Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum Presents Summer Events in Old Wethersfield (CT)
By Bernadette Dostaler
The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum in Old Wethersfield is presenting a series of summer 2021 entertainments to add to your calendar. The events include living-history performances, music in the courtyard, and summer theater on the lawn.
Admission to all events is free.
The summer series begins with the first performance of Summer Living History on Thursday, June 17. Storyteller, actor, historian, and playwright, Tammy Denease, will perform the stories of three black women, Bessie Coleman, the world’s first internationally licensed pilot, Clo Pratt, a free woman in Wethersfield, and Elizabeth “Mum Bett” Freeman who successfully sued for, and won her freedom. The show will be held at the Holcombe Education Center Thursdays June 17, July 8, and August 19. Each show begins with a reception at 6 p.m. with the performance beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Summer Courtyard Music Series will run throughout the summer. The series includes an eclectic mix of musical performances. All the performances will take place in the courtyard unless there is inclement weather in which case they will be held in the Holcombe Education Center. All performances will begin at 5:30 p.m.
July 9 – Classical Latin guitarist Dave Giardina, accompanied by violinist and vocalist Karina Hernandez
July 16 and August 6 – Tim Scott acoustic music for all ages
July 23 – Orice Jenkins – vocalist, arranger, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist – jazz standards and cuts from his latest album, “Centennial Cole”
July 30 – Renehan and Mastrianni – family-friendly jazz, pop, soul, rock, and folk music with a twist
August 13 – Nelson Bello and Friends – Latin Jazz Trio – Afro-Cuban and Caribbean-flavord jazz
August 20 – Linda and Tom Traue, (from the 5th CT Regiment) – colonial music with the Celtic harp, psaltery, and songs to soothe the weary traveler
August 27 – School Daze – “house band” for John Wallace Middle School’s Show Choir – classic rock hits
Summer Theater on the Lawn will feature performances by the New Zenith Theatre Company (NZT). NZT creates engaging and relevant theatre for young people and families. The performances will be held on the Museum Lawn. Museum grounds open at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to bring blankets and/or beach chairs and picnic on the lawn until curtain time at 6:30 p.m.
July 21 and August 4 – “Tuck Everlasting” – a new musical, book by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle; music by Chris Miller; lyrics by Nathan Tyson, based on the youth novel by Natalie Babbitt. This is a young audience version for ages 8 and older and runs approximately 70 minutes.
(Rain dates: Thursday, July 22 and Thursday, August 5)
July 28 and August 11 – Shakespeare’s, “A Midsummer’s Night Dream”The play is a shortened version by Ed Wierzbicki, for ages 10 and older, and runs approximately 85 minutes.
(Rain dates: Thursday, July 29 and Thursday, August 12)
Photo: Springfield Museums