Yes, it’s winter and it’s cold. But there’s no snow and no excuses for not getting out and sampling all the fun things the area has to offer… plenty of opportunities to learn new things, enjoy the artistic endeavors of local artists, and listen to some great music.
Through Feb. 28
Paintings by Robert Dietz at Friends & Company
An exhibit of paintings by Robert H. Dietz will be on display at Friends & Company, 11 Boston Post Road, Madison, through the end February. After a 35-year hiatus and careers in the electronics industry, and as a home builder and home inspector, Dietz returned to his roots as an artist after working in pastels 35 years ago. Now he has dusted off his pastel set and is working from his own photographs of shoreline locations.
Saturday, Jan. 16
Blinking LEDS: Learning Circuitry with Arduino
Learn a little about circuitry and design your own blinking LED project at the Blackstone Library at 10 a.m. Volunteer instructor Jim Davis will show you what an Arduino board is (microcontroller) and how it works. Get hands-on experience working with LEDS, circuits and code. Jim breaks it down for even the most beginning beginners, making it fun and easy – no experience necessary. Bring an open mind and willingness to experiment.
Space is limited; registration is required at http://www.blackstone.lioninc.org/events/blinking-leds-learning-circuitry-with-arduino/.
Mexican Music at Branford Folk Music Society
The Branford Folk Music Society kicks off its monthly 2016 concerts with Fiesta del Norte, an exciting and versatile Mariachi band based in Connecticut that performs traditional Mexican folk and popular music on authentic instruments (See top photo). The ensemble for many years has taken their music and cultural message across Connecticut at festivals, schools, libraries, town greens, and senior facilities. The group is led by Dave Giardina, an award recipient of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
The show is set for 8 p.m. in the auditorium of the First Congregational Church of Branford, 1009 Main St., on the Branford Green. Admission is $15 for non-members, $12 for members and $5 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 203 – 488-7715 or access the society’s new Web page at www.branfordfolk.org/
Sunday, Jan. 17
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
A concert by Shoreline Soul Community Gospel Choir in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day will take place at Tabor Lutheran Church at 3 p.m. Angela Clemmons (pictured) of Madison is director of the choir. Admission is free. For more information, call 203 – 619-1415 or email [email protected].
Isabel Mendes Duo at Home
Jazz at Home Restaurant’s “Living Room” features the Isabel Mendes Duo from 5 to 8 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. Home is located at 1114 Main St.
Monday, Jan. 18
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast
St. Therese’s Church in Branford will host for the annual breakfast on Monday, Jan. 18, at 8:30 a.m. This year’s theme is “The time is always right to do what is right” and the speaker is Toni Harp, Mayor of New Haven.
Proceeds will benefit the Community Dining Room and Fuel Assistance for the Shoreline. Tickets are $10 and $5 for children. Branford’s Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast had its beginnings in 1985 at St. Stephen’s AME Zion Church. It was then sponsored by the Branford Clergy Association and has now become a community-wide breakfast with participation from all religions, all ethnic groups and many community organizations. They all come together to reflect on the influence of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Members of the community prepare the breakfast from donations and participation by local merchants and farmers and school students. Local musicians perform.
Saturday, Jan. 23
Nature Explorer Program: Animal Tracking Classes
Learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods during two upcoming Animal Tracking Classes sponsored by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program, They will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 23 and Feb. 27 at Lake Saltonstall Preserve. The classes will be led by Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner. Snow is hoped for, but it will be fun even without it!
Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and inclines, rocky underfooting. Parents should be prepared to carry younger children if they get tired. Please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.
Meet at the Regional Water Authority parking lot on the north side of Hosley Avenue, down Hosley Avenue 0.3 miles from Brushy Plain Road. Bad weather dates: Jan. 24 and Feb. 28.
For questions, contact Tom at 203 – 981-9040 or [email protected], or visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.
Sunday, Jan. 24
Branford Musical Art Society
Musical Art Society of Branford announces scholarship auditions and a showcase of high school talent at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Blackstone Library Auditorium. The concert includes several students auditioning for the annual Musical Art Society scholarship award, which goes to a high school senior planning to study music at the college level next year. There will also be performances by select music groups from BHS. This event is free and open to the public. More information: Martha Medford at 203 – 481-6952.
Tuesday, Feb. 2
3D Printing Intro: Design & Create 3D Printed Files
Learn how to design and create your own 3D files for printing. Join instructor Jim Davis for an introduction to 3D file creation. Jim will walk you through the free 3D modeling software 123Design, from the makers of AutoCAD. Once you learn this software, you’ll be able to design and 3D print your very own creations. For all ages. Time: 5:30 p,m. to 7:30 p,m.
Space is limited – register at http://www.blackstone.lioninc.org/summer-maker-camps-for-teens-new-grant-program/#more-22418.
Friday, Feb. 5
Local Color: Connecticut Stories’ Quilt Exhibit
The juried, traveling exhibition of fiber art created by members of Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) in the Connecticut Region will be on view Feb. 5 to 21, at Guilford Art Center. The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 5, 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
The exhibit celebrates the concept of narrative as construed by Connecticut artists. Its theme can be broadly interpreted from personal stories to Connecticut history, from text messages to literary references and beyond. A wide variety of styles and interpretations feature historical points of interest, personal journey stories, along with natural and architectural works associated with Connecticut. Participating artists include Debbie Bento, Christina Blais, Diane Cadrain, Kelly Caldwell, Alice Chittenden, Carol Eaton, Ann Marie Gontarz, Rita Daley Hannafin, Yvette Howard, Angelina Kendra, Paula Klingerman, Aurelle Locke, Karen Loprete, Barbara McKie, Clara Nartey, Margaret Phillips, Judy Ross, Phyllis Small, Catherine Whall Smith, Kate Themel, Anna Tufankjian, and Diana Wright.
For more information contact the Guilford Art Center at 203 – 453-5947 or www.guilfordartcenter.org.
Friday, Feb. 5, to Sunday, Feb. 7
BACA Short Beach Winter Art Show
The Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) will celebrate the historic spirit of the arts in Short Beach through the sponsorship of the Short Beach Winter Art Show. The show will take place at the Orchard House Adult Center, 421 Shore Drive, featuring the work of the village artists from the Short Beach neighborhood as well as members of the Orchard House community. This will be a multimedia exhibit with paintings, photographs, paper sculpture, and glass objects. The exhibit is being co-chaired by Short Beach residents Ann Coffey and Gaile Ramey.
An artists’ reception will be held on Friday evening, from 5 p.m.to 7 p.m.
The artist entry application deadline is Jan. 25 for residents of Short Beach only. For information, or Entry Forms, email Richard Blacher, [email protected].
Beginning Feb. 6
Learning Labs for Young Adults
The Blackstone Library is offering its spring series of free Learning Labs, which are maker camps for young adults, ages 12 and up. For the second series of Learning Labs, there are three different sessions. The first session begins Feb. 6.
The goal of each session is for teens to learn new skills and get exposure to new technologies, meet other makers, gain confidence in themselves and their abilities, and, most importantly, to have fun. Teens who participate in the Learning Labs and who wish to help teach will be given the opportunity to sign up to be volunteer Learning Labs Leaders in the future.
For more information and to register for all three sessions by calling Youth Services, 203 – 488-1441, extension 323 or visit www.blackstonelibrary.org
Feb. 15 – March 27
Seeking Artists, Crafters
The Branford Art Center will hold an art show Feb. 13 through March 27 featuring artists and artisan crafters from Branford and the region. The opening will be on Feb. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. To participate in the show, contact the Branford Art Center for an information and registration form by emailing [email protected]. A completed form and non-refundable payment should be sent to Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St., Branford, CT 06405; Attention, Yvonne Gordon.
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