LiveMMusiccFestivvalsDay TTripsComeedyRacessFood

March 15-21, 2012ct.com/hartfordadvocatemobile.ct.com

Best ofWhere to go &What to do

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springtimes

It’s true, we didn’t have much of a winter. (Not that anyone’s complaining.) Butthat doesn’t mean we can’t get all giddy and festive — and maybe even fool-ishly underdressed — over the arrival of spring. This is the time of year when

we stand outside and shake our heads in wonder as the breeze whips by. Andthe trees start to show little hints of color at the tips of their branches. It’s awe-some. The joy of spring is a basic bodily reality — you feel the surge of energy inyour bones and on your skin. For some, mid-March calls for a zingy bloodymary. It’s hard to be cynical about it (that whole “April is the cruelest month”thing notwithstanding). Here are some cherry-picked activities and events tohelp kickstart your enjoyment of the season.

The Rites of Spring! Open your wallet or purse, grab a cardwith bumpy numbers on it and find a

Wi-Fi connection, or pick up a phone, ifyou’d rather: there are dozens of top-notchhip-hop, indie rock, metal, R&B and jam-band acts passing through the state thisspring. It’s a little tough to comb through allthe various offerings, so we offer a fewguideposts.

Bill Frisell/Sam Amidon Duo, March 19,7 p.m., $19.99, Edmond Town Hall, 45 MainSt., Newtown, (203) 270-4285, edmond-townhall.org.

Snoop Dogg, March 28, 8 p.m., $37.50-$42, 300 York St., New Haven, (203) 624-9623, toadsplace.com.

Wild Flag, Hospitality, March 30, 8 p.m.,$16-$18, 300 York St., New Haven, (203)624-9623, toadsplace.com.

Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and BobWeir, April 7, 7:30 p.m., $49.50-$59.50,Oakdale Theatre, 95 South Turnpike Road,Wallingford, (203) 269-8721, oakdale.com.

Mastodon, Opeth, Ghost, April 10, 7:30p.m., $29.50, Oakdale Theatre, 95 SouthTurnpike Road, Wallingford, (203) 269-8721,oakdale.com.

Cee Lo Green, Melanie Fiona, April 13, 8p.m., $45-$65, MGM Grand Theater atFoxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley LineBoulevard, Mashantucket, (866) 646-0609,foxwoods.com.

Andrew Jackson Jihad, Joyce Manor,Treasure Fleet, April 21, 7 p.m., $10, Web-ster Underground, 31 Webster St., Hartford,(800) 477-6849, webstertheater.com.

Nickelback, Bush, Seether and My

Darkest Days, April 27, 6 p.m., $49.50-$79.50, XL Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza,Hartford, (860) 249-6333, xlcenter.com.

Wiz Khalifa, Super Mash Bros., April 29,8 p.m., $45, William H. Pitt Center, SacredHeart University, 5151 Park Ave., Fairfield,(203) 371-7846, shutickets.com.

Florence and the Machine, Blood Or-ange, May 11, 8 p.m., $49.50, Mohegan SunArena, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncas-ville, (800) 745-3000 (Ticketmaster), mohe-gansun.com.

The Beach Boys, May 12-13, 8 p.m.,$55-$75, Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 MoheganSun Boulevard, Uncasville, (800) 745-3000(Ticketmaster), mohegansun.com.

Maroon 5, May 17, 7 p.m., $80-$120,MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods ResortCasino, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard,Mashantucket, (866) 646-0609, foxwood-s.com.

Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker,Thompson Square, May 18, 8 p.m.,$59.75-$73.75, Comcast Theatre, 61 SavittWay, Hartford, (888) 695-6849, livenation-.com.

Blink 182, The All-American Rejects,May 18, 8 p.m., $49.50-$69.50, MoheganSun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard,Uncasville, (800) 745-3000 (Ticketmaster),mohegansun.com.

Dave Matthews Band, Carolina Choco-late Drops, Mariachi El Bronx, May 25-26,8 p.m., $75-$89.90, Comcast Theatre, 61Savitt Way, Hartford, (888) 695-6849, livena-tion.com.

15 Great Music Shows

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Winter wasn’t allthat harsh this

year, and for this we aregrateful — but spring isstill just as welcome asit would be any otheryear. Let’s celebratewarmth and flowers,food that’s cooked on agrill and the ability to gooutside without a coatat some statewidefestivals that can onlytake place in the fairestof seasons.

The Garden Expo2012, Ludlowe HighSchool, 785 UnquowaRoad, Fairfield. (203)259-1847, thegardenex-po.com. March 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & March18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5-$8. Over 80 home andgarden exhibitors, selected by invitation onlyto ensure that they are of high quality. Arts,crafts and items that will appeal to the gar-dener and non-gardener alike.

Meriden Daffodil Festival, HubbardPark, Meriden. (203) 630-4259, daffodilfest-.com. Sat., April 28, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. & Sun.,April 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Over half amillion daffodils set the backdrop for a dayin the park filled with local music (dozens ofreally good local bands), food, rides andfireworks.

Robin Hood Springtime Festival, Guil-ford Fairgrounds, Lovers Lane, Guilford.(860) 478-5954, robinhoodsfaire.com. May12-June 3. $3-$16. A recreation of an old

world harvest faire with costumed perform-ers, crafts and entertainment. You will hearthe word “ye” spoken many times.

Shoreline Spring Festival, MadisonGreen, Madison. (203) 245-8720, shore-lineunitarian.org. Sat., May 19, 10 a.m.-4p.m. A one-day arts and crafts festival fea-turing exhibitors from all over New England,a farmers market, music and more.

Spring on the Farm Festival, StamfordMuseum and Nature Center, 39 Scofield-town Road, Stamford. (203) 322-1646,stamfordmuseum.org. May 19-20, 11 a.m.-4p.m. $10. Learn how to shear a sheep, buysome plants, take a hayride… you know.Spring stuff.

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Mates of State perform at the Meriden DaffodilFestival on Sun., April 28th.

5 Spring Festivals

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We love to eat. And you prob-ably do too. It’s a basic human

trait. Here are some food-relatedevents that will help to make thespring of 2012 just a little bit tastier.

King Arthur Flour Baking Dem-onstration, Holiday Inn, 1 BrightMeadow Blvd., Enfield. Sat., March24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m; Doubletree Hotel,789 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, Fri.,March 23, noon-9 p.m. kingarthur-flour.com. Get some baking tipsfrom expert bakers at America’soldest flour company (220 years old,in fact). Their two demos include“Perfect Pies & Savory Scones” and “Bak-ing with Yeast & Whole Grains.”

Magic Hat Beer Dinner, Delaney’s Res-taurant & Tap Room, 882 Whalley Ave., NewHaven. (203) 397-5494, delaneystaproom-.com. Sat., March 31, 6-8:30 p.m. $60. Trysix different Magic Hat beers paired with afive–course meal that complements theirflavors — like Circus Boy Hefeweizen withlamb shank stew. And #9 with Apricot andCherry Duck Breast.

Syrup Saturday and Pancake Brunch,New Canaan Nature Center, 144 OenokeRidge, New Canaan. Sat., March 17, 10:30a.m.-2 p.m. $8-$12. Try out some syrup thatNature Center tree-adopters have beencollecting over the past few weeks andcompare with other varieties of syrups thataren’t quite so hyperlocal. Learn the differ-ence between real syrup and fake syrup.Take a hike along “Maple Lane.”

Compare and contrast syrups atthe New Canaan Nature Center’sSyrup Saturday and PancakeBrunch on Sat., March 17th.

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3 Foodie Events

springtimes

Laughter is contagious, infectious, guaranteedto elevate the soul. Couple that with a great

venue, some outstanding drinks and food andpleasant company and you’ve got an evening onyour hands. Here are just five of the many out-standing comedy shows you’ll bump into acrossConnecticut this spring.

Paula Poundstone, March 23, 8 p.m., $58,Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road, Ridge-field, (203) 438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Kevin James, April 5, 8 p.m., $45, MoheganSun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville,(888) 664-3426, mohegansun.com.

Loni Love, April 5-7, 8 p.m. (second show onApril 7 at 10:30 p.m.), Comix At Foxwoods, Fox-woods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, (860) 312-6649, foxwoods.com.

Ron White: Moral Compass Tour, April 20, 7p.m., $32.50-$58, The Bushnell Center for thePerforming Arts, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford, (888)824-2874, bushnell.org.

Weird Al Yankovic: Alpocalypse Tour, May 13,7 p.m., $25-$45, Palace Theater, 100 East MainSt., Waterbury, (203) 346-2000, palacetheaterct-.com.“Weird Al” Yankovic.

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5 Great Comedy Events

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“JONAH HILL ANDCHANNING TATUM ARE THE

PERFECT COMEDY DUO.”Ed Douglas, COMINGSOON.NET

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FORTHEATERS AND SHOWTIMESSTARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 16

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Connecticut is full of unique and quirkyday trips that’ll have you asking your-

self “What’s a television?” Now that theweather’s turning a corner and making itmore enjoyable to leave the house, may wesuggest a few kickin’ options to get youstarted.

Ambler Farm, 257 Hurlbutt St., Wilton,(203) 834-1143, amblerfarm.org. This 200-year-old working farm knows our roots well,and offers year-round activities for adultsand kids alike on 22 acres.

Castle Craig, Hubbard Park, 199 NotchRoad, Meriden, cityofmeriden.org. Visiblefrom I-691, this lookout tower features viewsof New Haven and Long Island Sound on aclear day. Reachable by hike or drive. OpenApril-October.

Dinosaur State Park, 400 West St.,Rocky Hill, (860) 529-8423, dinosaurstate-park.org. Indoor and outdoor center for allthings dinosaur, including a track castingarea, reconstruction of a Geologic Forma-tion, dinosaur tracks, nature trails and more.

3 Great Day TripDestinations

Spring Day Trips.

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Spring is the season to finally shake off winter’s shackles and get outside. Whether you’rean avid runner or just starting out, we have an abundance of outdoor races and walka-

thons to keep us busy all season.9th Annual Shoreline Walkathon to Support the Community Dining Room: Sat., April

21, 10 a.m. Registration closes Wed., April 18, 9 p.m.: $15 for individuals, $10 for children 12and under. Individuals/team members can have their registration fee waived for raising morethan $50. Branford Town Green, Main St., Branford, (203) 488-9750, communitydiningroo-m.org.

New Haven Symphony Orchestra Run for the Music: Sun., April 22, 9:15 a.m. 5K runand ½ mile kids fun run for 12 and under. Registration: 5K: $25 by March 28, $27 by April 20,$30 race day; Kids’ Run: $6 by March 28, $8 by April 20, $10 race day. College Woods Pavil-ion, Orange and Cold Spring streets, New Haven, (203) 481-5933, jbsports.com.

Field Run for Autism: Sun., May 2, 8:30 a.m. 5K road race to raise money for the CTAutism Spectrum Resource Center. Registration: $30 before race day, $35 race day, $15 forstudents through grade 12. Choate Rosemary Hall, 333 Christian St., Wallingford, (203)265-7717, asrcwalk.kintera.org.

2012 5K Race/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run: Sun., May 6. Registration: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Kids’1K Fun Run: 8:30 a.m. 5K Race Walk: 9 a.m. Registration prior to May 4: $25 for participantsage 14 and up; $30 day of race, $15 for participants 13 and under; Kids’ Fun Run: $10.

Woodcock Nature Center, 56 Deer RunRoad, Wilton, (203) 762-7280, wood-cocknaturecenter.org.

Ten Penny Ale Shamrock Duathlon& 5K: Sun., May 20, 7:30 a.m. 5Krun/28K bike/5K run or 5K road race.Registration closes Fri., May 17, 11:59p.m. Duathlon: $70, $65 for those ages14-22; Duathlon – relay: $40 group, $35group/student (ages 12-22), $40 tocreate or join a team, $35 to create orjoin a team for those ages 12-22; 5K:$25, $20 for ages 18-22, $10 ages 5-17.Glastonbury High School, 330 HubbardSt., Glastonbury, (860) 652-8866, hart-fordmarathon.com.

The Race is On

Spring Races.

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