Looks like we’ve gone from August to November, bundle up for Broadway in Branford tonight! Bring a cup of coffee and a blanket and settle in for some great music to benefit Legacy Theatre. And, with the colder weather comes the importance of caring for the community cats in our midst. Take some time to stop by Branford Compassion Club and help them stock up on their supplies for winter. Got a cool event? Email [email protected] by Wednesday noon.
Friday, Oct. 19
Broadway in Branford
Branford based Broadway production company Seaview Productions will present the fifth annual “pay what you can” Broadway in Branford on Friday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. on the Branford Green. Proceeds from the evening support Legacy Theatre’s efforts to restore the historic Stony Creek Puppet House in Branford.
Performers include Sean Bernardi of Hairspray, Judith Bowman of Hello, Dolly, NYMF Award Winner Tara Martinez, and Laura Pavles of South Pacific; William TN Hall is music director.
For reservations go to www.LegacyTheatreCT.org. Anyone donating of $20 or more will receive reserved seating (chairs provided) closest to the stage.
Saturday, Oct. 20
Uncover Branford
Join the Uncover Branford group Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10:30 to noon at the Blackstone Library to share favorite Branford places and stories, then, plan a group outing to a special spot. As they go out into the community to explore and uncover new places, they can make new friends, have lots of fun, and discover the hidden gems of Branford.
At the planning meeting, they will talk about favorite places in town, and plan where they will venture to next.
RSVP at meetup.com.
Fundraiser to Benefit Feral Cats
Branford Compassion Club will hold its annual fall food drive and fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 20, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monetary donations and/or donations of unopened canned (pate) and dry cat food can be dropped off at its Feline Rescue & Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road. This event coincides with Global 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.
For more info about BCC, go to www.branfordcompassionclub.org.
Classic Whiffenpoofs
Classic Whiffenpoofs will sing in a benefit concert at Trinity Church on the Green in Branford on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m.
Made up of 13 former Yale Whiffenpoofs, the Classic Whiffenpoofs include alumni from the Classes of 1962 – 1972. They have performed together since 2011, with their classic ensemble sound and rich renditions of traditional Whiffenpoof repertoire.
Proceeds will benefit two Outreach Programs of Trinity Church: BHcares Shoreline and Columbus House. Tickets are $25 at the door. Reception follows. For more information, call 203 – 533-7439.
Sunday, Oct. 21
Model Congress Benefit
Classic Yale Whiffenpoofs return to Branford in a benefit for the Branford High School Model Congress on Sunday, Oct. 21, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Pine Orchard Country Club, 2 Club Parkway.
Buffet dinner includes pizzas, pasta, salad, and dessert. BHS Music Makers sing during dinner and the Classic Whiffenpoofs perform from 7 to 8 p.m. Made up of 13 former Yale Whiffenpoofs, the Classic Whiffenpoofs include alumni members now drawn from the classes of 1962 – 1972.
Casual, nice attire suggested. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $10 for students. Space is limited. RSVP to reserve seat. Call 203 – 676-7755.
Sunday Jazz at Home
Enjoy jazz at Home Restaurant’s Living Room on Sundays from 5 to 8 p.m. The Preston “Mad Dog Murphy Duo will perform Sunday, Oct. 21; and Jeff Fuller and Joe Carter will appear Sunday, Oct. 28.
Seating is first come, first served. For more information, call 203 – 483-5896 or visit HomeRestaurantCT.com.
Wednesday, Oct. 24
“Get Happy”
Branford Counseling Center will be offering a free showing of the award-winning documentary, “Happy,” on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Branford Fire Department headquarters, 45 N. Main St. 2nd floor.
Moving from the bayous of Louisiana to the deserts of Namibia, from the beaches of Brazil to the villages of Okinawa, “Happy” is a film that explores some of the non-material roots of happiness, and in the process shows that while there isn’t a formula for it, everyone can become happier.
A panel discussion and informational materials will be provided following the film. Refreshments will be provided. Call the Branford Counseling Center with any questions: 203 – 481-4248.
Find Abundance
A collection of new paper cuttings by Branford artist Martha Link Walsh will be on display at the Willoughby Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road from Friday, Oct. 26, to Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Walsh and fine art photographer Gaile Ramey will host an opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, as part of this joint exhibit sponsored by the Friends of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library.
Walsh will also give an Artist’s Talk at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, to discuss her inspiration and process for the two dozen images on display.
Ramey’s photographs highlight her observations of the vital, sublime power of natural phenomena surrounding us.
For more information, call Martha Link Walsh, 203 – 481-3505, www.marthalinkwalsh.com.
Saturday, Oct. 27
Halloween Hysterics At Henry’s
Learn the secrets that lurk behind the formidable stone walls of Connecticut’s oldest house on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when the Henry Whitfield State Museum presents Halloween Hysterics at Henry’s.
Participants can see the 379-year-old Whitfield House in a new light – or rather, in no light. The lights will be off as visitors explore the entire building. The basement, usually closed to the public, will have a few surprises for those brave enough to venture there. Bring a flashlight to investigate all the nooks and crannies.
In the museum’s Visitor Center, enjoy some candy, craft a gravestone or gargoyle out of clay, and do some coloring. In the Education Center, learn about the Guilford Green graveyards, the Whitfield connection to the Salem witch trials, and the origins of Halloween traditions in the display “Holidaze: The Real Story of Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas.”
This program is recommended for ages 6 and older. Admission is $6 and free for ages 12 and younger. Parking is free at the museum, located at 248 Old Whitfield Street. For more information, call 203 – 453-2457, e‑mail [email protected], visit www.cultureandtourism.org, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/henrywhitfieldstatemuseum.
Spirit Medium/Clairvoyant Helps Raise Funds for Homeless Cats
Avant Garde Holistic Center will sponsor “An Evening with Spirit Medium Althea DePascale, “a fundraising event benefiting Branford Compassion Club on Saturday, October 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Avant Garde Holistic Center, 328 East Main St.
DePascale is a spirit medium who has the ability to connect with loved ones and pets who have crossed over to the other side. The evening event is a gallery style presentation and not everyone will receive a message. The suggested donation is $10. For reservations, call 203 – 481-8443 or email [email protected].
Haunted Isle
Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven gets into the Halloween season with its Haunted Isle, which begins Friday, Sept. 28, and continues from 7 to 10 p.m. on weekends, Oct. 19 and 20, and 26 and 27.
The Haunted Isle experience consists of a short trolley car ride (about 5 minutes each way), which will drop off participants at the Isle itself, where they will be walking along an unlit trail through the woods where ghouls, goblins and ghosts will do their best to scare them. Plan to spend at least an hour at the Isle exclusive of time spent waiting in line. See the online information for cautionary
Local food trucks will serve food and beverages on site. General admission tickets are $13 each online, $15 at the door. Express and VIP tickets are available online. For details, go to shorelinetrolley.org/special-events/haunted-isle/.
Tuesday, Oct. 30
Halloween Pawty
A Dress Up Halloween Pawty for adults to benefit the homeless animals at Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Rossitto’s Ristorante, 284 E. Main St.
The cost is $30 per ticket, which includes hors d’oeurves and one glass of wine. There will be a 50/50 and prizes for costumes. For more information, go to Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter on Facebook.
Saturday, Nov. 3
Opening Reception for Massimino, Brown
Painting by Sally Brown
An opening reception for John Massimino and Sally Brown will be held at the Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St., on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Massimino, retired teacher of 20 years at Paier College of Art, will show his recent acrylic paintings in the studio gallery. He is a member of many art associations and is listed in Who’s Who in the East, USA, The Dictionary of International Biography, and Men of Achievement. He is part of the NASA Team of Artists and spent many years in Italy painting.
Gallery artist Sally Brown will display for the first time her large collection of seascapes done in acrylic or pastel as well as her animal and bird paintings.
The show runs through Nov 28. Email Yvonne Gordon-Moser for more information,[email protected], or call 860 – 334-4642, or go to branfordartcenterct.com.
Sunday, Nov. 4
Bluegrass Band Plays Branford
The Korey Brodsky Band, honored by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), will perform with his band Sunday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m. at Pilgrim Hall, First Congregational Church of Branford, 1009 Main St. The event is a scholarship fundraiser sponsored by the Musical Art Society of Branford. The Alice Collins Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a Branford student majoring in music. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $12 for members of the Society, and $6 for students.
Just 19 years old and a perennial contest winner, Brodsky plays guitar and mandolin. He released his debut album “Cruizin’” in October 2016. Joining Brodsky will be his father, Rick Brodsky, who has played bass for numerous regional and national bluegrass bands, and fiddlers Ella Jordan and Ethan Hawkins.
The Musical Art Society of Branford is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 to support and promote music in the community. Information on future programs is available from Barbara Shaw at 203 – 481-2819 or https://sites.google.com/site/musicalartsocietyofbranford/
