Waterford Weekend Guide: A New Whaling-Era Exhibit And A Magic Night Anchor The Local Arts Scene

WATERFORD, CT — Waterford's own weekend calendar is a quiet one this stretch, but the town sits close enough to New London's museums and stages that a short drive turns Thursday through Sunday into a full arts weekend. Between a brand-new exhibition on New London's whaling-era portrait painters, an illusionist billed as "America's Rock Illusionist" and a last chance to catch a Connecticut College-curated show before it closes, there is plenty worth the trip. Here is what is on.

• Isaac Sheffield: Portraits from New London's Whaling Era — On view Thursday through Sunday (Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.). This brand-new exhibition, which just opened Sept. 12, is the first ever devoted to Sheffield's 1830s and 1840s portraits of New London's whaling captains and their families. Venue: Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams Street, New London.
• America's 250: Selections from the Collection — Last chance to see it: the show closes Sunday, Sept. 27. Curated by Connecticut College students, this installation traces American art and identity from the Revolutionary era to today. Venue: Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams Street, New London.
• Magic Rocks: Illusionist Leon Etienne — Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. Billed as "America's Rock Illusionist," Leon Etienne — a veteran of "America's Got Talent" and "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" — brings sleight-of-hand, grand illusions and comedy to the Garde's main stage in a family-friendly show. Venue: Garde Arts Center, 325 State Street, New London.
• Felicia Rose — Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. Presented by Mezza Stage + Studio in the Garde's intimate Oasis Room, singer-songwriter Felicia Rose performs an afternoon of meditative, devotional and electronic world music alongside percussionists Tam Zezulka and Kevin Gallagher II. Venue: Garde Arts Center, 325 State Street, New London.

Prefer to stay closer to home for a movie night? Regal Waterford, right in town at 123 Cross Rd, keeps its lineup current week to week — check its listings directly for what's playing this weekend.

Between a whaling-history exhibit just settling in, a Connecticut College show taking its final bow and a magician who's fooled Penn & Teller on national TV, this is a weekend where a quick drive into New London pays off. Round up the family and go see it before America's 250 closes for good.