Coney Island: Visions from the Boardwalk @ Lockwood Mathews Mansion

A new exhibition titled, Coney Island: Visions from the Boardwalk by Gail Ingis-Claus will  run through Sept. 30th at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT. 

Inspired by a lifetime of loving memories of Coney Island, her playground from childhood to maturity, artist Gail Ingis-Claus depicts this landmark resort through a collection of twenty-five works, ranging from the representational to the abstract. 

Bright hues and rhythmic brushstrokes highlight this magnetic and alluring destination of American culture where dizzying, neon-colored rides on the Cyclone and swings and slides on the Wonder Wheel, evoke images and memories of a by-gone era. Ms. Ingis-Claus’ work has been exhibited throughout the region including: the Fairfield Arts Council, Lyme Association, Madison Art Society, Guilford Art League, Barnes & Noble, both Westport, CT and Paramus, NJ, among others.

The exhibit will be on view as part of LMMM’s tours, Wed.-Sun. at noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. General Admission: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children and young adults, ages 8-18. The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is a National Historic Landmark. For more information on schedules and programs please visit: www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799. For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Dance Party and Smooth Jazz Affair @ Palace Theatre in July

As part of the Summer Jazz Series being offered by the Palace Theatre on 100 East Main St. in Waterbury, ACT Jams Productions is presenting Chris "Big Dog" Davis' Birthday Bash, an All-White Attire, Smooth Jazz Affair on July 29 at 8 p.m.  This bash will take place in the orchestra lobby, featuring chart-topping flutist Althea Rene along with vocalists Barbara Fowler and Christi Jones.

Following the concert, guests will be invited to take to the dance floor for an Old School Dance Party featuring everyone's favorite R&B, funk, house and club classics spun by the evening's host, Al "DJ ACT" Taylor from 94.3FM WYBC. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their brightest white outfits and dance the night away!

Christopher "Big Dog" Davis is a Waterbury native and two-time Grammy nominated writer and producer, who has earned ten Billboard top #1 smooth jazz records over the past eight years.

Soul Jazz Flutist Althea Rene is one the world's most exciting solo improvisational flutists and regarded by some as a "master of her craft." Her hit song "In the Flow" allowed her to become the first flute player in the history of the Billboard Chart to reach the #1 spot.

Tickets may be purchased online  and are $38.75 per person. For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Booming Winsted Book Festival with Ralph Nader

The founder of the American Museum of Tort Law, Ralph Nader  located in Winsted is presenting the Booming Winsted Book Festival on Saturday, July 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 414 Main St. (Rte. 44) in Winsted.  There will be more than 200 all new non- fiction books available at discounted prices in addition to five authors making an appearance to sign their books and speak.

Part of the impetus of this event was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ralph Nader's groundbreaking book, Unsafe at Any Speed.  Mr. Nader will be speaking and signing his books, Unsafe at Any Speed and his latest book, Unstoppable: The Emerging Left-Right Allianceto Dismantle the Corporate State on Saturday, July 30 at 10 a.m.

The next speaker to take the podium at 12:30 p.m. is Patricia Klindienst, the author of  The Earth Knows My Name: Food, Culture and Sustainability in the Gardens of Ethnic Americans.  This award winning book tells the story of what ethnic gardens have meant to newcomers to our land.

At 2 p.m., Nader will be joined by Pulitzer Prize winning American historian, Eric DeWitt Clinton, Professor of History at Columbia University, who will sign his book, Gateway to Freedom: Hidden History of the Underground Railroad. David Bollier, a world-leading scholar and advocate for the Commons will take center stage at 4 p.m. to present his book, Thinking Like a Commoner.  The book reviews the idea of the old commons (public lands and airwaves) and the new commons such as tax payer funded research and development and the ownership of intellectual property via the internet and what is owned but not controlled. All the books discussed at the Festival will be sold by the Hickory Stick Bookshop at regular prices.

On July 31, Historian and Western CT State University Housatonic Valley Regional High School teacher, Peter Vermilyea, the author of the Hidden History of Litchfield County and his new nook, Wicked Litchfield County will be at the festival to talk about and sign his books.

Book lovers that  buy two books in the $5 category get one free and with every $40 purchase patrons of the festival get at $10 coupon to Noujaim's Restaurant that is next door.  For those whose combined purchases and or charitable contributions to The Law Works equal to or exceeding $500 will receive one autographed copy of the 50th anniversary commemorative edition of Unsafe at Any Speed.

Don't forget to visit, the American Museum of Tort Law, the only one of its kind in the world -- it is educational, fun and a definitely eye-opening!  And, parents, bring the kids, there is a new teachable toy exhibit created for youngsters.

For more information www.litchfieldhills.com

New Milford Village Fair Days July 29 & 30

The center of New Milford located in the scenic Litchfield Hills is noted for its long traditional village green laid out in 1872. Here you will find monuments from past wars as well as a bandstand, first built in 1891 that is a symbol of New Milford's sense of community.

You can also explore many exceptional galleries, boutiques, restaurants and antique shops that are clustered in the heart of this village. Many are located in beautifully restored 18th and 19th century homes and buildings. Town Hall, facing the Green, marks the home of one of New Milford's most illustrious citizens, Roger Sherman, the only Connecticut man whose signature is on all key documents of the founding of this nation.

On July 29 and July 30, 2016 the New Milford Green becomes a hive of activity with the many activities and family fun offered up at the 49th Annual New Milford Village Fair Days.

Organized by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, this is the largest annual event in New Milford. Hundreds of vendors including local businesses, organizations, church groups and clubs exhibit their unique offerings. If you like crafts, you won't be disappointed as many skillful crafters offer their wares.

Food is a big element of any Fair and New Milford's food vendors won't disappoint. There is even a dining tent and two days of entertainment that add to the festivities. Participants in this year's food court include: New Milford Rotary Club, Water Witch Hose Co 2, The Cookhouse, CC's Spiral Potatoes, Crab Cakes & Coconut Shrimp, Alfredo's/Colosseo Restaurants, New Milford Lions Club, Thomas's Ice Cream Truck, American Pie Company, Greek Isle and Primos Deli.

Exploring the south Green you will find a variety of businesses, organizations, church groups and clubs, while the north Green hosts master crafters. Food vendors can be found in the mid-section of the Green where fair goers will find everything from tasty snacks to a wonderful meal that can be enjoyed in the large sit-down dining area.

The Fair opens at 10:00 am and closes at 10:00 PM on both days. Among the many highlights on the 29th are the tour of town hall at 2:30 p.m., a performance by Theatre Works from 1:30 p.m. - 2 :00 p.m., an historic walking tour of Main Street at 4 p.m., an Old Fashion Pie eating contest at 5 p.m., the Kid's Fun Run at 6:00 PM and music by Hire & Hire from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

On Saturday, July 30th the Fair opens at 10:00 am and closes at 10:00 PM. Highlights on the 30th include: the 49th Annual 8 Mile Road Race & 14th Annual Fair Days 5K at 8:30 am, a town hall tour at 2:30 p.m., the band The Blue Yodels from 3:15 PM – 4 PM, an historic tour of Main Street at 4 PM and the band Zenith from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

For further information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 860.354.6080 or visit http://www.newmilford-chamber.com for up to the minute information.

Connecticut Wine Festival July 23 and 24

This year on July 23 and 24 at the Goshen Fair Grounds located on 116 Middle Road (Rte. 63) in Goshen thriteen Connecticut Vineyards have come together to present the 2016 Connecticut Wine Festival. The participating vineyards include:Bishop's Orchards Winery Paradise Hills Vineyard DiGrazia Vineyards Priam Vineyards Holmberg Orchards & Winery Sharpe Hill Vineyard Hopkins Vineyard Sunset Meadow Vineyards Jonathan Edwards Winery Taylor Brooke Winery Jones Winery White Silo Winery and Miranda Vineyard.

Visitors are invited to come and sample the best of Connecticut's wineries as well as sample delicious locally produced specialty foods, browse for handicrafts while listening to live music.  The tickets are 27.00 in advance/$35.00 at the gate and $10.00 Designated Driver. Advance Tickets are available until midnight on Saturday, July 16th and can be purchased online or at the gate.

Tasting Tickets include admission to the festival, samples of up to 4 wines at each of the wineries, a free CT Wine Festival wine glass and a CT Wine Festival tote bag. Designated Driver Tickets include admission to the festival, a free CT Wine Festival tote bag and free water. 

If you are part of the 2016 Passport to Connecticut Wineries this is a perfect opportunity to get your passport stamped; wineries will not be stamping their individual pages, but the CT Wine Festival has a page of it's own to be stamped. Please remember to bring a valid I.D. and remember that there are no pets or outside food and beverages allowed on the fairgrounds.

Fairy Festival at Flanders Nature Center

Flanders will become inhabited by the “wee folk” on Saturday, July 16 from 10AM to 3PM.  Faeries are mystical little people who inhabit the land, living in harmony with nature.

It will be a magical day of viewing faerie houses that will enchant the trails and grounds of the nature center located at 5 Church Hill Road in Woodbury. There will be music, vendors, kid’s activities, food with a magical twist, roaming musicians, and faerie dancing. The magic continues with a 

Costume Contest and Faerie & Wizard Parade, a live owl presentation and woodcarvers on site creating wizard staffs and wands!

Admission to the festival is $6.00 per person and free for children aged 2 and under.

Participants are invited to build their own Faerie/Wizard house for display at the festival. Each participant will have a 4 foot by 4 foot outdoor space, in which to display the miniature home and “landscaping.” 

Organizers suggest working with a base structure, which could be a bird house or milk carton, adding “towers” and “turrets,” using paper towel tubes or tooth paste boxes and decorating inside and out with natural materials, highlighted by artificial flowers, doll house furniture or other creative elements. Houses must be set up between 8 and 10 a.m. on July 16 at Flanders. Ribbons will be awarded in various categories for the best designed faerie dwellings.

For more information on the festival, Faerie House rules or entry forms, visit www.flandersnaturecenter.org.  For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com