A bonus jazz concert this weekend: Run N’Fly, who was scheduled to appear at the very first concert of the series, will make up their performance on Sunday. Thursday’s concert with Elan Trotman & Tropicality will be the last of the series, which has drawn hundreds to the green each week. Shutterbugs are invited to the Shoreline Trolley Museum to photograph the vintage trolleys spit and polished for the occasion. Hard to imagine that we’re looking at the end of the summer – but it will go out with a bang – just ask Short Beachers as they get ready for their annual three-day celebration.
One note: Our sister publication, the New Haven Independent, will be on hiatus next week and so will The Eagle. We’ll post any breaking news on our Facebook page, so be sure to check there. We’ll be back the following week.
Saturday, Aug. 25
Dudley Farm Farmers’ Market
The Dudley Farm Farmers’ Market, 2351 Durham Road, meets from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25. Vendors offer local and organic produce, meats, maple syrup, jams, baked breads, pastries and pies, honey, fresh squeezed lemon and limeade with strawberries, goats milk soap, bees wax candles, alpaca yarn, natural body products, and a wide variety of exquisite hand-made crafts. The free Children’s Corner activity (10 to 11:30 a.m.), will be making fabric scraps quilts, and the Dudley Farm String Band will perform.
For more information, call 203 – 457-0770, visit www.dudleyfarm.com, or Facebook, Dudley Farm Farmers’ Market.
Photographer’s Night
The Shoreline Trolley Museum, 17 River St., East Haven, offers a Photographer’s Night on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 7 to 9 p.m.
The meticulously restored antique trolley cars are a delight by day and lit-up jewels by night. Those on display with their lights on will include: Car 775 Connecticut, Car 850 New Orleans, and Car 948 Atlanta (check out the red glass.)
A number of short run-bys and still set-ups will be done on the pristine Branford marsh trestle/curve area and in the carbarn-yard area utilizing various photogenic trolleys. Free parking at the Sprague Visitor’s Center.
Come early and photograph the trolleys in daylight and twilight! Sturdy shoes, water and insect repellent suggested. Photo submittals, possibly to be included on the website (with your name for credit) are encouraged after the event and may be sent to: [email protected].
Door open at 6 p.m. General admission is $10. Tickets are available at the door or at http://shorelinetrolley.org/event/photographers-night‑3/.
Sunday, Aug. 26
Jeff Fuller at Ayuthai
Jazz musician Jeff Fuller will be a Home Restaurant, Main Street on Sunday, Aug. 26, from 5 to 8 p.m., performing with guitarist Tony Lombardozzi.
For more information, go to www.jefffuller.net/performances.
Run N’Fly
Rained out on the Branford Jazz Series’ opening night, Run N’Fly, a Steely Dan-like musical collective, has been rescheduled to Sunday, Aug. 26, at 6:30 p.m. on the Branford green. Sandro Albert will be joined by percussionist Bashiri Johnson, bassist Derrick Murdock and vocalists Darryl Tookes, Cindy Mizelle, and Angela Clemmons.
Wednesday, Aug. 29
Books ‘n’ Brews Book Club
Books & Brews meets Wednesday, Aug. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. Each month there are two titles to choose from, each with its own discussion group to take part in. Titles TBD. Sponsored by the Blackstone Library, the sessions take place at Thimble Island Brewery, 16 Business Park Drive.
The next month’s books are brought to each meeting. Books can also be borrowed one from the library (place a hold on the online catalog), or purchase a copy. New members welcome.
Go to meetup.com to connect with the group and RSVP to the meeting. Bring your own snacks. Thimble Islands 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.
Thursday, Aug. 30
Elan Trotman & Tropicality
Saxophonist Elan Trotman is the final performer at the 10th season of Branford Jazz on the Green Series. The music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Trotman has quickly become one of jazz’s most thrilling and emotive performers as he continues to stand out and push boundaries as a composer, performer, teacher and recording artist. Trotman’s playing, though inspired by Grover Washington, Jr., Kirk Whalum and Najee, displays his own fresh ideas and distinctive tone. He was named Jazz Artist of The Year by the New England Urban Music Awards and The Barbados Music Awards.
Trotman is also the executive producer and host of the Barbados Jazz Excursion, a jazz and golf weekend getaway that brings over 300 music lovers to the island every Columbus Day Weekend. He is also the founder of the Never Lose Your Drive Foundation – a Non-Profit that directly funds the Headstart Music Program. Headstart Music provides free weekly instrument instruction to students ages 7 – 11 on saxophone, trumpet, flute, clarinet and percussion.
Friday, Aug. 31 to Monday, Sept. 3
Short Beach Days
The ultimate weekend for everyone who loves Short Beach, the 72nd annual event takes place over Labor Day weekend.
Friday includes the potluck supper at 7 p.m. along with the Spencer Luckey Band. Saturday features running races at 9:30 p.m., sandcastle building at 1 p.m., swim races at 3 p.m., lipsynch/talent at 7 p.m., and bingo at 9 p.m. Sunday includes softball, kickball, duck races, pie baking, trolley rides, and awards. And the much-anticipated parade begins at 11 a.m. It’s open to all ages and is held rain or shine.
For more information and to volunteer, go to www.shortbeachdays.com/.
Saturday, Sept. 8
Volunteer Recruitment Day
Branford Compassion Club Feline Rescue & Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road, North Branford, will host a Volunteer Recruitment Day from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8.
Animal lovers wishing to make a difference are invited to spend the afternoon, learn about the many volunteer positions available, chat with volunteers and enjoy refreshments. Volunteers are needed for shelter feeding and cleaning shifts, fostering, fundraising and feeding at feral colonies. It’s a purrfect opportunity for retirees or students wanting to earn volunteer credits. Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, visit www.branfordcompassionclub.org., or call 203 – 483-6369.
Sunday, Sept. 9
Opening Reception for Flight Path: An Art Quilter’s Journey
An exhibit by quilter Diane Wright titled Flight Path: An Art Quilter’s Journey takes place from Sept. 1 to 25 at Willoughby Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road. Opening reception will be Sunday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m.
This exhibit features the progression of an art quilter’s decades’ old career while remaining identifiable through the use of color and imagery.
Through Sept. 20
Find the Branford Hornet
Forty Branford merchants are joining together to encourage residents to find the Branford High School Hornet and promote their businesses.
Participating merchants will display the BHS Hornet somewhere in their businesses and residents can win gift certificates and prizes by finding them.
Participants will have until Thursday, Sept. 20, to complete a list of 35 out of 40. The winner will be announced at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, on the Branford green at the fourth annual Shoreline Harvest and Jazz Festival. (The winner must be present to win.)
To take part, register at Branfordartcenterct.com (cost $2 per entry to benefit Branford High School), then download the list of merchants, which will be posted July 30 and listed in local papers. Take a photograph with your phone of you or someone in your group with the BHS Hornet and post the photo to Instagram with the hashtag #branfordmerchants.
For more information or to register a business, email Yvonne Gordon-Moser at [email protected].
