A new moon at the start of Labor Day weekend creates a clean slate upon which to navigate the confluence of anticipated beginnings and established routines. It is a powerful time for reinvention as we face the chance to break from our false self, while staying grounded in the realities that have shaped it. Tap into that back-to-school feeling by harnessing the powerful problem-solving tools that help us turn the complex equations and underlying algorithms into solutions that improve, rather than derail, our lives. For some, this will mean volunteering, showing up and taking the lead on behalf of the community; for others, it will mean cutting the grass, helping a neighbor, or limiting their pork roll intake to less than three times a year. But for everyone, the practical magic of transformation through consistent choice is currently abundant, accessible, and the universe is strongly encouraging us to take advantage of this limited time opportunity.
Thursday August 29
Levitt Amp Concert Series – The New Respects: Breezy and upbeat one moment, raw and hard-driving the next, pop rock group The New Respects hooks listeners with a catchy blend of rock, soul, pop and acoustic sounds that feels at once retro and modern. Their EP, “Here Comes Trouble”, was released in in 2017 and the band was named by Rolling Stone as one of “10 New Artists You Need to Know.” The New Respects have opened for alternative band Switchfoot and have played Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, as well as Levitt Pavilion Dayton and Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, this summer. Mill Hill Park, Trenton, 5-7pm, Free and Open to the Public
thenewrespects.com
Friday August 30
Album Release Party for “Morir Soñando”, by Josue Lora and Nota G.: Live music by DJ itsjustahmad, Trap Rabbit, Dre Skuffs and featuring Art from Edwin Torres & Kathleen Hurley Liao. A former freelance journalist, Torres serves as the Deputy Digital Director for the Governor’s Office in New Jersey. He is a former member of the Bronx Photo League which is attached to The Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) and published the Jerome Avenue Worker’s Project. A graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University with a B.A. in Anthropology, Kathleen Hurley Liao work combines Geometric shapes, bright colors, and symbolic references. In both figurative and abstract work, she expresses sensations of consciousness and dream fragments through the universal languages of color and movement. Guided by an automatism, she has created a repertoire of mixed media pieces in motion influenced by the harmonies, dissonances, and resolutions of music. Trenton Coffee Roasters, 750 Cass St., Trenton 7-11 pm, $15-$100, facebook.com/events
Saturday August 31:
Open Mic Every Saturday at Starbucks Trenton Community Store: This open mic is for all styles of music and spoken word performance, including poetry, comedy, and storytelling. Most of what you’ll hear is original songs on acoustic instruments, but we warmly welcome whatever you have to offer. No advance registration by phone is permitted. Excessive profanity and vulgarity are strongly discouraged. It is up to the discretion of the host to determine if a performance is inappropriate for Starbucks Trenton Community Store. Please bear in mind that Starbucks Trenton Community Store is not a bar and often has children in the audience. Starbucks 102 S. Warren St., Trenton, 3-7pm facebook.com/events
Sunday Sept 1:
Trenton Thunder vs. Reading Fighting Phils w/ Postgame Fireworks Spectacular: Other Game Highlights include: 94.5 PST/ Postgame Kids Run the Bases/Playoff Pep-Rally/Collectible Car and Truck Giveaway/Post-Game Fireworks – Set to music by the Fabulous Dueling Pianos/El Trueno de Trenton Night – The Thunder will take on their MiLB Copa de la Diversion identity, El Trueno de Trenton and celebrate Latin Heritage. Arm and Hammer Park, 1 Thunder Way, Trenton 7 pm, $12-15, $11, Children 4-12, Seniors 60+, milb.com/trenton
Monday Sept 2:
Mercer County Back to School Jam: Block Party w/Free Haircuts and Hairstyles for Girls and Boys 5-17, Bookbags and Supplies, Bounce House, Vendors, Face Painting, Live DJ, Performances, Games. 315 E. State St. (In front of City Hall), Trenton 11 am-5 pm, Free and Open to the Public. For more information: 609-968-3090
To add your events to our community calendar, visit our calendar submission tab at planettrenton.org. Event listings are free and with our new calendar system, it only takes a minute or two to add events. You can also customize your listing with a photo!
Photo/Artist Credit: Kathleen Hurley Liao’s “Guardian”, (wax monotype, watercolor, mixed media collaged on painted board) will be on view at Josue Lora and Nota G’s “Morir Soñando”Album Release party on Friday, August 30.
