CALENDAR

Tuesday, Aug. 20

FAVORITE READS: Henry Carter Hull Library invites readers to share book reviews, get reading suggestions, learn about hot titles, enter to win books, and enjoy complimentary coffee and light breakfast from Lindt Chocolate Shop and The Shoreline of Clinton. Aug. 20, 9:30 a.m. Details at hchlibrary.org.

ADULT PROGRAM: From Durham to Oaxaca: A Travelogue will be held at the Durham Library Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Oaxaca, Mexico, travel experiences with Marilyn Horn. Registration required. Call 860349-9544 or visit durhamlibrary.org.

AUTHOR TALK: Jessica Francis Kane, Rules For Visiting, 7 p.m., Aug. 20, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

PAGE TO SCREEN: From Page to Screen: The Bookshop (2017), Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, 5:30 p.m., free Details at hchlibrary.org

OPEN AUDITIONS: The Meeting House Players will hold open auditions for “The Dixie Swim Club” written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, 7 p.m., Aug. 20, Aug. 22, Meeting House located at 4 Liberty Street in Chester. Five women are sough. Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script. For more information, contact the director, Debbie Alldredge, at TheMeetingHousePlayers@gmail.com or at 860-5263684.

CAT TALES FUNDRAISER: Cat Tales and Chicago Sam's are holding a Trivia Fundraiser with DJ Trivia, 7 p.m., Aug. 20, $20 to play. Chicago Sam's, 51-14 Shunpike Road, Cromwell. Prizes awarded. All proceeds benefit Cat Tales, a non-profit feline rescue in Middletown.

SUMMER STORY TIME: Summer Stories, Aug. 20, 10 a.m., Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.For ages 3-6, siblings welcome. Drop-in; no registration required.

READING PROGRAM: Reading Buddies, Aug. 20, 11 a.m., in the Storytelling Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For ages 3-10. Every child will go home with a new book. Drop in; no registration required. Supported by the Friends of the Russell Library and Russell Library’s Teen Volunteers.

Wednesday, Aug. 21

POTLUCK DINNERS: Summer potluck dinners at the First Congregational Church, 355 Main St., Cromwell, 6:30 p.m., Aug. 21, Sept. 4. Meet others in the community and the church. For more information call the church office at 860-635-4806.

TEEN PROGRAM: Teen Books & Buzz will take place at the Durham Library Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. Read “Ghost” by Jason Reynolds. No registration needed.

AUTHOR TALK: Julia Tannenbaum, Changing Ways (young adult), 6 p.m., Aug. 21, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

DRUM CIRCLE: The Middlesex Drum Circle will be held at The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, 7-9 p.m., Aug. 22. Extra percussion instruments will be available, though you are encouraged to bring your own. Details, www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957.

SCRABBLE GROUP: Scrabble Wednesdays, Aug. 21, 28, 5 p.m., Meeting Room 2 or 3, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. We will have dictionaries, score sheets and scrabble boards. For all ages. Drop in; no registration required.

Thursday, Aug. 22

FREE FILMS: Thursday Movie Matinees take place weekly at 1:30 p.m. at the Durham Library. See durhamlibrary.org for the list of movies.

INDIE CONCERT: The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, will be hosting Lucy’s Neighbor, an upbeat indie rock/power pop band, Aug. 23 from 8 to 10 pm. For $10, hear Lucy’s Neighbor perform two sets of their original music, including new songs from their next album. For information, visit buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.

DRUM CIRCLE: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, will hold a Middlesex Drum Circle. For anyone who enjoys a good drum rhythm, especially when in a circle, there will be an event from 7 to 9 p.m. every month on the fourth Thursday. There is a $5 suggested donation, and no reservations are necessary. Percussion interments will be available, although people are encouraged to bring their own. For information, visit buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.

SCIENCE SESSION: Patrons of the Henry Carter Hull Library in Clinton can learn to “Capture the Night Sky with Amateur Astrophotography” Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. during a talk with Jim Mazur, who will discuss the equipment used (including a cellphone) and tips for getting started. He will also share his photos, ranging from the moon to distant galaxies. For information, visit hchlibrary.org.

HOUSE TOUR: The Haddam Historical Society will host an “Artistry and Architecture House Tour” Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit six architecturally distinct properties which convey past and present innovative creativity and resourcefulness. Visitors will tour a vineyard, pottery studio, painter’s oasis and the home of City Bench, which creates furniture from fallen trees. Advance tickets are $25; $30 at the door. The tour starts at Haddam Old Town Hall, 21 Field Park Drive. A boxed lunch from the Wheatmarket in Chester is available that day for $15, but must be ordered in advance. Visit haddamhistory.org, email contact@haddamhistory.org or call 860-345-2400.

OPEN AUDITIONS: The Meeting House Players will hold open auditions for “The Dixie Swim Club” written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, 7 p.m., Aug. 22, Meeting House located at 4 Liberty Street in Chester. Five women are sough. Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script. For more information, contact the director, Debbie Alldredge, at TheMeetingHousePlayers@gmail.com or at 860-5263684.

PRAYER BEAD WORKSHOP: Trinity Episcopal Church, Portland, presents an Anglican Prayer Bead Workshop, Aug. 22, 5:30-7 p.m. The church office is attached to the main building and can be contacted at trinitychurchportlandct@gmail.com READING PARTY: Summer Reading Party for kids, invitation only, 4 p.m., Aug. 22, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860685-3939

BLOOD DRIVE: The Haddam Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary is sponsoring a Blood Drive, 1-6 p.m., Aug. 22, at the firehouse, 439 Saybrook Road in Higganum. Sandwiches, desserts and drinks will be provided by the auxiliary. To schedule an appointment, call 800RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter HADDAM.

AUTHOR TALK: Steve Rushin, Nights in White Castle, 7 p.m., Aug. 22, free, registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939 TWILIGHT STORIES: Twilight Tales, Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m., Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, for ages 3-7. Drop in; no registration required.

JAZZ UP CLOSE: Jazz Up Close presents Bass clarinetist and composer Todd Marcus, 7 p.m., Aug. 22, Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, accompanied by bassist Henry Lugo and pianist and series curator Noah Baerman. Free.

Friday, Aug. 23

MAMMA MIA: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy, 61 East Main St, Clinton, presents “Mamma Mia” full length musical, Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Aug. 24, 12 p.m., 6 p.m., Aug. 25, 4 p.m. Free. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic. Family event. For details, contact kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com/860-227-2363/kidzkonnectionct.org.

INDIE ROCK BAND: The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents Lucy’s Neighbor, indie rock/power pop band, 8 p.m., Aug. 23, $10. For details and tickets go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957

MAKING TIME: Make Time for Making, 10 a.m., Aug. 23, free, for adults, Russell Library, 123 Broad St., Middletown. Enjoy the company of other crafters while working on their own projects such as coloring, beading, paper crafts, knitting, sewing, painting or drawing. Some materials may be available upon request. Adults. Drop in; no registration required.

BUILDERS CLUB: Builders Club, for ages 5-12, 4 p.m., Aug. 23, Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Drop in; no registration required.

Saturday, Aug. 24

LAWN THEATER: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy’s free Summer Theater on the Lawn Series. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic. Programs are held on the lawn of the Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy, 61 East Main St. Aug. 24, 6 p.m., Aug. 25, 12 p.m, 6 p.m., Aug. 26, 4 p.m., “Mamma Mia.” For more information call 860-227-2363. Email kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com or visit kidzkonnectionct.org.

JAZZ CONCERT: The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., will present the Mary Ellen Longergan Jazz Trio Aug. 24 from 8 to 10 p.m. The band is Kent Hewitt on piano, Mike Asetta on bass, and Mary Ellen Longergan with vocals. The group will be performing some standards. Cost is $10 at the door or make a reservation at buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.

STORY TIME: Family Story Time, 10:30 a.m., Aug. 24, free, no registration is required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860685-3939

JAZZ TRIO: The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, presents the Mary Ellen Longergan Jazz Trio, 8 p.m., Aug. 24, $10. For details and tickets go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957

SURF AND TURF DINNER: The Italian American Civic Order will sponsor their annual Surf and Turf dinner, 6:30 p.m., Aug. 24, at the clubhouse on Arbitus Street, Middletown. Tickets $35, includes stuffed shrimp, steak, roasted potatoes, corn, bread, dessert and beverages. Live music by Rich DiPalma. The hall and grounds are available to rent for social gathering and parties. Call 860-346-3721 for information.

CRAFT TIME: Drop-in Craft Time—Frog Puppets, 9 a.m., Aug. 24, Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Hop on back to school with your own frog puppet, while supplies last, for ages 3-12. Drop-in; no registration required.

Sunday, Aug. 25

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist, 9 a.m., Adult Education “Loving Jesus,” 10:30 a.m.: at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington Street, Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.