places that lack access to fresh … Continue reading Greening the Parking Lot
I loved art class in 3rd grade–I enjoyed sketching and painting under the gentle guidance of a friendly teacher. But somehow in adulthood, I haven’t given myself as many opportunities to make visual art as I’d like. Now that’s changing, with Art Chill Night at Championship Sports Bar & Grill. Every Monday night at 8pm, this … Continue reading Drinking While Drawing
Just a short drive from Trenton, in the middle of the Princeton University campus, you’ll find the Princeton University Art Museum. Like many University-affiliated art museums, it’s boasts an intimate (but broadly representative) collection of some of history’s top artists from around the world. Scholars and students use it for research, but it’s open to the public, and absolutely worth a visit.
The Mill Hill basement is a scene, perhaps one of the most exciting scenes in Trenton. If you’re into independent music and grunge bands, and are Gen Y or younger, you should definitely check it out.
I suppose most people who live here, and many who are just exploring for the first time, know Trenton is located between New York and Philly. If, like me, you were NY focused before you moved here, you may not know that Philly is a) unbelievably close (34 miles, city center to city center), and b) a really, really cool place to visit.
