October is quite possibly the best month of the year (after June and July, of course), and Hartford’s getting into the Halloween spirit. From ghost tours at Mark Twain House to stories of séances at Harriet Beecher Stowe, we’re gearing up to get spooked.
Not into paranormal activity? You’ll want to check out Annapurna opening at Theaterworks this Friday featuring the talented Debra Jo Rupp from That ’70s Show and the Manhattan Short Film festival at the Wadsworth. Boyhood is 2-for-1 with your Let’s Go Arts card this on Tuesday at Real Art Ways, and this is the last week to check out Ether Dome at Hartford Stage, to learn the history anesthesia through a thrilling performance.
Are we missing anything? Share your weekend plans in the comments. Happy weekend!
THURSDAY
First Thursday: Frohawk Two Feathers / Matrix 170 [UA]
When: Thursday, October 2, 5-8PM
Where: Wadsworth Atheneum
Visit the opening of Frohawk Two Feathers / MATRIX 170, featuring an Artist Talk at 6PM, a special hip-hop performance by Superdeluxe (Frohawk Two Feathers & Micah James) at 7PM, complimentary food and cash bar, an art-making activity sponsored by The Hartford Courant and Trashion Fashion, and more!
Admission: $5; free for members. 860-278-2670. www.thewadsworth.org
CANvas member price: Free!
UNCORKED: Annapurna [UA]
When: Thursday, October 2, 7:00-8:30PM
Where: TheaterWorks
Attend the final tech rehearsal (with a glass of wine) of Annapurna with Debra Jo Rupp (Kitty from That ’70s Show) and Vasili Bogazianos (Benny Sago from All My Children) and get an inside look at the creative process as they get ready to “uncork” the show. Reservations preferred.
Admission: $20. Call 860-527-7838 for reservations.
Taste of the Nation
When: Thursday, October 2, 6PM-9PM
Where: Marquee Events & Catering featuring the Gershon Fox Ballroom
Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation invites you to savor the finest food, spirits and wines to help end childhood hunger in America.
Admission: $85-$150. All attendees must be 21 or older. www.Nokidhungry.org
FRIDAY
Annapurna [UA]
When: Friday, October 3, 8PM (through November 9)
Where: TheaterWorks
After 20 years apart, Emma tracks down her ex-husband to a trailer park in the wilds of Colorado. Their reunion, charged by pain and compassion is both healing and humorous.
Admission: $50. 860-527-7838. www.theaterworkshartford.org
Graveyard Shift Ghost Tour of the Mark Twain House [UA]
When: Friday, October 3, 6PM. 7PM, 8PM, 9PM
Where: Mark Twain House & Museum
Get into the Halloween spirit with MTH’s ever-popular Ghost Tour! Take a nocturnal journey into this national historic landmark, hear tales of family tragedies, and learn about reported encounters with the paranormal.
Admission: $22. 860-280-3130. www.marktwainhouse.org
Spirits at Stowe: An Otherworldly Tour [UA]
When: Friday, October 3, 6:30PM; 7:30PM; 8:30PM (through November 28)
Where: Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
Visit the Stowe House in the dark! Harriet Beecher Stowe, like many 19th-century Americans, attended séances and visited mediums to communicate with departed family members. Explore Stowe’s involvement with the paranormal and learn about investigations by the SyFy Channel’s Ghost Hunters at Spirits at Stowe: An Otherworldly Tour.
Admission: $15. 860-522-925 ext. 317. www.harrietbeecherstowe.org
First Fridays – October [UA]
When: Friday, October 3, 5:30PM-8PM
Where: New Britain Museum of American Art
This month, the NBMAA will be hosting a special Oktoberfest-themed First Friday! Experience authentic German culture complete with traditional German cuisine, including German meatballs, wursts, and sauerkraut courtesy of East Side Restaurant. Celebrity-favorite trunk show artists Pauline Clifford and Diane Kopta will feature their one-of-a-kind shoes and handcrafted jewelry.
Admission: $10-$15. www.nbmaa.org
SATURDAY
Manhattan Short Film Festival [UA]
When: Saturday, October 4, 7:00-8:30PM
Where: Wadsworth Atheneum
Back by popular demand! Unite with film lovers throughout the world to view and vote on your favorite short film during the 17th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival.
Admission: $7-$9. 860-278-2670. www.thewadsworth.org
Family Program: Photography Day
When: Saturday, October 4, 10AM-1PM
Where: Connecticut Historical Society
Explore the new photography exhibit “Hartford Seen: Photographs by Pablo Delano” and then decorate your own magnetic photo frame to bring home.
Admission: Free. 860-236-5621. www.chs.org
Art Reception: Terry Donsen Feder
When: Saturday, October 4, 6-8:30 pm
Where: EKB Gallery, 218 Pearl Street
Mix, mingle, and discover the works of Terry Donsen, plus get a chance to meet the artist.
Admission: Free. http://ebkgallery.com/gallery/
SUNDAY
Ether Dome [UA]
When: Sunday, October 5, 2:00PM
Where: Hartford Stage
Based on the true story of Hartford’s own Dr. Horace Wells who discovered ether as an anesthetic in 1846, Ether Dome is a psychological thriller that follows three men on their quest for salvation, scientific prowess, and glory.
Admission: $25-$85. 860-527-5151. www.hartfordstage.org
Ned & Sunny: A Hartford Love Story
When: Sunday, October 5, 3PM
Where: The Roberts Theater at Kingswood Oxford School, West Hartford
Watch the world premiere of Ned & Sunny: A Hartford Love Story produced in partnership with TheaterWorks. Performance followed by a dessert reception.
Admission: Reservations required. Contact Lisa Curran at 860-233-0228 or edwannroberts@att.net
TUESDAY
Film: Boyhood [UA]
When: Tuesday, October 3, 7:30PM
Where: Real Art Ways
Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason, who literally grows up on screen before our eyes.
Admission: $10. www.realartways.org
Let’s Go Arts Member Discount: 2-for-1
Forced Out! From Conflict to Connecticut: The Story of Refugees in CT
When: Tuesday, October 7, 6PM-7PM
Where: The University of Saint Joseph – Mercy Hall
Currently, there are 28,000 refugees living in CT, many from Iraq, Somalia, Burma, and Bhutan. Join this lecture by Chris George, Executive Director of Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS),who will speak about the challenges that refugees face when resettling in our own local communities.
Admission: Free. 860-241-6118. www.ctwac.org
When you see [UA] in the heading, it means the organization is supported by the contributions made to the Arts Council’s Annual United Arts Campaign.
