Summer Of The New London Harbor Light, On The Banks, Improv

Summer events are heating up, with an abundance of things to do posted on the New London Main Street calendar and New London Patch events page.

It’s certainly nice enough to get outside, and Hygienic Art is kicking off their “Summer Flickers” outdoor movie series with Stop Making Sense, a concert movie featuring the Talking Heads; it’s free, but donations are accepted. If you missed your chance to check out the Field of Greens Farmers Market, it returns on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Parade Plaza and Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. A new location for the market this year is Hodges Square, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. This is part of the Creative Placemaking event set for Saturday, starting with a presentation of master plans for Hodges Square and Riverside Park at 11 a.m. at Winthrop School; it continues with a parade to Adelaide Street at noon and an art jam party in the park from noon to 3 p.m. Finally, a summer orchard program will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at New London Hall at Connecticut College; admission is $140 for general admission and $120 for Northeast Organic Farming Association members.

For music, you can head to the Bulkeley House Saloon every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m for their Common Ground acoustic open mic. Archie Fest, a memorial concert for Jarrad “Archie” Dietz, will take the stage at the El N Gee at 6 p.m. on Friday; it’s open to ages 18 and up, and admission is $10 with all proceeds benefiting Dietz’s family. The Coast Guard Band Chamber Players put on a free “Colors of Summer” concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Leamy Hall. Writers Block Ink’s summer program “Summer on the Block” kicks off on Monday for children ages 10 to 17; the cost is $240 for the entire summer. And Jon Buller’s cartooning classes for children return to the Custom House Maritime Museum, beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday; the $75 registration cost covers all materials.

In the art world, the Pacific Street Art Gallery holds a photography opening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday at their 11 Pacific Street location. The LQM Gallery’s summer youth programs are underway, with one class free to try and others $28 per session; weekly and monthly rates are also available, and more information is available at the gallery’s website. The “On The Banks” exhibit at the Gallery at Firehouse Square is coming down at the end of the day on Saturday. Ongoing exhibits include “It’s a Banner Day” and “Picture My World” at Hygienic Art, Matthew Cassar’s work at Spirit Gallery, and Robert Hauschild’s “Whistle Stop – The Art of Trains” at Studio 33.

For historical events, the New London Maritime Society is officially designating this summer as the “Summer of New London Harbor Light” and kicking off a fundraising campaign for painting the beacon. This event takes place at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the lighthouse. The society also has an ongoing exhibition at the Custom House Maritime Museum celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Frank L. McGuire Maritime Library.

In other events, the Second Congregational Church holds a large tag sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. And if you want to hone your improv skills, head over to the Provenance Center at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday to attend a workshop by Laughworks.

Did we miss something? Add your own event to the New London Patch calendar.

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