There is something striking about September. While this summer provided plenty of opportunities to sit around and watch free films, as we head into fall, there are many chances to get up and move around.

September 1

  • Back 2 Skool Block Party at Pratt Street: graffiti wall, body painting, dancing, 80’s and 90’s music, and live performances, plus a flea market. Noon until 6p.m. Free.
  • Events at nightclubs typically do not make the cut, but we thought you’d might like to know that there is one more LGBT event to add to Hartford’s ever-growing list: PRIDE SUNDAYS at 7 Sins Lounge & Bar (76 Union Place). This is an LGBT dance night from 7p.m. until 1a.m. Tonight is the opening night. Besides having DJs, there will be LGBT films shown.  The cover charge is $3. This is for grown folk only!

September 2

  • Enjoy jazz at Black-eyed Sally’s. This is open to folks under 21. There is no cover charge, but the way to keep local music alive is to support the venues that help make it accessible. 8-11p.m.

September 3

  • The Old State House Farmers’ Market will be open from 10a.m. until 2p.m., as it is every Tuesday and Friday during the season.
  • Tonight is another meeting about the Parks Master Plan. This is a public meeting at the Hartford Public Library. No registration is required. 5-8p.m.

September 4

  • Regular readers know that the absence of Jewish religious or cultural events in a sore spot with Real Hartford, but today, if it does not rain, the public can go a the Rose Garden in Hartford’s Elizabeth Park for a Rosh Hashanah service at 6pm. Bring your own blanket or chair. If it rains, the service will be moved indoors to Congregation Beth Israel, just over the line in West Hartford, on Farmington Avenue.
  • At the Firebox, Ed Fast & Conga Bop will be performing at 8:30p.m. This is free, but since you’ll be in a restaurant, get ready to order something to eat or drink.

September 5

  • The Wadsworth Atheneum’s monthly Art After Hours is today! If you end up paying anything for admission, it’ll be $5 and that gets you admission to everything in the museum including the film that follows the party. You also get snacks and moonshine samples. There will be games and blues. This starts at 5p.m.
  • Every Thursday evening it’s Gay Night in the Tavern at Firebox.

September 6

  • Hartford Prints! celebrates its move to Pratt Street with a “New Kids on the Block Party.” Don’t hate. These three women are a powerhouse of talent and absolute sincerity. The store at 42 1/2 Pratt Street officially opens at 11a.m. and the party begins around 6p.m. It’s free, but you should probably bring your wallet. NKOTB Party is postponed!
  • While Downtown, you may as well walk a few blocks to the opening reception of ‘STAGECRAFT: 50 Years of Scenic Design at Hartford Stage.'” This is in the ArtWalk Gallery at the Hartford Public Library. 6-8p.m. It’s worth repeating: the Hartford Public Library hosts some of the most chill art openings you’ll ever attend.

September 7

  • Free admission to the museum galleries at Connecticut Historical Society from 9a.m. until 5p.m. Be sure to check out the Behind the Wheel exhibit before it closes later this month! Also today, CHS will host free reiki demonstrations from 10a.m. until noon, and free yoga demonstrations from 11:30-12 and again from 12:30-1p.m.
  • What has been deemed the “South District” will be having its Quality of Life Initiative Community Conversation today from 10a.m. until 2p.m. If you want to participate, go to the Pope Park Rec Center in, yup, Pope Park. This is intended for residents and stakeholders from the following neighborhoods:  Barry Square, Behind the Rocks, Frog Hollow, Parkville, Sheldon-Charter Oak, South End, South Green, South Meadows, and South West. Because lunch will be provided, they request an rsvp.
  • Also at 10a.m. — Cedar Hill Cemetery‘s 6th Annual Mystery Scavenger Hunt! You will work in teams to gather clues on the grounds of Cedar Hill Cemetery. This is $5 per person and registration is required. Call 860.956.3311.
  • The Latin World Rhythms Festival is free and runs from 1-10pm at the Riverfront. Two stages. Dance instruction. Cultural food and beverages (not free).
  • Opening reception from 6-1op.m. for UNITED: A Heart of War Production, presented by the Veterans Art Foundation. This exhibit at ArtSpace Gallery (555 Asylum Street) will celebrate the artistic talents of veterans, active duty military, and their families. The suggested $10 donation benefits the Veterans Art Foundation. Of art sales, 80% go to the artist, 20% to VAF.
  • Hartford’s comedy troupe Tick Tick BOOM! will be performing at the Carriage House Theater from 8-9p.m. Contact TTB for ticket information.
  • The Many Colors of a Woman Jazz Festival and Concert starts at 8p.m. at the Artists’ Collective (1200 Albany Avenue). There are too many performers to name, so check out their website. This is free.

September 8

  • Take a free adult Hebrew class at Congregation Beth Israel! All levels are welcome. Alexa Mannheim, the instructor, will provide cartoons, quotations, prayers, onomatopoeia, and even S’fat HaBet (Hebrew pig Latin). CBI is located on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford, but is included because nothing like this is currently offered in Hartford. This begins at 9:30a.m.
  • There is free yoga in Bushnell Park at 11a.m. Wear clothing you can move in; bring water.
  • After a short hiatus — the restaurant was closed for kitchen renovations — Bluegrass at the Firebox is back! This is free and runs from 5-8p.m. Even if you don’t like bluegrass, you owe it to yourself to go at least once just so you can repeatedly exclaim, “I can’t believe we have bluegrass in Hartford!”

September 9

  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:15p.m. near the Pump House Gallery.
  • Care about what happens in your neighborhood? Come by the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association general meeting tonight at 6:15. This will be held at the Conference of Churches, 224 Farmington Avenue.
  • The Hartford Jazz Orchestra gives a lively, free performance every Monday at the Arch Street Tavern. The music begins around 8p.m.
  • Another free jazz option presents itself over at Black-eyed Sally’s from 8-11p.m. If you want to hit up both, start at Arch Street Tavern since that wraps up earlier.

September 10

  • Canning demo at the West End Farmers’ Market! Learn how to can your food so that all those apples don’t go to waste. The market is from 4-7p.m. at the corner of Farmington and South Whitney.
  • The HartBeat Happy Hour is back, with the Reading Series Truth & Power following an hour of light refreshments and mingling. Tonight will feature a reading of Bertolt Brecht’s work. The happy hour is from 5-6p.m., with the reading series beginning at 6p.m. Carriage House Theater, 360 Farmington Avenue. $5.
  • Residents and stakeholders are invited to a meeting of the South West and Behind the Rocks NRZ tonight from 6 until 7:30. This group has been dormant for awhile but is starting up again. If you want to have some voice in what happens in your neighborhood, show up! This will be held in the Broadview Community Church 45 Oliver Street. If you can not make this meeting, know that this NRZ meets every second Tuesday of the month.

September 11

  • The North End Farmers’ Market is held today, and every Wednesday during the season, from 10a.m. until 1p.m. This is located at 80 Coventry Street.
  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:15p.m. This will be by the Pump House. Wear clothing you can move around in.
  • The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center will be hosting a book talk and signing tonight at 7. Meet Christopher Trager, author of Word by Word: Emancipation and the act of writing, as he talks about how in spite of prohibitions, some enslaved African Americans learned to read and write. The Stowe Center requests an rsvp: 860.522.9258 ext 317

September 12

  • From 11a.m. until 2p.m. stop by the Billings Forge Farmers’ Market on the block of Broad Street between Capitol and Russ. This is held year-round on Thursdays. There is live music sometimes, free samples sometimes.
  • Free dance class! This is tied to Night Fall, coming in October, though participation in the dance class does not obligate you to join in later. Today’s class is at 6p.m. in the Pope Park Recreation Center.

September 13

  • The MOuTH: They say “Come hear stories of luck and serendipity.” If you would like to read your story, send an email to HartfordMouth@gmail.com. If you want to just listen, you can go on ahead and do that too. This begins at 7:30pm at the Mark Twain House & Museum. $5 for listeners, free for readers.
  • The Kabbalah House hosts a free open mic night every Friday evening, from 9pm until it’s done. Late. This is at 1023 Albany Avenue.

September 14

  • Shakespeare’s As You Like It will be performed on the lawn of the Mark Twain House at 2p.m. This is free (donations accepted) and will be performed here just once.

September 15

September 16

  • Free yoga near the Pump House in Bushnell Park at 5:15p.m.
  • Free jazz at the Arch Street Tavern. The Hartford Jazz Orchestra takes the stage around 8p.m. This is not quiet, sleepy jazz!

September 17

  • A Young Adult Al-Anon group meets from noon until 1:30p.m. in the University Commons 116/118 on the campus of the University of Hartford. This is free and open to anyone who has been affected by alcohol. This is a “closed” meeting, meaning that anonymity and confidentiality are required. Read about types of meetings before attending.
  • Residents and stakeholders are invited the the monthly Frog Hollow NRZ meeting. The meeting begins at 5p.m. in the Lyceum at 227 Lawrence Street.
  • Regular meeting of the Hartford Board of Education begins at 5:30p.m. at Bulkeley High on Wethersfield Avenue.
  • Take a free Business B.A.S.I.C.S. workshop at the Entrepreneurial Center from 6-9p.m. This will be in Butterworth Hall at 1265 Asylum Avenue.

September 18

  • Brent Leggs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation will give a talk about saving historic places to highlight the history of African-America​ns. This is free and will be held at the Old State House to celebrate Connecticut Freedom Trail Month. The one hour event begins at noon. Seating is limited, so contact Rebecca at 860-522-6766, ext. 11.
  • Stop by the Homestead Avenue Farmers’ Market today (or any Wednesday during the season) between 3 and 6 p.m. This is at the Chrysalis Center, 255 Homestead Avenue.
  • Join in a free discussion about Energy, Environment, and Economics at Rensselaer on Windsor Street. This free event begins at 5p.m. and wraps around 8p.m. Food and beverages will be provided.
  • 5:15p.m. yoga in Bushnell Park. Free.
  • The South Downtown Neighborhood Revitalization Association meets from 6-8p.m. at the Hartford Public Library. If you are looking to give input about the Downtown neighborhood, this can be a good entry point. Free.

September 19

  • Take a Full Moon Tour of Elizabeth Park! Wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight if you’re interested in not tripping over things. This begins near the Pond House at 7p.m. and is free. Raindate: September 20th.

September 20

  • Drop by the West End Farmers’ Market! This is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4-7p.m. during the season. It’s located at the corner of Farmington and South Whitney.

September 21

  • Discover Hartford Bicycle Tour is back! Cyclists have their choice of a 10, 25, or 40 mile loop, starting and ending at Bushnell Park. Depending on which loop you select, you could be riding only to the Wethersfield line, but could also go to West Hartford and Windsor. Those with a larger sense of adventure — or just more stamina — may eventually leave Hartford altogether and go to Wickham Park in East Hartford/Manchester. If you have never been to Wickham Park and have the strength to get there and back, we suggest going. There will be a few stops for snacks and water along the route. Ride starts at 9am. Registration fees vary, but you save money by doing this in advance.
  • A great way to give back to the community is to participate in a clean up! Today offers that opportunity in Keney Park from 9a.m. until early afternoon. Plant some trees, clear paths.  You don’t have to rsvp, but since lunches are provided, it’s nice to let Charmaine know how many people she should expect to participate: charmainec@knoxparks.org
  • Another activity today for those seeking to give, rather than get: Immaculate Conception’s second Walk to End Homelessness. This 5k along the Connecticut River aims to raise money for a good cause. Registration begins at 9:15a.m. with the walk starting at 10:30. This begins at Riverfront Plaza. Registration fees vary.
  • Patrick Haggerty will lead a tour of Cedar Hill Cemetery beginning at 10a.m. Learn about the Cedar Hill residents for whom the streets of Hartford were named. General admission is $5; free for Let’s Go Arts and Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation members.
  • The Old State House will be open from 10-5 today, free of charge. Check out the Museum of Curiosities (one of the best things in Hartford) and the History is All Around Us exhibit if you want a lively experience. Just outside of the Old State House, from 12-4, there will be a farmers’ market, community mural, and live music from Poor Old Shine, Afro-Semitic Experience, and Goza Latin Band. This is also free.
  • Children get free admission to the Connecticut Science Center today from 10-5, but will need to be accompanied by a paying adult. This is also the day that Bodies Revealed opens at the Connecticut Science Center. This exhibit will be in its own room, so those who do not wish to expose themselves or their children to it can view the rest of the Science Center without doing so.
  • Free admission to the Wadsworth Atheneum from 10a.m. until 5p.m. If you have not seen Virgil Marti‘s MATRIX exhibit yet, check it.
  • From 10a.m. until 6p.m. you can view the Inside Out: Northeast Hartford art project. These are photographs taken by Bradley E. Clift
  • For the third month in the row, free self-guided tours of the Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk are being offered along the Riverfront. The sculptures are always there, but from 11am-2pm, there will be docents to provide you with information about the artwork.
  • Free Latin Jazz performances at the Hartford Public Library beginning at 11a.m. and wrapping up around 4p.m. Performers include: Ray Gonzalez, Jason Yeager, and Nelson Bellow.
  • Check out Art Around the West End from 11-5 today. Sponsored by the West End Civic Association, this event is a self-guided walk to see art and talk with the photographers, jewelers, painters, sculptors, and others. Location details have not been announced yet, so you can either just wander the West End, or, you can check back to the website and try to contact organizers.
  • Take a free tour of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch (Trinity Street) anytime between 11a.m. and 6p.m. today. If you miss it today, take a free tour on any Thursday or on the last Saturday of the month during September and October from noon until 1:30p.m.
  • There will be free carousel rides from 11-6 today.
  • That massive underused slab of concrete on the corner of Main and Gold, known as Bushnell Plaza, will be activated today from 11a.m. until 6p.m. as Real Art Ways provides miniature golf. Isn’t mini golf so much more inviting than those yellow chains draped across the stairs?
  • Remember how cool it was to have Hodge Podge on Pratt Street last autumn? Well, it’ll be back today, but in Bushnell Park instead of the previous location — 11-6.
  • Tour the Phoenix (Boat) Building between noon and three today. Free.
  • Free admission to the Butler-McCook House & Garden today, 12-6p.m. Find out where the lions outside of City Hall used to live.
  • The Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus will give a free performance at 1:15p.m. near the Pump House Gallery in Bushnell Park. They will be performing again in the same location at 2:30p.m.
  • The Hartford Symphony Orchestra performs — for free — at 3p.m. near the Pump House Gallery in Bushnell Park.
  • They Might Be Giants will give a free performance in Bushnell Park at 6:30pm.

September 22

  • Free yoga in Keney Park at 11a.m. This will be by the Pond House.

September 23

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables are available for purchase at the Park Street Farmers’ Market (corner of Park and Washington) today and every Monday during the season, from 9:30a.m. until 1p.m.
  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:15p.m.
  • Or, if you want to take that movement to a more expressive level, attend a free dance class at Charter Oak Cultural Center from 5:30-6:30p.m.
  • Monday night means free jazz. It won’t be in Bushnell Park though. . . just across the street at Black-eyed Sally’s from 8-11p.m.

September 24

  • There will be a community meeting for the South West sector tonight at 6:45. Discussion of public safety issues with the neighborhood’s Community Service Officer, along with conversation about quality of life issues and community-building activities. As of publication, the location has not been announced. If you would like to go, contact Alan at 860-232-7151

September 25

  • Stop by Bushnell Park for some free yoga at 5:15p.m. Rain cancels.

September 26

September 27

  • The Trials of Muhammad Ali opens at Real Art Ways. They describe this as a film that “explores his refusal to serve in the Vietnam war, even after his status as a conscientious objector was denied, on the grounds of protesting racial injustice at home, while capturing his passion and anger in interviews and television appearances culled from a rich variety of rare archival sources.” Check in with Real Art Ways for exact showtimes. Prices vary, but the most expensive ticket price is $10.

September 28

  • The “Central District” will have its Quality of Life Initiative Community Conversations at Grace Lutheran Church on Woodland Street from 10a.m. until 2p.m. today. Residents and stakeholders from Asylum Hill, Downtown, and the West End should rsvp if they plan to attend because lunch will be provided.
  • Learn about notable Wethersfield residents who now reside in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The tour begins at 10a.m. in the cemetery. General admission is $5. This is free for members of Wethersfield Historical Society, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation, and Let’s Go Arts.
  • Today is the Pipes in the Valley Celtic Festival at the Riverfront. There are Highland games, storytelling, food, and music. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are headlining. You can bring food and should bring a blanket or chair to sit on, but no alcoholic beverages — they are selling booze at the festival. Free. 11a.m.-10:30p.m.

September 29

  • Free yoga in Pope Park at 11a.m. near the rec center. Bring a mat or towel. Wear clothing you can move around in.

September 30

  • The Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity will be holding three interfaith programs, with the first starting today. The conversation will explore the question of “What is a home?”. This begins at 5:30p.m. at the Immanuel Congregational Church (corner of Woodland and Farmington).

Is there anything not on this list that should be?

We are not responsible for events changing times, locations, or canceling. If you worry about those things, call the venue in advance to confirm details.