In THE WEDDING SINGER, it's 1985 and rock-star wannabe Robbie Heart is New Jersey's favorite wedding singer.  He's the life of the party, until his own fiancee leaves him at the altar.  Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disasterous as his own.
Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection.  Only trouble is Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and unless Robbie can pull off the performance of a decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever.  With a brand new score that pays loving homage to the pop songs of the 1980's, THE WEDDING SINGER takes us back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room.
Directed by Dan Checovetes
Music Direction by Dan Koch

David Mamet's landmark drama comes roaring back to life at TheaterWorks in downtown Hartford in a production featuring Hartford favorite Andrew Benator (Proof, Lobby Hero, SantaLand Diaries).

Plant Clinic Open for the Season

Monday, May 11, 9:00am- 12 noon and 12:30- 3:30pm

Having a plant or gardening dilemma? Bring any questions or plant samples to the UCONN Master Gardeners for help. The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday throughout the growing season.  This is a FREE service. Call 203-322-6971 for questions, visit www.bartlettarboretum.org or email visitorservices@bartlettarboretum.org

September 6 through October 1

Director’s Choice:  Janice Mauro & Joanne Pagano - “Humanoid Preservation”

Through the installation of artifacts for an imaginary future’s past, the artist duo creates a world that draws us into a

place outside of time. A place which hauntingly reveals the possibilities that lies on the edge of present day man’s

misuse of science and technology.

Gerald Saladyga - “Landscapes After the Battle”

In this new exhibit using a variety of scientific and political source material, the artist examines what he refers to as “the fantasy underlying the reality" to create multi-layered “landscape” paintings that contemplate the tragic result of man’s devices.    

Jeanine Esposito – “Daily Shower”

Through conceptual installations the works of this artist takes every day, discarded and overlooked materials and

transforms them into meditative compositions exploring the fragmentation of how life is actually lived.  The works

reflect upon the emotional and psychological nuances of everyday life.

Nash Hyon – “Convergence”

Working primarily with encaustics, the artist explores the connections between man, nature, beauty, art and science

and above all, what it means to be human She combines the raw materials of an artist -- paint, paper, graphite -- with

a passion for every aspect of human culture, mixing concepts in science and medicine with striking symbolic imagery,

thereby transforming them into timeless, emotionally evocative works of art.

GALLERY HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm; Sunday: 1 – 5 pm.

Nothing is more iconic or essential to the woodland hunter than a trustworthy and powerful bow.  It has been  said that crafting a bow is a true labor of love, and each one is as unique as the person who makes it.   Spend two days with craftsman & experimental archaeologist Kevin Brenner as you chop, carve, and whittle your very own bow from locally harvested Hickory. Using traditional techniques and historically accurate patterns you will learn how to "find" the bow in the wood, properly balance a newly crafted bow, and make usable string from natural materials.  Limited to 10 participants; please call to register.  Children ages 15 years and older are welcome.  Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. 

Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 11:00am to 4:00 pm and Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 12:00noon to 4:00pm.

July 10 - September 19
Experience “one brief shining moment" that was Camelot.  Relive the enduring legend of King Arthur, Guenevere, Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table in an enchanting fable of chivalry, honor and brotherhood. Dazzling and spellbinding with sweeping romance and historic grandeur, this classic musical speaks to our time and for all time.  The celebrated score includes the classics “If Ever I Would Leave You,” “The Simple Joys of Maidenhood,” and “Camelot.”  Winner of 4 Tony Awards.
CURTAIN TIMES:
Wednesdays at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Thursdays at *2 pm and 7:30 pm
Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 3 pm and 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm and *6:30 pm

860.873.8668
goodspeed.org

 
SPECIAL EVENTS & OFFERS
Girls’ Night Out: Friday, July 10, 7 pm.  Come celebrate Opening Night in style! Gather the girls for glitz and glamour Broadway-style with our Ticket ‘n’ ‘Tini special Package includes one ticket to Camelot and a specialty martini – a hot deal at $44 per person.

Wine Tasting: Sunday, July 12, 5 pm.  Treat yourself to a sampling of fine wines hosted by Shore Discount Liquors of Deep River with complimentary hors d’oeuvres from the Gelston House of East Haddam.  Only $10 with your ticket to the 6:30 pm performance. Reserve in advance through the Box Office. 
Teen Nights: July 15 & 16, 7:30 pm; July 17, 8 pm.  Introduce your favorite young person to the magic of musical theatre.  Each adult who buys a regular-priced ticket on the specified dates may purchase a $15 ticket for a child ages 10 to 18.  Meet the cast after the July 17 performance for autographs.

First Friday Happy Hour: July 17, 7 pm.  Mingle at our Friday night Happy Hour.  Enjoy an introductory talk by a member of our creative staff, appetizers courtesy of La Vita Gustosa of East Haddam, and specially priced beverages.  Free with your ticket to the performance.

Backstage at Goodspeed: A lively audience discussion with the cast is offered after the Thursday evening performances on Aug 6 & 20 and Sept 3.
 

The Clare Gallery is pleased to present "Silence Speaks – Paying Homage to Gentle Giants of New England," an exhibition by painter Aleta Gudelski.   Silence Speaks pays tribute to the vanishing farms and barns throughout New England.  The paintings focus on the haunting stillness of these majestic structures as they are being slowly reclaimed by the earth.  Ms. Gudelski’s work continues to be a journey of letting go and allowing the Divine to work through her and her brush to capture images that reflect peace, at times tension and frequently subtle challenges.  

The exhibition will take place from August 6, 2009 - October 4, 2009.  There will be a free reception on Tuesday, September 29 from 6 to 8 p.m., with an artist talk at 6:30 p.m.  All are

welcome.  Free Parking is available across from the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry.  

Gallery Hours: Monday – Thursday 9am - 7pm, Friday 9 - 4pm,

Saturday 10am - 3pm, Sunday 10am - Noon

Manwaring Gallery: Featured Artist - Ted Hendrickson Gallery 66: Greg Bailey, Barkley Henricks, Maureen McCabe, Timothy McDowell, Pamela Marks, Denise Pelletier and Andrea Wollensak.

Gallery Talk: Ted Hendrickson, Wed., Sept. 16, 4:00 p.m., Reception 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Gallery Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 1-4 p.m. Closed Oct. 8-11

Green Street Arts Center presents a unique workshop series for families and friends to discover some of Green
Street’s newest treasures. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants for each event. To register, call (860) 685-7871.
Connecticut based salsero Jason Pepin will discuss and demonstrate the rhythmic structures of Salsa dance in this workshop designed to engage all ages and abilities. No partner necessary—participants will learn basic dance moves and explore the ways in which Salsa is different from other forms of Latin dance.

The Comic Book Artists Guild brings aspiring and professional writers and artists together to improve their skills and offer them opportunities to have their work published. Members receive feedback on their work, participate in exercises to enhance their skills, and discuss the process of comic book creation. Workshops teach the writing, artistic, production, and business skills that are needed for producing comic books, including storyboarding your ideas, copyright protection, and how to get the most out of convention attendance. Meetings are open to the public.

This hands-on workshop will offer an introduction to Nastaliq

calligraphy, a Persian style.  Following step-by-step instructions, you will

write a word or your name in this beautiful, fluid script.  Materials will be

provided at no charge.  Registration is required by calling (860) 695-

6337.  Please register early since seating is limited.

Join friends and neighbors to share excerpts and conversation about The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.

Dwight Branch

Wednesday, September 30, 1:00 p.m.

Goodwin Branch

Saturday, September 19, 2:00 p.m.

Academy Award® nominee Salma Hayek gives a powerful, passionate performance as an idealistic young woman who wages a daring struggle for freedom against the dictator General Rafael Trujillo (Edward James Olmos.)

In honor of International "Talk Like a Pirate Day," September 19, The Barnum Museum is hosting an on-going orienteering program throughout the day.  Designed for children of all ages to play, those who come to the museum will receive a compass and then look for a hidden treasure somewhere in the museum.  If the treasure is found the child will receive a special prize! 

The Barnum Museum has three floors of absolutely fascinating exhibits that illustrate the extraordinary life of Phineas Taylor Barnum. P. T. Barnum, one-term mayor of Bridgeport and four-term member of the Connecticut General Assembly, was born July 5, 1810 in Bethel and died April 7, 1891 in Bridgeport. The original museum building, owned by the City of Bridgeport is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is handicapped accessible. 

All Music Productions Presents Physical Graffiti (The Led Zeppelin Show) And Riders On The Storm (Resurrection Of The Doors) With Special Guest Jeff Pitchell

Wethersfield, Connecticut Alumni Matt Hetherman Of Physical Graffiti, Eamon Cronin

Of Riders On The Storm And Acclaimed Musician Jeff Pitchell Reunite

September 19, 2009, On The Palace Theater Stage

New Britain, Connecticut — August 20, 2009 — All Music Productions presents Physical Graffiti (The Led Zeppelin Show) and Riders On The Storm (Resurrection of The Doors) with special guest Jeff Pitchell in a spectacular concert event on Saturday, September 19, 2009, at the Palace Theater, 100 East Main St. in Waterbury, Connecticut. The show begins at 8 p.m.

“All Music Productions is proud to bring Physical Graffiti and Riders On The Storm, two internationally renowned tribute bands with Connecticut roots, to the Palace Theater,” said Pitchell, vice president of All Music Productions and a Billboard Chart-topping musician who will also perform during the concert. “For more than 20 years, Physical Graffiti and Riders On The Storm have been transforming into Led Zeppelin and The Doors, and they have committed themselves to the music of these rock legends. Join us for the ultimate classic rock tribute experience.”

This concert is a reunion for Pitchell, Riders On The Storm singer Eamon Cronin and Physical Graffiti guitarist Matt Hetherman. The three grew up in Wethersfield, Connecticut. They attended Wethersfield public schools, they studied music together, and they have been entertaining audiences throughout the world with their own bands. On September 19, they will perform on stage together during their Palace Theater concert.

Physical Graffiti (The Led Zeppelin Show) has been touring the world for the past 20 years. The band’s accurate portrayal of Led Zeppelin has left audiences mesmerized. Physical Graffiti, named after a Led Zeppelin album, has played more than 8,000 shows from casinos to a tour of Israel and Spain, sponsored by Calvin Klein. Engineer for Led Zeppelin, Eddie Kramer, who attended many Physical Graffiti shows and developed a lasting friendship with the band, has been taken back by the accuracy of Physical Graffiti. Concert-goers will experience all the sights and sounds of a Led Zeppelin show from years past. Vintage Bonham drums, double-neck guitars, thick bass lines and powerful vocals are just the beginning. Physical Graffiti takes everyone’s favorite Zeppelin song and reproduces it to perfection.

For 20 years, Riders On The Storm (Resurrection of The Doors) has been recreating The Doors concert experience for audiences throughout North America and Europe. Members of Riders On The Storm wear costumes based on images of clothes The Doors once wore, they play the same instrument models The Doors played, and they have studied thousands of videos, films and recordings to make their show as authentic as the ones The Doors put on in the 1960s and early 1970s. In fact, Riders On The Storm’s Ryan Daly plays organ with his right hand and bass with his left just like The Doors’ Ray Manzarek did. Cronin, who becomes Jim Morrison on stage, founded Riders On The Storm as well as the original band Midnight Sun. He also used to play drums for Physical Graffiti.

Pitchell is an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. His explosive guitar playing and impassioned vocals have drawn rave reviews from fans and critics for more than 20 years. His album “Heavy Hitter” (Pyramid Records/EMI) spent 12 weeks at No. 7 on the Billboard Charts. Pitchell has recorded and performed with a number of musical icons including Rick Derringer, Bo Diddley, BB King, Buddy Guy, Ted Nugent, Dave Mason, James Cotton, Clarence Clemons, Fabulous Thunderbirds, John Mayall, Jimmy Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Peter Tork, Dickey Betts, and The Commitments. He was chosen by the Boston Red Sox to sing "God Bless America" to a sold-out Fenway Park crowd and nationwide television and radio audience. He won an award in the Great American Song Contest for “Prisoner of Love” and another award from the International Songwriting Contest for “Eye for an Eye.”

All Music Productions, Inc. is one of the fastest growing audio, backline and concert consulting companies in the United States. Based in New Britain, Connecticut, All Music Productions offers one of the largest selections of audio and backline equipment in the concert and performance industry today. All Music Productions also offers expert concert and audio consultation services for venues, management companies, and music groups around the globe.

Tickets for the concert are $32 and can be purchased by phone at (203) 755-4700, online at www.palacetheaterct.org, or in person at the Palace Theater Box Office, 100 East Main Street in Waterbury, Connecticut.

For more information, call All Music Productions at (860) 801-6040, e-mail info@allmusicproductions.com, or visit the Web site www.allmusicproductions.com.

Ted Zalewski IS Teddy Roosevelt!

This unforgettable presentation combines history, drama and humor into one fabulous show. You'll think you actually are back at the beginning of the last century, sharing the evening with the 26th president.

Don't miss it!

8 p.m.

 For artistic variety, contemporaneity, and quality, the annual Art and Art History Department Studio faculty exhibition excels.  Painting, sculpture, illustration, graphic design, printmaking, photography, and installation art are the dominant media.  This year's featured artists are Randall Hoyt, graphic design; Janet Pritchard, photography; and Mark Zurolo, graphic design.

Gallery Hours

Thursday & Friday  10 AM-4:30 PM

Saturday & Sunday 1-4:30 PM

Opening Reception: Pegasus Gallery on Thursday, October 1, 5:30-7:00 pm

Middletown resident Zahir Abid, has exhibited his surrealist inspired paintings internationally.  Dream fragments and nightmarish scenes are projected within an animated world of human, animal, vegetal and object interactions.  Morphing, bisected and hybrid forms lead viewer interpretations through narrative spaces and art historical references.

Westport artist Anya E. Liftig’s work addresses the contextual significance of everyday things.  Working as a “collector,” Liftig manipulates objects to address their emotive, nostalgic, consumptive and possessive substance.  Liftig has exhibited an extensive body of works internationally in performance, photography and sculpture.

Freeom Run to pay tribute to brave souls who fled enslavement via the Underground Railroad.

Starting Point: Archer A.M.E. Zion Church, 320 Hayden Station Road, Windsor, CT 06095 at 5:30 a.m.

Country Style Breakfast will follow the run.

William Lanson was New Haven's most interesing 19th century African American entrepreneur. A heavy construction contractor who extended Long Wharf and worked on the Farmington Canal, Lanson owned businesses including a hotel, grocery store and stable and livery service. Lanson served as Connecticut's Black Governor in 1825.

Painter Bill Revill's exhibit of his first gallery show, "New England Vision," continues at the Sandman Gallery at 35 West Main Street in Meriden. The show primarily features New England landscapes and seascapes, and runs until October 16th. The Sandman Gallery is not open on Sundays or Mondays.