Here’s your curated Hartford event calendar for April 2024.


What makes this list? Events that I would either attend or recommend to a good friend. Review events with the host/venue to confirm details have not changed since publication.

ADD TO CALENDAR

  • VOTE UNCOMMITTED: April 2, 2024 is a great day for registered democrats to vote uncommitted in the primary.
  • SANCTUARY CITY: This play at TheaterWorks is described as a “compelling story of two teenagers, young DREAMers who are fighting to establish a place for themselves in America, the only country they know as home.” This goes through April 25, 2024, but it makes the calendar because there are Pay What You Want performances on April 3 and April 10 — this makes theater affordable!
  • BUDGET HEARING: This is one of many opportunities that residents have, year-round, to provide decision-makers with input about how we believe our money should be spent. The first budget hearing this month is April 3, 2024 at 6 PM. It will take place at Montessori Magnet at Batchelder (757 New Britain Avenue).
  • IFTAR-SHABBAT: Welcome in the Sabbath and break the day’s Ramadan fast with an interfaith celebration of solidarity and friendship on April 5, 2024 at 6:30 PM. In walking distance of the Farmington Avenue bus line. Free.  Details and registration here.
  •  THE WEDDING MARCH: A pianist from the Hartt School will provide live accompaniment to this silent film at Cinestudio on April 6, 2024 at 1:30 PM. They describe this: “Recreating the opulent splendor of Vienna, prior to the Great War, the film is a brilliant critique, of the sharp contrasts between the decaying aristocracy and the struggling lower classes. A radiant Fay Wray, in a memorable co-starring role, gives a powerful performance, vividly conveying the film’s primary narrative theme of love and sorrow.” It’s being shown as part of Cinestudio’s April in Paris series; this year’s theme: “Histoires d’histoire: Conséquences de la colonisation.” Admission is $10.
  •  TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST: This documentary will screen at Real Art Ways as part of the Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival on April 6, 2024 at 5 PM. Tickets are $12.
  • TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART: Okay, no, it’s not. It’s a 90% eclipse of the sun on April 8, 2024 beginning around 2:15 PM and lasting until about 4:30 PM. It’s free unless you stare right at the damn sun and then ruin your eyeballs. Don’t stare at it! But if you know the temptation will be too much, go to one of these library branches that day for a pair of eclipse glasses: Camp Field from 2:30-3:30, Ropkins from 2:30-4, Albany from 3-4, Barbour from 3-4, and Downtown from 4-5:30.
  • GRID JOURNALING: Learn about grid journaling at the Free Hart Closet on April 9, 2024 from 6-8 PM. Tickets are sliding scale. If you sign up, be respectful and show up or contact venue to cancel ahead of time . . . don’t be a no show!

  • PARABLE OF THE SOWER: This is the pick for the Stowe Center’s April book club. Show up for discussion from 6-7 PM on April 10, 2024 at the Stowe Center; light refreshments are provided, so register.
  •  TOUKI BOUKI: This 1973 film is described: “Mory is a zebu herder, whose restless dreams sweep him and his moped (adorned with a zebu’s skull and antlers) to the capital city. There he meets a young student named Anta who shares his ambition for a stimulating new life in Paris.” It’s being shown as part of Cinestudio’s April in Paris series; this year’s theme: “Histoires d’histoire: Conséquences de la colonisation.” Admission is $10. It screens on April 10, 2024 at 7 PM.
  • FREE MARKET: The April 13, 2024 Really Really Free Market will be from 11-2 at Toivo (1477 Park Street). Each person is asked to limit their take of clothing and home goods to two bags/boxes — no carts or garbage bags.  This is right around the corner from the CTfastrak Parkville Station and is served by Park Street buses.
  • JUST KIN: Alejandro Heredia is the featured writer who will be giving a reading on April 13, 2024 from 4-7 PM at Semilla Cafe. Tickets are sliding scale.
  • COMMUNITY CLEAN UP: Volunteer opportunity to help clean up George Day Park and other parts of the Parkville neighborhood. This is on April 19, 2024 from 9 AM until 1 PM. More details.

  • SAMBA FEST: This year’s festival will be on April 20, 2024 from 11 AM – 6 PM at the Austin Arts Center and Gates Quad on the Trinity College campus.
  • EARTH DAY POP-UP: Shop for plants, terrariums, and more during the Evergreen Plant Co. pop-up shop at Story and Soil on April 22, 2024 from 10 AM until noon.
  • TAYLOR SWIFT TRIVIA NIGHT: April 23, 2024 — sign up for trivia starting at 7 PM at Parkville Market.
  • REBUILDING TOGETHER: Lend your skills for the day! Volunteers needed for April 27, 2024 from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Lunch provided. Register.
  • ON EARTH: It’s a park clean up and mini Earth Day festival at Pope Park West on Pope Park Highway #4. April 27, 2024 from 12-5 PM.

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 January 2024:

This map does not include my favorite kind of public art: the uncommissioned installments that are unsigned and understood as ephemeral, and untainted by excessive artist ego. But, if you move through Hartford at human speed and notice where you are, you will begin to see the ways that residents choose to decorate spaces for ourselves and each other.

GETTING TO EVENTS
See CTtransit for bus schedule.
If you would like better bus service, contact CTtransit.
If you would like bicycle parking at a venue, contact that venue directly.
Ask for the kind of world you want to live in.