The Arts Council of Princeton hopes so
By: Lauren Otis
Can Communiversity get any bigger?
The Arts Council of Princeton hopes so. But rather than focus on the already teeming Communiversity Festival which takes place from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, the Arts Council is seeking to expand the afternoon into a full "Princeton Arts Weekend."
The goal is to keep visitors in Princeton longer, and have them see more, eat more, shop more, spend more, according to Michael LaRiccia, the Arts Council’s program/public relations coordinator.
"We had a vision that we wanted people to come out to Princeton and stay for the weekend," Mr. LaRiccia said. To that end, the Arts Council is holding an art and wine benefit on the Friday evening before the festival, entitled "Pinot to Picasso Vintage 2007."
The Arts Council has also compiled a calendar of arts and other events happening in and around Princeton over the weekend, with the intent that visitors will find something of interest and linger, according to Mr. LaRiccia.
"Our intent was to have them stay a little longer, to stay for dinner because it (Communiversity) typically ends in the afternoon and everyone is gone, it’s a ghost town," he said.
"I think it is a great step for Communiversity. It will have very positive results for the area and the region," said Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce Vice President Adam Perle, of the arts weekend concept. "Down the road it (Communiversity) could certainly become a national draw festival, bringing in people from all over the country, in the vein of a Jazzfest," said Mr. Perle, referring to the 10-day music festival and extravaganza held in late April and May in New Orleans.
Kathy Morolda, owner of Cranberry Station Gallery in Palmer Square, and president of the Borough Merchants for Princeton, said Communiverity "is not a big money-making day for the merchants."
She added, "We realize it’s a street fair that focuses on Nassau Street." The merchants are "100 percent" behind the Arts Council’s efforts, however, she noted. "We just see it as a positive experience even if it isn’t a money-making day," she said. And, the Arts Council has been diligent this year about keeping merchants informed, which was not always the case in the past, Ms. Morolda said.
Ms. Morolda said the Arts Council’s Friday art and wine event will be held right across the street from her gallery, and "I’m excited about that."
People may not bring framing jobs to her during Communiversity, Ms. Morolda said, but "for myself, if anything it’s a good day to advertise your store," so people will know about it and come back later.
Anytime the township and borough, and organizations like the Arts Council "are working together, and supporting the merchants, that’s a good thing," Ms. Morolda said.
Lori Rabon, general manager of the Nassau Inn and chairwoman of the PRCC’s Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, said in an e-mail: "Any event that increases the number of visitors to the Princeton region is a welcome addition and would be fully supported by the tourism community."
Ms. Rabon said Nassau Inn is currently sold out for the weekend "but it is not relative to the Communiversity festivities." Rather, April "is traditionally a very active time at the Nassau Inn," she said.
Mr. LaRiccia said last year Communiversity attracted 18,000 people, and the Arts Council hopes to match or exceed that number this year. He said they are hoping to attract 300 people to the Friday evening wine and art benefit.
Information on Communiversity, as well as a schedule of other Princeton Arts Weekend events can be found at the Arts Council web site at www.artscouncilofprinceton.org.

