The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History 

Looking for fun after work? Chill out with the coolest crow d in town! Our Arctic Coast belugas play as you mingle to live music and savor our new signature drink and “on the fly” menu.

Carousel has captivated audiences around the world with the powerful love story of an innocent  young millworker and swaggering carousel barker. He meets a tragic end but is given one chance for redemption by delivering hope to the daughter he never knew and whispering words left unspoken to his wife. Featuring “If I Loved You,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” and “June is Busting Out All Over.” Experience one of the most celebrated musicals of all time!

Donate your gently used furniture for the Amherst Survival Center's annual fall used furniture sale! See www.amherstsurvival.org, email furniture@amherstsurvival.org, or call 413-549-3968 x252 for information or to arrange pick-up or delivery. All contributions are tax deductible, and donations will be collected through the end of August so we can set up for the sale at the Survival Center September 7th and 8th. The sale supports Survival Center programs that provide food, health care and clothing to over 4,000 of our neighbors in need in Hampshire and Franklin Counties in MA each year.

 The exhibit uses historic photographs, artifacts, and first-hand accounts to explore 260 years of Cornwall’s relationship with its forests, showing how and why the town transformed from forest to farm and back to forest. The exhibit will also explore changing attitudes about the forest, from the 18^th century view of woods as a source of timber to more recent concepts of the forest as a setting for recreation and as a vital ecosystem.

In the Rio Grande River Valley of central New Mexico and eastern Arizona, the Pueblos, a people spread over 19 communities, continue to practice their ancient art of pottery-making.  Descendents of the Anasazi, the Pueblo People, still use the traditional coiling methods and decorative patterns that have distinguished their work for centuries..

This exhibit compares and contrasts the unique style of each Pueblo community and highlights individual artists who have shaped this timeless craft.

 The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am - 5:00pm* and Sunday 12:00pm to 5:00pm *      *Last admission 4:30pm

The Stratford Arts Commission is hosting the 7th annual Festival! Stratford, located on the grounds of the Stratford Center for the Arts, home of the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre. The free event takes place August 1st through 5th, at 1850 Elm Street, Stratford, CT, with evening performances of Romeo and Juliet by CT Free Shakespeare, SquareWrights, and daytime music performances by Dave Hogan, Greg Sherrod Blues Band, and Cosmic Jibaros. Festival! Stratford is fun for all ages! For a complete list of activities, performances, and times, log onto festivalstratford.org

Includes dinner at the Gelston House (located next door to the Opera House) and a ticket to the 8 pm performance for only $71!

Opening Reception: Friday, August 10, 6-8pm

Artist Demonstration Day: Saturday, August 4^th, 1-3:30pm.

Please see attached images.

The Connecticut Pastel Society, a statewide fine arts organization with national

outreach, is pleased to be returning to the Lyme Art Association for their 2012

Signature Member’s Exhibition.  This juried exhibition of more than 50 paintings

created by the Society’s premier members will be on display and for sale from

August 3 through September 22 in the Goodman Gallery at the Lyme Art

Association, 90 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT. Tuesday-Saturday 10-5pm, Sunday, 1-5pm.

This year’s exhibition will include a first time ever trio Artist Demonstration Day

on August 4^th, 1:00-3:30 pm.  The public as well as fellow artists are encouraged

to attend this free opportunity to see how a painting comes to life.  You will have

the opportunity to either experience a still life demonstration by Alain Picard,

a cityscape by Janet A. Cook and a macro landscape by Karen Israel.  The

artwork created by these three well known artists, will be graciously

donated and offered for sale at our premier silent auction throughout the six weeks of the

exhibition.  Bids will commence at the Opening Reception on August 10th at 6 pm

and end at 4 pm on the final day of the exhibit, September 22^nd.  Bids will be accepted

throughout the exhibit, either on the auction bid sheet accompanying the

paintings or by phone to the LAA at 860-434-7802.  All proceeds

from the auction will benefit the Connecticut Pastel Society.

UN (Common) Sense
An installation by Jason Noushin. Using paper currency as a medium in a series of drawings, sculptures and installations, UN (Common) Sense explores the power, influence and impact of money on zones of conflict, focusing on the Bosnian War. The exhibition is viewable 24 hours a day through the windows of the Workshop’s Hilles Gallery.

Opening Reception: Friday, August 3, 5 to 6:30pm

In honor of Independence Day and the military’s service to our country, Mystic Aquarium welcomes military (active and retired) with free general admission during the months of July and August.

Family members with a dependent’s ID receive a special military rate of $15 per adult and $10 per child.

This special offer is on general admission only and is valid through August 31, 2012. Valid military identification must be presented at Mystic Aquarium’s admission gate at time of purchase. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer.

Military always receive $10 off any Mystic Aquarium membership category.

August 1 - 31, 2012

Monday - Wednesday 12:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Rainforest Reptile Shows features exotic crawlers, unusual slithers and fascinating creepers, all of which are creatures of the rainforest. Experience direct contact with live animals, artifacts and fascinating stories about these unusual animals and their natural habitats. Meet "Fred," Rainforest Reptiles' seven-foot alligator. Show runs 30 minutes. Visit the Zoo Reptile Trailer, a mobile exhibit featuring 40 live animal displays, open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Show and Reptile Trailer are free with paid admission to the Zoo.