Community Calendar

Step back into the vibrant world of the 1920s and 1930s with Jazz Age Illustration, a major exhibition exploring the art of popular illustration during this transformative era. Featuring over 100 works by renowned artists such as Aaron Douglas, John Held Jr., and Frank E. Schoonover, the exhibition delves into the cultural impact of illustration during a time of dramatic social change.

Organized by the Delaware Art Museum, Jazz Age Illustration is the first major exhibition to survey the art of popular illustration in the United States between 1919 and 1942—a vibrant and transformative era of innovation, evolving styles, social change, and expanding popular media.

AMERICAN AGITATORS is a story of courage, persistence, and the power of collective action. Fred Ross Sr. was a pioneer for racial and economic justice and impacted generations, showing them how ordinary people can achieve extraordinary change. Dolores Huerta, who along with Cesar Chavez was trained by Ross, says, “Bringing Fred’s life to the screen is the medicine our society needs right now. He empowered people to be engaged in the democratic process.”

Mr. Lobster (Christian Loftus) brings fun, family-friendly music to UUSE on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 PM. Join us at Unitarian Universalist Society East, 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT. Suggested donation: $15 for adults; kids attend free.

Mr. Lobster is Christian Loftus, an elementary general music teacher from Connecticut. Christian has his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Education, as well as his Orff and Kodaly certifications.

“It’s The Wildest!” Is an exciting, tune-filled tribute to the music of Louis Prima and Keely Smith, performed by Mark Gionfriddo and Nikki Gorts. The name of the show references the title of an iconic 1956 album by Prima and Smith.

In the 1950s, Prima and Smith turned a tiny Las Vegas lounge into the most swinging after hours party, with a mix of jazz, swing, novelty music, and rock ‘n roll.

Gionfriddo, Gorts and a five-piece band pay homage to this renowned duo featuring gems from the American Popular Songbook, including “Jump, Jive ‘N Wail”, “Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home,” “Embraceable You,” “I Wish You Love,” and “That Old Black Magic,” featuring arrangements by Mark Gionfriddo.

Celebrate the harvest season with beautiful music at Grace Church! The concert will feature Mark Fraser, cello; Estela Olevsky, piano; Dick Damon, organ; Hanif Lawrence, tenor soloist; the Silverwood Quartet; the Cantabile vocal ensemble; and the Grace Church Choir directed by Hanif Lawrence. Suggested donation is $25 at the door, with proceeds benefiting the Grace Church Organ Fund.

Please join us in celebration of the new middle-grade novel by bestselling local author Alex Gino, CHRIS MAKES A FRIEND. You’re invited to scour High Five Books on a scavenger hunt for titles mentioned in the new novel, meet Alex, and have books signed.

Alex will read at 5pm; scavenger hunt is 5:30-6:30pm. Books will be for sale. Readers are also welcome to bring their own beloved copies of Alex’s earlier books for signing.

ABOUT ‘CHRIS MAKES A FRIEND’
From the award-winning author of MELISSA comes a sweet and tart story about unexpected friendship and family reconciliation.

This is not the summer Chris had planned …

Chris does not want to be spending the summer with her grandparents and her little sister. Her grandparents aren't bad -- they just don't let Chris do what she wants to do, which is sit around and read all day. And her sister, Becca, is the opposite, never sitting still and never being quiet.

The good part is that Chris's grandparents are always telling her to go outside and "get some air" -- so she can escape into the woods with a book and get some alone time. Or at least it's alone time until Mia comes along. Mia is also in town for the summer, and she understands Chris in a way that Chris's family just can't.

Soon Chris is sneaking off to spend as much time with her friend as possible. But is there more to Mia than Mia is saying?

Please join us in celebration of the new middle-grade novel by bestselling local author Alex Gino, CHRIS MAKES A FRIEND. You’re invited to scour High Five Books on a scavenger hunt for titles mentioned in the new novel, meet Alex, and have books signed.

Alex will read at 5pm; scavenger hunt is 5:30-6:30pm. Books will be for sale. Readers are also welcome to bring their own beloved copies of Alex’s earlier books for signing.

ABOUT ‘CHRIS MAKES A FRIEND’
From the award-winning author of MELISSA comes a sweet and tart story about unexpected friendship and family reconciliation.

This is not the summer Chris had planned …

Chris does not want to be spending the summer with her grandparents and her little sister. Her grandparents aren't bad -- they just don't let Chris do what she wants to do, which is sit around and read all day. And her sister, Becca, is the opposite, never sitting still and never being quiet.

The good part is that Chris's grandparents are always telling her to go outside and "get some air" -- so she can escape into the woods with a book and get some alone time. Or at least it's alone time until Mia comes along. Mia is also in town for the summer, and she understands Chris in a way that Chris's family just can't.

Soon Chris is sneaking off to spend as much time with her friend as possible. But is there more to Mia than Mia is saying?

“An atmospheric, thrilling turn for kids and adults alike!” – CKUT, Montreal
A living comic book for the whole family! A young artist named Mary discovers the journal of Dr. Victor Frankenstein in the Arctic. As she’s drawn into his uncanny tale of secret experiments, Mary discovers that we all need to face the monsters of our own making…before they face us! This electrifying show blends immersive comic book design and playful theatrical techniques to reanimate the sci-fi classic for a new generation with a family-friendly spin. Recommended for ages 7+.

An immersion into your own frequency

An evening in 3 parts:

1- Guided meditation: bass drum slow beats, including chakra cleansing and personal power guides retrieval.

2- Singing bowls: higher frequencies achieved with a combination of crystal and metal singing bowls, and multiple percussion instruments: attunement or re-attunement to your own vibrational field.

3- Chants with drums and rattles: a facilitation to release unnecessary attachments.

Things to bring:

-Bring your journal, feel free to write down your experiences when prompted, share it at the end if your feel inspired.

-Bring anything that will make this 90 minute event comfortable for you: a yoga mat or chair, a blanket, a pillow, a sleep mask, water or tea. No talking preferred, phones on off mode.

We'd love your feedback and reviews can be left at vibesofchange@protonmail.com

Step into the Roaring Twenties with live jazz, artful cocktails, and sparkling company—all in celebration of Jazz Age Illustration and in support of the Museum.

✨ First Look at the Exhibition — preview Jazz Age Illustration on its opening night.
🎷 Live Jazz & Dancing — revel in the rhythms of the Jazz Age, then dance the night away with our DJ.
🍸 Open Bar & Signature Cocktails — prohibition may be over, but the speakeasy spirit is alive!
🥂 Festive Bites — elevated, artful flavors to match the mood.
📸 Snazzy Photo Moments — strike a pose worthy of a vintage magazine cover.

Dress: From 1920’s Glam to Festive 2025—think fringe, feathers, velvet, sequins, bow ties, or your own modern twist on 1920s glam!