Parade Plaza Skating Rink, Star Pattern CircUs, John Waters

You might have noticed that the skating rink has again materialized on Parade Plaza, and this is what New London Main Street is most excited about for this coming week in events. The rink will open for regular hours on Friday and be in operation through March. Hours are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays; 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12, while skate rentals are $4.

The Garde Arts Center brings in one of its most anticipated acts of the new season on the same day. John Waters, a filmmaker and comedian best known for his off-color material and “giving bad taste a good name,” appears in the one-man show “This Filthy World” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday; admission is $44 to $54, while VIP tickets to a post-show reception benefiting Alliance For Living are $100. For more family-friendly fare, the Garde has John Tartaglia’s “Imaginocean,” a black-light puppet and music show. This takes the stage at 2 p.m. on Saturday, and tickets are $18 to $24.

Moving on from the performing to the visual arts, Studio 33 has a “Super Saturday” this weekend to help you get a head start on holiday shopping. The store will be bring in painter and jeweler Lori McClain to showcase her work between noon and 3 p.m. James Gurney’s “Dinotopia” illustrations remain on display at Lyman Allyn Art Museum.

A couple of venues are hosting events that aim to make a difference. The Winefest by the Sea, the ninth annual fundraiser benefiting New London Adult and Continuing Education, is taking place at New London Plaza Hotel from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday. Choose from over 150 wines, sample local dishes, and find out more about these programs; admission is $30. The Public Library of New London hosts an open house on Tuesday where Community Health Services will share information on how to become a foster parent; this will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Finally, Bean and Leaf has brought in a new program for their new location. Star Pattern CircUs runs at 6 p.m. on Sundays to give you a chance to participate in hooping, circus arts, and flying yoga. And as always, the Jazz Trio plays a set from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays.

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