This is not an all-inclusive list of August events. It just includes the ones that grabbed our attention:
August 1st and 8th
Monday Night Jazz: this free series in Bushnell Park began in July and wraps up on August 8th. The music goes from about 6-10pm. Picnic dinners are allowed. If it rains, go to Asylum Hill Congregational Church. Seating is more limited, but the sound is great!
August 1 – 14
Taste of Hartford: When an event goes for fourteen days, we just can’t call it “restaurant week” anymore. Restaurant fortnight might be more accurate. The price jumped a little this time, but might still be a good deal at the pricier restaurants. Some participants include: Agave, bin 228, Black-Eyed Sally’s, Carbone’s, City Steam, Costa del Sol, Coyote Flaco, Dish, Feng, Firebox, Francesco’s, The Half Door, Hot Tomato’s, J Restaurant, La Fonda, Max Downtown, Murasaki Cafe, Nutshell Cafe, O’Porto, Peppercorn’s, Salute, Tisane, Trumbull Kitchen, USS Chowderpot IV, Vaughan’s, Wood-N-Tap, and Zula. Check back at the website to see menus and if any new restaurants join in.
August 2nd
Introduction to the Pardon Process: The Connecticut Pardon Team will be providing information for those seeking to erase past convictions. No reservations are required for this. This programs runs from 5-7:30pm in the X-Room of the Hartford Public Library, located at 500 Main Street.
National Night Out: this yearly event seeks to build a relationship between police and the community. It will include a softball game, games for children, music, info tables, raffle prizes, and barbecue. This is free and will take place from 5-8pm in Pope Park.
August 3-9
The Man Who Fell to Earth: David Bowie. The 35th Anniversary uncut restoration of this film is showing at Cinestudio.
August 4th
Cirque du Wadsworth: the first Thursday event at the Wadsworth Atheneum begins at 5pm and ends whenever the film Desert Flower is over. While billed as a “cocktail party,” it’s casual and some people bring their children.
Gary Jacobs’ Art Opening: Gary Jacobs, an artist who lives in Hartford, will have his work on display at the Pump House Gallery in Bushnell Park. The opening is from 5-8pm, but the gallery will be open other times as well: Monday–Wednesday, 11 am–2 pm, Thursday, 11 am–4 pm and Saturday by appointment. The City of Hartford’s Office of Cultural Affairs runs the gallery. You should know that Jacobs has designed skateboards for Worship.
Catie Talarski’s Radio Adventure Theater: Campfires from 7-10pm at The Studio at Billings Forge. This is described as “old-fashion variety show meets This American Life; Listening session meets jam session.”
Beat City Beauties Burlesque at Black-Eyed Sally’s from 8-11pm. There is a $7 cover charge for this.
August 6th
Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival: This free event runs from 1-11pm at the Riverfront Plaza. Food costs extra, of course, and if you aren’t having a barbecued corn scent hallucination right now, you aren’t paying attention. There will be vegan food this year, so the meat-free among us don’t need to exist on that barbecued corn alone.
Connecticut Historical Society: free admission day! Go there from 9am-1pm. There will be a wiffle ball game on the lawn.
August 8th
Breakdancing Shakespeare– The Tempest: What is there to not understand? There is breakdancing. There is Shakespeare. Tickets are priced at an affordable $5 and there are two performances in the evening at 6 and 8:30. This has become a tradition at Hartford Stage.
August 10th
The Soul Sensations: if you want to picnic in the park while listening to music, jazz is not your only choice. This R&B group will be performing at 6:30 in Elizabeth Park on the Rose Garden lawn.
August 12-17
If a Tree Falls…: film about the Earth Liberation Front will be playing at Real Art Ways.
August 18th
Karen Miranda-Rivadeneira’s Opening Reception: This is part of the Real Art Ways Creative Cocktail Hour, from 6-8pm, but her work will be on display through October 9, 2011. There is a cover charge for Creative Cocktail Hour; admission to the gallery is donation only during other times.
August 19th
Nature Nourishes: art opening at ArtSpace (555 Asylum) featuring the work of over twenty artists. The opening is from 6-9:30pm; art will be on display through August 26th. This is a free event.
August 20th
Family Day at Keney Park: artists, basketball, Zumba, dance, hay rides, fishing, horseshoes, and more. Free!
Begins at noon and goes until late.
August 20th and 21st
Dragon Boat and Asian Festival: this free event features dancing, martial arts, food, and dragon boat racing…something worth checking out at least once. This is along the Connecticut River. . . just look for the boats.
August 27th
Connecticut Dahlia Show: this is happening at the Pond House from 1:30-5:30 in Elizabeth Park. If the formal show isn’t your thing, you can check out the dahlias growing outdoors.
Anything else notable going on?
