Regatta, Bike Across The Bridge, and The Whalies

celebrates 13 years this week, and the public is invited to attend the celebration. The organization’s annual meeting runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday at . Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by , and the business portion of the meeting will include goals for the upcoming year and a review of accomplishments. Another honors event takes place earlier in the day, when convenes at the for the . This starts at 5:30 p.m. and will recognize Rear Admiral J. Scott Burhoe, outgoing superintendent at the , and Dr. Grace Jones, president of Three Rivers Community College.

As for the events chosen for the upcoming week, Memorial Day brings a few special events to town. The fourth annual pre-holiday candlelight vigil in honor of veterans starts at 7:30 p.m. at Parade Plaza, with luminaries available for sale at 7 p.m. On Monday, Bike New London holds their over the Gold Star Bridge. This starts at 3 p.m. at .

New London history also plays a role in the attractions scheduled for this week. A discussion on whaling, specifically the decline of the industry in New England, will by presented by author Marc Songini at the conference center at . This lecture starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday. The , the oldest intercollegiate competition in the country, kicks off with races at 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. on Saturday. A cookout and day of outdoor games accompanies the event at from noon to 4 p.m.

From the regatta on Saturday, you have a few choices for music. The second annual Whalie Awards, recognizing local musicians, starts with a red carpet pre-show at 6 p.m. at and moves on to awards at 7 p.m. Sean Murray hosts an evening billed as the local Grammys, and over 30 awards are up for grabs. At the Coast Guard Academy, Leamy Hall reopens after a year of renovations with two performances of George Gershwin music by the Coast Guard Band. The first show takes place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, the second at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

leads the art world this week, starting Thursday with a 6 p.m. showing and discussion of the Peruvian film The Milk of Sorrow, about the fears of abused women. Guido Garaycochea  from the gallery heads across State Street to the on Saturday for the opening of the FRESH New London Voices show on the ; this runs from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The American Society of Marine Artists show continues at The Gallery at Firehouse Square, while the nature photography of Frank Kaczmarek is still on display at . For a cost of $39, welcomes anyone to a quilting class hosted by Terrie Lightfoot. At , the art classes wrap up on Saturday with classes starting at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The cost is $35, with all materials provided.

Other events happening this week:

• Comedy night at , 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. tonight.
• Poets Night at , with seven scheduled guests and an open mic; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday.
• SPRING into SUMMER Cruzan Happy Hours at ; drink specials, discounts, and music from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday.
• Svaroopa Yoga, 10:15 a.m. on Sunday at ; $15 drop-in.
• Free tours of the Arboretum, 2 p.m. on Sunday; meet outside the Olin Science Center.
• Comedy night with Dame FK; 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday at , with open mic for the first hour.
• Live jazz from the CBYD Quartet, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday at the .