Summer settles in with stage and screen and sunscreen.
Wednesday, July 8
Beinecke Library’s annual “Readings of the Declaration of Independence, Frederick Douglass’s 1852 Oration, and Other Key Documents” begin at 4 p.m.
At 8, it’s a romp, not a recitation, through American history, more or less, during a screening of National Treasure (2004) outside in Pitkin Plaza.
Thursday, July 9
Lettuce, whose prodigious blend of “funk, soul, jazz, rock, and hip-hop” has earned tens of millions of streams, take the stage at New England Brewing Company’s Branford campus at 6 p.m.
At 7, also in Branford, Legacy Theatre opens a monthlong run of The Wizard of Oz, “featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film.”
Also at 7, today through Sunday, Valley Shakespeare Festival presents Made to Measure outside in Shelton’s Veterans Memorial Park. “Bring your own picnics and chairs.”
Madison Beach Hotel’s 2026 Grassy Strip Music Series also offers outdoor entertainment, in the form of live music from The Linda Ronstadt Experience.
Friday, July 10
The weekend-long Dooley-O Fest, named for the local DJ and centered on Westville’s Central Patio, starts tonight with a 5 p.m. art show at Lotta Studio and a block party on the Patio starting at 6.
Across town from 7 to 10, luxury event space The Estate hosts Jazz Under the Stars, a “sunset music session” featuring Jeff Fuller & Friends with food and drink for sale.
Saturday, July 11
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Connecticut Air & Space Center in Stratford holds its annual Helicopter Day, gathering together more than a dozen real vintage and modern helicopters.
From 11 to 10, Armada Brewing is “shutting down the street” for the Shoreline Summer Festival, a “massive day of live music”convening “30 bands across two stages” and 30 vendors too.
Starting at noon (or 11 a.m. if you spring for a VIP ticket), the sixth annual ParaConn, “CT’s original paranormal convention,” takes place at the Clarion Inn Hotel in North Haven. Attendees can expect “special guests [including Ari Lehman, the original Jason Voorhees], paranormal investigators, true crime experts and analysts, lectures, authors, entertainment, and other special events. 50 great vendor tables include psychics, tarot and card readers, mediums, horror memorabilia, true crime topics, clothing, crafts, crystals, book sellers, healers, cryptids, movie merch and much more.”
From 1 to 4 p.m., fashion/lifestyle shop MINIPNG hosts an eclectic party featuring a swimwear release, a “clothing and bag chain customization station,” “yummy Italian ice” and a 2 p.m. acoustic performance by Connecticut-born up-and-coming dance-pop artist Taylor Felt.
Sunday, July 12
“Paintings, sculpture and sculptural paintings that summarily obliterate the boundaries of color and texture” are the joint promise of Sidney Garrett and Ann Harding’s Letting Go of Holding On, John Harper’s Mysterious Anatomy and Anthony Huber’s Proof of Existence at Kehler Liddell Gallery, which celebrates all three shows during a 2 p.m. reception.
Dressed up as “the villa,” Riva in West Haven holds an 8 p.m. Love Island finale watch party, featuring themed drink specials and a Louis Vuitton bag giveaway.
Written by Dan Mims. Image, featuring Lettuce, photographed by Sam Silkworth. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
