Hygienic Art XXV Presents Salon Des Independants And More

Hygienic Art will take over New London this weekend when it presents the 35th Salon Des Independants. This annual event draws artists from all over the region and the rules are the same as always—there are no rules.

When it comes to what is submitted, absolutely anything goes here. The only limitation is that each artist can submit just one piece of art. The gallery (79 Bank Street) will be hanging the art from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The show opens shortly after and will run until February 9.  

Young artists have their own opportunity to exhibit at The Garde Gallery (305 State Street), Saturday, Jan. 25, noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 26, from 4 p.m. Artists 14 and under are invited to submit their works (all media, all subjects, all sizes welcome) on Friday, Jan. 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be hands-on art making, music, puppet shows, hula-hooping and more during the opening event on Saturday. 

Live Entertainment

What started as an independent art show has mushroomed over the years to include a film festival, a music festival, poetry readings, and so much more. Here's the schedule of events planned through the weekend. 

Friday, January 24

The Screening Room: This independent film festival features movies of all lengths and genres from emerging to established filmmakers of all ages. Screenings run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hygienic Galleries. 

The Hootenanny: The theme for this year's concert is drinking songs. The performances will be, most appropriately, at Dickson's Tavern, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Here's the lineup: 

• 7:00 - The Crew
• 7:20 - The Banana Slicers
• 7:35 - Paul Brockett
• 8:00 - Paul & Cathy Carolan with Steve Fagin
• 8:25 - Charlie Reyburn
• 8:50 - The Friendly Ghost
• 9:15 - Kevin Kane
• 9:40 - Golden Ratio

Saturday, January 25

First Word: Local poets will be giving readings at the Telegraph, 19 Golden Street, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Featured readers include Jane Anderson, Daniel Boroughs, Jake St John, and Thomas Weigel, but anyone is encouraged to take the mic and share their work following the planned recitations. Light refreshments will be available.

The Ice Carnival: Hygienic Art Park at 79 Bank Street will host a motley crew of carnies who will be offering games of skill and chance, telling fortunes, and playing games from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Rock Fix 2014: Hygienic Art has teamed up with The Telegraph Recording Company, New London’s independent record label, to present a concert featuring local and regional bands at the Crocker House Ballroom from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.. This year's lineup includes:  

• Paul Brockett Roadshow Band 
• Fatal Film
• John Fries Band
• The Sue Menhart Band 
• Chris MacKay & the Toneshifters
• Violent Mae
• Somewhere in Time   

The lineup for the Rock Lobster band-O-Matic concert at Oasis Pub on February 8 (the closing week of Hygienic XXXV) will also be revealed during the Rock Fix concert. Bands will be formed by a random drawing that night. Individual musicians who are interested in participating have until 8 p.m. on January 24 to throw their names in the hat. 

Interested musicians should send their name, contact information (phone and email) and the category they'd like to be entered in for selection (vocals, guitar, bass, drums, or other) to: rocklobster.band.o.matic@gmail.com. These newly formed bands will have two weeks to practice until they play the Oasis.

Cabaret Extraordinaire: Ready to get your freak on? Venus Flytrap returns to host this extravagant revue of music, burlesque, comedy, magic, and more from 8 p.m.. to 1 a.m. at 33 Golden Street. The Weird Beards will be the house band for what promises to be a most risque event.  

For more information, go to http://hygienic.ning.com/events/event/listUpcoming. If you have questions, email hygienicart@gmail.com.