Live Bands, Shakespeare in Grove Highlight Middletown's Week Ahead

There's something exciting happening every day this week in Middletown. Mark your calendar for live music of all types, an author meet-and-greet, summer lawn luncheon, four nights of Shakespeare and musical accompaniment and much more.

As part of the City of Middletown Summer Sounds concerts Tuesday, drummer Paul Bozzi, keyboard player and singer Roger Lum You, keyboard player and bassist Guy Wallis, and sax player, singer and ukulele plucker Lyn Ryan McKenna — the band Moto — offer a blend of traditional roots reggae spiced with contemporary touches and more traditional Caribbean soca material.

Or you may prefer a relaxing noontime luncheon under the 120-year-old ginkgo tree at the Middlesex Historical Society's General Mansfield House. A garden luncheon features a summer salad plate, fruit and cookies, iced tea and lemonade on Wednesday.

Click on the bulleted links below for full details.

Monday, July 22

• John Kilian: Meet the Author, “Downtown Drive-Thru” (free)

• Summer Sounds on the South Green, Moto Caribbean music (free)
• Shannon McMahon Live (free)
  

• “Beautiful Brimming Blossoms at Our House” Historical Society Luncheon ($20)
• Gail Wade and Turning Point, acoustic folk/blues (free)
  

Thursday to Sunday, July 25-28

• ARTFARM's Shakespeare in the Grove Much Ado About Nothing ($20) : Thursday, Lorena Garay, classical, Spanish and Latin guitar; Friday, Noah Baerman and Friends, jazz pianist and composer; Saturday, Stacy Phillips and Paul Howard, acoustic Americana, jazz and originals to Caribbean and Hawaiian; Sunday, Americana Rani Arbo.

• St. Pius X Golf Outing (fees)

Friday, July 26

• Shannon Whitworth (Jazz Quintet) $10)

• Connecticut River Raft Race (free for spectators)