Out & About | New England Events for March/April 2017

FEATURED MAPLE EVENTS

Maine Maple Sunday | March 26 Spring makes its long-awaited return in March—so be there to greet it at one or more of the many participating member sugarhouses of the Maine Maple Producers Association. The offerings are different at every one, but look for tours, demonstrations, games, activities, and of course free samples. Check the website for locations.mainemapleproducers.com

Hebron Maple Festival | March 18–19For almost three decades this festival has celebrated all things maple with a weekend of food, music, crafts, and a full lineup of fun. Tour more than half a dozen sugarhouses, sample maple treats of every description (think maple-chocolate pretzels and maple ice cream sundaes), and take in the entertainment, which includes demonstrations of colonial-era skills and a tractor parade. Hebron, CT. 860-428-4549; hebronmaplefest.com

Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village | March 4–5, 11–12, 18–19, 25–26 Every weekend in March, Old Sturbridge Village demonstrates the entire maple sugaring process—from tapping trees to “sugaring off”—as it was done in rural New England in the early 19th century. See how techniques have evolved over time, from traditional Native American methods to today, and check out all the maple goodies to taste and purchase. Sturbridge, MA. 508-347-3362; osv.org

New Hampshire Maple Weekend | March 25–26Stop by a participating sugarhouse on Maple Weekend for a behind-the-scenes look at maple production. Some places offer tours, others serve pancake breakfasts—long story short, there’s something for everyone. Check the website for participants’ times and locations.nhmapleproducers.com

Maple Sugaring Weekends | March 4–5, 11–12, 18–19, 25–26 At the Coggeshall Farm Museum, visitors get a hands-on lesson in how maple sugaring was done in the late 18th century. The process here involves tapping close to the ground and collecting sap in hollowed logs. Located in the former New England trade hub of Bristol, this living history museum at what was once the estate of Samuel P. Colt is dedicated to preserving a vision of life on a Federalist-era salt marsh farm. Bristol, RI. 401-253-9062; coggeshallfarm.org

Vermont Maple Festival | April 28–30 At the heart of this event is the state’s largest maple contest, with farms from around Vermont vying to see who has the best syrups, candies, and other treats. There’s plenty of other diversions, too: Shop at the antiques show and the Vermont Maple Store, cheer on the annual parade, sample tidbits from the craft and specialty food show, and take in a variety of musical acts on the Main Street stage. St. Albans, VT. 802-524-5800; vtmaplefestival.org

ADDITIONAL SPRING EVENTS

Maine

THROUGH MAR. 26: PORTLAND, Buyer & Cellar. At Portland Stage, Jonathan Tolin’s play tells the story of Alex, a struggling actor who finds himself working in a strange shopping mall in Barbra Streisand’s basement. 207-774-0465; portlandstage.org

MAR. 1–12: STATEWIDE, Maine Restaurant Week. With more than 70 eateries offering special deals on meals, desserts, and drinks, you’ll want to make time to check out as many as your appetite can handle. 207-775-2126; mainerestaurantweek.com

APR. 1: ORONO, The Doo Wop Project. Featuring some of the stars of the Broadway hits Jersey Boys and Motown, this energetic performance at the University of Maine’s Collins Center traces the evolution of doo-wop from its beginnings on urban street corners to today. 207-581-1755; collinscenterforthearts.com

APR. 6: PORTLAND, Golden Dragon Acrobats. Watch in wonder as this world-renowned Chinese company performs acrobatics and traditional dance to a mix of contemporary and ancient music at Merrill Auditorium. 207-773-3150; portlandovations.org

APR. 28: BATH, Ellis Paul. A native of Maine, Ellis Paul has traveled the world performing his crossover style of modern folk. Spend an evening at Chocolate Church Arts Center enjoying Paul’s music as well as more traditional tunes by Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. 207-442-8455; chocolatechurch.com

Connecticut

MAR. 12: NEW HAVEN, Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. This 1½-mile parade has been a New Haven tradition since 1842, making it one of the nation’s oldest celebrations of Saint Patrick’s Day. It’s also billed as the state’s largest single-day spectator event, so come ready to join a lively crowd. stpatricksdayparade.org

MAR. 18–19: SHELTON/HAMDEN, My Fair Lady in Concert. The New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s first full-length musical showcases classic Lerner and Loewe tunes as it takes the stage for two shows at area schools. 203-865-0831; newhavensymphony.org

APR. 1–2: WATERBURY, Connecticut Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale. This is the largest event of its kind in New England, with 100 judged categories and more than a dozen vendors descending on Naugatuck Community College to sell plants, pots, soils, and books. ctcactusclub.com

APR. 23: HARTFORD, Cherry Blossom Festival. Seventy-two blooming Yoshino cherry trees in Wooster Square provide a stunning backdrop to a day of live music, events, exhibits, and plenty of food. historicwoostersquare.org

APR. 29: VERNON/ROCKVILLE, Sheep, Wool, and Fiber Festival. For this annual event—still going strong after 107 years—the Tolland Agricultural Center hosts vendors selling everything from fiber dyes and looms to soaps and cheese. 860-966-9264; ctsheep.org

Massachusetts

MAR. 4–19: NORTHAMPTON, Spring Bulb Show. Flower lovers should be sure not to miss this beautiful show—boasting a variety of narcissi, irises, and of course tulips—hosted by the Lyman Conservatory at Smith College. 413-585-2740; smith.edu

APR. 7–8: CONCORD, Spring Pops. Spend an evening at 51 Walden with some of Concord’s finest musicians, directed by James O’Dell, and this year’s special guest, jazz vocalist and trumpeter Christine Fawson. 978-897-9969; concordband.org

APR. 21–23: BOSTON, CraftBoston. This juried show brings 90 artisans to the historic Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts. Meet the creators and learn the stories behind their work, which ranges from handmade furniture to clothing and jewelry. 617-266-1810; societyofcrafts.org

APR. 21–23: MANSFIELD, New England Folk Festival. Now in its 73rd year, this musical extravaganza draws visitors from near and far to local schools for a weekend of music, dancing, and crafts. 617-299-1590; neffa.org

APR. 27–30: WALTHAM, Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts. Spotlighting nationally acclaimed artists and performers alongside emerging talents, it’s a feast of dance, music, film, theater, and visual arts. 781-736-5008; brandeis.edu

New Hampshire

MAR. 25: PORTSMOUTH, The Moth Mainstage. Enjoy an evening of tales told live at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, as national and local storytellers provide entertainment and insight through performance. 603-436-2400; themusichall.org

APR. 1–2: DURHAM, Seacoast Home and Garden Show. Head to UNH’s Whittemore Center to check out the latest home and garden products and services, plants, and specialty foods. Bonus: Seminars and lectures will be offered throughout the weekend. 866-295-6438; seacoast.newenglandexpos.com

APR. 5–8: MANCHESTER, MQX Quilt Festival New England. If you love quilts and quilting, you won’t want to miss this show and conference at the Radisson Hotel. There will be a roster of classes, and quilters from near and far will showcase their work, some of which is available to buy. mqxshow.com

APR. 20–23: KEENE, Monadnock International Film Festival. Celebrate independent filmmaking and filmmakers from all over the world as well as right here in New England. The impressive lineup of feature-length and short films will be screened at several venues. 603-522-7190; moniff.org

Rhode Island

MAR. 2–26: PAWTUCKET, The Nether. Judith Swift directs Jennifer Haley’s fairy tale–influenced sci-fi thriller of a play at the Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre, conjuring up a virtual world where everything is not as it seems. 401-723-4266; gammtheatre.org

APR. 15–24: NEWPORT, Daffodil Days Festival. This townwide celebration of spring invites you to participate in workshops, take a cliff walk, tour gardens and houses, admire vintage cars, and enjoy music, a parade, and more. 401-846-4500; daffodillion.com

APR. 25–29: PROVIDENCE/WARWICK/EAST GREENWICH, Southeast New England (SENE) Film, Music, and Arts Festival. Theaters around the region showcase independent films from all over the world. Be sure to set aside some time for the live music and art exhibits, too. 401-203-7363; senefest.com

APR. 28–29: NEWPORT, Newport Craft Beer Festival. The Great Friends Meeting House hosts this annual celebration of Newport’s long and rich brewing history, highlighted by opportunities to sample craft beers and meet the folks who make them. newportcraftbeer.com

Vermont

MAR. 11: MIDDLEBURY, Vermont Chili Festival. Stroll the streets of downtown Middlebury and chow down on chili from all over Vermont. Along the way, you can do a little shopping and enjoy live music and street performers. experiencemiddlebury.com

MAR. 17–26: MONTPELIER, Green Mountain Film Festival. Now in its 20th year, this festival spotlights independent filmmakers who focus on cultural, social, and historic themes. 802-917-1225; gmffestival.org

MAR. 18: STRATTON MOUNTAIN, Taste of Vermont. Some of Vermont’s best restaurants, chefs, and bakers will gather at Stratton Mountain Resort’s Main Base Lodge, where you can taste their favorite creations and pick up some new recipes. 802-297-2096; strattonfoundation.org

APR. 1: WOODSTOCK, Season Opening Day. At Billings Farm and Museum’s 35th opening day, families can explore the barns and greet the animals, as well as take a horse-drawn wagon ride and sample free ice cream. 802-457-2355; billingsfarm.org

APR. 14: RANDOLPH, Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn. Chandler Center of the Arts invites you to enjoy the banjo music of two of the world’s best and hear tunes from their debut album, which incorporates gospel and blues. 802-728-6464; chandler-arts.org