FRIDAY, JAN. 30
SOUTHINGTON
WINTER RODEO. Held by Southington Elks. 6:30 to 11 p.m. Mammoth Jack will perform. Roping demonstration by Rob from DD Western Wear, Roping Contest, Chili Cook-off, 50/50 raffle, country line dance lessons, free nacho bar. $15. Register for cookoff with Darcie or Etty, Dnajarian@sbcglobal.net, ETTY74@gmail.com. Southington Elks Lodge, 114 Main St., Southington. Dnajarian@sbcglobal.net
GISHREI SHALOM JEWISH CONGREGATION SERVICES. 7 p.m. Rabbi Shelley Kovar Becker will lead services and speak on a contemporary issue using the weekly Torah portion, B’shalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) as a guide. Barnes Chapel of the First Congregational Church, 37 Main St., Southington. (860) 276-9113. GSJC.org
SATURDAY, JAN. 31
SOUTHINGTON
12TH ANNUAL VALENTINE CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL. Held by the American Legion Auxiliary. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Homemade chocolate candy, bake sale, flower arrangements, raffles, lunch, gourmet desserts, beverages. American Legion Post Home, 66 Main St., Southington. Free. Snow date is Feb. 1.
JAN. 31-APRIL 12
OTHER
OVER LIFE’S WATERS: THE COASTAL ART COLLECTION OF CHARLES AND IRENE HAMM. Exhibition features 92 artistic works in a variety of media, spanning two centuries of American coastal art and featuring such noted artists as Thomas Hart Benton, William J. Bradford, William Partridge Burpee, more. Opening reception Sunday, Feb. 1, 2 to 3:30 p.m. New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St., New Britain. NBMAA.org
JAN. 31-MAY 31
OTHER
‘CONEY ISLAND: VISIONS OF AN AMERICAN DREAMLAND, 1861-2008.’ Exhibition uses visual art as a lens to explore the lure that Coney Island exerted on American culture over a period of 150 years. 140 objects, comprised of celebrated icons of American art and rarely-shown works from public and private collections. Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main St., Hartford. TheWadsworth.org
SUNDAY, FEB. 1
BRISTOL
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY BINGO. 1 p.m. First game at 2:15 p.m. Benefit for the New England Carousel Museum. Totally pay out of $1,225. Packages will be sold at the door. Packages include the entry fee and the paper package and paper specials for $10. Two specials, purple and blue, with four strips at $1 each for $8 a package; and four quickies at 50 cents for a $2 package. Additional specials and quickies may be purchased. Buy lunch prepared by the volunteer group and enjoy free coffee. Door prizes will be awarded. St. Stanislaus Church hall, 510 West St., Bristol. Support the museum and have a good time. (860) 585-5411, TheCarouselMuseum.org
OTHER
FIRST SUNDAY GALLERY: ‘VOICES FROM THE BACK STAIRS.’ 1 p.m. Historian Jennifer Pustz will reveal how historic house museums portray the stories of servants in the home. Hill-Stead Museum, 35 Mountain Rd., Farmington. Free for members. $15 for non-members, $12 for seniors. RSVP. (860) 677-4787, ext. 122, bourbeaum@hillstead.org
FEB. 1-28
SOUTHINGTON
DIANE SPERRY OF PLAINVILLE WILL EXHIBIT HER PAINTINGS. Presented by the Southington Arts and Crafts Association. The Gallery at the Orchards, 34 Hobart St., Southington. (860) 628-5656.
FEB. 2 to MARCH 30
PLAINVILLE
AMERICAN RED CROSS WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTION COURSE. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Certification: WSI. Plainville High School pool, Robert Holcomb Way, Plainville. $130, resident. $200, non-resident. Additional on-line fee, $35. Contact Plainville Recreation Dept. (860) 747-6032.
FEB. 2, FEB. 9
PLAINVILLE
VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH MICHAELA’S GARDEN. A fund raiser for the Petit Family Foundation. 9:30 a.m. Package 4 O’clock seeds (Michaela’s favorite), which then will be sold with all the proceeds going to the foundation. Volunteers need to count out 25 seeds, put the seeds in a packet, and seal with glue. Everyone is invited. Plainville Senior Center, 200 East St., Plainville. (860) 747-5728.
THURSDAY, FEB. 5
BRISTOL
‘RELIVING THE 1940S: THOSE WERE THE DAYS!’ 1:30 p.m. The program will recall growing up in the time when radio held center stage and big band dominated music. See what can be learned from the 1940 census and how World War II changed everything. Bristol Public Library, 5 High St., Bristol. (860) 584-7787 ext. 2023. Made possible by a grant from the Friends of the Bristol Public Library.
FRIDAY, FEB. 6
SOUTHINGTON
SAINT THOMAS SCHOOL WINTER GALA. 6 p.m. to midnight. Throwback to the 1980s with musical guest Marty Q. State Senator Joseph Markley will be the guest MC. Open bar, sitdown dinner, silent and live auctions, raffle prizes, and dancing. $70. Checks are payable to Saint Thomas School, attention Gala Committee. Open to public. TheMelvins1@Cox.net
FEB. 6-8
OTHER
ZENTANGLE RETREAT. System of creating art using simple repeating patterns. It’s for everyone with or without artistic abilities. Taught by Kathy Parulski and Meridith Yuhas. Copper Beech Institute, 303 Tunxis Rd., West Hartford. Register. (860) 760-9750. CopperBeechInstitute.org
SATURDAY, FEB. 7
BRISTOL
25TH ANIVERSARY CELEBRATION MARDI GRAS 2015. 7 to 11 p.m. Food, BYOB, Wheel of Fortune, dancing, wine and bourbon tasting, king and queen, 50/50 raffle, masks and costumes encouraged. Live entertainment. New England Carousel Museum, 95 Riverside Ave., Bristol. $50 per person. Table of 8 may be reserved. RSVP by Feb. 2. Masks available at the Museum Gift Shop. (860) 585-5411.
SINGLES GAME NIGHT. Held by Social Connections. Eat, play games, hang out. Bring your favorite game, appetizer or dessert to share, dress casual. Members free. Guests, $10. Gail’s, 35 Anthony Dr., Bristol. Reserve. (860) 582-8229.
BRISTOL CHOCOLATE EXPO. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Doubletree Hilton Hotel of Bristol, 42 Century Dr., Bristol. Adults, $15. Children, students, and seniors (60-plus), $5. Military and veterans are free with ID. Buy tickets early and save $5 per ticket. (860)597-4835, www.chocolate-expo.com
MONDAY, FEB. 9
BRISTOL
MOHEGAN SUN CASINO BUS TRIP. Held by the St. Stanislaus Church Golden Agers. $25. Trip includes transportation, meal voucher, gaming package. Reservations. (860) 589-5597, (860) 583-8170.
TUESDAY, FEB. 10
PLAINVILLE
MOHEGAN SUN TRIP. Held by AARP Chapter 4146. Leave Our Lady of Mercy, 19 S. Canal St., Plainville at 8 a.m. Leave Mohegan Sun at 4:15 p.m. Reservations. (860) 747-1732. Cancellations broadcast on WFSB Channel 3.
FRIDAY, FEB. 13
BRISTOL
SINGLES ‘50S, ‘60S, ‘70S DANCE. Held by Social Connections. 8 p.m. to midnight. DJ. Buffet. Nuchie’s, 164 Central St., Bristol. $12, members. $17, guests. (860) 582-8229.
THURSDAY, FEB. 19
SOUTHINGTON
DAY TRIP TO THE CONNECTICUT FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW. Held by First Baptist Church of Southington. Departure will be at the church lower parking lot, 581 Meriden Ave, Southington at a time to be announced. Lunch stop at the Chowder Pot. (860) 621-3024, (860) 770-1557.
FEB. 19, MARCH 18
PLAINVILLE
FREE EMAIL ACCOUNT CLASS. Thursday, Feb. 19 and Wednesday, March 18 from 9 to 10 a.m. Step-by-step instructions on how to set up a free email account using Gmail. No prior email address is required to register for an email account and participants can use the library’s public computer to access their new email account anytime. It would be helpful if students bring their cellphones if they have one although it’s not required. Participants must have basic mouse skills, a basic understanding of the internet, and how to navigate a website. Plainville Public Library, 56 East Main St., Plainville. Each class is limited to six people and free registration is necessary. Register at library reference desk or call (860) 793-1446.
FEB. 25, MARCH 25, APRIL 22
SOUTHINGTON
CONTEMPLATED WORSHIP. Fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. First Congregational Church of Southington, 37 Main St., Southington.
SATURDAY, FEB. 28
SOUTHINGTON
1ST HOME AND BUSINESS SHOW. Held by Derynoski Elementary School PTO. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Derynoski Elementary School, Main Street, Southington.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
PLAINVILLE
AARP TRIP DAY OF IRISH CELEBRATION. The comedy of George Casey from County Clare, Ireland, vocalist and guitarist Liz McNicholl, and Irish Step Dancers. Fox Theater, Foxwood Resort Casino, Mashantucket. Promotional package included—lunch buffet and $10 slot pay. $74. (860) 747-1732.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
PLAINVILLE
SIXTH ANNUAL WHEELER YMCA O’MAZING RACE. 4:45 p.m. Two hour St. Patrick’s Day themed scavenger hunt around town for a unique night of entertainment. Teams of four will walk, run, and drive to complete tasks and collect items while collecting points to win the coveted trophy and bragging rights. Begins at The Loop, 161 Woodford Ave., Plainville. Registration opens on Feb. 1 and is $200 for a team of four. Fund raiser for the YMCA Annual Campaign. Register at the Wheeler YMCA, 149 Farmington Ave., Plainville. (860) 793-9631 ext. 109.
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
SOUTHINGTON
CRAFTERS NEEDED FOR ST. THOMAS SPRING FAIR. 9 a.m .to 3 p.m. 99 Bristol St., Southington. Deadline Feb. 6. (860) 628-2981.
BRISTOL
THE SIXTH ANNUAL ST. PAUL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SPRING CRAFT FAIR. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Over 40 vendors will be showcased. Crafts include homemade chocolates, handmade knitted items, pet items, candles, soaps, skin care, jewelry, garden tools, art, healthy living, sports items, candles, and more. Full lunch menu and lots of drawings. Free drawing ticket with $1 admission. St. Paul Catholic High School, 1001 Stafford Ave., Bristol. Crafter spaces available but no jewelry. Lynn.damboise@snet.net
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
BRISTOL
BUS TRIP TO YANKEE STADIUM. Held by the St. Paul Falcons Softball Booster Club. Leave St. Paul Catholic High School, 1001 Stafford Ave., Bristol at 9 a.m. Game time is 1 p.m. Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees. Tickets are $125. Coach bus service, beverages on the bus, ticket to the game. GaryHov@aol.com, (860) 690-5959.
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
BRISTOL
BUS TRIP TO SEE NEIL SEDAKA AT MOHEGAN SUN. Held by the St. Stanislaus Church Golden Agers. $102 per person. Includes ticket, meal voucher, and gaming package. Valid photo ID required. Show starts at 3 p.m. Seats are in the lower level section of the arena. Reservations. (860) 589-5597.
MAY 18-20
BRISTOL
SPRINGTIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE TRIP. Held by the St. Stanislaus Church Golden Agers. Visit North Conway, Castle in the Clouds, Mt. Washington Discovery Museum, take a trip on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad. Spend two nights at the North Conway Hotel with two breakfasts, two dinner, sightseeing, and admissions. Costs $383. Deposit due Feb. 23. (860) 589-5597.
JUNE 9-10
PLAINVILLE
AARP TRIP TO COOPERSTOWN BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. Deluxe motor coach transportation. One night at Turning Stone Resort and Casino, Erie Canal Cruise through the locks. Visit to Fly Creek Cider II and then to the hall. Reservations. (860) 747-1732.
SATURDAY, NOV. 28
BRISTOL
BRISTOL EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1975 40TH REUNION. Sign-up at Classmates.com
NOW thru MAY 10
OTHER
‘OTIS KAYE: MONEY, MYSTERY, AND MASTERY.’ Exhibition will display Kaye’s “trompe l’oeil” (fools the eye) technique. 34 oil paintings, pastel works, and etchings. New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St., New Britain. NBMAA.org
NOW thru FEB. 28
OTHER
‘ESSENTIAL IMPERMANENCE: THE WORK OF DEBRA LOSADA AND MICHELE KISHITA.’ Losada paints oil on panel. Kishita presents an installation composed of 8,000 paint stir sticks. Artist talk by Michele Kishita on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 1 to 2 p.m. Windsor Art Center, 40 Mechanic St., Windsor. (860) 688-2528, WindsorArtCenter.org
NOW thru MARCH 20
OTHER
‘SIDE SHOW.’ An exhibition dedicated to the “Believe It Or Not” world of the American sideshow. Tuesdays to Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Yale School of Art, 32 Edgewood Ave., New Haven.
ONGOING
BRISTOL
BINGO. Tuesdays at 10:45 a.m., Fridays at 6:45 p.m. Benefits St. Anthony School. St. Anthony Church, 111 School St., Bristol.
BINGO. Every Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. Free coffee and cookies. Bristol Polish Club, 541 North Main St., Bristol.