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Time to turn back the clocks Saturday night. Early birds will welcome to earlier morning light and everyone will appreciate the extra hour of sleep. Tis the season for holiday fairs and we’ve started compiling a list, so fair goers can plan accordingly. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, VOTE on Tuesday. Every vote counts, including yours. Got a cool event? Email [email protected] by Wednesday noon.
Saturday, Nov. 3
Opening Reception Massimino, 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.
Harvest Supper
Stony Creek Congregational Church, 192 Thimble Island Road, holds a Harvest Supper on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 5:30 p.m. in its Fellowship Hall.
The traditional turkey dinner includes stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, plus dessert, coffee and tea.
Tickets are $15; $5 for children. Call Jake Greenvall at 203 – 481-2410.
Feral Feline Festival
The Greater New Haven Cat Project’s Feral Feline Festival takes place Saturday, Nov. 3, from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Annex Club, 554 Woodward Ave., New Haven.
Angelo Vessichio/Sound Alternative with Big Band music, from the ‘40s to presentday will perform, plus there will be light hors d’oeuvres and coffee; BYOB. Creative raffle baskets and door prizes.
Tickets are $30. For more information, go to www.gnhcp.org.
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/
Tuesday, Nov. 6
Mid-term Voting
Do your civic duty, regardless of political affiliation. Get out and vote. Click here for information.
Thursday, Nov. 8
BYO Committee Meeting
Merchants are invited to meet with members of the BYO (Bring Your Own reusable bag) Branford committee at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Willoughby Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Islands Road, Stony Creek.
The committee is interested in public feedback – both positive and negative comment – on the draft of the proposed ordinance to limit the use of thin plastic bags for checkout by merchants. A draft of the ordinance is posted on the Facebook page of BYO Branford. For questions or information, email [email protected].
Friday, Nov. 9
“Stories of Christmas” Book Launch
The book launch of “Stories of Christmas,” the new Paper-Cut Christmas book from Branford artist Martha Link Walsh, takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at her Gallery, 188 N. Main St. The book launch and reception kick-off the 2018 Shoreline Arts Trail weekend. “Stories of Christmas,” the third in Walsh’s series, feature the traditions, myths, and memories of the season.
“Stories of Christmas” will also be launched at a reception at the Holiday Open House from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday Nov. 30, featuring featuring Cynthia’s Flower Shop, Lucky Re-Do, and guest artists Susan Roberts, Anita Griffith and Bob Parrot.
For more information, go to marthalinkwalsh.com or call 203 – 481-3505.
Saturday, Nov. 10
Branford Folk Music Society Hosts Bill Staines
One of the most popular performers to appear at Branford Folk through the decades, Staines performed at 40th anniversary year and returns at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, for its 45th year. The concert takes place at the First Congregational Church on the Green, 1009 Main St.
A major supporter in the organization’s early years, he appeared for 18 consecutive years from 1974 to 1991.
Now, well into his fifth decade as a performer, he has rightly gained an international reputation as a gifted songwriter and performer. Singing mostly his own songs, he has become one of the most popular and durable singers on the folk music scene today, performing nearly 200 concerts a year and driving over 65,000 miles annually. He has recorded 27 albums and there are three published collections of his songwriting that remain in print.
Admission: $20 non-members, $17 members, $5 children 12 and under. For more information, go to www.folknotes.org/branfordfolk/.
Saturday, Nov. 10-Sunday, Nov. 11
Shoreline Arts Trail
The Shoreline Arts Trail’s 17th annual Open Studios Weekend will feature 30 studios in Branford, Guilford, and Madison, on Saturday, Nov. 10, and Sunday, Nov. 11.
This juried event includes award-winning artists and their work in their studios. Artists who work in pottery, clay, stone, glass, metal, fiber, sculpture, and more, will be available for one-on-one discussions of their work.
More information is available at www.shorelineartstrail.com and on Facebook, including an interactive map, a downloadable print map, and Family Activity Brochure. The Facebook page will feature profiles of individual artists and special events.
Tuesday. Nov. 13
Kid’s Paint and Sip… with Cider
Bishop’s Orchards will hold a Kids’ Ornament Class in conjunction with Painted by the Shore on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Each child who joins will get to paint two reclaimed wood slice ornaments, either in the design pictured or a design of their choosing. Artists and pencils will on hand to sketch on each ornament prior to painting.
Each $20 ticket includes materials and instruction from Painted by the Shore and a cup of cider and treats from Bishop’s Orchards. RSVP to www.paintedbytheshore.com.
Church Fairs
Annual Holiday Festival
United Methodist Church, 811 E. Main St., holds its annual Holiday Festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. Included will be handcrafts, food items, Christmas ornaments, plants, jewelry, and Granny’s Cellar (tag sale). Breakfast sandwiches and lunch menu available. Santa may be available from 10 a.m. to noon for picture taking. Children’s craft room available.
Holiday Fair
Stony Creek Congregational Church will hold its Holiday Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17. Featured will be gift baskets, children’s gifts, and specialty foods such as pies, breads, desserts, jams and more. Lunch will be available.
For more information, call 203 – 488-7827 or go to stonycreekchurchct.org.
Christmas Fair
First Baptist Church of Branford, 975 Main St., will host its Christmas Fair on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shoppers will find a large selection of gifts, including baked goods, crafts, and Christmas items, with breakfast sandwiches from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and lunch available from 11:30 a.m. Pianist Michael Cretella will provide holiday music and Santa will visit with children and be available for pictures. There will also be a huge Tag Sale. Chances for two door prizes will be available to all who visit, with the prizes being awarded at 2 p.m. that day.
For more information, call the church office at 203 – 488-9777 for additional information.
Thursday, Dec. 6
Holiday Gift Basket Sale
The Friends of the Blackstone Library’s annual Holiday Gift Basket Sale kicks off on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., with complimentary champagne and holiday cookies in the lower rotunda at the library.
Ready-made and wrapped, themed baskets are designed for holiday giving containing specialty foods, children’s items, entertainment, gardening supplies, kitchenware and more. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Library programs and services you have come to love.
Baskets will continue to sell throughout the weekend as supplies last.
Donated items for the sale can be dropped off at the library by Friday, Nov. 30
