Madison Weekend Guide: Jaclyn Gilbert At RJ Julia, Syd's Book Fest And A Woodland Fairy House Workshop

MADISON, CT — Madison's weekend is made for readers and crafters, with a novelist at RJ Julia and a special-effects makeup class Thursday, a two-day book festival on the Post Road and a fairy-house pumpkin workshop Saturday, from Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18.

This Weekend's Arts & Entertainment

• Special Effects Makeup Workshop — Thursday, Oct. 15, 4 to 6 p.m. Students in third grade and up learn how film and theater create realistic cuts, scars, bruises and creatures with makeup, texture and color. The Barn (Madison Arts Barn), 8 Campus Drive
• Jaclyn Gilbert, "Butter Road" — Thursday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. The novelist talks with Jennifer Stock about her book on grief and trauma in a Lancaster County Amish community 12 years after a school shooting; registration is required. RJ Julia Booksellers, 768 Boston Post Road
• 4th Annual Book Fest & Sale — Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. Now two days, with raffles, big discounts, face painting, kids' crafts, giveaways and mystery book bags. Syd's Book Shack & Boutique, 26 Boston Post Road
• Woodland Magic pumpkin workshop — Saturday, Oct. 17, 2:30 p.m. Build a woodland fairy house from a real pumpkin and foraged treasures in a covered outdoor setting, rain or shine; it is $60, ages 14 and up, BYOB, and reservations are required. Dog Days Dahlias, 699 Green Hill Road

Hear Jaclyn Gilbert at RJ Julia Thursday, browse Syd's Book Fest over the weekend and build a pumpkin fairy house on Green Hill Road Saturday.

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