April 1
- The Entrepreneurial Center at the University of Hartford offers free classes and workshops. Today’s is “Small Business T.I.P.S. Series: Low Cost High Impact Marketing.” From 9:30 until noon, learn about marketing in Butterworth Hall, 1265 Asylum Avenue. They request that you register.
- Real Art Ways hosts a monthly Real Board (Games) and that happens to be tonight. Stop in between 6-10pm and play. Free.
April 2
- This month’s Get HYPEd networking event will be held at the Polish National Home, 60 Charter Oak Avenue. We like that HYPE picks a different venue each month, and we love that this is the venue tonight! Besides the standard drink-and-network stuff, they will be holding a community collection for the Hands On Hartford backpack program, which gives 285 Hartford students bags full of food to take home for the weekend so that they are fed when not in school. Items requested: individual cereal boxes and oatmeal packets, granola/cereal bars, macaroni and cheese, canned soup, juice boxes (100% juice), applesauce, canned veggies, canned beans, pasta sauce, pasta, peanut butter, and jelly. The food donations are optional. This event is free to attend and goes from 5:30-8:30pm.
- Stop into the Firebox (539 Broad) to listen to the uptempo sounds of Ed Fast & Conga Bop. No cover charge. 8:30pm.
April 3
- Get out from under that rock! Trinity College is going into its ninth year of hosting its international hip-hop festival, and if you don’t know, you’re not paying attention! It starts today with lectures on “Media Representations of Global Hip Hop,” “Hip Hop as a Social Movement,” and “Hip Hop Activism pre- and post-Apartheid,” from 8am-4:30pm. At 4pm, there’s a screening of the film Say My Name: Women. Hip Hop. Life. The Producer’s Showcase starts in the Vernon Social Hall at 7pm. The Mill will be hosting a spoken word event, beginning at 8:30pm. These events are completely free and open to the general public.
- First Thursday After Hours at the Wadsworth: TANGO! Take dance lessons or just watch others. Make paper flowers. Wander the museum. Stick around for the film Elsa & Fred. The AAH event is 5-8pm, with the film at 8. $5 general admission, free for members.
April 4
- Save the Date: there’s a celebration planned to officially open the Ana Marquez-Greene memorial playscape in Elizabeth Park.
- Dust off your ID. Tonight is the Liquid Lounge: Party by the Pyramids at the Connecticut Science Center. Expect music, sand art, live animals, bellydancing, and more. 6-10pm, adults 21+ only. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $18 day of/at door. Costumes encouraged. Oh, and check out the Lost Egypt exhibit while you’re there.
- The Hartford Improv Festival begins tonight! Watch improv performances from local groups based in Hartford and Middletown, and from groups out of Boston, New York, and St. Petersburg, Florida. Get thee to Front Street’s Spotlight Theater. The first show is at 7pm, but there are several after, and this is in walking distance of the Connecticut Science Center, so if you were thinking of which event to go to, pick both. Each show is $10, or you can get a pass to all shows on Friday and Saturday for $50.
- Mom’s Night Out Forum: Eat, drink, and chat with other moms at the Carriage House Theater. HartBeat Ensemble may use some of the discussions in a later script, though there will be no play reading this night.7:30pm. $10.
- If you want more passive entertainment, hit up the April in Paris festival at Cinestudio to watch Barbarella at 7:30pm. Ticket prices vary.
April 5
Set the alarm! Today is the signing of the Hartford Bill of Rights. There will be a presentation of how the community responded to a survey. There will be speakers. Stop into the Carriage House Theater (360 Farmington Avenue) from 8:30am-3pm.THIS HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO 4/19. Go directly to the Hartford Rising! page for updates in case this gets changed again.- Want to take part in a graffiti exhibit? Show up between 10am and 8pm to the lawn in front of Mather Hall on the Trinity College campus. Space and paint is first come, first serve. Free and open to the public.
- Free admission to the museum galleries at Connecticut Historical Society today, 9-5.
- There will be a free writing workshop for young women ages 14-18 at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, 10am-12:30pm. This is free, but please register.
- Hartford Public Library is hosting Hartford Loves Stories! featuring Oonya Kempadoo as the keynote speaker, who will be leading a prose-writing workshop starting at 10:30am. Also at that time, Kenneth DiMaggio will be leading a workshop about how to get published and Anne Cubberly will be guiding folks through a “Create Your Story” art workshop using books and mixed media. There are several other activities scheduled at this time, with the keynote speech running from 2:30-4pm. This is entirely free.
- StoryWalks™ kicks off at the Pope Park Rec Center at 11am. From there, families can take a walking tour of Parkville or Frog Hollow. Giant reprints of two books’ pages will be displayed in storefronts to be read along the walks. Ina Cumpiano’s Quinito, Day and Night which will be displayed in English and Spanish in Frog Hollow; the author will appear at the event to discuss her book. In Parkville, Henriette Barkow’s The Giant Turnip which will be displayed in Portuguese and English. These books will be up for two weeks. On the walks, families can get passports stamped at each participating business where pages are displayed; at the end, the passport can be shown to a librarian at the local branches, which is where the maps and passports are available, to receive a free copy of the book.
- At 11am, listen to a panel discussion on “Hip Hop and Youth Empowerment” as part of the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival. Panelists will include Featuring Emily YX? (Heal the Hood, South Africa), Mikal Lee (Urban Word, NYC), Farbeon (Hip Hop Re:Education Project, NYC), and Vox Sambou (La Maison de Jeunes Cote-des-Neiges, Montreal). This will be in Mather Hall at Trinity College. Free, open to public.
- Spend the afternoon listening to the DMC Hartford DJ Battle at the Vernon Social Hall on Trinity’s campus, starting at noon. Free.
- Julia Rosenblatt, Co-Founding Artistic Director of HartBeat Ensemble, will be leading a Forum Theater workshop as part of the Hartford Improv Festival, 1-3pm, in the Sea Tea Improv studios on Pratt Street. More info on the Hartford Improv Festival site about ticket prices and what this workshop entails.
- Another full day of improv at Spotlight Theater, with the first show at 3pm. Today’s performers are from Hartford, West Hartford, New Haven, and East Hampton, along with those traveling at a greater distance — Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. Ticket prices and schedule are available on the Hartford Improv Festival site.
- Closing reception for Matthew Best’s exhibit at the EBK Gallery, 6-8:30pm.
- Today is the final day of the Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival, and the day that I have been waiting for: Talib Kweli — insert long sigh — will be performing. TALIB KWELI. There is plenty else going on before he takes the mic, but respect must be paid first. This goes from 7:30pm-2am and is in the Washington Room at Mather Hall, Trinity College. Other acts scheduled include Quilombo’Arte Collective (Mexico/Dominican Rep/USA), Vox Sambou (Haiti/Canada), Shokanti (Cape Verde), Jaro Cossiga (Czech Republic), The Hip Hop Re:Education Project (NYC), and is hosted by Native Sun (Mozambique/UK) with DJ Boo. This is free and open to the public, but make sure you have ID.
April 6
- Amey Goerlich, of the UCBeast improv group, will lead a workshop on KROMPF form techniques. This three hour workshop begins at noon in the Sea Tea Improv studios on Pratt Street. More details and ticket prices on Hartford Improv Festival site.
- Still wanting more? Shawn Wickens of the Magnet Theater will lead a BAT (this is improv, so no, this is not affiliated with the Badass Teacher Association) from 3:15-6:15 in the Sea Tea Improv studios. Learn how to listen better with the lights out. Ticket prices on the festival site.
- Learn the step-by-step process of wire sculpting at Studio N111. 2-4pm. $15 fee, materials included. Studio N111 is located at 75 Pratt Street, Suite #301.
- Pianist Jeff Wieselberg will be the featured performer at this afternoon’s Baby Grand Jazz concert. This free event goes from 3-4pm in the Hartford Public Library.
- Celebrate Sea Tea Improv‘s fifth anniversary with a free show! This will be in City Steam’s Brew Ha Ha Comedy Club; alcohol is served, so minors will need to be accompanied by adults. Doors open at 6, show starts at 7pm.
- The Beat City Beauties return to the Arch Street Tavern for an 8pm show themed — wait for it — “Let’s Get Sprung.” You can get tickets in advance ($7) or at the door ($10), and doors open at 6pm if you want to get dinner before the show. This venue actually has something of a raised stage. This is for grown folk.
April 7
- Jose B. Gonzalez will be kicking off the Hartford Loves Poetry series tonight at the Park Branch of the Hartford Public Library (Park and Babcock). The reading is scheduled to begin at 5:30pm. This is free.
- Black-eyed Sally’s will be hosting the Byrdspeak Ensemble. 8-11pm, free.
- Also at 8pm, the Hartford Jazz Orchestra at the Arch Street Tavern. Free.
April 8
- Stop by the Carriage House Theater (360 Farmington Ave) for HartBeat Happy Hour. From 5-6pm, socialize. Then, head into the theater to listen to a workshop reading of Jimmy and Lorraine, described as “a meditation on the American political climate of the late 50’s and early 60’s through the lens of two significant artists of the time, James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry.” $10
- Marianela Medrano will read poetry at the Goodwin Branch of the Hartford Public Library, starting at 5:30pm, for the Hartford Loves Poetry series. Free.
- The Board of Education will hold its workshop meeting (no public comment) at 5:30pm in the Simpson-Waverly School, 55 Waverly Street. It looks like the topic will be the 2014-2015 budget.
- Wesleyan Professor Martha Gilmore will speak at 7pm as part of Real Art Ways’ Science on Screen series. After her presentation, watch the film Mission to Mars. General admission is $10; cheaper tickets available for students, seniors, and RAW members.
April 9
- At 5:30pm Leslie McGrath with be reading at the Dwight Branch of the library as part of the Hartford Loves Poetry series. Free.
- The newly-revived Green Drinks Hartford will be gathering again tonight, this time at the new EBK Gallery, 218 Pearl Street. This is free and beverages are donated by City Steam Brewery. Come listen to Amy Merli talk about Trashion Fashion around 7pm. The whole thing begins at 6pm.
- Do you want to share something you have written about something hidden? Would you rather listen to secretive writing? Does that all sound so very cryptic? Good. The theme of this SYLLABLE series reading is “hidden” and it was supposed to happen a few weeks ago, but sickness required rescheduling. If you want to be a reader, send in your writing by April 2nd. This gives Julia the chance to decide what should be read and what should be read when. I mean, do you really want ten poems in a row? Each reader gets a maximum of ten minutes. This does not have to be poetry or short stories. Think beyond that. Want to read a grocery list? From your diary? From someone else’s diary? SYLLABLE will be held in the back room of Hartford Prints! on Pratt Street. There is a suggested donation of $5 and this is a BYOB event. 8pm.
April 10
- Pit Pinegar will be reading at the Camp Field Branch starting at 5:30pm. Free.
- Stop by the Carriage House Theater (360 Farmington) to see three short films. This will be the debut of Hartford River Dream #2: Abundance, by Mike Keo, and Hartford River Dream #3, an as yet untitled film about the Hartford Circus Fire by Lauren Cook, will be shown for the first time. Hartford River Dream #1: No One Wants To Be The River ,which has be previously screened, will also be shown. 7pm.
April 11
- Katharine Hepburn: Dressed for Stage and Screen exhibit opens today at the Connecticut Historical Society. This is described as the first and only scheduled New England appearance of this exhibition of forty costumes. Other Hepburn-related artifacts will be displayed. This will be on view through September 13, 2014 and is included in general admission.
- The MOuTH: Punching the Clock— Tell a true story (maximum of ten minutes) without notes. Profanity is allowed. Audio of the event will be recorded, though organizers don’t know yet if/how the recordings will be used in the future, so you might keep that in mind if your have a particularly sensitive story in mind. Want to be considered as a reader? Send your story to: HartfordMouth@gmail.com. Readers get in for free; listeners have to pay $5. This begins at 7:30pm in the Mark Twain House & Museum.
April 12
- Second Saturdays/Segundo Sabados at the Wadsworth Atheneum means free admission! 10am-1pm.
- John Stanizzi will be reading poetry at the Albany Branch of the library. This begins at 3pm. At the same time, Ernie Blue will be reading at the Barbour Branch of the library. Free.
- Opening reception at the EBK Gallery for Chris Cox’s exhibit. 6-8:30pm. The gallery is located at 218 Pearl Street.
April 13
- The Baby Grand Jazz series continues today with Sonny Daye and Perley Rousseau at 3pm. This free event is held in the Hartford Public Library. Get there early for a good seat.
- Saint Patrick-Saint Anthony Church will be hosting A Journey for the Soul: The music of Fauré and Whitacre. The performance begins at 7:30pm. General admission is $25.
April 14
- As part of Hartford Loves Poetry, Joyce Ashuntantang will be reading at the Mark Twain Branch of the library. 5:30pm. Free.
- Listen to free live jazz at Black-eyed Sally’s, 8-11pm.
April 15
- Each month residents, business owners, and hangers-on take part in the Frog Hollow NRZ meeting. Feel weird about going because you don’t know much about what’s going on? That’s reason to go. Listen in to learn about potential developments in the neighborhood. The meeting begins at 5pm in the Center for Urban and Global Studies, 70 Vernon Street.
- Poet Antoinette Brim will read her writing at the Blue Hills Branch of the library at 5:30pm. Free.
- The Kinsella Magnet School (65 Van Block) will be hosting a Board of Education public hearing on the 2014-2015 budget. Bring popcorn. This begins at 5:30pm.
April 16
- The Connecticut Historical Society is hosting its first ever Home School Day. Props to them! $5 per student, $4 per adult.
- Artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh will be explaining her show Stop Telling Women to Smile — currently on display at the Charter Oak Cultural Center. She will then be helping workshop attendees make their own posters. If you’ve ever had a stranger on the street demand that you smile, then you know the kind of sexism this artist seeks to challenge. This begins at noon and is free.
- The Ropkins Branch of the library will be hosting poet Kate Rushin at 5:30pm. Free.
- Susan Campbell will be launching her new book Tempest Tossed:The Spirit of Isabella Beecher Hooker at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. The author talk and book signing begins at 7pm. To make reservations: Info@StoweCenter.org or 860-522-9258, ext. 317
April 17
- Catch the John Brighenti Jazz Trio at J’s Crab Shack, 2074 Park Street. The music starts at 7pm and is free.
April 18
- The Wolf of Wall Street will be screening at Cinestudio at 7:30pm. General admission, $9.
April 19
- Want to help spruce up the Earle Street Community Garden? Join the Knox Parks Greater Hartford Green Team, 9am-1pm. Register so they know to expect you.
- The Hartford Loves Poetry Grand Finale goes from 1-4pm at the 500 Main Street location of the Hartford Public Library. Nearly 20 community participants will read poems in their native languages, among which are Bosnian, Mohegan, Polish, Greek, Tamil, Hebrew, Hindi, and Urdu.
- The Hartford Trashion Fashion Show will be taking over City Hall once again. See the models show off designs made from reused and recycled objects. Goza will bring the music. There will be dance and spoken word. VIP tickets are $50; general admission tickets are $20. Proceeds from this event go toward the Sustainable Farm School. 6-9pm.
April 20
- Nicki Mathis’ Afrikan Amerikan Jazz with Nzinga’s Daughters band will be performing at the American Legion (2121 Main) as part of the third annual Women United Luncheon. 2-6pm. $15 early registration, $25 at door.
April 21
- Listen to the Hartford Jazz Orchestra at Arch Street Tavern. 8pm, free.
- Free live jazz at Black-eyed Sally’s, 8-11pm.
April 22
- Happy Earth Day! Find a tree and hug it.
- Christopher Emdin, author of Urban Science Education for the Hip-Hop Generation, will be speaking on Reality Pedagogy: Teaching and Learning from the Student’s Standpoint in Wilde Auditorium at the University of Hartford. The lecture, 5-6:30pm, is free but you will need to register: Email: itr@hartford.edu or Phone: 860.768.5590
April 23
- Tell a story that someone else has told to you at Other People’s Stories. You can’t use notes or any firsthand knowledge. Send submissions to otherstorieshartford@gmail
.com. Everything starts at 7:30pm at Real Art Ways. This is free.
April 24
- The Farmers’ Market at Billings Forge (Broad Street between Capitol and Russ) happens each Thursday, 11am-2pm. It’s inside the Studio during cold months, outside on the green when it’s warmer.
April 25
- Today is the first day of the third annual Writer’s Weekend at the Mark Twain House & Museum. What to expect this weekend? Workshops, book signings, and lectures. Oh, and a Literary Death Match. Not free.
- Nymphomaniac: Volume One begins screening at Real Art Ways. Ticket prices vary. Check site for exact time.
April 26
- You have two more chances to catch Frozen as it plays at Cinestudio — 2:30 and 7:30pm. General admission, $9.
- Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem will be putting on a show at the Sounding Board but…this time it will be at 50 Bloomfield Avenue instead of over in West Hartford. Ticket prices vary. Doors open at 7pm, show begins at 8.
April 27
- Today is Riverfront Earth Day. 1-5pm. Expect music from the Hartford Steel Symphony , storytelling, and more. Check back at their site for details as date approaches. Free.
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Emery Austin Smith of Hartford will be the featured performer in this afternoon’s free Baby Grand Jazz series concert at the Hartford Public Library.
April 28
- Black-eyed Sally’s hosts free live jazz on Mondays, 8-11pm.
- The Hartford Jazz Orchestra performs at the Arch Street Tavern every Monday at 8pm. Free.
April 29
- Catch a Docent Memorial Lecture on Alexander Calder at the Wadsworth Atheneum. Joan Marter will be speaking about his work. 6-7pm. Free.
April 30
- Sam Hamilton, Executive Director of the Hartford Economic Development Corporation, will be the guest speaker at tonight’s edition of Live, Work, Love Hartford — Last Wednesdays. 5:30-7pm at the Russian Lady, 191 Ann Uccello Street. No price listed.
DISCLAIMER: Event details are as accurate as possible at time of publication. Sometimes details change or are conveyed to us incorrectly or incompletely. Verify with the venue first if those are things that worry you.
