September 1

Connecticut River. Really not sure what to do with yourself? Go stare at the river. Or clean it.
  • Free yoga in Keney Park at 10 a.m. Meet near the Pond House. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • Garrison Leykam will be the featured author at the launch of Hartford Public Library’s The Author’s Table. Today he launches his book Postcards from the Highway of Life, which he says is “both a rich essay about baby boomer values as well as a wake-up call to preserve an entire generation’s identity.”  This free event will take place from 12-3 p.m.
  • West End Farmers’ Market happens on Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., on the green near the Mark Twain House & Museum. Rain or shine. Sometimes they have live music and artists, if the bread and vegetables aren’t enough.
  • On Tuesdays you can find the Hartford Mobile Market at the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford, 1 Nahum Drive, from 4:30-6 p.m.
  • Toivo offers $5 Zumba classes! This one-hour session begins at 6 p.m. This is at 399 Franklin Avenue.
  • Real Board Games returns to Real Art Ways at 6 p.m. Just show up and play. You’re welcome to bring a game of your own.
  • Being out of town for a few days where WiFi was spotty at best, I felt grateful for having a readymade excuse for disconnecting. Tonight, there will be a discussion at ArtSpace Gallery on “Connection or Obsession: A Healthy Relationship with Social Media.” This will be a talk about what the “experts are saying about the dangers of overdoing our screen time, and we’ll strategize about ways to use these tools in the healthiest way possible.” The Healthy Potluck (bring a dish to share, list all ingredients) begins at 7; discussion goes from 7:30-8:30. A small donation is suggested.

September 2

  • Hartford Mobile Market stops at Charter Oak Health Center, 21 Grand Street, on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 12 noon.
  • Free yoga on the Rose Garden Lawn in Elizabeth Park at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own mat.
  • Get HYPEd: HYPE’s monthly networking event for young professionals will be at Crush Lounge (200 Columbus Blvd.) from 5:30-8:30 p.m. There’s no cover charge, but if you want drinks, bring your money. They call this a casual event, but remember, that’s “business casual” for most people. Bring business cards for that networking.
  • City Council Candidate Forum for Democratic Primary Candidates: This campaign season hasn’t gotten your blood boiling yet? Well, opportunities abound! The Hartford Public Library will be hosting this free Hartford Votes ~ Hartford Vota Coalition event. Refreshments available at 5:30 p.m.; program at 6. Invited candidates include the endorsed slate: Thomas Clarke, Julio Concepción, John Gale, James Sanchez, Glendowlyn Thames, and rJo Winch; as well as Segarra’s slate: Kyle Anderson, Edward Casares, Giselle Feliciano, Luwannia Johnson-Martin, Ken Kennedy, and James Woulfe. There may be a forum for candidates for city treasurer, but organizers are non-committal on this.
  • If you recall, any time something is proposed for the former Hartford College for Women site, a portion of this neighborhood gets plenty fired up. We’ve learned that the expansion of a school is not so welcomed on this site, but new housing might be. The developers will be discussing their plans for the site at 6 p.m. in Butterworth Hall, 1265 Asylum Avenue. Free, open to public.

September 3

  • The Department of Public Works along with Mayor Segarra are holding a “Hartford Snow Meeting 2015-2016” this morning at the Public Safety Complex, 253 High Street. This will be from 9:45-11:45 a.m. Parking is available in the lot across the street.
  • Billings Forge Farmers’ Market, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Located on the green on Broad Street between Capitol Avenue and Russ Street. This runs year-round.
  • Take a free tour of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, 12-1:30 p.m.
  • UConn Master Gardener Program is offering a free lunchtime workshop. Today’s lesson in organic gardening? “Extending the Growing Season.” Bring your own lunch to the conference room at 80 Washington Street, from 1-2 p.m. today. The master gardeners worked on the veggie garden next to Hartford Community Court, and the program may include a little fieldtrip to that site. They say that this community garden “is maintained by defendants doing community service for low level misdemeanors. All of the food harvested by Community Partners in Action’s community service participants goes directly to those with food insecurity in Hartford.  Over 236 pounds of fresh vegetables from the Community Garden have already been delivered to Hartford homeless shelters to date.”
  • Hartford Mobile Market stops at Wilson-Gray YMCA, 444 Albany Avenue, on Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:30 p.m. Meet on the lawn between the Pump House Gallery and the pond. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • Learn about Mark Twain’s minister in a lecture by Steve Courtney at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 5:30 p.m. This is $5 general, free for Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation and Let’s Go Arts members.
  • Education Forum with Hartford’s mayoral candidates at Asylum Hill Congregational Church. This is an Achieve Hartford! production. Refreshments at 5:30 p.m.; forum begins at 6 p.m.
  • Bikram Yoga Downtown Hartford offers a free class at 6:30 pm. in the Hartford Hilton.

September 4

September 5

  • Last chance to see Amy at Cinestudio. Screening at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. $9 general admission.
  • MakeHartford Open House with Show & Tell.  The theme tonight: “What I Did This Summer.”  Tour the space and hang out with “geeks, weens, and others,” as they say. This is from 6-9 p.m. MakeHartford is located in the basement of 30 Arbor Street.

September 6

  • Free yoga in Colt Park on the lawn near the Wethersfield Avenue entrance. Bring your own yoga mat. 10 a.m.
  • Bring your own bike and take part in the HTFD Slow Roll, a free bike ride that starts at 1429 Park Street, 3 p.m. Go explore the city!
  • Steve Davis & Linda Ransom Live at Max Downtown: Steve Davis- trombone, Linda Ransom- vocals, Matt DeChamplain- piano, Matt Dwonszyk- bass. No cover! 6-9 p.m.

September 7

  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:30 p.m. Meet on the lawn between the Pump House Gallery and the pond. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • Hartford Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at Arch Street Tavern. No cover. Music begins at 8 p.m.

September 8

  • Free yoga in Keney Park at 10 a.m. Meet near the Pond House. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • West End Farmers’ Market happens on Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., on the green near the Mark Twain House & Museum. Rain or shine. Sometimes they have live music and artists, if the bread and vegetables aren’t enough.

September 9

  • Musicians from the Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra will give a free performance at noon in the Atrium of the Hartford Public Library.
  • Free yoga on the Rose Garden Lawn in Elizabeth Park at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own mat.
  • Political Campaigns & the Latino Vote: hosted by the Hartford Public Library, this discussion will include host Ana Alfaro, and panelists: Luis Caban, Adrian Texidor, Evelyn Mantilla, and Ingrid Alvarez. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free.
  • Stop by the Firebox for Green Drinks, a monthly happy hour that intends to connect people who care about environmental issues. 6-8 p.m. A rep from 350CT will appear to make a brief talk. Otherwise, this is a fairly informal event.
  • MakeHartford Members’ Meeting  (6- 6:45 p.m.) and Open House  (6:30-9 p.m.) – Weekly chance to meet makers and tour the space. MakeHartford is in the basement of 30 Arbor Street.

September 10

  • Billings Forge Farmers’ Market, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Located on the green on Broad Street between Capitol Avenue and Russ Street. This runs year-round.
  • Take a free tour of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, 12-1:30 p.m.
  • Connecticut Against Gun Violence is holding a “legislative luncheon” at the Pond House Cafe, 11:30-2. Mike Lawlor and State Senator Martin Looney will be discussing Project Longevity and Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Orders, respectively. Tickets are $55.
  • UConn Master Gardener Program is offering a free lunchtime workshop. Today’s lesson in organic gardening? “Sustainable Gardening.” Bring your own lunch to the conference room at 80 Washington Street, from 1-2 p.m. today.
  • Salons at Stowe brings a conversation tonight on “Unpacking White Privilege.” The Stowe Center says: “What are the implications of white privilege? What are some examples? How can we raise awareness?” The featured guests will be Andrea Kandel, Executive Director, National Conference for Community and Justice; and David Canton, Associate Professor of History and Interim Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion, Connecticut College. There is free admission, but they ask for reservations to be made. 5-7 p.m.
  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:30 p.m. Meet on the lawn between the Pump House Gallery and the pond. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • Sunset Sounds Concert Series at the Butler-McCook House & Garden features live music by Richard McGhee & The Rahstet. Check out Maurice Robertson’s photography on display. Bring a picnic. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free.

September 11

  • Cinestudio begins screening Inside Out today, 7:30 p.m. General admission: $9.

September 12

  • Mystery Scavenger Hunt in Cedar Hill Cemetery! They say: “Teams of up to four people each compete to find and follow clues throughout the memorial grounds. Once teams have collected all their clues, it’s time to solve the mystery. It’s a race to the finish, as prizes will be awarded to teams who solve the mystery the fastest.” This $5 event begins at 10 a.m. and requires reservations (860-956-3311)
  • Hartford Walk for Farm Animals: Show compassion for fellow creatures while getting some exercise. Check-in at Bushnell Park, 10 a.m. with walk 11 a.m-1:30 p.m. Rain or shine. Dogs welcome. Registration fees vary. The route is an easy two-mile loop in Downtown.
  • Also in Bushnell Park today, the Lift Every Voice and Sing gospel festival. This marks the 20th year of the festival.  11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Free.
  • Free admission to the Wadsworth Atheneum, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Evergreen Block Party: Bring a chair, non-alcoholic beverage, or food to share with neighbors. They will provide burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, chips, soda, and juice. All are welcome to this free event. 12-4 p.m. in the Evergreen Community Garden on Evergreen Avenue.
  • PrideFest: the free event is held in Burr Mall, the space between City Hall and the Wadsworth Atheneum. 12-6 p.m. As of publication, we do not know what is scheduled for entertainment.
  • HartBeat Ensemble Garden Party: They tell me this is “Downton Abbey Meets #Scarborough11.” The proceeds benefit the creative and educational programs of HartBeat Ensemble, but even if for some reason you hate the arts (and if that’s true, why are you here?!), you should still come. “Luncheon, Bloody Mary Bar, Silent & Live Auction,” plus croquet! Come in appropriate Downton Abbey-inspired dress. 2-5 p.m. $75. This will be at 68 Scarborough Street.
  • Reception for Hartford artist Tim Wengertsman will be from 6-8:30 p.m. at EBK Gallery [small works], 218 Pearl Street. Free!
  • Untitled:AbEx 2015. ArtSpace Gallery will have an exhibit of works by emerging and establish abstract artists from the region. This is from 6-9 p.m. at 555 Asylum Street.
  • PrideFest After Party: this event at City Hall starts at 6:30 p.m. and is not scheduled to end until 2 a.m.! Tickets are $10. This is 21+ only. DJ and cocktails.Wait, no. Maybe this starts at 9 p.m. now? In a matter of days this event description changed from general after party to a “Glow Party” in City Hall that starts at 9 and wraps at 1 a.m. By the time this is published, maybe it’ll have morphed into a baby shower. Best to contact the organizers on this for details.
  • Guitar under the Stars: It looked like this wasn’t going to happen this year, but people begged for it. This Spanish, Latin, and World music concert is free at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, 7:30-10 p.m., but they are asking for donations.

September 13

  • Free yoga in Colt Park on the lawn near the Wethersfield Avenue entrance. Bring your own yoga mat. 10 a.m.
  • CT Robotics Society meeting is at MakeHartford at 1 p.m. This is free. MakeHartford is in the basement of 30 Arbor Street.
  • A free Rosh Hashanah service will take place in Elizabeth Park at 6 p.m. This may be ideal for those who have high energy children or for those who feel spiritually disconnected when sitting inside four walls. They say: “This family-friendly experience takes the traditional elements of this High Holy Day service and sets them in a beautiful space that highlights one of themes of the season, creation. The service will take place on the stage by the Rose Garden. Please provide your own chair or blanket. If it rains, the service will be held at Congregation Beth Israel.” Those who have never attended before, if you are trying to park a car, arrive early. This is a well-attended service. For more info, contact 860-233-8215 or  bethisrael@cbict.org
  • Sea Tea Improv has a free show each month at City Steam Brewery’s Brew Ha Ha Comedy Club. Tonight is that night. Free admission. Because alcohol is served, anyone under 21 needs to be accompanied by a legal guardian. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts at 7.

September 14

  • Visit the KNOW GOOD Market, today only, 5-8 p.m. at 30 Bartholomew Avenue. They say this is an “open-air street food destination designed to promote the collective culture of Hartford. Featuring tastes from local restaurants and food trucks, fresh produce from KNOX and live music.”
  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:30 p.m. Meet on the lawn between the Pump House Gallery and the pond. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • Hartford Seminary says: “Hear Nancy Ellen Abrams talk about her personal experience with a higher power and how it fits with cutting-edge science.” This free event begins at 7 p.m.
  • Hartford Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at Arch Street Tavern. No cover. Music begins at 8 p.m.

September 15

  • Free yoga in Keney Park at 10 a.m. Meet near the Pond House. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • West End Farmers’ Market happens on Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., on the green near the Mark Twain House & Museum. Rain or shine. Sometimes they have live music and artists, if the bread and vegetables aren’t enough.
  • Board of Education regular meeting at Wish School (350 Barbour), 5:30 p.m. If you would like to speak, show up a few minutes early to sign up on the list.
  • Hartford Public Library will host Salsa Socials at 6 p.m. This is free and no experience or partner is necessary.
    Rey Bermudez will provide instruction for those who need it.

September 16

September 18 at Trinity College
  • Voices of Wisdom: Traditional Narratives from Connecticut Communities — this free program on oral narrative, hosted by Connecticut Historical Society, begins at 5 p.m. with a reception and an informal reception that they say will feature “several speakers who have traditional skills in narration and recitation from oral traditions of different cultures. They will recite in their native language, and then provide a translation or synopsis.” The CT Cultural Heritage Arts Program says “Artists and speakers will include southern New England Algonkian native peoples, a Senegalese griot, a poet from Cameroon and a musician from Uganda who collect their relatives’ traditional stories, a Tibetan monk, and several other cultures. Anyone who wishes to present similar traditional narrative is welcome also.” This 5-8 p.m. event will be held at One Elizabeth Street. Contact Lynne_Williamson@chs.org or call 860-236-5621 x 235 for more information.
  • Free yoga on the Rose Garden Lawn in Elizabeth Park at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own mat.
  • The Bushnell will be hosting a forum tonight: Women in the Corporate Boardroom: A Business Imperative for American Companies. Panelists will include Afsaneh Bechloss and Aaron Dhir; this will be moderated by Mika Brzezinski. The forum is presented by Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office and UConn in association with Connecticut Forum.  This free event is from 6-8 p.m.
  • MakeHartford Open House: Tour the space and hang out with “geeks, weens, and others,” as they say. This is from 6-9 p.m. MakeHartford is located in the basement of 30 Arbor Street.
  • At the Stowe Center, Q&A and book signing with editors Erika DeSimone and Fidel Louis. They say: “The poems in Voices Beyond Bondage: An Anthology of Verse by African Americans of the 19th Century, address the horrific and the mundane, the humorous and the ordinary and the extraordinary. Authors wrote about slavery, but also about love, morality, politics, perseverance, nature, and God. These poems evidence authors who were passionate, dedicated, vocal, and above all resolute in a bravery which was both weapon and shield against a world of prejudice and inequity.” This free event begins at 7 p.m. Contact info@StoweCenter.org or 860.522.9258, x317 to rsvp.

September 17

  • Billings Forge Farmers’ Market, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Located on the green on Broad Street between Capitol Avenue and Russ Street. This runs year-round.
  • Take a free tour of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, 12-1:30 p.m.
  • Trinity College President Joanne Berger-Sweeney will deliver today’s lecture and opening event in the 25 Years of Neuroscience at Trinity College celebration. Her talk is titled, “Of Mice and Men and Girls and Autism: Insights from 15 years of studying the neurobiology of mouse models of autism spectrum disorders.” This begins at 12:15 in the Washington Room of Mather Hall, at Trinity College. Free and open to the public.
  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:30 p.m. Meet on the lawn between the Pump House Gallery and the pond. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • Susan Campbell will be giving a lecture on Isabella Beecher Hooker at Cedar Hill Cemetery: “Swimming Against the Tide in Pin Curls and Crinoline.” This begins at 5:30 p.m. and is $5 general; free for Let’s Go Arts and Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation members.
  • Creative Cocktail Hour at Real Art Ways: Nation Beat provides the music this month. The fun starts at 6 p.m.  $10 general; $5 RAW members.
  • Author Talk: M. William Phelps at Connecticut Historical Society, 7-8 p.m. He is the author of Nathan Hale: The Life and Death of America’s First Spy. This is free, but an rsvp is requested.
  • Figure Drawing Session at Awesome Tattoo Shop & Healing Center, 30 Arbor St., Suite 304. Bring your own drawing supplies for a night of fun sketching  tattooed and nude models — 1 male, 1 female. This is 7-10 p.m. $10 at the door.

September 18

  • A pilot bike share program will be launching today! Look for the twelve turquoise bikes when you’re out and about. These will be free to rent today through Sunday.
  • Park(ing) Day: This worldwide event takes place on the third Friday in September. They say: “artists, activists, and citizens independently (but simultaneously) turn metered parking spots into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public parks and other spaces for people to enjoy. PARK(ing) Day is a non-commercial project, intended to promote creativity, civic engagement, critical thinking, unscripted social interactions, generosity and play.” Go find a parking spot and make it better!
  • Martín Espada and Marcus Rediker will hold a “conversation about the dynamic roles history and poetry play in social movements” in an American Studies Lecture called “People’s Poetry/People’s History: Listening to & Learning from Social Movements from Below.” This is open to the general public and is free. 12:10-1:30 p.m. in Mather Hall’s Washington Room at Trinity College.
  • Ghosts of Amistad will screen at Cinestudio, 3:45 p.m. This film, which “chronicles a 2013 trip to Sierra Leone designed to interview village elders about their memories of the Amistad rebellion of 1839, is based on award-winning author Marcus Rediker’s book, The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom.” Free. 
  • Work in Progress is a show of unfinished artwork at Downtown Yoga, 57 Pratt Street, 2nd floor. This is free! 5-9 p.m. They will have snacks and refreshments.
  • Stop by the Mark Twain House & Museum. They say: “Come hear & tell stories on the theme ‘Caught In the Act: Stories about NOT Getting Away With It’ at The MOuTH.” If you want to just listen, it’ll cost you $5. Otherwise, for those wanting to tell stories, it’s free, but…they say: “We pick our 6 speakers one week before the event, so RIGHT NOW, email HartfordMouth@gmail.com with your name, and a short description of what your story is about.” Contact them for full guidelines. The event begins at 7:30 p.m.

September 19

  • Grace Parks Mitchell will lead a tour “that highlights the extraordinary accomplishments of some of Cedar Hill’s most notable women including Virginia Thrall Smith, Elizabeth Jarvis Colt, Anne Tracy Morgan and Katharine Houghton Hepburn.” This begins at 10 a.m. in Cedar Hill Cemetery. $5 general, free for Let’s Go Arts and CHCF members.
  • Hartford Comic Con: the XL Center will host what they describe as an “event devoted to organizing and providing a quality comic convention that is comic based while providing top comic book creators and premium celebrities experiences in the pop culture arena. Hartford Comic Con is dedicated to producing family fun events as well as spectacular celebrations of popular culture that lead the market in providing exceptional and rewarding experiences for our fans, creators, celebrity guests, vendors and partners.” 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. $27. A weekend pass is $42.
  • Grand Reopening & Community Day at the Wadsworth Atheneum! This is kind of a big deal since it’ll be the first time in about fifty years that this museum is both fully installed and open to the public. To celebrate, there will be free admission from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., along with performances by Imposters Impersonating History, plein air painter Elizabeth Rhoades, the The Hartt School Symphony Orchestra, designer Katrina Orsini, Kinetic Dreams, Trashion Fashion Show, and more.
  • Last chance to catch Mad Max: Fury Road at Cinestudio. Showing at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $9.

September 20

  • Registration for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s begins at 9 a.m. in Bushnell Park. This is a fundraiser, so what you end up contributing is basically up to you.
  • Free yoga in Colt Park on the lawn near the Wethersfield Avenue entrance. Bring your own yoga mat. 10 a.m.
  • Hartford Comic Con: the XL Center will host what they describe as an “event devoted to organizing and providing a quality comic convention that is comic based while providing top comic book creators and premium celebrities experiences in the pop culture arena. Hartford Comic Con is dedicated to producing family fun events as well as spectacular celebrations of popular culture that lead the market in providing exceptional and rewarding experiences for our fans, creators, celebrity guests, vendors and partners.” 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. $25. A weekend pass is $42.
  • Asylum Hill Congregational Church will be hosting a discussion at 11:30 on Newtown, Charleston, and Hartford. All are welcome. This will be held in the Twichell Room in the church at 814 Asylum Avenue.

September 21

  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:30 p.m. Meet on the lawn between the Pump House Gallery and the pond. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • Hartford Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at Arch Street Tavern. No cover. Music begins at 8 p.m.

September 22

  • Free yoga in Keney Park at 10 a.m. Meet near the Pond House. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • West End Farmers’ Market happens on Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., on the green near the Mark Twain House & Museum. Rain or shine. Sometimes they have live music and artists, if the bread and vegetables aren’t enough.

September 23

  • Stowe Salons at Lunch: stop by with your lunch to talk about current social issues.Topics are usually announced a few days before the free noontime event at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. They request participants make reservations.
  • Free yoga on the Rose Garden Lawn in Elizabeth Park at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own mat.
  • MakeHartford Members’ Meeting  (6- 6:45 p.m.) and Open House  (6:30-9 p.m.) – Weekly chance to meet makers and tour the space. MakeHartford is in the basement of 30 Arbor Street.

September 24

  • Billings Forge Farmers’ Market, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Located on the green on Broad Street between Capitol Avenue and Russ Street. This runs year-round.
  • Take a free tour of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, 12-1:30 p.m.
  • Douglas Coulter, Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania and The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania will be the lecturer today in Trinity College’s “Science for the Greater Good” series. This talk begins at 12:15 p.m. in Mather Hall’s Washington Room. Free and open to the public.
  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:30 p.m. Meet on the lawn between the Pump House Gallery and the pond. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • Last chance to see The Lure of the Litchfield Hills exhibit at Charter Oak Cultural Center.
  • Book launch and signing: Ben Parker, author of Six Simple Twists: The Pleat Pattern Approach to Origami Tessellation Design will be showing some of the twists in his book and signing copies at MakeHartford from 6:30-9 p.m. Some copies of his book will be available at the event, but you may want to pre-order a copy.

September 25

Cuatro Puntos, performing at Trinity on 9/26. Photo courtesy of Trinity College.
  • Toivo offers a Walk-Run group weekly. They say: “​Increasing daily movement can boost energy level, brighten mood, strengthen immunity and level sleep cycle. Walking or running can mitigate mental decline and improve memory. We will provide a structured walking/running group to introduce the benefits of cardio and being outside into people’s lives. Everyone is welcome regardless of fitness level and we will work with you to meet your personal fitness goals. This group will meet once a week with a gradual increase of distance and endurance for each individual’s goals. We will work with people who are interested in starting to walk a certain distance per week and people who are interested in running for the first time. The instructors are both avid runners who enjoy introducing people to the joys of walking or running.” Toivo is located at 399 Franklin Avenue. The event begins at noon and lasts approximately an hour. $5.
  • The Draft, a play based on the book, Called to Serve: Stories of Men and Women Confronted by the Vietnam War Draft, will be performed at Trinity Commons, 240 New Britain Ave. This is free and open to the public. 7:30 p.m.

September 26

  • Green Apple Day of Service Academy of Engineering and Green Technology: from 8 a.m. until noon, “Join more than 100 students from the three academies at Hartford Public HS for the Fourth Annual clean up of the HPHS campus and three surrounding neighborhoods. Join these inspired high school students to make a difference.” This is at Hartford Public High School. Call 860-944-6614 for more info.
  • Museum Day Live! means free admission to the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center for those who download tickets. Hartford residents can take part in free Stowe House tours every day.
  • CRWC’s 19th Annual Source to Sea Cleanup. Show up in clothes you can get dirty! Help clean up the area around the Connecticut River. Meet at the confluence of Park and Connecticut Rivers at 10 a.m. That’s north of Charter Oak Landing, south of the Mortensen Riverfront Plaza.
  • Intro to 3D Printing at MakeHartford from 11 a.m. – 12:30. $10.
  • Art Around the West End: open studio at several locations, including Hartford Seminary, Passages Gallery, Unitarian Society of Hartford, and Venom Vintage. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free to browse.
  • Pipes in the Valley Celtic Festival: Just a bit north up the river area will be highland games, music, birds of prey, dancing, pipers, and more. Free admission, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
  • Want to learn about improv? Take the “Get Weird, Don’t Panic: Mastering the Organic Opener” workshop today, 1-4 p.m. They say: “Are you tired of being an individual, autonomous human brain not linked to a massive, shared hive mind? If so, the Organic Opener is for you! In this workshop you will learn and practice the Organic, a freeform, unstructured improv opener where all actions are reactions inspired by the sound and movement of our teammates. We’ll practice positivity and agreement with our scene partners. We’ll learn to infuse our improv with the joy of unexpected discovery. We’ll gain experience balancing bold choices with intense listening and shared focus on stage. We’ll exercise deep group mind with our teammates. We’ll practice building and following patterns as a group.” There is a $35 fee. Workshop is held at the Sea Tea Improv Studios, 75 Pratt Street #500
  • Cuatro Puntos performs at Trinity College’s Austin Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. This is free and open to the public.
  • West End Blend is doing an album release show at Arch Street Tavern. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9. Tickets are $7.

September 27

  • Walk Hartford: about once each month people meet at a different location and walk. Sometimes these stick to city sidewalks. Sometimes, there’s off-road wandering. The purpose is to see various parts of the city at a slower speed and to socialize. It’s not a race or way to burn lots of calories! Meet by the pond house in Goodwin Park. The group will leave at 9:30 a.m. for a several mile loop. Dress appropriately and bring water.
  • Free yoga in Colt Park on the lawn near the Wethersfield Avenue entrance. Bring your own yoga mat. 10 a.m.
  • Art Around the West End: open studio at several locations, including Hartford Seminary, Passages Gallery, Unitarian Society of Hartford, and Venom Vintage. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free to browse.
  • Fixers’ Co-operative at MakeHartford: bring something that needs repairing. You can work on it or ask others for help. 4-6 p.m. Following this is Maker Movie. At 6 there is a potluck dinner. Remote-control gloves and marionette will be demonstrated around 6:15. Iron Man 2 will be shown after. They say: “Children welcome, but keep in mind the rating and length of the film.  No charge, freewill contributions always welcome.”

September 28

  • Free yoga in Bushnell Park at 5:30 p.m. Meet on the lawn between the Pump House Gallery and the pond. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • Hartford Jazz Orchestra performs every Monday night at Arch Street Tavern. No cover. Music begins at 8 p.m.

September 29

Art work found at Heaven Skate Park. Free public art, 365 days of the year.
  • Free yoga in Keney Park at 10 a.m. Meet near the Pond House. Bring your own yoga mat/towel and water.
  • West End Farmers’ Market happens on Tuesdays, 4-7 p.m., on the green near the Mark Twain House & Museum. Rain or shine. Sometimes they have live music and artists, if the bread and vegetables aren’t enough.

September 30

  • Drop by Charter Oak Cultural Center for a Sukkah Decorating Party. Expect music, food, games, and sukkah decorating at the event that kicks off their annual Celebration of Jewish Arts and Culture. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free.
  • Free yoga on the Rose Garden Lawn in Elizabeth Park at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own mat.
  • String Thing (knit, crochet, weave, spin, macramé, etc.) and MakeHartford Open House — 6-9 p.m. at MakeHartford. Free.

DISCLAIMERS

1. To have an event listed, send info to realhartford@gmail.com before the 25th of the preceding month (i.e. for the October listing, get details in by September 25). Preference is given to events that are in actual Hartford (not West, East, or New) and are affordable to the widest range of city residents. Once published, no new events added. This takes a hell of a long time to put together as it is.

2. We strive for accuracy, but keep in mind that details change and are sometimes even given to us with less than 100% accuracy. If change upsets you, call the venue to confirm.

3. With that said, if we know a particular venue or organizer has a track record of flaking out, we do stop including events associated with that person or place.