Now that the turkey is headed for leftovers and the soup pot, the town is turning its attention to holiday activities. Branford has lots of great stores and the merchants will even take time to have a conversation with you. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy music and art in the next couple of weeks – including the Community Messiah if your vocal abilities are up to it. And, of course, what would the holidays be without a visit from Santa at this Saturday’s tree lighting.
Friday, Nov. 25, Saturday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 27.
Caddystacks and the 19th Hole Party
Blackstone Library’s fall fundraisers, CaddyStacks at Blackstone and the 19th Hole Party, offer two ways to enjoy time with the family after Thanksgiving. The library is installing an 18-hole mini golf course winding through the library for all ages to play on Nov. 25, 26, and 27, 2016. Everyone is invited to the Blackstone to take a swing in the stacks.
For all ages: Tickets are $5 per person, per round, and includes ball and putter. Hours are as follows: Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 27, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
19th Hole Party (ages 21+): Tickets are $50 per person, or $150 per foursome on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The party includes the opportunity to play the entire 18-hole course, an open bar with craft beer provided by Stony Creek Brewery and wine, finger foods, and prize drawings.
Support for CaddyStacks and the 19th Hole Party comes in part from the hole sponsors. Each hole sponsor has the opportunity to decorate their own green. The funds raised by the CaddyStacks at Blackstone event will be used by the library to provide essential access to information, resources, and unique shared experiences to help ensure Branford is an educated and enriched community.
Saturday, Nov. 26
Holiday Stroll and Wreath Auction
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Branford Town Center Merchants will hold their first annual “Holiday Stroll and Wreath Extravaganza” with proceeds to benefit a local nonprofit in need. The event, which kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 26, also known as Shop Small Saturday, includes more than 20 businesses along Main Street that will decorate and display wreaths in their stores through Dec. 3. Customers can bid on the decorated wreaths, with prices starting at $10. The last chance for placing bids will be on Dec. 3 between noon and 2 p.m. at the Branford Arts Center, 1229 Main St. The winning bidders will then be able to pick up their wreaths in the stores in time for the holiday season.
Participants include: Beneath the Gown, Branford Art Center & Gallery, Branford Building Supplies, Butterfly Effect, Ciarleglio Jeweler, Coldwell Banker, CT Modern, Epic Salon, Foe Foods, Fired Up!, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Merle Norman, Myer’s Florist, North Light Gallery, Pinky Nails • Polished Boutique, Possessions, PS Stationers, Salon Refuge, Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, soundRUNNER, TGS Outdoors, The Rock Garden, Towne Pharmacy, and Trailblazer
Wreaths have been donated by Vaiuso Farms of Branford, local greenhouse growers since 1927 and currently owned and operated by 3rd and 4th generation Vaiuso family members.
Shop Small Saturday, held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving since 2010, showcases local businesses which in turn support jobs and the local economy, which ultimately helps to strengthen communities.
All proceeds will benefit Feed Branford Kids, a grass roots organization operating under the Branford Food Pantry, whose goal is to ensure all Branford Kids have food on weekends.
For more information, see https://www.facebook.com/ DiscoverBranford/ or contact Terry Elton at [email protected]; 203 – 315-5279
Branford Town Holiday Parade
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Santa Claus will make his annual appearance at the Branford Town Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, which runs from 5 to 7 p.m., leaving from Branford High School and ending up at the town green. Included will be a variety of floats from schools, businesses, and civic organizations.
Branford Art Center Santa Visit and Caroling
Branford Art Center will host the SARAH Tuxis carolers on Saturday, Nov. 26, the night of the annual Branford tree lighting and parade. The SARAH carolers will perform in front of BAC at 1229 Main St, Branford starting at 6 p.m. Free refreshments. The public is invited to set up chairs in front of the gallery and watch the parade that starts from the high school at 5 p.m. For more information, call 860 – 334-4642 or [email protected].
Sunday, Nov. 27
Connecticut Yuletide Carolers’ Concert Of Carols
Connecticut Yuletide Carolers will celebrate the start of the holiday season with a concert of carols on Sunday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Branford, 811 East Main St.
Victorian carolers will fill the winter air with the sounds of the season, singing traditional and contemporary Christmas music a capella in 4‑part harmony to bring holiday cheer to young and old alike. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
The Connecticut Yuletide Carolers was formed in 2006 by Guilford residents Michael and Lori Cartwright. Their inaugural season consisted of six singers and 12 performances; the group has grown to 24 singers from all along the shoreline making more than 50 performances throughout Connecticut and New England. They have performed at holiday festivals, wedding receptions, libraries, shopping centers, corporate and private home parties, senior residences, and museums.
Last year the Carolers released their inaugural CD, featuring 15 holiday classics, including “Jolly Old St. Nicholas,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Let It Snow,” and “Joy To The World”. The CD will be available for purchase at the concert, or at their website, www.ctyuletide.com
There is a suggested donation of $15. Visit www.ctyuletide.com or call 203 – 673-9485 for more information.
Friday, Dec. 2
Project: Music Heals
Project: Music Heals Us will present a chamber music concert at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 731 Main St. A pre-concert talk by Juilliard’s Dr. Luke Fleming will begin at 6 p.m.
First Prize Winner of the Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition and Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, Itamar Zorman, will join violist Steven Tenenbom of the Orion Quartet and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, alongside four more Juilliard School and Itzhak Perlman Music Program alumni, to perform a program entitled “A Night With the Masters” comprised of duets, trios, and sextets by Beethoven, Brahms, and Barriere.
Tickets at the door: $20 adults/$5 students with all proceeds directly subsidizing additional “Healing Concerts” played in local nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, homeless shelters, and prisons.
For more information go to www.projectmusichealsus. com or email projectmusichealsus@gmai l.com.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Traditional Christmas Fair
The Traditional Christmas Fair of the First Baptist Church on the Branford Green will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering everything for holiday gifts and decorations.
Shoppers will find jewelry and accessories, art, original crafts, handmade scarves, a special Christmas room, a large tag sale plus the sale of high end and unusual items. Specialty baskets will be presented in a silent auction, which also includes tickets to “Beautiful” at the Bushnell and “River Dance” at the Shubert. There will be a “cookie walk” and baked goods. Lunch with a variety of choices including homemade pie will be available and there will be holiday music by pianist Michael Cretella. Santa will be at the Fair to visit with the children and photos with him may be taken.
Haiti Disaster Relief will benefit with a large percentage of the profit from the Fair. For more information call the church office at 203 – 488-9777.
89th Annual Christmas Fair
The First Congregational Church of Branford on the Green will hold its 89th annual Christmas Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring handmade crafts, decorated wreaths/greens, sweet treats, and lots of treasures from attics and garages and cupboards in Branford. Admission is free
Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4
24th Annual Holiday Open House
Discover a few of our favorite things at the 24th Annual Holiday Open House hosted by Cynthia’s Flower Shop, the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, Luckey Redo, and Margaret B. Dean on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 188 North Main St. Guests can enjoy treats from Take the Cake (Guilford), and a percentage of all sales will be donated to the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative.
The free, two-day event (see top photo)is open to the public and includes distinct gift items for the holidays including:
• Martha Link Walsh Gallery: Original paper cuttings, hand-cut ornaments, 2017 Calendar and Papercut Christmas series
• Cynthia’s Flower Shop: Elegant flowers, holiday decorations, wreaths, and greens
• Luckey ReDo: Reimagined one-of-a-kind wearables and hand knits accessories
• Margaret B. Dean: Oil and oil pastel original paintings and giclees
Bring an unwrapped children’s book during the month of December to donate to the BECC and receive a free holiday bookmark.
For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, marthalinkwalsh.com, (203) 481‑3505.
Sunday, Dec. 4
Handel’s Messiah Rehearsals
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Community singers are invited to participate in the annual performance of the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah. Rehearsals will be from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4 and 11, and from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at First Congregational Church, Branford. Bring your own scores or scores may be purchased at rehearsal.
The 29th annual performance is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the First Congregational Church of Branford (on the Green). It will honor Branford Messiah founder Ettie Minor Luckey who died in spring 2015. In her honor the Branford Messiah will continue to bring this music to the citizens of the Shoreline.
Ettie’s vision was to present this classical piece at no admission cost so that all could enjoy this beautiful story set to music. The performance is once again being directed by Wesleyan University professor Roy Wiseman, a conductor who has premiered dozens of works by American composers. Soloists will be Yunni Park, soprano, performing with Branford Messiah for the first time; and returning soloists, Krysty Swann, mezzo soprano; Ed Hull, tenor; and Jorell Williams, bass. Joining them will be more than 50 community singers accompanied by a 14-piece professional orchestra.
The performance is free to attend though a free will offering is appreciated. As this performance is always well attended, it is suggested that you plan on arriving at least 20 minutes early to be assured of a seat.
Friday, Dec. 9
Cool Yule Concert
The Friends of Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library present the Thimble Islands Saxophone Quartet in A Cool Yule, songs of good cheer: a concert of traditional Christmas and special holiday music. The concert will take place at the library 146 Thimble Island Road, at 7 p.m. For more information, call 203 – 488-8702.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Opening Reception at Branford Art Center
Pastel artist Bev Schirmeier will have her paintings featured in the front gallery and the North Haven Camera Club will have a photography exhibit in the studio gallery at the Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St. The opening reception is Saturday, Dec. 10, from 7 to 9 p.m., free with wine and light bites. For information about other artists, classes, workshops, and more events at BAC, visit www.branfordartcenterct.com, call Yvonne Gordon-Moser at 860 – 334-4642, or email [email protected]. ###
