Stowe Center for Literary Activism

Join us for a teteo—a Dominican slang word for a lively party—as we close the exhibition What does it mean to be Human?, a collaboration between artist Amanda Mendoza and researcher Gamze Ozker.
Through intimate and reflective works, the exhibition explores what it means to be recognized as human within systems that determine whose rights are protected and whose are denied. Together, Mendoza and Ozker examine how compassion and dignity are lost—and reclaimed—through struggles for human rights.
We invite the community to gather in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s backyard for a celebration of joy, culture, and community as we close the exhibition the best way we know how—by coming together. Because Harriet’s backyard is for everyone.
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<h2>What to Expect</h2>
<ul><li>Car show featuring local enthusiasts in collaboration with <a href="https://www.radstallions.com/?i=1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rad Stallions.</a></li><li>Sponsored by <a href="https://www.xtremerides.llc/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Xtreme Rides</a>.</li><li>Music and dancing</li><li>Dominos and card games</li><li>Arts &amp; crafts for all ages</li><li>Food vendors</li><li>Local organizations tabling</li></ul>
If you are interested in displaying your car please email <a href="mailto:radstallionsct@gmail.com">Miguel Santos</a>
The Stowe Center Visitor Center will be open during the event, giving visitors the chance to experience Amanda Mendoza’s exhibition What does it mean to be Human? on its final day on view.
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<h2>Food &amp; Vendors</h2>
<ul><li>Los Chamos Street Food</li><li>Pika Food Truck</li></ul>
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<h2>Community Organizations</h2>
Hartford Public Library • CT Fair Housing Center • Center for Latino Progress • Make the Road Connecticut • Sierra Club Connecticut • Hispanic Health Council • Night Fall Hartford • Lucinda’s House • Helena’s Casita

Local Event: El Teteo in Harriet’s Backyard

Hartford County

Greater Hartford

Connecticut

El Teteo in Harriet’s Backyard

Join us for a teteo—a Dominican slang word for a lively party—as we close the exhibition What does it mean to be Human?, a...

Celebrate summer, community, and the legacy of Nook Farm at the Nook Farm Lawn Party, a joyful outdoor gathering in Harriet’s Backyard at the Stowe Center for Literary Activism. Held as part of the 22nd Annual Connecticut Open House Day, the event is presented in partnership with the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association and the Mark Twain House &amp; Museum, inviting neighbors and visitors alike to explore, connect, and celebrate the spirit of activism and community that has long defined this historic neighborhood.
Enjoy an afternoon filled with lawn games, crafts, and hands-on activities for all ages, along with complimentary food and opportunities to meet and learn from local social justice organizations tabling throughout the space. Guests can also take advantage of free station tours inside both the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and the Mark Twain House, offering a chance to experience two of Connecticut’s most important literary landmarks.Each year, Connecticut Open House Day falls near the birthdays of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Josiah Henson, giving us a meaningful opportunity to celebrate their enduring legacies and the powerful connections between literature, freedom, and social change.
Bring your family, invite a friend, and join us for an afternoon of community, history, and celebration in the heart of Nook Farm.

Local Event: Nook Farm Lawn Party

Nook Farm Lawn Party

Celebrate summer, community, and the legacy of Nook Farm at the Nook Farm Lawn Party, a joyful outdoor gathering in Harriet’s...

Christina T

Michael Lemanski

Hartford Metropolitan Area

West Hartford

Wethersfield

Newington

Jay Kenney

South Windsor

Rocky Hill

Windsor

Chris Dehnel

Manchester

Glastonbury

Farmington

Avon

Middletown House Concert Series

Created by James Martin, the Tyre Isle Band plays traditional dance tunes and ballads from Ireland, Scotland, and the Hebrides. With Tatyana Gorbunova on flute, Will Holshouser on accordion, and Martin on mandolin, guitar, mandocello, banjo, and vocals, the band reimagines the music and Irish Sean-nós traditions of the British Isles. Delving deeply into the original melodies and rhythms, and adding newly conceived compositions to this living repertoire, the Tyre Isle Band continues the work of James Martin from when the toured the US and Canada with the critically acclaimed British Isles band How to Change a Flat Tire. For this concert, Maggie Holtzberg from the original HTCAFT band will be joining on fiddle. James Martin is an accomplished musician, dancer, choreographer and filmmaker. He was Associate Arts Professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Dance Department and taught there from 1989-2023. In 2020 he won the New York University Tisch School of the Arts David Payne Carter Award for Teaching Excellence. He has danced with Donald Byrd/The Group, Gus Solomons jr, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane and Company, Claire Porter, Jamie Cunningham and Tina Croll, Heidi Latsky, The New York Baroque Dance Company and The Connecticut Ballet Company among others. As co-founder of the band How to Change a Flat Tire, he appears on “A Point of Departure” and “The Traditional Music of Shetland and Ireland” (Front Hall Records). Tatyana Gorbunova is a musician &amp; interdisciplinary artist. Recent work includes playing in the band for a stage adaptation of Rime of the Ancient Mariner and multiple roles in Story Winks - modern adaptations of fairy tales (Ophelia Theater Group). When not playing the flute or acting on stage, she teaches Culinary Arts at a Montessori school and curates the vinyl collection at her record shop, Pancakes Records, in Astoria, NY. Will Holshouser is an accordionist, composer and improviser whose music draws on a wide variety of inspirations, from traditional accordion folk styles to jazz, hymns, classical and experimental music. Will’s music explores these eclectic influences through the accordion’s expressiveness and sense of fun. Originally from Cambridge, MA and active on the New York music scene since the 1990s, Will has toured and recorded with violinist Regina Carter, trumpeter Eric Vloeimans, and clarinetist David Krakauer, as well as with his own groups. Will's trio has released three albums on the Portuguese label Clean Feed and he has made collaborative albums with Musette Explosion and with Han Bennink &amp; Michael Moore. Will has also performed with Michael Winograd, Guy Klucevsek, Andy Statman, Mark Morris Dance, Antony &amp; the Johnsons, Suzanne Vega, Loudon Wainwright III, Martha Wainwright, New York City Ballet, New York City Opera, Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, and many others. maggie_holtzberg.jpg Folklorist and musician Maggie Holtzberg works closely with artists, culture bearers, and their communities to help carry traditional knowledge forward. Serving as state folklorist in Georgia (1992-1998) and Massachusetts (1999-2023) has been her calling and privilege, allowing her to come to know, learn from, document, and help support people practicing cultural traditions of local significance. She has curated exhibitions, authored books, co-directed documentary films, produced concerts, programmed folk festivals, and successfully nominated seven National Heritage Fellows. Holtzberg was awarded the Benjamin A. Botkin Prize in 2018 for lifetime achievement in Public Folklore and was named a Fellow of the American Folklore Society in 2021. She holds a Ph.D. in Folklore and Folklife from the University of Pennsylvania (1987) and B.A. in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University (1979). During her time at Wesleyan, having just returned from the Shetland Islands and fiddle tutelage under the great Tom Anderson, she joined the band How To Change A Flat Tire.$25 suggested donation
Please contact Jody Cormack for reservations and directions
jcormack@wesleyan.edu, or 860-983-7963

Local Event: The Tyre Island Band with Maggie Holtzberg on fiddle

Middlesex County

Middletown

The Tyre Island Band with Maggie Holtzberg on...

Created by James Martin, the Tyre Isle Band plays traditional dance tunes and ballads from Ireland, Scotland, and the Hebrides....

The Tyre Island Band with Maggie Holtzberg on fiddle

<h2>Join us for our Annual Epilepsy Walk in Farmington</h2>
This year, we’re bringing the community together not just to walk, but to gather for a&nbsp;Purple Picnic&nbsp;celebration afterward (Food&nbsp;provided by EFCT).
This family-friendly event is all about connection, support, and showing our strength as a community. Walk alongside individuals and families impacted by epilepsy.
Vendors will be on site sharing resources, services, and information designed to support those living with epilepsy and their caregivers. Whether you’re coming to honor a loved one, meet others who understand your journey, or learn more about epilepsy, we can't wait to see you!
Any teams who fundraise $100 or more, will receive a free sign with their team's name on it!
Wear your purple, and join us for a meaningful day of awareness, advocacy, and community.

Local Event: Annual Epilepsy Awareness Walk & Purple Picnic

Annual Epilepsy Awareness Walk & Purple Picnic

Join us for our Annual Epilepsy Walk in Farmington
This year, we’re bringing the community together not just to walk, but to...

Riverbend at Farmington

<a href="https://soloagersconnect.com/event/african-safari-adventure-presentation-at-riverbend/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Register Here</a>Is an African Safari on your bucket list?&nbsp;
Until you book your own safari, you can live vicariously through Fay deHaas, travel expert. Fay will share with us all the details and stunning photos from her recent African Safari.
Fay will take us through the amazing small group tour she recently went on. We’ll experience the beautiful landscape of Tanzania and its variety of animals roaming free through the vast, breathtaking wilderness areas of the Serengeti. She will also share a highlight of the trip visiting the nearby tropical islands of Zanzibar.
<ul><li>Curious what it takes to go on an African safari?</li><li>What should your fitness level be for a trip like this?</li><li>What do you imagine for sleeping accommodations?</li></ul>
Fay will take us through her trip. Even if you think you’ll never go in person, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience Africa through her eyes and learn through her experience. Learn all about the planning and journey to get there and firsthand details of the real experiences.
<h4>RSVP WITH THE EVENT LINK. Seating is limited. Reserve today!</h4>

This event is sponsored with&nbsp;Prime IV Hydration &amp; Wellness in Simsbury, CT. Strengthen your immune system and replenish essential nutrients before and after you travel. Learn more at <a href="https://primeivhydration.com/locations/connecticut/simsbury-06070/or" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" style="cursor: pointer;">primeivhydration.com/locations/connecticut/simsbury-06070/or</a> call (860) 431-2709 to book a visit.

Local Event:  African Safari Adventure Presentation

 African Safari Adventure Presentation

Register HereIs an African Safari on your bucket list? 
Until you book your own safari, you can live vicariously through Fay...

Town of West Hartford

The Celebrate! West Hartford&nbsp;FUNd&nbsp;RUNS&nbsp;are the most family-friendly fitness runs in the Greater Hartford region. Featuring a non-competitive Kids' K dash and a 5K race, these events have something for ages 3-83+. Held in conjunction with the Town's two-day outdoor festival, it's a great opportunity for individuals or whole families to enjoy a healthy activity together while supporting West Hartford families in need. A portion of proceeds is donated to the&nbsp;The Town That Cares&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Leisure Services Scholarship Fund&nbsp;which helps children from low-income families attend swimming lessons, camps during school vacations and other life-enhancing programs throughout the year.
- The morning starts with a non-competitive Kids' K around Blue Back Square for kids up to 10 years old with medals for all finishers. - The 5K course takes runners north through historic West Hartford Center and includes a long stretch on the scenic paved Trout Brook Trail before finishing in Blue Back Square. This course is USATF certified (#CT24001JHP). - After the race, join us for the Awards Ceremony and Refueling Reception at Town Hall (50 South Main Street) in the Festival Dining Tent. - Known for giving great rewards, prizes are awarded to the first, second, and third place 5K finishers in the male and female divisions in ten age categories: 10 and under; 11-14; 15-18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70-79; 80+. - The overall first place male and female finishers as well as to the first place male and female from West Hartford (one per winner) receive prizes valued at at least $100. The first place male, female and over 65 finishers also get trophies. - All 5K participants can enter a drawing for raffle great prizes valued at $25+. - 5K (only) participants who register by May 22 are guaranteed a race T-shirt.<a href="https://eventvesta.com/events/143578/t/tickets" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">View Tickets &amp; More Info</a>

Local Event: Celebrate West Hartford FUNd RUNS: 5K & Kids' K

Celebrate West Hartford FUNd RUNS: 5K & Kids' K

 The Celebrate! West Hartford FUNd RUNS are the most family-friendly fitness runs in the Greater Hartford region. Featuring a...

Celebrate the start of summer at the 39th annual Celebrate! West Hartford, one of Connecticut’s most cherished community traditions. Set against the scenic backdrop of Town Hall Common, this two day festival brings together the very best of local culture, creativity, and community spirit, all made even more special this year with a commemorative America250 celebration woven into the festivities.
At the heart of the event is the renowned Arts &amp; Crafts Show, a nationally recognized, juried showcase featuring over 150 master artists and artisans from across Connecticut and the East Coast. With nearly 40,000 visitors each year, it’s a vibrant marketplace where longtime favorites meet fresh new talent! This is perfect for collectors, gift seekers, and casual browsers alike. Beyond the art, guests can enjoy a lively mix of carnival rides, family-friendly games, and a bustling food court offering everything from gourmet bites to classic festival favorites. Live musical performances from regional bands and local school jazz ensembles fill the air throughout the weekend, adding to the dynamic atmosphere.
Taking place Saturday, June 6 (10am–6pm) and Sunday, June 7 (12–6pm) at 50 South Main Street, this free event offers something for everyone and is a celebration of everything that makes West Hartford shine. On Sunday, join us for special performances from:
- 12 to 1:30 p.m: RipChord - 102nd CT Army Reserve Band is a nine-member ensemble of America’s finest civil servants playing a mix of pop, rock, funk and R&amp;B.
- 2 to 3:30 p.m: The KC Sisters Band&nbsp;– Queens of rhythm and country, this CT-based sister-quartet blend their vocal and instrumental talents to create a rootsy Americana sound.
- 4 to 6 p.m: Locomotion – This nine-piece high energy dance band is a regional favorite guaranteed to make every occasion memorable and fun.<a href="https://www.westhartfordct.gov/town-departments/leisure-services/celebrate-west-hartford" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">View Tickets</a> &amp; More InfoThis event will be on the following dates: 2026-06-06 - 10:00AM to 6:00PM 2026-06-07 - 12:00PM to 6:00PM

Local Event: Celebrate West Hartford 2026 + Arts and Crafts Show

Celebrate West Hartford 2026 + Arts and Crafts...

Celebrate the start of summer at the 39th annual Celebrate! West Hartford, one of Connecticut’s most cherished community...

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Posting Activity

El Teteo in Harriet’s Backyard

MAY

16

12:00 PM

Stowe Center for Literary Activism, 77 Forest St, Hartford, CT