PLAN ON IT
Best of the arts in the weeks ahead
Music ‘ Grateful’ gathering
An up- and- coming Grateful Dead tribute band will perform at a popular Stamford music series next month. The five- piece band, from Nyack, N. Y., delves deep into the Grateful Dead’s catalog, and has increasingly been finding audiences throughout the tri- state area. Get into the vibe with a picnic dinner under the canopy of some champion trees. Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens, 151 Brookdale Road, Stamford. Sunday, Aug. 12, 5 to 7 p. m. $ 10 to $ 5. 203- 3226971, bartlettarboretum. org
Free and funky
Ranky Tanky, a Charleston, S. C.- based quintet is set to bring its canon of Gullah music to the masses in Westport next month. The group’s eponymous debut album, released in October to resounding success, is a journey into the songs of the Gullah culture, which developed among the slaves and their descendants on the South Carolina coast and Sea Islands. The band’s name, loosely translated, means to get funky. Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport. Saturday, Aug. 4, 8 to 9: 30 p. m. Free. Lawn and concession open to public an hour before show. Picnics welcome. 203- 221- 2153, levittpavilion. com
Mraz shares ‘ Vibes’ 1
Grammy- winner Jason Mraz is celebrating his upcoming Aug. 10 release, “Know,” with a hugely anticipated North American summer “Good Vibes” tour, on which he’ll be joined by his SuperBand. Best known for hits like “I’m Yours,” “I Won’t Give Up” and “The Remedy,” Mraz recently made his debut on Broadway in hit musical “Waitress.” Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville. Saturday, Aug. 4, 8 p. m. $ 59, $ 49, $ 39. www. mohegansun. com
Classic rockers 1
Prisoners of 2nd Avenue — Jimmy Vivino ( Fab Faux, Levon Helm Band, Conan O’Brien), John Conte ( New York Dolls, Roseanne Cash), Rich Pagano ( Fab Faux, Early Elton) — will recreate the spirit of Bill Graham’s Fillmore East at the Fairfield Theatre Company next month. The group plays classic blues- rock from the mid’ 60s through the early ’ 70s and “then stretch it with their own personalities injected,” the FTC says. Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield. Friday, Aug. 10, 7: 45 p. m. $ 32. 203319- 1404, fairfieldtheatre. org
Gospel ‘ train’ 1
A Southern church gospel group known as “The Hallelujah Train” is making its Connecticut debut in Fairfield. Pastor Brady Blade Sr. of the Zion Baptist Church in Shreveport, La., will be bringing a group of musicians and the church choir for a “supercharged” concert. The 80- year- old minister serves as lead vocalist of the group. One of the guest musicians will be Daniel Lanois, guitarist and producer of U2 and Bob Dylan. Regina A. Quick Center, 1073 N. Benson Road, Fairfield. Sunday, Sept. 30 at 3 p. m. $ 75-$ 50. 203- 254- 4010, quickcenter. fairfield. edu
Comedy Moved to laugh 1
Comedian, writer, actor, producer and director Joe Vescey wears just one of his hats when he comes to Norwalk next month for some stand- up comedy. Having made his stand- up debut in 2015 on “Gotham Comedy Live,” he has since worked with Adam Sandler ( Netflix’s “Sandy Wexler”), Chris Rock and others. He also is wellknown for appearing in “The Unmovers,” a web series that doubles as hit commercials for Optimum cable. Wall Street Theater, 71 Wall St., Norwalk. Sunday, August 5, 7 p. m. $ 25. wallstreettheater. com
Exhibits Citizen ceramics 1
A national invitational exhibition of ceramic works exploring what it is to be an American lands in the area this month. “US,” at the Clay Art Center, is the third of four themed exhibits that examine social justice issues and life in a global society. Ehren Tool, one of the artists in the show, also will participate in a community event during the run of the exhibition. Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, N. Y. Through Sept. 15. Monday to Saturday, 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. ( Port Chester Day with Ehren Tool, Lyon Park, 331 Putnam Ave. Saturday, Aug. 25 at 10 a. m.; followed by slide lecture 6 to 7 p. m. at Clay Art Center.) Free, but donations welcome. 914- 937- 2047, clayartcenter. org
Stage Hollywood closet
A new play about homosexuality in Hollywood is getting a public reading in Norwalk. Bridgeport playwright Jack Rushen’s “Taming the Lion” dramatizes the true story of 1920s star William Haines who was pressured by MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer to hide the fact that he was gay. Mayer tried to use the actor’s best friend, MGM star Joan Crawford, to force the matter. Haines refused to agree to a “lavender marriage,” however, and went on to a second career as an interior designer. Theater Artists Workshop, 5 Gregory Boulevard, Norwalk. Sunday, Aug. 5 at 3 p. m. Free ( donation suggested). 203- 253- 2232, taworkshop.org
Film Office drones revolt
The 1999 box office flop turned cult hit “Office Space” is getting a special screening in Stamford. Mike Judge’s hilarious social comedy set in and around a computer technology company died quickly in theaters, but became a DVD word- of- mouth phenomenon, with some business groups buying the movie in bulk. Ron Livingston stars as a worker whose life chang- es after a hypnotherapist dies in the middle of his session, leaving the office drone with a “who cares?” attitude that becomes surprisingly successful. Avon Theatre, 272 Bedford St., Stamford. Thursday, Aug. 16 at 8: 30 p. m. $ 13-$ 8. 203- 967- 3660, rjjulia. com
Etc. Moonlit stroll
Begin with a few sips and then head out to savor the season, during the moonlit walk hosted by Audubon Greenwich next month. The evening begins at dusk, with drinks and refreshments at the Asnes Barn, and continues to the trails, where visitors will listen for owls, flying squirrels, tree frogs and other creatures. Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich. Thursday, Aug. 23, 7: 30 to 9: 30 p. m. $ 8 to $ 5. RSVP required. 203- 930- 1349, eschaffer@audubon.org. Visit greenwich. audubon. org
Live ‘ shorts’ 1
The popular National Public Radio series “Selected Shorts” is coming to Ridgefield. Comedian Michael Ian Black will host the show that will air nationally on more than 150 stations. The benefit for the Mark Twain Library will focus on “funny and moving tales filled with unexpected twists and turns.” The actors who will join Black for the performance have not been announced yet. Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. Friday, Sept. 21 at 7: 30 p. m. $ 30. 203- 4385795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org
Queen of Nantucket 1
Elin Hilderbrand will do a talk and signing for her latest bestseller “The Perfect Couple” in Madison. The author never seems to run out of stories to tell, all of which have been set in Nantucket, where she has lived since 1993. Without ever doing a series or writing sequels, Hilderbrand has managed to come up with a fresh new tale every summer. The new novel is a murder mystery of sorts set in the aftermath of the drowning of the maid of honor the night before a big wedding on the Massachusetts island. R. J. Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road, Madison. Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 7 p. m. Free. 203- 245- 3959, rjjulia. com