Campus Picks: Oct. 8, 2009

UFO Movie: The Hangover

If only one movie this summer could be called laugh-out-loud funny, it would have to be "The Hangover," an outrageously over-the-top comedy about four guys who go to Vegas for a bachelor party, only to wake up the next morning with no memory of the previous night and the groom-to-be missing. As the three friends attempt to retrace their steps, they encounter a series of wacky surprises, as well as "discovering themselves" or whatever. But don't get the impression that the movie's all that deep, because it's not. Still, if you're looking for some great laughs, "The Hangover" is a must-see.

Princeton Garden Theatre

Thursday through Saturday, 11:15 p.m.

Performance: Japanese Puppets

If the sky-high workload is starting to erode your sanity, look no further than "The Magic of Japanese Puppet Theater" at Frist Campus Center this Saturday. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about traditional Japanese puppet theater, unveil the mysteries of the famous "shamisen," and savor the chance to ask master performers from the Imada Puppet Troupe about their craft. Though this may be the most esoteric thing you will ever do at Princeton - and that's saying something - any performance with the phrase "Vegetable Merchant" in its title will always be a better option that tackling that pile of books on your desk.

Frist Performance Theatre

Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Outdoors: Forbes Picnic Park

Nomad Pizza, the delicious, sustainable traveling pizza truck, will visit the Princeton Garden at Forbes on Oct. 8. It will bring its brick oven and local ingredients to make the best pizza around. All are welcome to eat a slice, watch "King Corn" and enjoy the Princeton Garden. The garden was started three years ago by Ruthie Schwab '09, who envisioned the garden as a place for students to learn about sustainable agriculture and try it on a small scale. Since then the garden has grown to provide fresh produce for the Forbes dining hall ... and some for hot pizza. The garden is at 79 Alexander Rd. Head north of Forbes on the west side of the road. Pass two houses and then come to a patch of woods, then look for a path and a bright yellow sign. Take this down the hill into garden.

Garden at Forbes College

Oct. 8, 5 p.m.

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Film: Princeton Documentary Film Festival

Since 2002, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures (in conjunction with other programs), has sponsored an annual film festival focusing on the flourishing documentary filmmaking culture in Latin America and Spain. The theme for this year's festival is "The Other, the Same: The Subject of Documentary," focusing on how identity issues are borne out for filmmakers and the people they film. The festival will feature screnning and discussions with filmmakers Miguel Gomes, Maria Augusta Ramos and Susana Barriga.

Thursday through Saturday

See http://www.princeton.edu/spo/films/schedule/ for show times

Music: Princeton, Le Loup, Oh! Pears, Grandchildren

The guitar is back at Terrace Club this weekend after several weeks of space-age electronics. On Thursday, Princeton (yes, that's the band's name - see page S2 for details) brings indie-pop happiness to the dance floor, opening for the seven-piece band Le Loup, which includes a former Terrace social chair. On Saturday, it's Philly night, with two Pennsylvania-based bands taking to the stage. The main attraction is the electro-acoustic (wtf?!) group "Grandchildren," who rather intriguingly cite TV on the Radio and Michael Jackson as influences. And if you thought seven people on a stage at once just wasn't enough, we have the massive 13-piece "Oh! Pears" opening the night, with an orchestral, string-heavy sound. Man, I love homophones.

Terrace Club

Thursday, 11 p.m.

Play: 24-Hour Play Festival

This Saturday, the annual 24-Hour Play Festival comes to Theatre Intime. Roughly 30 participants, over the course of a single 24-hour block, conspire to write, direct and act in several short plays with virtually no rules and no restrictions. Past years have seen decapitated dodos and Balloonatics, so zaniness is assured. The free show is at 8 p.m.

Theater Intime

Thursday, 8 p.m.

Film: In the Loop

"In The Loop" is a lot of things: a vicious satire about bumbling bureaucrats entangling the United States and Great Britain in a foreign war, a showcase for an insanely funny ensemble cast, the best comedy of the year so far. But it's also an essential tutorial on the glorious art of profanity. Are you still throwing out f-bombs without richly detailed, thoroughly disgusting metaphors involving animals and Jane Austen? See this movie and up your game!

Frist Performance Theatre

Thursday, 11 p.m.

Theater: Arcadia

When you think of the physics department, you may not think of great campus theater - but after Monday's performance of "Arcadia," Tom Stoppard's classic play about thermodynamics, advanced mathematics, Lord Byron and 19th-century gardening, that may change. Featuring a mixture of professional actors and student performers and directed by Marlo Hunter '99, the play alternates between two time periods with typical Stoppard wit and wordplay.

Taplin Auditorium

Monday, 7 p.m.

OUTSIDE THE ORANGE BUBBLE: NEW YORK

Music: Islands

The indie-rock darlings continue their tour in support of "Vapours," their latest, critically acclaimed studio album. One of the few bands around that uses orchestral instruments in its live sets, Islands is a dynamic and playful group whose sunny music is a refreshing break from Princeton's autumn dreariness.

Roseland Ballroom, New York

Friday, 7 p.m.

Music: Crookers, Major Lazer, Jack Beats

If you still haven't heard Crookers' remix of Kid Cudi's "Day 'N Nite" then you've probably spent the last few months living under a rock. The Italian duo is getting ready to release its first studio album and is sure to have more than a few new songs ready to help you get your groove on. With Major Lazer - a new group created by the masterminds behind "Paper Planes" - also on the bill, this show is primed to be one of the best remaining performances of the year.

Terminal 5, New York

Saturday, 8 p.m.

FREE FOOD AROUND CAMPUS:

Delete: The Virtue of Forgetting in the Digital Age

Jog your memory with some brain food while listening to this lecture.

Sherrerd Hall

Thursday, 4:30 p.m.

Candy Bouquets!

As sweet as flowers, and much more delicious: Candy bouquets are the perfect gift for that special someone (or yourself).

Frist Campus Center, East TV Lounge

Saturday, 9 p.m.

Movie and Desserts

Finally, some free food on the Street - even if it is in Campus Club. Try traditional Latin-American desserts, like flan, tres leches and empanadas as part of "Latino Heritage Month." "Y Tu Mama Tambien" will be showing afterward.

Campus Club, downstairs

Friday, 9 p.m.