G.I.s of Comedy, Miniature Show, Shakespeare Concert

Music is the unchallenged forerunner among the things to do as selected by New London Main Street for the coming week. But first, they give a friendly reminder that the Rink at Parade Plaza is now open for the season. It’s open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. during weekends (with an hour shutdown from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays) and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The tunes start on Thursday when the Donny McCaslin plays a jazz concert at the Oasis Room of the Garde Arts Center; tickets are $38 and the music starts at 7:30 p.m. The Garde also brings in the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday; tickets are $33 to $53. Numerous local musicians play at the Bulkeley House Saloon from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday at with all donations going to the New London Community Meal Center. You can usually catch a performer—and several local vendors—at the Winter Farmers Market, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fiddleheads Food Co-op. And the Voices on the Thames youth choir will perform a free show at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Second Congregational Church.

The northern campuses of New London also invite residents to check out some musical performances in the next few days. At Connecticut College, Kent Hewitt and Mark McCormick play a jazz concert at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Cummings Arts Center. Admission is $10, or $5 for students and seniors; it’s free for Connecticut College students, faculty, and staff. The Coast Guard Band teams up with Flock Theatre for a free 2 p.m. concert on Sunday pairing the work of Shakespeare with the music. This takes place at Leamy Hall on the campus of the Coast Guard Academy.

In the art world, The Gallery at Firehouse Square holds an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday for “A Miniature Show.” This will feature small works of art by local artists, affordably priced to give you a jump start on holiday shopping. This opening will be done in conjunction with the grand opening of the Frame Shop at Firehouse Square, a new business located at the rear of the gallery. Residents can also check out the ongoing exhibit “Systema Naturae: The Order of Nature” at the Cummings Arts Center at Conn College.

Besides the musical performers, the Garde also welcomes The G.I.s of Comedy. The show features stand-up acts by veterans and active duty servicemen and starts at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $18, but the show is free for veterans and active duty military personnel. At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the theater’s Schooltime Performance Series continues with “Martha Speaks,” a show about an outspoken dog; tickets are $10 or $8 for groups of 15 or more.

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