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Second Saturday Performances

All of the Second Saturday performances are free of charge and will be starting promptly at 1:00 pm on the second Saturday of each month in the Museum’s Auditorium.

September 12, 2009

RockRoots: A History of American Pop Music
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: K-9; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

From rockabilly to rap, RockRoots uses song to trace the evolution of American pop music and rock ’n roll. These four talented musicians take students on a historical, political, and geographical journey through one of the most influential and celebrated musical forms in the world. Along the way, the band members demonstrate each instrument, and explain how it evolved and works with the others. Children learn that they can make music just for sheer joy! 

October 10, 2009

Freespace Dance: Dance Inspirations
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: K-12; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

Demonstrating what inspires a choreographer to create dances, Freespace Dance uses shapes, patterns and the student’s everyday interaction to create the movement in Dance Inspirations. Through audience participation and wonderful dancing, the company presents an excellent introduction to the world of modern dance as the students are encouraged to find their own dance inspirations. 

November 14, 2009

Billy B. The Science Song & Dance Man:Greenhouse Rock
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: 6-8; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

With humorous parodies of popular songs, Billy B. sings about more serious matters like rainforest depletion, photosynthesis, and the greenhouse effect.  

December 12, 2009

The Seventh Principle: Share the Kwanzaa Spirit
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: K-12; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

An introduction to this December holiday which celebrates African-American values, traditions, community, and history. Song and dance, together with an understanding of Kwanzaa’s symbols and customs, allow everyone to share in the holiday spirit.  

January 9, 2010

Freestyle Repertory Theatre: Theatresports:

Improv Your Mind
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: K-12; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

“TheatreSports” is a series of theater games in which two teams of actors compete to see who does better at improvising. The audience is involved throughout, beginning with suggestions for each improvisation, performing as players, and as final arbiters of each team’s performance. Students learn about teamwork and how to build on each other’s ideas as they join in the alchemical process that turns mundane, disconnected subjects into a hilarious whole.

February 13, 2010

The Tamer Trio: Swingin' Through the Standards
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: K-12; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

Jazz, that great American musical invention, is called “the purest expression of our nation’s democracy.” Meet its founders, as The Tamer Trio - alternating between catchy tunes, abundant humor, and projected images - explains what Louis Armstrong meant when he said: “Hot can be cool, and cool can be hot, and each can be both. But hot or cool, man, jazz is jazz.”

March 13, 2010

Mark Lohr: Hooked on Books
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: K-6; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

Mild-mannered Mr. Jones sits down one day to enjoy an afternoon television program. He is interrupted by a public service announcement that makes him aware of the epic battle between TV and reading. He learns how reading is an exciting way to gain new skills, see new places, meet new people and experience more channels than any TV can! Join the fun with master comic Mark Lohr.

April 10, 2010

Schoolhouse Rock Live Too
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: K-5; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

In this natural next step to ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live’, the energetic and zany cast members try and save a run-down diner with inspirations from some great Schoolhouse Rock songs like ‘Four Legged Zoo’, ‘The Body Machine’ and ‘Fireworks’. Realizing the answer is right in front of them all along, the Conjunction Junction Diner is up and running and ready for business. Like the original ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live,’ this fast-paced presentation remains an educational tour de force.

May 8, 2010

Alda Reuter & Peter Bogdanos: Mexico Beyond Mariachi
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: K-8; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

Join five talented performers as they demonstrate there’s more to Mexico than mariachis and sombreros. With colorful costumes, authentic instruments and lively music and dance, the performers explore the richly textured culture that has evolved over five hundred years of native life and foreign influence. An exuberant feast for the senses—it’s like being at an outdoor Mexican market!

June 12, 2010

J.P. Somersaulter: Lights, Camera, Curriculum
Presented with Young Audiences New Jersey

Grades: K-12; 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM (60 minutes); Auditorium; free

This funny, fast-paced program for students of all ages shows how movie cartoons are made, and includes cartoon drawings, character voices, and student participation. In the course of teaching about film, J.P., a National Young Audiences, Inc. “Artist of the Year” manages to sneak in a little bit of language arts, math, science, and the visual and performing arts too.

Main Museum Building and Auditorium Galleries
205 West State Street, Trenton Tuesday – Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm Sunday, noon to 5 pm
Closed Mondays & State Holidays