Fireworks, Lighthouses, and The Red Balloon

’s list of upcoming events plows right through the Fourth of July weekend today, and though there’s not much going on during the holiday itself there’s plenty to choose from in the days leading up to it.

gets an early start, bringing in historian Beverly York to discuss Revolutionary War patriot Nathan Hale and his homestead in Coventry; the lecture takes place at the park’s conference room at 7 p.m. on Thursday. At 8 p.m. on Friday, a will light up and The Cartells will provide some musical accompaniment; it costs $5 per car to enter. For a suggested donation of $7, you can check out the “red, white and blue rock ‘n roll BBQ” at on Saturday; several local bands will play at this venue between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The organization has also pulled out several events from the lighthouse event happening on the holiday weekend. At 6:30 p.m., Henry Savin tells his “tales of the sea” in a reading at the . Visit the at 7:30 p.m. on Friday to check out the entries in the lighthouse cake competition. The free event even lets you take a nibble and vote for your favorite! A symposium on the history of the region’s lighthouses runs through Saturday, broken up into a 9:30 a.m. to noon session at , a noon to 1 p.m. session at Fort Trumbull State Park, and a 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. session at the Custom House Maritime Museum. The cost is $40 for the day, $25 for the morning session with box lunch, and $15 for the afternoon session; reserve a spot by contacting the Custom House. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, a bicycle tour will cruise to several historic sites and lighthouses in New London, Groton, and Stonington; it kicks off from Fort Trumbull State Park.

First Friday means it’s a good week for art, with downtown’s galleries opening their doors between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to show visitors the latest displays. Hygienic Art debuts their “Effable” exhibit (featuring Patch contributor no less) in an opening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. The has a photography exhibit on women from around the world, while continues to exhibit submarine art in In ’s class, Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” is the subject of Saturday’ evening; $35 covers all materials, and the lesson begins at 7 p.m.

is having a particularly busy week. The first Sunday means it’s free admission for all, with a couple of activities to boot. A mask-making workshop runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and at 3 p.m. they’ll be airing the classic children’s film Pinocchio. The museum also has several pieces of realist art on display highlighting the use of light in landscapes, still life, and other pieces.

As for the events happening tonight, things start at 5:30 p.m. when the gets a new wheel. The christening of the handmade component joining the 44-year-old schooner takes place at its berth at the Custom House Pier. At 7 p.m., Steve Wronker puts on a magic show at the boardwalk at Ocean Beach. Marc Mastrandrea leads a Qi Gong class at the same time in Suite 415 of 165 State Street. Finally, Hygienic Art Park’s summer movie series continues with two short films tonight. New London Calling will precede an airing of The Red Balloon.

Other events happening this week:

• Milonga tango party, 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Provenance Center; $15.
• The Custom House Lighthouse Kids Sea Chantey Chorus performs at Previews on Parade; noon to 1 p.m. on Friday at Parade Plaza.
• Weekly wine tasting, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday at .
• Karaoke at Ocean Beach, with signup at 6:30 p.m. and performances at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
• Free tours of the Arboretum; meet outside the Olin Science Center at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
• The CBYD Jazz Quartet performs at the , 8 p.m. on Monday.
• Yoga and meditation class at , 6:45 p.m. on Monday; $15.
• Summer Cruzan Happy Hours music and specials, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at .
• Anusara-inspired yoga, 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday at Blissworks Yoga; $15.