Woodbury-Middlebury Weekend Guide: A Van Vleck Art Show, A Healing Poetry Reading, Brewery Bands And Brunch

WOODBURY, CT — Woodbury leads this weekend with an art show in the founder's own galleries at Flanders, a Saturday poetry reading at the library and a garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll that's open to walk every day. When it's time to eat, a Main Street brewery has bands both weekend nights and a Middlebury dining room serves brunch beside its waterfalls. Here's what's happening from Thursday through Sunday.

This Weekend's Arts & Entertainment

• "Natalie Van Vleck, Views of a Timeless Nature" — Thursday, Sept. 24, through Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closes Sept. 30. The Van Vleck Art Galleries show works by Flanders' founder, Natalie Van Vleck, in an exhibition built around the beauty and perspective of her art. It's in the Van Vleck House. Flanders Nature Center, 5 Church Hill Road, Woodbury.
• "Art of Healing: Poetry as Recovery" Poetry Reading — Saturday, Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Woodbury Poet Laureate Katie Baker hosts local poets reading works on healing, recovery and hope for National Recovery and Suicide Prevention Month. All are welcome, and light refreshments will be served. It's in the library's gallery space. Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main St. S., Woodbury.
• Gertrude Jekyll Garden and Glebe House Museum Shop — Garden open daily, dawn to dusk; museum shop Friday through Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. The Jekyll Garden is open year-round for self-guided visits. Restoration work is underway in the garden and on the house, so expect caution tape around the building and limited parking. Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, 49 Hollow Road, Woodbury.

This Weekend's Restaurants & Bars

• Weekend Live Music — Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30 p.m. The brewery says it has rock, pop and country bands every Friday and Saturday night. It pours 16 taps of house-brewed ales and lagers, has a full bar and serves food from its mobile kitchen. Minors with a parent are welcome until 9 p.m. Woodbury Brewing Co., 738 Main St. S., Woodbury.
• Weekend Brunch — Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch at Vyne includes baked French toast with caramelized banana, a short rib Benedict and a spicy-tequila "Desperado" Bloody Mary. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are strongly encouraged. Vyne Restaurant & Bar, 1365 Whittemore Road, Middlebury.

Start Thursday or Friday with the Van Vleck paintings at Flanders, then catch a band at Woodbury Brewing on Friday night. On Saturday, hear the poets at the library and walk the Jekyll Garden. Close out the weekend with brunch at Vyne on Sunday.