The following is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Rather, these are my snobbish selections of what sounds most interesting in the upcoming month. Also, to mark the ten years since September 11, 2001, there will be numerous events, re-broadcasts, etc. For this calendar, I am only including those that appear to promise not to pander to reactionaries, nor foster chauvinism.
August 31- September 4th
Quidam: Cirque du Soleil at the Civic Center.
September 1st
Art After Hours: Escape to India. The Wadsworth Atheneum’s monthly party will feature Indian cuisine, dancing, henna body painting, and a fashion show by Sadhna’s, a downtown clothing boutique. The event begins at 5pm and concludes after the screening of Monsoon Wedding.
The Art of Carlos Hernandez-Chavez: “I am My Mother.” The opening reception will be from 5-8pm at the Pump House Gallery, located at 60 Elm Street at the edge of Bushnell Park. This collection of work by “Hartford visual artist, muralist, photographer, musician, arts educator and activist Carlos Hernandez-Chavez” will be on display through September 29th.Regular gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, noon until 4pm. Private showings can be arranged for groups of ten or more by calling Andres Chaparro at (860) 757-4895.
September 8th
In the Shadows of September 11: The Faith Community Responds — This panel discussion will be hosted by the Hartford Public Library and co-sponsored by the Charter Oak Cultural Center. Panelists are to include The Rev. Dr. Edward Horstmann, Pastor of Immanuel Congregational Church; Dr. Yehezkel Landau, Interfaith Relations, Hartford Seminary; Dr. Shyamala Raman, Director of International Studies, St. Joseph College; and, Ritu Zazzaro, Chair, Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding. Rev. Shelley D. Best will moderate. This free evening event will include conversation about how faith has contributed to how we understand and have coped with the tragedy.
September 9th
Liquid Lounge: You don’t need to get smashed to enjoy the Connecticut Science Center’s adults-only party. There will be different types of music on each floor — saxophonist Noah Preminger, DJ John Rzasa, and String Theorie will be performing this time around. There will be star-gazing from the rooftop garden and karaoke for the brave. Fair games and Connecticut food, liquor, and beer will fill out the “homegrown” theme. Still, the best part of the evening is simply getting to play with all the exhibits without having to wait for kids to get out of the way. That alone is worth the price of admission.
September 10th
Mosque Open House: Tonight, mosques around Connecticut will be open from 7-8:15 pm so that people can meet their Muslim neighbors, see a prayer service, and ask questions after. The Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford at 155 Hungerford Street will be one of the mosques participating in this event for religious understanding. For proper mosque etiquette, read this page.
September 11th
10th Anniversary of 9/11/2001 Service of Remembrance: The Sunday service at Center Church will include candle lighting and prayers for peace. This begins at 10:30. (free)
An Arc of Hope: Muslims, Interfaith Engagement, & Peacebuilding: from 1-5pm there will be a free event at the Hartford Seminary on Sherman Street; it will open with an Abrahamic interfaith prayer. Professor Mahmoud Ayoub, Rev. Nicolas Mumejian, Professor Timur Yuskaev, and Professor Ingrid Mattson will provide commentary. The Keynote Address — “From Axis of Evil to Arc of Hope — Muslim Futures After 9/11″ — will be delivered by Professor Bruce Lawrence.
Hope Out Loud: This annual peace event, which has been running since 2002, will take place from 1-5pm on the Church of the Good Shepherd/MCC lawn. The organizers describe it as “a celebration of the creativity and vibrancy of Connecticut’s advocacy, service, activist and arts communities committed to peace and social justice intended to provide inspiration for renewal and recommitment.” Expect music, spoken word, family activities, and a chance to see what activist and arts’ organizations in the Hartford area are doing.
United in Peace: Healing in Hope — at 7pm there will be a 9/11 memorial service at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. This will last about 90 minutes, and is co-sponsored by numerous organizations, including the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford, Congregation Beth Israel, and West Hartford Citizens for Peace and Justice. (free)
September 15th
Farm-to-Table Dinner: This event is a fundraiser for Billings Forge Community Works.
September 17th
CT Pride: I know. Usually this happens in June, because of the proximity to the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. For whatever reason, the organizers moved this to September, which is really just as well, since everyone would have been in New York City this year celebrating getting some civil rights. This event is in Bushnell Park, and for those who do not know, you can get just as sunburned there in September as you can in June. As always, there will be food, vendors, live entertainment and information booths. It’s free and you can easily get a year’s week’s supply of free condoms.
September 20th
Silent Auction and Fundraiser to benefit the Smith-Magenis Research Foundation (also known as chance to get excellent pizza!) at the Flatbread in Canton. Yes, Canton. You’re looking for the connection to Hartford, I know, so here it is: Connecticut Museum Quest is on the list of local websites/blogs that I read regularly. Steve, the author, is infinitely entertaining and informative. Not all content is about Hartford, but a good bit of it is. One of Steve’s sons was diagnosed with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. The fundraiser goes from 5:30-9pm. There will also be auction items for those who have more money to spare.