Substitute for Communiversity set for June 21

Street festival to be one-time replacement for rained-out event.

By: Jennifer Potash
   After losing Communiversity to rainy weather, The Arts Council of Princeton has decided to stage a Summer Arts Festival on Saturday, June 21.
   The rain date will be June 22.
   The Princeton Borough Council on Tuesday approved The Arts Council’s request to close Witherspoon Street between Nassau and Hulfish streets from 1 to 5 p.m. for the one-time-only festival.
   Communiveristy will return next April as usual. Much of Communiversity is held on Nassau Street between Mercer Street and Washington Road, but the closing of the street requires approval of the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
   Janet Stern, program director for The Arts Council, said the organization sought to hold another event in answer to the public’s disappointment over the cancellation and to recognize the commitments by merchants and vendors as well as nonprofit and other organizations that rely on Communiversity.
   Communiversity attracted $15,000 in donations from local businesses and corporations and 139 vendors paid a total of $17,410 in nonrefundable fees to participate in the event, she said.
   Rain dates are usually difficult for Communiveristy because of Princeton University’s calendar and the parking problems created by Sunday religious services, Ms. Stern said. The religious institutions agreed to be flexible in case rain forces a delay to Sunday, June 22, she said.
   Next year, both The Arts Council and Princeton University will invest in tents for the performance and exhibition areas so the show will go on rain or shine, Ms. Stern said.