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Two local battles of bands happen this week, including an early round of the Connecticut Blues Challenge at Black-Eyed Sally’s in Hartford and the finals of a multi-styled local music competition at Toad’s Place in New Haven.There are also some non-competitive events that offer a lot of different acts on the same stage, such as the nostalgic mosh of Bouncing Souls and three other punk/hardcore bands at District Music Hall or the latest Yth Festival held this year at The Webster in Hartford.A Connecticut Ballet event features four female choreographers, and a single performer evokes eight singing “Legends of the ’60s.
”Here are some of the top things to see this week in Connecticut.Connecticut Blues ChallengeBlack-Eyed Sally’s, 350 Asylum St., HartfordBlack-Eyed Sally’s is once again hosting the multi-week Connecticut Blues Challenge competition on April 27 at 3 p.
m. The winner will travel to Memphis to take part in a national competition. No cover charge.
blackeyedsallys.com.Colin Mochrie and Brad SherwoodGarde Arts Center, 325 State St.
, New LondonSacred Heart University Community Theater, 1420 Post Road, FairfieldThe ever-touring pair of “Whose Line is It Anyway?” veterans, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, are at the Garde in New London on April 27 at 7:30 p.m. ($39-$79.
gardearts.org), then at the Sacred Heart Community Theater on May 4 at 7 p.m.
($69.50-$9.50; shucommunitytheatre.
org).AloInfinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., HartfordThe California rock band Alo is at Infinity Music Hall Hartford on April 27 at 8 p.
m. with opening act Madeline Hawthorne. $34.
02. infinityhall.com.
Strings of HopeMetropolitan AME Zion Church, 2051 Main St., HartfordThe Hartford Symphony Orchestra presents a free chamber concerts of works by Joaquin Turina (“Bullfighter’s Prayer”), Mozart, (Divertimento in D major), Florence Price (Andante Moderato from String Quartet in G major) and George Walker (“Lyric for Strings”) plus settings of the classic pop songs “Here Comes the Sun,” “Stand by Me” and “What a Wonderful” and the hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The ensemble is Martha Kayser and Millie Piekos on violins, Gretchen Frazier on viola and Jennifer Combs on cello.
April 28 at 7 p.m. and April 29 and 30 at 6:30 p.
m. at Hartford’s Metropolitan Zion Church. Free.
hartfordsymphony.org.Danielle NicoleKatharine Hepburn Cultural Art Center, 300 Main St.
, Old SaybrookBlues/roots musician Danielle Nicole, who first established herself as a member of the band Trampled Under Foot, is at The Kate on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. Kansas-born guitarist Brandon Miller opens.
$34. thekate.org.
Magdalena BayCollege Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New HavenThe Los Angeles pop duo Magdalena Bay is at New Haven’s College Street Music Hall on April 30 at 8 p.m.
with Sam Austins. $44.17-$64.
26. collegestreetmusichall.com.
Bouncing SoulsDistrict Music Hall, 71 Wall St., NorwalkThe Bouncing Souls are leading a old school punk/hardcore tour that also features H2O, Dave Hause & The Mermaid and School Drugs. May 1 at 7 p.
m. $49.32-$74.
56. districtmusichall.com.
Battle of the Bands: The FinalsToad’s Place, 300 York St., New HavenThe month-long battle of the bands at Toad’s Place has made it to the final round on May 1 at 7 p.m.
The battlers include Teddy Rose, The Sparkle and Fade, Cadmium and Remy Adair, all of whom won previous rounds, plus wild cards The Flatts and Wurley. $15, $10 in advance. toadsplace.
com.Blippi: ‘Join the Band’Palace Theater, 61 Atlantic St., StamfordWarner Theatre, 68 Main St.
, TorringtonBlippi, the decade-old YouTube-based children’s program, has a new musical live show, “Join the Band,” making two stops in Connecticut this week: May 1 at 6 p.m. at the Stamford Palace ($39-$60; palacestamford.
org) then May 6 at 6 p.m. at the Warner Theatre’s Oneglia Auditorium in Torrington ($35-$65; warnertheatre.
org).Courtesy of Warner Theatre“Blippi: Join the Band,” a live version of the video series, is at the Stamford Palace on May 1 and May 6 at the Warner Theatre in Torrington. (Courtesy of Warner Theatre)Kevin KaarlOakdale Theatre, 985 S.
Turnpike Road, WallingfordMexican indie-folk singer/songwriter Kevin Kaarl, whose first single “Amor Viejo” was seven years ago and who is still in his mid-20s, plays the Dome Room of the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford on May 1 at 8 p.m. $48-$166.
40. livenation.com.
‘The Moors’Wesleyan Center for the Arts, 271 Washington Terrace, MiddletownSarah Silverman’s dark satire of Gothic novels (mainly the ones associated with the Brontë sisters) had its world premiere at the Yale Rep in 2016 and has been experiencing a resurgence. Connecticut Repertory Theatre staged it this past fall and now there’s a production at Wesleyan University, directed by Yale School of Drama grad Alex Keegan, who has a special talent for new works and LGBTQ themes. May 1 and 2 at 8 p.
m. May 3 at 2 and 8 p.m.
$8. wesleyan.edu.
Chaz Esposito Sings Legends of the ‘60sLegacy Theatre, 128 Thimble Islands Road, BranfordLocal actor/producer Chaz Esposito is known for his show “Mack is Back,” crooning the hits of Bobby Darin. “Chaz Esposito Sings Legends of the ‘60s” also honors Darin but expands to include songs made famous by Tom Jones, Neil Sedaka, Dion, Frankie Valli, Neil Diamond and even Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. There were many other “legends of the ‘60s,” surely, but this is plenty.
May 1-18. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m.
, Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.
m., with an added matinee on May 8 at 2 p.m.
$31.50-$56.50.
legacytheatrect.org.The Shamrock TenorsShubert Theatre, 247 College St.
, New HavenAn Irish vocal group from Belfast and their backing band perform standards such as “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Danny Boy.” May 2 at 7 p.m.
$36.30-$83.90.
shubert.com.‘Sleeping Beauty’University of Saint Joseph, 1678 Asylum Ave.
, West HartfordBallet Hartford’s new production of Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty” ballet, choreographed by the company’s artistic director Clare Kretzschmer, is one of the largest projects in Ballet Hartford’s history. “Sleeping Beauty” will be performed with another dance to Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos (also choreographed by Kretzschmer) on May 2 at 7 p.m.
at the University of Saint Joseph’s Hoffman Auditorium ($23.18-$44.52).
On May 11, just “Sleeping Beauty” will be danced with an accompanying Mother’s Day luncheon at 11 a.m. and 1 p.
m. at the Wadsworth Mansion, 421 Wadsworth St., Middletown ($65.
87). ballethartford.com.
Kelsey PaffBallet Hartford is performing its new “Sleeping Beauty” May 2 at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford and May 11 at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. (Kelsey Paff)Anjelah Johnson-ReyesFoxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., MashantucketThe California comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, who is of Mexican and Native American heritage, is the star of several popular YouTube specials and the author of “Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams.
” She is at Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Showroom on May 2 at 7:30 p.m. $56.
50. foxwoods.com.
Twin Tribes and ChameleonsDistrict Music Hall, 71 Wall St., NorwalkThe darkwave band Twin Tribes is from Texas, and it has teamed up for a tour with old new wavers Chameleons, who originally formed in Manchester, England, back in the 1980s but whose lead Mark Burgess has lived in Texas for decades. May 2 at 7:30 p.
m. $44.17-$64.
26. districtmusichall.com.
Derrick RobertsInfinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., HartfordSaxophonist and licensed mental health therapist Derrick Roberts brings his multi-faceted performance event “Pieces of Me: A Mental Health Music & Arts Showcase” to Infinity Music Hall Hartford on May 2 at 8 p.m.
The show is described as “an immersive experience that blends music, storytelling and artistic expression to break mental health stigmas and foster community healing.” $62.88.
infinityhall.com.May ErlewineSpace Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St.
, HamdenThe earnest and prolific Michigan-based folk singer/songwriter May Erlewine is on tour in May, performing on May 2 at 8 p.m. at Space Ballroom in Hamden.
$26.69. spaceballroom.
com.The Mushroom CloudPark City Music Hall, 2926 Fairfield Ave., BridgeportConnecticut band The Mushroom Cloud, led by the Harris brothers Paul and Russ, have a new album, “Time Enough to Last,” to celebrate, so they’re holding a release party on May 2 at 9 p.
m. at Park City Music Hall in Bridgeport. $15.
parkcitymusichall.com.Kane BrownMohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd.
, UncasvilleThe personification of modern country music, Kane Brown (“Like I Love Country Music,” “Miles On It,” “Used to Love You Sober” and many other hits) is very popular right now — enough to headline two back-to-back shows on May 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena.
There are two opening acts: Scotty McCreery and Ashley Cooke. $81.35-$282.
30. mohegansun.com.
Photo by Catherine Powell, Getty Images for CMTCountry star Kane Brown is headlining two back-to-back shows on May 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena.
(Photo by Catherine Powell, Getty Images for CMT)Christie BrinkleyRJ Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, MadisonThe 1980s supermodel Christie Brinkley has written a memoir, “Uptown Girl,” and is signing copies on May 3 at noon at RJ Julia in Madison. A $35 ticket includes admission for two people and one copy of the book. rjjulia.
com.‘Secret Mall Apartment’Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor St., HartfordThe documentary “Secret Mall Apartment” shows how a few artists in Rhode Island created a hidden living space somewhere deep inside a shopping mall complex.
Real Art Ways is showing the film May 2-8. Following the 7 p.m.
screening on May 3, there is a special discussion with its director Jeremy Workman, one of its key subjects, Michael Townsend, and Umberto Crenca of the Providence-based art collective AS220. realartways.org.
‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’Western Connecticut State University, 43 Lake Avenue Extension, DanburyTodd Kreidler, known for his longtime association with August Wilson (including founding the August Wilson Monologue Competition) crafted this 2022 adaptation of the 1967 movie about a woman introducing her new fiance to her parents, who must overcome their racial biases when considering the relationship. Connecticut productions of this comic drama are special because the film starred Connecticut icon Katharine Hepburn. Western Connecticut State University students perform it May 2-11 at the Visual & Performing Arts Center.
Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.
m., Sundays at 2 p.m.
$28.52-$35.98; group rates available.
wcsu.edu.‘The Producers’The Repertory Theatre, 23 Norden St.
, New BritainMel Brooks adapted his own classic comedy film “The Producers” as a Broadway musical and even wrote the songs for it. New Britain’s well-established community-based Connecticut Theatre Company performs it May 2-11. Friday and Saturday at 7 p.
m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
$26.75; $61.75 cabaret table for two.
connecticuttheatrecompany.org.Courtesy of Garde Arts CenterFunnyman Colin Mochrie is making two stops in Connecticut with his longtime improv partner Brad Sherwood on their “Asking for Trouble” tour: April 27 at the Garde Arts Center in New London and May 4 at Sacred Heart’s Community Theater.
(Courtesy of Garde Arts Center)Yth FestThe Webster, 31 Webster St., HartfordYth Fest is an annual local music festival which proudly states that “we don’t discriminate against gender, race, music preferences or culture.” So it will be a varied five-hour schedule of local talent on May 3 starting at 5 p.
m. at The Webster. $34.
15, $509.15 for eight-person VIP booth, $1209.15 for 15-person VIP suite.
thewebsterct.comNicole ZuraitisRockwell Theater, 70 Memorial Blvd., BristolThe busy jazz singer/songwriter/pianist Nicole Zuraitis, who was born and still lives in Connecticut, is known for her inspiring original song, her intriguing arrangements of classics (such as Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”) and her collaborations with a wide range of other artists.
Zuraitis is performing on May 3 at 7 p.m. at Bristol’s Rockwell Theater.
downtownlivect.com.‘Rigoletto’First Presbyterian Church in Hartford, 136 Capitol Ave, HartfordConnecticut Virtuosi and Teatro Lirico D’Europa combine to present a “semi-staged” production of Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” on May 3 at 7:30 p.
m. at Hartford’s First Presbyterian Church. Adrian Sylveen is the conductor, Giorgio Lalov is the stage director, baritone Michael Nansel is the lovestruck jester Rigoletto and Gayane Ghambaryhan plays the object of his affections, Gilda.
$48.25, $37.75 seniors, $22 students.
thevirtuosi.org.Lorrie Morgan and T.
Graham BrownFoxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., MashantucketTwo long-established country stars, Lorrie Morgan (“What Part of No,” “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”) and T. Graham Brown (who’s had hits since the early ‘80s) team up on tour.
May 3 at 8 p.m. at Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Showroom.
$66.85-$167.55.
foxwoods.com.‘Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert’College Street Music Hall, 238 College St.
, New HavenA live band performs the David Bowie score, featuring his recorded vocals, in a multi-media concert based on the 1986 sci-fi puppet movie “Labyrinth.” May 3 at 8 p.m.
$38.52-$80.22; additional $90.
52 for VIP merch bundle. collegestreetmusichall.com.
John Pizzarelli TrioKatharine Hepburn Cultural Art Center, 300 Main St., Old SaybrookThe iconic jazz guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, still recognized in Connecticut for his “The Wonder of It All” series of TV ads for one of the state’s big resort casinos, plays a rather more intimate local show on May 3 at 8 p.m.
at The Kate in Old Saybrook. $69. thekate.
org.The SamplesFairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St., FairfieldThe long-lived reggae-tinged pop/rock band The Samples are at Fairfield Theatre Company’s Warehouse space on May 3 at 8 p.
m. $40-$45; $37-$42 FTC members. fairfieldtheatre.
org.Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin EveningOakdale Theatre, 95 S. Turnpike Road, WallingfordPalace Theater, 61 Atlantic St.
, StamfordThe son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham is an accomplished drummer himself and is anchoring this tribute to his dad’s band. Led Zeppelin has never waned in popularity, but there’s a special interest this year due to the recent documentary film about them. May 3 at 7:30 p.
m. ($37.50-$220.
05; livenation.com), then May 4 at 7 p.m.
at the Stamford Palace ($29.50-$149.50; palacestamford.
org).Hannah BernerRidgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, RidgefieldHannah Berner — comedian, reality show and podcast host and social media phenom — has back-to-back shows at Ridgefield Playhouse on May 3 and 4 at 8 p.m.
$76-$81. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
Connecticut Ballet: ‘Inspiring Women’The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., HartfordConnecticut Ballet’s spring concert is titled “Inspiring Women” because it features work by four female choreographers: Lila York (“Strays,” set to a Copland clarinet concerto), Eve Chan (“The Open Road,” based on the Walt Whitman poem), Carlyn Hudson (“A Piece That Might Never Happen About a Peace That Might Never Happen,” scored to music by Schubert), and local hip-hop/modern dance collaborator Jolet Creary. The York, Chan and Hudson pieces are revivals — “Strays” was first done by Connecticut Ballet in 1990, “The Open Road” and “A Piece” each just three or four years ago — but Creary’s piece is a world premiere.
May 3 at 7 p.m. at The Bushnell’s Belding Theater in Hartford ($35-$55, bushnell.
org), then May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Stamford Palace ($50-$75, palacestamford.
org).‘Fools’ Paradise’Crystal Theatre, 66 Bayview Ave., NorwalkThrown Stone Theatre, which specializes in new and recent American plays, has shifted its operations from Ridgefield to South Norwalk and now performs at the Crystal Theatre.
Thrown Stone’s first show there was written by the company’s co-founder Jonathan Winn. “Fool’s Paradise” is described as a satirical drama in which “two couples embark on the getaway of a lifetime at an opulent Caribbean resort when a sudden emergency derails their plans.” May 3-10.
$22.90-$54.40; $17.
65-$43.90 for preview performances May 1 and 2 at 8 p.m.
thrownstone.org..
