Thursday, September 1
Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Cha
8:00 p.m.; Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly.
Knickerbocker Music Center will host the Rhythm & Roots Launch Show with Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door. For tickets or more information, visit knickmusic.com.
Friends of the Library Ephemera Book Sale
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wilcox Park, 44 Broad Street, Westerly.
The Friends of Westerly Library will be hosting a sale of ephemera on the Wilcox Park Esplanade. Cash or check only accepted. For more information, visit westerlylibrary.org.
Mystic River Bridge Conference
6 p.m.; Pawcatuck VFW Post 165, 160 South Broad St., Pawcatuck
The Stonington Historical Society will host a lecture on the 100-year-old Mystic River Bridge with Groton Town historian Jim Streeter. The conversation is free. For more information, visit stoningtonhistory.org.
Marilyn Kiddy and Rebecca Schilke talk
7 p.m.; Wheeler Library, 101 Main Street, North Stonington.
Wheeler Library will host a free talk by Marilyn Kiddy and Rebecca Schilke, teachers at North Stonington Primary School, on their two-week trip to work with Ukrainian refugee children in Poland. For more information, visit wheelerlibrary.org.
September 1 to 11
“Naughty Boots”
Several times; Theater by the Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield.
Theater By The Sea will present the Tony Award-winning musical “Kinky Boots”. Performances are scheduled Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Thursdays at 2 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. For tickets, visit theatrebythesea.com or call 866-811-4111 or 401-782-8587.
Friday, September 2
Opening reception
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Westerly Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, 14 Railroad Ave., Westerly.
The Westerly Artist Cooperative Gallery will hold an opening reception for the Local Color – Peace show exhibition, featuring featured artists Donna Mazzone and Jessica Turgoose. The exhibition will be presented from Wednesday August 31 to Sunday October 2. The gallery is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 401-596-2221 or visit westerlyarts.com.
Drive in Movies: “The Witches of Eastwick”
8:00 p.m.; Misquamicut Drive In, 316 Atlantic Ave., Westerly.
The Misquamicut Business Association Drive-In-Movies will screen “The Witches of Eastwick.” The cost is $25 per car. For tickets or more information and schedule, visit mbadrivein.com.
Star gazing nights
6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Frosty Drew Observatory, 61 Park Lane, Charlestown.
The Frosty Drew Observatory hosts stargazing nights on Fridays. Observatory astronomers will be on hand with telescopes to observe the night sky. There is a suggested donation of $5. Visit frostydraw.org for more information.
September 2-4
Rhythm & Roots Festival
Several times; Ninigret Park, 5 Park Lane, Charlestown.
The 24th Annual Rhythm and Roots Festival features star performers Cowboy Mouth, Grace Potter and Little Feat. The festival opens at 4 p.m. on Friday; and noon on Saturday and Sunday. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit rhythmandroots.com.
Saturday September 3
Drive in Movies: “What’s love got to do with it?”
8:00 p.m.; Misquamicut Drive In, 316 Atlantic Ave., Westerly.
The Misquamicut Business Association’s Drive-In-Movies will screen “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” The evening will include a meeting with actress RaeVen Kelly who played young Tina Turner. The cost is $25 per car. For tickets or more information and schedule, visit mbadrivein.com.
September 3.4
Feast of the Holy Spirit
Several times; Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit, 26 Main Street, Stonington.
The Portuguese Society of the Holy Spirit will host the Feast of the Holy Spirit starting Saturday at 5 p.m. with Portuguese and American concessions and auctions followed by dancing and music from Legacy at the club. Sunday will feature a parade beginning at 10 a.m., the benediction of the crown followed by a meal for the masses at the club.
Sunday September 4
Hissing golden messenger
8:00 p.m.; United Theatre, 5 Canal Street, Westerly.
United Theater will host a performance by American folk music group Hiss Golden Messenger, led by MC Taylor. Opening performances by Carson McHone and Laden Valley. Tickets are $26. For tickets or more information, visit unitedtheatre.org.
Drive in the Movies: “Grease”
9 p.m.; Misquamicut Drive In, 316 Atlantic Ave., Westerly.
The Misquamicut Business Association Drive-In-Movies will screen “Grease.” The cost is $25 per car. For tickets or more information and schedule, visit mbadrivein.com.
Tuesday, September 6
Introducing Robin Holder
5:30 p.m.; Museum of Mystical Art, 9 Water St., Mystic.
The Mystic Museum of Art will host a talk by artist Robin Holder, whose work is included in the museum’s current exhibition “Reclaimation Series.” The cost of the conference is $10 and includes admission to the museum; free for members. For more information, visit mysticmuseumofart.org or call 860-536-7601.
Interview with the author of Sarah Ruhl
6 p.m.; Bank Square Books, 53 West Main St., Mystic.
Bank Square Books will host an author conference with Sarah Ruhl, in conversation with Christie Max Williams, for the book “Love Poems in Quarantine”. For more information, visit banksquarebooks.com or call 860-536-3795.
Wednesday, September 7
Opening Reception: Jillian Barber
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Westerly Library, 44 Broad St., Westerly.
The Westerly Library will host an opening reception for the exhibition, Retrospective by local artist Jillian Barber at the Hoxie Gallery. The exhibition will be open during library opening hours until the end of September. For more information, visit westerlylibrary.org.
Summer Author Series
5:00 p.m.; Ocean House, 1 Bluff Ave., Watch Hill.
Ocean House Summer Author Series, in collaboration with Savoy Bookshop & Café, will host a conference with author Joan Luise Hill and Katie Mahon, in conversation with Deborah Goodrich Royce, for the book “The Miracle Collectors: Uncovering Stories of Wonder, Joy and mystery.” For tickets or more information, visit banksquarebooks.com.
Author interview with Gretchen Dykstra
5:00 p.m.; Stonington Free Library, 20 High St., Stonington.
The Stonington Free Library will host an author conference with Gretchen Dykstra who will read “Echoes from Wuhan”, her recently published memoir about living and teaching in China from 1979 to 1981. The conversation is free. For more information, visit stoningtonfreelibrary.org.
Thursday, September 8
John Wood Sweet’s Author Talk
6 p.m. Saltwater Farm Vineyard, 349 Elm St., Stonington.
The Stonington Historical Society will host an author conference with John Wood Sweet, for his book “The Sewing Girl’s Tale”. The book tells the story of the first criminal rape trial in America which was held in 1793 in New York. The program is free and open to the public. Wine will be available for purchase at the event. For more information, visit stoningtonhistory.org.
Friday, September 9
Opening reception
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; La Grua Center, 32 Water St., Stonington.
La Grua Center will host an opening reception for an exhibition, Celebrating Hispanic Artists in Our Region, featuring work by artists from Expressiones and the Hispanic Alliance. The show will be presented until October. There is a suggested donation of $5. For more information, visit lagruacenter.org.
Star gazing nights
6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Frosty Drew Observatory, 61 Park Lane, Charlestown.
The Frosty Drew Observatory hosts stargazing nights on Fridays. Observatory astronomers will be on hand with telescopes to observe the night sky. There is a suggested donation of $5. Visit frostydraw.org for more information.
September 9-24
“The importance of being serious”
Several times; Granite Theatre, 1 Granite Street, Westerly.
The Granite Theater will present Oscar Wilde’s comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Performances will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., with an additional performance on Thursday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. For tickets or more information, visit granitetheatre.org or call 401- 596-2341.
September 9-11
Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival
Several times; Various locations, New London.
The Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival will celebrate the sea with a gathering of ships of all types, including US Coast Guard and Navy ships and the Amistad. There will be tours of ships and fishing boats, a fishing clinic, music and food trucks. At 2 p.m. Saturday, a parade of mermaids and sea monsters will parade down Bank Street and end at City Pier. On Sunday, a 9/11 memorial will be held at 8:30 a.m. led by the Navy and Coast Guard. For the complete schedule of activities, visit ctmaritimefest.com.
Saturday September 10
Wilcox Park Treetop Tours
10:00 a.m.; Wilcox Park, 44 Broad Street, Westerly.
The University of Rhode Island Master Gardeners will lead a free Wilcox Park Specimen Tree Tour beginning and ending on the Esplanade outside Westerly Library. For more information, visit westerlylibrary.org.
Paddle Ball Gala
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Stonington Community Centre, 28 Cutler St., Stonington.
The Stonington Community Center will host The Paddle Ball Gala, a casual tent fundraiser on the COMO paddle courts. The event will include a paddle pro exhibition match, music and dancing, a silent auction, libations and food from the Dog Watch Café. For tickets or more information, visit thecomo.org/the-paddle-ball or contact Kathy Adami at [email protected] or 860-535-2476.
Debbi Michiko Florence book launch
6 p.m.; Bank Square Books, 53 West Main St., Mystic.
Bank Square Books will hold a book launch for Debbi Michiko Florence’s new book ‘Sweet and Sour’. For more information, visit banksquarebooks.com or call 860-536-3795.
polka party
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Hygienic Art Park, 79 Bank St., New London.
Hygienic Art will host a Polka Fest with music from Grammy nominated band Dennis Polisky & Maestro’s Men and authentic Polish food. Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For more information, visit hygienic.org.
Sunday September 11
9/11 Memorial
8:00 a.m.; Josh Piver Bench, 1 Water Street, Stonington.
The Rotary Club of the Stoningtons will hold its annual memorial for Josh Piver and all victims of 9/11. The group will sing “Peace be on Earth”, place a bouquet of flowers and share words of support. For more information, visit facebook.com/havingfuninservice.
music on the farm
2 p.m.; Grace Note Farm, 969 Jackson Schoolhouse Road, Pascoag.
Grace Note Farm will host a concert with cellist Yunwen Chen and pianist Xiyu Deng performing works by Beethoven and Bach. Tickets are $30. Call 401-567-0354 for reservations.
September 11-18
“Tina – The Tina Turner Musical”
Several times; Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence.
The Providence Performing Arts Center will present the Broadway musical “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical,” about Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Tina Turner. For tickets or more information, visit ppacri.org or call 401-421-2787.
