2019 Calendar of Events, Things to Do in CT, RI, MA, VT, NH, and ME

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year from Ivoryton Playhouse - See you soon for our 2020 season!

Railroad Museum of New England - Thomaston, CT - Click here for more info about our Easter Bunny Express Train Rides!

Playtime at The Palace Children’s Shows – Stamford CT

Jan 26, 2020 - Feb 16, 2020 Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT

Sunday, January 26 – The Amazing Max. Max combines magic and comedy, making objects appear and disappear and generally defying the laws of physics inches from theatergoer’s faces. This high-energy, interactive and all-around silly show is appropriate for age 3 and older. 12:30 p.m. $12.50
Sunday, February 9 – Flip Flop Circus. With classic vaudeville style and the worldwide language of clowns, Liz and Therese create hilarious family entertainment. 3 p.m. $12.50
Sunday, February 16 – Mr. Fish and Fantastic Forces . Gravity forces are demonstrated and explained in this fast paced and fun show. Lots of audience participation. 3 p.m. $12.50

See description above
See description above
203-325-4466

Cruise and Royal Tea -- Middletown CT

Apr 19, 2020 - Apr 19, 2020 Lady Katharine Cruises, 96 Harbor Drive, Middletown, CT

Dress in your best High Tea attire for a cruise on the Mystique, accompanied by summery scenery, teas, finger sandwiches, scones, and a classical string quartet. Finish this unforgettable afternoon experience with a toast of Champagne. Live music by Golden Scroll Soloists

12:30-3 P.M.
Over age 11, $74; ages 2-11, $30

Murder Mystery: My Dead Lady on Essex Steam Train – Essex CT

Feb 14, 2020 - Feb 14, 2020 Essex Train Station, 1 Railroad Ave, , CT Essex, CT

The Professor is frustrated. Azalia Dimwittle has failed to rise Cockney flower girl to aristocratic lady. Now, she’s invited you and her conniving family over to the Professor’s house for a party. By George, I think she’s going to get it. Presented by The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat and the Acme Murder Mystery Company. A buffet menu of beef medallions, stuffed chicken, and desserts is included along with a cash bar. Note that no train or boat excursion is part of this event.

Starts at 6:30 p.m.
$75 per person

We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. with Damien Sneed -- Storrs CT

Jan 23, 2020 - Jan 23, 2020 Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts at University of Connecticut, 2132 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT

"We Shall Overcome" showcases repertoire from across the African American music traditions that electrified generations of civil rights activists and defenders with interwoven spoken word from Dr. King's recorded speeches. Composers including: Duke Ellington, Damien Sneed, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Wynton Marsalis. Songbooks of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Donny Hathaway.

7:30 p.m.
$32-$26

Get The Led Out: A Celebration of The Mighty Zep – New London CT

Jan 31, 2020 - Jan 31, 2020 Garde Arts Center, 325 State Street, New London, CT

Get The Led Out, a Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians, delivers Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before. GTLO delivers three guitarists on stage. No wigs or fake English accents.

8 p.m.
$30-$45

Ice Cube At Mohegan Sun Arena -- Uncasville CT

Feb 21, 2020 - Feb 21, 2020 Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT

Ice Cube began his career two decades ago with N.W.A — aka the World’s Most Dangerous Group. After penning some of the most memorable lyrics on N.W.A’s groundbreaking tracks “Straight Outta Compton” and “Fuck Tha Police,” Ice Cube broke away at the height of the group’s success.

7:30 p.m.
$30-$40

New Haven Symphony Orchestra Presents Sgt. Pepper / Abbey Road -- Hamden CT

Feb 22, 2020 - Feb 22, 2020 Hamden High School, 2040 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT

Vocalists Jean Meilleur and David Blamires, a rock band, and backup singers perform hits by the Fab Four, including" Hey Jude," "Here Comes The Sun," "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," "A Day in the Life," "Something," and more.

2:30 p.m.
$35 – $49

Ellis Paul at the Kate -- Old Saybrook CT

Mar 8, 2020 - Mar 8, 2020 Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT

Ellis Paul is a singular singer/songwriter who tells universal stories through song.

7 p.m.
$25

Herb Alpert and Lani Hall - Old Saybrook CT

May 20, 2020 - May 21, 2020 Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT

Legendary trumpet player Herb Alpert's extraordinary musicianship has earned him many awards and sold 72 million records. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass propelled his sound into the pop music limelight. Lani Hall started her singing career as the lead singer of Sergio Mendes's break through group, Brasil '66.

7:30 p.m.
$82

"Lulu" -- Willimantic CT

Jan 24, 2020 - Jan 26, 2020 83 Windham Street Willimantic, CT

The Performing Arts Department at Eastern Connecticut State University performs this contemporary opera inspired by the tragic masterpiece "Earth Spirit" by Frank Wedekind. The opera tells the story of Lulu, a homeless child living in fin de siècle Vienna. She is groomed by a predatory father figure and grows up to become a seducer who rips through the lives of all who love her.

Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m.
$5-$30
860-465-5123

Trainer Days at Mystic Aquarium- Mystic CT

Jan 5, 2020 - Jan 26, 2020 Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT

Bring your most marine animal questions to Mystic Aquarium every Sunday and get to know some of the extraordinary trainers who care for our animals. Meet a different trainer throughout the day starting at 10:30am in the Main Gallery. Trainer Days activities are free with admission. Dates: Every Sunday from January 5 to 26, 2020

10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Adults, $59; seniors age 65 and older, $53; kids age 3-13, $41

Eagle Watch on the Connecticut River -- Madison and Haddam CT

Feb 8, 2020 - Feb 22, 2020 Meet at Audubon Shop or at at Eagle Landing State Park (see above) Madison or Haddam, CT

Carpool with Jerry Connolly of The Audubon Shop to five places along the Connecticut River that are excellent for eagle viewing in winter. Connolly will help participants spot eagles from a variety of locations on the river, and will discuss the bird’s natural history. Bring your binoculars and camera or rent binoculars for $4. Participants MUST pre-register by phone at 203-245-9056.
Meet at the Audubon Shop, 907 Boston Post Road in Madison at 7:45 a.m. or at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam at 8:30 a.m. Note that this is a carpool trip with viewing from shore; it is not a boat trip. Dates: February 8, 15, and 22.

8 a.m.-1 p.m.
$25
203-245-9056

Connecticut Flower & Garden Show 2020 -- Hartford CT

Feb 20, 2020 - Feb 23, 2020 Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT

It's already spring at the annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show. This year’s theme is Woodland enchantment. More than 200 exhibitors.

Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Over age 12, $18; seniors on Thursday and Friday only, $16; children age 5-12, $5.

Jumpfest 2020 -- Salisbury CT

Feb 8, 2020 - Feb 9, 2020 Salisbury Ski Hill,80 Indian Cave Road (off Route 44) Salisbury, CT

Eastern States Ski Jumping Championship presents Olympic level competition on the 55-meter jump. Events include jumping under the lights on Friday evening, target jumps, human dogsled races, and chili cook-off. Saturday activities include Nordic Kids 20 and 30, meter jumps, and a Snow Ball. Sunday brings the United States Eastern Ski Jumping Championships.

Consult event website
There is a fee for some events and some are free.
860-850-0080

"Manhatta" by Yale Rep -- New Haven CT

Jan 24, 2020 - Feb 16, 2020 Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel Street New Haven,, CT

It’s 2008 and securities trader Jane Snake has landed a lucrative job on Wall Street, where her Native Americans ancestors were persecuted by the Dutch four centuries earlier. Past and present intertwine as Jane is caught in the center of a looming mortgage crisis that threatens financial ruin for millions of families––including her own.

Curtain times vary; consult event website
$20-$80

"I Am My Own Wife" -- New Haven CT

Feb 5, 2020 - Mar 1, 2020 Long Wharf Theater, 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT

"I Am My Own Wife" tells the inspiring true story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a. transgender woman who survives the Nazi and Communist regimes of East Germany with a combination of determination, intelligence and humility. It is a life-affirming story.

Curtain times vary; consult event website

Fairfield Southwest

Hartford Central

Litchfield Northwest

Mystic Eastern

New Haven South Central

Events Calendar - 2019

Children & Families

Playtime at The Palace Children’s Shows – Stamford CT

Cruises

Cruise and Royal Tea -- Middletown CT

Dinner Theater

Murder Mystery: My Dead Lady on Essex Steam Train – Essex CT

Historic

We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. with Damien Sneed -- Storrs CT

Music