Princeton gears up for huge Communiversity festival

Saturday town-gown event runs from noon to 5 p.m. with four stages and 150 artists, crafters, merchants, and community groups

By: Kara Fitzpatrick
   Communiversity, a huge celebration of town and gown, returns to downtown Princeton from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday with a near overwhelming array of events in the center of town and on the Princeton University campus.
   The free street fair, sponsored by The Arts Council of Princeton and the students of Princeton University, typically attracts more than 10,000 people.
   Spread along Nassau and Witherspoon streets and on campus, in addition to four stages with continuous live entertainment will be 150 artists, crafters, merchants, food vendors and community organizations.
   The celebration will begin at Stage One — on Nassau at Witherspoon Street — with an 11:50 a.m. performance by the Princeton University Marching Band, followed by the noon opening ceremonies at the same location. Performances to follow on Stage One include Lisa Botalico — Fiesta Flamenca at 12:15 p.m., The Klez Dispensers at 12:45 p.m. and Chinese Lion Dance at 1:45 p.m.
   At 2 p.m., an international parade of flags will be held on Stage One and will be followed by a 2:30 performance by the Princeton Girlchoir. The Westminster Conservatory Youth Opera Workshop and Suzuki String will take Stage One at 3:15 p.m. and be followed by The Shaxe at 3:45 p.m.
   Events at Stage Two — on Nassau at Chambers Street — will begin at 12:15 p.m. with a performance by Flat Soda. Performances to follow on Stage Two include: Wendy Zoffer Jazz Group with Common Ground at 1:15 p.m.; West Windsor Arts Council Dance at 2:15 p.m.; Eco Del Sur at 2:45 p.m.; YWCA Dance Department at 4 p.m. and the Princeton Family YWCA Ballet Performance Group at 4:20 p.m.
   Stage Three, located on Witherspoon at Hulfish Street, will also host a number of events. Those performances will include: Ex-Tradition at 12:30 p.m.; The Deaftones at 1:30 p.m.; Unsent Letters at 2 p.m.; a demonstration by Princeton Academy of Martial Arts at 3 p.m.; Princeton Junior School Choir at 3:30 p.m. and The Here and Now at 3:45 p.m.
   Communiversity happenings will also take place on campus.
   At Stanhope Stage, Naacho will kick the festivities off at 12:10 p.m. Other Stanhope Stage events include: Ballet Folklorico at 1 p.m.; Flamenco Puro at 1:30 p.m.; Juggling Club at 2 p.m.; Sympoh at 2:10 p.m.; Black Arts Company at 2:30 p.m.; Triangle Club at 3 p.m.; Tapcats at 3:30 p.m.; BodyHype at 4 p.m.; Triple 8 at 4:30 p.m. and Kalaa at 5 p.m.
   At East Pyne Arch, the Katzenjammers will perform at 1:40 p.m., followed by the Wildcats at 2 p.m. Culturally Yours will perform at East Pyne Arch at 3 p.m., Tigerlilies at 3:20 p.m. and Gospel Ensemble at 3:40 p.m.
   At Firestone Library — bordering Nassau Street across from Triumph Brewing Company — Kamishibai Kidz will perform at 1 and 3 p.m. and Middle-Earth Children’s Theatre will hold performances at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
   Other Communiversity happenings include Italian Street Painting along Palmer Square West and demonstrations by the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad. In addition, at the Arts Council area, next to Stage One, children will be able to participate in art projects inspired by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Louise Bourgeois.
   On campus at Cannon Green, Princeton athletes will host children’s athletic activities and Orange Key campus tours will depart from the front gate. In addition, a children’s organ program will take place at the Princeton University Chapel at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a chapel tour at 2:30 p.m.
   Other exhibitions at the university include the International Center’s "Global Village," art exhibitions at 185 Nassau St., the Levee project — a collection of books for New Orleans libraries — outside Firestone Library and special appearances by the Princeton University tiger, cheerleaders and marching band.
   
For more information, call The Arts Council of Princeton at (609) 924-8777 or visit its Web site, www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.