PLAN ON IT
Best of the arts in the weeks ahead
Finger- pluckin’ good
Known as one of music’s foremost jazz banjoists, Cynthia Sayer has led a career that has brought her acclaim and fans. A founding member of Woody Allen’s New Orleans Jazz Band, she has played with some of the top names in the music industry, including Les Paul, Wynton Marsalis, Bucky Pizzarelli and Anat Cohen. She arrives with her band in Greenwich this month as part of the summer concert series. Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, 100 Arch St, Greenwich. Wednesday, Aug. 15 ( rain date: Thursday, Aug. 16), 7: 15 to 8: 45 p. m. Free. No pets or grills. 203- 861- 6100, green wichct. org
Fogerty returning 1
John Fogerty is coming to Wallingford in November. The 73year- old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, who shared the bill in May with ZZ Top at Mohegan Sun, has been a constant touring presence since his days as a member of Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a solo act, and even found time to publish his 2015 best- selling memoir, “Fortunate Son: My Life, My Music.” Toyota Oakdale Theatre, 95 S. Turnpike Road, Wallingford. Thursday, Nov. 29, 7: 30 p. m. $ 125-$ 55. 800- 7453000, oakdale. com
Baker’s farewell
Anita Baker’s Farewell Concert Series is coming to the Mohegan Sun. The soul singer, who’d announced a retirement only to come out of it for farewell dates, has been giving a finely nostalgic trip down her musical memory lane on the tour, focusing on such greatest hits as “Caught Up in the Rapture,” “Same Ole Love” “Giving You the Best That I Got” and “Been So Long.” Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville. Saturday, Aug. 18, 8 p. m. $ 59, $ 49, $ 39. 800- 745- 3000, ticketmaster. com
Pivotal portraits 1
At more than 6,000 creatures from 40 countries, National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has been capturing portraits of every species living in wildlife sanctuaries in an effort to save wildlife through conservation and halt, or at least slow, habitat loss and the loss of global biodiversity. More than 50 of Sartore’s largescale photographs are on view at the Bruce Museum in the show, “National Geographic Photo Ark.” The Greenwich institution is but one of many around the world hosting exhibitions to raise awareness of the species that need greater conservation. Bruce Museum, One Museum Drive, Greenwich. Through Sept. 2. Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. $ 10 to $ 8. 203- 869- 0376 bruce museum. org
Flights of fancy 1
During a season known for flights to parts unknown, the Stamford Art Association will pay homage to such summer flings with its latest exhibition, “Far Away Places.” More than three dozen artists have created multimedia works of real or imagined far- off locales. The show’s juror is Dennis Bradbury, a Norwalk- based photographer who runs 22 Haviland St. Gallery. Stamford Art Association galleries, 39 Franklin St., Stamford. Through Aug. 23. Thursday to Friday, 11 a. m. to 3 p. m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3 p. m. Free. 203- 325- 1139, stamford art association. org
Madcap mystery 1
The Town Players of New Canaan take on a fast- paced farce by Ken Ludwig (“Lend Me A Tenor,” “Moon Over Buffalo”) for their latest offering. “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” requires five actors to play more than 30 characters, as the famous detective works to crack the case. If he is unsuccessful, the newest heir is doomed to suffer the family curse. Powerhouse Performing Arts Center, Waveny Park, 679 South Ave., New Canaan. Sunday, Aug. 5, 2: 30 p. m.; Friday and Saturday, Aug. 10 and 11, 8 p. m. $ 25 to $ 20. 203- 594- 3636, tpnc. org
Hollywood ham 1
A big Hollywood action star decides to make his Broadway debut in a recently rediscovered Kafka play in a comedy set for Westport. “The Understudy” is the work of theater and TV insider Theresa Rebeck, whose many credits include the creation of “Smash,” the NBC series about Broadway. In the play, a crisis develops when the ticket- selling star isn’t able to go on and an unknown understudy has to take on the role. Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court. Tuesday, Aug. 14 through Saturday, Sept. 1. $ 50-$ 30. 203- 227- 4177, west port-country play house. org
‘ Entourage’ star 1
The Emmy- winning actor Jeremy Piven is bringing a one- man show to Bridgeport. Expect the star of HBO’s “Entourage” to skewer Hollywood and Broadway in his solo show. Piven has had a wide- ranging career, moving from movies to TV to the Broadway stage. The actor even cracked the British prestige TV market with his work in the title role of the “Mr. Selfridge” series about the American businessman who revolutionized London department store marketing. Stress Factory, 167 State St., Bridgeport. Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7: 30 p. m. $ 50$ 30. 203- 576- 4242, Bridgeport. stress factory. com
Choosing sides 1
A vicious custody battle is at the heart of a new French film getting a special screening in Stamford. The Hearst Movie & a Martini group is a sponsor of the French Cinematheque presentation of “Custody,” a new film in which a divorced mother fights to keep her son away from her ex- husband, whom she claims is violent. Director Xavier Legrand has cited “Kramer vs. Kramer,” “The Shining” and “The Night of the Hunter” as inspirations for his domestic suspense drama. Avon Theatre, 272 Bedford St., Stamford. Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7: 30 p. m. $ 13-$ 8. 203- 967- 3660, avontheatre. org
Tasty tour
Sunday mornings are made for 1 brunch, but in South Norwalk, they also are made for bicycles. Start out at Pedego electric bike shop and venture out on a guided tour with owner Mike Heslin. Work up an appetite and head over to Saltwater Restaurant & Bar ( every Sunday features a different restaurant). Riders will have helmets and bottled water compliments of Pedego. Each event is limited to eight people, so reserve early. Pedego, 50 Water St., Norwalk. Sunday, July 22, 10 a. m. ( Brunch at noon at Saltwater Restaurant, 128 Washington St., Norwalk.). $ 50 person ( gratuity not included). Reserve at nor walknow. org/ events
Isn’t that special?
Dana Carvey is doing a stand1 up show in Ridgefield. The “Saturday Night Live” star created some of the most memorable characters in the history of the NBC series, including the Church Lady; Hans, of the Hans and Franz bodybuilding duo; and Garth in the “Wayne’s World” sketches and subsequent movies. Carvey won an Emmy in 1993 and was nominated six times. He also won the American Comedy Award as television’s funniest supporting male in 1990 and 1991. Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge. Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 8 p. m. $ 125. 203- 438- 5795, ridge field play house. org
Dance & life
The acclaimed modern dance troupe Pilobolus hosts a series of weekend events at their Washington, Conn., headquarters, ranging from dance concerts to interactive art to family activities to “creative conversations.” The Five Senses Festival will also include kids’ shows and a seminar “On Happiness” Saturday, Aug. 11 at 3 p. m. Pilobolus is also doing a residency at Fairfield University in August and September. Pilobolus, 292 Bee Brook Road, Washington. Through Aug. 12. Many free events. 212- 277- 6384, pilobolus. org