Quarter Rican: Inspired by Hoboken

This Week's Episode

This week on State of the Arts, Quarter Rican is a hip hop musical by performer and playwright Gabriel Diego Hernandez, inspired by and set in Hoboken. The Princeton Symphony Orchestra's performance of Seven Decisions of Gandhi, a violin concerto by William Harvey in which each movement tells the story of a key decision made by the great leader. And, a visit to renowned artist Philemona Williamson’s studio in East Orange.

NJ PBS

Thurs, 1/15 @ 11:30 pm

Sat, 1/17 @ 7:30 pm

Sun, 1/18 @ 9:30 am

WNET Thirteen

Sun, 1/18 @ 11:30 am

ALL ARTS

Mon, 1/19 @ 10:30 am & 3:30 pm

Wed, 1/21 @ 10 am & 3 pm

Images in GIF: Quarter Rican photographed by David White Studio / The Princeton Symphony Orchestra performs William Harvey's violin concerto / Philemona Williamson works in her studio

Find out where (and how) to watch!

National Mentoring Month

During January, be inspired by great mentors we've met over the years here on State of the Arts.

Basketball, contemporary dance, and social justice are all on the curriculum at Franklin Middle School in Somerset. In 2018, we visited the all-boys 8th Grade Advanced Dance Class taught by former professional dancer Aaron Ramos, and talk to some of the scholar-athletes who are his students. Watch here.

On the Blog

In this week's blog post, a look at the interconnectedness of art and architecture. Read here.

Happening Now

Spend the season with the Bay Atlantic Symphony! They've announced their 2026 concert dates, including in January. See their website for more info! Pictured: Music Director Jed Gaylin

Our related story: The Bay Atlantic Symphony

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Horse with performances happening Jan 18-Feb 25. See here for their calendar of events! Image courtesy: Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

Our related documentary: Unity: Nai-Ni Chen Remembered.

Don't miss Toshiko Takaezu: Dialogues in Clay, on view at the Princeton University Art Museum through July!

Our related documentary: Toshiko Takaezu: In the Stars.

Highlights

Nimbus Dance joins forces with the full New Jersey Symphony for a reimagined Firebird, bringing Stravinsky’s classic into the present day. Set to his iconic score, this powerful performance blends mythological storytelling with modern themes of family, trauma, and loss.

Our 2025 story: Rekindling the Firebird.

Take a walk down the Scott and Hella McVay Poetry Trail in Princeton. The McVays lead the walk and readings and explain their inspiration for establishing a nature trail with poems from around the world punctuating its mile-long route.

Our 2018 story: The Scott and Hella McVay Poetry Trail.