Events, Plans and Progress: 2015

Hello from The Princeton Renaissance Project!


We hope your year is off to a great start! Here in downtown Princeton, 2015 is looking bright and full of excitement. Nearly a thousand people rang in the new year in style right here on Mercer Street with a multi-stage music festival complete with fire twirlers and a stilt walker, a countdown ball drop and fireworks at the stroke of midnight; The 2nd Annual Downtown Countdown was a blast! Click here for PHOTOS.


The Renaissance is in major forward motion; the theater is fully gutted and nearly ready for re-building, thanks to an awesome crew of dedicated volunteers. Buildings are being bought and sold and new businesses are looking to open this spring.  A new art gallery, coffee shops, a yoga studio and restaurants are among the plans for the near future. The construction on Jimmie’s Restaurant begins this winter and Stages Music School is gearing up for a move to a new and improved location. Existing businesses like Dayfly Books & Collectibles, Pixel Nation Retro Video Game Store and Sly Fox Shoppe are offering creative activities and have established social scenes which orbit their spaces. The community garden is gearing up for a big growing season, and a few new murals are in the works, including one in tribute to the late Bob Denver, aka Gilligan. New colorful benches are on their way and the beautification efforts continue. The City of Princeton is investing new resources into the beautiful train museum; expanded hours and programming are on the way. New River Community & Technical College is off and running in their new location, and Valley College is expanding. The feeling of transformation is ripe in the air. 

 

There is a full lineup of events coming up in 2015; please mark your calendar. Street fairs, art shows, cruising events, music, movie nights and more are planned. There is a new “Events” page on our website, and you can check that periodically to stay tuned for new events. 

 

Some events happen regularly, such as our “Renaissance Rap Sessions” every Third Thursday at 8pm. These are open community conversations; anyone is welcome to come share ideas, ask questions, meet new friends and collaborators, and get involved. Monthly Cruise-In’s and the traditional weekly “Music in the Square” concert series will happen in the summer like always, and Open Stage Night for music, poetry and more happens weekly in The Room Upstairs @ The RiffRaff Arts Collective.

 

This month, on February 13th, we will raise money for the restoration of the theater in a humorously entertaining way; our very own Greg Puckett will host a live version of the classic game show, The Newlywed Game! Announcer Sam The Man of Kicks Country will steer the show and 4 couples will compete for prizes. We’ll serve sweet treats and create a fun-filled evening on the night before Valentine’s Day. If you know a newlywed couple that would like to participate as contestants, please call 304-425-6425.

 

Please visit princetonrenaissanceproject.org/events for details about each of the following events, and stay tuned to that page for new events as the years progresses. 

 

Events in Downtown Princeton - 2015 

 

February 7- La Rouge, A Red Dress Art Event

February 13- The Newlywed Game Show

February 19- Renaissance Rap Session

April 18- Awakening- The Art of Spring 

May 16- All Together Arts Week - Kickoff Circle Talk

May 23- All Together Arts Week- Grand Finale Parade & Day of Merriment

June 13- Celebrate Princeton Street Fair

July 11- Midsummer Magic 

July 18- 4th Annual Cruiser’s Reunion

September 26- Autumnfest 

October 31- Mercer Monster Mash

December 31- The Downtown Countdown 

 

Every Wednesday Beginning in June- Music in the Square

Every Third Saturday Staring in May- Cruise In’s 

Every Monday Night - Open Stage Night in The Room Upstairs

Every Wednesday at 2pm- Jumpstart Princeton Volunteer Meetings

Community Garden Activity- Ongoing 

 

Several businesses on Mercer Street host events throughout the year; stay tuned to their pages, linked below: 

 

Dayfly Books and Collectibles, our extraordinary indie bookstore, hosts book clubs, signings with local authors and a lot more.

Sly Fox Shoppe hosts up-cycled art workshops and other events. 

Diamonds and Gold Look hosts special events. 

Nonna’s Italian Kitchen hosts live music with dinner on the weekends and other special events periodically. 
The RiffRaff Arts Collective hosts music, plays, art shows and more. 

Princeton Public Library has awesome regular programming as well. 


Watch for monthly news blasts like this one. If there are particular questions you have, please feel free to call: 304-425-6425.
 

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As you can see, downtown Princeton is alive!!! Thanks to all of you for your support and enthusiasm; it’s the community spirit and cooperation that is causing this tidal wave of historic transformation in our town. Stay tuned; it’ll only get better. 

 

With Appreciation, 

 

Princeton Renaissance Project


www.princetonrenaissanceproject.org

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