Mary Johnson Photo
}Did you know that Easter occurs on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the vernal equinox? And that Passover’s dates are pegged to the Hebrew calendar, also based on the lunar cycle. It starts in the middle of the month of Nisan, when the moon is full, typically falling in March or April of the Gregorian (modern) calendar. As a result, Passover typically begins very close to Easter, as is the case this year. Passover begins today, which is Good Friday for Christians, and runs until April 7. Sunday, of course, is Easter Sunday, which happens to be April Fool’s Day! Whatever your religious persuasion, enjoy the day with family and friends.
Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31
Easter Bunny Trolley
Celebrate Easter and spring at the Shoreline Trolley Museum. Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors can ride an antique trolley to the museum and visit with the Easter Bunny with plenty of time for photo ops. There will be springtime crafts too! General admission is $10. Free for children under 2 years old. Tickets available at the door or online at shorelinetrolley.org.
Saturday, March 31
National Stop-the-Bleed Day
The Branford and North Branford Fire Departments will host a cooperative Stop-the-Bleed day of training for the residents of both towns. Two free programs, open to residents of either town, take place Saturday, March 31, at Branford Fire Department Headquarters, 45 N. Main St., from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m.
Although the recent tragedies in Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, and Florida emphasize the seriousness of mass shootings, a majority of severe bleeding injuries occur at home, at work, or on the roadways, and involve only one victim. The skills learned in the Stop-the-Bleed training will help you be prepared to save the life of someone with a life-threatening wound by applying a tourniquet and packing the wound, along with direct pressure to control severe bleeding until EMS arrives.
Pre-registration is required because seats for the course are limited. Sign up online at https://sccems-soc.ticketleap.com/stop-the-bleed-branford-fd/ or on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/events/867967326706773??ti=ja
Tuesday, April 3
Healthy Families in the Digital Age
Branford Families is presenting a series of programs for parents and kids, titled “Growing Healthy Families in the Digital Age.” The free programs take place at 6:30 p.m. at Walsh Intermediate School (unless otherwise noted). For reservations, email [email protected].
“The Lay of the Land: Screen-time, Devices, and Schools” is a panel presentation by school staff, consisting of the WIS school counselor, social worker, the school district’s director of technology, and Dr. Mary Alice Curran, Professor of Social Media Citizenship. What are the rules, how does it work with 1:1 device ratio. What if scenarios during school hours.
May: Growing up KIND in the Digital World. Digital can be real: Review of “good digital spaces” for independent time for all age groups. “Don’t Be Mean Behind the Screen” movement. Special surprise presentation.
June 16: Family Fun – Summer Sites and Awesome Apps. Branford Families will have a booth during the Branford Festival with a few good apps running and options for family togetherness in a digital world.
Wednesday, April 4
Travelling to Africa: A Presentation
Join Denali and Eagle Creek as Denali’s Sean Callinan shares photos, stories, and insights from his recent trip to Africa on Wednesday, April 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Denali, 1004 Main St.
Callinan will talk about packing, prep, vaccinations, and safety as well. Following the presentation, the floor will be open to questions and discussion. Beverages and snacks will be provided. Admission is free.
Friday, April 6, and Saturday, April 7
‘The Little Mermaid’
Walsh Intermediate School’s Spring Musical, “The Little Mermaid, will be performed at the school Friday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 7, at 3 p.m.
Director is Jeffrey Rizzo with Amy Buckley, music director; Gavin Hartney, conductor, and Tracy Izzo, producer.
For tickets, call 203 – 418-7529.
Yale Collection of Musical Instruments
Here’s something different to explore. Atlas Obscura, the wonderful website that features quirky historical information of all kinds, recently featured the Yale Collection of Musical Instruments. Established in 1900, after the university was gifted a collection of historic keyboards by Morris Steinert, the offbeat collection features an assemblage of Western and non-Western instruments. Its stock has since expanded and now contains instruments spanning many different time periods and cultures.
The museum is built around a celebrated core collection of organs, clavichords, harpsichords, spinets, virginals, and pianos from the past three centuries. There are also gorgeous string instruments with looks that rival the beauty of their sounds, a piano small enough to play with your thumbs, colorful bells, and even instruments that date back more than 2,000 years.
The collection is housed in a Romanesque structure at 15 Hillhouse Ave., built in 1895 for a fraternity. The collection moved into the space in 1961. The facilities host the occasional concert, which you can attend — if you’re quick enough to snag a ticket. The Smithsonian Chamber Players will perform on Sunday, April 22, at 3 p.m.
The collection is not open to the public on Saturday, only in the afternoon and never on university holidays or during August.
For more information, visit http://collection.yale.edu/.
Sunday, April 8
Annual Stan Wheeler Memorial Jazz Concert
The 11th annual Stan Wheeler Memorial Jazz Concert will take place Sunday, April 9, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Levinson Auditorium, Yale Law School, 127 Wall St., New Haven. The event is named after a stalwart of the ensemble as well as a pioneering legal thinker and scholar. It begins at 2 p.m. in the law school’s Levinson Auditorium at 127 Wall St. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. (See top video).
Featured will be the Yale Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Music Director Thomas Duffy, and the Reunion Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Jeff Fuller.
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Tuesday, April 10
No Man’s Land Film Festival
No Man’s Land Film Festival is an all-female adventure film festival based out of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, meeting a need and desire to highlight and connect women in pursuit of the radical. Hosted by Denali, a viewing takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave.
The goal of the festival is to connect like-minded individuals who are adventure-oriented, wish to support a shared vision of gender equality, have a desire to experience their passions and environments through a uniquely female lens, and, above all, love adventure. Along with cultivating a deep interest in exploring the vastness of the planet from a female point of view, No Man’s Land strives to create a history of motivating audiences to implement and inspire change.
Admission is $10.
Saturday, April 14
“Your Vote” Information Session
The League of Women Voters of the East Shore and Connecticut Shoreline Indivisible will host a public information session about steps being take to protect our vote in light of the rising concern of outside influence in the electoral process. The event will take place at Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 N. Main St., on Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to noon. Other issues related to state regulations on voting will also be presented.
Invited speakers include Connecticut Secretary of State Denise W. Merrill and Elona Vaisnys, League of Women Voters Connecticut board member.
Merrill will address issues related to voter protection, including the safety of your vote and personal information, how they are protected, and who is responsible for implementation; early voting and absentee voting; and pending legislative actions.
Vaisnys will discuss the Connecticut Citizens Election Program and how can candidates receive public financing for their political races. CEP is a voluntary program that provides full public financing to qualified candidates for statewide offices and the General Assembly. To participate, candidates must agree to abide by certain guidelines, including contribution and expenditure limits and disclosure requirements. This voluntary public campaign financing program was designed to encourage citizen participation and limit the role of private money in the State of Connecticut’s political process. For more information, call 203 – 457-9888.
Uncover Branford Planning Meeting
An Uncover Branford planning meeting takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 14, at Blackstone Library. Friends and neighbor get together to share their favorite Branford places and stories, then plan a group outing to a special spot. As you go out into the community to explore and uncover new places, you’ll make new friends, have lots of fun, and discover the hidden gems of Branford.
The group will talk about talk about their favorite places in town, and plan their next venture. For more information go to http://www.blackstone.lioninc.org/events.
Saturday, April 21
Rise Up Singing!
Rise Up Singing – An Evening Of Folk, Jazz, Pop & Rock takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the Guilford Community Center, 32 Church St. The concert benefits Unidad Latina en Accion (ULA), grassroots New Haven-based organization of immigrants defending labor, civil and human rights.
This benefit is sponsored by Connecticut Shoreline Indivisible. Performers will be Fernandito Ferrer – Nueva Trova, Cyd Slotoroff – singer/songwriter, Isabella Mendes and Jeff Fuller — Brazilian jazz duo, Alison Farrell – singer/songwriter, Julie & Lars Selberg – pop, rock duo, Cahoots – Patty Chamberlain, Nancy Wilson, George Bassett and David Chamberlain – jazz, folk, pop a cappella quartet.
Tickets on Eventbrite (benefitconcertforula.eventbrite.com) or at the door. $20. Children 12 and under free.
Beginning April 21
Thomas the Tank at Essex Steam Train
Thomas & Friends will be at the Essex Steam Train, Railroad Avenue in Essex, on April 21, 28, 29, as well as May 5 and 6, with departure times every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Passengers select a departure time when purchasing a ticket (ride is approximately 25 minutes), but family activities take place all day.
After meeting Thomas, guests will also have the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor, and Percy the Small Green Engine. Included in the ticket price is access to unlimited rides on five carnival rides, face painting featuring Day Out With Thomas characters, Isle of Sodor storytelling, a special Thomas the Tank Engine video theater and magic show, and Thomas the Tank Engine play areas. Caboose the Clown will create colorful balloon characters, while Sunny Train presents her music show.
For more information, go to essexsteamtrain.com or call 860 – 767-0103.
Friday, May 4
Bernstein and Other Delights!
The Music4Music Performance Series at Trinity Church on the Green presents Bernstein and Other Delights, a 20th-century American-music extravaganza, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, at the church, 230 Temple St. (corner of Chapel) in downtown New Haven.
Branford native Ryan Bloomquist (pictured), a Trinity Boys Choir alumnus, is among the soloists. He is an actor and vocalist based in New York City. He recently played Matt in “The Fantasticks” at the Ivoryton Playhouse.
The event will feature music by legendary American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, born 100 years ago and a longtime resident of Fairfield. Program includes the composer’s “Chichester Psalms” as well as selections from Bernstein’s operetta Candide, performed by the Trinity Choirs of Men & Boys and Men & Girls under the direction of Trinity Music Director R. Walden Moore
The program also includes art-song arrangements of beloved American sacred songs performed by Trinity Boys Choir alumnus Edward Vogel, baritone, and Sarah Noone, soprano.
Tickets are $30 ($25 online; $20/$15 seniors, students). Call 203 – 776-2616 or visit trinitynewhaven.org/bernstein to learn more.
Rotary Dollars for Branford Scholars
The Rotary Club of Branford announces its annual scholarship appeal to Branford high school seniors who are pursuing advanced education in fall 2018. The award of $3,000 will be given to the applicant who provides outstanding evidence in academic achievement, community service, Rotary values, and financial need.
The application has three components. First is a student-written essay focusing on Rotary principles. Then supportive documentation must be provided as specified in the application requirements such as high school transcript, teachers’ references. Finally, is an interview with a panel of Rotarians.
The applicant may be a pending graduate of any accredited Connecticut high school. This scholarship is for undergraduate study at a two or four-year college or technical school. Branford residency is required.
Applications are available at [email protected] and the Branford High School guidance office in addition to the James Blackstone Memorial Library and Willoughby Wallace Library. Completed application packets must be received by Friday, May 11. For more information, call project leader Tony Terry, at 203 – 481-6424.
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