There’s never a dull week in Branford with an array of activities to nurture the body and soul. Stimulating lectures at the library, an opportunity to learn more about the town, music events, a jamboree, golf, and a walk on the wild side. Lobster, anyone?
Restaurant of the Week: USS Chowder Pot III
The Chowder Pot, as it’s more casually known, has been a Branford staple at 560 East Main St., for more than 30 years. Lobsters from their tanks weigh in at 1 to 15 pounds! In case, you have a hankering for the crustaceans, Monday is Lobster Night – have ‘em steamed or stuffed. Of course, there’s the full range of fried seafood, a raw bar, pasta-seafood delights, and, for landlubbers, some mighty impressive cuts of prime rib. Dine in one of their two large dining rooms or, now that things are warming up, outside on the patio. For more information, call 203 – 481-2356 or online at chowderpot.com.
Saturday, April 30
Children’s art show
A Children’s Art Show and Reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, capping off a week of activities in support of the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC).
The event will take place at the Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St. Cards printed from the mural created on April 23 on the Branford Green will be for sale with proceeds donated to the BECC. For more information call Yvonne Gordon-Moser, 860 – 334-4642 or email [email protected].
Gallery hours beginning May 1 – noon to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Fife and Drum Corps Jamboree
The second annual Fife & Drum Corps Jamboree (see top photo), featuring the St. Mary’s School Corps along with Fife and Drum Corps from all over Connecticut with will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 at the school, 62 Cedar St.
Tickets for the event will be sold at the door for $12, which includes admission to the concert and pasta dinner. Admission is free for kids 12 and under. All the proceeds will go to Saint Mary School Fife and Drum Corps.
For more information call 203 – 488-8386, or visit smsbranford.org, or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SMSBranford.
Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1
“In the Mood” at the Shubert Theater
Relive the glory days of Big Band music at the Shubert Theater in New Haven this weekend. The 13-piece String of Pearls orchestra and a cast of singers and dancers will recreate the melodies of the ‘30s and ‘40s. Performances on Saturday are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Call 203 – 562-5666 or go to www.shubert.com. Here’s a hint, enter promo code MOOD16 and get 50 percent off the ticket price.
Sunday, May 1
Lecture, Conversation & Booksigning
Jacob Hacker will discuss his new book, American Amnesia: How the War on Government Has Led Us to Forget What Made America Great at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, at the Blackstone Library, 785 Main St.
Hacker, who teaches at Yale, will explain how, over the last century, there was a strong partnership between government and business. Public investments in education, science, transportation, and technology fostered business’ pursuit of profit and resulted in broad prosperity and great improvements in people’s education, health, longevity, and economic security. And yet recently many economic elites and anti-government free market advocates have gained power and are opposing this partnership. Hacker will explain how and why they must be stopped. He has appeared on The NewsHour, MSNBC and NPR.
Tuesday, May 3
‘Know Your Town’ Coffee And Conversation
The League of Women Voters of the East Shore will hold its first “Know Your Town” Coffee and Conversation on Tuesday, May 3, at 10 a.m. in the Branford Community and Recreation Center, 46 Church St.
First Selectman James Cosgrove will discuss the ins and outs of Branford town government. All are welcome and invited to join in the conversation.
This event is part of the League of Women Voters – East Shore’s “Local Government Initiative” to educate and engage Shoreline residents with their local government.
For more information about the League of Women Voters, visit http://www.lwvct.org/Eastshore.html or email at [email protected]
Saturday, May 7
Spring Nature Explorer Events
The Branford Land Trust presents Spring Bird Walks at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8.
Chris Woerner leads the annual bird walks along the Trolley Trail and into the Vedder property. Come to one or both. Meet in Stony Creek at the far end of West Point Rd., across from the Willoughby Wallace Library.
At 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, Sam Saulys, an avid and expert botanist, leads a Wildflower Walk on the Van Wie Preserve to see and identify spring wildflowers. Meet at the trailhead at 87 Red Hill Road. (Rain date 1 p.m. Sunday, May 8.) Walkers should expect moderate terrain, with sloping trails and inclines, and rocky under footing. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. For more information, call 203 – 415-1571, or visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.
The Great American Songbook
This season the Branford Chorale is celebrating American music with a concert of standards called The Great American Songbook at 7:30 p.m., at Branford High School, 185 East Main St. The chorale will be joined by a 17-piece big band, Tuxedo Junction.
The chorale was formed in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial. It is currently composed of 75 enthusiastic singers from Branford and the surrounding communities. New members are always welcomed. For tickets, call 203 – 668-5691 or stop by Towne Pharmacy.
Tuesday, May 10
Branford Rotary Spring Classic
The Branford Rotary Club will hold its 5th Annual Spring Golf Classic on Tuesday, May 10, at the Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club, 2 Club Parkway. The schedule is as follows: 9 a.m.: registration, driving range and putting green open; 11 a.m.: lunch; shotgun start (scramble); 5 p.m.: cocktail hour (open bar); 6 p.m.: dinner, raffle, and auction.
Prizes to be awarded include Longest Drive, Men and Women, Closest to the Pin, Closest to the Line, (4) Gross Score for 1st, 2nd and last place, and Hole-in-One.
Registration is $175 per golfer. Appropriate attire is required. Spectators are welcome. Dinner and cocktail hour are available for non-golfers at $50. Call Hap Storer, 203 – 804-0771 or 203 – 488-0771 for information about sponsorships.
The Rotary tournament is a fundraiser for designated charities.
For further information contact: Ed Vescovi: 203 – 415-9191 or [email protected]; Doug Shaw: 203 – 494-8510 or [email protected]; or the Branford Rotary website: www.branfordrotary.org.
Wednesday, May 11
Narwhals: Arctic Whales in a Melting World
Join author Todd McLeish in a multimedia presentation at the Blackstone Library, 785 Main St. from 7 to 8 p.m., as he recounts his adventures studying the elusive narwhal, the rare Arctic whale with the spiral tusk. McLeish is a Rhode Island-based science writer who has been writing about wildlife and environmental issues for more than 25 years.
He will take his audience high above the Arctic Circle with teams of narwhal researchers seeking to solve the mysteries of the animal’s migrations and debating the purpose of its tusk. He will also share insights about the importance of narwhals in Inuit culture and how the warming planet is affecting the species. Along the way you’ll hear about the many other unique animals living in the narwhal’s melting world, from ringed seals and polar bears to bowhead and beluga whales. Copies of Todd’s recent narwhal book will be available for purchase and signing.
For more information contact Carl R. Harvey at (203) 389‑6076 or [email protected].
Friday, May 13
Murder at Blackstone Abbey Fundraising Event
An interactive murder mystery night, Murder at Blackstone Abbey lets participants solve the clues, interview suspects and help catch a killer. This second annual murder mystery fundraising event is set in the Victorian era and takes place at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $50 per person, and include beer, wine, and appetizers. All proceeds benefit the James Blackstone Memorial Library. To purchase tickets, visit www.blackstonelibrary.org.
Saturday, May 21
Local Author Expo
The Blackstone Library is hosting its first Local Author Expo on Saturday, May 21, to highlight the works of more than 30 local authors. There will be author talks, books sales & signings, and a food truck on site. RSVP here
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