Princeton University: Picks of the Week Dec. 12 to Dec. 18

The final week of activities before the fall semester closes on Friday includes the celebrated holiday classic, ''A Christmas Carol'' at McCarter Theater and a family science lecture that explores concepts in electricity by making batteries from pieces of fruit.

Note: All information on events listed below come from various pages on the Princeton University website.

Monday, Dec. 12, 2011

Lecture: Gretchen Morgenson, assistant business and financial editor and columnist at The New York Times, shares her thoughts on ‘’Three Years After the Meltdown — Where Do We Stand?" The lecture is part of an ongoing series on economic recovery sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Policy. 4:30 p.m., Dodds Auditorium in Robertson Hall. Free Admission.

Music: ''Messiah Sing'' community sing with organ, strings, and trumpet, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. University Chapel. Admission is $5 and students are free.

Performance: ''Eden,'': An interdisciplinary musical about the Garden of Eden and the Fall created by Elizabeth Swanson '12 as part of her senior thesis. Music directed by Vince di Mura, featuring Ava Geyer '15, Emi Nakamura '13, Sarah Hedgecock '13, Tess Bernhard '14 and Sandy Fong '13, with tap dancing. Show runs one hour and 20 minutes and is not appropriate for children under 13. 8 p.m. Whitman Class of 1970 Theater. Suggested donation: Canned goods or $3 per patron to benefit Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

Film: Federico Fellini's film, La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life - 1960), 170 minutes, Italian with English subtitles. 7 p.m., Rocky/Mathey Theater, Madison Hall.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Lecture: "Where Do We Go From Here?" A public conversation about civil rights with former members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Faculty participants include Eddie Glaude, the William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies; Joshua Guild, assistant professor of history and African American Studies; Imani Perry, professor of African American Studies; and Robert Moses, a visiting lecturer in the Center for African American Studies. The discussion is cosponsored by the Center for African American Studies, the Department of History and the Program in American Studies. 4:30 p.m. in Room 101 of McCormick Hall.

Performance: ''Eden'' written and directed by Elizabeth Swanson, '12, a musical about the Garden of Eden and the Fall. Not appropriate for children. 8 p.m., Whitman College, Class of 1970 Theater.

Film: Chocolat ( Cheated) - 1988) directed by Claire Denis. 105 minutes. Sponsored by the African Film Series, 7 p.m. Room 106 in McCormick Hall.

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011

Visual/Performance: ''iSkeptical: Art for Everyone'' explores the question of making art more widely available and accessible. The show is the final performance of students in the VIS 472 class. The performance features work in performance, installation, social gathering, or digital file media and is fueled by an emphasis on the active role of the viewer and the use of accessible imaging technologies. After the performance, there will be a festive reception including refreshments. 6 p.m. at the James M. Stewart '32 Theater of the Lewis Center for the Arts. Admission is free and open to the public.

Music: Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols. A service of readings and music featuring the chapel choir and a capella groups. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. University Chapel Admission is free.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011

Music: The University's student orchestra group, Sinfonia, will perform four pieces in a program conducted by Ruth Ochs, a University lecturer in music. The program features Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on 'Greensleeves,' Brahms ''Allegro Molto" from Serenade No. 1, Op. 11, and Dvorak's Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall. Admission: $5 per person.

Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 (Last day of classes for fall semester)

Performance: ''Eden'' senior Thesis production created and directed by Elizabeth Swanson '12 with Music Directed by Vince di Mura. An interdisciplinary musical about the Garden and the Fall. With tap dancing. This show runs 1 hour 20 minutes and is inappropriate for children under 13. Admission is free. Suggested donation of 2 canned goods or $3. All proceeds will go to the Trenton Soup Kitchen.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011

Family Fun: Make a battery from fruit and learn about electricity at the Princeton Center for Complex Materials' holiday science lecture for children and families. Admission: Free but registration is required. Two lectures: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., McDonnell Hall, room A02.

ONGOING EXHIBITS AND SHOWS

Performance: ''A Christmas Carol,''the annual holiday production of Charles Dicken's work following Ebenezer Scrooge on his magical journey through Christmas past, present and future and his experience of the season's peace and goodwill. McCarter Theater with performances Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and on Saturday Dec. 24th at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Watercolors by British painter Gwen John (1876-1939) from a group of recently rediscovered watercolors on exhibit in the 18th-Century Window of the Main Gallery of Firestone Library. On exhibit through Dec. 31, 2011.

Manuscripts in a video compilation of archival footage is features in "She Flourishes: Chapters in the History of Princeton Women" at the Mudd Manuscript Library. The exhibit chronicles the history of women at the University, from the late 1800s through the advent of coeducation to the presidency of Shirley M. Tilghman. The exhibit runs through August 31, 2012.

Photos in the exhibit "George Segal: Sculptor as Photographer" focuses on the late American artist who spent most of his creative life in nearby North Brunswick, N.J. The exhibit draws on materials that the George and Helen Segal Foundation donated to the Princeton University Library in 2009 and runs through Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, various times at the Milberg Gallery of the Firestone Library.

Works in etching and engraving are featured in ''Sin & the City: William Hogarth's London.'' The exhibit explores the city's poor and working class population in the 18th century. On display 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Firestone Library, Main Gallery, through Jan. 29, 2012.