CALENDAR

Friday, Aug. 3

MUSIC FESTIVAL: 7th Annual Middletown Music Festival, August 3-5, at Middlesex Community College. Free admission, donations welcome. Local bands perform starting at 5 p.m. in Cedar Grove; artists, poets, tap dancing, and gong and drum circle, sound meditations, craft beer tasting. For more information visit jcherrypresents.com.

HAMLET, ABRIDGED: Shoreline Arts Alliance and Legacy Theatre will perform Hamlet Abridged in the shoreline area. All shows are free. For more information visit www.shorelinearts.org. The schedule is: Aug. 3, 10 a.m.,Branford Green, Branford. MIDDLETOWN SUMMER CONCERTS:

The annual free “Summer Sounds” Concert Series in Middletown will be held at the Harbor Park Gazebo, 80 Harbor Drive at 6:30 a.m. Rain location is inside South Congregational Church, 9 Pleasant Street, across Main Street from the Middlesex YMCA, opposite South Green (Union Park). Aug. 7, Bluegrass Characters; Aug. 21, Random Concept; Sept. 4, Middletown Symphonic Band.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: The United Methodist Church invites all children ages 3-12 to “Rolling River Rampage — Experience the Ride of a Lifetime with God” Vacation Bible School, Aug. 6-10, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. daily at the United Methodist Church of Clinton, 12 Commerce St., Clinton. The adventure includes music, interactive Bible fun, super science, cool crafts, hands on mission work, snacks, games and fun. To sign up, call the church office at 860-669-8396 or email church@clintonumc.org. with the children's names, ages and a phone number.

Saturday, Aug. 4

CUT-A-THON BENEFIT: The Scissor Happy Salon in Portland will sponsor the “CDHR Cut-a-thon” to benefit the Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue, Saturday, Aug. 4, 11 a..m-2 p.m. at the salon, 864 Portland-Cobalt Rd, Portland. For a $25 donation, get a haircut, styled or braided. No appointments necessary. EAST HADDAM STAGE SHOWS: East Haddam Stage Company, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will present “The Professor,” a comedy based on William Gillette’s 1890 Victorian farce, at Gillette Castle State Park, with performances on weekends, July 7-Aug. 12 with shows at 1 p.m.. and 2:30 p.m. on the outdoor stage at the castle at 67 River Road. All shows are free. Seating limited; bring lawn chairs and / or a picnic blanket. Pouring rain cancels.

HUGE TAG SALE: Annual Huge Tag Sale, Saturday, Aug. 4 at Notre Dame Church, 272 Main St., Durham, 8 a.m.-1 p.m, rain or shine. More than 40 vendors in the parking lot, hidden treasures in the church hall, and refreshments in the church hall. Call Bill Shumway for more information 860 349-3397. Future tag sales will be held Sept. 1 and Oct. 6.

CHICKEN BARBECUE: St. James Episcopal Church, 501 Killingworth Road, corner of Route 81 and Little City Road, Higganum, will hold its annual Chicken Barbecue on Saturday, Aug. 4, 5-7 p.m. Adults $12, seniors $10, children 12 and under, $8. Dinner includes chicken leg quarters, cole slaw, corn on the cob, potato salad, beverages and homemade desserts. Takeout dinners available.

COOKOUT, MOVIE: Trinity Church, 345 Main St., Portland, will host a cookout and an outdoor screening of Disney’s “Coco” Aug. 4, 6 p.m. Free dogs and burgers, bring a dish to share. Lawn games, tables and chairs provided. Movie starts at sunset/8 p.m. with free popcorn; bring a blanket or folding chairs. Rain location is inside St. Michael’s Parish Hall, dinner served inside. All are welcome.

SHAWN BYRNE CONCERT: Award winning singer/songwriter Shawn Byrne returns home to Portland to play a show at the Winchester Cafe, 1374 Portland Cobalt Road, Portland, on Saturday, Aug.

4. Byrne has fond memories of the western theme that is the perfect setting for a night of country and Americana music. For information call 860-342-0224 or visit www.winchestercafe.com. LOBSTER OR STEAK DINNER: The Italian American Civic Order will sponsor a Lobster bake or Steak Dinner, Aug. 4, 7 p.m. at the club house on Arbutus Street. Cost is $30, menu includes lobster or steak, clam chowder, corn, potatoes, salad, bread, dessert and beverages. Contact or call 860-346-3721. The club and grounds can be rented for social events. Available on grounds, Bocce court, Horse shoe pits,Volley ball court, basketball court.

OUTDOOR HUNGER GAMES: “Refuge Hunger Games”, with nature-based activities for children 8-15, will be held at the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook, Aug. 4, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with lunch. Learn about edible plants, play the predator/ prey game, create art/crafts with camouflage and try archery. Parents must accompany children. Registration is required: email kristina_vagos@fws.gov .

FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH: Get Expert Help Researching Your Family History with geneaology club members at the Godfrey Memorial Library, 134 Newfield St., Middletown, Aug. 4, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Aug 7, Aug. 17, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Aug. 15, 5:30-8 p.m. $10 session for guests. Bring your research and laptop. No need to register. For information call 860-3464375

Sunday, Aug. 5

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist; 9 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

EAST HADDAM STAGE SHOWS: East Haddam Stage Company, celebrating its 10th anniversary, will present “The Professor,” a comedy based on William Gillette’s 1890 Victorian farce, at Gillette Castle State Park, with performances on weekends, July 7-Aug. 12 with shows at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the outdoor stage at the castle at 67 River Road. All shows are free. Seating limited; bring lawn chairs and / or a picnic blanket. Pouring rain cancels.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: The United Methodist Church invites all children ages 3-12 to “Rolling River Rampage — Experience the Ride of a Lifetime with God” Vacation Bible School, Aug. 6-10, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. daily at the United Methodist Church of Clinton, 12 Commerce St., Clinton. The adventure includes music, interactive Bible fun, super science, cool crafts, hands on mission work, snacks, games and fun. To sign up, call the church office at 860-669-8396 or email church@clintonumc.org. with the children's names, ages and a phone number.

TRINITY SUMMER SERVICES: Trinity Church, 345 Main St., Portland, has scheduled its summer services and events at the church. All services are followed by a coffee hour and fellowship time. For information, email trinitychurchportlandct@gmail.com. Aug. 5, Sharing Service, United Methodist and Zion Lutheran at United Methodist, 9 a.m.; Aug. 12, Holy Eucharist, 9 a.m.; Aug. 19, Holy Eucharist, 9 a.m.; Aug. 26, Holy Eucharist, 9 a.m.; Sept. 2, Mass on the Grass interfaith service with area churches, 9 a.m. BEVIN BELLS WALK: The Chatham Historical Society will host a walking tour of the Bevin Bells factory in East Hampton on Sunday, Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. Walkers will learn the history of the company tour the factory, and learn how the bells are made and visit the original factory site destroyed by fire in 2012. The walk is sponsored East Hampton Parks and Recreation Dept. For further information go to https:www.chathamhistoricalct.org or contact Marty Podskoch, coordinator of the “Explore East Hampton” walks at

860-267-2442 or podskoch@comcast.net PIE, ICE CREAM SOCIAL: A Pie and Ice Cream Social at Lyme Public Hall, 249 Hamburg Road, Lyme, Aug. 5, 6:30-8 p.m. $5 per person, free for under 6. Homemade pies of all kinds will be available, including gluten free options, with entertainment by the Eight Mile River Band. For more information go to www.lymepublichall.org, or call 860 526-8886. SHORELINE JEWISH FESTIVAL:13th

Annual Shoreline Jewish Festival will be held Aug. 5, 12-5 p.m. on the Guilford Green. Jewish music from around the world, children’s programs, Israeli food, a book sale, artists featuring Judaica and Jewish art, crafts for kids. Admission and entertainment is free. Learn more at www.shorelinejewishfestival.com. To reserve a booth, or for information call 203-533-7495 or email chabad@snet.net.

Monday, Aug. 6

SUSTAINABLE HOUSING: A presentation on sustainable Durham housing profile will be held Aug. 6, 7 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. The town is seeking Sustainable CT certification. "Healthy, Efficient and Diverse Housing" is one of the 9 action categories of the program. Housing is also a required section of the Plan of Conservation and Development, updated by the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2016. Chapter 2 is the housing section and it includes stated goals for the future. That document can be found at http://www.townofdurhamct.org. The public is welcome to attend. FRENCH CONVERSATION: French Conversation Group meets Thursday, Aug. 6 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Durham Public Library. All levels of French speakers can expand speaking skills by practicing the language in a welcoming atmosphere. Facilitated by Simone Howe. Meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month. Drop in. ROCK ‘N ROLL TRIVIA: Rock & Roll Trivia Night will be held Monday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Durham Public Library. Form teams of up to five people and join us at the library for trivia fun. Compete in five 10-question rounds, each with a different rock and roll related category. All ages welcome. Don’t have a team? Be assigned to a team on game night. Registration suggested but not required; go to www.durhamlibrary.org

COOKING FROM THE MARKET: Cooking from the Farmer’s Market will be held Thursday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Durham Public Library. Registered Dietitian Katie Shepherd will show you how easy and satisfying it is to practice “farmto-table cooking” at home. Using produce from Durham’s own Farmer’s Market, she will demonstrate how to put together a healthy dinner for your family. For ages 17 and up. Space is limited and registration is required. Register online at www.durhamlibrary.org

SUMMER SING: Summer Sing Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” on Monday, Aug 6, 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Road, Old Saybrook, conducted by Melanie Cometa of The Shoreline Chorale. All singers welcome to perform. Event is co-sponsored by Cappella Cantorum and Con Brio. A $10 fee covers the costs of the event. Scores will be available, and the church is air-conditioned. The next Summer Sing on Monday, Aug. 13, will be conducted by Ehren Brown- The Vernon Chorale with Mozart’s “Coronation Mass & Missa Brevis in C” For more information call 860-767-9409 or 203-530-0002 or visit www.cappellacantorum.org or www.conbrio.org

YOGA WITH KITCH: Yoga with Kitch at the East Hampton Senior Center, new session: Mondays, July 16-Sept. 24, 10 week session. $25 per session or $5 drop in. Sign up deadline is July 2. Sign up with staff.