AGP Executive Report

Visual Arts: New Britain Museum of American Art will explore Mary Cassatt’s artistic circle in “Among Friends,” on view Nov. 7 through Feb. 14, with 18 works on loan, talks and family programs. Books & Community: New Britain native George Wentworth returns Saturday to discuss his novel “Dear Mike,” inspired by growing up in the city; the South Church event benefits Neighborhood Promise. Theater: Yale Rep’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” which premiered there in 1984, runs through Oct. 24 in a new production. Live Music: Matchbox Twenty’s 30th anniversary tour includes a July 13, 2027, stop at Bridgeport’s Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater. Megan Moroney will celebrate her first two albums with back-to-back December concerts at Mohegan Sun Arena. UConn Basketball: The men open preseason against Syracuse Tuesday at Mohegan Sun Arena, with a 7 p.m. tipoff on NBC Sports Boston and UConn+.

UConn Basketball: The Huskies opened preseason with an 88-60 win over Syracuse at Mohegan Sun Arena, giving fans an early look at the team’s new season. Screen: Netflix’s seven-part East of Eden returns to John Steinbeck’s Connecticut-rooted story. Zoe Kazan’s adaptation gives greater attention to Cathy and restores some of the novel’s philosophical depth. Halloween Stage: Several “Rocky Horror” experiences are coming to Connecticut, part of a week of local arts events that also includes a concert-band performance at Eastern. Arts Coverage: CT Mirror has launched dedicated arts and culture coverage, with Lucy Gellman as editor.

Live Music: Little Big Town brings its country hits and harmonies to Wallingford’s Toyota Oakdale Theatre on Oct. 18, with tickets on sale now. UConn Basketball: The women’s Huskies face Syracuse in an exhibition at Mohegan Sun Arena, a return to a familiar rivalry and an early look at the team’s returning stars and newcomers. Arts & Culture: Connecticut Public revisits a panel at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History on whose freedom was promised at America’s founding, with Native American historians discussing resilience and history. Theatre & Music: Southern Connecticut State University’s “Cabaret” blends spectacle and history, while Virtuosi opens a new season in New Britain and Rock Hearts returns to the Center Theatre. Arts Coverage: CT Mirror has launched dedicated arts and culture reporting, naming Lucy Gellman editor.

Radio & Music: Roadblock Radio’s Caribbean-focused Island Mix continues to grow, with a weekly slot on Hartford’s WZMX featuring reggae, dancehall, soca, konpa and Afrobeats. Folk-punk band AJJ is also returning to Connecticut with a new album. Local Arts: Virtuosi has opened a new season in New Britain, while the Connecticut Mirror is expanding its arts and culture coverage with Lucy Gellman as editor. Fashion & Architecture: Max Mara brought Fashion Month to New Canaan’s landmark Glass House, linking contemporary fashion with Philip Johnson’s celebrated design. Norwalk History: A new feature traces how the city’s Columbus statue came to be installed—and removed—while placing the monument in the story of Italian immigration and Norwalk’s past.

Connecticut Music: Roadblock Radio’s weekly Island Mix is expanding Caribbean sounds—reggae, dancehall, soca and more—to Hartford listeners on WZMX HD3. Live Shows: Folk-punk band AJJ returned to Hamden’s Space Ballroom, bringing its shape-shifting sound to a local venue. Festival Scene: Glastonbury’s Apple Harvest & Music Festival grew its lineup to 55 acts across five stages, with most performers playing original music. Arts Coverage: CT Mirror launched dedicated arts-and-culture coverage, with Lucy Gellman as editor; Virtuosi also opened a new season in New Britain.

On Connecticut Stages: A busy arts week includes the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” Spooktacular at Waterbury’s Palace Theater, with original cast member Barry Bostwick, plus the Bushnell’s immersive arts festival and a new concert tour from Cheyenne Jackson. Pop-Culture Nostalgia: ’90s Con returns to the Connecticut Convention Center Oct. 16–18, bringing stars from “Josie and the Pussycats,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and beloved boy bands. Arts News: CT Mirror has launched arts and culture coverage, naming Lucy Gellman editor. Music: Virtuosi opens its new season in New Britain, while Eastern Connecticut’s concert band invites audiences to tune in.

Live Music: John Mayer played a rare solo show at Mohegan Sun on Oct. 9, drawing 10,000 fans with songs from his catalog ahead of his 2027 Sphere residency. The venue’s anniversary weekend also featured Lainey Wilson and DJ Cassidy. Onstage & Onscreen: “Rocky Horror” original cast member Barry Bostwick is bringing a screening and live shadow cast to Waterbury Palace, while The Bushnell’s Immersive Art Fest returns. The Connecticut Convention Center hosts ’90s Con Oct. 16–18, with stars from “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Josie and the Pussycats” and more. Fashion & Design: Max Mara marked its 75th anniversary with a runway show at New Canaan’s Glass House, showcasing fall looks against Philip Johnson’s iconic design. Arts & Culture: CT Mirror has launched arts and culture coverage, and state lawmakers announced new grants for local arts groups.

Classical Music: Connecticut Virtuosi opens its season Sunday at the New Britain Museum of American Art with a Polish Heritage Festival featuring a world premiere. Fashion & Design: Max Mara brought its 75th-anniversary runway show to New Canaan’s Philip Johnson-designed Glass House, drawing actors and fashion figures to the landmark. Arts Coverage: CT Mirror has launched arts and culture reporting, with Lucy Gellman as editor. Local Broadcasting: The Connecticut Broadcasters Association inducted five industry figures into its Hall of Fame, including longtime WPLR host Mike Lapitino and NBC Connecticut’s Bob Maxon. Arts Funding: Three state lawmakers announced local arts grants totaling more than $134,000. Live Music: Olivia Rodrigo kicked off her “Unraveled” tour in Connecticut.

Arts Journalism: CT Mirror has launched dedicated arts and culture coverage, naming longtime New Haven arts journalist Lucy Gellman editor and planning a freelance team to report on Connecticut’s cultural life. Local Stages: Connecticut’s State Troubadour is starting a monthly open mic and bluegrass jam in Seymour, while weekend listings highlight events in Lyme, Old Lyme and Norwalk. Arts Funding: Four state lawmakers announced local arts grants totaling $288,147. Film & Music: Lyme filmmaker Lisa Holmes is bringing farmers’ stories to the screen, and a Connecticut university is marking the centenary of an influential modern composer.

Historic Preservation: The restoration of Stratford’s Sterling Community Center has won a 2026 Connecticut Preservation Award, recognizing work to preserve the historic site and keep it serving the community. Arts Support: Essex Bank donated $1,851 to the Clinton Art Society, helping sustain its local programs, artist resources and public exhibitions. Live Music: Connecticut’s State Troubadour has launched a monthly open mic and bluegrass jam in Seymour, creating a new gathering place for musicians and audiences. Museum Leadership: The Wadsworth’s new CEO, Blais, is looking to grow audiences and strengthen the museum’s finances.

Live Music: Megan Moroney will bring two album-focused concerts to Mohegan Sun Arena on Dec. 5 and 6, with one night each devoted to “Lucky” and “Am I Okay?” Stage & Seasonal Arts: Connecticut’s October arts calendar mixes “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” with comedy, while the state troubadour has launched a monthly open mic and bluegrass jam in Seymour. Music History: A Connecticut university is marking the 100th birthday of an influential modern composer. Museums: New Wadsworth director Blais is looking to grow audiences and strengthen the museum’s finances. Arts Funding: Four state senators announced local arts grants totaling nearly $288,000.

Connecticut Craft & Film: East Hampton’s Bevin Bells is marking the 80th anniversary of It’s a Wonderful Life—the film’s famous bell was made there. The family-run company expects to produce about 12,000 of the bells this year. Arts Funding: Connecticut lawmakers announced local arts grants, with four reported awards ranging from $30,126 to $153,429. Live Music: TeachRock’s Help on the Way benefit returns to Fairfield Theatre Company on Nov. 7, featuring musicians from Living Colour, The Disco Biscuits, Dark Star Orchestra and Lotus; proceeds support free music education resources. The Connecticut State Troubadour is also starting a monthly open mic and bluegrass jam in Seymour. Onstage: Hartford Stage opens its season with a new Dracula, while TheaterWorks Hartford begins with Little Bear Ridge Road. Connecticut audiences can also look ahead to performances of Mystic Pizza: A New Musical and LeAnn Rimes at Torrington’s Warner Theatre.

Arts Funding: Connecticut announced $288,147 in local arts grants across four Senate districts, supporting groups including the Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, Lyme Art Association, New England Ballet Theatre and Ridgefield’s Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts. Music & Education: TeachRock’s Help on the Way benefit returns to Fairfield Theatre Company on Nov. 7, with performers from Living Colour, Dark Star Orchestra, Lotus and The Disco Biscuits; proceeds support free music-based classroom resources. Onstage: Hartford Stage opens its season with a new Dracula adaptation, while TheaterWorks Hartford begins its season with the intimate drama Little Bear Ridge Road. Community Arts: Connecticut’s state troubadour is launching a monthly open mic and bluegrass jam in Seymour, adding a new gathering place for local performers.

WNBA Free Agency Watch: Napheesa Collier’s future with the Minnesota Lynx is suddenly up in the air after ankle surgery delayed her 2026 debut and the Lynx were swept by the New York Liberty; Collier, Kelsey Mitchell, and Jackie Young headline the 2027 free-agency class. Connecticut Politics & Oversight: Connecticut Democrats are already mapping out how they’d use committee power—especially for oversight of the Trump administration—if they win back national control. CT Arts & Culture: ACT names Elizabeth Williamson as its next artistic director, bringing a Hartford Stage background and a track record shaping new work. Live Music in CT: Olivia Rodrigo kicked off her “Unraveled” tour in Hartford at PeoplesBank Arena after major renovations, with Wolf Alice opening. Local Hospitality Spotlight: The Connecticut Restaurant Association announced finalists for its 2026 CRAZIES awards, including The Main Moose in Columbia. Community Events: Westerly Armory marks its 125th anniversary with an Oct. 17 appreciation evening honoring local veterans. CT Public Safety Drill: CTDOT will run a Shore Line East rail safety training drill Oct. 10 in East Lyme.

Connecticut Culinary Tourism: Gov. Ned Lamont launched the Connecticut TV-to-Table Trail, linking local chefs and restaurants featured on national food TV shows to real-world dining stops, with an opening lineup that includes Scott Conant and others across Stamford and beyond. Arts & Entertainment in CT: Cirque Alice, a new Wonderland-themed theatrical cirque, announced a North American tour starting in New Haven on Jan. 8, 2027, with more than 50 cities planned. Local Arts/Exhibitions: At David Zwirner New York, Scott Kahn’s landscapes opened, with coverage highlighting his late-career rise and the mystical, cosmic feel of his work. Housing & Competition: Connecticut AG William Tong’s antitrust fight against RealPage’s rent-pricing algorithm will continue after a court rejected efforts to dismiss the case. Music Retail: Record Store Day Black Friday 2026 unveiled a big exclusive lineup, from Noah Kahan and Springsteen to “Wicked” and K-pop-related releases. Sports on TV: UConn women’s basketball set its full 2026-27 schedule tip times and TV designations.

Broadway & Music: LeAnn Rimes brings her “30 Years of Blue” tour to Torrington’s Warner Theatre on Nov. 13, a homecoming of sorts for the Grammy-winning teen who made “Blue” a chart-shattering debut. Theater: Hartford Stage kicks off its season with a new “Dracula” adaptation, while “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” lands in New York with Andrew Rannells, Megan Hilty, Tituss Burgess, and Lisa Rinna. Film/Streaming (CT tie-in): “The Haunting in Connecticut” is now free to stream, spotlighting the Meriden-set story and its alleged Snedeker-family roots. Local Arts & Community: A Connecticut Greenways Council Trails Symposium is slated for an upcoming media advisory, and students across Connecticut are leaning into fall décor and Halloween vibes in dorms. Sports (arts-adjacent culture): UConn’s Jordan Page commits as BIG EAST coaches weigh in on the Protect College Sports Act, with conference TV schedules also announced. Public Life: Bristol moves to divest from FLOCK ALPR cameras and shift to AXON, citing privacy and permitted-use changes.