This is Valentine’s Day weekend and the theme of love is everywhere – at the theater, at the symphony, at a local jazz club and at a church on the Branford Green. Brave the elements and enjoy the events.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Valentine’s Day Storytime with Miss Phyllis
Visit the Willoughby-Wallace Memorial Library, 146 Thimble Islands Road at 11 a.m. today. Toddlers and their siblings are welcomed to Keyes Gallery for a special storytime! No registration required. Free and open to the public.
Shakespeare Read Aloud
Specifically “Romeo and Juliet,” gets underway at the Valley Shakespeare Festival, Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave., Derby. Reading starts at 2 p.m.
Branford Folk Music Society Concert
Singer Lissa Schneckenburger and Bethany Waickman on guitar at the First Congregational Church, 1009 Main St., beginning at 8 p.m. Admission is $15 for non-members, $12 for members, and $5 for children 12 and under.
Yale Symphony Plays Berlioz and More
Yale Symphony Orchestra’s performs a Valentine Day Concert, complete with music by Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Bernstein (West Side Story). Woolsey Hall, 8 p.m. Tickets range from $3 to $15 and may be purchased at the door or at yso.commons.yale.edu.
Jazz Jumps in
A Valentine’s Day Jazz gathering at Café Nine, 250 State St. in New Haven features Kevin Saint James with Steve Donovan, Mike Asetta and Herb Wilson. Program begins at 9 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 15
Passion for Paws Fundraiser for Cosgrove Animal Shelter
NATAZ, 280 Branford Road in North Branford, is hosting a Wine Tasting and Buffet Luncheon Fundraiser from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and donating all proceeds to the Animal Shelter. The event includes a wine and cheese tasting and full luncheon buffet; pasta station, roasted meats, fish, and vegetarian selections. Raffles, beer & wine for sale! Tickets are $25 and they can be purchased at the Animal Shelter or via Paypal. (Please put in notes it is for Nataz.) Tickets will be held at the door if you pay via Paypal. This fundraiser is to raise money to purchase a permanent generator at the shelter.
Tractor Parade
Tractors of all ages make their debut at the annual Tractor Parade in Chester, beginning at 2 p.m. The Winter Carnivale features ice carvings (in abundance in various forms this year. See Goldfish top photo sculpture.) Events start at 10:30 a.m. There are many different activities at the Carnivale.
Jazz on Sunday night
Jeff Fuller and Tony Lombardozzi, superb jazz musicians, perform on guitar and bass at Lenny’s Indian Head Inn, 205 S. Montowese St. Enjoy a great lunch as the combo jams from 1 to 4 p.m. Call for 203 – 488-1500 for more information.
The Music of Brazil
Jazz continues at the Ayuthai Restaurant, 2279 Boston Post Road, Guilford, with Dr. Joe Cardinale on guitar, Jeff Fuller on bass, Ben Bilello on drums and guest artist Joe Carter, on Brazilian guitar. They will warm up your weekend.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Listening To Your Dog
Join Certified Dog Listener Phil Klein, as he teaches the audience to see the world through our dogs’ eyes and to communicate using their language. The event is free and open to the public and takes place at the Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., from 6 to 7 p.m. Please leave the dogs at home. Click here to register.
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