Hot Times in the Old Town This Week Part 1)

The weathermen are promising temperatures in the 90s this week but that won't stop the plethora of concerts, theater productions and more from occurring (torrential rain certainly will but that's a hit-or-miss proposition around these parts.)

Tuesday afternoon into evening, you should make your way to the monthly North End Night Market.  Sponsored by the North End Action Team, you'll find plenty of locally grown products (many of them organic), food vendors, a Kid Activity Area and live music from Buru Style (in the picture.) The event takes place from 5 - 8 p.m. All this takes place on the corner of Main and Liberty Streets - for more information, call 860-346-4845.  

After you partake in that fun, meander down to South Green/Union Park to enjoy folk singer Phil Rosenthal and Family in concert, part of the Middletown Commission on the Arts "Summer Sounds" series.The Guilford resident is well-known around these parts for his fine music and musicianship.  The show is free and open to all. In case of inclement weather, the concert moves indoors to South Church.

Wednesday, the Music at the Mansion series at the Long Hill Estate welcomes the Michael Cleary Band for a free show at 6:30 p.m.  Last week's show with the Hartford Jazz Orchestra was, sadly, cut short by the 45-minute cloud burst that sent folks scurrying for the trees or their cars. Anyway, the grounds open at 5:30 for those who wish to stake out a good spot for the lawn chairs and picnic suppers. The MCB will get people up and dancing to its blend of blues, rock, classic rock and more. 

Later in the week, ARTFARM returns to the Grove at MxCC for 4 more shows of "Shakespeare's Argument" (with live music preceding each performance), the Trey McIntyre Project brings modern dance to Wesleyan's CFA Theater, and Jocelyn Pleasant brings her drums and Trio to the Luis Lopez Herb Garden Concerts.  More on this and other events in the next column.