Arts & Entertainment

Communiversity Returns to Princeton Today

This year, the annual celebration includes a live "Paint Out" project.

 

It's time once again for Princeton's annual town-gown celebration for the arts. 

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On Sunday, April 28 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Arts Council of Princeton will transform downtown Princeton into an outdoor music festival, art museum, emporium, farmers market and restaurant sampling.

The tradition of Communiversity has been alive and well since 1971, when the Arts Council began producing the free, community-wide celebration. 

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This year, tens of thousands of people are expected to peruse more than 200 booths showcasing original art and contemporary crafts, merchandise, food, information from community groups, and five stages of continuous entertainment.

Because one of the goals of Communiversity is to inspire, engage and foster creativity, this year's celebration will include a Paint Out project, showcasing the talents of local painters in action.

Local artists will set up their easels throughout the event to capture the spirit of the day on canvas and to illustrate their techniques. The finished pieces will be displayed at an exhibition and sale at the Arts Counci's Paul Robeson Center from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.

Communiversity will take place along Nassau and Witherspoon Streets, the Green at Palmer Square and on the Princeton University campus near 

 This year's performance highlights include music by Central Jersey artists, including Danielia Cotton, Some Like it Hot Club, Luke Elliot, Blue Jersey Band, Dave Grossman, Rainbow Fresh, The Blue Meanies and Stephanie White and the Philth Harmonics.

Dance performances and demonstrations will include ARB/Princeton Ballet School, Bollywood dancing from Aaja Nachale and Flamenco dancing from Lisa Botalico and Fiesta Flamenco.

There will also be children’s' entertainment and activities. 

Stone Soup Circus will parade from Nassau Hall to the Palmer Square Stage beginning at 1:15 p.m. There will be family-friendly entertainment throughout the afternoon on the Palmer Square Stage. There will also be art-related games, projects and workshops, including “Nana’s-Make-A-Mess” event where kids can use messy materials to make their own original artwork. The University will also host kid-friendly attractions like sports clinics, a pie-throwing contest, bounce house and dunk tank.

Will Security Be Different at This Year's Event?

Given last week's bombings in Boston and heightened security concerns around the county, Princeton Police have made small adjustments they hope will be relatively seamless and behind the scenes for those attending Communiversity. 

Garbage cans will be lined with see-through bags. Fire police will take more traffic posts, allowing more police officers to be patrolling the event site. Police officers at the event will be easily identifiable bright green traffic vests and dispersed throughout the event.

Those attending Communiversity should not leave bags, boxes backpacks, packages or any other containers unattended during the event. The police have no current plan to search bags at the event. 

"Anytime we have an event like this, we do everything to make sure everyone is as safe as possible," Police Sgt. Mike Cifelli said. 

 

What Roads Will Be Closed in Princeton on Sunday?

Road closures will begin on Sunday at 11 a.m. The following roads will be closed: 

  • Nassau between Vandeventer and Chambers
  • Witherspoon between Nassau and Paul Robeson/Wiggins
  • Palmer Square between Nassau and Palmer Sq. South
  • South Tulane from Nassau to the driveway behind 35 Spring St.
  • Hullfish from Witherspoon to Palmer Square East
  • Spring Street will remain open one-way for access to the parking garage
  • There will be posted detours and traffic in both directions will be routed onto Vandeventer, Wiggins, Paul Robeson and Chambers.

Where Should You Park?

There are several options for parking in Princeton during Communiversity.

  • Street parking in Princeton is free on Sunday. 
  • There are multiple parking garages downtown- on Chambers Street, Hulllfish Street, and Spring Street. 
  • There will also be parking in Princeton University Lots 10 and 13, located off Washington Road on William Street. 
  • The FreeB Shuttle Service will be running a Communiversity shuttle from 1-6 p.m. to transport passengers to the corner of Wiggins and Witherspoon from each of the following remote parking sites: Elm Court, Community Park North Parking lot (Route 206 and Mountain Avenue), Municipal Complex (400 Witherspoon Street) and Princeton Shopping Center (Harrison Street). The first “FreeB” bus will leave from the Princeton Shopping Center at 12:30 p.m. The last “FreeB” bus will leave the Festival Stop at 5:25 p.m. The busses will travel on a continuous 15-minute loop. 
  • Regular bus stops within the festival area will be closed during the event. Riders will be directed to bus stops at 181 Nassau and on University Place.
  • Handicapped parking will be available in the metered spaces between Chambers and John streets on the south side of Nassau Street.

There will be a temporary taxi stand located on the north side of Nassau Street between Chambers and Bank Streets during the event on Sunday.


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