Finally, it’s here: Spring on the Shoreline!  Events are ramping up so grab your calendars and add a few of these!

AT THE THEATERS:

Ragtime the Musical from 4/25/25 – 6/25/25 at The Goodspeed, East Haddam: Set in the volatile melting pot of turn-of-the-century New York, Ragtime weaves together the stories of three fictional families striving for the American Dream. With a Tony Award-winning score which blends ragtime, blues, jazz and show tunes, it’s a powerful, sweeping saga of America. $35+

Chaz Esposito Sings Legends of the ’60s from 5/1/25 – 5/18/25 at the Legacy Theatre, Branford: The cool and glamorous nightclubs of the swinging ‘60s were home to some of the greatest songs and entertainers of the 20th century. Chaz Esposito will capture the energy and fun of the era with classic hits backed by a jamming big band. $31.50 – $56.50

The Joni & Cat Show on 5/15/25 at Garde Arts Center, New London at 7:30pm: Two solo performers perform in an intimate, acoustic, singer-songwriter style, they expertly connect with their audience, creating a musical journey through the timeless songs of Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens. $31 – $36

Tea at Five from 5/15/25 – 6/8/25 at the Ivoryton Playouse, Ivortyon; Set in 1938 and 1983 at Katharine Hepburn’s Fenwick estate this one-woman play provides an intimate glimpse into the fiery and iconic actress’s life. Through humor and candor, Hepburn reflects on her storied career, turbulent relationships, and the challenges that shaped her life and legacy. $26 – $64

Legally Blonde, The Musical on 5/23/25 at The Kate, Old Saybrook, at 7:00pm: Follow the transformation of Elle Woods as she defies stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams featuring an all-abilities cast that brings together actors, singers, and dancers from the shoreline community. Produced by Vista Life Innovations. $44

Art from 5/23/25 – 6/1/25 at Drama Works Theatre, Old Saybrook: How much would you pay for a white painting? Would it matter who the painter was? Serge, has just bought a very expensive painting: all white with white diagonal lines.  Friends disagree about the painting and friendships are tested. $27

About Time from 5/24/25 – 6/15/25 at the Terris Theatre, Chester: A new musical about life, love and laughter in your third act.  This funny and touching revue features all new songs about people navigating the joys and challenges of growing older while staying young in spirit. $25 – $41.

IN THE MUSEUMS

Sea & Sky Soiree at the Lyme Art Association, 5/3/25, 5 – 7pm. Welcome Spring with an elegant and fun-filled cocktail party to celebrate the beauty of Old Lyme’s “American Giverny”, beloved of artists and our entire community. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and fantastic silent auction.

Mindfulness Event: Forest Bathing Along the Artists’ Trail on 5/11/25 at the Flo Gris, Old Lyme from 10:30am – 12:30pm: Forest bathe with Mom for Mother’s Day! Awaken your senses through a guided Forest Bathing experience along the Museum’s Artists’ Trail. Rain or shine. And don’t forget that Café Flo will open on May 1^st. $45

RiverFare 2025 on 5/29/25 at Connecticut River Museum in Essex from 6-9pm: Delight in an evening of delicious food, wines, cocktails, music and more while enjoying the beautiful river views from the Museum’s front lawn. Local restaurants and caterers provide delectable samples of their culinary talents. Enjoy tastings from wineries and breweries of the Connecticut River Valley. $80+

Art in Motion Gala on 5/31/25 at Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London from 6-9pm: Community, connection, and camaraderie take centerstage at Lyman Allyn’s Spring Gala, where this year’s festive cocktail party celebrates the Museum’s ongoing commitment to enriching the communities it serves. Tickets go on sale soon! $150 – $250.

Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, J.M.W. Turner, Romance and Reality through July 27, 2025. This exhibition, the first show focused on Turner to be held at the Yale Center for British Art in more than thirty years, will showcase the museum’s rich holdings of the artist’s work. Unequaled in North America, this collection includes some of Turner’s most acclaimed oil paintings, notably his masterpiece Dort or Dordrecht: The Dort Packet-Boat from Rotterdam Becalmed (1818) and his celebrated later painting Staffa, Fingal’s Cave (1831–32).

ON THE FARMS

Kick Off to Summer Party at Stonington Vineyards, 5/17 – 5/18. Celebrate the start of the season with live music, vendors, food, & wine from 11-5 PM, daily!

Farmer’s Market at Long Table Farm Lyme, Saturdays, 10am – 1pm. Shop local produce and a bounty of seasonal goods from various guest vendors weekly. The Market is open now until Thanksgiving, so check back for new offerings throughout the summer and early fall.

The Art of Baking at Meryl Bakery on 4/27/25 at Meryl Bakery at the Velvet Mill, Stonington, 2-5pm: Jessica Spivey, owner, will welcome you into her kitchen and teach you to create gluten-free pastry essentials. Proceeds will allow Yellow Farmhouse to bring children from all over Connecticut to Stone Acres Farm to learn to cook with seasonal produce. $150

Apple Blossom Festival on 5/10/25 at Bishop’s Orchards, Guilford, 10am – 4pm: Don’t miss their first annual Apple Blossom Festival where they will celebrate the start of their growing season, set against the stunning backdrop of the apple orchard in full bloom. Families and children are invited to enjoy a day of outdoor fun, hands-on learning, and springtime festivities, all while embracing the beauty of nature. Tickets must be purchased online. $12

Guilford Farmers Market at Guilford Fairgrounds starting 5/15/25, Thursdays from 4-7pm:  Enjoy a diverse selection of fresh, local produce, farm products, specialty foods, and a welcoming community atmosphere. Best of all, everything at their market is grown, produced, and crafted right here in Connecticut!

Wine & Design on 5/20/25 at Best Buds Flower Farm, Lyme, 6-8pm: Enjoy a delightful evening learning about harvesting on a brief farm tour of what’s blooming, then build your own vase arrangement. Supplies provided. Joanie will help you get a result you will love. No experience necessary! Indulge on chocolate and drink complimentary wine or soft drinks throughout the evening. $78

Forage & Feast on 6/1/25 at White Gate Farm, East Lyme, 10am – 1pm. Embark on a culinary journey led by Farmer Dan, Farm Owner Pauline, and Chef Tami. Roam the edges of fields and woods for delicious, nutritious wild plants and then sit down to a multi-course repast based on local wild foods. $115

Pick Peonies from 6/4/25 – 6/10/25 at Best Buds Flower Farm, Lyme: You’ll get to select from heirloom varieties your great-grandma had in her garden and have been around for decades and some of them, centuries. $50 – $90

Sip and Social Craft Night on 6/8/25 at Stonington Vineyards, Stonington, 5:30-7:30pm: Create two custom candles and a create your own unique tie die t-shirt while enjoying a complimentary glass of wine. $75

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS

Musical Masterworks Season 34 Finale on 4/25/25 and 4/26/25 at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme: Get ready for a grand finale like no other, as renowned trumpeter Caleb Hudson returns to our stage with Triple Cortado. The concert promises an unforgettable blend of classical genius and innovative arrangements. $45

Eastern CT Symphony Orchestera’s Love and Hope Italian Style on 4/26/25 at Garde Arts Center, New London, 7:30pm: The ECSO will tie a red-white-and-green bow around its 2024-25 season with a program of achingly romantic duets from famous Italian operas—La bohème and Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini and Il trovatore and La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi and more. $55+

Cultural Snapshots on 5/17/25 with Southeastern Connecticut Community Orchestra at East Lyme High School, East Lyme, 7:30pm: This talented group of volunteer musicians are inspired to share their joy of music at their next performance featuring Walton, Vaughan-Williams, Saint-Saëns, Copeland and Ginastera.

The Shoulder We Stand On on 6/7/25 with Mystic Chamber Music Series at Noank Baptist Church, Noank, 6-7:30pm: Enjoy an evening of multi-generational talent. This program looks at how one great composer can serve as a jumping off point for another featuring Bach, Brahms and Beethoven to keep you on your edge of your seat. $28.52

Connecticut Early Music Festival 2025 at various venues, Weekends June 7-22 at 5pm. Choose from six classical music performances or attend them all with a full or mini-subscription.  Concerts include works of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Baroque masterworks and many more. $20+

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

2^nd Annual Bunny Hop on 4/19/25 on Main Street in Old Saybrook from 11am – 4pm: Purchase a $5 basket and hop into 15 participating businesses for a special treat! The Easter bunny will be hopping along the street. One “Golden Egg”prize at each business. Basket sales through April 19 at Cottage Flair and Maximus.

Stone Acres Farm Easter Brunch on 4/20/25, Stonington, 10:00 am – 2:30pm: Enjoy a pop-up three course Easter brunch of sweet and savory selections served in the historic Manor House.  Enjoy a stroll along the boxwood garden maze and an egg hunt for the kids. $20 children, $65 adults.

Saybrook Point Easter Sunday Brunch on 4/20/25 Old Saybrook, 10:30am – 4:00pm: Elevate your celebration with an exquisite Sunday Brunch where culinary artistry meets coastal elegance. Delight in a curated selection of gourmet dishes, including the finest seafood, seasonal delicacies, and decadent desserts, all crafted by their expert chefs. $59.95 – $119.95

Old Lyme Inn Easter Brunch on 4/20/25, Old Lyme, 11:00am – 4pm: Celebrate Easter Sunday with your family at the Old Lyme Inn! Their chef has created a beautiful prix fixe menu with classic dishes and spring favorites. Pianist Steve Donovan will be playing light jazz in their foyer to add to the festivities. $88

White Gate Farm Mother’s Day Brunch on 5/11/25 from 9am and 11am: Celebrate Mother’s Day in style with a delectable brunch buffet served at the Farm House at White Gate Farm. $65

Stone Acres Farm Mother’s Day Brunch on 5/11/25 from 10:00 am – 2:30pm: Celebrate all mothers and motherly figures with brunch and bubbly.  Sweet and savory selections will be served, and a kids menu will be available. $20 children, $65 adults.

Old Lyme Inn Mother’s Day Brunch on 5/11/25 from 11:00am – 4pm: Their chef has created a beautiful prix fixe menu with classic dishes and spring favorites.  Pianist Steve Donovan will be playing light jazz in their foyer to add to the festivities. $88

Special Events & Galas:

Earth Day Cruise on 4/19/25 with RiverQuest at CT River Museum, Essex, 3-4:30pm: Join Dr. Jeremiah Foley on a cruise where he will share his knowledge and experience working along the Connecticut River to help passengers understand the challenges facing one of the Western Hemisphere’s “Last Great Places.” $20-$25

Spring Festival at the Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown, on 4/27, 12 – 3pm. A free family-friendly afternoon featuring live music, food trucks, a raptor demonstration, nature exploration and more.

Big Fat Greek Pop-Up Dinner on 4/25/25 with Weekend Kitchen, Essex, 6:30pm – 10pm:  Greek Easter is a very special time, join Weekend Kitchen to. celebrate Greece and its wonderful cuisine with Chef Jason Welch.  $125

First Friday on 5/2/25 in Downtown Chester, 5-8pm: Start your May with a family-friendly celebration featuring new art exhibitions, seasonal menus, ice cream flavors, live music, shopping and more.

Designer Show House on 5/2/25 – 5/23/25 in Hartford’s Historic West End: Looking for spring inspiration? Don’t miss the Junior League of Hartford’s 16th Designer Show House where designers have made over the interior and grounds of a fabulous 1902 Tudor estate in Hartford’s historic West End. $35

Oysters at the Point on 5/4/25 at Saybrook Point Resort and Marina, Old Saybrook, 12pm – 3pm: Enjoy an afternoon of oysters, wines, champagnes, ales, cocktails, local artisans, water views and live music on the terrace with Jamie’s Junk Show. Savor the freshness of oysters sourced from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Long Island, and Block Island. $75++

Hammonasset Plant Sale, Madison, 5/8/25 – 6/1/25, Thursday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm. Enjoy selections of premium hanging baskets, perennials, and flats of bedding plants and veggies. Proceeds support FOH projects at the Meigs Point Nature Center. Sale location is .3 miles east of the main entrance to Hammonasset Beach State Park on Route 1. Volunteers needed.

New Haven Night Market on 5/16/25 in Downtown New Haven 9^th Square Neighborhood, 5-10pm: Hosted by The Town Green District, celebrate the vibrant New Haven and Connecticut entrepreneurs, art, music, food, drink, culture and more. Shop pop-up vendors and local businesses while enjoying live music and a plethora of dining options. Admission is free.

Old Hollywood Glamour on 5/17/25 at Hillstead Museum, Farmington, 6pm: Get ready for a great party at Hill-Stead, under the stars and with the stars! Come enjoy an evening to remember while supporting this Oscar-worthy place. $600

Master the Art of Entertaining on 5/18/25 with Weekend Kitchen, Essex, 2-5pm: Renowned author, event designer and in-home entertainment expert, Joseph Marini will discuss his new lifestyle publication, Mastering the Art of Entertaining, showcasing over 100 developed recipes along with interior design tips and tricks, floral decor inspiration, and more. A buffet lunch cooked by Chef Jeanine Kelly will be served featuring select recipes from the book. $110

Mystic Half Marathon and 10K on 5/18/25 from 7am – 10:30am: Experience the beautiful Mystic shoreline community at the Mystic Half Marathon and 10K! Enjoy scenic views for 13.1 or 6.2 miles, running from Olde Mistick Village, past historic ships, through the charming downtown with race finish at Mystic Aquarium. $12 – $87

Tour de Lyme on 6/1/25 at Ashlawn Farm, Lyme, Join the Lyme Land Trust for a scenic cycling event in Lyme, Connecticut, offering various road bike options with color-coded routes. Choose from routes like the Challenge, Classic, Valley 35, Valley 26, or Family ride. Start times vary. $50+

Strawberry Festival on 6/21/25 – 6/22/25 at Olde Mistick Village, Mystic, 11am – 6pm: Celebrate all things strawberries! From fresh strawberries, to jams, pies and more that celebrate all things late spring and early summer here in New England.