March 19, 2010

Family Fun Weekend in Connecticut

Are you looking for activities that interest the whole family? You will have no problem finding them this weekend in Connecticut. From plays to discovery programs, to family adventures and sporting events, there is something for everyone. Start off your weekend Friday evening watching the Harlem Globetrotters 2010 Tour at the XL Center in Hartford. The Globetrotters’ unique blend of basketball is known to have their opponents gasping and the audiences laughing and applauding. On Saturday or Sunday afternoon, take the family to “Red Riding Hood: A Vaudeville Romp” at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre Children’s Company in Bridgeport. The whole family will be sure to enjoy this musical comedy. Join in for a pie-throwing, roller-skating trip behind the footlights and into the heart of show business when Vaudeville was king. Saturday venture over to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center in Mashantucket for Tricky Treats. Explore lively paintings from the book “Tricky Treats” and discover the difference between snacks and treats. This discovery program is full of activities, storytelling and games. The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia will be performing “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny” on Sunday afternoon at the Quick Center for the Arts in Fairfield. Adding to their acclaimed repertory of outstanding children’s productions is this innovative double-bill adaption of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd’s beloved bedtime classics and a great way to end the weekend.

More Family Fun to Explore:

Dollhouses: A Minature World, Willimantic - (860) 456-2178
Bring the children to see this fantastic miniature world of dollhouses at the Windham Textile & History Museum in Willimantic. You will be able to view over 30 breadbox dollhouses, holiday dollhouses and a 4-story dollhouse from England. In addition, there are dolls on display from all over the world. The exhibit is open Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Open Cockpit Sunday , Windsor Locks - (860) 623-3305
You will have a chance to climb into the cockpits and play pilot at the New England Air Museum this Sunday. You will have your choice from about 10 planes including the Corsair, the F-100 Super Sabre, the Huey helicopter and more. But that is not all; there will be a special presentation by Ed Buckbee who has been involved with America’s Space Program since 1959. Additional craft activities for children and food vendors will be on site all day. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (All cockpits close at 4 p.m.)

Make this weekend fun packed by taking the family on an overnight adventure. Take advantage of one of the family specials. Centennial Inn in Farmington, is offering a Family Fun Package for Four. The Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk in Norwalk, has a Maritime Aquarium Package for a family of four (two adults and two children under 12). Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton has several family packages, Family Fun Movie Package at Mystic Marriott and Bedtime Stories at the Mystic Marriott. For more information about these and others, click on Specials.

These highlights represent just a sampling of the many exciting events taking place across Connecticut this weekend. For more information about these and other entertaining activities, click on Events.

This Weekend in Connecticut
March 19, 2010

HARTFORD
March 19-21 - “Motherhood Out Loud" - Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103. Time: Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 2 & 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. This is the last weekend to enjoy this new play conceived and produced by veteran Broadway producers Susan R. Rose and Joan Stein. Whether you are a mom, a son, a daughter or even a husband, now is the time to celebrate motherhood. This play is a collection of the personal, funny, diverse, exciting and extraordinary experiences that we share everyday. This touching portrayal of motherhood, written by an unprecedented collaboration of American writers – from theatre, television, fiction and non-fiction, makes this play a singular theatrical event. Tickets: Call for schedule and pricing. (860) 527-5151

OLD GREENWICH
MAR 20-21 - Ephemera 30–International Paper Fair - Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1800 East Putnam Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT 06880. Time: Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Ephemera Society of America is pleased to present the 30th annual fair. Bigger and better than ever, the fair will feature over 80 Internationally prominent ephemera dealers from across the United States, Canada and Europe presenting an incredible array of vintage ephemera, books, advertisements, prints, posters, maps and more works on paper! In addition to the exhibits, there will be opportunity for appraisals and conservation workshops. There is plenty of free parking. Admission: $12 Adults, $6 Children (12 – 21), Free for Children under 12 with a paying adult. (603) 509-2639

FAIRFIELD
March 21 - Women’s History Month: “Iron Jawed Angels” - Fairfield Museum & History Center, 370 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Time: 2 p.m. In celebration of Women’s History Month join the Museum and the Fairfield League of Women Voters to honor the struggle for full citizenship by women in the early 1900s. This film tells the harrowing story of defiant young activists who take the women's suffrage movement and the country by storm, putting their lives at risk to help American women win the right to vote. Admission: Free, with required free pre-registration (203) 259-1598

BLOOMFIELD, HARTFORD, WEST HARTFORD
March 19–23 - Hartford Jewish Film Festival - Various venues in Bloomfield, Hartford and West Hartford. Times: Varies – Call for schedule. This festival is in its 14th year. Thirty films will be presented, most of them Connecticut or Hartford premieres, from eight countries viewed in seven greater Hartford venues for 10 days (festival started on March 13 with viewings every day). Admission: $10 (860) 231-6316

NEW HAVEN
March 19–21 (runs through April 3) - “The Servant of Two Masters” - The Yale Rep presents this play at the University Theatre at Yale University, 222 York Street, New Haven, CT 06520. Times: Call for performance dates and tickets. Identities are mistaken, engagements are broken and lovers are reunited in Carlo Goldoni’s commedia dell’arte masterpiece when the wily—and chronically hungry—servant Truffaldino hatches a zany scheme to double his wages (and his meals) by serving two masters at once. The virtuosic physical comedy and mayhem of The Servant of Two Masters is directed by Christopher Bayes, whose hilarious choreography is featured in the hit stage production of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. Tickets: Call for ticket information (203) 432-1234