2/1 monday

Monday Night Book Group - an adult book discussion group. 7:30 PM, at the South Brunswick Public Library, 110 Kingston Lane, Monmouth Junction, NJ. A copy of the book can be requested at the Information Desk (allow a minimum of 2 weeks for delivery). Call 732-329-4000 x7286.

Knitters’ Group - an adult activity group. 10 AM, at Barnes & Noble, 240 Route 22 West, Springfield, NJ. FREE. Call 973-376-8544, or visit www.bn.com or www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

Philly Rising Open Mic - weekly Open Stage and progressive Talent Competition, hosted by Boy Wonder (a.k.a. Andre Coles). Signups at 6:30 PM, performances start 7:30 PM. At the World Café, 3025 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. Artists check in at 6:30 PM to sign up for a 2-song performance slot (offered on a first-come basis). Each month, the four weekly winners from the previous month will be invited back on a Sunday evening to participate in CREAM: The Best of Philly Rising, when each artist will have a chance to perform a full set. At each Cream show, a single winning act will be awarded the monthly prize package (which includes recording studio time). At the end of the year, monthly winners compete in the annual Cream of the Cream showcase and one winning act will receive the Annual Prize Package. Call 215-222-1400, or visit www.worldcafelive.com.

Dinner & Dancing - music and dancing accompany fine dining. Nightly, at Bruno Jamais Restaurant Club in Manhattan, 24 East 81st Street between Madison and Fifth, Manhattan, NYC. The menu showcases signature dishes, new creations featuring French/Asian "Fusion" cuisine and daily specials. The restaurant also offers dance & live Soul and R&B music on Mondays, plus singles mingle events Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Preregister. Call 212-396-3444, or visit www.brunojamais.com.

2/2 tuesday

Arts & Crafts - a different project is presented each week. 10:30 AM - noon or 3 - 4:30 PM, at Little Scoops, 1121 Route 34, Aberdeen, NJ. Fee, preregister. Call 732-566-0404, or visit www.littlescoops.com.

StoryTime - children’s literary program. 10:30 AM, at Barnes & Noble, 240 Route 22 West, Springfield, NJ. FREE, preregister. Call 973-376-8544, or visit www.bn.com or www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

Men’s Open Court Basketball - 8 - 10 PM, at Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 1001 Finnegan’s Lane, North Brunswick, NJ. Please use the Main Entrance. Fee, FREE to members. Call 732-297-0696, or visit www.BnaiTikvah.org.

Melissa Rivers Signing of "Red Carpet Ready" - 7 PM at Borders Books & Music at Time Warner Center (shopping, dining and entertainment destination), Columbus Circle, Manhattan, NYC. Call 212-823-9775, or visit www.theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com.

Four Perspectives Through the Lens: Soviet Art Photography in 1970-1980s - an exhibit which explores a little-known chapter in photography – the bold explorations of Russian dissidents. On display during regular hours at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton Street (corner of George Street) on the College Avenue campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. On view are elegant formalist photographs by Alexander Slyusarev, where shadows, light and reflections transform reality into abstract patterns. Images by Boris Mikhailov, who is regarded as the founder of Russian conceptual photography, are often charged with political and social criticism. Highly individual, penetrating works by Vladimir Kupriyanov are based on documentary photographs that are transformed by conceptual and fine art strategies. Performative photographs created by Francisco Infante, an artist with long-standing interest in kinetic and land art, capture momentary artistic events staged in the landscape that he calls Artifacts. Continues through March 7, 2010. Call 732-932-7237 x610, or visit www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu.

Wicked - based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, this smash hit musical tells the untold story of the witches of Oz. 7 PM, at the Gershwin Theatre, 222 West 51st Street, Manhattan, NYC. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. These two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Fee. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, 212-307-4100 or www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Gershwin Theatre box office. Visit www.wickedthemusical.com.

2/3 wednesday

Weekly Stitch-In - sponsored by The Princeton, NJ Chapter Of The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. 7 - 9 PM, at Princeton Windrows, easily accessible from Route 1 off College Road West, Princeton, NJ. Contact: PrincetonEGA@aol.com or Marianne at 732-828-8608.

“Mommy & Me” Story Time - literary fun! 10 AM & 2 PM in the kids section of Borders Books & Music at Time Warner Center (shopping, dining and entertainment destination), Columbus Circle, Manhattan, NYC. Call 212-823-9775, or visit www.theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com.

Israeli Dancing - a session designed for beginners and those who may be "rusty," led by Nurit Brown. 7 - 10 PM, in the gym/all-purpose room at Congregation B’nai Tikvah, 1001 Finnegan’s Lane, North Brunswick, NJ. Open to everyone, regardless of gender or age. Soft sole shoes are required. FREE. Call 732-297-0594, email nuritbrown@yahoo.com, or visit www.BnaiTikvah.org.

Target First Wednesdays - special activities, extended hours and a reduced admission fee. 5 - 7 PM, at Please Touch Museum®, at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA. Attractions include: theater show in the Please Touch Playhouse (5:30 PM), your favorite puppets throughout the museum, fun activities in the Elaine Wideman-Vaughn Program Room, and story times throughout the museum galleries. Fee, children under one are FREE. Call 215-581-3181, or visit www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.

Drumthwacket Guided Public Tours - a chance to explore a historically important Princeton estate and gardens - the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey, Drumthwacket, Route 206, just south of Princeton, NJ. Sited on land that witnessed the Princeton battle of the American Revolution, Drumthwacket was built in 1835 by Charles Smith Olden, the man who would be elected New Jersey’s Civil War governor. Drumthwacket's Italianate formal gardens (designed circa 1900), and also the stately house built in 1835, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Also open will be Olden House, the original 18th century Quaker farmhouse and birthplace of Drumthwacket's original owner, and the site of the Gift Shop. On-site parking. Preregister. Call 609-683-0057, or visit www.drumthwacket.org.