Happy Friday! There’s a lot to do this Columbus Day Weekend from the widely anticipated Hartford Marathon to the second and final week of the Southington Apple Harvest Festival (grab those apple cider donuts while you can, seriously), as well as several arts and cultural events from our grantee organizations. Must-see events on the list are Annapurna featuring the talented Debra Jo Rupp best known as Kitty from That ’70s Show; warning: you might want to grab some tissues before the show because it will make you weep. Horror fanatics should check out the various ghost tours at Mark Twain House and Harriet Beecher Stowe. And The Bushnell continues its season with the opening of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Tuesday night with a colorful musical performance set in ancient Israel.
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.
FRIDAY
Harvest the Arts
When: Friday, October 10, 7-9PM
Where: Center Street, Southington (second week of Southington’s Apple Harvest Festival)
Head over to the Southington Apple Harvest Festival for a performance of LAMP, a 3 story moving artwork complete with dancers and street performers.
Admission: Free. http://www.southington.org/AHF.
Annapurna [UA]
When: Friday, October 10, 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
Spirits at Stowe: An Otherworldly Tour [UA]
When: Friday, October 10, 6:30PM, 7:30PM, 8:30PM
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. 860-522-9258 ext. 317. www.HarrietBeecherStowe.org
Graveyard Shift Ghost Tour of the Mark Twain House [UA]
When: Friday, October 10, 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
SATURDAY
Second Saturdays: Adventures and Expeditions [UA]
When: Saturday, October 11, 1PM-4PM
Where: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Enjoy Walton Ford’s painting that recalls an expedition to the North Pole in the Connections Gallery and find other works of art that take you to new territory. Imagine a destination and make an illustrated map to get you there and a journal to document your journey. Free admission to museum during program.
Admission: Free. www.thewadsworth.org
“Beautiful Mess” CD Release Party
When: Saturday, October 11, 7:30PM
Where: The Dirt Salon
Celebrate the release of Kendra Emery’s debut album “Beautiful Mess” with live music from her album.
Admission: $5-$10. www.kendraemery.com
Night Fall 2014
When: Saturday, October 11, 5:30PM-7:40PM
Where: Colt Park
An annual celebration of Hartford’s beautiful and historic parks, Night Fall features local artists and performers for a festival of theater, pageantry, and music.
Admission: Free. www.nightfallhartford.org
SUNDAY
Classic Film Screenings [UA]
When: Sunday, October 12, 1PM-6PM
Where: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Travel back in time with four films from the first half of the 20th century – Foolish Wives, The Blue Angel, Teddy at The Gold Rush.
Admission: Free. www.thewadsworth.org
Musical: Harold and the Purple Crayon
When: Sunday, October 12, 2PM-4PM
Where: Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts
Follow Harold as he takes an adventure one night with only an over-sized purple crayon, leading him to discover different paths and landmarks.
Admission: $14-$16. www.jorgensen.uconn.edu
TUESDAY
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat [UA]
When: Tuesday, October 14, 7:30PM (through October 19)
Where: The Bushnell
Catch the opening of the irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son, choreographed by Tony Award-winner, Andy Blankenbuehler.
Admission: $21-$65. www.bushnell.org
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