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Sea Chanteys at The Gris
FREE! Every Monday. 8:00pm - 11:00 pm Join us every Monday as the Jovial Crew brings the Tap Room to life with this old seafaring tradition, extremely popular today. "Jovial Crew" is a good description for both performers and patrons, a very spirited bunch making a very spirited evening indeed!
Find out more »Sunday Hunt Breakfast at The Gris
Sunday Hunt Breakfast / Every Sunday (except holidays) Enjoy the thrill of the hunt each Sunday when a bountiful spread is laid out buffet-style. This sumptuous offering includes a wide array of breakfast and lunch entrées with made-to-order Belgian waffle and omelet stations, breakfast breads, freshly prepared salads, and assorted desserts. The brunch gets jazzier with Dixieland by Freight Train beginning at noon! Reservations recommended. For more information visit http://www.griswoldinn.com 11am to 1pm $24.95/adults; $12.00/children between 7-12; under 6/complimentary
Find out more »Psychedelic ’60’s at The Gris
Every Friday, 8:30pm - 12:00am Psychedelic ’60’s, a power trio that pays tribute to the ground-breaking musical super groups of the sixties, plays the Tap Room at The Griswold Inn every Friday night. Take this nostalgic trip and listen to the music of the Kinks, the Beatles, the Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival... ROCK N' ROLL!
Find out more »From Field to Frame: The Avian Art of Michael DiGiorgio
The exhibit opens to the public on: Saturday, March 17 and runs through May 3, 2018. Essex, CT – The new Spring Exhibit at Connecticut River Museum is From Field to Frame: The Avian Art of Michael DiGiorgio. There is a member preview on Friday, March 16 at 5:30 pm. Michael DiGiorgio is a nationally recognized artist living in Madison, CT. His paintings and drawings have appeared in nature books and journals, including Birds of Brazil vol. 1 and 2,…
Find out more »POETRY AND THE HUMAN CONDITION, A FIVE-EVENING SERIES, WITH PROF. DAVID CAPPELLA
Thursday April 19th, 6:30 - 8pm Essex: English Professor David Cappella, free, 5-part series of poetry discussions, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays beginning April 19, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., focus on exploring the enormous possibility that poetry, through the art of language, offers its readers to plumb the experience of being human. Poets will include: Robert Frost/ Emily Dickinson; Hayden Carruth/Jane Kenyon; Wallace Stevens/Elizabeth Bishop; Jim Harrison/Maxine Kumin and Czeslaw Milosz/Anna Akhmatova. RSVP: 860-767-1560.
Find out more »LOVE QUEST
Wednesday, April 25 – May 13, 2018 Written by Steven McGraw & Mary Maguire A renowned scientist once theorized that finding “intelligent life” on other planets in the universe would be like shooting a particular blackbird in a room full of blackbirds, with the lights out. Ironically, the same probability applies for finding a “normal man” on an online dating service. LOVE QUEST – a new comedy – explores the journeys of two women in the perilous world of online…
Find out more »“April is for Acquisitions” at the Connecticut River Museum
Thursday April 26th, 6pm Essex, CT –Geoffrey Paul of the Griswold Inn is our speaker at the Connecticut River Museum’s annual Brenda Milkofsky Curatorial Fund dinner at the Old Lyme Country Club on Thursday, April 26. The evening begins with cocktails at 6 pm with dinner and talk to follow. Prepaid reservations for the dinner and talk may be made through the main desk at the Museum by calling 860-767-8269 ext. 110 or may be purchased on line at ctrivermuseum.org.…
Find out more »FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC; CMS’S 35th ANNIVERSARY GALA
Friday, April 27th, 6:30 pm Community Music School’s largest annual fundraiser is the CMS Gala and this year we’re celebrating our 35th anniversary with For the Love of Music! The event takes place on Friday, April 27th at 6:30 pm in Deep River at The Lace Factory and includes fabulous musical entertainment provided by CMS faculty and students. Enjoy cocktail jazz and an exquisite dinner show, as well as gourmet food, dancing, silent auction, fine wines and more! Featured faculty and student…
Find out more »THE TREES OF ESSEX WITH ESSEX TREE WARDEN AUGIE PAMPEL
April 27th, 6:30pm A free, illustrated talk on trees in Essex will be presented by Essex Tree Warden Augie Pampel at 6:30 p.m. April 27 at the Essex Library 33 West Ave. Pampel will focus on the planning and planting of trees around Essex and the best practices for selecting and planting healthy, beautiful trees for your own yard. RSVP: 860 767-1560
Find out more »Day Out with Thomas
April 21st, 28th, 29th, as well as May 5th-6th Toot toot!!! Thomas the Tank Engine, his buddy Percy, and Sir Topham Hatt are pulling into Essex Station for the “Big Adventures Tour!” this spring! Thomas & Friends will be here with departure times every 45 minutes from 9:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. Passengers select a departure time when purchasing a ticket (ride is approx. 25 minutes), but can enjoy fun-filled family activities all day long! Click here for more details…
Find out more »Essex Auxiliary Child & Family Agency’s 18th Annual Spring Fashion Show
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Copper Beech Inn 5:00 – Hors d’oeuvres Children’s Fashion Show 6:00 – Main Event Participating Merchants: Cortland Park Haystacks J. Alden Newbury Place One North Main Emmy’s on Main Tickets can be purchased at: One North Main or Newbury Place located at J. Alden $45.00
Find out more »CONNECTICUT SPRING IN-WATER BOAT SHOW ANNOUNCES 2018 SHOW DATES AND CHARITY BENEFIT
Friday May 4th - Sunday May 6th The CT Spring Boat Show features some of the newest boats on the market including center consoles, fishing boats, luxury cruisers, sport and sail boats. The show is open to the public at Brewer Essex Island Marina with a requested $5 dollar donation to SailsUp4Cancer for attendees ages 13 and up. Visit www.ctspringboatshow.com for specific event details. Anne Hannan of WindCheck Magazine at contactus@windcheckmagazine.com for dealer and vendor application information.
Find out more »“Journeys” — Essex Art Association’s Spring 2018 Juried Show
Friday May 4th, 6-8 pm The Essex Art Association launches its 2018 exhibit season with a juried show “Journeys.” The theme for this exhibition evokes a visual interpretation of stirring memories, roads traveled and new destinations to strive for. The Gantner Gallery show, "Clairvoyance,” showcases artwork by Janet Rayner. The exhibition juror, BILL COLRUS is a retired illustrator, cartoonist, and graphic designer. The exhibit’s opening reception is Friday, May 4, 2018, from 6-8 pm. The show runs May 5 –…
Find out more »Its May Market Time in Essex
Saturday May 12th 9 - 2pm The Long-awaited May Market is almost here. Set your Calendars, I phone and Smart Phones to Saturday May 12th from 9 am to 2 pm, rain or shine, in the town park, located on Main Street in Essex Village.
Find out more »PERFORMANCE ANXIETY WORKSHOP FOR MUSICIANS
May 12th, 10am - 12pm CENTERBROOK – Community Music School will be offering its popular Performance Anxiety Workshop specifically for musicians again this year, to be held on May 12, 2018 from 10 am to 12 pm. Many musicians struggle with stage fright and this workshop will address all the usual symptoms including butterflies, trembling hands, a racing heart, or worse. The workshop is open to the public and costs just $30 for a two hour interactive workshop. CMS faculty…
Find out more »A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN
Wednesday, May 30 – June 24, 2018 Written and Created by Randy Johnson From Broadway to Ivoryton, come share an evening with the Queen of Rock and Roll. Featuring such unforgettable songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz,” “Cry Baby” and “Summertime,” A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, is a musical journey celebrating Janis and her biggest musical influences—Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith.
Find out more »A Tour of Private Essex Village Gardens
Location of the Event: Essex Village Date: Saturday, June 9, 2018 Time: 10am – 3pm Price: $30/ticket in advance; $35 day of the event. Cash, check, Visa or MasterCard accepted. Website for more information: www.youressexlibrary.org. Click on Friends. Description: This fundraising event will feature seven private gardens in Essex, including a garden with European flavor, a Japanese bonsai garden, a native plant hillside garden, and views of the Connecticut River. For many, the pleasant strolls may be enhanced by an…
Find out more »GREASE
Thursday, July 5 – Sunday, July 29, 2018 (No shows Wed, 4th of July; Replacement shows on Wed, July 11 through Sunday, July 29, 2018) Book, Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey It’s the original high-school musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including “You’re The One That I Want”, “Summer Nights”, “Hopelessly Devoted To You”, “Greased Lightnin” and many more. Dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and take a trip…
Find out more »AMERICAN FOLK TALES AND STORIES with Tom Lee and Seth Ginsberg
July 13th Join storyteller Tom Lee and folk singer Seth Ginsberg for some classic stories and songs from America’s rich folk heritage. From farmyards to riverboats, from campfires to schoolyards, these stories and songs have engaged children of all ages for well over a century. Tom Lee’s stories will take your imagination on a magical journey, and Seth’s music will have your toes tapping. Come prepared to join in the fun and sing along. (WARNING: Silliness may ensue.) Tom Lee…
Find out more »A CHORUS LINE
Wednesday, August 8 – Sunday, September 2, 2018 Book by James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban The musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line, A CHORUS LINE examines one day in the lives of seventeen dancers, all vying for a spot in the “chorus line” of a Broadway musical. Based on real Broadway dancers’ stories, A CHORUS LINE is funny, heartbreaking, and refreshingly honest.…
Find out more »Casey Carle’s Bubblemania
August 10th Back by popular demand! Casey Carle performs tricky undulations, manipulations and juggling with bubbles. An extremely unique program combining high energy entertainment with artistic achievement, BubbleMania is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids. Casey’s creations grow from intricate and imaginative bubble artforms to “trapping” people inside bubbles! This is a bubble show to keep the 5 to 75 year-olds mesmerized.
Find out more »Paper Heart Puppets presents: CARDBOARD EXPLOSION!
August 17th With a simple snip of the scissors, adventures unfold for a one-of-a-kind puppetry experience! “Cardboard Explosion’” brings five original stories to life using nothing but cardboard and the power of your imagination. In each story audience members help puppeteer, Brad Shur, transform simple cardboard shapes into elaborate puppet characters right before your eyes. Get ready to outsmart dragons, choose-your-own superpower, and train adorable animal sidekicks in this fun, energetic, participatory show.
Find out more »ONCE
Wednesday, September 19 – Sunday, October 7, 2018 Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, ONCE is a truly original theatrical experience. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. It’s an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power…
Find out more »THE QUEENS OF THE GOLDEN MASK
Wednesday, October 31 – Sunday, November 18, 2018 Set in Alabama in 1962, this stunning new play about a group of mothers and daughters takes us from church picnics and summer camp to the secrets and hypocrisy that lie just beneath the surface. A world premiere.
Find out more »IVORYTON ILLUMINATIONS
Saturday, December 1st and throughout December Santa arrives at the Ivoryton Playhouse when 400,000 lights illuminate Ivoryton. Lots of family activities and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy the lights during the month of December.
Find out more »HOLIDAY SHOW
December 6th – 16th A terrific present to share with the whole family! Please check our website for details of our annual Christmas production. Make a visit to the Ivoryton Playhouse part of your holiday tradition.
Find out more »
Contact Us
Essex Board of Trade, Inc., P.O. Box 322
Essex, CT 06426 860-767-3904 or email message@experienceessex.com
