Audition
Pierrot Productions seeks triple threat actors for “Next to Normal,” a rock musical focusing on a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The story includes a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and life in the suburban world. Sunday, July 8, 1 p.m.; and Monday, July 9, at 6 p.m. Prepare a song from any stage musical. Bring sheet music and a list of all schedule conflicts. Roles being cast are Diana, age range 30s to 40s; Gabe, almost 18; Dan, age range 30s to 40s; Natalie, 16; Henry, 17; and Doctor Madden, on the young side of ageless. The production will run weekends, Friday to Sunday, October 5 to 16, at Kelsey Theater. E-mail to n2npierrot@gmail.com.
Washington Crossing Park seeks applications from history buffs interested in portraying George Washington for three years. A competition to select the next General Washington will be held on Thursday, September 13. The selected will serve as General Washington during the annual Christmas crossing and other obligations. An alternate will also be chosen to fill the role when the primary George Washington is unavailable. Call 215-493-4076. Applications must be submitted by Friday, August 10, by E-mail to PR@washingtoncrossingpark.org.
Villagers Theater offers “Death by Improv,” a workshop on Friday, July 6, 8 to 11 p.m., and Saturday, July 7, 1 to 6 p.m. with a performance on July 7 at 8 p.m. $40 for the workshop. $10 for the performance. Visit www.ticketturtle.com/index.php?theatre=fvbt.
4-H Entries
Mercer County’s 94th annual 4-H fair seeks entries for family recipes, homemade clothing and food, crafts, and other creative projects to compete for blue ribbons. The fair will be held on Saturday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell. Entries will be accepted on Friday, July 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. Visit mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair, call Altaira Bejgrowicz at 609-989-6833, or E-mail bejgrowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.
For Kids
Trenton City Museum is offering an art and theater camp for children, ages 6 to 12, at the Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park, Trenton. The camp explores visual and performing arts on Monday to Friday, August 6 to 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $300. Visit www.ellarslie.org or call 609-989-1191.
Canaan Church of Princeton, a Chinese Christian Church, is offering a free day camp for children ages three years to fifth grade, on Saturday, August 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 826 Village Road West, West Windsor. Register at www.ocmccp.org.
Volunteer Please
Mercer County Park Commission seeks volunteers for the Baldpate Nature Camp to lead campers through explorations, hikes, games, and other camp-related activities. Two sessions from Monday to Friday, July 9 to 13, and July 16 to 20. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. E-mail experience and dates of availability to Jenn Rogers at jrogers@mercercounty.org.
For Seniors
Princeton Resource Center offers a three-session workshop with a focus on career change or encore careers. The workshop will be on Wednesdays, July 11, July 25, and August 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 45 Stockton Street in Princeton. $85. Contact Carol King or Susan Hoskins at 609-924-7108 or info@princetonsenior.org.
For Teens
Princeton Public Library offers rising high school freshmen a workshop focusing on “The Odyssey” on Tuesday, July 10, at 4 p.m. Margaret Spear presents a two-hour workshop on Homer’s epic poem. Register at princetonlibrary.org.
For Women
Jewish Center of Princeton offers a women’s trip to Eastern Europe on April 21 to 30, 2013. The travels to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest explore Jewish, cultural, and historic gems of Eastern Europe. Contact Rabbi Annie Tucker at atucker@thejewishcenter.org or 609-921-0100, ext. 213; or Rebecca Crain at rkcrain@aol.com or 609-688-8868.
For Singers
New Jersey Performing Arts Center holds its inaugural Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition — a search for the world’s next great female jazz vocalist. The top five finalists will be flown to NJPAC in Newark to perform in a concert Sunday, October 21, at 3 p.m. The Jazz Education Network, an organization dedicated to building the jazz arts community worldwide, will help choose competition finalists. Judges for the final round at NJPAC will include jazz vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Jon Hendricks, WBGO announcer Michael Bourne, producer Larry Rosen, and jazz singer and educator Melissa Walker.
One grand prize winner receives a $5,000 prize and will open for the February Jazz Roots concert at NJPAC. The first runner-up receives $1,500 and a second runner-up receives $500.
The competition is open to solo female vocalists who are at least 16 years of age and not signed to a major record label. Applicants must provide three audio samples of their performances — a ballad, a medium tempo standard or blues piece, and an up tempo standard that includes a scat/improvisational chorus. One of the three must be a cover of a song recorded by Sarah Vaughan. Visit www.sarahvaughancompetition.com.
Voices Chorale invites singers for an informal reading of three 20th century choral pieces including Randall Thompson’s Testament of Freedom, Morton Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna, and Francis Poulenc’s Gloria, on Wednesday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Anchor Presbyterian Church, 980 Durham Road, Wrightstown, PA 18940. Scores will be provided, or singers may bring their own. An ice-cream social follows. Suggested donation is $10. Contact Sandy Duffy at 609-799-2211 or E-mail auditions@voiceschorale.org.
Master Gardeners
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County offers a 21-week training program for Mercer County residents from September to March. Trainees receive more than 60 hours of instruction in a variety of horticultural subjects. The teaching staff includes Mercer County Horticulturist Barbara J. Bromley, County agricultural agents, faculty from Rutgers University, and other horticultural experts. Classes meet Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mercer County Cooperative Extension office, 930 Spruce Street, Lawrence.
Following the classroom instruction, trainees volunteer 60 hours with Mercer County Extension or related programs, including at least 30 hours providing information to the public on the Rutgers Master Gardener Helpline. Trainees also volunteer five hours of composting service at the Mercer Educational Gardens in Pennington.
The deadline for submitting applications with a $200 tuition fee is Monday, September 3. Visit www.mgofmc.org . Call 609-989-6830, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For Foodies
Morven Museum & Garden offers guided tours of its new “Kitchen Garden” on Wednesdays to Fridays by reservation. A presentation about roots, fruits, common vegetables, and growing tips by Morven’s gardeners. Call 609-924-8144, ext. 113 to register.
For Seniors
Jewish Family & Children’s Service has established Patient Partners, a program that will have trained volunteers accompany older adults to doctors’ appointments and medical procedures. Volunteers will meet with patients to review concerns, medications, and medical history. In the medical center the volunteers will take notes, request translation of medical jargon, confirm that the patient has a full understanding of the visit, and provide emotional support. Contact Judy Millner at judym@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8121.
Donate Please
Rescue Mission of Trenton accepts donations of used furniture. To schedule a pickup at your home call 800-528-8825 or visit www.rmtrenton.org and click on donate.
Health
CentraState Healthcare System is participating in the American Cancer Society’s Epidemiology Research Program-Cancer Prevention Study-3. Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 who have no personal history of cancer are invited to participate. The purpose of the study is to better understand the lifestyle, behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.
Interested participants must schedule an enrollment appointment and receive instructions on how to complete the comprehensive online survey. Enrollment appointments will be scheduled for Tuesday, July 24, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., or Wednesday, July 25, from 2 to 7 p.m. at CentraState’s Campus, 901 West Main Street, Freehold. Appointments will also be offered on Thursday, July 26, from noon to 5 p.m. at CentraState’s Medical Office at Monroe, 312 Applegarth Road, Monroe. The enrollment appointment will take approximately 30 minutes. TVisit www.cps3centrastate.org or call 888-604-5888.
For Cafe Vendor
South Brunswick Public Library Board of Trustees is accepting bids for a cafe vendor. Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, August 1, at 11 a.m. Bid documents are at www.sbpl.info. Call 732-329-4000, ext. 7287 for an appointment.
