We’re building a scrappy local-news machine - and grants are the rocket fuel. I’m poking around state/local options and, yeah, I’m out over my skis. If you’re a grant killer (or know one), I’ll take intros, templates, fiscal-sponsor hacks - the works.

We’re cooking up limited-edition drops (prints, tees, puzzles, the whole toy box) and we want hometown talent on the label.

Bonus: we’re launching Local Artist Spotlights in upcoming issues, so your work gets front-row love in the newsletter. Painters, illustrators, photographers, printmakers - if your vibe is “Connecticut, but make it cool,” let’s talk.

Reply “ARTIST” with a link or IG handle (recs welcome). We’ll reach out this week.

The Outlaw Music Festival (Willie, Dylan, Sheryl Crow) is bringing American myths and a jukebox of sing-alongs on the same stage at Xfinity Theatre (61 Savitt Way) kicking off at 4PM. Willie’s still cooler than your nephew’s mustache, Dylan’s still doing Dylan things (new arrangements, don’t @ me), and Sheryl brings the “ohhh I forgot I love this song” energy. It’s the kind of bill your dad calls “real music” while your group chat calls it “mandatory.”

Show up early, park smart, and claim your lawn like it’s beachfront property. This is a bring-a-chair, bring-a-friend, bring-a-story night. Pregame with a bite at Parkville Market or Pratt Street, then ride the nostalgia wave straight through golden hour. Expect a little twang, a little poetry, and a lot of “I can’t believe we’re seeing this lineup in Hartford.”

Pro tips: check the venue bag policy, layer up for New England’s mood swings, and budget time for the post-show traffic shuffle. Hydrate, hum along, and pretend Sunday doesn’t exist. Tix

🎈 Bob’s Discount Furniture just returned to its Newington (3174 Berlin Turnpike) roots.

🍕 Square Peg Pizzeria just opened at East Hartford Golf Club (130 Long Hill St) - Detroit-style pies + all-day eats now, full menu coming after the post-season kitchen rebuild.

🎖️ East Hartford’s new World War II Museum, Research & Education Center cuts the ribbon Sat, Sept 6 at 2pm (102 Pitkin St) - CT’s only WWII-dedicated museum.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Anna, a wiggly 1-year-old brindle sweetheart who’s house/crate/leash trained, great with kids and dog pals, and just needs a little time to warm up. Ready for a loyal shadow?

🏡House of the week: Had to include it, how do you skip the former Mike Tyson/50 Cent mansion? Listed in Farmington for $9.9M, it’s ~51k sq ft of outrageous flex with a nightclub, casino, and indoor/outdoor pools - even if the price is sky-high. Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: Case Mountain (Lookout Mountain, Manchester)
Choose-your-loop (2-4.5 mi), quick climb, skyline payoff: the Hartford view from Lookout Mountain plus a photogenic waterfall near the Spring St bridge. Well-marked trails, kid-friendly, dogs on leash. Getting there: Easiest parking at 640 Spring St, Manchester (waterfall bridge) or Case Pond lot on Birch Mountain Rd - both lots feed the white Carriage Path up to the overlook. Weekends fill by late morning.

🔭Sky report: Bright week ahead, the Full Corn Moon peaks Sunday, Sept 7 at 2:09 pm ET and although there’s a total lunar eclipse, it’s not visible from Connecticut (it happens while the Moon’s below our horizon). Expect moon-washed nights. Still worth a look: Saturn is up most of the night and easy to spot; the Moon drifts near Saturn on Sept 8 for a pretty pairing.

East Hartford | Farmers’ Market | 2-4:30PM - Fresh, local haul on the Town Green (99 Chapman Pl). Rotating farms and vendors; easy in–out for weekday shopping.

Hartford | Yard Goats: 90’s Night + Bark in the Park | 7:10PM $ - Dunkin’ Park (1214 Main St). Fanny-Pack Hat giveaway for the first 1,000 adults, pups welcome with special ticket; Goats vs. Reading. Tix

South Windsor | Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? | 6:30-8:30PM - Theme trivia at Connecticut Valley Brewing Co. (765 Sullivan Ave). Grab a flight, flex those grade-school brain cells, win bragging rights.

Wethersfield | Qi Gong (Moving Meditation) | 6:30-7:15PM $ - Gentle, guided practice with Mystic Healing Reiki at The Blackbird House (147 Main St). Beginners welcome; RSVP

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - State House Square | Meggie | 12-1PM

Windsor | Classic Car Show | 4-8PM - Cruise-night vibes at Bart’s (55 Palisado Ave). Chrome, classics, and burgers by the river; weekly show, weather permitting.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Manchester - Wickham Park (Cabin Garden) | Mass-Conn-Fusion | 6-7:30PM
⬢ Southington - Town Green | Locomotion | 7-9PM

East Granby | Sound Healing & Guided Meditation | 6PM $ - Crystal bowls + guided calm at Brignole Vineyards (103 Hartford Ave). Bring a mat/blanket. Secure a spot

Hartford | Part-Time Job Fair | 10AM-2PM & 4-7PM - On-site interviews for guest services @ PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plaza), security & F&B roles in the Atrium.

New Britain | Art Happy Hour | 5:30-8PM - Summer-evening vibes with live music by Anthony Carabello on the Café Terrace at New Britain Museum of American Art (56 Lexington St).

South Windsor | Wapping Fair (9/4-9/7) | Thu 5-10PM - Rides, live bands, food trucks, and a tractor show at John J. Mitchell Fairgrounds (75 Brookfield St). More Info

Vernon | Painting in Watercolor | 6PM $ - Relaxing, skill-building watercolor session at Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke).Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Hartford Live (Old State House) | Moe | 6-9PM
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey Grill & Bar | Mike “McKeyz” Childs | 6-10PM
⬢ Windsor - Town Green | Gene Donaldson & the Stingrays | 6-8PM

Bristol | 2025 BrewFest Weekend | 5-11PM $ - Tasting night returns to historic Muzzy Field (15 Muzzy St). Dozens of brewers, food trucks, and festival vibes to kick off the weekend. Passes

Hartford | The Hunks - Ladies Night | 8PM $ - A spicy one for the “Girls’ Night Out” at The Webster Underground (31 Webster St). Bring the crew; plan for an interactive show. Get Access

Manchester | Comic: Aries Spears | 7PM & 9:30PM $ - Back-to-back stand-up sets for this seasoned comedian at Hartford Funny Bone (194 Buckland Hills Dr). Two chances to catch him, 100% chance great impressions. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Broad Brook - Opera House | Unforgettable Fire (U2 Tribute) | 8PM $
⬢ East Windsor - East Windsor Park | Cover 2 Cover | 5:30-7:30PM
⬢ Manchester - Murphy’s Pub & Sports Bar | Diva & The Playboys | 9PM
⬢ Manchester - Little Theatre of Manchester | The Tom Prettys (All-Female Tom Petty Tribute) | 7PM $
⬢ Marlborough - The Farm at Carter Hill | FountainHead | 6-9PM
⬢ Milldale - Kinsmen Brewing Co. | Soul Sound Revue | 8PM $
⬢ Newington - AngryHair | NEKROPOLIS (Deathrock/Goth/Post-Punk Night) | 8PM-2AM $
⬢ Southington - Hawk’s Landing Country Club | The Savage Brothers | 6PM
⬢ West Hartford - New Park Brewing | Dead Show (Grateful Dead Tribute) | 7-10PM $
⬢ Windsor - Dudleytown Brewing Co. | The Duketones | 6-9PM

Glastonbury | On the Green Fine Art & Craft Show (9/6 & 9/7) | 10AM-5PM - 63rd annual juried show on Hubbard Green (116 Hubbard Dr). Shop art, stroll shade, sip lemonade.

Hartford | Bizarre Bazaar | 12-4PM - Spooky-season market downtown at CT’s Old State House (800 Main St). Costumes welcome; curiosity required.

Rocky Hill | 3rd Annual ItaliAmerica Festa | 12-8PM - Italian eats, wine, over the top hand gestures and live music at Elm Ridge Park (376 Elm St). Free admission; come hungry.

Wethersfield | CornFest 2025 | 10AM-4PM - Food, vendors, music, and sweet sweet local corn on the Cove Park lawn by Solomon Welles House & the DMV (60 State St). Family-friendly and free.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Berlin - The Truck Bar | Acid Wash | 8PM
⬢ Broad Brook - Opera House | Ramblin’ Man (Allman Bros Tribute) | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - Arch Street Tavern | Kirk Scully / Brandon Serafino / JM Ross | 9PM $
⬢ Hartford - Xfinity Theatre | Outlaw Music Festival ( Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Shery Crow) | 4PM $
⬢ Hartford - The Webster | Anime Rave (18+) | 9PM $
⬢ Hartford - The Webster Underground | Linkin Park Night (Tribute to Chester Bennington) | 7PM $
⬢ Manchester - The Main Pub | Shout Presents: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead | 9PM
⬢ Newington - Flying Monkey Grill & Bar | Linda Ransom | 5:30-10PM
⬢ Simsbury - Simsbury Meadows | Mike DelGuidice | 7PM $
⬢ South Windsor - The Pub | 384 East | 8PM
⬢ Suffield - Shamrock Cafe | The Avenue | 2-6PM
⬢ Tariffville - Old Well Tavern | Six Pack of Blues | 8PM
⬢ West Hartford - GastroPark | Home By Ten | 7-10PM

Enfield | Beginner Mounted Archery Clinic | 10AM-6PM $ - Saddle up at Round Tuit Ranch (100 Fletcher Rd). Hosted by Horse Archers of Fletcher Hill; gear & lunch included.

Hartford | Indian Folk Dance Festival: Navratri Raas-Garba | 4:30-7:30PM $ - Atul Purohit live at the CT Convention Center (100 Columbus Blvd). Biggest Garba night in New England. Passes

New Britain | Dożynki - Polish Harvest Festival | 11:30AM-8PM - After Mass at Sacred Heart (158 Broad St), the street fest runs by Haller Post 111 (112 Grove St). Pierogi, polka, and plenty of pride.

Rocky Hill | 5th Annual Craft Fair | 10AM-2PM - Local makers showcase their wares at Elks Lodge (825 Cromwell Ave). Browse, sip, repeat.

Southington | Harvest Hoedown | 2-6PM $ - Farm to table dinner, dancing, tastings & live band at the L.E.A.F. (65 Blueberry Ln). Tix

West Hartford | The Crown Market’s 85th Anniversary | 2-5PM - Tasting stations, swag, and celebration at Crown Market (2471 Albany Ave).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - The Webster | HypeFest Hip-Hop Festival | 5PM $
⬢ Marlborough - The Farm at Carter Hill | Jeff Pitchell ft. James Montgomery | 3PM $
⬢ Newington - Flying Monkey Grill & Bar | Stoltz & Co (Sunday Blues) | 5:30-8PM
⬢ South Windsor - Connecticut Valley Brewing Co. | Bobby Morrill | 2-5PM

Suffield | Paper Flowers (Kusudama) | 6-8PM $ - Fold five blooming origami flowers at Karenoughcrafts & Boutique (11 High St, Suite 104). Bring five hot-glue sticks; all other materials provided. Secure your spot