AROUND TOWN
KidsFest 2013 On Saturday, May 4th, hit Ballard Park for KidsFest 2013 for activities for all ages, including face-painting, vendor crafts, and amazing inflatable fun activities. A safe, fun and educational event for our children! Join the fun from 10 am-4 pm.
Memorial Day Parade On May 27th at 11:30 am, join one of Ridgefield’s best annual traditions with the Memorial Day Parade on Main Street! Come wave your flags and enjoy watching the many bands and community groups march down historic Main Street, while honoring those that have served our country. It is recommended to arrive early and find a great spot on Main Street. The parade starts by Jesse Lee Church and finishes at Ballard Park.
JUST FOR KIDS
Ridgefield Playhouse The Little Mermaid comes to town on May 4th and May 5th and is presented by Sabrina’s Encore Productions - for kids, by kids! In a magical kingdom fathoms below, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she's the girl with the enchanting voice. Show times are Saturday, May 4th at 7:30pm and Sunday, May 5th at 2:00pm and 6:00pm. Tickets are $20/adult and $15/child.
On Saturday, May 11th, the Playhouse brings Beauty and the Beast ,presented by American Family Theater, to the stage. Follow the story of a prince who has been transformed into a Beast and a young woman named Belle whom he imprisons in his castle. To become a prince again, the Beast must love Belle and win her love in return, or he will remain a Beast forever. Show times are 11am and 2pm. Tickets are $15 each.
You do not want to miss Bubblemania: The Science of Bubbles on Thursday, May 16th. An extremely popular assembly, this show connects the dots between scientific know-how and artistic creativity to captivate and enthrall an audience. Casey combines polished entertainment with high quality visual art and practical, age appropriate science. All ages learn how bubbles form, why they're spherical, how to make a cube bubble and the science of bubble bursting - each topic related to the physical laws of the natural world. Older grades learn to appreciate practical applications of diverse bubbles in everyday life (soccer balls to air bags) and are actively involved in fun demonstrations of molecular bonding and surface tension. Show times are 10am and 12:30pm, and last approximately one hour. Tickets are $10 each.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Founders’ May Fair at New Pond Farm On Saturday, May 18th 11am-4pm, join New Pond Farm in celebrating the return of the growing season! The farm’s verdant pastures and early spring gardens will provide a beautiful backdrop for activities such as Maypole dancing, sheep shearing, horse-drawn hayrides, and many others. Meet and learn about calves, goats, chickens, and roosters. Meet a beekeeper and view the industrious bees that pollinate our flowers and inhabit our observation hive. Enjoy toe-tapping fiddle music and a delicious lunch, while you try your hand at some natural crafts like fleece creatures, May baskets, and more. Rain date is May 19th 1pm – 4pm. Cost is $5 per person for all people over age 3 (family max is $20). New Pond Farm is located at 101 Marchant Road in West Redding, CT. Visit www.newpondfarm.org for more information.
CALLING ALL INVENTORS!!
Victorian era gadgets, technologies, and breakthroughs are on display at theLockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum. What Is It? Technologies and Discoveries of the Victorian Era will engage student and adult audiences in the exploration of mid-to-late 19th century inventions and discoveries in many diverse areas including communication, transportation, manufacturing, medicine, food, and recreation. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion is located at 295 West Avenue, Norwalk and the exhibit is open Wednesdays-Sundays, 12:00-4:00pm. Ticket prices are $10/adult, $6/child, children under age 8 are free!! Visit lockwoodmathewsmansion.com for more information.
The Connecticut Invention Convention is a great opportunity to view some of the most creative inventions and innovations of students in K-8 across CT. Winners of local Invention Conventions are invited to participate in this statewide convention, displaying their inventions, and competing for statewide titles! If you’re interested in the inventive process, visit the convention hosted by UCONN's School of Engineering in the Gampel Pavilion on May 4th. Public viewing is 12:00-1:30. Visit www.ctinventionconvention.org for more information.
MUSIC, ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Laser Jam
Through May 26th, check out Laser Jam at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport (4450 Park Avenue). Laser Jam is a multimedia experience featuring some of the hottest chest thumping music from various artists throughout the years, accompanied by 4 state of the art color animation systems. Capable of full animation and amazing aerial effects such as LED DMX lighting and specialized video projection systems, all coming together to offer an unsurpassed 360 degree fun filled experience!!! Shows begin at 7pm and tickets are $12 each. For more information, visit www.laserjam.com.
Bijou Theatre
On May 5th, the Ballet in Cinema Series presents Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Royal Ballet). Those familiar with Lewis Carroll’s literary menagerie of colorful characters will enjoy the clarity with which Christopher Wheeldon portrays them in dance. The whole Company is drawn into the fun, dancing a myriad of quirky characters: a twitchy White Rabbit, a tap dancing Mad Hatter, a sinuous caterpillar and so many more. Alice and the Knave of Hearts, deftly danced by two Royal Ballet Principal dancers, are at the centre of the story, and the role of The Queen of Hearts, another Principal, is wittily captured with hilarious results. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a brilliantly imagined show and, with a magical score, ingeniously inventive designs and a wealth of theatrical effects, has something for everyone to treasure. Show time is 1pm and tickets are $20 each. Visit thebijoutheatre.com for more information.
Ridgefield Guild of Artists
Ridgefield Guild of Artists presents “The Women” with their opening reception on May 18th 4pm – 6pm. As the twenty-first century arrives in its second decade, the places women occupy are expanding while traditional roles are being redefined. This show depicts "the women" in relation to politics, religion, fashion, domesticity, adventure, race, the arts, law, health issues, men, religion, and beyond. RGA's three gallery spaces will be chock full of images of and references to women by both male and female artists in a wide variety of media, including glass, paint, digital art, graphite, ceramic, fiber, video, wood, encaustic, collage, photography, and metal. Women as heroes, women as laborers, women as shoppers--all aspects of womanhood, from the mundane to the provocative, are open to exploration here. Come on in and be tweaked, cajoled, educated, entertained, and awed. The Guild is located at 34 Halpin Lane in Ridgefield. For more information about hours, visit www.rgoa.org.
OUTDOOR FUN
Run Like a Mother!
On Sunday, May 12th, all women are invited to come out and run, walk, skip toward the finish in this Mother’s Day tradition in town for the past several years. Run Like a Mother is a race created by women and inspired by women with the purpose of fueling women’s journey to health and wellness. The 5k race begins at Yanity Gym at 8:30am and finishes at Ballard Park with a fun post-race party for the whole family. A kids 1-mile race starts off the event at 8:00am at Yanity Gym. Visit www.runlikeamother.com to register in advance.
NATURE LOVERS
Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens
There’s no better time of year to get outside and visit the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens! Nestled among the historic landscape of Southwestern New England, the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens is a natural preserve like no other in this region. The property features 91 acres of irreplaceable open space highlighting the best of what Connecticut's native landscape has to offer: magnificent award-winning Champion trees, charming gardens, wildflower meadows, red maple wetlands and boardwalks, woodland walking trails, varied wildlife and native habitats. A wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life, Bartlett Arboretum serves as a leading recreational and educational resource for area residents and visitors of all ages. From weekend gardeners to budding young botanists, the Bartlett offers a place to relax, learn and play. Located at 151 Brookdale Road in Stamford, the grounds are open every day of the year, 9am until dusk. The Educational Center is open 10am-4pm every day, except national holidays. Admission is $6 per adult and all children under the age of 12 are free. Wednesdays are free to all. Leashed dogs are welcome on the property. Running until May 15th, the Stamford Art Association is presenting a new Spring Event titled “Nature’s Art” at the Bartlett Arboretum. Check out www.bartlettarboretum.org for more information.
The Hickories
Have you visited the Hickories? The Hickories is a local vegetable farm in Ridgefield located at 136 Lounsbury Road. They offer CSA arrangements, as well as a seasonal farm stand. The farm's fruits and vegetables are certified organic under the Bay State Organic/ USDA National Organic Program. All vegetables sold at the Hickories are free of synthetic pesticides and synthetic fertilizer. Come out and support this local treasure....on May 11th and May 25th at 9am, the Hickories will be offering farm tours. Come ready to learn about sustainable vegetable, fruit, and livestock farming in our community. May is a wonderful time to take in the early spring frenzy of agriculture in New England! To register, visit www.thehickories.org.
