Category: Connecticut Travel

The wonders and surprises of Earth’s “final frontier” will splash across the six-story IMAX Theater screen beginning on Fri., Oct. 5 with the premiere of “Oceans: Our Blue Planet” at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

This beautiful new film offers larger-than-life encounters with such familiar animals as dolphins, sea otters, and walruses, while also introducing unusual deep-sea species like “yeti” crabs, a barreleye fish and dumbo octopus. “Oceans: Our Blue Planet” will play at 11 a.m. and 2 & 4 p.m. daily through March 14, 2019. It’s narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet, and sponsored locally by the Santa Family Fund.

“We’re excited to give audiences this inspiring, beautiful exploration of the world ocean,” said Dave Sigworth, the Aquarium’s publicist. “We love how the movie blends new discoveries, while also serving as a primer for those who are new to the ocean environment and issues affecting it. And, of course, it is spectacular on our IMAX screen.”

The Maritime Aquarium has the largest IMAX Theater in Connecticut. Its giant screen and 70mm film-projection system combine the brightest, clearest images at almost 10 times the resolution of standard-projection formats with powerful, laser-aligned digital sound and customized theater geometry to create the world’s most immersive film experience.

The 41-minute movie transports audiences through ocean habitats of increasing depths, from coral reefs in warm tropical “shallows” to the surprisingly populated deep black sea. Among the encounters are those with a very cunning octopus and an ingenious tuskfish, whose use of a tool to feed was previously believed to be beyond the ability of fish.

“Even ocean creatures that we already knew were smart are continuing to surprise us,” Winslet says of a scene that has a pod of dolphins passing down knowledge to a young calf.

In kelp forests, the balance of nature plays out as sea urchins – which can ravage kelp – are kept in check by hungry urchin-eating sea otters.

And, thanks to technologies that take ocean exploration to new extremes, the film introduces audiences to such deep-sea creatures as “yeti” crabs (with “hairy white arms on which they farm bacteria to eat”) and a barreleye fish (“with a transparent head so that it can look up through its skull”).

“Oceans: Our Blue Planet” concludes in the Arctic to show that shrinking ice caps are creating new challenges for such animals as walruses and polar bears.

“Just as we’re beginning to understand the sophisticated lives of sea creatures, so we begin to recognize the fragility of their home,” Winslet says. “There has never been a more crucial time to continue this journey of discovery because our future too depends on a healthy blue planet and who knows what other secrets are out there, waiting to be discovered.”

“Oceans: Our Blue Planet” is a collaboration between BBC Earth and OceanX Media, based during a global odyssey with researchers aboard Ocean X’s 184-foot research vessel, the M/V Alucia.

Other IMAX movies showing at The Maritime Aquarium this fall – and their show times beginning Oct. 5 – are “Backyard Wilderness” (noon daily) and “Pandas” (1 & 3 p.m. daily). One daytime

IMAX movie is included with Maritime Aquarium admission: $24.95 for adults; $22.95 for seniors (65+); and $17.95 for children (3-12).

Watch the three films’ trailers, access educational materials and purchase your tickets at http://www.maritimeaquarium.org/imax.

The American Museum of Tort Law has a new program: Leaders in Law Presentation Series which will take place in the theater at the Museum, 654 Main Street, Winsted.

The first presentation is on September 27th at 7 p.m. with legendary Attorney Thomas Girardi. While Thomas Girardi has garnered many multi-million dollar verdicts, he is perhaps best known for the case against Pacific Gas & Electric Company. This case was the inspiration for the movie Erin Brockovich. As Mr. Girardi commented: “That particular case revolutionized people’s thinking about all the toxic things they are exposed to. Then all of a sudden, people started to understand it and that’s had far-reaching effects clear up through today.”

Mr. Girardi will be interviewed and then offer a Master Class in a Town Hall-style format with the opportunity for live, interactive conversation. The Museum staff would like to invite you and your friends to attend.

This presentation is the first in a series of three. The other two presentations scheduled for the Fall are: Thomas Fortune Fay, Esq, on November 8th and John Barylick, Esq. on December 6th.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.tortmuseum.org and are $20. If you have any questions please contact Joan Bowman, Director of Engagement at the Museum at joan@tortmuseum.org or call the Museum at 860-379-0505.

The Sharon Historical Society & Museum and Sharon Town Hall present the September History at the Hall lecture on Friday, September 28, at 5 pm. Brent Colley’s talk, “Mark Twain in Russia”.

This lecture by Brent Colley will look at the surprising story of how the love for Mark Twain in the Soviet Union bridged the cultural divide with America. Between 1918 and 1958 over 10 million of Twain’s books were sold in the USSR, and like in the US, his books were standard reading material for schoolchildren. Russians saw in his books the “true” America, a stark contrast to Soviet propaganda. The lecture will take place at the Sharon Town Hall, 2nd floor Chapin Meeting Hall and is free and open to the public.
he Sharon Historical Society & Museum is pleased to announce an open call seeking entries for its upcoming show in Gallery SHS, “Anything Goes!”, a juried exhibition and sale running from October 27 through December 14, 2018. Gallery SHS invites artists to submit for consideration original works in any medium (e.g. Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Photography, Pastel, Ink, Graphite, Drawing, Print, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Assemblage, Fabric, Stone, Clay, Metal). The show has no requirements limiting subject matter or size of artwork, Anything Goes! The Gallery Committee says “bring us your best work!”

Theo Coloumbe will serve as judge for Anything Goes!. Coloumbe earned his BFA in Photography at Philadelphia College of Art and followed that with a MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art. He has been working in art and photography since his move to Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 1993 and is currently director of the Standard Space gallery in Sharon, exhibiting contemporary artwork by emerging and mid-career artists working across diverse media.

There is a non-refundable entry fee of $25.00 for up to two (2) works of art, $10.00 for each additional submission. The show’s Judge will select the art to be exhibited and award cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 to three pieces. In addition, guests who attend the show’s opening night will have the opportunity to select their favorite work of art which will receive the “SHS Crowd Pleaser” award. Submissions must be delivered on Saturday, October 20. The Prospectus, Entry Forms and detailed Terms and Conditions can be downloaded by clicking below. For more information http://sharonhist.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Prospectus-Anything-Goes-2018.pdf

– Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is pleased to announce the newest addition to the Zoo family, a three-year-old male Red wolf named Peanut. After arriving on July 18, 2018 from the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York, the last several weeks have been devoted to making him familiar with his new home. Verified to be in excellent physical condition by the Zoo’s on-site veterinarian, Peanut has joined the Zoo’s existing female Red wolf, Shy, in the Red wolf habitat. Guests will be able to view Peanut and Shy between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily from the W.O.L.F. Cabin (Wolf Observation Learning Facility).

Born on May 2, 2015, Peanut’s transfer is part of the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP).
Red wolves are facing extinction in the wild for a second time. Thirty years after the Federal Government reintroduced Red wolves to the 150,000 acre Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, a mix of swamp and forest, the only distinctly American wolf is losing its fight for survival. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists introduced more than 100 captive-bred wolves into the refuge and saw the population peak at more than 225 wolves a decade ago. Their numbers have plummeted today to fewer than 40. Wolves have been shot by homeowners and farmers, hit by cars, and removed for doing what comes naturally to wolves: roaming to find new territory.

Seeing a red wolf in the wild today is one of the rarest sights in nature. The Species Survival Plan for the endangered Red wolf has played a critical role in preserving this imperiled species through carefully managed breeding. It is hoped that Peanut and Shy will breed to ensure the long-term sustainability of Red wolves in human care. The future of Red wolves in the wild remains unknown. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened a second public comment period for its final decision on removing management efforts from private lands, a move that scientists and Red wolf biologists fear will mean the end of the species in the wild.

“Peanut is a beautiful Red wolf, and an important ambassador for his critically endangered species,” explained Gregg Dancho, zoo director. “Welcoming Peanut to the Zoo at this time gives us a platform for alerting our guests to the fragile state of Red wolves in the wild. They have a very uncertain future, except in SSP programs in Zoos.”

“The Zoo’s SSP/breeding program exists to bolster the dwindling number of animals still in the wild,” explained Dancho. “It’s a real testament to our Zoo’s strong reputation for working to protect endangered species and to educate our guests about them. It’s an important part of our mission.”

Have you ever wondered what’s behind the scenes of a theater or what the symbolism of a ghost light is? That and much more will be explored and explained during the Palace Theater’s monthly tour on Saturday, September 22 from 11:00 am – 12:30pm.  The guided tour offers an opportunity to get an insider’s view and learn about the magic behind the curtain along with the history and lore steeped in ninety-five years as an entertainment venue and community gathering place.  Admission to the tour given by trained Palace Ambassadors is $5.00 per person and can be purchased online at www.palacetheaterct.org, by phone at 203-346-2000, or in person at the Box Office, 100 East Main St. in Waterbury. Groups of ten or more are asked to contact the Box Office in advance to register their group.

During the tour, attendees are led through nine decades of the theater’s entertaining history including facts and some lore, while viewing and learning about the stunning architecture and backstage magic related to the Palace story. In addition to exploring the public spaces, tour takers will have the opportunity to visit hidden areas that are off-limits to patrons attending shows or events, such as the green room, wig room and star dressing rooms.  You can even stop to take a selfie at the stage door. Tour takers will also be able to experience the thrill of walking across the stage and viewing the venue’s hidden backstage murals featuring show motifs painted and signed by past performers and Broadway touring company cast members. Guests will also browse a collection of the theater’s pre-restoration photos, in addition to viewing elements from the Palace’s Tenth Anniversary History Exhibit, which include a visual timeline of historic milestones dating back to 1922, as well as original theater seats from the 1920s.

The 90-minute tour and is led by engaging volunteers well-versed in the theater’s rich history, architectural design and entertaining anecdotal information. The walking tour covers five floors of history and architecture, including grand staircases from the 1920’s. While elevator access is available, guests with challenges walking or climbing stairs or other health concerns are asked to inform the Box Office ahead of time, so that the tour guides can make accommodations in advance to ensure a pleasurable experience for all.  

In addition to the regularly scheduled monthly dates, the Palace tour makes a memorable activity for alumni associations, client cultivation and other groups. Accommodations can be made for private tours that include refreshments or lunch.  For inquiries contact Deirdre Patterson at 203.346.2011.

The annual celebration of Mother Nature at White Memorial Foundation on 80 White Hall Road in Litchfield is a must for folks of all ages. This 37th edition is chock full of the greatest presenters! Brian Bradley will be here with his beautiful free-flying hawks and falcons.

Learn about Bats and Porcupines from Gerri Griswold. Riverside Reptiles’ Brian Kleinman is perhaps the greatest mind in reptiles in our state.

Come visit the many friends he’ll be bringing along. Meet a Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, and more with Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Center! Music will be provided by The Redwood Hill Band and The Zolla Boys.

The day is filled with live animals, guided nature walks, information booths, horse-drawn wagon rides, and yummy food provided by The Litchfield Lions Club, Hardcore Cupcake Truck, and Cups and Cones Ice Cream. Shop until you drop at the artisans market. Get in a bidding war at our silent auction.

Lots of nature crafts for the kiddies too! Will you be the winner of a trip for two to Iceland (donated by Krummi Travel LLC) with Gerri Griswold in January or be spending three nights in the Catskills at The Beaverkill Valley Inn? Those are the first and second prizes in our annual raffle!

So much to do! Feed your mind, body, and soul! 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Admission: $6.00, Center Members and children under 12 are FREE!