Community Calendar

Weekly starting June 7 through August 16

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location: The Litchfield History Museum

Cost: Free for Members, $10 for non-Members

Registration Requested

The Litchfield Historical Society’s weekly walking tours are the perfect way to discover Litchfield’s vibrant history and explore the town’s celebrated Historic District. The history and stories of old Litchfield are preserved in the architecture of the town. Each tour provides visitors with an overview of Litchfield’s history - from the stories behind famous landmarks to anecdotes about past residents to appreciation of prominent buildings. 

The walk will begin at the Litchfield Historical Society (7 South Street) and lasts approximately 1 hour. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. Walking tours are free for members and $10 for non-members.

Walking Tours are sponsored by Berkshire Alarm

Celebrate an extension of Waterbury’s Harry Potter Day with a magical Saturday full of art activities, an owl and raptor presentation, a scavenger hunt, and more!

Celebrate 30 Years of Great Jazz in the Hills!

Join us July 25–27 in Washington, CT for the 30th Anniversary of the Litchfield Jazz Festival, a beloved summer tradition where world-class jazz meets small-town charm. Presented on the beautiful campus of The Frederick Gunn School, this year’s festival brings together jazz legends, rising stars, and Litchfield Jazz Camp alumni for three unforgettable days of music, food, and community. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-timer, this milestone year promises something truly special.

🎶 July 25 – Friday Night Opens In Style!

The celebration kicks off with our Opening Night Gala at 5:45 PM, featuring standout performances by our top Litchfield Jazz Camp student combos, delicious fare from local favorites, and Litchfield Distillery's top-shelf cocktails. At 7:45 PM, the mainstage lights up with the return of the Emmet Cohen Trio, featuring Emmet Cohen (a former Litchfield camper and now a global jazz sensation), Joey Ranieri on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Emmet first appeared at Litchfield fresh out of college in 2013—this marks his fifth performance at the festival, and we couldn’t be more excited.

🎷 July 26 – Saturday: All Jazz, All Day

Saturday brings a triple bill of powerhouse performances, starting at 3 PM with the Matt Dwonszyk Sextet. Matt, like Emmet, is a former camper and now one of the most in-demand bassists on the scene. He’s joined by a knockout lineup: Kris Allen (sax), Andrew Renfroe (guitar), Taber Gable (piano), Jonathan Barber (drums), and Shenel Johns (vocals).

Next up: Pasquale Grasso and Frank Vignola. Grasso, whom Pat Metheny called “the best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life,” returns after debuting at Litchfield in 2022 with Samara Joy. Vignola, a veteran performer heard regularly at NYC’s Birdland Theater, makes his Litchfield debut.

We close Saturday with international sensation Anat Cohen Quartetinho, led by the charismatic clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen. Joined by Tal Mashiach (bass), Vitor Goncalves (piano/accordion), and James Shipp (vibes/percussion), this ensemble blends jazz, Brazilian classics, and originals for a set that’s as uplifting as it is virtuosic.

🥂 July 27 – The Finale: Sunday Jazz Brunch

Wrap up the weekend with our 30th Anniversary Jazz Brunch at 12 PM, featuring a festive meal from Chef Charlene Dutka, Litchfield’s longtime chef.

On stage is the irresistible Champian Fulton Trio, led by the effervescent pianist/vocalist Champian Fulton, with Fukushi Tainaka on drums and Hide Tanaka on bass. A festival alum, Champian brings swing, soul, and joy to the stage—All About Jazz calls her “a balm for the soul.” The Jazz Brunch always sells out, so reserve your seat early!

Join a celebration of the late David Marks, a master woodworker whose equipment and tools were generously donated to the newly opening lab at the Arts Center.

Saturday, July 26, 2025

4 – 6 PM

Five Points Arts Center

Free event

RSVP

Based on the beloved animated film, "Shrek the Musical" follows the journey of a cynical ogre who reluctantly embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona for the villainous Lord Farquaad in exchange for reclaiming his swamp, which has been overrun by fairy tale creatures. Along the way, Shrek befriends a talkative Donkey and discovers that true beauty comes from within, as he and Fiona gradually fall in love. With clever humor, heartwarming songs, and a message of self-acceptance, the musical transforms the original story into a vibrant stage production that celebrates individuality, friendship, and the idea that everyone deserves to be appreciated for who they truly are.

July 12, 18, 19 25, 26 at 7 pm

July 13, 20, 27 at 2 pm

Admission $26 (fees not included) 

Box office 860-283-6250

www.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.org

Saturday, July 26th, at 7 PM, 2nd Home welcomes Kettle Creek for their first time here. Kettle Creek Band - formed by the love of music. Kettle Creek has many types and tones, rhythms and melodies to offer listeners. Covering a wide pallet of music including traditional country, love, standards, classics of bluegrass, & Western Edge. Their music is known to widen the Americana music path - their undying love of this art keeps them in the pocket over an organic varied species of pure Kettle Creek music. We've heard great things about this trio, and are very much looking forward to having them here. Please come down and make them feel welcomed.

For reservations (encouraged but not required) call 860-238-4500 or email us at momanddad@2ndhomelounge.com

See our complete event list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/events/

2nd Home Lounge

524 Main Street, Winsted

2ndhomelounge.com

Join our mailing list - https://2ndhomelounge.com/email-sign-up/

SWINGTIME BIG BAND

Tickets: $35-50, Under 19 Free

Musicmountain.org or 860-824-7126 for tickets and more information

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Help Gerri Griswold celebrate over three decades crusading for Bats, our planet’s most extraordinary creature! Our festivities begin with bat-themed cupcakes and lemonade in the Activity Shed and a bat chat with Gerri Griswold in the A. B. Ceder Room. Learn about our BAT’S COUNT! Bat Cam project in partnership with the CT DEEP! Then, as darkness sets in, we’ll count our bat colony as it emerges from the Green Barn! There will be music too because our bats deserve to be serenaded! 7:00 p.m. FREE but you MUST pre-register online here: Celebration for the Bats Registration and Donation A suggested donation of $5.00 per person would be greatly appreciated to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Members:

Nancy Janutolo | Percussion/Vocals

Angela Cahill | Vocals/Guitar

Chuck Cundari | Guitar/Vocals

The Pears are thrilled to return for a second performance to the JCC in Sherman for the Dog Days of Summer. You can expect a mix of rock, country, pop, folk and R&B music for your listening and dancing pleasure. We have added several popular hits from various artists to celebrate the Summer season. 

Nancy has performed throughout the past several years in a variety of bands and brings her amazing percussion abilities to the small footprint of the Pears. 

Angela brings her exceptional vocal talents to the band’s unique sound, providing solid guitar rhythms and high energy to the stage. 

Chuck brings a unique approach to acoustic guitar incorporating various elements of a song, transposing to guitar, while delivering a strong vocal presence.

🎭 Step into the rehearsal room—where the real drama unfolds.

In a small-town community center, five strangers gather for an acting class. As they play theater games and push their boundaries, buried secrets, quiet heartbreaks, and unexpected connections come to the surface.

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker, Circle Mirror Transformation is a masterful exploration of human vulnerability, the power of storytelling, and the unspoken moments that shape us. Under the direction of Gale Alexander, this intimate, poignant, and darkly humorous play invites audiences to witness the raw beauty of ordinary lives unfolding in extraordinary ways.

Don’t miss this quietly mesmerizing and profoundly moving theatrical experience!

Part of the Dialogues concert theme. From classical forms to contemporary expression, this concert explores how musical traditions inspire innovation. Works by Saint-Saëns, Tiange Zhou, Grant Luchmann, and Ravel. The historic Music Shed is in Connecticut’s pastoral Litchfield Hills. Come early for a brookside picnic or stroll the gorgeous grounds before the concert. With Mary Elizabeth Bowden (trumpet), Patrick Curtis (double bass), & the Norfolk Chamber Music Fellows  

Tickets: $70 – $35; $10 Young Adults (19-35);  Kids Under 19 Come Free! 

ACCLAIMED MAGICIAN BELINDA SINCLAIR PERFORMS HER THEATRICAL MAGIC WITH CAPTIVATING SLEIGHT OF HAND, FUSING ALLEGORY WITH HISTORICAL STORIES ABOUT MAGIC IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN, AND HOW THEY CONVINCED US ALL THAT MAGIC WAS REAL AND THAT OUR POTENTIAL IS GREATER THAN WE THINK IT IS

CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Gallery 25 proudly presents EXPOSURES 2025 Open Juried Photography Show!

Now accepting submissions!

Drop off Images to Gallery 25: Sunday, August 17 (11am-3pm)

Photography Show Runs from August 21-Sept 7

Opening Reception is Saturday, August 23 from 2-4pm

Whether you're a seasoned pro or an emerging talent behind the lens, this is your chance to showcase your vision and compete for cash prizes—including a $350 First Place Award!

We’re looking for original, striking, and creative photography in all styles and subjects.

Hosted at Gallery 25 in the Historic Train Station, New Milford

Submit your work online at Gallery25CT.com by Thursday, August 14

All levels welcome

Please Note: While we celebrate artistic expression, we ask that displayed artwork be suitable for viewing by all ages. Please review the prospectus for eligibility prior to submission.

Aspire. Inspire. Get Exposed.

Submit your work today and be part of one of the region’s most exciting annual photography exhibitions!

Gallery 25 in the Historic Train Station

11 Railroad Street

New Milford, CT

Gallery25CT.com

Global artists have sent in their wildest images, film, music and poems for Personaland's online art show

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 68 countries in 32 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles.  https://www.personaland.com

The Merwinsville Hotel is excited to be continuing the Glass Orb Scavenger Hunt thanks to a generous donation from the New Milford Commission on the Arts.

There are 24 area historic sites and organizations that are participating with the Hotel. Each site is hiding four numbered and dated one-of-a-kind glass orbs (three clear and one colored) either inside or outside on their property. Participants can search for and keep any glass orb that they find, but please limit one orb per person/family so everyone has a chance! Be sure to register your orb on the Merwinsville Hotel website where you can also upload a photo. Share your find on social media and don't forget to tag the organization where you found it!

The blown glass orbs that are numbered, dated for 2025, and stamped with “MHR 50”. In addition to the clear glass orbs, there are 25 colored orbs for 2025. Reminder: Because each organization's hours vary, be sure to check their websites before you head out on your hunt.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS BY TOWN:

Bantam:

Bantam Cinema

Brookfield:

Brookfield Craft Center

Danbury:

Danbury Museum & Historical Society; Danbury Railway Museum

Gaylordsville - Celebrating its 300th Anniversary!

Browns Forge; Little Red Schoolhouse; Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, Inc.; The Washington Oak Park (DAR Roger Sherman Chapter)

Kent:

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association; Eric Sloane Museum; Kent Historical Society

Litchfield:

Litchfield Historical Society

New Fairfield:

New Fairfield Historical Society (at the Little Red Schoolhouse); Preserve New Fairfield

New Milford:

Gallery 25 & Creative Arts Studio; Harrybrooke Park; Merryall Center for the Arts; New Milford Historical Society; Pratt Nature Center; The Silo @ Hunt Hill Farm Trust; TheatreWorks; Village Center for the Arts

Sherman:

Sherman Historical Society

Washington:

Gunn Historical Museum

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Support our food, beverage and retail businesses. Get your Taste of Burlington card stamped at at least 12 of the following businesses between June 21, 2025 and September 1, 2025 for a chance to win gift certificates.

The B. Hive www.thebhiveburlington.com

Burlington Spirit Shoppe www.burlingtonspirit.com

Charming Thai Restaurant www.charming-thai.com

China Garden (860) 675-6666

Daily Mart (860) 675-7243

Delta Pizza www.delta-pizza.com

Enclave Grille www.enclavegrille.com

Greenhouse Tavern www.greenhousecafeandtavern.com

Happy Hippie Homestead www.facebook.com/people/Happy-Hippie-Homestead/61564351782316/

Hogan's Cider Mill www.hoganscidermill.com

I Know A Guy Deli www.iknowaguyfoodsllc.com

Kyle's Doghouse (860) 729-6146

Lamothe's Sugar House www.lamothesugarhouse.com

Larson's Garden Center www.larsonsgardencenter.com

Little Axe Market www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569260639474#

Little Laurel's Cookie Co. www.littlelaurels.com

The Nevermind Shop www.nevermindshop.com

Sabrina's Restaurant & successor www.sabrinasrestaurantct.com

The Swimming Pool Store www.theswimmingpoolstore.com

Tonn's Marketplace www.tonnsmarketplace.com

Thank you to our sponsors: Torrington Savings Bank, M&T Bank and the Burlington CT Police Union

Submissions now open! ASAP!’s 15th annual Celebration of Young Photographers invites students in grades 6-12 to submit their photographs for a chance to participate in a juried art exhibition. A panel of professional photographers selects 60 photos for a public exhibition, recognizing the top four photographers for their outstanding and thoughtful work based on the yearly theme.

Submissions: now - September 26, 2025

Theme: Transformation

Exhibition: Hartford Art School's Silpe Gallery. Sunday, November 2, 2025, 2:00-3:30 pm

Submissions and guidelines: visit asapct.org

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens is pleased to present a joint art exhibition, “Abstract Meditations,” featuring the works of Leonard Kady and Heather Neilson. This show is on view beginning Friday, July 4.

An opening reception will be held at the park on Saturday, July 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. An artist talk will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 4 pm. These events are free and open to the public.

Leonard Kady is an artist and architect whose photography emerged from a personal reckoning with time and isolation during the pandemic. Heather Neilson is an abstract painter and mixed media artist whose work explores the interplay of nature, the passage of time, and a sense of place.

This exhibition offers visitors a moment to pause, observe, and reconnect—with nature, with self, and with the enduring rhythms that shape us all.

Waldo's Back in Washington Depot This July!

Once again, in celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and two hundred and fifty independent bookstores across the country for some hide-and-seek fun to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.

Where’s Waldo?   In Washington Depot, of course!  Beginning on Tuesday 1st July, the iconic children’s book character in the red-and-white-striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 19 local businesses throughout the community .  Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity and a wonderful way to support local businesses and the Shop Local movement.

Anyone who wishes to join in the fun can pick up a “Find Waldo in Washington Depot” passport from any of the participating stores.  When you spot Waldo collect a store stamp or signature.  And to make things a little more challenging, Waldo’s magnifying glass will also be hiding in The Hickory Stick Bookshop.

Great prizes for participants who get 16 or more stamps in their passport. Completed passports should be handed in to the Hickory Stick Bookshop by no later than 5.00 pm on Thursday July 31st.

We will be having a celebration party from 3-4 pm on Saturday August 2nd. Check our website for further details!

There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for all of July.  

For more information about hunting for Waldo in Washington Depot, call The Hickory Stick Bookshop at 860-868-0525 or visit our website at www.hickorystickbookshop.com.  

Gallery 25 Presents: Heatwaves & Hues – A Summer Art Show

Heatwaves & Hues, running from Friday, May 2 – Sunday, August 17. This vibrant exhibition will showcase works bursting with color and inspired by the warmth and energy of summer.

Plan a Fun Weekend in New Milford!

New Milford is an exciting destination, offering a variety of activities for visitors. Enjoy well-reviewed restaurants, pubs, and unique shops, take in a film at our charming Art Deco movie theater, or catch a live performance at the innovative TheatreWorks playhouse. Stroll through our beautiful historic New England Green, a perfect spot to relax and soak in the town’s charm.

Experience Gallery 25

Gallery 25 is an artist-run gallery featuring 25 members working across all genres. Along with our exciting exhibitions, we invite you to take part in our workshops, live demonstrations, artist discussions, and photography walks!

We welcome you to explore, create, and be inspired!

Goshen Open Farm Tour 2025

“Experience the Bounty of the County” 

13 Farms, 2 Days, 1 Town

The Goshen Open Farm Tour is a free, family-friendly, self-paced tour that takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 26th and 27th from 10am to 4pm, rain or shine. There are 13 amazing stops on this year’s tour, including four new family farms! 

Goshen, aptly named "The Land of Milk & Honey,” is home to a vibrant and varied agricultural community, with family farms specializing in everything from fresh produce, blueberries, grapes, and honey, to goats, pigs, dairy cows and Texas Longhorns. The farmers look forward to sharing what they do and how they do it!

This beloved “Goshen Grown” community event is presented annually by The Friends of Goshen Agriculture, LLC to benefit The Goshen Agriculture Council, which works to preserve, protect, and promote the agricultural way of life in Goshen, CT. 

More information, the tour map, the full list of participating farms, and the schedule of events can be found at 2025 Goshen Open Farm Tour | Goshen Ag Council, as well as on Instagram (@FriendsofGoshenAg) and Facebook (Friends of Goshen Agriculture).

See you there, friends!

August 15, 2024 – August 17, 2025

Celebrating the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings, this exhibition unites the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes.

 These unique spotlight exhibitions celebrate the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings and will unite the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes, creating a unique dialogue between her work and other celebrated artists. Each unique pairing will be curated and narrated by a different member of the Museum’s curatorial department and offer a distinctive perspective on the Mattatuck Collection in relation to the works and story of Georgia O’Keeffe.

on display at the Souterrain Gallery through July :

“Frank Rosen a nontraditional woodworker who also uses wood for painting and sculpture. His work moves in different directions: geometric to flowing, flat to textural, colorful to subdued. Surprise and humor are also media in which he dabbles.”   

more info at www.souterraingallery.net

open Th-Su 11-5

Explore the colorful and resonant work of artist Dana Bol. Using materiality and color, Bol creates emotional tableaux.

Pub food and a glass of wine, who could say no? Get your greasy fix in with JJ Stacks, stacked menu! From loaded fries, to crispy chicken wings, and the juiciest burgers, there’s something for everyone!

Outside of the World

Peggy Mercury is pleased to announce the opening of its next show “Outside of the World” recent painting by Deen Modino.

With inspirations ranging from 60s sci-fi movies and Looney Tunes scene-scapes to Holiday Inn muted carpets and pop art flower bedspreads, Modino’s paintings are like stills in a moving diorama. At once familiar and unfamiliar, these works buzz with an underlying tension of drama and even revolt.

Email hithere@peggymercury.com or DM us on IG @itspeggymercury for more information.

For more information about Deen Modino:

deenmodinopaintings.com

@deenmodino

Peggy Mercury

9 Maple Street

Unit 2

Kent, CT 06757

Docent led house tours of Miss Edith's Cottage at Topsmead run the second & fourth weekends of the month through October 12th, 2025. First Come, first served. Tours start at noon and run for approximately 30 minutes; last tour at 4:30 p.m. Free but donations are appreciated to support maintenance of cottage interior/exterior including gardens, the scholarship fund, and educational programming. Meet at the front door of the cottage. For GPS directions, designate Buell Road as your destination. We look forward to seeing you!

Celebrate 30 Years of Great Jazz in the Hills!

Join us July 25–27 in Washington, CT for the 30th Anniversary of the Litchfield Jazz Festival, a beloved summer tradition where world-class jazz meets small-town charm. Presented on the beautiful campus of The Frederick Gunn School, this year’s festival brings together jazz legends, rising stars, and Litchfield Jazz Camp alumni for three unforgettable days of music, food, and community. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-timer, this milestone year promises something truly special.

🎶 July 25 – Friday Night Opens In Style!

The celebration kicks off with our Opening Night Gala at 5:45 PM, featuring standout performances by our top Litchfield Jazz Camp student combos, delicious fare from local favorites, and Litchfield Distillery's top-shelf cocktails. At 7:45 PM, the mainstage lights up with the return of the Emmet Cohen Trio, featuring Emmet Cohen (a former Litchfield camper and now a global jazz sensation), Joey Ranieri on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums. Emmet first appeared at Litchfield fresh out of college in 2013—this marks his fifth performance at the festival, and we couldn’t be more excited.

🎷 July 26 – Saturday: All Jazz, All Day

Saturday brings a triple bill of powerhouse performances, starting at 3 PM with the Matt Dwonszyk Sextet. Matt, like Emmet, is a former camper and now one of the most in-demand bassists on the scene. He’s joined by a knockout lineup: Kris Allen (sax), Andrew Renfroe (guitar), Taber Gable (piano), Jonathan Barber (drums), and Shenel Johns (vocals).

Next up: Pasquale Grasso and Frank Vignola. Grasso, whom Pat Metheny called “the best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life,” returns after debuting at Litchfield in 2022 with Samara Joy. Vignola, a veteran performer heard regularly at NYC’s Birdland Theater, makes his Litchfield debut.

We close Saturday with international sensation Anat Cohen Quartetinho, led by the charismatic clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen. Joined by Tal Mashiach (bass), Vitor Goncalves (piano/accordion), and James Shipp (vibes/percussion), this ensemble blends jazz, Brazilian classics, and originals for a set that’s as uplifting as it is virtuosic.

🥂 July 27 – The Finale: Sunday Jazz Brunch

Wrap up the weekend with our 30th Anniversary Jazz Brunch at 12 PM, featuring a festive meal from Chef Charlene Dutka, Litchfield’s longtime chef.

On stage is the irresistible Champian Fulton Trio, led by the effervescent pianist/vocalist Champian Fulton, with Fukushi Tainaka on drums and Hide Tanaka on bass. A festival alum, Champian brings swing, soul, and joy to the stage—All About Jazz calls her “a balm for the soul.” The Jazz Brunch always sells out, so reserve your seat early!

Based on the beloved animated film, "Shrek the Musical" follows the journey of a cynical ogre who reluctantly embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona for the villainous Lord Farquaad in exchange for reclaiming his swamp, which has been overrun by fairy tale creatures. Along the way, Shrek befriends a talkative Donkey and discovers that true beauty comes from within, as he and Fiona gradually fall in love. With clever humor, heartwarming songs, and a message of self-acceptance, the musical transforms the original story into a vibrant stage production that celebrates individuality, friendship, and the idea that everyone deserves to be appreciated for who they truly are.

July 12, 18, 19 25, 26 at 7 pm

July 13, 20, 27 at 2 pm

Admission $26 (fees not included) 

Box office 860-283-6250

www.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.org

Visit 3 historic sites in Gaylordsville on Sundays in July and August. The Gaylord School (one room schoolhouse), Browns Forge and Merwinsville Hotel all welcome visitors from 2 pm to 4 pm each Sunday in July and August. Gaylord School is located on Gaylord Rd and the Forge and Hotel are on Browns Forge Rd. While exploring keep your eyes peeled for the elusive orbs hidden at these sites.

Gaylord School in Gaylordsville is open for visitors every Sunday in July and August from 2pm to 4pm. The one room schoolhouse is the longest running schoolhouse in Connecticut. It was opened in 1740 and was in use until 1967.

🎭 Step into the rehearsal room—where the real drama unfolds.

In a small-town community center, five strangers gather for an acting class. As they play theater games and push their boundaries, buried secrets, quiet heartbreaks, and unexpected connections come to the surface.

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker, Circle Mirror Transformation is a masterful exploration of human vulnerability, the power of storytelling, and the unspoken moments that shape us. Under the direction of Gale Alexander, this intimate, poignant, and darkly humorous play invites audiences to witness the raw beauty of ordinary lives unfolding in extraordinary ways.

Don’t miss this quietly mesmerizing and profoundly moving theatrical experience!

Historic 1842 railroad hotel open for tours every Sunday. See our newly restored ballroom, museum and gallery spaces, and period decorated rooms. Lovingly restored since the restoration began in 1971.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN String Quartet in F Minor, Opus 95, "Serioso"

Maurice RAVEL String Quartet in F Major

Johannes BRAHMS String Quintet in G Major, Opus 111

Tickets: $30-65, Under 19 Free

Musicmountain.org or 860-824-7126 for tickets and more information

Come early for a free pre-concert talk at 2PM

JULY 27, Sunday at 2 PM

Ravel at 150

Pre-Concert Talk with conductor, pianist, harpsichordist, composer, and theorist Samuel Hollister.

ACCLAIMED MAGICIAN BELINDA SINCLAIR PERFORMS HER THEATRICAL MAGIC WITH CAPTIVATING SLEIGHT OF HAND, FUSING ALLEGORY WITH HISTORICAL STORIES ABOUT MAGIC IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN, AND HOW THEY CONVINCED US ALL THAT MAGIC WAS REAL AND THAT OUR POTENTIAL IS GREATER THAN WE THINK IT IS

CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Gallery 25 proudly presents EXPOSURES 2025 Open Juried Photography Show!

Now accepting submissions!

Drop off Images to Gallery 25: Sunday, August 17 (11am-3pm)

Photography Show Runs from August 21-Sept 7

Opening Reception is Saturday, August 23 from 2-4pm

Whether you're a seasoned pro or an emerging talent behind the lens, this is your chance to showcase your vision and compete for cash prizes—including a $350 First Place Award!

We’re looking for original, striking, and creative photography in all styles and subjects.

Hosted at Gallery 25 in the Historic Train Station, New Milford

Submit your work online at Gallery25CT.com by Thursday, August 14

All levels welcome

Please Note: While we celebrate artistic expression, we ask that displayed artwork be suitable for viewing by all ages. Please review the prospectus for eligibility prior to submission.

Aspire. Inspire. Get Exposed.

Submit your work today and be part of one of the region’s most exciting annual photography exhibitions!

Gallery 25 in the Historic Train Station

11 Railroad Street

New Milford, CT

Gallery25CT.com

Global artists have sent in their wildest images, film, music and poems for Personaland's online art show

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 68 countries in 32 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles.  https://www.personaland.com

The Merwinsville Hotel is excited to be continuing the Glass Orb Scavenger Hunt thanks to a generous donation from the New Milford Commission on the Arts.

There are 24 area historic sites and organizations that are participating with the Hotel. Each site is hiding four numbered and dated one-of-a-kind glass orbs (three clear and one colored) either inside or outside on their property. Participants can search for and keep any glass orb that they find, but please limit one orb per person/family so everyone has a chance! Be sure to register your orb on the Merwinsville Hotel website where you can also upload a photo. Share your find on social media and don't forget to tag the organization where you found it!

The blown glass orbs that are numbered, dated for 2025, and stamped with “MHR 50”. In addition to the clear glass orbs, there are 25 colored orbs for 2025. Reminder: Because each organization's hours vary, be sure to check their websites before you head out on your hunt.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS BY TOWN:

Bantam:

Bantam Cinema

Brookfield:

Brookfield Craft Center

Danbury:

Danbury Museum & Historical Society; Danbury Railway Museum

Gaylordsville - Celebrating its 300th Anniversary!

Browns Forge; Little Red Schoolhouse; Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, Inc.; The Washington Oak Park (DAR Roger Sherman Chapter)

Kent:

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association; Eric Sloane Museum; Kent Historical Society

Litchfield:

Litchfield Historical Society

New Fairfield:

New Fairfield Historical Society (at the Little Red Schoolhouse); Preserve New Fairfield

New Milford:

Gallery 25 & Creative Arts Studio; Harrybrooke Park; Merryall Center for the Arts; New Milford Historical Society; Pratt Nature Center; The Silo @ Hunt Hill Farm Trust; TheatreWorks; Village Center for the Arts

Sherman:

Sherman Historical Society

Washington:

Gunn Historical Museum

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Support our food, beverage and retail businesses. Get your Taste of Burlington card stamped at at least 12 of the following businesses between June 21, 2025 and September 1, 2025 for a chance to win gift certificates.

The B. Hive www.thebhiveburlington.com

Burlington Spirit Shoppe www.burlingtonspirit.com

Charming Thai Restaurant www.charming-thai.com

China Garden (860) 675-6666

Daily Mart (860) 675-7243

Delta Pizza www.delta-pizza.com

Enclave Grille www.enclavegrille.com

Greenhouse Tavern www.greenhousecafeandtavern.com

Happy Hippie Homestead www.facebook.com/people/Happy-Hippie-Homestead/61564351782316/

Hogan's Cider Mill www.hoganscidermill.com

I Know A Guy Deli www.iknowaguyfoodsllc.com

Kyle's Doghouse (860) 729-6146

Lamothe's Sugar House www.lamothesugarhouse.com

Larson's Garden Center www.larsonsgardencenter.com

Little Axe Market www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569260639474#

Little Laurel's Cookie Co. www.littlelaurels.com

The Nevermind Shop www.nevermindshop.com

Sabrina's Restaurant & successor www.sabrinasrestaurantct.com

The Swimming Pool Store www.theswimmingpoolstore.com

Tonn's Marketplace www.tonnsmarketplace.com

Thank you to our sponsors: Torrington Savings Bank, M&T Bank and the Burlington CT Police Union

Submissions now open! ASAP!’s 15th annual Celebration of Young Photographers invites students in grades 6-12 to submit their photographs for a chance to participate in a juried art exhibition. A panel of professional photographers selects 60 photos for a public exhibition, recognizing the top four photographers for their outstanding and thoughtful work based on the yearly theme.

Submissions: now - September 26, 2025

Theme: Transformation

Exhibition: Hartford Art School's Silpe Gallery. Sunday, November 2, 2025, 2:00-3:30 pm

Submissions and guidelines: visit asapct.org

Creative explorations of nature, science, and art

Ages: 7–11

Dates: Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1

Time: 8:30am–3pm

Fee: $350

Partnership: Arcari Floral

Teaching artist: Meredith Arcari Luciano

Eco-STEAM invites curious minds to engage with the natural world around them through hands-on creative projects. They’ll discover how the sun powers our planet, experiment with art and science, and investigate nature—using all their senses.

Over five discovery-filled days, young creators will:

• Explore texture, build with natural materials, and create tactile art.
• Play with sound mapping—and turn the sounds of nature into artwork.
• Make plant-based crafts using herbs.
• Design kinetic sculptures powered by the wind.
• Craft musical instruments from natural materials and compose music.
• Experiment and cook delicious, nature-based recipes.
• Share their discoveries in an interactive exhibit—where science, nature, and art meet. 

Through creative play and collaboration, kids will forge lasting friendships. Along the way, they'll discover new passions and gain essential life skills. No experience needed—just a love for exploring. Watch their world expand!

This is a small group program. Space is limited.

AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.

Explore more Summer @AMP programs.

School’s OUT! Summer Camp @ the Mattatuck Museum

Join in on summer fun at the Mattatuck Museum through our School’s OUT! Summer Adventures Camp. This year we are hosting 6 weeks of summer camp — with new themes and experiences each week. During these week-long camps children will be immersed in the Museum’s galleries while learning about history and developing their art skills with unique materials and techniques.

Camp hours – 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM; FREE Before and After Care from 8 AM – 9 AM and 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.

Support provided by American Savings Foundation and Post University.

Summer camp payment and registrations are being accepted on a rolling basis, however, the refund policy (no refunds after May 21) remains in effect, even if registering or paying past that date. The registration form MUST be completed prior to the first day the child will be participating in camp.

WEEKS:

June 30-July 3: Marvelous Me!

July 7-11: Mini MIXMASTER

July 14-18: Georgia’s Garden

July 21-25: Melodic Masterpieces

July 28-August 1: Capes and Canvases: A Superhero Spectacular

August 4-8: Theater Arts Camp with Grumbling Gryphons

Scholarships Available through United Way’s Greater Waterbury Campership Fund.

Campers with a Kids Adventure Pass will receive 50% discount on weekly rate.

Robotics And Beyond is again offering a week-long summer camp in STEM and Design, dedicated just to girls. Sometimes they just need their own space! Campers will be grouped by grade level: Grades 3-6 and Grades 7-12. Registration limit of 10 in each grade group.

The camp will provide experiences in robotics, coding, energy and electricity, graphic design and animation, and 3D design for 3D printing.

Partial and Full Tuition Aid Available! Register at https://roboticsandbeyond.org/summer-stem-camp/. 

Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!

Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement. 

Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!

Two Sessions Available:

Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025

Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025

Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT

Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily

Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.

Register here: pilobolus.org/camp

Summer Camp will be running for 9 weeks for the summer 2025 season!

• June 23, 2025- August 22, 2025
• 9:00a - 4:00p
• $200 per week or 10% for all 9 weeks ($1620)
• Ages 5-12
• Located at Pleasant View Park (Durand Street) & Elise Besse Pool

Get ready for an unforgettable summer of adventure, creativity, and exploration at our themed summer camp! Each week, campers dive into a new, exciting theme, engaging in activities that spark their imagination, build new skills, and encourage teamwork. Our dedicated staff create a supportive and inclusive environment where every camper feels welcome and motivated to try new things. Each week is packed with themed games, creative arts and crafts, outdoor activities, and memorable experiences that will have campers eagerly looking forward to each new day!

Weekly Themes:

• Circus: Step right up to the greatest show at camp! Learn juggling, create clown costumes, and try your hand at acrobatics as we explore the wonders of the circus world.
• Holiday: Celebrate holidays from around the world in a week of festive fun! From Halloween to New Year's, each day is a different celebration with themed crafts, games, and treats.
• Under the Sea: Dive deep into ocean adventures! Explore marine life, create ocean-themed art, and embark on underwater-themed challenges.
• Superheroes: Unleash your superpowers! Design your own superhero persona, participate in "hero training," and work together to solve camp "missions."
• Around the World: Take a journey across the globe as we explore different cultures, languages, and traditions through games, food, and creative projects.
• Sports: Get your game face on! Try out various sports, build team spirit, and compete in friendly matches while learning the value of teamwork and sportsmanship.
• Outer Space: Blast off into space for a week of cosmic exploration! Learn about planets, create space crafts, and go on an epic space-themed scavenger hunt.
• Flora and Fauna: Discover the beauty of nature! Learn about plants and animals, explore local ecosystems, and create nature-inspired art.
• Challengers: Push your limits and test your skills! Compete in exciting team challenges, obstacle courses, and problem-solving activities designed to build confidence and collaboration.

 Each week campers will have the opportunity to enjoy our Besse Pool on Mondays and Wednesdays, so don't forget your swimsuit!

Register HERE

Make music, jam with friends, and feel the thrill of being in a band

Ages: 10+

Dates: Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1 (final concert at 2pm on Friday)

Time: 9am–3pm

Teaching artist: Sam Guglielmino

Partnership: Mad River Music

Fee: $350

In this fun, five-day program, young musicians will play, sing, and create music together. With the guidance of teaching artist Sam Guglielmino of Mad River Music, they’ll explore diverse music styles, rehearse as a band, and prepare for a live performance in AMP’s main gallery on Friday, August 1, at 2pm. Musicians can bring their own instruments or try new ones—no experience needed! No audition is required.

In this five-day music program, your young musician will:

• Play and sing in a real band.
• Learn favorite songs—pop, rock, and R&B.
• Be mentored by a pro musician.
• Strike a balance between creative freedom and structure—to find their musical stride.
• Rehearse, refine their techniques, and build confidence.
• Learn how to jam with other musicians.
• Try new instruments and rhythms.
• Discover what they really can do!

This is a small group program. Space is limited.

Registration is now open for Band Lab!

REGISTER

AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.

Scholarships available. Learn more.

Explore more Summer @AMP programs.

 2025 THEATER ARTS CAMP- Monday-July 28- Friday, August 1st for Ages 6 & up

Act, Dance, Sing and Perform in Grumbling Gryphons 45th Gala Performance on Friday, August 1st at 7 pm at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village. Grumbling Gryphons will hold their annual theater arts camp in Cornwall and Falls Village for children ages 6 years and up. Theater Campers will take part in the company’s 45th Gala Celebration Performance of ”Through the Rainbow and into the Stars!” on Friday evening, August 1st.   

The performance will feature summer theater campers as well as veteran Gryphon actors, musicians and special guest artists. Campers will work with professional actors, musicians and visual artists to create their own masks, props, scenery and perform in the celebration. Live music will be performed by award winning musician Brian Bender, with special guest musicians. Ellen Moon, Grumbling Gryphons mask and costume maker will make a special appearance with her grand puppet- The Golden Lady for the finale with the Berkshire Resilience Brass Brand enlivening the festivities!

 Grumbling Gryphons is a non-profit 501c3 organization, now celebrating 45 years. Winner of Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award, the company has traveled the US and internationally bringing their magic and participatory approach to theater for young and old alike. Leslie Elias has served as Artistic Director since co-founding Grumbling Gryphons in 1980 and is the winner of the 2018 Connecticut Arts Hero Award as well as 2018 Culture Max Award for Arts Educator from the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council.

Micah Conway, math teacher at HVRHS will serve as assistant director assisted by Daniel Saed, Natalie Resto and Diane Gnagnarelli. Partial Scholarships are available through Berkshire Taconic Susan Fillman Scholarship Fund for Region One Students as well as additional scholarships upon request. Special thanks to the Northwest CT Community Foundation, Inc. (NCCF) for a FY25 Cycle One Grant through the Carlton D. Fyler and Jenny F. Fyler Fund to help support the theater camp and 45th Gala Celebration!

Please call for more info or email grumblinggryphons@gmail.com

Waldo's Back in Washington Depot This July!

Once again, in celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and two hundred and fifty independent bookstores across the country for some hide-and-seek fun to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.

Where’s Waldo?   In Washington Depot, of course!  Beginning on Tuesday 1st July, the iconic children’s book character in the red-and-white-striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 19 local businesses throughout the community .  Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity and a wonderful way to support local businesses and the Shop Local movement.

Anyone who wishes to join in the fun can pick up a “Find Waldo in Washington Depot” passport from any of the participating stores.  When you spot Waldo collect a store stamp or signature.  And to make things a little more challenging, Waldo’s magnifying glass will also be hiding in The Hickory Stick Bookshop.

Great prizes for participants who get 16 or more stamps in their passport. Completed passports should be handed in to the Hickory Stick Bookshop by no later than 5.00 pm on Thursday July 31st.

We will be having a celebration party from 3-4 pm on Saturday August 2nd. Check our website for further details!

There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for all of July.  

For more information about hunting for Waldo in Washington Depot, call The Hickory Stick Bookshop at 860-868-0525 or visit our website at www.hickorystickbookshop.com.  

7/14 Super Hero Day

7/21 Music and Movement, Interactive Hoop Dancing with special guest Judi Jones

7/28 Suprise Day

8/4 Circus Days with Matica Arts

Join your friends on the playground for a fun, filled morning. Free Play, Activity Stations, Group Activities and Story Time.

Remember to bring water, a hat, sunscreen and a snack.

This program is suitable for children from birth to kindergarten age.

Quinoco Energy Services proudly sponsors this program.

Mondays at 10:30 AM - June 23 - August 18*

For ages 4 - 8

*No class July 7

Using Letters are Characters® Parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers. Ensuring that your child learns to read to their highest potential is one of the greatest gifts that you can give them. Using Letters are Characters and Letters are Builders trademarked play-based methods, we will laugh and play our way to literacy and deep reading and empower you to be a confident and competent literacy guide for your child!

This program is funded by the generous support of the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. Register and receive a Letters are Characters or Letters are Builders kit while supplies last. In addition to the in-person program, you will also receive weekly guidance delivered right to your inbox.

Does your child need to learn to recognize the letters and know the sounds that they make?

Visit the Oliver Wolcott Library Website for more details and links to receive Letters are Characters Kits.

August 15, 2024 – August 17, 2025

Celebrating the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings, this exhibition unites the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes. The first pairing, Flowers and Landscapes, showcases artists who tackled similar subject matter to O’Keeffe and participated in emerging art movements, yet also occupied marginalized spaces in society. These unique spotlight exhibitions celebrate the year-long loan of three Georgia O’Keeffe paintings and will unite the Mattatuck Museum’s collection with O’Keeffe’s life and work through common themes, creating a unique dialogue between her work and other celebrated artists. Each unique pairing will be curated and narrated by a different member of the Museum’s curatorial department and offer a distinctive perspective on the Mattatuck Collection in relation to the works and story of Georgia O’Keeffe.

Beginning in June, the Mattatuck Museum will be open on Mondays! As The Monday Museum, we’re thrilled to offer our visitors a cultural destination at the start of the week—whether you’re looking to kick off your Monday with a movie, join a tour, or enjoy a quiet moment with art.

Gunn Memorial Library invites young readers to join a new program designed to build confidence and a lifelong love of reading. Aligned with the library’s Level-Up summer reading theme, the Read Aloud Book Club will run from the week after July 4 through the first week of August 2025, and is specially tailored for children entering Kindergarten and 1st Grade.

The program features a rich blend of read-aloud sessions and fun crafts, all designed to make reading both enjoyable and educational. The books selected span multiple genres to encourage engagement, imagination, and conversation.

This week’s book is Training Day by Raúl the Third

Getting out of bed isn’t always easy, especially for Mexican wrestling star El Toro. But his coach, Kooky Dooky, knows that it’s essential for the wrestler to stay in shape and continue training — even when he doesn’t feel like it. Can Kooky Dooky raise El Toro’s spirits and get him to practice before his next big wrestling match? 

Registration Required.

"Finding the Light": an exhibit of oil paintings by Chandra Rogers.

Chandra Rogers is a contemporary painter residing in Litchfield County with her husband and two daughters. Primarily self-taught, Chandra began consistently painting in 2012 after signing up for a local oil painting class, which led to a deluge of personal development through various classes and workshops and a lifelong passion for art. Her diverse subjects have included animals, portraiture, still lifes, landscapes, abstracts and commissioned pieces primarily in oil paint, pastels, and charcoal. Her current work is inspired by the study of light, color, mark-making, and a spirited painterly brushstroke, and has been described as capturing the soul of her subjects.

Chandra is a member of the Washington Art Association and Kent Art Association and her work has been displayed in various juried and solo shows throughout Connecticut, receiving numerous awards, most notably the Barbara Goodspeed Award, Award for Graphics, and multiple Awards of Excellence at the Kent Art Association, Honorable Mention at the Washington Art Association, and most recently Best in Show at Gallery 25 in New Milford, CT. Susan Grisell, a judge at a recent juried show, stated “Chandra’s draftsmanship and attention to detail are evident in her expressive portraits of people and animals.”

Chandra’s current show is a collection of primarily recent works reflecting her love for experimentation and trying new techniques, from traditional glazing techniques to achieve a photorealistic effect, to loose abstracts with a focus on gestural brushstrokes and mark making. Subjects include a collection of sunsets, still lifes, florals, abstracts, landscapes, portraiture, and animal paintings.

Designed to hone your artmaking, expand your creative problem-solving skills and build a strong portfolio, this fully funded program offers comprehensive workshops in Ceramics, Printmaking, Alternative Photography, and Painting & Drawing. Each workshop meets one afternoon per week for six weeks. Attendees can register for any individual or all four workshops.

Instructors: Jill Van Slooten, Caleb Portfolio, Kimberly Jo & Christine Mitchell

Mondays - Thursdays, July 7 through August 14, 2025

1:00 - 4:30 PM

Ages: 13 - 17

Members & Non-Members: FREE

MORE INFO & REGISTER

Fulfill your summer reading goals and enjoy literary adventures with Gunn Junior Library’s Summer Reading Book Club, held every Monday afternoon in July!

Led by Ms. Ashley, this program is designed for rising 4th and 5th graders and will meet from 3:15 to 4:15 PM, July 7–28. Readers will explore Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr. A laugh-out-loud story about a boy who takes a fortune cookie’s advice a little too seriously, leading to silly yet meaningful adventures. A 2024 Nutmeg nominee, this book offers the perfect blend of humor and heart, exploring themes of choice, friendship, and what truly matters.

Each session features a discussion and creative activities inspired by surprise weekly “mystery envelopes.” Let’s make summer reading a whole lot of fun.

Registration Required.

Books will be available for pickup in the Jr. Library starting Monday, June 23.

Chess players of all ages are invited to join our Monday night Chess Club. Sharpen your skills and make new friends while you enjoy a friendly game. Players should already be familiar with the basics of how to play. Registration is helpful, but not required.

The 2025 season of free concerts in the Park, produced by the Fine Arts Connection of Thomaston, Inc., continues on Monday, July 28th at 7 pm with a concert by The Twangtown Paramours. The concerts are returning to the renovated Seth Thomas Park on South Main St. in Thomaston. Each concert begins at 7 pm and concludes at 8:30 pm. The Fine Arts Connection of Thomaston's concert series is indebted to the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation for core funding.

Nashville-based husband-and-wife duo Mike T. Lewis and MaryBeth Zamer, known on stage as The Twangtown Paramours, have made a name for themselves defying boundaries with their award-winning catalogue of Americana, Folk, and Blues anthems. With a slew of accolades for their first three full-length albums, they’ve earned a loyal following, balancing serious instrumental and vocal chops with witty stage banter and a lighthearted approach to life.

Hit songwriter, session musician, and producer Mike Lewis was born in NYC, but his sound is informed by a mix of experiences across the country’s major music centers, including NYC, L.A., Austin, and Nashville. He began learning classical and jazz guitar at age eight, studying under Leonid Bolotine, William Matthews, and Barry Galbraith, before earning degrees at Columbia in New York City and the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles.

Born in Washington D.C., lead singer MaryBeth Zamer was raised on a mix of opera and American songbook music, singing along to Dean Martin and Ella Fitzgerald, before discovering Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, and the blues in high school. A fixture in the Washington, D.C. club scene for years, MaryBeth sang backup vocals for Eva Cassidy’s band, Method Actor. “Eva was a huge influence on my singing style,” MaryBeth says. “She taught me to go beyond having fun and hitting the right notes, to sing in a way that conveys real emotion.” 

MaryBeth and Mike met and started dating in 2009, while both were working on separate musical projects. “The relationship came first,” says MaryBeth, “but I kept hearing songs he’d written that I loved, and I wanted to add my own vocal spin to them. I felt like I could interpret and deliver Mike’s songs the way he intended them to be.”

In addition to their elaborate musical pedigrees and critically-acclaimed release history, what makes The Twangtown Paramours unique is the purity of their priorities: They are committed to making top-notch music.

Alcohol is not permitted in the Park by Town ordinance. Bring your lawn chair, your friends, and your love of music to Seth Thomas Park on Monday, July 28th!! All ages welcome, and the Park is handicap-accessible. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will move to the Thomaston Opera House, 158 Main St., Town Hall. Visit the FACT website for further information or weather alerts concerning concert

relocation: www.thomastonfinearts.com.

Global artists have sent in their wildest images, film, music and poems for Personaland's online art show

Personaland is an artist-driven global village transforming the world of art by using technology to bridge time zones and cultural boundaries. Our mission is to promote humanity, creativity, and community through a mix of entertainment, enchantment, and imagination.

Since its 2018 launch, Personaland, in its global reach, has showcased over 800 visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and poets from 68 countries in 32 group art shows and 55 individual exhibitions, many with videos of artist profiles.  https://www.personaland.com

The Merwinsville Hotel is excited to be continuing the Glass Orb Scavenger Hunt thanks to a generous donation from the New Milford Commission on the Arts.

There are 24 area historic sites and organizations that are participating with the Hotel. Each site is hiding four numbered and dated one-of-a-kind glass orbs (three clear and one colored) either inside or outside on their property. Participants can search for and keep any glass orb that they find, but please limit one orb per person/family so everyone has a chance! Be sure to register your orb on the Merwinsville Hotel website where you can also upload a photo. Share your find on social media and don't forget to tag the organization where you found it!

The blown glass orbs that are numbered, dated for 2025, and stamped with “MHR 50”. In addition to the clear glass orbs, there are 25 colored orbs for 2025. Reminder: Because each organization's hours vary, be sure to check their websites before you head out on your hunt.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS BY TOWN:

Bantam:

Bantam Cinema

Brookfield:

Brookfield Craft Center

Danbury:

Danbury Museum & Historical Society; Danbury Railway Museum

Gaylordsville - Celebrating its 300th Anniversary!

Browns Forge; Little Red Schoolhouse; Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, Inc.; The Washington Oak Park (DAR Roger Sherman Chapter)

Kent:

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association; Eric Sloane Museum; Kent Historical Society

Litchfield:

Litchfield Historical Society

New Fairfield:

New Fairfield Historical Society (at the Little Red Schoolhouse); Preserve New Fairfield

New Milford:

Gallery 25 & Creative Arts Studio; Harrybrooke Park; Merryall Center for the Arts; New Milford Historical Society; Pratt Nature Center; The Silo @ Hunt Hill Farm Trust; TheatreWorks; Village Center for the Arts

Sherman:

Sherman Historical Society

Washington:

Gunn Historical Museum

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Support our food, beverage and retail businesses. Get your Taste of Burlington card stamped at at least 12 of the following businesses between June 21, 2025 and September 1, 2025 for a chance to win gift certificates.

The B. Hive www.thebhiveburlington.com

Burlington Spirit Shoppe www.burlingtonspirit.com

Charming Thai Restaurant www.charming-thai.com

China Garden (860) 675-6666

Daily Mart (860) 675-7243

Delta Pizza www.delta-pizza.com

Enclave Grille www.enclavegrille.com

Greenhouse Tavern www.greenhousecafeandtavern.com

Happy Hippie Homestead www.facebook.com/people/Happy-Hippie-Homestead/61564351782316/

Hogan's Cider Mill www.hoganscidermill.com

I Know A Guy Deli www.iknowaguyfoodsllc.com

Kyle's Doghouse (860) 729-6146

Lamothe's Sugar House www.lamothesugarhouse.com

Larson's Garden Center www.larsonsgardencenter.com

Little Axe Market www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569260639474#

Little Laurel's Cookie Co. www.littlelaurels.com

The Nevermind Shop www.nevermindshop.com

Sabrina's Restaurant & successor www.sabrinasrestaurantct.com

The Swimming Pool Store www.theswimmingpoolstore.com

Tonn's Marketplace www.tonnsmarketplace.com

Thank you to our sponsors: Torrington Savings Bank, M&T Bank and the Burlington CT Police Union

Submissions now open! ASAP!’s 15th annual Celebration of Young Photographers invites students in grades 6-12 to submit their photographs for a chance to participate in a juried art exhibition. A panel of professional photographers selects 60 photos for a public exhibition, recognizing the top four photographers for their outstanding and thoughtful work based on the yearly theme.

Submissions: now - September 26, 2025

Theme: Transformation

Exhibition: Hartford Art School's Silpe Gallery. Sunday, November 2, 2025, 2:00-3:30 pm

Submissions and guidelines: visit asapct.org

Creative explorations of nature, science, and art

Ages: 7–11

Dates: Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1

Time: 8:30am–3pm

Fee: $350

Partnership: Arcari Floral

Teaching artist: Meredith Arcari Luciano

Eco-STEAM invites curious minds to engage with the natural world around them through hands-on creative projects. They’ll discover how the sun powers our planet, experiment with art and science, and investigate nature—using all their senses.

Over five discovery-filled days, young creators will:

• Explore texture, build with natural materials, and create tactile art.
• Play with sound mapping—and turn the sounds of nature into artwork.
• Make plant-based crafts using herbs.
• Design kinetic sculptures powered by the wind.
• Craft musical instruments from natural materials and compose music.
• Experiment and cook delicious, nature-based recipes.
• Share their discoveries in an interactive exhibit—where science, nature, and art meet. 

Through creative play and collaboration, kids will forge lasting friendships. Along the way, they'll discover new passions and gain essential life skills. No experience needed—just a love for exploring. Watch their world expand!

This is a small group program. Space is limited.

AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.

Explore more Summer @AMP programs.

School’s OUT! Summer Camp @ the Mattatuck Museum

Join in on summer fun at the Mattatuck Museum through our School’s OUT! Summer Adventures Camp. This year we are hosting 6 weeks of summer camp — with new themes and experiences each week. During these week-long camps children will be immersed in the Museum’s galleries while learning about history and developing their art skills with unique materials and techniques.

Camp hours – 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM; FREE Before and After Care from 8 AM – 9 AM and 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM.

Support provided by American Savings Foundation and Post University.

Summer camp payment and registrations are being accepted on a rolling basis, however, the refund policy (no refunds after May 21) remains in effect, even if registering or paying past that date. The registration form MUST be completed prior to the first day the child will be participating in camp.

WEEKS:

June 30-July 3: Marvelous Me!

July 7-11: Mini MIXMASTER

July 14-18: Georgia’s Garden

July 21-25: Melodic Masterpieces

July 28-August 1: Capes and Canvases: A Superhero Spectacular

August 4-8: Theater Arts Camp with Grumbling Gryphons

Scholarships Available through United Way’s Greater Waterbury Campership Fund.

Campers with a Kids Adventure Pass will receive 50% discount on weekly rate.

Robotics And Beyond is again offering a week-long summer camp in STEM and Design, dedicated just to girls. Sometimes they just need their own space! Campers will be grouped by grade level: Grades 3-6 and Grades 7-12. Registration limit of 10 in each grade group.

The camp will provide experiences in robotics, coding, energy and electricity, graphic design and animation, and 3D design for 3D printing.

Partial and Full Tuition Aid Available! Register at https://roboticsandbeyond.org/summer-stem-camp/. 

New Milford Youth Agency presents Nature Unplugged. Promoting friendship, team building, kindness and self esteem. Activities include: kickoff at club getaway, various hiking trips, state park explorations, beach time, ice cream, etc

Kids entering 6th - 8th grades

$15 / week

Looking for a fun, active, and creative summer experience for your child? Pilobolus Kids Camp is back!

Pilobolus is an internationally acclaimed dance company that has delighted audiences for over 50 years. Using skills honed over decades of performance, our education initiatives—including summer camp— provide fundamental lessons about creativity, collaboration, and community through the joy of movement. 

Kids ages 6 to 12 will explore movement, storytelling, and improvisation while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills—all through Pilobolus’s signature approach to learning through play!

Two Sessions Available:

Week 1: July 21 – 25, 2025

Week 2: July 28 – Aug 1, 2025

Location: Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, CT

Time: 9 AM – 3 PM daily

Sign up for one or both weeks! Each session $350.

Register here: pilobolus.org/camp

Make music, jam with friends, and feel the thrill of being in a band

Ages: 10+

Dates: Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1 (final concert at 2pm on Friday)

Time: 9am–3pm

Teaching artist: Sam Guglielmino

Partnership: Mad River Music

Fee: $350

In this fun, five-day program, young musicians will play, sing, and create music together. With the guidance of teaching artist Sam Guglielmino of Mad River Music, they’ll explore diverse music styles, rehearse as a band, and prepare for a live performance in AMP’s main gallery on Friday, August 1, at 2pm. Musicians can bring their own instruments or try new ones—no experience needed! No audition is required.

In this five-day music program, your young musician will:

• Play and sing in a real band.
• Learn favorite songs—pop, rock, and R&B.
• Be mentored by a pro musician.
• Strike a balance between creative freedom and structure—to find their musical stride.
• Rehearse, refine their techniques, and build confidence.
• Learn how to jam with other musicians.
• Try new instruments and rhythms.
• Discover what they really can do!

This is a small group program. Space is limited.

Registration is now open for Band Lab!

REGISTER

AMP’s summer programs are made possible in part by Thomaston Savings Bank.

Scholarships available. Learn more.

Explore more Summer @AMP programs.

 2025 THEATER ARTS CAMP- Monday-July 28- Friday, August 1st for Ages 6 & up

Act, Dance, Sing and Perform in Grumbling Gryphons 45th Gala Performance on Friday, August 1st at 7 pm at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village. Grumbling Gryphons will hold their annual theater arts camp in Cornwall and Falls Village for children ages 6 years and up. Theater Campers will take part in the company’s 45th Gala Celebration Performance of ”Through the Rainbow and into the Stars!” on Friday evening, August 1st.   

The performance will feature summer theater campers as well as veteran Gryphon actors, musicians and special guest artists. Campers will work with professional actors, musicians and visual artists to create their own masks, props, scenery and perform in the celebration. Live music will be performed by award winning musician Brian Bender, with special guest musicians. Ellen Moon, Grumbling Gryphons mask and costume maker will make a special appearance with her grand puppet- The Golden Lady for the finale with the Berkshire Resilience Brass Brand enlivening the festivities!

 Grumbling Gryphons is a non-profit 501c3 organization, now celebrating 45 years. Winner of Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award, the company has traveled the US and internationally bringing their magic and participatory approach to theater for young and old alike. Leslie Elias has served as Artistic Director since co-founding Grumbling Gryphons in 1980 and is the winner of the 2018 Connecticut Arts Hero Award as well as 2018 Culture Max Award for Arts Educator from the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council.

Micah Conway, math teacher at HVRHS will serve as assistant director assisted by Daniel Saed, Natalie Resto and Diane Gnagnarelli. Partial Scholarships are available through Berkshire Taconic Susan Fillman Scholarship Fund for Region One Students as well as additional scholarships upon request. Special thanks to the Northwest CT Community Foundation, Inc. (NCCF) for a FY25 Cycle One Grant through the Carlton D. Fyler and Jenny F. Fyler Fund to help support the theater camp and 45th Gala Celebration!

Please call for more info or email grumblinggryphons@gmail.com

Waldo's Back in Washington Depot This July!

Once again, in celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and two hundred and fifty independent bookstores across the country for some hide-and-seek fun to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.

Where’s Waldo?   In Washington Depot, of course!  Beginning on Tuesday 1st July, the iconic children’s book character in the red-and-white-striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 19 local businesses throughout the community .  Find Waldo Local is a great summer vacation activity and a wonderful way to support local businesses and the Shop Local movement.

Anyone who wishes to join in the fun can pick up a “Find Waldo in Washington Depot” passport from any of the participating stores.  When you spot Waldo collect a store stamp or signature.  And to make things a little more challenging, Waldo’s magnifying glass will also be hiding in The Hickory Stick Bookshop.

Great prizes for participants who get 16 or more stamps in their passport. Completed passports should be handed in to the Hickory Stick Bookshop by no later than 5.00 pm on Thursday July 31st.

We will be having a celebration party from 3-4 pm on Saturday August 2nd. Check our website for further details!

There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for all of July.  

For more information about hunting for Waldo in Washington Depot, call The Hickory Stick Bookshop at 860-868-0525 or visit our website at www.hickorystickbookshop.com.  

“Level Up at Your Library” Summer Reading Program for all ages, Morris Public Library, June 24 -August 20, 2025.

We are excited to offer a fun and engaging Summer Reading Program “Level Up at Your Library,” June 24 – August 20, 2025.

Each reading level has their own “Level Up at Your Library” Activity Card to participate in the program. Youngsters (PreK and under) will enjoy reading with their families and engage in fun activities. Students (Grades K-Grade 5) will count the number of their new reading adventures by writing them down in their cards. Teens (Grades 6-12) and adults will explore new and special book selections, which they can easily find at their Library.

Submit your completed cards (could be more than one!) to enter for a chance to win a Level Up at Your Library Prize.

Find weekly coloring projects for children and adults throughout the program – complete yours and share it for our library display!

No registration is required – obtain your card at the kickoff, at the library or download it from the website https://morrispubliclibrary.net (all levels!).

The Morris Public Library offers Story and Music Time for participants ages 9 mo. - 5 y.o every Tuesday at 10 am.

Please call to ask if a spot is available: 860-567-7440.

Sing songs, read a story, do a craft!

The David M. Hunt Library is pleased to announce COLLAGE REDUX!, a vibrant exhibition showcasing the innovative work of artist Ingrid Freidenbergs. The show will run throughout the month of July, with a special artist reception on Saturday, July 12, from 5 to 7 PM and an artist’s talk on Thursday July 24 at 5:30PM.

Freidenbergs’ exhibition is packed with both collages and box constructions that run riot with the intricate layering of found images and objects, textures, and colors – red is prominent in the artist’s visual language. Her approach transforms disparate elements into compelling therapeutic visual storytelling.

Join Us Under the Tent for an Extraordinary Talk with Jan Dow.

Step into the mysterious and thought-provoking world of reincarnation with Jan Dow, local author, researcher, and Professor Emeritus. In this captivating talk under the tent, Jan will share her personal journey exploring the realms of past lives, soul connections, and the hidden threads that weave through lifetimes.

With wisdom drawn from decades of research and deeply personal experiences, Jan invites you to open your mind, challenge what you think you know, and consider the possibility that life doesn’t begin—or end—where you think it does.

Come curious, leave transformed.

This is a unique opportunity to engage with a brilliant storyteller and spiritual explorer right in our community. Don’t miss it!

Free, Donations Welcome

* Pre-registration encouraged.

Join us for Story Time on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 for new books, free play, and fun crafts!

Music and Rhyme for Children from Birth to 3s! A program for babies and their caretakers that incorporates music, rhythm, stories, and nursery rhymes to spur language development, body awareness, pre-reading skills, self-confidence, and cooperation. Gathering at 10:15, the program begins at 10:30.

Registration appreciated, drop-ins welcome!

Do you like to hike? Or do you want to get into hiking more? Join our Parks and Recreation Director, Matt, and Parks and Recreation Intern, Sam, for the Emery Park Summit Hiking Club! Matt and Sam will lead a group hike at Emery Park up to the summit and lookout of Leonard Mountain. 

This program is for all ages. All hiking abilities are welcome. Hikes will be canceled at Director’s discretion (inclement weather/thunderstorms, hazards on trial, major flooding, etc). 

Designed to hone your artmaking, expand your creative problem-solving skills and build a strong portfolio, this fully funded program offers comprehensive workshops in Ceramics, Printmaking, Alternative Photography, and Painting & Drawing. Each workshop meets one afternoon per week for six weeks. Attendees can register for any individual or all four workshops.

Instructors: Jill Van Slooten, Caleb Portfolio, Kimberly Jo & Christine Mitchell

Mondays - Thursdays, July 7 through August 14, 2025

1:00 - 4:30 PM

Ages: 13 - 17

Members & Non-Members: FREE

MORE INFO & REGISTER

The Gunn Museum and Makerspace present a series of craft workshops inspired by artifacts from the Museum's collections. 

July’s workshop is all about vintage games! See some examples of board games from the museum’s collection, learn about their history, and make a small tray using recycled playing cards and paper folding techniques. All supplies will be provided; however, you may also bring your own pack of playing cards for the craft.

Ages 18+.

Registration Required: https://www.gunnlibrary.org/calendar/crafting-history-vintage-games/

Arrange pressed flowers and trap them between clear plastic to create bookmarks and sun catchers!

Please register. Ages 11+.

Looking for something fun and creative to do this summer?

The next session of Crafty Art kicks off on June 24th. Register now!

Children will explore with paint, oil pastels, clay and other medium to create their own masterpieces. They will complete and take home a different art project each week!

Co-sponsored by the New Milford Senior Center, this program will talk about budgeting for retirement. Plus, Senior Center Municipal Agents will speak about Social Security. A light dinner will be served.

Jonathan Doster is back! Join “Mr. D” for fun summer evenings of chess. Jonathan will teach, guide, and talk strategy with players of all skill levels. Adults and children over the age of 6 are welcome; please note this is not a drop off program for children under 12. Please register.