Lonnie Gasperini
Seize the month one day at a time with this week’s extensive list of cool events, which boasts a host of fun activities for every day between now and the end of July.
While some of these outings may take you outside Branford’s radius (overnight Moby Dick Marathon in Mystic, anyone?) others are closer to home, like this weekend’s Sidewalk Sales on the Shoreline, or next week’s Shakespeare Round Table at the Blackstone Library. Or tonight’s jazz concert on the Green.
Thursday, July 21
Branford Jazz on the Green: Lonnie Gasperini Organ Trio
Soulful jazz organist Lonnie Gasperini will take the stage on the Branford Green this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Gasperini’s performance marks yet another installment of this summer’s Branford Jazz series, the full schedule for which can be found here. For more information on Gasperini and his long and successful music career, visit his full length bio at: http://branfordjazz.com/page/28753-Lonnie-Gasperini-Organ-Trio. See top photo.
Thursday July 21-Sunday, July 24
Sidewalk Sales on the Shoreline
The streets of Branford, Guilford, and Madison will be bustling with activity this weekend as all three towns host their annual sidewalk sales, which will take place on their respective town greens. The sidewalk sales, an annual tradition, have been coordinated this year by the Chamber of Commerce. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Friday, July 22
Island Night at the Owenego Inn
The Owenego Inn invites you to a tropical-themed night of cocktails, dinner and dancing this Friday from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Tickets cost $48 per person. To reserve your spot, contact the Owenego Inn at 203 – 488-3805. For a more detailed schedule and menu, visit the Owenego’s event page here. Island attire (“and mindset”) are suggested.
Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 31
Christmas in July at the Martha Link Walsh Gallery
Reunite with your holiday spirit at Martha Link Walsh Gallery’s “Christmas in July” exhibit, which will open this weekend with a reception on Friday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will feature a collection of Martha Link Walsh’s holiday-themed papercuttings, and paintings by Margaret B. Dean. Martha’s ornaments, Papercut Christmas books, and the new 2017 calendar will be available for purchase, but the Christmas cookies will be free!
For more information, call Martha at 203 – 481-3505 or visit www.marthalinkwalsh.com.
Saturday, July 23
Walk Red Hill Woods with the Branford Land Trust
File Photo
Join the Branford Land Trust for their second scenic walk around Red Hill Woods, the crown of the 950-acre open space preserve located in the Hoadley Creek Watershed. The trip will begin at 10 a.m. at the end of Red Hill Road, and will last about one hour. Walkers should expect moderate terrain, with some sloping trails and inclines.
This event marks the beginning of a series of public walks happening between now and the end of September. For more information, visit the Land Trust’s website here.
Bubble Run at Hartford’s Pratt & Whitney Stadium
Participants of all ages are invited to walk, dance, and play across a colorful, bubble-filled course at this weekend’s Bubble Run, which will be hosted at Hartford’s Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.
While the 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. heats are already sold out, there is still space in the 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. slots. Tickets are $50. Kids 4 and under race for free with fully paid adult registration. For details and registration, visit:
http://www.bubblerun.com/upcoming-locations/hartford-ct/
Nostalgic Drive-In Movie Night at St. George’s Church
The St. George Men’s Group invites you to a “Nostalgic Drive in Movie Night’ this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the St. George’s parking lot. The event will feature a screening of the latest STAR WARS film: “Episode VII: The Force Awakens,” which will be preceded by an opportunity to talk to and take photos with costumed members of the 501st Legion, Connecticut Garrison.
Profits for the event will go towards the Guilford Social Services “Back to School Program.” Attendees who bring a backpack to donate to the program will receive a free hot dog and beverage from one of the event’s many concession stands.
Tickets cost $20 per carload, and $8 for walk-ins. To purchase one, visit the patio behind St. George Church any Sunday between 8:00 a.m. until noon. Please call Tony Sicignano (203 – 458-0290) or Bob Mongillo (203 – 314-5478) with any questions. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to July 30.
Sunday, July 24
Bruce Gregori at the Stony Creek Brewery
Join your friends at the Stony Creek Brewery for some local beers and live music provided by guitarist and vocalist Bruce Gregori. The Brewery will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For a full schedule of events at the Stony Creek Brewery, check out their events page at http://stonycreekbeer.com/events
Monday, July 25
Hatha Yoga at the Blackstone Library
Head to the Blackstone Library for a free weekly hatha yoga class taught by yoga teacher Helen Lespier. The class will be held from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., and is open to all ages. No registration required.
Tuesday, July 26
Trivia Night Tuesdays at Anna Liffey’s Irish Pub in New Haven
Voted the best trivia night in the state for over 17 years now, Anna Liffey’s Trivia Night Tuesdays at are the perfect place to show off your uncanny ability to retain seemingly useless information. 21+ and NSFW, the weekly contest will begin at 8:30. Teams can enter the contest for prize money for the price of $10. Anna Liffey’s Pub is located at 17 Whitney Avenue in New Haven.
Wednesday, July 27
Summer Reading: Kid’s Bingo Night at the Willoughby Wallace Library
The Willoughby Wallace library invites kids ages 6 and up to a special Summer Reading bingo night, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded. Parents with children under age 8 must remain in the room during bingo.
Thursday, July 28
A Woman’s Reason: Shakespeare Round Table at the Blackstone Library
Shakespearience Productions will be hosting a reading and discussion of two scenes from Shakespeare’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona “at the Blackstone Library next Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will serve as a preview to their upcoming performance of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” which will take place in Guilford as a part of this year’s annual Shakespeare on the Shoreline event. Readings will be performed by members of the audience, while the Round Table discussion will be facilitated by Artistic Director Emily Mattina as well as members of the cast.
Dark Star Orchestra at College Street Music Hall
For 15 years, the critically acclaimed 7‑person band known as Dark Star Orchestra has been bringing the Grateful Dead concert experience to audiences all over the world. On Thursday, July 28, the band will continue this tradition at New Haven’s College Street Music Hall, located at 238 College St. The show is open to all ages. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost between $22 to $27. To reserve one, click here.
Friday, July 29
Marshall Tucker Band: Free Concert in the Hamden Town Center Park
Having helped shape the genre of southern country rock as a nascent band in the early 1970’s, the Marshall Tucker Band is still touring and recording nearly 45 years after their original debut. Next Friday, join them for a free concert at in Hamden’s Town Center Park, located at 2761 Dixwell Avenue. The event, brought to you by the Town of Hamden and the Hamden Arts Council, will begin at 8:00 p.m. and end at 12:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 30
Craft Brew Races, New Haven
Celebrate local craft brewing, an active lifestyle, and the surrounding New Haven community at the New Haven Craft Brew Race. The event will be take place from noon to 4 p.m. next Saturday, July 30 in Edgewood Park. Each event consists of a timed 5k road race followed by a local 3‑hour craft beer festival featuring more than 20 local, regional and national breweries. For more information, visit the event website here: http://craftbrewraces.com/newhaven/
Saturday Cinema at the Blackstone Library: The Boss
The Blackstone Library will be hosting a free screening of Universal Pictures’ comedic hit The Boss next Saturday, July 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The movie, starring Melissa McCarthy, follows the story of a ruthless businesswoman seeking to rebrand herself through a redemption story after she is arrested for insider trading. Rated R for sexual content, language and brief drug use.
Saturday, July 30
Summer Food & Supply Drive for Homeless Felines
Photo by Krista Hanniford
Branford Compassion Club will hold its summer food and supply drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at BCC’s Feline Rescue & Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Rd, North Branford.
The shelter is in desperate need of canned and dry cat and kitten food, Yesterday’s News cat litter, paper towels and kitchen trash bags. Cash donations and gift cards are also appreciated.
Stop by and visit the cats and kittens available for adoption, and see their newly constructed screened outdoor patio. Lemonade and cookies will be served. BCC’s complete wish list is at www.branfordcompassionclub.org.
Founders Day at the Shore Line Trolley Museum
The Branford Electric Rail line opened on July 31, 1900. This event will commemorate that opening with two parades of trolley cars, at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Trolley and Work cars will be featured, including about 20 trolleys from the earliest to newest at the museum. There will also be an Open Barn Collection Tour, history lessons, quarry tour, live band and more.
The day begins at 10:30 a.m. with trolley rides to the yard and tours of the buildings. There will be games for the children, food and ice cream in the yard. Come and enjoy the newly repaired cars recovered from hurricane flooding of 2011 and 2012.
For more information, go to shorelinetrolley.org.
Sunday, July 31-Monday, August 1
Overnight Moby Dick Marathon in Mystic Seaport
On Sunday, July 31, climb aboard the decks of the 1841 wooden whale ship Charles W. Morgan for Mystic Seaport’s annual Moby Dick Marathon. Kicking off the reading will be an actor dressed as Herman Melville, who will recite the novel’s first chapter. Visitors are then invited to take turns reading the remaining chapters aloud through the night until noon the next day. The reading will be followed by an old-fashioned celebration of the 197th anniversary of Melville’s birthday with song and a great, white cake.
Visitors are welcome to BYOB — that is, bring your own book. Any food and beverages aside from water are otherwise prohibited on the ship. However, participants may bring a picnic to enjoy on-grounds or purchase a meal at one of the Mystic Seaport Museum’s restaurants.
Any participant who wishes to stay overnight must pre-register by phone at 860 – 572-5331. For more information about the event, visit the event page at the Mystic Seaport website here.
Ongoing
Branford River and Harbor Tours
Summer Wind Charters offer river, harbor, sunset tours and more for couples or families. There are a variety of packages and rates, skippered by Captain Mark, a licensed United States Coast Guard 50 ton Master Captain with a Sail Endorsement and chaplain of the New Haven Power Squadron.
Discover the natural beauty of the Branford River and Harbor. Climb aboard and enjoy the splendid views and learn some interesting facts and lore about the area.
Call 203 – 430-8288 or go to www.summerwindct.com.
Sally E. Bahner contributed reporting for this story.
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