'Shrek' for Free in Canton, Colonial Camp and More

Book Talk at Noah Webster

Back in the 19th century, horses were the engines of choice. They moved freight, transported passengers, fought fires, and powered equipment in breweries, mills, foundries, and machine shops. On July 25, author Clay McShane visits West Hartford's to discuss his book The Horse in the City: Living Machines in the Nineteenth Century. A book signing follows the discussion.

The talk begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Noah Webster House is at 227 South Main St., West Hartford. For more information, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org or call 860-521-5362. 

Kids' Camp at the Stanley-Whitman House

What's the best way to teach kids about Colonial times? Let them live the way the Colonists did. Farmington's Stanley-Whitman House offers just such an opportunity. "Inspired by History" Day Camp: Colonial Life in Farmington invites kids to relive colonial times. They will learn about the local cobbler, beekeeper, and merchant; make fresh fruit jam and cucumber pickles; do the family laundry the old-fashioned way; churn butter and make cheese; and try their hand at carpentry. Two camp sessions remain: July 25 to 29, and August 8 to 12.

The camp is for children ages 5 to 12. Each day's session runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Cost is $95 per child per week; $85 members. The Stanley-Whitman House is at 37 High St., Farmington. For more information, visit www.stanleywhitman.org or call 860-677-9222.

Arts Center Hosts Silent Auction

Golf for four at an area country club ... A hand-painted silk tie ... Spa treatments ... These are among more than 40 items up for bid in a silent auction to benefit the Farmington Valley Arts Center in Avon. The auction, which began July 16, runs through August 6 at 4 p.m. Bidders are invited to visit the arts center to view the items during regular hours or by appointment. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. (Winning bidders will be contacted to arrange pick-up or delivery during the week of August 8. Bidding begins at half of each donation's retail value, and bidders who offer 90 percent or more of an item's value may immediately complete their purchase.)

The Farmington Valley Arts Center is at 25 Arts Center Lane, Avon Park North, Avon. For more information, visit www.artsfvac.org or call 860-678-1867.

Simsbury Band Plays Free Summer Concert 

The band plays on ... July 27 brings another free concert by the 60-plus member Simsbury Community Band. The performance is part of the Summer Concert Series at the Farms. The orchestra plays the under the direction of Ertan Sener. 

Concert time is 7 p.m. at the Simsbury Farms Hockey Arena, 100 Old Farms Road, West Simsbury. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.simsburyband.org or call 860-658-3836.

Shrek for Free in Canton

Who doesn't love Hollywood's big green ogre? On July 23, you can see him outside when the Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton presents a free screening of Shrek Forever After. Pre-show entertainment comes courtesy of the Middletown Symphony Orchestra.

The pre-show runs from 6 to 8 p.m. The free screening begins at dusk in the main parking area near the barn. The Shoppes at Farmington Valley are at 110 Albany Turnpike, Canton. For more information, visit www.theshoppesatfarmingtonvalley.com or call 860-693-3059. 

Beauty, Barney and Illegal in Suffield

He's a big ugly beast, but despite his best efforts, he can't scare young Belle, the beauty who finds herself trapped in his castle. On July 21, Suffield's Kent Memorial Library presents a free screening of the contemporary Beauty and the Beast movie starring Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens. Screening time is 2 p.m. The film is rated PG-13. On July 22, the library screens the story of the policitally incorrect Barney Panofsky. Based on the book by Mordecai Richler, Barney's Version stars Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver, and Rosamund Pike. Screening time is 2 p.m. The film is rated R. On July 27, grab a seat for Illegal, a drama about a young Russian woman (Anne Coesens) living illegally in Belgium with her 14-year-old son and facing deportation. Screening time is 6:30 p.m. The film is not rated.

All screenings are free. No registration is required. No food and drink is allowed. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Kent Memorial Library is at 50 North Main St., Suffield. For more information, visit www.suffield-library.org or call 860-668-3896.  

HSO Plans Fun, Fun, Fun

The music of the Beach Boys, the Four Seasons, the Beatles and others are on the playlist when the Hartford Symphony Orchestra welcomes Grammy-nominated Papa Doo Run Run to the Talcott Mountain Music Festival for a July 22 Symphonic Surfin' Safari. Papa Doo Run Run was founded in 1965 by a group of high school friends in Cupertino, California. They have since established a reputation as the foremost interpreters of classic 1960's rock. The concert will be lead by guest conductor Glen Adsit, director of bands, and associate director of the instrumental studies division at the Hartt School of Music in West Hartford. The playlist includes California Girls, Surfin' U.S.A., Don't Worry Baby, Twist and Shout, Good Vibrations, and Fun Fun Fun.

Pack a blanket and a picnic. Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert time is 7:30 p.m. A variety of seating options are available — from lawn to table arrangements. Ticket prices range from $20 to $45. (Lawn tickets for kids 12 and under are $5.) For reservations and more information, visit www.hartfordsymphony.org or call 860-244-2999. The Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows is at 22 Iron Horse Boulevard, Simsbury. In case of severe weather, the concert will be performed at the same time on July 23. Concert updates are posted at www.hartfordsymphony.org.

A Bluesy Jazz Brunch at Twain House

Cafe Eiko at the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford dishes up a jazzy brunch on July 24. Song stylist Antoinette Montague croons the tunes as guests enjoy Japanese cuisine and American breakfast favorites.

Seatings are at 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. The $30 tickets include the performance, full brunch, soft drinks and hot beverages. Alcoholic beverages are available at an additional charge. Reservations are required. The Mark Twain House & Museum is at 351 Farmington Ave., Hartford. For more information, visit www.marktwainhouse.org or call 860-247-0998.