The Hartford Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to welcome renowned singer-songwriter Ben Folds to the Talcott Mountain Music Festival! This collaboration promises a unique fusion of Fold’s dynamic piano compositions and the HSO’s rich orchestral sounds. Don’t miss this extraordinary musical experience under the stars!

All hail the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll! Superstar singers LaKisha Jones, Nova Y. Payton, and Armando Imagines will take you on a journey through Tina Turner’s legendary musical career as your orchestra elevates iconic songs like What’s Love Got to Do with It, Disco Inferno, Proud Mary, and more. As sentimental as it is powerful, this production pays tribute to the eight-time GRAMMY-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee in a way that proves Turner was Simply the Best.

TIME: Gates open at 12:00pm, Event begins at 1:00pm.

Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center is thrilled to announce a special FREE performance a on Sunday, July 13, featuring the first-ever collaboration between renowned artists Elio Villafranca and William Cepeda. This unique event will honor the musical legacy of Charles Neville, saxophonist and founding member of the Neville Brothers, and explore the deep cultural connections between Cuba, Puerto Rico, and New Orleans. The event will begin with an engaging one-hour community discussion, in which Villafranca and Cepeda will share stories, musical demonstrations, and reflections on the African roots of jazz, Latin, and New Orleans music. Following this, they will take the stage for a dynamic live performance, weaving together New Orleans jazz, funk, second-line rhythms, and Afro-Caribbean traditions, including songs tied to Neville’s enduring influence. This special event is presented in collaboration with FirstWorks in Providence, RI (July 11) and Blues to Green in Springfield, MA (July 12), with generous support from a Chamber Music America grant. The tour brings these powerful musical traditions to communities across New England, building cultural bridges and celebrating the shared heritage of the African diaspora.

Bridging the gulf between rock n’ roll and classical music, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra performs The Music of Queen at the Simsbury Performing Arts Center on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM. Brent Havens takes the podium to present Windborne’s The Music of Queen, a program scored to extend the listening experience of Queen’s exceptional tunes. Performed by the HSO and amplified with a full rock band and vocals, this show captures Queen’s distinct sound while presenting some familiar and lots of new musical colors.

The HSO presents its annual “Celebrate America!” concert, led by the esteemed Hartford Symphony Orchestra music director Carolyn Kuan. Joining the orchestra for this special occasion is American singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor. The night wouldn’t be complete without an exhilarating display of fireworks!

After 24 years and over 6,500+ performances in over 55+ countries, The Australian Bee Gees Show is the toast of Las Vegas comes to Connecticut! The show has been in residence at Excalibur Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip since February 2011 and has been voted twice, The Best Tribute Show in Las Vegas. The Australian Bee Gees Show also tours Worldwide throughout the year.

The show features a chronology of the greatest hits from the wonderful music of the Brothers Gibb, including More Than A Woman, Night Fever, and How Do You Mend A Broken Heart, just to name a few. The Australian Bee Gees Show have captured the look, the sound and the personality that defines one of the most successful and adored acts in musical history.

Let’s Sing Taylor - An Unofficial Live Tribute Show - is the ultimate tribute to the music of Taylor Swift. We can show you incredible things, including the most faithful and lively covers of Queen Taylor’s expansive and sacred catalog. Taking the country by storm, we’re bringing the communal experience of celebrating Taylor’s music in a live setting to Swifties near and far.

So, let the games begin. Calling all Swifties to sing your hearts out and sport your Taylor inspired attire. You can show up at our party any time.

Trade and make bracelets before and during the show, then join “Taylor” for a post-show photo opp!

Let’s Sing Taylor is fan-sponsored and not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, maintained, authorized, or sponsored by TAS Rights Management, Taylor Swift, or their affiliated entities.

Five Farmington Valley Towns Band Together

To Celebrate Freedom, Fun and Community at “CELEBRATE FREEDOM” Juneteenth Celebration, June 14 at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center

Celebration features the best in Black food, brew and live music plus the world’s largest

 LEGO® Black Brick Play Zone and more!

About:

The best in “food, folks and fun” comes alive at a unique Juneteenth celebration in Simsbury. What distinguishes this Juneteenth celebration is that five suburban towns in the Farmington Valley – Avon, Canton, Farmington, Granby and Simsbury—are banding together to bring the spirit of freedom and fun to the community at large. The celebration features the best in Black food, brew and live music plus the world’s largest LEGO® Black Brick Play Zone and more!

The event will be produced and emceed by June Archer.

Admission:

The admission is FREE thanks to public and private support.

Where/Date:

ANNOUNCEMENT! Due to inclement weather, the event will be at Simsbury High School, 34 Farms Village Road, Simsbury, Saturday, June 14, 1 pm – 5 pm. (in the event of inclement weather, the venue may change to Simsbury High School).

Mission:

The goal of our Juneteenth celebration is to both educate a wider audience and celebrate as a community the importance of Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth is a great time to gather and celebrate freedom for all of us.

Who:

·         This free community event showcases performances by*:

1:00pm Ru Williams - “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

1:10pm Hartford’s Proud Drill, Drum and Dance Corp.

1:25pm Triniti

1:35pm DJ K-Otic

1:45pm Cool jazz by Derrick M. Roberts

2:10pm Hue Brown

2:40pm Ru Williams

3:10pm DJ K-Otic

3:25pm The Rahsaan Langley Project

3:55pm to 4:30pm DJ K-Otic and June Archer

*Lineup subject to change.

·         Experience the best in Black cuisine with:

• Southern Belle Soul Food

• Soulfully Vegan

• Lion’s Den Vegetarian Restaurant

• Char’s Spicy Nuts

• Ice Cream Dream

• Rhythm Brewing Co.

  and, Simsbury Meadows Pub will also be open.

·         Shop at Black Retailers Row featuring: Sippin’ Self Care, Yuhanna Scents and more.

·         Kids of all ages can experience the world’s largest LEGO® Black Brick Play Zone and full-sized LEGO® Black PantherTM Photo Zone, courtesy of LEGO Systems, Inc! 

Mainly Marathons puts on a race series like no other, from the unique course set up to the unparalleled spread of food and drinks to fuel you on your journey, all mixed with a sense of fun and family you just won’t find anywhere else.

You can take part in a full marathon, half marathon, 10k, or 5k.

The long-time, beloved race tradition on Iron Horse features a picturesque two-loop 13.1 mile course along the Farmington River and local farmlands, with 10K and 5K race distance options. The post-race party is highlighted by delicious food from Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ served alongside refreshing craft beer from New England Brewing Company.

Participants in all race distances earn a short-sleeve race technical shirt and a custom finisher medal.

NEW IN 2025: Motivate the running season with a three-race goal in the Spring 10K Challenge. Start off in Middletown in April, then join the Burlington to Collinsville 10K in May and end with the UConn Health 10K in June to earn an extra commemorative medal for the extra efforts. Details

BACK AGAIN FOR 2025: The ultimate state challenge…the Connecticut Double! Run the UConn Health Half in June and work up to the premier 26.2 mile experience in Connecticut at the Eversource Hartford Marathon on October 11. Take home the exclusive commemorative medal after finishing under the iconic Arch in Hartford. Details

HMF FitKids: Bring the whole family and enjoy the kids run with options of a ¼ mile, ½ mile or 1 mile (for kids ages 2-11)!

Experience the Power of the MS Movement

Centered around the theme of Circles of Support, the Walk MS® experience emphasizes the people and organizations that help improve a person’s life with MS. At the same time, we move together toward a world free of MS. Everyone at Walk MS plays a powerful role in the MS community, whether you live with MS or care about someone who does.

Circles of Support is an interactive way for you to self-identify your place in the MS community.