May 1

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration, in partnership with Hartford Public Library and the Hartford SCORE chapter, is hosting a 5 week small business workshops series taught by SBA employees and business professionals. Most of the classes deal with money and taxes, with the final one devoted to marketing. The classes are two hours apiece, beginning at 5:30pm. This is free, but space is limited to thirty people, so register soon: 860.695.6334
  • Celebrate East Indian culture at the Wadsworth Atheneum’s First Thursday event. There will be Bollywood dance lessons, henna, Indian-inspired food, tours, and more. 5-8pm. $5.  Lagaan will be screened at 7:30 pm.
  • The Trinity Chapel Singers will be performing in the main chapel on the Trinity College campus, starting at 7:30pm.

May 2

BECK & CALL: The Servants Tour at Mark Twain’s house, 5/2
  • Listen as the City Council meets to discuss the financial overview of the budget. This meeting will include discussion related to the Management & Budget Office, Finance Department, Capital Improvement Plan, Office of the City Treasurer, and Human Resources Department. This begins at 5:30 pm in Council Chambers.
  • Steven Raider-Ginsburg of HartBeat Ensemble is directing BECK & CALL: The Servants Tour at the Mark Twain House. There has already been some reaction to the event’s poster, but those familiar with HartBeat Ensemble should expect something subversive and daring. The Mark Twain House & Museum describes the event: “Help! The servants at Mark Twain’s House are expecting a full-on assault of overnight guests. With famous faces coming for an elegant dinner, three guest rooms to prepare and 25 rooms worth of dusting, the hired help may need a helping hand. With BECK & CALL, our fun, new interactive nighttime servants tour of The Mark Twain House, we offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to get the Clemens home ship-shape for overnight entertaining. You may even be asked to pitch in! With costumed interpreters appearing throughout the house, fans of “Upstairs/Downtairs” and “Downton Abbey” will love this look at the organized chaos that it took to cook, clean and clothe the Clemens Family.” Tours begin at 7pm. Reservations are required and tickets can be purchased online.

May 3

  • There are a bunch of clean ups scheduled for today. From 9am until noon, you can volunteer to clean up the following areas: Maple Ave, Bushnell Street, Southend Wellness Center, Barry Square, and Clifford Street. Also starting at 9 am, a clean up of Adams Street. Colt Park and Columbus Park from 10 am until noon. Burns School (Putnam Street) starting at 10 am.
  • Re:Create CT is back in Elizabeth Park for its second year. This is a free holistic and green living event. Learn about green businesses. Do some yoga. Listen to music. Bring some cash — there will be vendors, food carts and trucks. 11-5.
  • Grab a blanket and head down to the Mortensen Riverfront for Samba Fest. 11 am until 6 pm. Free. You can bring food and beverage, but leave the hooch at home. The parade is at noon.
  • The mere mention of Black-Eyed Sally’s should make you pause, inhale, and have an olfactory hallucination of cornbread. Now that you’re drooling, you might as well go there and get the real thing, have a nibble while enjoying the sounds of UMOJA and other musicians. This is a fundraiser for the UMOJA Music Series. The show runs from 2-5 pm. $20 at door or $15 in advance. (Cornbread not included)

May 4

May 5

  • High Fives for Cinco de Mayo: Stop by Hartford Prints! on Pratt Street (starting at 5) for music by Oh, Cassius!, tacos by yourself (build your own), margaritas by RIPE, graffiti by Los Cinco, y sidewalk art by Studio N111.
  • At 5:30 pm, City Council will discuss the Public Safety aspects of the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for 2014-2015.
  • Or, if you feel like hanging out in Parkville, swing by J’s Crabshack (2074 Park Street) for music by Bob Paskowitz and the Latin Quarter Jazz Collective. This is free and starts at 6pm.
  • The Hartford Jazz Orchestra performs at Arch Street Tavern. 8pm, free.

May 6

  • Special Meeting of the Board of Education: The topic of tonight’s meeting is “budget adoption.” This begins at 5:30 pm at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School, 25 Ridgefield Street. This is open to the public and generally lasts a few hours.
  • Also starting at 5:30, City Council’s discussion of Community and Business Collaborations as pertaining to the proposed budget.

May 7

  • Bike to School Day! Check the air in your tires before you show everyone how you roll.
  • Get HYPEd, the monthly networking event for young(ish) professionals and/or entrepreneurs will be at City Steam tonight. There will be refreshments provided at this free event, but bring cash if you want to quench your thirst. 5:30-8:30pm. Stay for five minutes or three hours.
  • Thinking of writing in a new genre but not sure how to get started? The Mark Twain House & Museum is offering six-week courses that might prove to be a shot in the arm. Sarah Moon will be teaching a course on playwriting; those interested in writing for children can take a class with Pegi Deitz Shea; Hank Herman will be guiding students in humor writing; and, Amity Gage will be leading classes in fiction writing. Each class goes from 6-8pm. There is a registration fee, which can be paid online.

May 8

Photo by Markham Starr // ICR exhibit opening 5/8
  • Soft serve from the ice cream truck not cutting it anymore? Come to the Institute for Community Research today for an opening reception that will include Farmer’s Cow samples. The Dairy Farms in Connecticut: Change and Continuity exhibit will feature “history, challenges, occupational culture, and current realities of dairy farming in Connecticut.” During the reception, hear about Markham Starr‘s experience photographing dairy farms in North Stonington. 5-7pm at the ICR, 2 Hartford Square West.
  • City Council discusses the budget as it relates to the Internal Audit Department, MetroHartford Information Services, 311, Hartford Parking Authority, Hartford Public Library, and the Board of Education. 5:30 in Council Chambers.
  • Opening reception for The Blocks at Charter Oak Cultural Center, 6-8 pm.
  • Starting at 7pm, Vivien Shotwell sings and discusses Vienna Nocturne, a novel about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and English soprano, Anna Storace, who was his muse. This event at the Mark Twain House & Museum is free, but call to make a reservation: (860) 280-3130.
  • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey will be at the XL Center. Keep your eyes open for details about when the elephants will walk through downtown Hartford.

May 9

  • The Knox Plant Sale is where to get inexpensive plants from tomatoes to shrubs to hanging baskets. This is a fundraiser for Knox. 9am-6pm. 75 Laurel Street.
  • There will be a housing fair from noon until 4pm for those interested in foreclosure prevention, home improvement programs, mortgage and refinance opportunities, and home energy efficiency tips. Drop by the atrium at City Hall if you have any need for information.
  • Maybe you meant to support the Burns Latino Academy but could not afford a ticket to the John Leguizamo and Griffin Dunne event this past winter. Or, perhaps you went and want to give some more. There will be a tag sale fundraiser for the school today, conveniently, at Burns. 3:15-6:30pm.
  • Listen to the Brian Simontacchi Trio and Nita Zarif. They will be performing at Jazz at Gallery on Vine, 47 Vine Street. This begins at 7pm. $20 donation requested. Reservations required: 860.527.9860.
  • Vivian Maier was a prolific street photographer whose work was largely unseen during her lifetime. Real Art Ways is screening Finding Vivian Maier starting today. General admission $10, $5 for members.

May 10

  • If there’s anything left from yesterday’s tag sale at the Burns School, it will continue today from 8:30am-2pm. This is a fundraiser for the school in Frog Hollow.
  • Today is the final day of the Knox Plant Sale at 75 Laurel Street. 9am-4pm.
  • There will be docent-guided tours of the Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk, 10 am – 12:30 pm. Free, but donations are accepted. Registration requested.
  • A clean up is scheduled for the West Meadow section of Keney Park today, 10 am until 4 pm.
  • Free admission to the Wadsworth Atheneum from 10-5 today! There are docent-guided tours at 1 and 2:30.
  • The Southwest and Behind the Rocks NRZ is sponsoring a festival from noon until 2 at the Breakthrough Magnet School on Brookfield Street. There will be games, face painting, arts and crafts, a raffle, and a book exchange.
  • Welcome to Bohemia ~ Rites of Spring will be at TheaterWorks on Pearl Street. This is an evening of art, dance, and music. To get tickets, click here. The main event begins at 9pm.

May 11

  • Yoga in the Park is back! Today, go to Colt Park (near Kinsella) at 10 am. You’ll be moving, so wear comfortable clothes, bring a mat or towel, and of course, some water.
  • Didn’t get to see State of Elation yet? Stop by ArtSpace (555 Asylum) from 12-3 pm to see graffiti, tattoo, and other forms of unconventional art.
  • This Mother’s Day, give the gift of laughter. Experiences are better than objects, and in this case, it’s free. But don’t be a jerk. Buy a drink and appetizer at least while you are at City Steam Brewery to be entertained by Sea Tea Improv. The doors to the club area open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm. You might want to make reservations because, you know, Mother’s Day: 860-525-1600. Since alcoholic beverages are sold on the premises, your mother should be over 21. If not, make this a multi-generational affair and bring Gramma.

May 12

  • A clean up is scheduled for Franklin Avenue at the intersection of Maple to the Wethersfield town line. 9 am – 1 pm.
  • Wanna talk trash? The Hartford Public Library will be hosting what is called an “action-oriented discussion” on “Household Waste Disposal & Recycling.” Refreshments at 5:30pm; program at 6. Free
  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:30 pm. Meet by the Pump House Gallery. This cancels if it is raining.
  • HYPE’s Civic Engagement Committee has been holding the “Keep Calm and Hartford On” Family Feud-style event for a bit now. This month’s topic: the XL Center. 6-8pm at the Old State House. This is free, with complimentary refreshments and a cash bar.
  • City Council meets at 7pm in Council Chambers.
  • The Arch Street Tavern hosts the Hartford Jazz Orchestra on Mondays. The free show begins at 8pm.

May 13

  • Ron Tanner will visit Connecticut Historical Society to share the story of how he and his girlfriend restored a Baltimore row house,  transforming it from a dilapidated frat house to, well, you can only go up from there, right? This will include a discussion of the book he wrote about the experience, From Animal House to Our House: A Love Story. This is free, but reservations are requested: (860) 236-5621 x289 or email Jennifer_Steadman@chs.org.​ 5:30-7 pm.
  • Does the Tanner talk sound like too much fun? Then stop by Classical Magnet School to observe the Board of Education’s workshop meeting (no public hearing) on the Office of Talent Management and School Climate Data Review. This begins at 5:30pm. Classical Magnet is at 85 Woodland Street. Heck, it’s in walking distance of CHS if you want to go back and forth between the two events.
  • Also starting at 5:30, City Council’s discussion of the budget as it relates to Corporation Counsel’s Office, Town & City Clerk, Registrars of Voters, Mayor’s Office and Constituent Services, and Office of the Chief Operating Officer. This will take place in Counsel Chambers.
  • Have a small business? Need to learn about crowdfunding? That’s the subject of the free workshop offered at the Entrepreneurial Center from 6-8pm.

May 14

  • Does one need to know more than “Susan Campbell will be there”? Fine. I’ll play along. Ms. Campbell will be speaking about the relationship between Mark Twain and Isabella Beecher Hooker. She just published Tempest-Tossed: The Spirit of Isabella Beecher Hooker, so the woman knows a little something about the topic. A reception is at 5pm, with the talk beginning at 5:30 in Hal Holbrook Hall at the Mark Twain House & Museum. This is free, but bring some cash if you have not picked up a copy of Campbell’s new book yet. RSVP requested: 860-280-3130.
  • Free yoga class in Elizabeth Park at 5:30pm. The class will meet in the picnic area of the park.
  • A free bicycle safety seminar will be held from 6-7:30pm in the Pope Park Rec Center/Arroyo Community Center in Pope Park. The purpose of this is to teach the rules of the road, how to ride safely, and how to do some basic bike maintenance.
  • Stop in at Real Art Ways if you’d like to listen to or read poetry. Purple Light begins at 7 pm.

May 15

  • Learn about “Blogging for Business” at the Entrepreneurial Center. This is the first part of a two part workshop. Free. 9:30-11:30am.
  • Invisible No More: Youth Homelessness in Connecticut is the topic of tonight’s Salons at Stowe. 5-7 pm. Free, but make reservations.
  • Each month Real Art Ways hosts its Creative Cocktail Hour, an event that showcases visual art and music. Raya Brass Band is scheduled to play this time. 6-10 pm. $10 general, $5 for members.
  • Participate in a workshop reading of Gross Domestic Product, HartBeat Ensemble’s new play on motherhood. This begins at 7:30 pm today, May 16, and May 17 in the Carriage House Theater, 360 Farmington Avenue. The reading on May 18th will begin at 2:30 pm. Ticket price: $12 on 5/15, 5/17, and 5/18; $25 on 5/16, which is also a benefit party. Tickets are available online.

May 16

  • Bike to Work Day: Get on your bicycle (or unicycle or tricycle) and ride to the Old State House. There will be free coffee and breakfast provided from 7-9 am, with a program at 8. Spandex not required.
  • UCONN Funky Dawgz will be leading a participatory Second Line presentation both inside and outside of the Artists Collective from 6-8 pm. This is free and open to the public.
  • The mention of improv makes some people recoil. It’s okay for us to like different things. For others, the humor that is not in the stand up comic format is much more accessible and risque (at times) without being completely offensive. Tonight, Sea Tea Improv and guests will be doing a long form show at the Studio at Billings Forge. Tickets available online or at the door.

May 17

  • Join in as the Greater Hartford Green Team/Knox cleans and beautifies No Name Park (entrance on Sisson Avenue near fire station). 9am – 1 pm. Contact Charmaine if you plan to attend: (860) 951-7694 or charmainec@knoxparks.org
  • The Miss Puerto Rico of Greater Hartford Cultural Pageant will take place today at the Learning Corridor. This starts at noon in the Theater of the Performing Arts.  General admission: $10.
  • The Hartford Public Library will be hosting the Conference of Brazilian Literature, 2-4 pm. Free.
  • The Artists Collective (1200 Albany Ave) will be hosting Nelson Mandela Remembered, an evening of reflection and music. 7-9 pm. This is free and open to the public.
  • Catch a staged reading of Purpose Café written by Tiana Glass and Charmagne Tripp. This begins at 7pm, Charter Oak Cultural Center. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online.
  • Speak Up: an evening of true stories that are centered on a shared theme. This begins at 8pm at Real Art Ways. Content may not be suitable for young children. You’ve been warned.

May 18

  • Meet by Kinsella in Colt Park at 10 am for free yoga. Bring water, a mat or towel, and wear clothing you can move in.
  • Sunday night bluegrass is not every week anymore at Firebox, but it’s happening tonight. Dick Bowden’s Flying Circus will be performing in the tavern area of the restaurant. 5-8 pm. No cover charge.

May 19

  • Free yoga by the Pump House Gallery in Bushnell Park at 5:30pm. Bring a mat or towel.
  • Pop-up Market at the Dirt Salon, 6-9 pm. Blaze and Bloom, the Hartford Denim Company, and others. The Dirt Salon is located at 50 Bartholomew Avenue.
  • Drop by Arch Street Tavern for a free performance by the Hartford Jazz Orchestra at 8pm.

May 20

  • The Frog Hollow NRZ meets at 5 pm in the Lyceum at 227 Lawrence Street. Do you live or work in the neighborhood? Have a gripe or just want to learn more about what is going on? Drop by.
  • Cinestudio will be screening Orson Welles’s Othello at 7:30pm. General admission: $9.

May 21

  • Today’s Nook Farm Book Talk will feature Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle. A wild guess is that the 1906 bestseller is still relevant today. 5-6:30pm in the Mark Twain Museum Center. This is free, but please rsvp: 860-522-9258, Ext. 317.
  • Elizabeth Park will be hosting a free yoga class at 5:30 pm in the picnic area. This cancels if it rains.

May 22

  • Today is the second part of the “Blogging for Business” workshop at the Entrepreneurial Center. 9:30-11:30am. Free.
  • Sea Tea Improv offers tips to help you be funnier. They say, “Hanging with Harold is not a class or a workshop. It’s not a show, either. It’s a learn-by-doing drop-in jam where Sea Tea Improv and members of the improv community (that’s you, just by showing up!) perform a kind of longform improv together known as the Harold.” Show up to the studio (75 Pratt St., Suite 500) with $5 and you’re in. 9-11 pm.

May 23

May 24

  • Not a fan of GMOs? Join the March Against Monsanto today at 2pm, starting at the corner of Broad Street and Farmington Avenue.

May 25

May 26

May 27

  • Trivia Tuesdays at the Arch Street Tavern. This is free and it starts at 7pm.

May 28

  • Mayor Segarra is the guest speaker at the Live, Work, Love Hartford networking event. 5:30-7pm at the Russian Lady, 191 Ann Uccello Street.
  • Also at 5:30, Connecticut Historical Society will be hosting Katharine Hepburn’s Hollywood Career: An Overview with Jeanine Basinger. CHS describes this: “Jeanine Basinger, Corwin-Fuller Professor of Film Studies at Wesleyan University, offers an overview of Katharine Hepburn’s extraordinary career in film, comparing her longevity on screen to the shorter careers of some of her famous contemporaries. Hepburn faced particular challenges on her way to achieving lasting fame, but she also had advantages of education, wealth, and social position that helped her succeed. Drawing comparisons to her famous contemporaries, such as Bette Davis or Joan Crawford, Basinger explores how Hepburn achieved six decades on screen and an enduring legacy as a film legend.” This is $10 general public, $5 for CHS members.
  • One more thing starts at 5:30 — free yoga in Elizabeth Park. Bring a mat or towel and join the class in the picnic area of the park.
  • Other People’s Stories: Listen to someone tell a story that someone else has told him or her. 7:30 pm at Real Art Ways. Free.

May 29

  • Join HYPE for Hartford Stage’s last show of the season, VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE. The evening starts with a happy hour, followed by a brief talk from the play’s director, Maxwell Williams. And then, the show. 6-10:30pm. Admission is $10 for HYPE members, $25 for non-members. Registration closes at noon on 5/26 and is required. Contact Caitlin to register:  cthayer@metrohartford.com

May 30

May 31

Disclaimer: We make every effort to publish only accurate information; however, sometimes events get canceled or miscommunication within organizations means that we are given the wrong times or prices. If you have those kind of concerns, contact the venue before going there. Except for correcting inaccurate information, we do not modify this event listing once published.