Art Space
A very diverse collection of cool events this week. There are lots you can do to support favorite causes – the newly formed Ben Callahan Foundation, MADD, Branford Compassion Club. Art and music play a big role, too. Drop in at the Blackstone to learn about honey bees, check out Jen Payne’s new book at the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, and raise a stein in celebration of fall at the Stony Creek Brewery. Got a cool event? Email [email protected] by Wednesday noon.
Friday, Oct. 6
ArtSpace Open Studios
In New Haven, ArtSpace’s City-Wide Open Studios with the theme, fRact/fiction, runs through Nov. 9.
The opening reception is Friday, Oct. 6, 5 to 8 p.m., at 50 Orange St. Highlights include Noodles on 9, a foodie street festival along the 9th Square; Neo-American Pre-Teen Day-Dream, the Elaboratory Presents Xperimental Libations; and After Party at Café 9.
The celebration continues as follows: Westville Weekend is Oct. 7 and 8, Armory Weekend is Oct. 14 and 15, Private Studios Weekend is Oct. 21 and 22, and Erector Square Weekend is Oct. 28 and 29.
Details at https://artspacenewhaven.org/events/city-wide-open-studios-opening-reception/.
Saturday, Oct. 7
“Benstock”
“Benstock,” a musical event in honor of Ben Callahan, will take place Saturday, Oct. 7, at Nuzzo’s Farm, 736 East Main St. Ben died in July after drowning in the Branford River; he was 10 years old.
All proceeds will go toward the Ben Callahan, established by the family to fund various charities in the community. Local bands will be featured as well as food trucks, vendors, and more. Email Cayla Florio at [email protected] to volunteer or donate services, supplies, or time.
Wednesday, Oct. 11
The Vanishing Honey Bee
Menunkatuck Audubon presents “The Vanishing Honey Bee” at Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Beekeeper Howland Blackiston will discuss the colony’s amazing social structure, and the multitude of benefits that honey bees bring to our everyday lives. Discover the secrets of what goes on within a colony of bees. Understand why the bees are vanishing, and what you can do to help reverse this grim situation.
Howland Blackiston has been keeping bees for decades, and is the first to admit that he loves his bees. All beekeepers develop a special bond with their bees. He is the author of the popular Beekeeping for Dummies and Building Beehives for Dummies.
Refreshments will be served.
For more info, call Carl R. Harvey at 203 – 389-6076 or [email protected].
Saturday, Oct. 14
Food Drive, Fundraiser for Ferals
Branford Compassion Club will hold its annual fall food drive and fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at its Feline Rescue & Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road. The event coincides with National Feral Cat Day, which promotes awareness of and compassion for feral cats throughout the United States.
Branford Compassion Club is in dire need of cat food to get it through the fall and winter seasons, as well as monetary donations to fund spay/neuter programs, which reduce the feral cat population. Volunteers from BCC take care of multiple feral colonies in the surrounding area every day, 365 days a year. Monetary donations and/or donations of unopened canned (pate) and dry cat food can be dropped off at the Branford Compassion Club Feline Rescue and Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road in North Branford.
For more info about BCC, go to www.branfordcompassionclub.org.
Walk Like MADD
The 2017 Branford Walk Like MADD is Saturday, Oct. 14, with registration from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The walk begins at 10 a.m. Participants meet outside Branford Town Hall, on the Branford green.
This year’s walk is held in honor of Deanne Negri, who was critically injured by a drunk driver on Dec. 18, 2013. Negri survived the horrific accident but now lives a life dramatically compromised by the fallout of traumatic brain injury suffered in the crash. Shoreline residents from all area towns are invited to join Negri and her family, a/k/a team “Rebels With a Cause.”
Walkers will trek three miles on a course leading out to Branford Point and then back to Town Hall. For younger kids, mini “Fun Runs” will take place. Walkers receive a Walk T‑shirt, breakfast and lunch. The day also includes a MADD CT program honoring Negri; with help from the National Guard’s Color Guard, Branford High School band and other organizations.
Learn more and register in advance at www.walklikemadd.org/branford or call 203 – 764-2566.
Joel Malbus at Branford Folk Music Society
Michigan’s Joel Mabus will perform at Branford Folk Music Society’s concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the First Congregational Church, 1009 Main St. He last played in Branford in 2005 with his impeccable musicianship, warm humor and storytelling and fine songwriting.
Malbus’s palette ranges from mountain banjo to jazz guitar – from sensitive introspection to wicked satire. His performing career began in college during the Vietnam Era, where he studied anthropology and literature by day and played coffeehouses by night. He has recorded 25 solo albums of original and traditional music since his recording career began in 1978. His latest effort, released early this summer, is “Different Hymnals”, a collection of tunes representing a wide variety of inspiration and traditions, different dogma and creeds. His previous release was 2015’s “A Bird In This World,” a guitar-driven album of original songs exploring the blues.
Admission is $20 non-members, $17 members, $5 children 12 and under.
Saturday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 15
Book Launch Party and Artist Talk
Launch party for “Evidence of Flossing: What We Leave Behind,” a new book by Branford author/artist Jen Payne takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, 188 North Main St. Payne asks the questions: Would God floss? Do spiders sing? Can you see the Universe in your reflection? Payne’s 2014 book “LOOK UP! Musings on the Nature of Mindfulness” will also be featured.
Payne will sign copies of her book. Refreshments will be served. The event is open to the public.
An Artist Talk/Sunday Salon with Jen Payne and Martha Link Walsh takes place from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15, at Martha Link Walsh Gallery 188 North Main Street.
The free event will focus on the creative process and is presented in conjunction with the launch of “Evidence of Flossing: What We Leave Behind,” a collection of poetry and photographs by Payne. Open to the public; refreshments will be served.
Email Jen Payne [email protected] or call 203 – 483-5353 or visit 3chairspublishing.com.
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 www.blackstone.lioninc.org/hogwarts-at-blackstone-faqs/.
Sunday, Oct. 15
Oktoberfest
The Branford Lions Club will hold its annual Oktoberfest at the Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave., on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 3 to 6 p.m.
A full German-style dinner is included with the $40 admission ticket. Reminiscent of the Beer Festivals held over 40 years ago, the event is held right at the brewery, where many different beers can be sampled. Each beer is crafted by the artisans at SCB and served right where it was made. Tours of the brewery will be available.
For tickets, go to eventbrite.com/e/branford-lions-clubs-oktoberfest-tickets-37016255617.
Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 18
Celebrate the Reformation
Tabor Lutheran Church, 45 Tabor Drive, will celebrate 500 Years of the Reformation with a variety of activities, including a free showing of “Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed the World” at the Lutheran Church of Madison (9 Britton Lane) on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m. All other activities will be held on the church property.
An Art & Talent Show takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. Farmers Market & Vendor Fair with live music is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, along with a Kid’s Fest, with petting zoo, hay rides, crafts, games, prizes, and a bounce house. A German Style Pork Roast Dinner follows, from 5 to 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $14. The 2nd Company Governor’s Foot Guard performing under the tent outdoors and Bobby Jo Valentine, a two-time West Coast Songwriter’s Association “Songwriter of the Year,” will perform at 7 p.m.
For more information, call 203 – 488-2541.
Thursday, Oct. 19
Black Cat Wine Tasting Fundraiser
Shoreline Networking Associates & Professionals (SNAP) will host the Black Cat Wine Tasting Fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at La Luna Ristorante, 168 N. Main St., to benefit the Branford Compassion Club.
Wine tasting provided by: ViaONEHOPE. There will be a cash bar for all other beverages and La Luna dinner specials will be available following the event.
Raffle tickets sold at the door $5 each; drawing 7:15 p.m. Must be present to win. RSVP by Oct. 14 to SNAP president, Dawn Carlson. Call or text 203 – 214-4493.
Friday, Oct. 20
Paint Jam Social
Art Plus Studio, 1207 Chapel St., New Haven, is launching a new creative event on Friday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. titled “Paint Jam Social,” an arty party where music fuses with art.
Art Plus Studio hopes to promote creativity, community, and dance. The event will begin with a surprise drink reception upon arrival, introductory art exercises on paper, then move onto individual painting on canvas with standing easels. Later in the evening, collaborative painting on a communal canvas takes place. A DJ will be playing music all night long. Guests are encouraged to bring wine or beer to enjoy while they paint and dance.
The theme of the night is “Abstract Art,” so some abstract art techniques will be demonstrated, channeling famous artists like Pollock, Rothko, Kandinsky, and Mondrian. Paint Jam Social brings the artist experience to everyone in an uplifting, social space.
For more information, visit http://www.artplusstudio.com/ or call 203 – 500-7352.
Saturday, Oct. 21
Opening Reception
Jay Babina
Shoreline artists Sandy Kensler and Jay Babina, will be featured at the opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St. The show runs through Nov. 14.
Babina has been painting for over 50 years while working as a graphic designer and illustrator. His mediums are watercolor, acrylic and oil. He paints both “en plein air” (in the open air) and in the studio. He is also a painting instructor at the Killingworth Art Center and the Branford Art Center.
Sandy Kensler
Kensler initially studied with Terry Oakes-Bourret and matriculated at the Lyme Art Academy with continuing training at workshops throughout the Northeast. She has exhibited at New Haven Paint and Clay, where two of her works are in the permanent collection, and she holds artist memberships in the Guilford Art League and the Madison and Clinton Art Societies. Her body of her work includes paintings of animals and people of Kenya.
For more information, email [email protected].
Sunday, Oct. 22
Men Who Cook
Judith Barbosa Photo
The 23rd annual Men Who Cook takes place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at the Guilford Yacht Club, 379 New Whitfield St., Guilford. Guests will dine on three small plate courses at this festive cocktail party, emceed by celebrity chef and past Chopped champion Ric Orlando, and featuring fun chef competitions between 30 prominent and talented volunteer chefs.
Live and silent auction items range from South African photo safaris and sailing trips to jewelry, theater tickets, gift baskets, and more. Proceeds will benefit Women & Family Life Center, which helps shoreline residents in crisis due to major life events. For tickets call 203 – 458-6699, email [email protected], or visit www.womenandfamilylife.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Annual Halloween Parade
The Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., will host Miss Mary and Miss Carly’s annual Halloween Parade from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 31. Kids are welcome to come in full costume to partake in Halloween rhymes, books, movement activities and even apps. The hour will conclude with a parade around the building to show off costumes and share in a couple of non-food based treats. Babies through children age 5 are invited and registration is not required.
Tuesday, Nov. 7
Color Away Your Stress
The adult coloring phenomenon has provided an island of calm in a stressful world. Sally Bahner will host a workshop at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St.
There are hundreds of books on the market, tailored to all interests and skill levels, designs simple and complicated, mandalas, animals, florals, landscapes and more. Artists such as Joanna Basford and Hanna Karlzon have gained huge followings. Some handouts and supplies will be available. Feel free to bring your own. Donation, $5.
To register or for more information, call Yvonne, 860 – 334-4642 or Sally, 203 – 488-3495
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