7-Day Arts & Entertainment Forecast  

Wed 9/1/10 – Tue 9/7/10             
This week, to accompany your arts and entertainment events, enjoy this musical sample from George Winston, Track no. 7 ("Lullaby") from his album "Summer" (1991). Summer’s simple elegance comes alive on his piano.

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.

NEAR OR FAR, IT’S ALL IN YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Thu Sep 2, 4:30-6:30pm, Connecticut Culture and Tourism Art Gallery, One Constitution Plaza, 2nd Floor, Hartford. “Figurative Distance” presents a selection of works by 8 CCT Artist Fellowship Program recipients. The artworks selected convey the illusion, reality, or psychology of distance through the use of the human form. Through Nov 5.  Gallery: Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. Free. 860-256-2800, cultureandtourism.org/cct

THREE EXHIBITS BLOOM IN ONE GALLERY [UA]
Thu Sep 2, 5:30pm, Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Ave, Hartford. Opening for Kyle Andrew Phillips’ “Multi-Layered Abstractions,” which features 20 mixed-media abstractions on cold press watercolor paper, including transparent layers of oil paint, watercolor, and graphite. On view through Fri Sep 24. Also: Dr. Baldev Gambhir & Pragati Sharma’s “Epoch & Era,” whose work provides a break from the hum-drum of daily life. Through Sep 19. Wine and hors d'oeuvres served opening night Thu Sep 2. Free. 860-249-1207, charteroakcenter.org

METTLE IN THE PETALS
Thu Sep 2, 6pm, Elizabeth Park, Asylum and Prospect Sts, Hartford. Join horticultural experts on a tour of the beautiful rose garden. Meet at the entrance to the rose garden at 6pm. Free. 860-231-9443, elizabethpark.org



THE INGREDIENTS OF SUSTAINABILITY
Thu Sep 2, 7pm, Holcomb Farm, 113 Simsbury Rd, West Granby. Join Holcomb Farm staff for a potluck social and film festival. Bring a dish to share, a chair/blanket, and enjoy great company, delicious food and a fabulous film about sustainable living: “Ingredients,” narrated by Bebe Neuwirth. The film explores diversified farms to the urban food deserts, and kitchens of celebrated chefs like Alice Waters. Rain moves the event inside. Free. 860-844-8616 ext. 10, holcombfarm.org

STAFF IN THE SPOTLIGHT [UA]
Thu Sep 2, 6-8pm, West Hartford Art League, 69 Raymond Rd, West Hartford. West Hartford Art League Faculty members exhibit their work in the gallery at Blue Back Square. Faculty include: Carol Ganick, Zbigniew Gryzb, Jennifer Knaus, Ed Johnetta Fowler Miller, Robert Noreika, and Mallory Ostrowitz. Exhibit through Sun Sep 26. Gallery Hours: Mon-Wed, 9am-1pm, Thu & Fri 9am-3pm, Sat & Sun, 1-4pm. Free admission. 860-231-8019, westhartfordart.org

WHEN AGING IS BEAUTIFUL [UA]
Fri Sep 3, 9am-4pm, Stanley-Whitman House, 37 High St, Farmington. Mario Pires exhibits a series of watercolors entitled “Rust in Peace.” Pires’ images address how the effects of time, weather, and the idea of maintenance have affected everyday objects. A public reception for Pires will be held Sat Sep 11, 1-3pm. Through Sep 30. Gallery: Wed-Fri, 9am-4pm; Sat-Sun, 12-4pm. Free. 860-677-9222, stanleywhitman.org (photo of rust not from artist)

RIPPING IT UP ON THE RIVER
Fri Sep 3, 10am-4pm; Sat Sep 4 and Sun Sep 5, 10am-4pm. Great River Park, East Hartford Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Hartford. Over Labor Day weekend, the Connecticut River will froth with the roar of engines and the spray of rooster tails. The premier PRO outboard racing organization in the United States, US Title Series, concludes its 6-month-long season here in East Hartford and Hartford. World record racers from around the country bring their custom American- and European-manufactured 2-stroke engines — all dialed in for high-performance racing. Fri: On-water Race Testing. Sat & Sun: Racing events. Free. 860-713-3131, riverfront.org

STEEPED IN JAZZ [UA]
Fri Sep 3, 5:30-8pm, New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. First Friday offers live jazz music, a chance to view the Museum’s collection, gallery talks, art activities, and the chance to mingle over appetizers. Enjoy the sounds of Mary Ellen Lonergan accompanied by Kent Hewitt, Jeff Fuller, and Ben Bilello. Pianist Kent Hewitt is a mainstay of the Southern New England jazz scene for many years, bassist Jeff Fuller has appeared with Dizzy Gillespie, and Mary Ellen studied jazz vocals at the Hartford Conservatory. $10. 860-229-0257, nbmaa.org.

FROM GRAFFITI TO NEO-EXPRESSIONISM [UA]
Fri Sep 3, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm, Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor St, Hartford. Screenings of Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child. Through Thu Sep 9. After the 7pm screening on the 9th, join a conversation with Basquiat’s longtime girlfriend and muse, Suzanne Mallouk. $4.50-$9. 2-for-1 on Mon & Tues w/ Let*s GO Arts! 860-232-1006, realartways.org

OLD-SCHOOL COOL RULES [UA]
Sat Sep 4, 10am-1pm, Connecticut Historical Society, One Elizabeth St, Hartford. With the beginning of the school year in full swing, step back in time and discover what it would have been like to attend school in the 1700s. No pencils, no backpacks, and no computers, for sure! Participate in drop-in activities, such as writing with a quill pen and making a colonial hornbook. Free. 860-236-5621 ext. 222, chs.org

ARTFUL OPEN HOUSE
Sat Sep 4, 10am-4pm, Farmington Valley Arts Center, 25 Arts Center Lane, Avon. FVAC Artists have had a productive summer sharing their works and studio spaces with summer youth programming. Stroll through and see recent works in the 20 studios along the boardwalk featuring drawings, paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, and seat weaving. Free. 860-678-1867, artsfvac.org

FROM BOOK PAGES ARISE INSPRIRED NOTES
Sat Sep 4, 8-10pm, Polish National Home, 60 Charter Oak Ave, Hartford. MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient Miguel Zenon presents the North American debut of his next project, La Rayuela, inspired by a novel by Argentinean author Julio Cortazar that takes place both in Paris and in Buenos Aires. Miguel has written music for the Parisian chapters and teams up with French pianist Laurent Coq on the Argentinian portions. The two are joined by cello and trombone player Dana Leong and percussion and tabla master Dan Weiss. $10. $5 w/ Let*s GO Arts! 860-539-4310, miguelzenon.com

PETALS & FRAMES  [UA]
Sun Sep 5, Estate Walk 10-11:30am; Gallery Talk 1-1:45pm. Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Rd, Farmington. Estate Walk at 10am: Journey Around Farmington: starting at Hill-Stead, estate naturalist Diane Tucker leads participants on short walks at Hill-Stead and on the Conklin Trail off Meadow Rd, discussing the flora and fauna of each along the way. Gallery Talk at 1pm: The Art of the Frame: join frame maker Peter H. Miller, owner of P.H. Miller Studio in Woodbury for a look at Hill-Stead's outstanding collection of European- and American-made frames. Estate Walk: $5. Gallery Talk: $5-$10. 2-for-1 w/ Let*s GO Arts! (applies to Gallery Talk only). 860-677-4787, hillstead.org

WE’RE HOOKED
Sun Sep 5, 6:30pm, SS&C SummerWind Performing Arts Center, 40 Griffin Rd, North Windsor. Long established in the music scene, Blues Traveler continues to stake out new musical territory and embrace fresh challenges. With 23 years of experience under their belt, you’ll be wowed by singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. The show opens with Luke Mulholland & The Steve Palmer Band. $35-$60. $10 off with Let*s GO Arts! For discounted tickets, call group sales: 860-987-5959. Use the code: GO ARTS. Tix must be ordered by 2pm on Friday or wait until the day of the show (Sunday) and purchase the tickets at will call. 800-745-3000, sscsummerwind.org