|
7-DAY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FORECAST
Wed 02/01 – Tue 02/07
Though it’s easy to get lost in Valentine’s Day, don’t miss out on other important milestones—like Black History Month and V-Day—in February. Familiarize yourself with the struggle for freedom at the Underground Railroad program showcasing the internationally acclaimed Nzinga’s daughters. Honor the women in your life by becoming a catalyst for global female empowerment when you attend Charter Oak Cultural Center’s The Vagina Monologues. Wherever February brings you, make sure to fill your calendar with the arts!
When you see [UA] in the heading, it means the organization is supported by the contributions made to the Arts Council's Annual United Arts Campaign.
 FANTASTIC FOOD: TAKE ADVANTAGE WHILE YOU CAN
Event ongoing until Feb 5, various restaurants, Hartford. Culinary enthusiasts—set your taste buds to yum. The Greater Hartford Arts Council in partnership with the Hartford Advocate present Taste of Hartford®, the city’s premier restaurant event. You can enjoy two weeks of fine discount dining from restaurants offering special multi-course, price-fixed tasting menus that feature their signature dishes. Bon Appetite! $20.12. Reservations encouraged. tastehartford.com.
 BUGS, BIRDS, AND BUTTERFLIES
Wed Feb 1, 1pm. Exhibition on display until Feb 29, Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury, 1361 Main St, Glastonbury. With winter’s bleak landscape out your windows, liven up your walls and lift your spirits with breathtaking natural images at the “Our Natural World Photography” exhibition. Reenergize with more than 250 images of plants, animals, landscapes and other displays of nature’s magnificence. Photography available for purchase. $3 donation appreciated. 860-633-8402, ctaudubon.org.
 MORE WINTER OR SPRING? TELL ME!
Thu Feb 2, 6am, Lutz Children’s Museum, 247 South Main St, Manchester. Seasonal soothsayer “Connecticut Chuckles,” the official CT State Groundhog, determines whether or not all of us should batten down the hatches for more winter or start garden planning for the spring. Stay for hot coffee and breakfast foods before leaving enthused at the morning’s news, or mentally preparing for the frigid weeks ahead. Free. 860-643-0949, lutzmuseum.org.
 ROCK ON [UA]
Thu Feb 2, 5pm, Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main St, Hartford. Air guitar is strongly encouraged at Art After Hours: Rock Out. Discover your inner artist by making a symbolic self-portrait, join Susan L. Talbott, Museum Director and Curator, for an exhibition tour of "Patti Smith: Camera Solo," and enjoy complimentary food from Peppercorn’s Grill and free Olde Burnside Beer as you groove to DJ Jon Eastman’s rock ‘n’ roll beats. $5-$10. Free admission to anyone wearing a concert t-shirt. 860-278-2670, thewadsworth.org.
 HEATING UP
Thu Feb 2, 6:30pm, Windsor Art Center, 40 Mechanic St, Windsor. Captivate your “jazzy” senses as local CT band Indian Summer entertains with a repertoire of tunes ranging from classic standards to some softer songs of today. $10 suggested donation. 860-688-2528, windsorartcenter.org.
 ROBOTS AND BAD “B” MOVIES [UA]
Thu Feb 2, 7pm & 9:30pm, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford. Mystery Science 3000 fans rejoice for Cinematic Titanic, a feature-length live show written by MST3K’s creator Joel Hodgson with the same team of actors that first brought the Peabody Award winning cult-class series to life. The film continues the tradition of riffing on the unfathomable, the horribly great and the just plain cheesy movies of the past. Separate movies at 7pm and 9:30pm. Not recommended for children. $35. 860-987-5900, bushnell.org/index.cgi/51786.
 BEEFCAKES AREN’T BORN
Thu Feb 2, 7:30pm. Additional performances through Feb 5, Millard Auditorium, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford. Get ready to roll with the punches at The Vocal Studies Division’s presentation of the New England premiere of Thomas Pasatieri’s The Hotel Casablanca. The two-act comedy details a wealthy couple’s quest to toughen up their 25 year old nephew from New York during the summer of 1948 in Texas. $20. 2-for-1 w/ Let*s GO Arts! 860-768-4228, hartford.edu/hartt.
 DEFINE DEMOCRACY
Thu Feb 2, 7:30pm. Films run Thursdays until Apr 5, Cinestudio Theater, 300 Summit St, Hartford. As we approach the heart of election season, brush up on the promise and limitations of democracy at the Democracy in Film Series. This week’s film is The Wave, where a high school teacher’s demonstration of life under dictatorship spirals out of control as he forms a social unit with a life of its own. The night includes a post-screening discussion led by Johannes Evelein, Associate Professor of German at Trinity College. $7-$8. 860-297-CINE, cinestudio.org.
 BE MINE WITH WINE [UA]
Fri Feb 3, 5:30pm, New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Ditch the flowers and chocolate—create a truly romantic valentine collage at this First Friday using the Museum’s collection for inspiration. When you finish, sample a smorgasbord of dance classics, hot afro-Latin grooves and more by the Saskia Laroo Quartet, as well as the available wine, beer and refreshments. Be careful—love is in the air. $5-$10. 860-229-0257x230, nbmaa.org.
 JAZZY ART: ECLECTIC DISTORTION
Fri Feb 3, 6pm. Exhibition on display until Mar 18, ArtWalk Gallery, Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St, Hartford. Imagination, fluidity and freedom energetically exude from Andres Chaparro’s “Improvised Reflections” exhibition, a collection of colorful and emotional paintings that celebrates and defines the evolution and experience of jazz music. Discuss this series of work with Chaparro at an artist’s reception and experience firsthand the passion he brings to his pieces. Free. 860-695-6360, hplct.org.
 LADIES' NIGHT: TAKE BACK THE NIGHT [UA]
Fri Feb 3 & Sat Feb 4, 7:30pm, Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Ave, Hartford. Embrace the power of womanhood at the annual production of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. At 6pm before Saturday’s performance, mingle with the cast with a few drinks (BYOB) at Uncorked, a free 21+ gathering that includes a sampling of hors d’oeuvres, as well as jewelry and crafts by local women artisans (tickets to the show sold separately). Proceeds benefit Interval House, My Sister’s Place and CT TransAdvocacy. $5-$15. $10 w/ Let*s GO Arts! 860-249-1207, charteroakcenter.org.
 FOSTER YOUNG LOVE [UA]
Sat Feb 4, 10am, CT Historical Society, 1 Elizabeth St, Hartford. Kids gone gaga over their first elementary school romance? Inspire a lifetime of thoughtful giving by helping them make their own unique and personal cards at Valentine’s for Kids. Supplies available, but feel free to bring your own. Remember: glue then glitter, never glitter glue—trust me. Free. 866-236-5621x222, chs.org.
 GIRLS' DAY
Sat Feb 4, 10am, Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, 227 S. Main St, West Hartford. Girls—grab your favorite doll and experience A Colonial Girl’s Day Out. The morning includes colonial games, dancing, and a tea party. Be ready to make a decorated straw hat for your doll, and, because all best friends need matching accessories, create a pair of necklaces the two of you can wear. $17-$20. $17/child w/ Let*s GO Arts! 860-521-5362x21, noahwebsterhouse.org.
 FIRE/ICE
Sat Feb 4, 2pm, Playhouse On Park, 244 Park Rd, West Hartford. Muahaha—lunacy looms over Fire and Ice – A Mad Scientist Spectacular. If you dare, bring the kids to face the facts of fire and the properties of combustion followed by an illustration of different states of matter with dry ice. Frost or flame—which element do captures your spirit? $13-$15. $13 w/ Let*s GO Arts! 860-523-5900x10, playhouseonpark.org.
 BLACK HISTORY MONTH BEGINS
Sat Feb 4, 2pm, Windsor Historical Society, 96 Palisado Ave, Windsor. Kick-off Black History Month at this special Underground Railroad program featuring a performance by the internationally acclaimed CT performing group Nzinga’s Daughters. Learn more about the Underground Railroad, its secrets, and its inspiring tales as Nzinga’s Daughters uses poetry, stories, and songs to reveal coded messages hidden within Negro spirituals and everyday objects. $4-$6. 860-688-3813, windsorhistoricalsociety.org.
 INSTRUMENT MASTERY [UA]
Sat Feb 4, 8pm, UConn Greater Hartford Campus, 1800 Asylum Ave, West Hartford. When’s the last time you heard guitar brilliance? Rediscover the timeless instrument as classical guitarist and composer Johannes Möller gives a charismatic and soulful performance. Presented by CT Guitar Society, Möller has impressed audiences throughout the world and has recently won the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America International Competition. $20. $15 w/ Let*s GO Arts! 860-249-1132, ctguitar.org.
 TITILATING TRIO
Sat Feb 4, 7:30pm, 145 Lang Rd, Windsor. How’s this for a 2-for-1 event: help support a local park and be delighted by exceptional acoustic music. You can’t lose! Northwest Park Concert Series continues its winter schedule with The International String Trio, who plays a mix of Appalachian folk, jazz, virtuosic classical arrangements, popular and world music. Proceeds benefit environmental studies at the Park. $18. 860-285-1886, northwestpark.org.
 PIANO PLUS
Sun Feb 5, 3pm, Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St, Hartford. Be enamored by gentle, yet resounding keystrokes at this edition of the Baby Grand Jazz series. Taino Pacheco, jazz pianist and former student of Artists Collective, performs an impressive selection of tunes to squeeze some fun into Sunday. Free. 860-695-6300, hplct.org.
|
|
7-DAY SURVEY
Tell us what you think about the 7-Day in this quick 9 question survey! You can enter a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to Black Eyed Sally's restaurant in Hartford.
Click here to fill it out and receive our eternal gratitude! |
|
|
LET*S GO ARTS! DISCOUNT PACKAGE OF THE WEEK:
While a romantic Valentine’s evening of wine and fine dining dances on the outskirts of your mind, keep the magic of the evening without spending a pretty penny with your Let*s GO Arts! card. As always, these discounts are our way of saying “Thanks!” for your United Arts Campaign donation.
Liven up the evening at University of Hartford’s Vocal Study’s Division’s presentation of The Hotel Casablanca. Let*s GO Arts! members receive 2-for-1 admission.
You save: ~$20.
Hit the town for a delicious meal at Koji in Hartford. Let*s GO Arts! members receive 20% off up to 2 dinner entrees.
You save: ~$3-$5.
Does your guitar heroism stem solely from video games? See a master of the real instrument as CT Guitar Society presents Johannes Möller. Let*s GO Arts! members receive a $5 discount.
You Save: ~$10.
TOTAL WEEK’S SAVINGS: ~$33-$35!
|
|
FEBRUARY VACATION WEEK ACTIVITIES
Looking to yank your kids away from the TV/Computer and get them to LIVE this February Vacation? Check out our listing of artsy fun happenings all around Greater Hartford!
Click here for more information.
|
|
THE EVENTS
DON'T STOP HERE! |
|
There are a lot of events we can't fit into the "7 Day A&E Forecast" each week. But there is a place you can find them all: the Arts Council's fully searchable online cultural calendar at LetsGoArts.org/Calendar
It's the region's most comprehensive cultural calendar, with no advertising or log-on procedures—just thousands of performances, exhibitions, sporting events, workshops, galas and other activities. You can search by date, venue, event type, town and keyword. You'll find all the event information you need, plus some helpful links and money-saving ideas.
Funded through a grant by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Catalyst Endowment.
| |