PACKET PICKS
By: centraljersey.com
"Tom Jones"
The Princeton Festival continues its outreach at 7 p.m. in the Princeton Public Library with a free screening of "Tom Jones" (1963), Tony Richardson’s multiple Oscar-winning film of John Osborne’s adaptation of "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling" (1749). Henry Fielding’s classic novel is an epic, it’s a comedy, it’s, well, life in all its seasons in 18th century England, from the earthy countryside to the aristocratic elegance and Hogarthian squalor of London. Albert Finney and Susannah York star.
The festival’s point? To offer a glimpse of the society for which G.F. Handel was composing his operas, such as "Ariodante" (1735), which the festival will be presenting Sunday at 3 p.m. in McCarter Theatre.
Also on the festival’s calendar is a choral concert on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Princeton University Chapel, the culmination of an intensive choral workshop for professional and seasoned amateur singers, choir directors and music teachers.
The program of Brahms and Mendelssohn will be led by Robert Porco, director of choruses for the Cleveland Orchestra. Audiences will hear selections from "A German Requiem" and "Elijah" and other choral works by these composers, and Mendelssohn’s Sonata in F Minor played by Eric Plutz on the chapel organ.
On the Web: www.princetonfestival.org.
Friday, June 25
Fire Department parade
The annual parade for Princeton’s all-volunteer fire department will begin at 7 p.m. at the corner of Chestnut Street and Nassau Street and proceed down Nassau to Witherspoon Street, then turn onto Witherspoon and proceed to the plaza at the Princeton Township Municipal Building.
Residents are invited to find their favorite spot along the route to enjoy the music, fire trucks and marchers. The public is invited to plan an evening of fun around this year’s parade in downtown Princeton. Sightseeing, dining, movies and shopping are some of the activities they can enjoy while downtown.
This year’s music will be provided by the Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch, a family-oriented group that emulates the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment, the legendary Black Watch of Scotland. The three fire companies that make up the Princeton Fire Department (Princeton Hook & Ladder Company, Princeton Engine Company No. 1 and Mercer Engine Company No. 3) will be marching in the parade, along with the Ladies Auxiliary of Princeton Engine Company No. 1.
Joining the Princeton Fire Department in the parade will be the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, an organization that also has a long and proud volunteer history.
The Princeton Borough and Princeton Township police departments will also be represented in the parade.
This will be the Princeton Fire Departments’ 126th annual Inspection, a tradition going back to July 1884.
– Michael Redmond