Tri-Arts Theatre’s Patio Cabarets July 21-27

Fun at TriArts New Venue – Photo credit: Sean Bemand

TriArts Sharon Playhouse has announced a new venue for summer fun…Patio Cabarets! The entertainment will take place on the new covered patio attached to the Sharon Playhouse. Patio cabarets will feature the talented production cast members from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Altar Boyz. Cabarets will commence after the regular main stage performance on selected dates. The performers will be singing material of their own: Broadway, standards, pop, country…you’ll hear it all!

Tri-Arts is always looking for new ways to make the Sharon Playhouse a place that people can enjoy and with this new beautiful patio and bar area it is a winning combination. Patrons are encouraged to arrive at the Playhouse early for a bite to eat and then (on certain nights) stay late to enjoy the tremendous talents of the casts. As all theatre goers know, sometimes actors don’t have the ability to showcase their full talents in any given production role. The conviviality inspired by patio cabarets will both allow incredible performers to impress with their myriad skills, as well as continue to find ways for audiences and artists to mingle.”

Photo credit: Sean Bemand

The environment is casual and the bar will be open; stay for a few minutes or for the entire hour.

Patio Cabarets will take place on Saturday July 21st, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, July 25th; 26th and 27th. There is no charge and you will have the chance to meet the cast.

Upcoming Shows

The 2012 Summer Season at TriArts Sharon Playhouse continues with The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Adinah Alexander, the award-winning musical Altar Boyz (July 20-29) and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music (August 9-26).

About TriArts Sharon Playhouse

TriArts Sharon Playhouse (Alice Bemand, Executive Director; Michael Berkeley and John Simpkins, Artistic Directors) is a not-for-profit theatre, located in Litchfield Hills, Sharon, CT. In addition to producing mainstage musicals and many special events each summer season, TriArts also offers a summer youth theatre program, workshops and readings of new musicals, concerts, and special events throughout the year in its Bok Gallery. For more information on TriArts Sharon Playhouse, please visit http://www.triarts.net or call 860-364-SHOW (7469).

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Civil War Living History Encampment in Easton

Company F of the 14th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry

The Historical Society of Easton is celebrating the 151st Anniversary of the Civil War on Saturday, July 21st from 10 AM to 3 PM with a Civil War Encampment Day at the Bradley-Hubbell House located at 535 Black Rock Turnpike, Easton. The Encampment will consist of soldiers and civilian re-enactors from Company F of the 14th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry that will portray the original 14th CVI’s daily life and activities.

Of all the regiments Connecticut sent to the Union armies in the Civil War, the most famous was the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. The regiment marched and fought with Lincoln’s Army, the Army of the Potomac and participated in 34 battles and skirmishes. The 14th Connecticut lost more men killed in battle, in proportion to its size, and captured more prisoners, cannon and battle flags than any other Connecticut regiment.

The re-enactment will provide a glimpse into the daily life of the 14th CVI starting with a military drill and firing demonstrations, preparation for the noon meal on an open fire pit as well as a presentation of camp skills such as rifle loading, knapsack and blanket rolling. Civilian women will present how the home front helped the North win the war and demonstrate medical care and family life during the conflict. Additionally, period children’s games will run throughout the day.

Music of the period will be highlighted at 1 PM with vocal pieces led by Jen Eastman – Lawrence that depict the popular mood and sentiment of the antebellum, war-time and post- Civil War periods. Following the musical performance, a brief discussion by Jeff Lawrence about the origins of modern baseball will take place. “The Massachusetts Game”, one variant codified in 1858, will be demonstrated on the Bradley-Hubbell grounds and open to public participation!

A popular misconception of the Civil War is that exclusively white Anglo-Saxons fought it, but many ethnic groups took part in this great struggle. However, few people are aware that the Chinese were among them and the highest ranking of those, Joseph Pierce, fought with the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Irving Moy will present a program about Pierce’s Civil War experience along with Gary Horton, retired teacher and historian.

Company F is unique in offering both the military and civilian aspects of the Civil War Era. For more information about them visit their web site: www.cof14thcvi.com.

Admission to the daylong event is $5.00 per person.

About the Easton Historical Society

The program’s sponsor, The Historical Society of Easton manages two historic properties: the Adams Schoolhouse (c. 1850) and the Bradley-Hubbell House and Farmstead (c. 1816) listed on the National Register. For more information call the Society at (203) 261-2090. www.historicalsocietyofeastonct.org.

For area information www.visitwesternct.com

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65th Anniversary Promises Special House Tour in the Litchfield Hills July 14

Center of Litchfield (Jim McElholm photo)

New England’s oldest house tour, Open House Day in Litchfield, Connecticut, celebrates its 65th anniversary on Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the rare chance to visit five prize private properties in the early New England town that is famous for its grand and elegant homes. An impressive roster of homes with architectural and historical distinction is being assembled for this special year. Proceeds benefit Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR), an organization dedicated to helping troubled youths.

Tapping Reeve House and Law School

The Litchfield History Museum and the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, the first law school in America, will also be included in the admission price of the Tour. The History Museum is featuring a new exhibition, The Hour of Conflict; marking the anniversary of the Civil War by examining the ways the war im¬pacted the residents of Litchfield in the 1860s. The museum will also feature a juried art show sponsored by the Litchfield Visual Arts.

A Preview Tour will be offered Friday, July 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by a cocktail reception in a private home.

Litchfield Aid of CJR, an organization founded in 1911 by 12 Litchfield women to help support the programs and facilities of the Connecticut Junior Republic, sponsors the annual tour.

HOUSE TOUR INFORMATION

The self-guided house tour begins at 10 a.m. on July 14 the Information Booth on the Litchfield Green, where tickets may be purchased for $35. Advance purchase tickets, $30, may be ordered by mail from Litchfield Aid of CJR, P.O. Box 214, Litchfield, Connecticut 06759. A stamped, self-addressed envelope should be included with credit card information (Mastercard or Visa only), check or money order, made payable to Litchfield Aid of CJR. Ticket information for the Preview Tour and Party may be obtained by calling the Connecticut Junior Republic, 869-567-9423.

For details of the 65th Annual Open House Tour and ticket information for the Preview Tour and Party, contact the Connecticut Junior Republic at (860) 567-9423, between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM, or visit www.litchfieldct.com/cjr/tour.html.

For information about nearby events and a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to lodging, dining and all the attractions in the Litchfield Hills, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit their web site at http://www.litchfieldhills.com

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A Duo of Two Revolutionary Events July 7

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The Burning of Fairfield 223 Year Commemoration & Walking Tour

On Saturday, July 7th the Fairfield Museum and History Center has planned an evening walking tour from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm to commemorate the 1779 Burning of Fairfield.

On July 7, 1779, the people of Fairfield awoke to a warning shot from the fort at Black Rock, signaling that a British fleet was spotted off the coast.    For two days, Fairfield was under British attack with troops burning virtually all its buildings.  This attack was actually one of three attacks, including New Haven and Norwalk, along the Connecticut coastline.

Following the Burning of Fairfield in 1779, there was ongoing worry among citizens about a repeat attack and this concern eventually led to the construction of the Powderhouse in Fairfield, which is located behind the site of Tomlinson Middle School.

This year marks the 223 rd. anniversary date of the destruction of Fairfield by British troops. This year, the animated walking tour brings to life an exciting piece of Fairfield’s history and will include stops at various homes on or adjacent to the town green with actors portraying prominent citizens. The event is so authentic that actual letters and depositions from 1779 are used. This is living history in action because you can hear the actual dramatic words of Fairfield citizens who were witnesses to the burning of Fairfield.

The rain or shine walking tour will begin at the Fairfield Museum and History Center, located at 370 Beach Road in Fairfield.  Each tour is $5 for museum members and $8 for non-members.

The Fairfield Museum is located at 370 Beach Road in Fairfield, CT. Hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free for members, $5 for adults, $3 for students and free for children age 5 and under.  For more information on exhibits and upcoming programs, visit www.fairfieldhs.org or call the Fairfield Museum at 203-259-1598.  The Museum annually hosts more than 18,000 visitors. For area information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

 

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Hopkins Vineyard Celebrates 225 Years

On July 7 from noon to 5pm (rain date July 8th) Hopkins Vineyard, a National Bi-Centennial Farm (25 Hopkins Rd.) located in New Preston Connecticut will be celebrating 225 years of ownership by the same family.

The Hopkins Family has organized the Heritage Festival and is inviting the general public to come and experience this colonial themed event for free! The Heritage Festival, will be replete with music and costumes representing the year 1787.

In 1787, Elijah Hopkins, returning from the Revolutionary War, chose this rich and fertile site on Lake Waramaug to settle his family and start the Hopkins Farm. The farm, has witnessed many diversified forms of agriculture over the years including the raising of sheep, racehorses, grain crops, tobacco, and in the more recent past dairy farming.

In 1979, Bill Hopkins planted the first vines and converted his 19th century barn into a state-of-the-art winery that overlooks the serene waters of beautiful Lake Waramaug. The rest is award winning winemaking history.

Now in business for over 30 years this premier Connecticut Vineyard is celebrating its’ heritage in style. The events from noon to 5 pm at the Heritage Festival will include: Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard Parade at Noon followed by a Proclamation of the Anniversary, honoring American Patriot, Elijah Hopkins.

Adding ambience to the festival, there will be 18th Century Music by Hanford & Finlay, who will play Tavern Songs in addition to performing a family program called “In the Good Old Colony Days”.

There will be quilting, spinning and weaving, candle making, rope making, black smithing, kettle corn and open fire cooking displays. The festival will have plenty of fun children’s activities and games that will be provided by the Charles Merriman Society. The DAR will be on hand to help with genealogy research and an interesting selection of Colonial Era Arts and Crafts will be for sale.  Refreshments, baked goods and food catered by the Hopkins Inn will also be available.

For more information visit http://www.hopkinsvineyard.com. For area information and places to shop, stay and dine visit www.litchfieldhills.com.

 

 

 

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Maritime Aquarium’s Cruises Go Daily in July

Study Cruise aboard the Oceanic

Share a memorable boat ride with crabs, fish, lobsters and other creatures brought up right out of Long Island Sound right before your eyes during daily study cruises this summer with The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

The Aquarium’s exciting Marine Life Study Cruises will begin their daily schedule on July 1, departing at 1 p.m. each day through Labor Day. (In June, they push off at 1 p.m. on Saturdays.)

During each 21/2-hour Marine Life Study Cruise aboard the research vessel Oceanic, animals are collected from different water levels and bottom habitats of the Sound. A video microscope provides a magnified look at wriggly plankton gathered at the sunlit surface. Tiny crabs and worms emerge from a sampling of the anaerobic muddy bottom. A biodredge reveals a hidden world of sponges, snails and mollusks. And everyone inspects the trawl net’s bounty – varieties of fish and crabs, lobsters, sea stars, squid and always a few surprises.

The outings are much more than a boat ride. Maritime Aquarium educators involve participants in the processes, from sorting through samples to helping to pull in the trawl net and returning animals to the water. These animal encounters have immediate and incredible value in showing participants that the Sound is very much alive and worthy of our protection.

Besides being fun and eye-opening, Marine Life Study Cruises also contribute to local scientific research. Water-chemistry and weather readings are taken. And details about the animals brought onboard are entered into the Aquarium’s Long Island Sound Biodiversity Project, a database on the physical and biological features of the Sound. The database, available online for teachers and researchers, will reveal any changes in the Sound over time.

Also during the study cruises, as part of a Horseshoe Crab Census conducted by Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, The Maritime Aquarium tags and records data about all horseshoe crabs collected.

Cost of a Marine Life Study Cruise is $20.50 per person ($18.50 for Maritime Aquarium members). All passengers must be at least 42 inches tall. Reservations are strongly recommended; walk-up tickets will be sold space permitting. The Oceanic can accommodate 29 passengers. Marine Life Study Cruises also are available for private 9 a.m. charters for summer camps, Scouts and other groups. Cruises depart from the dock near the Aquarium’s IMAX Theater entrance. To reserve your spot on a Maritime Aquarium Marine Life Study Cruise, or for more details, call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206. For more information visit www.MaritimeAquarium.org. For regional information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

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The Eighth Annual Pilobolus Ball June 30

One of the world’s most popular modern-dance troupes accoring to the New York Times that is “famous for its wit and sensuality.” is hosting an Summer Ball where guests are invited to drink, dine, mingle, bid and dance the night away!

This is one of the “hottest” parties in Litchfield Hills of the summer season. On Saturday, June 30, on the great lawn at Quatre Vents in Washington, join the Litchfield Friends of Pilobolus under the stars to celebrate Connecticutʼs preeminent arts organization a cultural gem in the Litchifeld Hills.

This yearʼs benefit gala is destined to be the largest yet after their record breaking Ball last summer. The evening includes dinner by Kentʼs own Millstone Café and Bakery, an open bar generously provided by Pernod Ricard USA and of course, dancing. The Pilobolus Dancers will delight guests with three unique, palate-whetting performances created exclusively for the Ball.

This yearʼs live auction highlights contain a VIP Jets Package, an African Safari, a Trip to Tuscany, an Exclusive Dinner with the Dancers of Pilobolus as well as the coveted Walklyndon Walk-on at The Joyce Theater this summer.

Funds from the Pilobolus Ball go to support the creation of new dances and Pilobolusʼ educational programming, which serves people of all ages and backgrounds, including severely underserved communities. Pilobolusʼ mission is to promote access to creativity, collaboration, and productivity in groups of all kinds.

Individual Tickets: $250. Table packages available starting at $2,500. Tickets are available by visiting www.Pilobolus.org or call 860‐868‐0538 x 16. The Pilobolus Dance Theater is located on 6 Calhoun St., PO Box 388, Washington Depot, CT. For lodging information visit www.litchfieldhills.com

About Pilobolus Dance Theater

Pilobolus began in 1971, as an outsider dance company, and has evolved into a pioneering American arts organization of the 21st century. Most recently the company has been nominated for a 2012 GRAMMY Award for Best Short Form Music Video for ALL IS NOT LOST, a collaboration with the rock band OK Go. The company now revolves around three centers of activity: PILOBOLUS DANCE THEATER, the umbrella for a series of radically innovative and globally acclaimed concert dance companies; THE PILOBOLUS INSTITUTE, unique educational programming for schools, colleges, and public arts organizations as well as a series of classes and leadership workshops for corporate executives, employees, and business schools; and PILOBOLUS CREATIVE SERVICES, a division specializing in a wide range of movement services for film, advertising, publishing, commercial clients, and corporate events. The company is based in Washington Depot, Connecticut and performs for stage and television audiences all over the world. For more info, please visit www.Pilobolus.org.

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