Category: Connecticut Travel

The Amistad is a replica of a Spanish Schooner and is Connecticut’s official flagship and Tall Ship Ambassador. Each summer this vessel becomes a floating classroom, the crew consists of about eight high school students who remain on the ship for about two weeks along with the Captain. In addition to getting a firsthand lesson in American History, the students come away with many teambuilding experiences that are learned when sailing this massive ship.​

​The Amistad will be mooring off of Sheffield Island in Norwalk on July 26 and August 14 that will give visitors cruising to Sheffield Island on these days a special look at this 136 ton, 129-foot schooner.​
History of the Amistad

The Amistad was made famous by a slave revolt made by Mende captives in 1839. The captives were illegally purchased African slaves being transported from Cuba aboard the Spanish built Amistad. The mutiny was successful and the African captives seized the ship, killing two members of the crew and ordered the survivors to sail the ship to Africa.

The surviving crew, however, steered the Amistad north where it was intercepted by an American brig off the coast of Long Island, and the crew and slaves were taken to Connecticut where they were interned. The two Spaniards that enslaved the Africans were freed by the Americans, and the slaves were imprisoned.
At a hearing in Hartford, a federal court judge ruled that the Africans were not liable for their actions because they were enslaved illegally. The case proceeded to the Supreme Court where former President, John Quincy Adams defended the Africans, arguing they should be granted their freedom. The Court agreed because international slave trade was illegal and, further, that people escaping should be recognized as free under American Law.

About the Sheffield Island Ferry Cruise and Tickets

To get a unique and close up view of this historic ship on July 26 and August 14, book your tickets on the Sheffield Island Ferry. On this cruise you will tour the island, the lighthouse and the captain will cruise around the Amistad Vessel for close up and unique views. On August 14, the Ferry departs the dock at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Be sure to arrive about 30 minutes prior to boarding to snag the best seat and to facilitate boarding. For tickets click here https://seaport.org/TICKETS.​

Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury, Connecticut has announced several upcoming dates for goat yoga sessions at their North Barn. Come stretch, laugh, and cuddle with the goats at a yoga session you will find both relaxing and exhilarating at the same time and are not soon to forget!

Classes are scheduled for Sunday, August 12th at 10AM as well as Sunday, September 9th at 10AM and Sunday, September 16th at 9AM. Experienced yoga instructors will be leading guests during these one-hour gentle yoga classes which are suitable for all ages. Adorable Nigerian dwarf goats will be frolicking & cuddling with guests as they flow through gentle poses at the picturesque Flanders farm.

Participants should keep in mind that they’ll be practicing with live animals and some degree of messiness (and a LOT of silliness) may be involved so they should dress accordingly, wearing comfortable clothes and bringing along a yoga mat or towel.

The programs will be held at the Flanders North Barn which is located at 644 Flanders Road in Woodbury just beyond the intersection of Flanders and Church Hill Road. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members for adults and $10 for ages 15 and under accompanied by an adult. Rain cancels the classes. Check the Flanders facebook page for any weather announcements. Guests will have the option of attending a rescheduled date or a refund.

Proceeds of goat yoga go to the Flanders farming program. Space is limited and those interested need to register online at http://www.flandersnaturecenter.org or call 203-263-3711, ext. 10, for more information.

About Flanders

Flanders is a community organization dedicated to preserving our environment and history through land acquisition, conservation and management, and using its stewardship of land to foster better understanding and appreciation of nature, art and the wonders of the natural world. Our vision is a future in which our important forests, wet lands, agricultural lands and wildlife habitats are preserved forever, and in which we follow best practices for land stewardship, be a leading center for environmental education for all ages, partner with all levels of government and private organizations to conserve our natural heritage, and insure the financial resources needed to achieve these goals.

TheatreWorks’ TW Kids Summer Program, Getting to Know Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is for kids ages 7 to 17 and begins on Monday, July 23rd and runs through Friday, August 10th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day. Instructor Anthony Depoto and musical director Anna DeMasi lead this amazing and fun program giving students the opportunity to learn the craft of live musical performance on an authentic stage. A performance for friends and family will take place on August 10, 11 and 12. Tuition for this three-week program is $480.00.

The Fall/Holiday Musical will be Annie Jr. for kids ages 7 to 17. This program begins on September 29 and runs through December 15 on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Professional theatre, music, and dance instructors will take students through the audition and rehearsal process in an authentic theatre setting. The students will then perform for friends, family, and public during the weekend of December 15th. There are many roles available for beginners and experienced theatre kids including featured roles as well as ensemble parts for orphans, servants, and tourists. Tuition for this 11 week program is $520.00.

Registration is open for both programs at http://theatreworks.us

All classes and performances take place at ​ TheatreWorks at​ 5 Brookside Avenue, New Milford, CT. If you have any questions, please call 860-350-6863 or send an email to Lori Larson at twkids@theatreworks.us.

TheatreWorks is a multiple award-winning, non-Eq

If you woke up to rain, we’d like you to know that Weekend in Norfolk spirits are not dampened and all the indoor events will take place as scheduled. Here’s a rundown on what we know about the outdoor events now, and we will update this page as information comes in.

BEING HELD AS SCHEDULED

All indoor events (stained glass tours, Curling Club open house, art shows at historical society and Infinity, informational session about the Downtown Norfolk plan, all library events, Whitehouse tours, Music Shed concerts, etc.)

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The landscaping workshop at Aton Forest (270 Colebrook Road) will take place indoors with some walking in the rain.

9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Land Trust trails are still open but note that they will be wet and probably will be be muddy and slippery in places. The Hike-the-Peaks challenge continues tomorrow.

10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The walk on Stoney Lonesome is taking place as planned. Bring boots and rainwear!

10:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. The farmers market at 19 Maple Avenue is rain or shine.

12:00 to 3:00 p.m. The water soccer is being held outdoors at the Mountain Road billfold as planned (what’s a little rain compared to a firehose?).

12:30 to 1:30 Billy Bunce will perform rain or shine. (So will Moon Matrix and Soul Case.)

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The hotdog eating contest is being held as scheduled, under a tent. Better bring an umbrella in case the tent overflows.

2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Moon Matrix will perform rain or shine. (So will Billy Bunce and Soul Case.)

4:0 to 6:00 p.m. Soul Case will perform rain or shine. (So will Moon Matrix and Billy Bunce.)

CONTINGENCY PLANS

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The leaf printing event will move to Battell Chapel on the west side of the green if it’s still raining; if you don’t see it on the green (at the Route 44 end), then go to the chapel and look for signs to tell you which room.

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Similarly, the sewing class will move to the historical society museum on the east side of the green in case of rain.

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The fishing events will move to Sunday at the same time and place (the Village Green) if it’s raining at 1:00.

ALL OTHER OUTDOOR EVENT PLANS TO BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS WE GET WORD FROM EVENT SPONSORS

One day of Halloween just isn’t enough for some Halloween enthusiasts! Not to worry, the Seaport Association of Norwalk has a magical brew of events that will thrill young and old alike on the Haunted Lighthouse Cruise to Sheffield Island taking place on August 4 and 5. This fun-filled, child–friendly event is perfect for a family summer outing…and, best of all the chance for kids to dress up in their favorite costume before October 31!

A 45-minute cruise through Long Island Sound listening to tales of the sea sets the stage as passengers approach the 150-year-old Sheffield Island Lighthouse that is located on a wind and wave-swept deserted Island. The only way to find out what fearsome and friendly spirits reside here is to hop off the CJ Toth ferry and get ready to explore this uniquely spooktacular place with its abandoned lighthouse that has attracted supernatural beings every August for centuries.

Witches and wizards have carefully decorated the rooms of the Sheffield Lighthouse with added touches by the ghosts of lighthouse keepers that lived here in lonely isolation for long periods of time. In these rooms, visitors will find all manner of otherworldly fun – it is where spooks, spirits, spiders, sea witches, and creatures of the night abound.

It is horrifically fun to roam through the rooms of the lighthouse that seem to twist and turn and where there is a surprise around every corner! There is even one very special room that is completely dark where only the strong of heart and pure of mind should dare enter

Tickets and Times
The Haunted Lighthouse Cruise takes place on August 4 and 5 and the ferry leaves at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on both days from the Seaport’s Dock located on 4 North Water Street in South Norwalk. It is best to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure in order to snag the best seat and to facilitate boarding the ferry. The ferry only carries 49 passengers by law so advance reservations are strongly recommended. To reserve your tickets for this horrifically fun event click here https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3341933.

About the Seaport Association
The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had a vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage.

The Norwalk Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue, which strives to increase awareness, appreciation and consideration for our environment and how the preservation of historic buildings and nature contribute to our quality of life.

It is our belief that preservation strengthens the perpetual partnership between the past, the present and the future. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment and maritime heritage.

Music Mountain, America’s longest running summer chamber music festival, continues its 89th season with the Avalon String Quartet performing a program of Beethoven, Mozart, Dohnanyi and Shostakovich on Sunday, August 5 (3pm). The weekend music begins on Saturday, August 4 (6:30pm) with first time guest Jimmy Greene Quartet – bringing his remarkable sound and vibrant jazz to Music Mountain! Concerts are scheduled through September 23.

Sunday afternoon welcomes Avalon String Quartet with guest artist Soyeon Kate Lee, Piano performing Beethoven: Piano Quartet #2 in D Major, WoO 36; Mozart: String Quartet in D Major, K. 575 “Prussian;” Shostakovich: String Quartet #7 in F Sharp Minor, Op. 108; and Dohnanyi: Piano Quintet in C Minor, Op. 1.

Described by the Chicago Tribune as “an ensemble that invites you — ears, mind, and spirit — into its music,” the Avalon String Quartet has established itself as one of the country’s leading chamber music ensembles. The Avalon String Quartet has performed in major venues across the U.S., in London and Germany. Their many recordings have been received with critical acclaim and their live performances are often featured on Chicago’s WFMT. The Avalon String Quartet is quartet-in-residence at the Northern Illinois University School of Music.

Korean-American pianist Soyeon Kate Lee has been lauded by the New York Times as a pianist with “a huge, richly varied sound, a lively imagination and a firm sense of style,” and by the Washington Post for her “stunning command of the keyboard.” Lee has been rapturously received as guest soloist and recitalist and is an active chamber musician, frequently collaborating in many chamber music festivals throughout the United States. Ms. Lee is the co-founder and artistic director of Music by the Glass, a concert series dedicated to bringing together young professionals in New York City.

GRAMMY® Award-nominated saxophonist, composer, arranger – and Connecticut native – Jimmy Greene is considered one of the most respected saxophonists of his generation. His solo albums have been met with critical acclaim, he has appeared on numerous albums as a sideman and has toured and/or recorded with the likes of Horace Silver, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Harry Connick, Jr., and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, among many others. The Jimmy Greene Quartet includes keyboardist Xavier Davis, bassist Luques Curtis, and drummer Jamire Williams, in addition to Jimmy Greene on tenor saxophone. The ensemble performs regularly in jazz venues, festivals and clubs worldwide.

In December 2012, Mr. Greene’s daughter, Ana Márquez-Greene’s life was taken at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Beautiful Life, is a poignant, reflective program that honors his daughter’s love of singing with a program combining jazz, spirituals, contemporary Christian music and ballads. Greene continues to honor and memorialize her spirit with his most recent album, Flowers.

The Saturday Evening Twilight Series features pre-concert dinners at the charming Falls Village Inn. Experience a piece of history built over 175 years ago that helped shape the history of Falls Village.

Music Mountain is located in Falls Village, Connecticut on Music Mountain Road, where a short scenic drive will bring you to Gordon Hall atop Music Mountain. Free parking and picnic facilities are available. Music Mountain is supported, in part, by the Connecticut Commission On Culture & Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Chamber music concerts continue with Amernet String Quartet with Chauncey Patterson, viola and Ronald Thomas, cello (August 12); St. Petersburg Piano Quartet (August 19); Cassatt String Quartet with Paul Katz, cello (August 26); and the Labor Day Benefit Concert & Reception featuring Peter Serkin, piano, Jihyun (James) Kim, oboe, Caitlin Beare, clarinet, Claire Worsey, horn, and Adam Romey, bassoon (September 2).

The Saturday Evening Twilight Series continues with Galvanized Jazz Band (August 11); Josh Lawrence & Color Theory (August 18); Amina Figarova Quintet (August 25); and Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet (September 1).

Specially Priced Concerts include: Labor Day Benefit Concert & Reception on Sunday, September 2. All tickets $75. Special Concert & Wine Reception to Celebrate the Completion of the Beethoven Quartet Cycle on Sunday, September 9. All tickets: $60.

Regularly scheduled Chamber Music Concerts are $35. Twilight Series Concerts are $30. Concert & Dinner Passes are available for all Twilight Series Concerts for $70; includes Pre-Concert Dinner (5pm) at The Falls Village Inn, a Litchfield County landmark – Classic American comfort fare, seasonal – and 6:30pm Twilight Concert at Music Mountain. Dinner reservations must be made no later than the Friday prior to concert date by calling the Music Mountain box office at 860-824-7126.

Children ages 5-18 are admitted FREE to ALL CONCERTS when accompanied by a ticket holder. Saturday evening Twilight Concerts are at 6:30 pm. Sunday afternoon Chamber Music concerts are at 3 pm. Discounts apply through participating organizations. For a complete summer schedule, special ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form visit musicmountain.org or call (860) 824-7126.