OpSail Preparation, Tribute To Louise Neistat, and Open House Day

Even if is calling their latest roundup of upcoming events the “Gearing Up For OpSail Edition,” I’d say poetry takes the cake this time around. debuts a collection of student writing and photography, with a reception from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The gallery also brings in Jon Anderson for its usual first Thursday poetry night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., while ’s regular poetry open mic runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the same evening. The organization also reminds you that you can check out “Poetry of the Wild,” a series of poetry boxes located around the city.

But about that OpSail preparation: there will be an informational and training session from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday at for anyone interested in volunteering for this weekend next month. From transportation to historicial interpretation, there’s a lot to do. The is also recognizing the War of 1812 bicentennial with the launch of the book The Rockets’ Red Glare from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday. This will accompany an upcoming exhibit on the war at the .

It wouldn’t be a week in New London without plenty of musical performances to choose from, and you can start out with acoustic rock artist Ben Morgan at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the ; tickets are $15. The Garde also welcomes Mike LeDonne’s Groover Quartet at 8 p.m. on Friday; tickets are $38 and include a pre-show reception at 7 p.m. welcomes Pat Doddona and Marco Frucht the same evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. You can also catch the Silver Hammer Band from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at . That evening, the Garde Arts Center brings Her Way, a tribute to Louise Neistat, New London’s late Radio City Rockette. Tickets are $10 to $25, and proceeds benefit the Cancer Center.

Finally, it’s a good weekend to check out a museum as several local sites participate in on Saturday. There is free admission at the , , , Lyman Allyn Art Museum, and . You can also get free membership in the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution Museum Patrons by visiting the . Lyman Allyn Art Museum also has a workshop on theater and acting from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on that day; the cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members.

Also happening this week:

• The , 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays at Parade Plaza and noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital
• “Mixed Signals,” an ongoing exhibit at Hygienic Art

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