Painting club to hold events in April, May

NEW HARTFORD >> Shades of Northwest Hills Decorative Painting Club will meet at the South End Firehouse on Antolini Road in New Hartford on Friday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Club members Lori Thibodeau and Karen Bertoli will be teaching a Dragonfly and Cattails by Margaret Wilson, painted on RocLon which can be sized for a wall hanging or banner.

The club will supply the RocLon, pattern and paints. Interested painters should bring the usual painting supplies along with the following brushes: ¾” Glaze, Size 3 round, size 6 filbert, size 2 and 6 shaders, and size 18/0 and 1 liners.

Interested painters can contact Lori at 860-583-7540. Additional information can be found at https://www.facebook. com/pages/Shades-of-Northwest-Hills/328349210522724

The club will hold a painting seminar on Saturday, May 13, from 9 to 4 at the South End Firehouse on Antolini Road in New Hartford. Guest artist, Janice Cormier, will be teaching “A Clear Spring Night”, a 12 inch round design on a wooden board with a beveled edge suitable for hanging or display on a table stand.

The cost is $30 for members and $35 for guests, which includes the surface, pattern, and paints. Bring a lunch as snacks will be provided. The last day to sign up is April 14.

A photo of the project and additional information can be found at https://www.facebook. com/pages/Shades-of-Northwest-Hills/328349210522724 . Interested painters can contact Mary at 860-482-7416.

Morris Marketplace changing day, sets dates

MORRIS >> The Morris Marketplace is moving from Sunday afternoons to Thursday evenings at South Farms in Morris, and will be held weekly, 5-7:30 p.m. from June 22- Sept. 28. The market includes 15 regular season vendors from across the state with locally raised or produced goods. Vendors include AmandaBakes, Winvian Farm, Bantam Bread, The Little Farm on Main, March Farm, Waldingfield Farm, Pond’s Poultry, South Farms, and Chet’s Italian Ice.

The marketplace also includes local artists and artisans as well as area nonprofits. Each week, activities feature live music from area musicians that have included Switch Factory, Eran Troy Danner, The Collinsville String Band, Cosmos Sunshine, and Wires and Wood. The marketplace also offers a free kids craft/activity to children at the market.

This season, The Morris Marketplace invites marketgoers to pack some chairs or a blanket and come to the market Thursday nights; enjoy live music, get dinner from the food truck, shop local goods for the weekend, play lawn games, hang out on the farm, and enjoy the summer sunsets.

Martial arts classes to begin

TORRINGTON >> Three Martial Arts Classes are being launched by Torrington Parks and Recreation for its upcoming 2017 Spring/Summer Session.

For younger students, ages 2-4, the Empowered Mini-Ninjas class serves as a fun, introductory way to introduce children to karate basics and techniques. This class will feature activities designed to enhance coordination and motor skills. Beginning Wednesday, April 19, this class will run for eight weeks and will be offered during two sessions: 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2:30-3 p.m. at the Torrington Armory. Each session is $75 with an optional $30 fee that includes a uniform, white belt and a karate-themed water bottle.

Kickboxing, a discipline that combines karate and boxing techniques, will be offered for teenagers. The first class, Empowered Teen Karate and Kickboxing, is for ages 13-18 and introduces students to basics of both disciplines. Held at the Recreation Hall on East Albert Street, this class also runs for 8 weeks beginning Wednesday, April 19 from 3:15-4 p.m. at a cost of $75 per student with an optional $25 fee that includes a wristband and a karate t-shirt.

The second class is a great way for mothers and their daughters to spend some time together, while having fun and learning a new fitness technique. This female-only Kickboxing class is designed for teens, in grades 5-12, and their mothers/guardians. Held at Empower Karate & Kickboxing on New Harwinton Avenue, this is a six-week class that runs on Saturdays, beginning April 22 from 10:45 am – 11:30 am and will cost $155.00 per pair.

All classes are instructed by Sensei Colleen, owner of Empower Karate & Kickboxing, LLC, a 6th Degree Black Belt whose own martial arts experience began at the young age of2½.

A minimum of five students is required for each class. Register in advance at the Parks and Recreation Department located at 153 South Main Street. Call 860-489-2274 for more information.