It’s not everyday that we get to honor and celebrate Hartford’s quirky side, but on Saturday, October 18 we’ll have every reason to do so. Head downtown to the Hooker Day Parade (sponsored by the Greater Hartford Arts Council) at 2PM sharp for a Mardi-Gras style celebration with live music from the West End Blend and a block party in front of Black-eyed Sally’s at 3PM. Other highlights for the weekend include numerous ghostly tours and the last Hartford Hodgepodge of the season. And if you haven’t yet, RSVP to ARTini, our annual fall fundraising martini mixer on the night-before-Halloween with a throwback to the Art Deco era.
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
Spirits at Stowe: An Otherworldly Tour [UA]
When: Friday, October 17, 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: $10-$15. 860-522-9258 ext. 317. www.HarrietBeecherStowe.org
Masculinity and its Discontents [UA]
When: Friday, October 17, 7:30PM
Where: Real Art Ways
Explore the intersection between football, war, and American culture at this evening panel featuring bestselling authors Steve Almond, William Giraldi, and D’Arcy Maine and hosted by Mike Pesca.
Admission: $5. www.realartways.org.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat [UA]
When: Friday, October 17, 7:30PM (through October 19)
Where: The Bushnell
Watch the hilarious 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
West Hartford Hauntings
Where: Friday, October 17, 6:00-8:45PM (through October 25).
Where: North Cemetery, 80 North Main St. West Hartford
Take a tour through the rows of gravestones at the North Cemetery and hear the creepy tales of several past residents of West Hartford.
Admission: $9-$13. 860-521-5362 ext. 21. www.noahwebsterhouse.org
Exhibit This! The Museum Comedies
When: Friday, October 17, 8PM-9:30PM (through October 25)
Where: Vernon Community Arts Center
Mix and mingle with artists and comedians for a fast-paced series of comedic plays set in a museum gallery.
Admission: $10-$12. 860-871-8222. www.vernonarts.org
SATURDAY
Graveyard Shift Ghost Tour of the Mark Twain House [UA]
When: Saturday, October 18, 6PM. 7PM, 8PM, 9PM (through October 30)
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
Annapurna [UA]
When: Saturday, October 17, 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
Hartford Hodgepodge
When: Saturday, October 18, 11AM-4PM
Where: State House Square
Catch the last Hartford Hodgepodge of the year full of local artisans, vendors, musicians, and of course, Hartford’s best food trucks.
Admission: Free. www.hartfordhodgepodge.com
Behind-the-Scenes Tour: CHS Gets Creepy
When: Saturday, October 18, 2PM-3PM
Where: Connecticut Historical Society
History gets creepy at the Connecticut Historical Society with this spooky look behind the scenes tour. Tales of vampires, corpses on ice, death portraits, and even séances haunt the storage vaults of the CHS. Come and get the history scared out of you! Tour lasts approximately 1 hour and are appropriate for ages 12 and up. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Admission: $12. 860-236-5621 ext. 289. www.chs.org
CANvas member price: 2-for-1 admission.
Hooker Day Parade
When: Saturday, October 18, 2PM
Where: Downtown Hartford
Celebrate all things Hartford and honor Hartford founder Thomas Hooker at the annual Mardi-Gras inspired Hooker Day Parade.
Admission: Free.
TUESDAY
Mark My Words: A Wicked Cool Evening [UA]
When: Tuesday, October 21, 8PM-10PM
Where: Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Don’t miss this wicked cool event featuring a conversation between the authors of the book and Broadway hit WICKED in collaboration with the Mark Twain House and Museum.
Admission: $25-$125. www.bushnell.org
Want a spot on our blog or 7-day newsletter? Submit all Greater Hartford area arts and cultural events to Events@LetsGoArts.org for consideration.
[Image via Hartford.com]
