Poetry event honors late poet laureate

MIDDLETOWN Wesleyan R. J. Julia Bookstore is hosting an afternoon of poetry Sept. 21 to mark the publication of the city’s late poet laureate.

“Be full,” published posthumously by Susan Allison, Middletown’s first poet laureate, will be celebrated at 3 p.m. at 413 Main St. that day with a series of readings of her work by guest poets, followed by an open mic.

Readings will be conducted by Allison’s husband, retired city arts coordinator Stephen Allison, Middletown’s current Poet Laureate Cheryl Hale, former state poet laureate Rennie McQuilkin, the Allisons’ son John, and others.

Allison died May 15, 2018. She was poet laurate in Middletown from 2015 to 2018.

For information, visit susanallison.com or wesleyanrjjulia.com.

Local boys invited to audition at Goodspeed

EAST HADDAM — Goodspeed Musicals is holding auditions for local nonEquity child actors between ages 710 for its upcoming production of “A Connecticut Christmas Carol.” Auditions will be held from 10 a.m.12 p.m. Sept. 28, the Alice Hammerstein Mathias Rehearsal Studio in East Haddam.

The role of Tiny Tim will be played by a fragile boy ages 710. Candidates must be a strong actor and the boys need a solid unchanged singing voice.

All auditions are by appointment only. Appointments may be made starting immediately. Call 8608730021, Monday through Friday, 10 am 5 pm to schedule an appointment.

Interested performers should prepare one 16bar cut uptempo song and one 16bar cut ballad. Bring a resume, photo and sheet music. Music must be legible and in the proper key, no lead sheets. An accompanist will be provided.

Candidates must be available for rehearsals Nov. 13Dec. 4, and performances, Dec. 529. Rehearsals are held in East Haddam, Conn. and performances are held at the Terris Theatre in Chester.

Performers of all ethnicities are strongly encouraged to audition.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Michael Gennaro, Goodspeed Musicals is dedicated to the preservation, development and advancement of musical theatre and is the first theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement). Goodspeed produces three musicals each season at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of United Airlines, the official airline of Goodspeed Musicals; the official audio sponsor Sennheiser; and official auto sponsor Hoffman Audi. Goodspeed is also grateful for the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts.

Halloween fundraiser benefits

the arts

GUILFORD — Shoreline Arts Alliance’s Guild is hosting Costumes & Cocktails, a Halloween party to celebrate the fall season and the arts on the shoreline, Oct. 25 at the Stone Agency, 350 Goose Lane, Guilford, from 710 p.m.

Join Shoreline Arts Alliance for food, drinks, and Halloween fun. Don’t forget your costume for the costume contest. Tickets are on sale now through the website and start at just $40 per person. Sponsorships are welcome. Visit www.ShorelineArts.org/costumescocktails for more information. Tickets can also be purchased VIA check made out to Shoreline Arts Alliance and sent to 725 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT. Call 2034533890 or email office@shorelinearts.org with any questions. Learn more at www.ShorelineArts.org

goPINK Project celebrates 10 years

MIDDLETOWN — This year, the goPINK Project is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and it is marking the occasion by honoring Middlesex Health breast surgeon Andrea Malon.

Dr. Malon is Middlesex Health Cancer Center’s medical director, and much like the goPINK Project, she has impacted so many lives.

The goPINK Project, a fall fundraiser started by EG Salon in Middletown, raises money for Middlesex Health Cancer Center patients. All proceeds help cancer patients receive free integrative medicine therapy, including patients who have breast cancer. Integrative medicine includes massage therapy, reflexology and acupuncture—all therapies that are not covered by insurance. Integrative medicine helps patients with symptoms of cancer treatment, including fatigue, pain and even nausea.

Since 2010, the goPINK Project has raised more than $215,000 and has helped 1,200 patients. Forty businesses and schools raise money in various ways for the cause.

Local hair salons raise money for the goPINK Project each year by putting pink streaks in people’s hair, and youth sports teams also show their support. There’s also the annual Fun Run/Walk, which will be held this year at Middletown High School Sept. 22, and the annual goPINK Party.

This year’s goPINK Party will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at Baci Grill, 134 Berlin Road in Cromwell. Tickets are $20 and include appetizers, wine and beer tastings and music.

To register for the Fun Run/ Walk, purchase a goPINK Party ticket, make a donation in Dr. Malon’s honor or learn about other ways to support goPINK, visit middlesexhealth.org/gopink.

Library gallery features workshop paintings

OLD SAYBROOK — For the month of September, the Acton Public Library in Old Saybrook will be hosting the paintings of the Shoreline Artists’ Workshop in our Atrium Gallery and Grady Thomas room.The Acton Library is open from 10 a.m.8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m.5 p.m., Friday and Saturday.