Summer may be winding down, but there’s no shortage of Cool Events. Local wine, art, music, the great outdoors, movies – there’s something for the most discerning townie. Pet lovers – don’t forget to pick out a costume for your pooch! The highlight of the annual Woofstock Music Festival is the Hippie Dog Contest. Tie-dye anyone?
Thursday, Aug. 10
Selina Albright at the Branford Jazz Series
The Branford Jazz Series continues on Thursday, Aug. 10, at 6:30 p.m. on the green with Selina Albright.
Albright is a soulful singer-songwriter with versatility that comes from years of listening to many origins and languages of music. A major highlight of her career was her performance with the internationally revered DJ duo Manufactured Superstar of “Serious” for the Las Vegas Electric Daisy Carnival in 2011, before over 200,000 high-energy ravers and fans.
The concerts run through Thursday, Aug. 24. Restaurants along Main Street will be open during the concert and attendees are invited to bring chairs and blankets and picnic suppers. The concerts are canceled in the event of rain – there is no alternate venue – and performers are invited back for next season. Details and schedule at Branfordjazz.com.
Saturday, Aug. 12
Woofstock Music Festival
File Photo
Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter’s annual Woofstock music festival takes place Saturday, Aug. 12, from noon to 6 p.m. on the Branford Green. The Woof Walk kicks off the event at 11 a.m.
Billed as “a day of peace and music,” the event features live music, more than 50 vendors, food trucks, the hippie dog costume contest and more. The event is held rain or shine.
Funds raised go toward caring for the animals at the shelter. For more information, visit the Cosgrove Animal Shelter’s Facebook page.
Killam’s Point: Exploring the Point
The Branford Land Trust and the First Congregational Church will host an exploration of Killam’s Point from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12.
Tidal pools, stands of pitch pines, salt marshes, inland wetlands, an osprey nest, remains of a worked quarry, invasive species – Killam’s Point has something for all. The day is being planned so that young and old and everyone in between will experience the Point with newly opened eyes.
For more information, call 203 – 483-56
Peach and Chowder Festival
The annual summer delight, the Peach and Chowder Festival, takes place on the lawn of Church of Christ Congregational, 192 Thimble Islands Road, Stony Creek, on Saturday, Aug. 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event is held rain or shine. For more information, call 203 – 488-7827.
Saturday, Aug. 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13
Shoreline Wine Festival
Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market and Winery, 1355 Boston Post Road, hosts the Shoreline Wine Festival from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12 and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13.
Participating wineries include Bishop’s, Hopkins Vineyards, Jonathan Edwards, Paradise Hills, SMV, Holmberg, and Jones. Vendors, tours, seminars and entertainment will be featured.
Tickets run from $30 to $70. Details at shorelinewinefestival.com.
Monday, Aug. 14
Branford Land Trust 22nd Annual Environmental Day Camp for Kids
The Branford Land Trust will hold its 22nd Annual Hands-on Environmental Day Camp on Monday, Aug. 14. This camp, for children ages 5 – 9, is held at the Killam’s Point Conference Center.
The event includes activities, presentations and games that help kids learn about such things as tide pools, woodland habitats, wildlife rehabilitation, nature crafts, and more. The cost of the camp is $45 for the day (additional children, same family $35.00), or $35 for BLT members. Scholarships available.
Registration deadline is Friday, Aug. 10. Get more information and a registration form at www.branfordlandtrust.org, or call Martha Rice at 203 – 314-7128, email [email protected].
The Branford Land Trust is a non-profit organization, celebrating 50 years of protecting Branford’s open space and natural resources.
Thursday, Aug. 17
Rhythm Future Quartet on the Branford Green
The next-to-last concert of the Branford Jazz Series features acoustic jazz ensemble Rhythm Future Quartet. The music starts at 6:30 p.m.
Named for a Django Reinhardt tune, Rhythm Future Quartet offers up a newly minted sound, influenced by the classic Hot Club of France, yet wholly contemporary. The quartet is composed of violinist Jason Anick, guitarists Olli Soikkeli and Max O’Rourke, and bassist Greg Loughman.
The concerts run through Thursday, Aug. 24. Restaurants along Main Street will be open during the concert and attendees are invited to bring chairs and blankets and picnic suppers. The concerts are canceled in the event of rain – there is no alternate venue – and performers are invited back for next season. Details and schedule at Branfordjazz.com.
Friday, Aug. 18
Star Wars Under the Stars
The Blackstone Library will host a showing of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” in the amphitheater at Foote Park, Melrose Avenue, on Friday, Aug. 18, at 7:30 p.m. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, and snacks or purchase ice cream at the park from The Ice Cream Guy truck. All ages are welcome. To RSVP, call 203 – 488-1441.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Opening Reception at Branford Art Center
The Opening Reception for William Canosa, Ned Farrell, and Marc Potocsky will take place on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St. The event is free and open to all with free refreshments and wine.
The visiting artist in the main gallery is William Canosa, photographer of birds, panoramic vistas across the country, artistically arranged prints, abstract arrangements found in nature, and much more.
Ned Farrell, oil and acrylic painter and calligrapher, is the gallery’s featured artist. His love for nature is featured in his many landscape paintings.
Marc Potocsky is back at Branford Art Center with an all-musician portrait theme in the studio gallery, featuring original portrait paintings of famous musicians such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, John Lennon, Bono, and more. Prints will be available for purchase.
For more information, call Yvonne Gordon-Moser at 860 – 334-4642 or email [email protected]. Visit the gallery website www. branfordartcenterct.com.
Uncover Branford
Uncover Branford continues on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St.
Get up, get out and uncover Branford! Everyone comes together to share their favorite Branford places and stories, and then they plan a group outing to a special spot. As they go out into the community to explore and uncover new places, they’ll make new friends, have fun, and discover the hidden gems of Branford.
Adventures will be documented and photos and a short write-up of personal favorites, which will be turned into a community exhibit at the Uncover Branford Open House and Reception at the end of the summer.
Registration required. To register, call 203 – 488-1441, ext. 318.
Sunday, Aug. 20
Classic Car Show
The Branford Rotary Club’s 4th Annual Classic Car Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20, at Van Wilgen’s Garden Center, 51 Valley Road, North Branford.
The event benefits the club’s charities and organizations in honor and support of veterans, including Take-A-Vet Fishing and the Veterans Day Luncheon. More than 150 cars are expected; raffle prizes and trophies will be awarded, plus live music featuring “The Sin Sisters Band.” Food and beverages available. Spectator admission is free. There’s a $10 entry fee for the cars.
For sponsorships or more info, visit www.branfordrotary.org or email [email protected].
Friday, Aug. 25
Cocktails on the Sound
Friends of Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library will host a fundraiser, Cocktails on the Sound, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, on Linden Point Road, Stony Creek.
Featured will be cocktails, jazz, farm fresh hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, and cash bar. Tickets are $50 for Friends of WWML members, $55 for non-members. For tickets and more information, call 203 – 488-8702.
Saturday, Aug. 26
Summer’s Last Roar
To recognize the end of summer, the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave., will open its doors for a free day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26.
This is a chance to see the new mineral display in David Friend Hall or make one more visit to the Discovery Room before school starts again in September. In addition to the permanent and temporary exhibitions, visitors will have a chance to win prizes, engage in a craft activity, and interact with real specimens on the SciCarts located throughout the museum.
Discounted museum memberships will be available during Summer’s Last Roar. Ask for details at the front desk.
Wednesday, Aug. 30
Books ‘n’ Brews Book Club
The Books ‘n’ Brews Book Club, Blackstone Library’s off-site book club, meets from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, at Thimble Island Brewery, 16 Business Park Drive, to discuss “Watchmen” by Alan Moore or “Visitation Street” by Ivy Pochoda.
New members welcome. Copies of the books can be borrowed from the library, or purchased. Read one of these titles and come out and join the fun!
Bring your own snacks. Thimble Island offers a selection of craft beers (must be 21+ to drink alcoholic beverages), wine, soda, and water. No purchase necessary to take part in the book club. Call 203 – 488-1441 to register.
Thursday, Aug. 31
Game Night for Adults
Thimble Island Brewery, 16 Business Park Drive, hosts a game night for adults on Thursday, Aug. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. There’s a fun selection of card and board games available including Codenames, Sushi Go Party!, Dixit, & Pandemic. You can also bring your own games.
Registration is required. To RSVP, please call 203 – 488-1441, ext. 318.
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