A Film Festival, A Huge Book Sale, A Censorship Debate

Huckleberry Finn, with or without the “N-Word”?

Where: The Mark Twain House and Museum, 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford

When: Saturday: reception at 11:30 a.m., discussion at noon.

Why Go? This one is for the Twainiacs. Huckleberry Finn, as you may have heard, has been given a balderdashing by the publisher New South, wherein new copies of the classic will have the “N-word” replaced with “slave,” and other disparaging terms have been censored as well. So does this matter? Take up the talk with a panel discussion of scholars and teachers at the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford. Yeah, it’s a bit of a trek, but if you’re passionate enough about this subject, then you might want to check this out.

Price: Free

Annual Connecticut Film Festival

Where: The Danbury Palace Theatre, 165 Main Street, Danbury, and elsewhere around Danbury. Check the site for details, as movies are screened in different buildings around town at different times.

When: The festival will be from April 6 through April 10.

Why Go? The Connecticut Film Festival is a huge event, showcasing dozens of amateur and professionally-produced indie movies for four days. Most movies are presented by the director and/or actors who worked on the film, and allow for a question and answer session afterwards. There are tons of different movies, from family to adult. On Friday, there will be “Friday Funnies,” an hour-and-a-half presentation of 10 different films at the . Earlier that day there will be “Nostalgic and Documentary Shorts,” featuring a film on Bakelite by . Check the full schedule here.

And here’s an insider’s tip: Some presentations need “sit ins” for movies with an under-populated audience, so volunteer and you could pick up some free tickets. Other volunteer activities include serving food  and setting up at VIP events, which isn’t too bad, either.

Price: All matinee films and educational events before 6 p.m. (Students and Seniors) are $7.50. All films after 6 p.m. are $25 and include a reception. There may be a limited number of film only tickets available at evening events for $12.50. All tickets and passes can be purchased at The City Center Box Office at 186 Main Street in downtown Danbury. More info here.

Where: The Music Theatre of Connecticut, 246 Post Road East, Westport

When: Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Through April 17.

Why Go? Do you like Frank Sinatra? Do you want to see what it was like in a late-1950s night club with The Chairman of the Board’s voice ringing off the walls? This tribute event is unique in the way that there is no Sinatra impersonator, but there are four actors who take the stage and unravel a behind-the-scenes look at Sinatra’s life, and a love story that weaves it all together. Expect great performances and all of Sinatra’s greatest hits.

Price: Tickets range from $25 to $45.  

Where: The Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton

When: Saturday through Tuesday.

Why Go? Because you love books. Books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape, all on sale. Rare books, new books, old books, middle-aged books, young books….more books than anyone could read in a lifetime. On Saturday, the Rotary Club of Wilton will sell coffee and donuts for early risers, and then hot dogs and soda in the afternoon. And of course, all proceeds benefit the Wilton Library, so go there, buy some books, and show your support.

You may also be interested in the silent auction, which includes early printings of Steinbeck and a first edition of Whittier’s poems, as well as classic comics and a ton of other great stuff. The silent auction is held on Saturday and Sunday. Call for details.

Price: Early buyers have $15 admission charge from 7 to 9 a.m. on Saturday. After that, it’s free to the public. On Monday, all books are half price and on Tuesday, books are $5 a bag.  

Where: Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield

When: Friday at 8 p.m.

Why Go? Peter Noone was the lead singer of the Herman’s Hermits, the legendary pop band to produce classics such as “I’m into Something Good,” “Wonderful World,” “The End of the World,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” and “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat?” Herman’s Hermits sold over 60 million recordings with Noone at the helm. The Way Back Machine is composed of four Connecticut guys with a passion for 60s and 70s music, music that will take you way back to the era of classic rock that remains unparalleled.

Need another reason? Go out to in Ridgefield and take 10 percent off your bill when you present your ticket.

Price: $55

Where: 110 Federal Road in Danbury, and 14 Danbury Road in Wilton

When: Now until the shelves are picked clean.

Why go? Up to 75 percent off all books, DVDs, Blu Ray, board games, and CDs. History, literature, and science fiction are going for 50 percent off, while biographies are selling at an incredible 75 percent off.  Things are going fast, so get to Borders asap to grab some last minute deals before the wonderful chain is an hour’s drive away. Kobo E-Readers are now going for $50, down from $100 from borders.com. While both Wilton and Danbury’s Borders are closing, the Danbury store has a much wider selection still for sale.

Price: As much as you want to spend. But bring coffee from elsewhere—the café has been closed.