CONNECTICUT — It’s January, and that’s the time that all serious sailors start thinking about weighing anchor for the upcoming season
Here to help is the Hartford Boat Show, which opened at the Earth Expo Center at Mohegan Sun on Tuesday, with no plans to leave port until Sunday.
The Connecticut Marine Trades Association, Inc. has been mounting the show for over 50 years, growing it from exhibits in the Hartford Armory to its current sprawl in Uncasville. The organization is made up of boat dealers and brokers, marinas and trades people, services and more.
The show celebrates every aspect of boating on Connecticut’s lakes, rivers and the sound, featuring over 125 exhibitors covering approximately 150,000 square feet of the Earth Expo Center, with over 400 boats and water craft being featured. Over 35 dealers, representing at least 95 different brands of boats, motors and trailers are participating. Tickets are available online here. The show opens at noon during the week, and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, closing at 8 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.
But if your idea of a great day on the water involves fewer poop decks and more pool toys, the Hartford Home Show may be more your speed.
The show’s exhibits are designed for homeowners who are in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. Events include home improvement and remodeling expositions with product demonstrations and sample interior and exterior vignettes. It’s a great opportunity to shop and compare all under one roof — and don’t forget to ask the exhibitors about their special show discounts and deals.
The Hartford Home Show runs Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the XL Center in Hartford. Admission is free, but you’ll need to register online.
Also on Sunday, and also free, The United States Coast Guard Band will present a free concert, “Origins,” 2 p.m. at the Guard’s Leamy Hall in New London, 15 Mohegan Avenue. The concert will be a celebration of military band history as well as music, under the baton of Commander Adam Williamson. The program includes selections from Schuman, Holst, Sousa and John Williams’ powerful music composed for the film “The Patriot.”
Northern Connecticut may not (yet) be recognized as a hub for modern dance, but that’s not for any lack of effort from Garet&Co. The professional dance company operating out of The Connecticut Dance Academy in Canton is led by Garet Wierdsma, and will present “ECLIPSE” on Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.). Venue for the second annual evening-length show of “contemporary dancers searching for peace within chaos” will be the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, at 68 Main Street. Tickets available online here.
And come for the choreography, stay for the architecture: The Warner is an absolutely gorgeous example of Art Deco style, and a terrific place to catch a show. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is home to more than 170 arts presentations each year.
The Barnes Museum in Southington introduces a new monthly program of Time Traveler Craft Days — “where history comes to life through art” — on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. The family-targeted events will combine crafting and history. The theme for the inaugural run will be “Victorian Silhouette Portrait Crafting Day,” and is suitable for children ages 8 and older. Tickets are available online.
