We are an artsy bunch here in Southern Connecticut. THE ARTS HAVE A TRANSFORMATIVE POWER to turn a dull day into a MAGICAL ONE, to cradle us fully IN THE MOMENT, TO LIFT UP the marginalized, TO GIVE VOICE and VISION to anyone who can stand on a stage, type a script or hold a paintbrush. ART, MUSICAL THEATER, CINEMA, IMPROV, WRITING, JAZZ, WOODWORKING—there are ENDLESS CREATIVE and CULTURAL ACTIVITIES here for kids and adults.
STUDIO ANDREAS
652 Glenbrook Road, Stamford
203-521-9183; studioandreaswoodworking.com
With all due respect to paint-and-sip studios or paint-your-own-pottery places, Studio Andreas is next-level handcraft learning. Founder Mark Andreas’s mission to bring students a profound connection to the natural world through woodworking (offered numerous days each week) now has extended to textile arts and figure drawing. Build a stool, weave a rug, turn a bowl, spin yarn, draw a live model—all great classes, if you can get in. They sell out quickly!
GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
47 Strickland Road, Cos Cob
203-869-6899; greenwichhistory.org
Art & History Camp kicks off on July 14 for second- through eighth- graders. Campers enjoy a highly interactive exploration of the unique history and art of Greenwich across the Historical Society campus. Weekly camps include Colonial Connections (discover what life was like in the 1700s at the Bush-Holley House), Artful Adventures (learn about the Cos Cob Art Colony and the artists who lived and created in the Bush-Holley House) and Historical Happenings (for senior campers to explore history from Colonial times through the 19th century). Family and friends are invited for Family Fridays from 2 to 2:30 p.m., to see what their campers have created.
MATHER HOMESTEAD
19 Stephen Mather Road, Darien
203-202-7602; matherhomestead.org
The Mather Homestead dates back to 1778. Stephen Tyng Mather was the founder of our National Parks System. What better place to take a breather from our fast-paced, digital world and enjoy an art lecture on Impressionist gardenscapes (Wednesday, June 11, 12:30 p.m.), a seminar on the lyrics of Bob Dylan (Thursday, July 31, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.), a kids’ book club and craft, or a week of art plein-air for those eager to paint, draw or photograph among fellow artistes (Sunday, June 8 to 15 with a lunch on Wednesday, June 11).
BROADWAY BOOT CAMP
Congregational Church
524 Pequot Avenue, Southport
917-361-7765; mybroadwaybootcamp.com
In its 24th year, Broadway Boot Camp offers three three-week sessions (third through tenth grade) throughout the summer and a new two-week session (K through second grade) the second half of July, each culminating in a musical production staged at Downtown Cabaret Bridgeport during the final weekend of each session. The rehearsal days include acting and dance classes, scene and music rehearsals, performance games and a whole lot of theater-kid glee!
PALACE THEATER
61 Atlantic Street, Stamford
203-325-4466; palacestamford.org/arts-education-programs
Theater kids will love the Palace’s “Triple Threat Performer” summer camp—a two-week intensive musical theater program from Monday, July 7 to 18 (ages 9–16). Program director Luis Salgado, Broadway Assistant Choreographer of the Tony-winning show In the Heights, emphasizes making art with a purpose while immersing students in the dynamic components of musical theater. Classes (Musical Theater, Body Percussion, Latin Fusion, Song Interpretation, Hip-Hop and more) are taught by New York artists from Salgado Productions.
TRIPLE THREAT ACADEMY
Toquet Hall & Saugatuck Congregational Church, Westport
triplethreat.us
Cynthia Gibb’s Triple Threat Academy has an array of programs for young thespians and future SNL improv actors, but some of the most enthusiastic goofballs on their stages lately are the students in the growing Adult Improv class on Monday nights. Why should the kids have all the fun? It’s impossible to ponder your to-do list when on stage thinking on your feet or watching in stitches. The staff includes two teachers who cut their teeth on the L.A. improv scene: Keith Contreras-McDonald (Upright Citizens Brigade) and Mike O’Hara (Second City). Contreras-McDonald, a Juilliard grad and professional actor based in New York, also comes out to teach an Adult Acting scene-study class on Tuesday evenings.
JAZZ AT THE POST
VFW Post 399
465 Riverside Avenue, Westport
475-298-5079; jazzfc.org
Think you have to head to Greenwich Village to find a great jazz club? Think again. For two years, the Jazz Society of Fairfield County has been bringing celebrated jazz artists and promising new talent to a venue overlooking the Saugatuck River and boasting fabulous acoustics: Westport’s Joseph J. Clinton VFW Post 399. Every Thursday evening, from 7:30 to 10 p.m., jazz enthusiasts, music lovers and anyone looking for a little toe-tappin’ decompression should make it a weekly tradition. It might be worth the trip just to hear notes played on the 1937 Steinway—formerly the house piano at the famous Village Gate jazz club in New York City.
NEW CANAAN LIBRARY GREEN
151 Main Street, New Canaan
203-594-5000; newcanaanlibrary.org
The beautiful New Canaan Library green opened last year, and many events are in the works for your open-air enjoyment. Groove on the Green, a must-hear free music event, hits the Green on Saturday, May 17. This year’s event will bring a country twang to the Green with the upbeat country music band Shot Down, as well as line dancing lessons to make the outing an active and contagiously fun one. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic dinner to enjoy on the Green.
THE PLAYHOUSE
93 Elm Street, New Canaan
203-594-1200; cinemalab.com
The historic New Canaan Playhouse reopened last year, giving the discerning film buff a venue with style, history, and more than your average Blockbuster flicks. Cinema Lab, the company behind the revamp, believes that “movie theatres that were once the literal and metaphorical heartbeat of the community should be reimagined as the social and entertainment soul … the backbone of the high street.” The Pub offers delicious fare and a full bar. The Marquis Lounge on the second floor provides a members-only retreat. The lounge and theater are both available for private rentals. Keep a lookout for fun local events and movie screenings followed by Q&As with local writers and directors.
HARTFORD HEALTHCARE AMPHITHEATER
500 Broad Street, Bridgeport
hartfordhealthcareamp.com
If you haven’t experienced a concert at this spectacular venue, get your tickets now! The summer lineup is as star-packed as ever, with a slew of nostalgic treasures, including Ringo Starr, Counting Crows, Rick Springfield, Barenaked Ladies, Styx, Chicago, Toto, Goo Goo Dolls, James Taylor and even Jerry Seinfeld. Tedeschi Trucks Band is so popular they are playing two nights. VIP lounges, suites, clubs and fare abound, but there is no bad seat in this breathtaking, canopy-covered, open-air venue. The place even has marble public bathrooms. Enjoy warm summer breezes and local food from Garden Catering, Gotham Burger, Lil Pub, Nordic Fish, Freskos Greek and many more.