Blast!, Penguin Plunge, and Mayoral Meetings

is calling this version of their This Week in New London newsletter the “Chock Full of Events Edition.” Indeed, there are quite a few things on their calendar of events, and these are the choices they have for the coming week.

Mayor Daryl Finizio is holding a to discuss various issues with residents, and the first one is kicking off just half an hour after this column first posts. At 3:30 p.m., Finizio will be at the to discuss business in the city. This is followed by a 10 a.m. meeting on Thursday at on the arts, a 10 a.m. meeting on Friday at the on non-profits, and a 5:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday at on the city’s residents.

The is one of the biggest events happening this week. The annual surge of wave after wave of people into the frigid waters at raises money for the state’s Special Olympics. Registration starts at 10 a.m. while the plunge starts at noon. And not-quite-shameless self-promotion (it’s for a good cause, after all): I’ve joined the team, "Hanafin's Pint Plungers," and have been seeking donations; if you visit this link you can give online.

The is also staying quite busy in the next week. makes another appearance at the Oasis Room with the new “Something More” Quartet at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday; tickets are $35 and include pre-show appetizers at 6:30 p.m. The Tony and Emmy Award winning show , described as “part Riverdance, part Stomp! and part homecoming parade,” comes to the Garde at 4 p.m. on Sunday; tickets are $29 to $55. The Winter Film Festival also continues through this week, and four dollars will get you admission to some of the top films of 2011. The theater is showing the anime film at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday as part of a collaboration with the ongoing exhibit at the . It is followed by at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, at 3 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

A few businesses around town are having promotions this week. The has an acupuncture clinic at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday. runs their annual winter farmers market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. has a $7 introductory class at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, followed by a Yoga Nidra class at 1 p.m.; this one is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Finally, is inviting people to meet Cheryl Harrison, the author of , from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Other events happening this week:

• High school open skate, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight at the Rink at Parade Plaza
• Oneness Blessing Experience, 7 p.m. on Friday at the
• , Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cummings Arts Center through Feb. 24
• Jazz Trio, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday at
• Jibboom Club #1 meeting, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the
• Middle school open skate, 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the Rink at Parade Plaza

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