Here’s your curated Hartford event calendar for June 2023

What makes this list? Events that I would either attend or recommend to a good friend

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[edited June 7: Tisane has unceremoniously closed “temporarily” for June 5 through June 18, so triple check that any of the events that are striked are still happening. Hoping for the best, but the sudden closure of a venue known for its LGBT events, during June of all times, raises lots of questions.]

  • NOTES ON HER COLOR: The description of this event says that the author’s debut novel “swirls Florida kitsch with magical realism,” and I feel like that’s all we need to know. But, if you need to know more, the author is Jennifer Neal and she will be talking to Vivian Nabeta on June 1, 2023 at 12 PM. Register for this streaming event to get the link; price is on a very reasonable sliding scale.
  • OTHER PEOPLE’S POEMS: Come to read or just to listen. Sign up begins at 6:30 PM; reading at 7:30. This is hosted by Hartford Flavor Company (30 Arbor Street), June 2, 2023. // The closest bike parking appears to be at neighboring 56 Arbor Street; take the 31, 33, 69, 101, 102, 121 or 128 buses (all less than a 5-minute walk from venue . . . and if you are imbibing, take responsibility for yourself and your relationship with others by using public transportation, FFS.)
  • BUSHNELL PARK TREE CANOPY: Learn from City Forester Heather Dionne about the old and new trees in Bushnell Park, and then wrap up tour with a tour of the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch. June 3, 2023 from 10 AM until 12 PM. Free, but register. Meet by the arch. // Almost any bus destined for downtown is a short walk; there is bike parking on the west side of the carousel, also next to the Corning Fountain.
  • MAUVE LLOYD: It’s a Pink Floyd cover band, playing at Riverfront Plaza on June 3, 2023 from 7-10 PM. Free. // A short walk via Constitution Plaza from nearly all downtown area bus stops. There is bicycle parking by the top of the staircase, and on the lower level, just north of the bottom of steps.
  • 🌈 PRIDE MONTH KICK-OFF PARTY: For whatever reason, Pride Fest does not happen until September in Hartford, but that stops nothing. Tisane (537 Farmington Avenue) is hosting a party on June 3, 2023. Check in with Tisane to find out start time and any age restrictions. // Take any of the 60-66 Farmington Avenue buses, especially if enjoying martinis.
  • BARRE: Take a free class that fuses ballet movement, yoga alignment, and Pilates core work. On Mondays, June 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 6-7 PM. Wear sneakers and bring your own yoga mat and water. This meets on the lower stage of Riverfront Plaza. The class is free; donations accepted. // A short walk via Constitution Plaza from nearly all downtown area bus stops; there is bicycle parking by the top of the staircase, and on the lower level, just north of the bottom of steps.
  • ROSE GARDEN TOURS: There are two chances on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 to take a guided tour of the rose garden in Elizabeth Park. Free tours begin at 11 AM and 1 PM by the flagpole outside of the green building. Tours will cover the main rose garden and the Heritage Rose Garden. No need to register– just show up. If you miss this, come by on Rose Weekend for other tour opportunities. // There is bicycle parking next to the greenhouse; use the 72 bus Monday-Friday to access Elizabeth Park.
  • WEST END FARMERS’ MARKET: June 6, 2023, 4-7 PM is opening day for the season. With luck, maybe they’ll reorient the layout so it’s kinder to those walking in. This is on Clemens Green on Farmington Avenue, just west of the intersection with Woodland Street. The market operates every Tuesday at this time. // Take any of the 60-66 Farmington Avenue buses; closest stop is near Woodland Street.
  • SHAKE IT OFF: So many opportunities to move your body! On Tuesdays, come down to Riverside Park for an all-levels/abilities dance class featuring hip-hop, modern dance, and jazz basics: June 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 6-7 PM. The class is free; donations accepted. // There is bicycle parking near the playground. Take the 38 bus to Leibert Road near park entrance, or get off the 34, 36, 38, or 905 bus at Market and Pequot (by Candlewood Suites) and use pedestrian bridge over I-91 to access park. Or, walk to Riverside Park via Riverfront Recapture from Constitution Plaza using almost any downtown area bus.
  • YOGA FLOW: Take a free, all-levels Vinyasa style yoga class by the Connecticut River. This will be in the grassy area between Riverside Park and Riverside Plaza. Class meets on Wednesdays, June 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6-7 PM. Bring your own yoga mat and water. The class is free; donations accepted. // A short walk via Constitution Plaza from nearly all downtown area bus stops; there is bicycle parking by the top of the staircase, and on the lower level, just north of the bottom of steps.
  • FORTUNATE SONS: Listen to a  Creedence Clearwater Revival cover band in Bushnell Park from 6:30-8:30 PM on June 7, 2023. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, a picnic dinner. This is free, but The Park Scoop will have ice cream for sale so don’t leave your wallet at home. // There is bike parking on the west side of the carousel, also next to the Corning Fountain. Almost any bus destined for downtown is a short walk from the park; this is directly across from Union Station.
  • ZUMBA: Take a free Zumba dance workout class with a view of the Connecticut River. Bring your own water. On Thursdays, June 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 6-7 PM at Riverfront Plaza. The class is free; donations accepted. // A short walk via Constitution Plaza from nearly all downtown area bus stops; there is bicycle parking by the top of the staircase, and on the lower level, just north of the bottom of steps.
  • QI GONG: Learn the basics of Qi Gong — which combines gentle stretching, energy-activating exercises, and simple flowing movements for strength — with Master Malee Khow. On Fridays, June 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 6-7 PM in Riverside Park. The class is free; donations accepted. // There is bicycle parking near the playground. Take the 38 bus to Leibert Road near park entrance, or get off the 34, 36, 38, or 905 bus at Market and Pequot (by Candlewood Suite) and use pedestrian bridge over I-91 to access park. Or, walk to Riverside Park via Riverfront Recapture from Constitution Plaza using almost any downtown area bus.
  • SALSA UNDER THE STARS: Free evening of dancing outside of Parkville Market (1400 Park Street) on June 9, 2023 from 6-10 PM. // There is bicycle parking outside of the building’s northeast corner; take the 31, 33, 101, 102, 121 or 128 buses.
  • 🌈 QUEER STAND UP COMEDY: Comedian Kate Sisk will be performing at Sea Tea Comedy on June 9, 2023 at 9 PM. Tickets are $15. // There are bike racks on the Main Street side of nearby Old State House; this is a short walk from almost any bus stopping in downtown Hartford.
  • BLOCK PARTY: Free festivities including music, games, a craft project, and ice cream on the lawn between the Stowe and Twain houses (Farmington Avenue across from GIllett Street). This is on June 10, 2023 from 11 AM – 3 PM. // There is a bike rack to the right of the Visitor Center. Take any of the 60-66 Farmington Avenue buses; closest stop (Gillett St) is right in front of the Stowe and Twain properties; it’s a 10-minute walk from the Sigourney Street CTfastrak station.
  • HARTFORD DANCE FESTIVAL: Bring a picnic and watch dozens of performances in Elizabeth Park’s Rose Garden on June 10, 2023 from 5-9 PM. Free. // There is bicycle parking next to the greenhouse; there is no bus service within a 10-minute walk on Saturdays.
  • 🌈 ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW: Go to Tisane (537 Farmington Avenue) for a screening of this on June 11, 2023. Check in with venue for other details. // There is no bike parking, which is sorta bonkers and they could totally convert one of their car storage spots; take any of the 60-66 Farmington Avenue buses.
  • HONEYLAND: Dr. Kelsey Fisher, who works for the Department of Entomology at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, will give a pre-film talk about the different types of bee species in Connecticut and their place in the ecoystem. This is followed by a screening of Honeyland at Real Art Ways (56 Arbor Street). June 14, 2023 at 6:30 PM. Adult tickets are $12. // Bike parking is located by the entrance; take the 31, 33, 69, 101, 102, 121 or 128 buses (all less than a 5-minute walk from venue).
  • MIXED COMPANY: Listen to a jazz and R&B performance in Bushnell Park on June 14, 2023 from 6:30-8:30 PM. Free. Picnics encouraged. Bring your own seating. There is bike parking on the west side of the carousel, also next to the Corning Fountain. // Almost any bus destined for downtown is a short walk from the park; this is directly across from Union Station.
  • CEMETERY SCAVENGER HUNT: Participate in a family-friendly scavenger hunt at the Ancient Burying Ground on June 18, 2023 from 11 AM until 2 PM. It’s free, and pre-registration is suggested. // There is bike parking on Main Street near the cemetery; this is a short walk from all downtown bus stops.
  • 🌈 HARTFORD PRIDE NIGHT: This is hosted by Tisane (537 Farmington Avenue) on June 20, 2023. Check with venue for additional details. // Take any of the 60-66 Farmington Avenue buses, especially if enjoying martinis.
  • ELIZABETH PARK TREE TOUR: Arborist John Kehoe will tell you all about the park’s trees on June 21, 2023 from 10 AM to 12 PM. This is free. Meet by the flagpole outside of the green cottage. // There is bicycle parking next to the greenhouse; use the 72 bus Monday-Friday to access Elizabeth Park.
  • THE LOST TRIBE: Listen to music from an Afro-Funk fusion ensemble in Bushnell Park on June 21, 2023 from 6:30-8:30 PM. Free. Picnics encouraged. Bring your own seating. // There is bike parking on the west side of the carousel, also next to the Corning Fountain. Almost any bus destined for downtown is a short walk from the park; this is directly across from Union Station.
  •  SALSA SOCIALS: Come out and dance in the literal street. June 23, 2023 from 5-8 PM on/in Pratt Street. Free, all ages, all abilities. // Pratt Street is a short walk from all downtown area buses; there’s a bike rack on the eastern end of the street.
  •  ASTEROID CITY: This new Wes Anderson film has a promising cast (Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, et al) and who can resist a plot centering on a Junior Stargazer convention? This film hits Cinestudio’s screen on June 23, 2023 at 7 PM and will run until July 6. Tickets are $10. // There are bike racks near the Cinestudio entrance; take the 37, 39, 41, or 61 bus (but beware, there is no 61 bus on Sundays)
  • TERRARIUM WORKSHOP: Take an all-ages free workshop and build your own terrarium at the Albany Branch of the Hartford Public Library (1250 Albany Avenue). Register for a spot. June 24, 2023 from 11 AM until 1 PM. // Take the 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, or 74 bus, all of which stop directly in front of the library; there is bicycle parking near the library at corner of Albany Ave and Blue Hills Ave, and there is a rack nestled by back entrance of library
  • 🌈 QUEER ICON COSTUME PARTY: This is on June 24, 2023. Check with the venue, Tisane (537 Farmington Avenue), for additional details. // Take any of the 60-66 Farmington Avenue buses, especially if enjoying martinis.
  • HISTORIC GARDENS DAY: The Butler-McCook gardens (396 Main Street) will be open to the public on June 25, 2023 from 12-4 PM. Free. // The 31, 33, 37, 39, 41, 47, 63, or 121 bus will take you to within a five-minute walk of the Butler-McCook House.
  • AMPLIFY: Amplify is a new monthly open mic series for people under 21. Youth can sign up to perform poetry and music, and each person gets a 15-minute slot. The next open mic on Pratt Street is June 27, 2023 from 6-8 PM. There’s no cost for performing or viewing.  // Pratt Street is a short walk from all downtown area buses; there’s a bike rack on the eastern end of the street.
  • 🌈 SUNSET DRAG NIGHT: This is on June 27, 2023. Check with the venue, Tisane (537 Farmington Avenue), for additional details. // Take any of the 60-66 Farmington Avenue buses.
  • TRUMPET IN THE PARK: Listen to a performance by trumpeter and vocalist Jeremy Turgeon in Bushnell Park on June 28, 2023 from 6:30-8:30 PM. Free. Picnics encouraged. Bring your own seating. // There is bike parking on the west side of the carousel, also next to the Corning Fountain. Almost any bus destined for downtown is a short walk from the park; this is directly across from Union Station.
  • HOT CAT JAZZ BAND: Or, across town at the same time on June 28, picnic in Elizabeth Park while listening to a lively jazz concert by the Rose Garden. Free. // You can avoid the traffic ridiculousness by taking the 72 bus which stops right by the park. There is bicycle parking next to the greenhouse.
  • CARILLON CONCERT: OR, bring your picnic to the Trinity College quad — also on June 28 — at 7 PM for a free carillon concert. You do not need to be affiliated with the college to sit on the lawn and listen. Bring your own lawn blanket or chair.  // There are bike racks along the quad; take the 37, 39, 41, or 61 bus

RECURRING THROUGH OCTOBER
Free yoga every day of the week! Bring your own yoga mat and water.

  • Sundays: Colt Park by Wethersfield Avenue entrance at 10 AM
  • Mondays: Bushnell Park by Pump House Gallery at 5:30 PM
  • Tuesdays: Elizabeth Park by Rose Garden stage at 5:30 PM
  • Wednesdays: Bushnell Park by Pump House Gallery at 5:30 PM
  • Thursdays: Elizabeth Park by Rose Garden stage at 5:30 PM
  • Fridays: Keney Park by Woodland Street entrance playground at 5:30 PM
  • Saturdays: Pope Park near parking lot at 10 AM

See CTtransit for bus schedule.

CULTURAL ASSETS
For ongoing free education, entertainment, public art, and resources — like 24/7 food pantries and libraries — check out this map. Zoom in and click on the icons for more information. This was last updated in May 2023: