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springtimes
15 Great Music Shows
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inter wasn’t all that harsh this year, and for this we are grateful — but spring is still just as welcome as it would be any other year. Let’s celebrate warmth and flowers, food that’s cooked on a grill and the ability to go outside without a coat at some statewide festivals that can only take place in the fairest of seasons. The Garden Expo 2012, Ludlowe High Mates of State perform at the Meriden Daffodil School, 785 Unquowa Festival on Sun., April 28th. Road, Fairfield. (203) 259-1847, thegardenexpo.com. March 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & March world harvest faire with costumed perform18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5-$8. Over 80 home and ers, crafts and entertainment. You will hear garden exhibitors, selected by invitation only the word “ye” spoken many times. to ensure that they are of high quality. Arts, Shoreline Spring Festival, Madison crafts and items that will appeal to the garGreen, Madison. (203) 245-8720, shoredener and non-gardener alike. lineunitarian.org. Sat., May 19, 10 a.m.-4 Meriden Daffodil Festival, Hubbard p.m. A one-day arts and crafts festival feaPark, Meriden. (203) 630-4259, daffodilfestturing exhibitors from all over New England, .com. Sat., April 28, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. & Sun., a farmers market, music and more. April 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Over half a Spring on the Farm Festival, Stamford million daffodils set the backdrop for a day Museum and Nature Center, 39 Scofieldin the park filled with local music (dozens of town Road, Stamford. (203) 322-1646, really good local bands), food, rides and stamfordmuseum.org. May 19-20, 11 a.m.-4 fireworks. p.m. $10. Learn how to shear a sheep, buy Robin Hood Springtime Festival, Guilsome plants, take a hayride… you know. ford Fairgrounds, Lovers Lane, Guilford. Spring stuff. (860) 478-5954, robinhoodsfaire.com. May 12-June 3. $3-$16. A recreation of an old
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5 Spring Festivals
Darkest Days, April 27, 6 p.m., $49.50$79.50, XL Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Hartford, (860) 249-6333, xlcenter.com. Wiz Khalifa, Super Mash Bros., April 29, 8 p.m., $45, William H. Pitt Center, Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Ave., Fairfield, (203) 371-7846, shutickets.com. Florence and the Machine, Blood Orange, May 11, 8 p.m., $49.50, Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, (800) 745-3000 (Ticketmaster), mohegansun.com. The Beach Boys, May 12-13, 8 p.m., $55-$75, Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, (800) 745-3000 (Ticketmaster), mohegansun.com. Maroon 5, May 17, 7 p.m., $80-$120, MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, (866) 646-0609, foxwoods.com. Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Thompson Square, May 18, 8 p.m., $59.75-$73.75, Comcast Theatre, 61 Savitt Way, Hartford, (888) 695-6849, livenation.com. Blink 182, The All-American Rejects, May 18, 8 p.m., $49.50-$69.50, Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville, (800) 745-3000 (Ticketmaster), mohegansun.com. Dave Matthews Band, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Mariachi El Bronx, May 25-26, 8 p.m., $75-$89.90, Comcast Theatre, 61 Savitt Way, Hartford, (888) 695-6849, livenation.com.
Wild Flag.
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t’s true, we didn’t have much of a winter. (Not that anyone’s complaining.) But that doesn’t mean we can’t get all giddy and festive — and maybe even foolishly underdressed — over the arrival of spring. This is the time of year when we stand outside and shake our heads in wonder as the breeze whips by. And the trees start to show little hints of color at the tips of their branches. It’s awesome. The joy of spring is a basic bodily reality — you feel the surge of energy in your bones and on your skin. For some, mid-March calls for a zingy bloody mary. It’s hard to be cynical about it (that whole “April is the cruelest month” thing notwithstanding). Here are some cherry-picked activities and events to help kickstart your enjoyment of the season.
pen your wallet or purse, grab a card with bumpy numbers on it and find a Wi-Fi connection, or pick up a phone, if you’d rather: there are dozens of top-notch hip-hop, indie rock, metal, R&B and jamband acts passing through the state this spring. It’s a little tough to comb through all the various offerings, so we offer a few guideposts. Bill Frisell/Sam Amidon Duo, March 19, 7 p.m., $19.99, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St., Newtown, (203) 270-4285, edmondtownhall.org. Snoop Dogg, March 28, 8 p.m., $37.50$42, 300 York St., New Haven, (203) 6249623, toadsplace.com. Wild Flag, Hospitality, March 30, 8 p.m., $16-$18, 300 York St., New Haven, (203) 624-9623, toadsplace.com. Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, April 7, 7:30 p.m., $49.50-$59.50, Oakdale Theatre, 95 South Turnpike Road, Wallingford, (203) 269-8721, oakdale.com. Mastodon, Opeth, Ghost, April 10, 7:30 p.m., $29.50, Oakdale Theatre, 95 South Turnpike Road, Wallingford, (203) 269-8721, oakdale.com. Cee Lo Green, Melanie Fiona, April 13, 8 p.m., $45-$65, MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, (866) 646-0609, foxwoods.com. Andrew Jackson Jihad, Joyce Manor, Treasure Fleet, April 21, 7 p.m., $10, Webster Underground, 31 Webster St., Hartford, (800) 477-6849, webstertheater.com. Nickelback, Bush, Seether and My
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The Rites of Spring!
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“JONAH HILL AND CHANNING TATUM ARE THE PERFECT COMEDY DUO.” Ed Douglas, COMINGSOON.NET
springtimes 3 Foodie Events
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PROMOTIONAL PHOTO
e love to eat. And you probably do too. It’s a basic human trait. Here are some food-related events that will help to make the spring of 2012 just a little bit tastier. King Arthur Flour Baking Demonstration, Holiday Inn, 1 Bright Meadow Blvd., Enfield. Sat., March 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m; Doubletree Hotel, Compare and contrast syrups at 789 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, Fri., the New Canaan Nature Center’s March 23, noon-9 p.m. kingarthurSyrup Saturday and Pancake flour.com. Get some baking tips Brunch on Sat., March 17th. from expert bakers at America’s oldest flour company (220 years old, in fact). Their two demos include Syrup Saturday and Pancake Brunch, “Perfect Pies & Savory Scones” and “BakNew Canaan Nature Center, 144 Oenoke ing with Yeast & Whole Grains.” Ridge, New Canaan. Sat., March 17, 10:30 Magic Hat Beer Dinner, Delaney’s Resa.m.-2 p.m. $8-$12. Try out some syrup that taurant & Tap Room, 882 Whalley Ave., New Nature Center tree-adopters have been Haven. (203) 397-5494, delaneystaproomcollecting over the past few weeks and .com. Sat., March 31, 6-8:30 p.m. $60. Try compare with other varieties of syrups that six different Magic Hat beers paired with a aren’t quite so hyperlocal. Learn the differfive–course meal that complements their ence between real syrup and fake syrup. flavors — like Circus Boy Hefeweizen with Take a hike along “Maple Lane.” lamb shank stew. And #9 with Apricot and Cherry Duck Breast.
LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES STARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 16 CHECK
News Co m m e n t a r y Foo d & D r i n ks
5 Great Comedy Events
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Film Blogs D ea ls Co n tes ts Bes t o f 2011
“Weird Al” Yankovic.
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March 15, 2012
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aughter is contagious, infectious, guaranteed to elevate the soul. Couple that with a great venue, some outstanding drinks and food and pleasant company and you’ve got an evening on your hands. Here are just five of the many outstanding comedy shows you’ll bump into across Connecticut this spring. Paula Poundstone, March 23, 8 p.m., $58, Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefield, (203) 438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org. Kevin James, April 5, 8 p.m., $45, Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville, (888) 664-3426, mohegansun.com. Loni Love, April 5-7, 8 p.m. (second show on April 7 at 10:30 p.m.), Comix At Foxwoods, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, (860) 3126649, foxwoods.com. Ron White: Moral Compass Tour, April 20, 7 p.m., $32.50-$58, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford, (888) 824-2874, bushnell.org. Weird Al Yankovic: Alpocalypse Tour, May 13, 7 p.m., $25-$45, Palace Theater, 100 East Main St., Waterbury, (203) 346-2000, palacetheaterct.com.
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springtimes 3 Great Day Trip Destinations onnecticut is full of unique and quirky day trips that’ll have you asking yourself “What’s a television?” Now that the weather’s turning a corner and making it more enjoyable to leave the house, may we suggest a few kickin’ options to get you started. Ambler Farm, 257 Hurlbutt St., Wilton, (203) 834-1143, amblerfarm.org. This 200year-old working farm knows our roots well, and offers year-round activities for adults and kids alike on 22 acres. Castle Craig, Hubbard Park, 199 Notch Road, Meriden, cityofmeriden.org. Visible from I-691, this lookout tower features views of New Haven and Long Island Sound on a clear day. Reachable by hike or drive. Open April-October.
Spring Day Trips.
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Dinosaur State Park, 400 West St., Rocky Hill, (860) 529-8423, dinosaurstatepark.org. Indoor and outdoor center for all things dinosaur, including a track casting area, reconstruction of a Geologic Formation, dinosaur tracks, nature trails and more.
The Race is On
pring is the season to finally shake off winter’s shackles and get outside. Whether you’re an avid runner or just starting out, we have an abundance of outdoor races and walkathons to keep us busy all season. 9th Annual Shoreline Walkathon to Support the Community Dining Room: Sat., April 21, 10 a.m. Registration closes Wed., April 18, 9 p.m.: $15 for individuals, $10 for children 12 and under. Individuals/team members can have their registration fee waived for raising more than $50. Branford Town Green, Main St., Branford, (203) 488-9750, communitydiningroom.org. New Haven Symphony Orchestra Run for the Music: Sun., April 22, 9:15 a.m. 5K run and ½ mile kids fun run for 12 and under. Registration: 5K: $25 by March 28, $27 by April 20, $30 race day; Kids’ Run: $6 by March 28, $8 by April 20, $10 race day. College Woods Pavilion, Orange and Cold Spring streets, New Haven, (203) 481-5933, jbsports.com. Field Run for Autism: Sun., May 2, 8:30 a.m. 5K road race to raise money for the CT Autism Spectrum Resource Center. Registration: $30 before race day, $35 race day, $15 for students through grade 12. Choate Rosemary Hall, 333 Christian St., Wallingford, (203) 265-7717, asrcwalk.kintera.org. 2012 5K Race/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run: Sun., May 6. Registration: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Kids’ 1K Fun Run: 8:30 a.m. 5K Race Walk: 9 a.m. Registration prior to May 4: $25 for participants age 14 and up; $30 day of race, $15 for participants 13 and under; Kids’ Fun Run: $10. Woodcock Nature Center, 56 Deer Run Road, Wilton, (203) 762-7280, woodcocknaturecenter.org. Ten Penny Ale Shamrock Duathlon & 5K: Sun., May 20, 7:30 a.m. 5K run/28K bike/5K run or 5K road race. Registration closes Fri., May 17, 11:59 p.m. Duathlon: $70, $65 for those ages 14-22; Duathlon – relay: $40 group, $35 group/student (ages 12-22), $40 to create or join a team, $35 to create or join a team for those ages 12-22; 5K: $25, $20 for ages 18-22, $10 ages 5-17. Glastonbury High School, 330 Hubbard St., Glastonbury, (860) 652-8866, hartSpring Races. fordmarathon.com. STOCK PHOTO
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