Today Calendar 2024
Farmington Valley and Beyond • Connecticut – 2024 Events + Programs
• Email Events > newsroom@todaypublishing.net • Ad Rates
• Today Magazine – Monthly Editions Archive • Today Online – News Site
Valley Town Sites – Avon • Canton • Farmington • Granby • Simsbury
Valley Libraries – Avon • Canton • Farmington • Granby • Simsbury
Info is accurate to our knowledge, but please confirm • Past Events: 2022-23
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Winter Holiday Covers – Books, Catalogs and Magazines
• December 2024 thru January 2025
Free • Info – AHS website
• Avon Historical Society exhibit – nearly 100 covers dating to 1854
Family Holiday Pops Concert
Northwest Catholic High School – West Hartford
• Saturday 12/7 – 3:00 pm
$20-$25 • Tickets
• Premiere of "A Harp Christmas" with acclaimed harp soloist Megan Sesma – plus audience sing-along of favorite carols
The Fantastic Toyshop – New England Ballet Theatre
The Theater of Performing Arts – Hartford
• Saturday 12/7 – 7:00 pm
• Sunday 12/8 – 2:00 pm
$15-$30 • Tickets + Info – 860-255-7767 – admin@neballettheatre. com
• Choreographed by NEBT artistic director Rachael Gnatowski
Avon-based VFW – ongoing meetings
Prince Thomas of Savoy Italian Club – Avon
• Wednesday 12/11 – 5:30 pm – monthly meeting + $10 dinner
BeanZ & Co. – Avon
• Thursdays – weekly – 10:00-11:30 am
Free • Info – Veterans from all towns are invited for conversation and support
Farmington Nostalgia – Art Exhibit
Barney Library – Farmington
• Opening Reception – Saturday 12/14 – 3:00-5:00 pm
Meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments
• Show open: Tuesday 12/10 thru Sunday 1/5
Free • Info – email: Kate@KateEmery. com
• Acclaimed artist Kate Emery says Farmington has been her home and muse
Avon Historical Society – 50th Anniversary Exhibit
• Thru December 2024
Free • Info – AHS website
• The Avon Historical Society is 50 years old this year – view new artifact display from 700-item collection – in the library's History Room
Gallery on the Green – Fine Art Shows
Canton Green Road – Canton – between Dowd Avenue + Route 44
• Gallery Hours – Fridays-Saturdays-Sundays – 1:00-5:00 pm
Holiday Pop-Up: Support Local Artists – buy artwork for no more than $200
Three Solo Shows – Rob Loebell • Rowena Okie • David Owen
• Thru Saturday 12/14
Free • Art from Farmington Valley artists and beyond – Gallery on the Green is operated by the Canton Artists’ Guild – cantonartistsguild@gmail. com
End of the Year Show
Kalaveshi Arts – Avon
• Thru Sunday 12/15
Tuesdays thru Saturdays – 11:00am-4:00pm
Free • Juried exhibition featuring works of 30 local artists
Walkie Talkies
LaSalle Market – Collinsville
• Tuesdays – 1:00 pm – 1/28 • 2/25 • 3/25
Free • Info – Avon-Canton COC
• 15-minute health-based talk followed by 45-minute walk – bad-weather venue: start at LaSalle, then TBD
Theater – Playhouse 44
Avon High School – Auditorium
• February 2025 – dates TBA
• Specific show and other details TBA
Unearthing History – 2024 History Series • Online
• Internationally significant find in Avon in Connecticut's Farmington Valley — a 12,500-year-old Paleo-Indian archaeological site
Free • Five Webinars – available on-demand here:
– Sponsors – Avon Historical Society, Avon Public Library, Avon Senior Center
New Avon History Museum – Buy A Brick
• Ongoing fundraising campaign
$100-$250 • Purchase – click here
• Help pave the way and transform a 200-year-old schoolhouse into a museum – tax-deductible – anonymous $15,000 donation jumpstarted fundraising drive
Red Cross Blood Drives
Numerous locations in Farmington Valley
• Various days + times
• Register + find a Valley blood drive – https://redcrossblood.org •
Blood Pressure + Blood Sugar Clinic
Canton Senior Center – 40 Dyer Avenue
• Wednesdays – 11:30-1:00 pm
Free • Sponsored by Farmington Valley VNA – appointments not required
• For residents of all towns, not just Canton
American Parkinson Disease Association – Connecticut Chapter
Free • Various locations – ongoing
• Click the above links to find a group or class near you
• Today Magazine cover story – Parkinson Puzzle •
Kala Farnham – Concert Schedule
• Connecticut State Troubadour • Award-Winning Songwriter •
Info + Tickets – some shows Free – Kala's website • Tour Schedule
• Kala Farnham has opened for Don McLean, Tony Bennett and other notables – she has performed across Connecticut and the East Coast
• Songs on YouTube > David • Connecticut Grown • A Little Ghost Story •
Autism Programs
Autism Families CONNECTicut
• Register – https://www.autismfamiliesct.org •
Antique Appraisals
ANTIQ’S – Farmington
• Saturdays – 11:00am-4:00pm
Free • Info • 860-676-2670 • info@antiqs.com
• Free-of-charge appraisal of your antiques – every Saturday
Apply for Free Tuition – CT State Community College
• Thousands have received free tuition at Tunxis in Farmington and statewide
• “It sounds too good to be true, but this is real" – CT State rep
Photo Exhibit – Wendy Rosenberg
Roaring Brook Nature Center – Canton
Free • Info – RBNC website • 860-693-0263
• View wildlife images by an award-winning Canton photographer who has displayed numerous photo exhibits across the Farmington Valley
• Rosenberg-connected Today Magazine cover stories:
Wendy received an SPJ award for this photo in Today Magazine:
Open Mic Night – Talcott Collective
Talcott Mountain Collective – Simsbury
• Tuesdays – 7:00-9:30 pm
• Space limited: advance online sign-up advised – walk-ins if time allows – hosted by Michael Sasportas Music
Open Mic Night – LaSalle
LaSalle Market & Deli – Collinsville
• Fridays – 6:00 pm
Free to play and listen • Register + Info • 860-693-8010
• Space limited: advance online sign-up advised – walk-ins if time allows
Canton Café – Dine-In Lunch Program
Canton Community Center – 40 Dyer Avenue
• Wednesdays + Fridays – 12:00-1:00 pm
$5 – senior citizens • $7 – town employees
• Reservations required two days in advance – call 860-693-5811
CT Freedom Trail Program • Online
Three Firsts – Pvt. Leverett Holden – Civil War veteran
Free • On-Demand Video
• Holden served and fought in CT's 29th Regiment Volunteer Infantry: Colored
• His gravesite is on the Connecticut Freedom Trail – a first for Avon CT
• Presented by Avon Historical Society president Terri Wilson
• Wilson's award-winning Today Magazine story:
Pine Grove Schoolhouse
Avon – corner of West Avon Road aka Route 167 + Harris Road
• Address: 3 Harris Road – Harris Road becomes Brickyard Road
– Schoolhouse open – May thru September – Sundays • 2:00-4:00 pm
– Schedule visits at other times by appointment
Free • Listed on National Register of Historic Places – built in 1865
• Avon Historical Society • 860-678-7621
Simsbury Public Library – Recurring Events + Programs
• Free • Register + Info • 860-658-7663
Online: Poetry Group
• Third Tuesday – monthly – 6:30-7:30 pm
• Write and share poems for constructive feedback
Spanish Conversation Group
• Wednesdays – 11:00 am • Practice speaking Spanish with others
English Conversation Club
• Fridays – 10:30 am • Practice your English with others
"We Are Very Likely To Die"
Incredible True Story of Sinking of Sea Surveyor
• Free – On-Demand Video
• Talk by survivor Walter Banzhaf, longtime Simsbury resident – presented at Simsbury Senior Center, Simsbury Library and elsewhere in CT
Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center – 2024 Season
SMPAC – Iron Horse Boulevard – Simsbury
• May thru November
Ticket prices vary • Info – SMPAC events website
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Unearthing History – 2023 History Series • Online
On the Discovery in Avon of 12,500-year-old Paleo-Indian Site
• Internationally significant find in Connecticut's Farmington Valley
Free • Five Webinars – available on-demand here:
#3 – Big Importance of Small Things
• Info – www.avonctlibrary.info – Search > Unearthing History
• Sponsors: Avon Historical Society, Avon Public Library, Avon Senior Center
Unearthing History – 2022 History Series • Online
On the Discovery in Avon of 12,500-year-old Paleo-Indian Site
• Internationally significant find in Connecticut's Farmington Valley
Free • Five Webinars – available on-demand here:
#5 – Update on Scientific Analysis of Brian D. Jones Site in Avon, CT
• David Leslie is senior archaeologist for the Avon site discovered in 2019
• Info – www.avonctlibrary.info – Search > Unearthing History
• Sponsors: Avon Historical Society, Avon Public Library, Avon Senior Center
Unearthing History – 2021 History Series • Online
On the Discovery in Avon of 12,500-year-old Paleo-Indian Site
Free • Five Webinars – available on-demand here:
• Dr. David Leslie – Senior Archaeologist for Avon CT Site
• Dr. Zachary Singer – Research Archaeologist + UConn Grad
• Today Magazine cover story by Dr. David Leslie:
• Internationally significant find in Farmington Valley – in Avon, Connecticut
Coping with Grief + Loss During the Holidays • Online
Hosts – Carmon Community Funeral Homes – Avon
• Speaker – Joe Colletti • author + bereavement consultant
• On-Demand Video – cogent talk starts at 21:20 mark after musical intro
Free • Info – visit above websites – 860-688-2200 • 860-673-8610
• Nine Carmon locations – Avon • Granby • Hartford • Rockville • South Windsor
• Suffield • Vernon • Windsor • Poquonock: also in Windsor
MLK in CT Memorial
Simsbury Free Library
Free • On-Demand Video – Unveiling Ceremony
Ceremony occurred on MLK Day 2021 – at Simsbury Free Library
• Award-winning Today Publishing coverage:
– Today Online feature – Unique memorial honors MLK's time in Valley
– Today Magazine cover story – Their Dream: MLK Memorial
• View award-winning documentary – produced by Simsbury High students:
Valley-based Chambers of Commerce – Avon-Canton • Granby-Simsbury
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PAST EVENTS
• THE EVENTS BELOW were listed previously in the main Calendar above
Open House
Free • 860-688-9621 – info@marysplacect. org
Savor the Flavor – Journey Home
WeHa Brewing & Roasting Co. – West Hartford
• Chocolate and beer tasting event to benefit Journey Home — the nonprofit seeks to alleviate and end homelessness
Habitat Ambassador Workshops
Free • Register • Info – 860-541-2208 – volunteer@hfhncc.org
• One-hour mission overview about ongoing volunteer opportunities
• Today Magazine cover story – Homegrown Hope: Making Dreams Reality
• Today Magazine follow-up – Local Habitat Celebrates 35th Birthday •
Art Exhibition – Rhythms in Time
Solo Show – Edith Skiba LaMonica
Barnes-Franklin Gallery – Tunxis Community College – Farmington
• Gallery Hours – Mondays thru Thursdays – 9:00am-8:00pm
Free • Info – gallery director Arthur Simoes: arthursimoes@ctstate. edu
• LaMonica's work has been featured in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, New Britain Museum of American Art and Canton-based Gallery on the Green
PAST EVENTS – these events were listed previously in the main Calendar
Unite In Love Luncheon
• Speakers will share stories of their experience with grief and loss and the role Mary’s Place has played in their lives
Casino Night to End Alzheimer's
• Play casino games to support the fight to end Alzheimer's
September Serenaders – presented by Playhouse 44
Raymour & Flanigan – Avon
• Unique musical event featuring CT singer-songwriters who aren’t famous but should be — seating limited: email to secure a spot
After the Roses – Equine Rescue Fundraiser
US Horse Welfare & Rescue – Avon
• Concert: Manchester Symphony Orchestra + Marston Smith, Lord of the Cello
PAST EVENTS – these events were listed previously in the main Calendar
Warehouse Tag Sale – Journey Home
Journey Home warehouse location – 635 New Park Avenue – West Hartford
Info – 860-808-0336 – volunteer@journeyhomect. org
• Two-part opportunity > Donate items for our tag sale > Buy items like furniture, tools, household goods/decor and more
• Journey Home seeks to end homelessness
• Volunteers from the Valley and beyond have invested in this win-win mission
Roaring Brook Nature Center
Summer 2024 – Discovery Days Programs
RBNC – Canton
Info • 860-693-0263
• Unique blend of education and recreation for students of various ages
• Today Magazine cover story – Nature and Nurture •
Intro to Artificial Intelligence & Applicable Business Use
Holcomb Farm – Granby
Info – mary.mcpheat@groundedlogic. com
• AI specialist Mary McPheat on AI history, practical business applications, more
Painting Party – Avon Historical Society
Derrin House – Avon
• Info – 860-678-7621 – info@avonhistoricalsociety.org
• Join the fun by painting the exterior of the historic Derrin House at 249 West Avon Road – paint and supplies provided – no bathrooms or water on property
PAST EVENTS – these events were listed previously in the main Calendar
9 Tens on 44 – Playhouse 44
Avon High School – Auditorium
• Series of quirky, reflective 10-minute plays – in one, Bill Shakespeare deals with a theater manager who has issues with the language of Hamlet
Grease – Simsbury Summer Theatre for Youth
Simsbury High School
• Iconic show directed by David Addis, theater pro and Simsbury High grad
Habitat Youth Advocacy & Engagement Conference
Rockville High School – Vernon
• Wednesday 7/31 – 9:00am-3:00pm – register by 7/17
Free • Register + Info • 860-541-2208 – volunteer@hfhncc. org
• Ages 11-18 – lunch and snacks provided free-of-charge
• Habitat 101 overview – Habitat homeowner story session – picnic table building project for Habitat homeowners – youth and school groups welcome
• Countless volunteers from the Valley have invested in Habitat's win-win mission
Kalaveshi Arts – Avon
• Gallery hours: Tuesday thru Saturday – 11:00am-4:00pm
Free • Info • Today Magazine cover story – From War-Torn To Art Reborn •
PAST EVENTS – these events were listed previously in the main Calendar
Red Stone Pub – ongoing events
Red Stone Pub – Simsbury
• Trivia – Tuesdays – 7:00-9:00 pm
Eat – Drink – Think – Prizes
• Live Music – Saturday evenings
Modern Day Monet – 1st Annual Juried Exhibition
Hill-Stead Museum – Farmington
• Info – 860-677-4787 – Artwork by Valley-connected artists Edith Skiba LaMonica, Francie Brown Holmes, Kate Emery and more — annual Hill-Stead memberships start at $25
Driving Away Parkinson’s Golf Tournament
American Parkinson Disease Association – Connecticut Chapter
• Today Magazine cover story – Parkinson Puzzle •
National Trails Day – Three Hikes
Canton Land Conservation Trust • Free – CLCT website – Trail Info •
PAST EVENTS – these events were listed previously in the main Calendar
Play Auditions – Playhouse 44
• All roles available for brand-new theater venture – many age ranges – join email list •
Kalaveshi Arts Exhibition
Duncaster – Bloomfield
Free • Info – Kalaveshi website
• The Kalaveshi Arts gallery is located in the Riverdale Farms plaza in Avon — this art show was at the Bloomfield-based Duncaster retirement community
Habitat – Winter Warrior Public Build Days
Free • For individuals and teams – support new-home construction and help families move into their new homes on schedule
Heart-Healthy Living • Host Marie Cancellieri aims to help you incorporate small yet impactful habits for a heart-healthy lifestyle
TableScapes Fundraiser
Benefit – Avon Historical Society
North House – Avon • Info: click here – 860-670-3225
• Benefit for new Avon History Museum
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