Events in Waterford today

Young chefs can dive into a carnival-themed cooking class that blends hands-on fun with learning in the kitchen. Participants will make festive fair-style treats while building fundamental cooking skills in a supportive setting. Designed for ages 6 to 9, the session takes place at the Groton Community Center in Room C102. Please send an apron and a container so finished goodies can travel home. The fee is $45 for residents and $65 for non-residents. Class size is limited to keep the experience interactive.

A special meeting of the Cable Television Advisory Council of Southeastern Connecticut is scheduled at Groton Public Library, with a Zoom hybrid option available upon request. The agenda begins with an opportunity for public comments, followed by reports, old business, new business, communications, and adjournment.

A weekly Pokémon league welcomes participants in three age groups, with divisions for Juniors, Seniors, and Masters. Entry is $5, and prizes are awarded based on attendance and final standings.

The Sweet Remains bring a harmony-rich folk pop sound that nods to Crosby, Stills and Nash, Simon and Garfunkel, and the Eagles, while appealing to listeners who enjoy John Mayer, Ray LaMontagne, and Jason Mraz. Their performances blend three voices in close harmony, warm acoustic textures, and an easy sense of humor for an experience that feels both classic and contemporary. The trio of Rich Price, Greg Naughton, and Brian Chartrand are accomplished singer songwriters with solo releases, international touring, and work in film and television. Their narrative feature The Independents, inspired by their journey, earned accolades and praise from The Hollywood Reporter and the LA Times, and is available on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and additional platforms. Back on the road with Embers, the group’s fifth studio album produced by Grammy winner Andy Zulla, they highlight luminous songwriting and tightly woven harmonies that have helped garner over 65 million Spotify streams and a dedicated following around the world. The record features tracks such as When The World Slowed Down, Don’t Count Me Out, and the reflective title song Ember.

Set at the fort, this no-cost fitness session welcomes male participants and offers a new routine each week. While the exercises change from week to week, the aim stays the same... participants leave feeling stronger than when they arrived.

Set aside a weekend to dive into creative projects with everything you need included. For $275, participants receive two dinners to keep inspiration flowing, two hearty breakfasts to start each day, and a Saturday afternoon snack for an extra boost. Each crafter gets a six foot personal workspace to spread out supplies and focus on making. Optional add-on classes in card making or scrapbooking are available for $50 each. Expect plenty of time for creativity, connection, and fun from start to finish.

Challenge yourself in a course-based competition welcoming every fitness level. Sign up for beginner or intermediate to tackle the course alongside participants with similar experience. Each activity you finish adds another chance to win a prize. The more challenges you complete, the better your odds of winning.

Enjoy summertime music at Mystic Seaport Museum as the outdoor series returns to Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and find a place on the lawn, since seating is limited and can fill quickly. Free entry to the Museum is available through the North Entrance for this event. The Kenn Morr Band appears as part of the series while touring behind its latest release, "Still Shining," recorded at Sandy Brook Studios in Colebrook, Connecticut. The album includes eleven original songs by Kenn Morr and highlights the band’s well-honed interplay in a scenic waterfront setting.

Friday Night Magic Commander is a casual, three round Commander event. Achievements earned during play award Gilt Leaf Games Prize Tickets, and entry is $5.

Riftbound Nexus Night features a $10 entry fee with prize support tied to attendance and final standings. Every participant receives at least two packs no matter where they finish, along with a current promo pack. First place also earns an Origins Promo Pack while supplies last.

Noel Paul Stookey, best known as the “Paul” of Peter, Paul and Mary, is a folk singer and songwriter whose path runs from a high school R&B group in Michigan to emceeing at the Gaslight Cafe in Greenwich Village, where manager Albert Grossman brought him together with Peter Yarrow and Mary Travers. The trio helped drive the 1960s folk revival, carried songs of peace and social justice to a wide audience, performed at the March on Washington alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and earned multiple Grammy Awards along with a substantial run of Top 40 hits and gold and platinum albums. Stookey’s solo work includes The Wedding Song, with royalties directed to the Public Domain Foundation that has raised more than $2 million for charitable and social causes. He and his wife, Betty, made their home in Blue Hill, Maine, where he established Neworld Media in a renovated henhouse, recorded emerging Maine artists and his Bodyworks band, and helped launch the community station WERU-FM. With his daughter Liz Stookey Sunde he co-founded Music To Life to support musicians addressing social and environmental issues, and in 2020 he released Just Causes, pairing each of fifteen songs with an organization connected to its theme. His ongoing experimentation includes the Manulenjo, introduced at a hometown concert and crafted by master guitar maker David LaPlante, combining a round body reminiscent of the African banjo, a short neck and paired steel strings like an Italian mandolin, and tuning similar to the Portuguese ukulele, conceived as a celebration of America’s cultural and musical diversity; he also shared Dance to the Manulenjo, a story song about a fractured Congress and a musician who calls people to dance. He continues to live in Blue Hill with his wife, Betty Bannard Stookey, an ordained Congregational minister and co-creator with him of One Light Many Candles, a multi-faith program of readings and songs, and his catalog ranges from world issues to personal narratives in pieces such as El Salvador, In These Times, Jean Claude, and The Connection.

Misfit Club transforms into an electrifying dance floor for a Friday night celebration of sweat, sparkle, and freedom. Expect thumping beats, low lights, and a charged atmosphere that invites you to get lost in the music alongside the Misfits community. Come however you want to be seen, whether dressed to turn heads, to express yourself, or to let everything go, because every style and energy is welcome. There is no judgment and no holding back, just joyful, high energy chaos in the best possible way, all happening only at Misfit Club.

Enjoy a family-friendly event with free fun for kids, including a moon bounce along with complimentary activities and crafts. Additional make-and-take projects are available on a pay-as-you-go basis, and there will be food trucks and a craft fair. Look for a kids’ market alongside an adult craft show. The marketplace highlights local and growing businesses with original, handmade goods, quality craftsmanship, local flavors, and occasional vintage finds. Food trucks will serve meals, beverages, and desserts. Admission and parking are complimentary, and dogs are welcome. Vendors and makers can inquire about participating by sending a message or emailing tamaramort6@gmail.com.

Help care for Bates Park by collecting litter, tending to trails, and pitching in on park improvements. Gather at the container marked with the BFF logo near Animal Control, then head out with the group. Participants can move at a comfortable pace and are welcome to wrap up early if needed. Tools and gloves will be provided, and bringing personal gear is fine. Be sure to bring water.

This free meditation walk begins at the gazebo with a warmup inspired by Qigong and a brief meditative word. It continues with a quiet loop around Spaulding Pond and concludes with time to reflect on the experience from the silent walk. All are welcome.

Noel Paul Stookey, known as the Paul in Peter, Paul and Mary, appears for a performance that reflects a long journey through folk music, activism, and community life. His beginnings include an award winning high school R&B band in Michigan and emcee work at Michigan State University, followed by a steady slot at the Gaslight Cafe in Greenwich Village where he came to the attention of Albert Grossman and joined the trio that helped power the 1960s folk revival with songs about peace and social justice. The group’s milestones include early hit albums, five Grammy awards, multiple Top 10 singles, and a historic appearance at the March on Washington. He later renewed his Christian faith, launched a solo career with the Wedding Song written for a friend’s marriage, and directed its royalties to the Public Domain Foundation, which has generated more than two million dollars for charitable causes. Life in Blue Hill, Maine brought the creation of Neworld Media in a converted henhouse, support for emerging artists, and the launch of community station WERU-FM. He co-founded Music To Life with his daughter to help artist activists, and his songwriting continues to address global issues and personal stories, including the collection Just Causes that pairs each track with a related organization. Ever inventive, he also developed the Manulenjo, an instrument that blends elements of the African banjo, Italian mandolin, and Portuguese ukulele, crafted by David LaPlante as a salute to America’s diverse musical roots, and he introduced it in a 2023 hometown show with a narrative song about a divided Congress and a musician inviting people to dance.

Orleans brings its signature 70s pop rock sound to The Kate - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, highlighting the beloved hits Still The One, Dance With Me, and Love Takes Time. Celebrating 54 years together, the band draws from a catalog that spans more than 17 albums and four DVDs, a legacy that has kept them in demand for live performances across five decades. The touring lineup features co-founder Lance Hoppen with his brother and longtime member Lane Hoppen, joined by Brady Spencer, Tom Lane, and Tony Hooper. Their set presents the music with conviction and refinement, honoring the songs that made Orleans a staple of classic pop rock.

Vettes at the Beach takes place at Ocean Beach Park and features a full day of food and music, raffle prizes, trophies, and takeaways that include a dash plaque, T-shirt, and goodie bag. Admission is &20, while spectators are free. The club with the strongest participation will receive a $1,000 donation directed to the charity it chooses. Presented in memory of Jan D. Christiansen. For details, contact Markcjan@yahoo.com or 860-705-3473.

Celebrate beluga whales at an all-ages gathering that connects the Arctic, where these whales live, with experiences close to home. Explore activity stations, try engaging projects, and discover everyday and larger steps that support community resilience. The program highlights ongoing research and conservation work in Cook Inlet, Alaska, showing how these Arctic whales can motivate action for a healthier planet. Admission is covered by regular Aquarium entry.

Explore New London’s connection to the sea on a walking tour that traces the people, ships, businesses, and pivotal moments that shaped this historic waterfront city. The route moves through downtown and along the shoreline, highlighting stories that span from Indigenous travel on local waterways and the Revolutionary War to privateers, whaling captains, naval figures, submarines, and the longstanding role of the United States Coast Guard. Along the way, hear about heroic rescues, notable vessels, periods of wartime service, and the men and women whose lives were influenced by the Thames River and the city itself. Suited for history fans, maritime enthusiasts, and the simply curious, this experience offers a respectful salute to a maritime legacy that continues today.

Stonington Pride partners with Bank Square Books for a welcoming Dungeons & Dragons campaign that celebrates creativity and inclusion. Hosted at Bank Square Books, the table is limited to seven players with a dedicated Dungeon Master, so registration is required due to limited capacity. Participants must be at least 12 years old, and both newcomers and seasoned adventurers are welcome. The bookstore is wheelchair accessible.

A spoken word open mic on second Sundays where poets can share original pieces, novelists can read excerpts in progress, and readers can present works by favorite authors, poets, or songwriters. Participants may share their own writing or read the words of those they admire.

Mike DelGuidice performs with his band in an all-original music show at The Kate - Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. A singer songwriter known for powerful vocals and an engaging stage presence, he has spent more than three decades performing across Long Island, Manhattan, and the Tri-state area as a solo artist and with his bands, building a devoted local following through eclectic songwriting and extensive touring. Since 2013 he has also toured worldwide as a full-time member of Billy Joel’s band, appearing regularly at Madison Square Garden where Billy Joel spotlights his voice. Along the way he has shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Bryan Adams, Tony Bennett, Paul Simon, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, and Adam Levine. His work has been featured on NBC’s Today show and CBS This Morning, as well as in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, CNN, and other major outlets.

This supportive gathering brings together parents with newborns and young children to connect, share experiences, and find encouragement during the first two years of family life. Babies and partners are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Pick up a grab and go lunch open to everyone. Proceeds benefit programs at Easterseals Veterans Rally Point. Available every Tuesday.

Take part in an introductory writing workshop led by local author Kathy Swope. Attendees should bring their own writing supplies.

Presented as part of the Hollywood Gems film series, which pairs legendary Hollywood titles with each month’s Kate Classic and highlights collaborators of Miss Hepburn, this screening features the 1939 film The Women directed by George Cukor. Adapted from the play by Clare Boothe Luce, the story follows a circle of wealthy Manhattan friends whose gossip and scheming ripple through marriages and divorces. The cast is entirely female, with no male characters seen or heard. Filmed in black and white, it also includes a Technicolor fashion show sequence showcasing designs by Adrian. The ensemble features Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Norma Shearer, Paulette Goddard, Joan Fontaine, Ruth Hussey, and Lucile Watson. Runtime is 2 hours and 13 minutes. An evening book launch with Illeana Douglas about the making of The Women is offered as a separate event, and each ticket to that program includes a signed copy. Tickets for the book launch are a separate purchase from the film screening.

Bank Square Books presents an author talk and signing with poet Jennifer Clarvoe highlighting her collection Piano Piano. The book reflects on time and loss, showing how art can reshape grief with tenderness. The poems unfold at a measured, gentle pace that echoes the title, traveling from a father’s last days to discoveries such as ancient curse tablets found in Turkey. With meticulous craft, Clarvoe links intimate moments like a bee at her window to artifacts marked by old mends, and to the earliest flickers of cinema from the Lumière brothers. She attends to what is fragile or overlooked, turning medical details into praise and torn notebook pages into elegy. The collection lingers on memory and the ways art preserves what matters, tracing a quiet radiance through a father’s final season. Clarvoe is the author of Invisible Tender and Counter-Amores, and her honors include the Kate Tufts Prize, the Poets Out Loud Prize, a fellowship from the Sewanee Writers Conference, a residency at the James Merrill House, and the Rome Prize in Literature. She taught literature and creative writing at Kenyon College for many years and lives in Somerville, Massachusetts with her husband, Tony Sigel.

A One Piece constructed event with a $10 entry fee. Prizes will be awarded based on the number of participants.

This event has a $10 entry. Prizes scale with attendance and are awarded as Gilt Leaf Games Prize Tickets.

Actress, author, and film historian Illeana Douglas sits down with NPR’s Colin McEnroe for a lively conversation and book launch centered on MGM’s sharp, stylish classic The Women. With quick wit and a focus on female empowerment in 1939, they revisit the film’s tart take on the battle of the sexes and consider how its themes resonate today. Each ticket includes a signed copy of Douglas’s new book, Jungle Red! The Making of MGM’s The Women, published by Lyons Press in Essex, CT. Douglas opens the curtain on the movie’s creation, highlighting George Cukor’s direction, Adrian’s lavish fashions, and an all-female cast led by Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, and Rosalind Russell. She explores the off-screen fireworks too, from dueling screenwriters and clashing stars to Cukor’s comeback bid and gossip-column drama that matched the on-screen bite. Featuring previously unseen photos, memos, and script notes, Jungle Red! celebrates Hollywood glamour, creative ambition, and the lasting impact of The Women, whose influence can be traced to titles like Sex and the City and The Real Housewives. A separate screening of The Women is available as an additional, separately ticketed event.