Events in New London today

Bank Square Books hosts an author talk and signing with Elizabeth Wellington Rollins for her debut novel, The Three Graces of Pearl Street, presented as a conversation with Tanya Edwards. Tickets are required. The novel follows three Italian American women, a grandmother, her daughter, and a granddaughter, each sharing a name drawn from the Roman Three Graces. After years apart they find themselves living together again, bringing buried secrets and old distances into the open. Graziella, a 96 year old matriarch and former nun, runs a parish food kitchen and feels responsible for feeding neighbors in a working class New York community. Her daughter, Grace, is a respected psychology professor whose poised professional life contrasts with personal upheaval. Ella, Grace’s daughter, is weary of defending her vegan choices and anti capitalist views, and while she overlooks her own strengths, she yearns for a place where she truly belongs. As their lives intersect under one roof, they face what has kept them apart and consider what it means to be fully known. The story reflects on the pull between tradition and modern life and the quiet courage required to move through the world with grace. Elizabeth Wellington Rollins is a writer and award winning copywriter who grew up outside New York City and graduated from Davidson College. Her work has appeared with the BBC, Condé Nast Traveler, The Week, Travel + Leisure, and Vogue, and she lives in Vermont with her family. Tanya Edwards is an award winning writer and editor with bylines that include BBC Travel, Rand McNally Road Atlas, CNN, the Boston Globe, Eater, Glamour, Yahoo, Allure, and Refinery29.

Wednesday Night Fencing offers an open practice midweek. Sessions take place on Wednesday evenings and may be adjusted based on weather or scheduling.

An open mic dedicated to personal expression, featuring music, comedy, poetry, and storytelling. For this round, performers must pre-register, and space is limited. The format centers on giving each participant time on stage and celebrating what makes every voice unique.

A free conversation class provides adult English learners with a friendly space to practice speaking and listening. All proficiency levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced. No registration is required, and participants can simply drop in.

Donate blood at this drive and be a hero. Donors receive a pint of ice cream to match their pint donation, a sweet thank you for helping others.

Participants are grouped into Juniors, Seniors, and Masters divisions. The entry fee is $5, and prizes vary with attendance and are awarded based on final standings.

The Color House is bringing back its after school art program for the new school year. Children will dive into a mix of creative mediums, including painting, clay work, crafts, and fluid art, with more projects planned along the way. The program is open to returning participants as well as newcomers, providing a welcoming, hands-on setting that encourages exploration and creativity.

Each week brings a new workout at the Fort while the purpose stays constant. Sessions are free and open to men, with the goal of leaving stronger than when you arrived.

Settle into a rejuvenating yoga session that blends mindful breathing, gentle stretching, and a flowing Vinyasa sequence to boost vitality and foster a deeper connection with your body, heart, and spirit. It is a calm, grounding way to begin the day with grace and gratitude. The class is hosted in the Lanphear Reading Room, owned by the Watch Hill Conservancy, which supports community gatherings. Contributions to WHC are appreciated. First-time participants must complete a practice waiver. Please register and arrange payment by emailing yogasthaliving@gmail.com. The fee is $23 or covered by a monthly pass, with cash and checks preferred; electronic payment can be arranged upon request. Bring your own mat, blanket, and any props, along with water, and dress for comfort and support. Enter through the rear lobby entrance, as the front remains locked. Use the Reading Room exit and avoid the garage doors. Sign in when you arrive and, if paying electronically, complete that before coming or pay on site. Cancellations require at least 24 hours’ notice by calling (401)408-9295.

Explore New London on a guided stroll that reveals the city’s seafaring legacy and the stories of the people who shaped the Whaling City. Local guides lead the way through historic streets and along the harbor, sharing accounts of ocean voyagers, revolutionaries, and business pioneers who left their mark. Each walk uncovers surprising details, overlooked landmarks, and memorable moments that bring the past into focus. Designed for both newcomers and longtime residents, this experience offers a fresh look at the city’s history and character.

An open air concert series brings live music to Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern at Mystic Seaport Museum, offering a relaxed setting by the water. Guests can pack a blanket or lawn chair and settle on the grass, since available seating is limited and tends to fill quickly. Expect live tunes, an easygoing vibe, and scenic waterfront views. This installment spotlights James Harris, a guitarist and singer with more than two decades of experience who focuses on acoustic interpretations of classic and modern rock. He also performs classical guitar for formal events and draws on a wide-ranging repertoire that includes classical, jazz, and popular styles. A Berklee College of Music graduate, he has studied with notable musicians and performs regularly throughout New England.

Thor Torgersen brings live music as the 2026 Rock the Dock Summah Series comes to a close. Bring beach chairs and snacks and settle in for a final taste of summer. Complimentary pizza slices will be available courtesy of Angies Pizza. Half of the parking lot will be closed, so plan ahead for parking.

Filomenas Restaurant and Private Dining welcomes the return of Fusion, with plans for an outdoor setting if the weather allows.

A laid-back, three-round Commander event focused on friendly play. The entry fee is $5. During the event, players can unlock achievements that award Gilt Leaf Games Prize Tickets.

Entry is $10, and prizes scale with turnout and final standings. Every participant receives at least two packs plus a current promo pack, and first place also takes home an Origins Promo Pack while supplies last.

Friday nights turn Misfit Club into a charged dance floor as the lights drop and the bass surges. Expect sweat, sparkle, and the freedom to get lost in the music. Wear what feels right, whether you want to dress up, show your style, or simply let go. Every vibe is welcome in a judgment-free, no-limits atmosphere built for movement and release. It is high-energy Friday fun made for cutting loose with a like-minded crowd, and it happens only at Misfit Club.

Explore New London on a walking tour that brings the city’s character to life through quirky tales, offbeat trivia, and the lesser known history that helped shape the Whaling City. The route highlights notable figures and unusual events, revealing stories that have been hiding in plain sight. As a preview, the tour even uncovers the spot tied to Al Capone’s favorite local restaurant, with many more surprises along the way.

Celebrate the end of summer with a family-friendly field day on the Village Green in the historic Seaport Village. All ages can jump into classic outdoor games such as sack races, bucket brigade relays, barrel rolling and more for a lighthearted day of play and shared memories. Check-in will be at a pop-up tent, and participants can take home a commemorative ribbon.

Settle into Wilcox Park in Westerly with a lawn chair and enjoy a day filled with activities for kids and adults, plus food, art, and plenty of young music. The festival also highlights a strong roster of sponsors and extends thanks to the many donors supporting it. Poster art is by @laurelgreenfieldart, with marketing by @coach.terrance.

Lotus Games celebrates the One Piece 4th Anniversary with OP17 store battles. Players may bring a constructed One Piece deck or use a starter deck. Weekly tournaments feature Bandai prizes while supplies last and bragging rights, and winners receive store credit based on placement. The series helps grow the One Piece trading card game community through regular friendly competition.

A four course pairing dinner on the farm curated by chef Kev D, a chef to the stars with appearances on the Today show and Food Network. The experience features paired bites, interactive experiences, and live music. Returning after a popular run last year, it centers on creative flavor pairings in a farm setting.

This is a meat-themed raffle with multiple rounds of play. For $20, participants receive chances across 20 games.

Yu-Gi-Oh Weekly welcomes duelists for organized play with a $5 entry fee. Prize support scales with turnout and is awarded in packs, with two OTS or UTP packs contributed to the prize pool for each entry. A separate event post covers the win-a-box version for those looking for details on that option.

A live dating and comedy show arrives at Priam Vineyards, set beneath a tent in the blueberry pasture. Beer, wine, and food trucks will be available, and outside food is welcome. UPDATING, born in New York City, puts two singles on blindfolded first dates in front of a live audience. Expect a mix of big laughs, audience involvement, candid moments, and real-time takes on modern romance with real people. It plays like reality TV happening live and unedited on stage. The show is created, produced, and hosted by comedians Brandon Berman and Harrison Forman.

UNITED Black Box Auditorium hosts an evening of British rock spanning decades, featuring multi-platinum band The FIXX alongside Colin Blunstone, the distinctive voice of The Zombies, and Peter Asher of Peter & Gordon. The FIXX brings a catalogue of MTV-era favorites like One Thing Leads To Another, Red Skies, and Saved By Zero, with the classic lineup of Cy Curnin, Rupert Greenall, Jamie West-Oram, Adam Woods, and Dan K. Brown. Colin Blunstone offers a set that draws from The Zombies’ classics, his solo work, and notable collaborations, celebrating a career that has earned global admiration and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recognition of his band. Peter Asher traces his journey from the Lennon and McCartney written World Without Love to influential roles at Apple Records and on landmark albums for artists such as James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. His storyteller set features vocals and guitar from Asher, with Robert Berry on piano, bass, and vocals, and Aubrey Richmond on mandolin, violin, and vocals. This is an all-ages, fully seated show in the Black Box auditorium. Tickets are priced at $73 to $83, inclusive of fees, and are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. The UNITED is not liable for tickets purchased through third-party sellers.

At Mystic Museum of Art, Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways looks at the story of textiles in southeastern Connecticut, from precolonial roots to contemporary style. Drawing inspiration from the area’s velvet-making past, the exhibition considers how craft, industry, and design have shaped ideas of luxury over time. Presented in collaboration with Historic Stonington, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, Mystic Seaport Museum, and the Connecticut region of Studio Art Quilt Associates, it brings together historic and modern beadwork, embroidery, quilts, velvet, and fashion from loans and the museum’s own holdings. Themes of labor, immigration, identity, and innovation frame what luxury can mean, and the presentation includes work by designers connected to the state, such as Xarea Lockhart, Toriana Sauro, Christian Siriano, and Peter Som. Public programs and workshops accompany the exhibition. Admission is 12 dollars for general visitors, 10 dollars for New London County residents, seniors, and students, and free for members, youth 17 and under, and military personnel including active duty and veterans.