This weekend is jam packed with Cool Events! When was the last time Branford hosted a carnival? You may hearken back to the days at Hammer Field – who remembers when that was last held? But perhaps a new carnival tradition is being established via the First Annual Tabor Carnival, which has all the makings of the summer institution we love. Speaking of memories, those who loved the drive-in theaters of their youth can at least grab the family and a blanket and head for Foote Park. Also, check out the sales, arts events, car show, and much more. If you haven’t experienced jazz on the green, Thursday is your last chance. Got a Cool Event? Email [email protected] by Wednesday noon.
Friday, Aug. 18
Tabor Church Carnival
Shoreline Reds Travel Baseball League and TCCP are joining together at Tabor Church, 45 Tabor Drive, for a Carnival running through Aug. 20. Hours are Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Ride bracelets are available for $25; nightly ride specials plus food, games, and fun. See top photo.
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
‘A Gardeners’ Market’ Sale
Branford Community Gardens presents at “A Gardeners’ Market” sale on the Branford Green from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. There will be produce, grown by BCG gardeners, cut flowers, assorted plants and baked goods.
BCG, Inc. is a non-profit organization that rents garden plots to Branford residents. Fresh, organically grown produce from a 20’ x 50’ plot, maintained by volunteers, is donated to people in need in Branford through the Community Dining Room and the Branford Food Pantry. For more information, visit www.branfordctgardens.org.
Parking Lot Tag, Bake, Plant Sale
United Methodist Church, 811 East Main St., will host a community tag, bake and plant sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19. Rent a space for $25 ($40 for two). Bring your tables or you can rent one for $10 per (limited number available). For more information, call Rosemary at 203 – 589-1620, leaving your name and a clear phone number. All of the money from the bake sale will go to support the mission project “Days for Girls.”
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].
Thursday, Aug. 24
Eric Darius at Final Jazz Concert
The final concert of the Branford Jazz Series kicks off on the green at 6:30 p.m. with saxophonist, composer, producer, and vocalist Eric Darius (pictured). He has shared the stage with Grammy Award-winning artists, such as Prince, Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, David Foster, Carlos Santana, Babyface, Wynton Marsalis and George Benson. His music crosses over all music boundaries from Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, to Pop, creating a very distinctive, fresh sound and approach that is uniquely his own.Restaurants along Main Street will be open during the concert and attendees are invited to bring chairs and blankets and picnic suppers. Details at Branfordjazz.com.
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, call 203 – 488-1441, ext. 318.
Friday, Sept. 22
Christine Ohlman at New Haven’s Trinity Church
Christine Ohlman’s style, dubbed by Rolling Stone Magazine co-founder Dave Marsh, “Contemporary Rock R n’B,” will be on full display at New Haven’s Trinity Church On The Green’s “Music For Music” Series on Friday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. Joined by the Boys and Girls Choirs of Trinity (the series benefits the choir program), Ohlman will celebrate the themes of Love and Water. “‘The River of Love’ has never been needed more than now,” she said recently. “I know this concert will be a healing, beautiful thing.”
As a special attraction Ohlman and her longtime band, Rebel Montez —Cliff Goodwin, guitar, bassist Michael Colbath, and native New Havener Larry Donahue on drums — will perform four select pieces with choristers of the Trinity Boys Choir and Trinity Girls Choir. These include “Wade in the Water,” “The Deep End” and Al Green’s hit single “Take Me to the River.”
Tickets are $30 ($10 with student ID), available in advance or at the door. Advance sponsorship packages available including premium tickets and program listing. Call 203 – 624-3101 or at http://trinitynewhaven. org/christine-ohlman/.
Looking Ahead
Animal Awareness Day
Branford Compassion Club will host Animal Awareness Day from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, on the Branford Green. The Blessing of the Animals is held at 1:30 p.m., along with children’s activities, business vendors, animal rescue organizations, bake sale, food, and music. Details, sponsor, and vendor information at branfordcompassionclub.org.
A Hogwarts Halloween
Registration is open for a Hogwarts Halloween at the Blackstone Library. Sessions take place Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 3 p.m. OR on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is for children age 6 and up.
Children will get the feeling they truly have entered the halls of Hogwarts. Upon arrival, they will be escorted by Prefects to the Great Hall, where they will be greeted by Professor McGonagall. From there, attendees will take classes in Charms, Potions, and Divination.
This year’s school session also involves an escape challenge – Dolores Umbridge has been known to lock an entire class out of the Hogwarts building and onto the Hogwarts grounds. It will be up to each class to work together to solve the clues and find the magic key that opens the door back into Hogwarts proper. And, of course, no one will leave without their wand from Ollivander’s Wand Shop personally matched by Ollivander.
These sessions are drop-off only, with Prefects escorting the children through their two hours of classes. Admission is $30 per child. Costumes are encouraged. Also available for purchase: Class T‑Shirts (long sleeved), $20 each, and School Portraits, $10 each. Details at http://www.blackstone.lioninc.org/hogwarts-at-blackstone-faqs/.
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