Arts are front and center again this weekend. But so are state parks, antique cars, a River museum and Yoga. Take your pick.
Thursday, July 24
Jazz on the Branford Green Series
At 6:30, sit in some lawn chairs, enjoy beautiful greenery, and listen to jazz as Bill Cofrances (pictured above) performs in a sextet with singer Nicole Pasternak. Cofrances has been featured in the Silver Mine Tavern, Colonial Thymes and Ocean Cliff, and he performs frequently with his own quartet as well. Aside from fronting her own groups, Pasternak appears regularly as the featured vocalist with pianist Alan Simon’s Quartet, the Harold Zinno Jazz Quartet and the Joe Holmes Swing Band.
Friday, July 25
Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training
Come to Raven’s Wing Yoga Studio to wear “pregnant bellies” and learn about prenatal yoga, its benefits, and how to be a proper prenatal yoga teacher. The class, taught at 19 S. Main St., includes discussions, lectures, and yoga itself. Classes begin on July 25 and end on July 28. They start at 9 a.m. and end at 6:30 p.m. Find your inner chi.
Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex, Conn.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Connecticut River Museum. In honor of this milestone, the Museum, located at 67 Main St., in Essex will feature the exhibit “Reflections: 40 Years along the River.” The exhibition will be open to the public daily until Oct. 13.
Saturday, July 26
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has announced that all 107 state parks will not charge fees, except for campgrounds, this Saturday and Sunday. Nearest parks are Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth, Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden and Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.
Lego Building Challenge
Kids in grades 1 – 4 will have to build a certain structure or use a certain Lego, but most importantly, they must finish creating their Lego masterpiece without letting their main enemy get in the way during the allotted time. This mini competition will be held at the Blackstone Memorial Library from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is free.
Learn to Meditate
All are invited to the Willoughby Wallace Library at 10:30 a.m. to discover the emotional, mental, and physical benefits that meditation can have – concentration and relaxation are just a few. Registration is $10, but the class is free for members. The session lasts for one hour. The address is 146 Thimble Island Road.
Sunday, July 27
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Super Sunday Dance Class
Come to The Dance in Rhythm studio, 19 South Main St., for a 2 ½‑hour dance class for only $10! Swing dance, Latin dance, and ballroom dancing in all levels are covered throughout the lesson. All ranges of expertise are welcome. Get ready to dance the afternoon away starting at 4 p.m.
Family Day at Southport Brewing Company
Southport brings its specialties to Branford at Branford’s very own Southport Brewing Company located on 850 W. Main St. Brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will feature omelets, Breakfast Bomb Burritos, and many more. From then on, family night begins. A magician and special kids menu are brought in. In the meantime, all adults can try any of Southport Brewing Company’s 27 different brews of beer or ale.
Like Antique Cars?
Head for the nearby Guilford Fairgrounds, 111 Lovers Lane, for the 36th Time Machines Antique Car Show and Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shows goes on rain or shine. This show features the Ford Mustang’s 50th anniversary with a special class for Shelbys. There are 28 judged classes. All makes and models up to 1989 are welcome. Dash plaques will be given to first 350 registrants. Rules of the fairgrounds: No pets, no bare feet, no alcohol. Admission is $4, under 12 free, over 65 is $3.
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