Saturday was Envisionfest Hartford, an all day long Festival promoting Downtown Hartford. There were venues all over town, with music, art, tours, crafts, a bicycle tour, just about anything you might imagine.
I’ll be honest here and say my immediate thought was “Crap. There will be loud music coming from the Park all day long.” The park is right across the street from the apartment. But, thankfully, I readjusted my attitude and read a bit about the festival on the website. I went over there around 11:00 specifically to see the kids from Breakdancing Shakespeare perform at Hartford Stage’s tent. I ended up staying and exploring. Then I went to the matinee of La Dispute. Then I came back to the Festival. Here are some photos from the day:
The cast of Breakdancing Shakespeare. This program, in conjunction with the Greater Hartford Arts Council Neighborhood Studios program, is a six-week long summer intensive that casts about twenty local teens in a summer apprenticeship. At the end of the intensive, the kids perform a play by Shakespeare with a ‘modern hip-hop twist.’ This year’s production was Two Gentlemen of Verona. They were fantastic.
Someone blew up clear vinyl balls and created an installation in the pond.
Another on-site installation. Multi-colored weaving. I wonder what it would be like to play badminton using this as a net?
The Penguin Book Truck was in town. Needless to say, I hung out here for quite a long time. Isn’t this the neatest idea? There are books on display on both sides of the truck. Oh lordy, I wanted to buy everything. But I didn’t. I merely looked, sighed, and looked some more.
After the matinee, I came back to the park. This amazing jazz trio was performing in the Hartford Stage tent. “Take the A-Train.” “S’Wonderful.” I was in heaven. I learned later that they are also members of the Hartford Symphony. No wonder they were so good!
Another Moody Sky Day. A hot air balloon in the park with the Capitol Dome in the background.
Nothing on the agenda today. Or tomorrow. Baseball, of course. Congratulations to my Red Sox for winning the American League East!
More than a wee bit homesick at this point. I don’t have a lot to do this week, which culminates in opening night on Friday. I check in on the plays and stay in town so that I’m available if needed. Darko, the Artistic Director, is in NYC directing his first Broadway Musical, A Gentlemen’s Guide to Murder, which originated right here at Hartford Stage last season. I’m so hoping it is a hit! One of my friends is in the cast. Darko just finished directing both the productions in the Rep and segued right into rehearsals for Gentlemen’s Guide. I don’t know how he does it.
Happy Sunday.
After a long week and hoping to have some peace and quiet to yourself, you did an excellent job of readjusting your attitude. “Go with the flow” seems to make life interesting and fun!! Today is my peace and quiet day – glad I don’t live across from a park :-}}
Today there is some sort of bicycle race and loudspeakers. Yikes.
Love the idea of the clear balls in the pond. It is brilliant and stunning:) I bet you are a bit home sick. I would be too by now. Maybe spend today doing some black and white street photography. That would be fun and you could catch some very unusual people as your subject. I love the pics where the shooter is down low by the sidewalk, it gives the photo such a unique prospective.
Homesick, very homesick.
I thought the post was going to be about the old favorite song of the group Chicago….”Saturday in the park I think it was the 4th of July” Sounds like you had a good time. What a wonderful park with all that going on. Have a nice day today.
Balisha.
Well, that song did indeed inspire the title of the post.
A Gentleman’s Guide played at the Old Globe (I think). That’s the one where the “hero” finds out that he’s heir to a fortune … if he bumps off half a dozen of his unpleasant relatives, which were all played by one person ….
Yes it did. It was a co-production since Darko used to be an artistic director at the OG. It crossed over to the Globe when Don was out there in Pygmalion. It’s based on the movie Kind Hearts and Coronets. The lead actor is Jefferson Mays.
Sounds like a perfect day…winding down…good music…pretty floating balls in the water…sigh…wish I was there! Now aren’t you glad you changed your attitude? You’ll be home soon!!! ;)
Soon!
All of this just sounds so lovely.
I bet those kids were great. I would have loved to see it.
I enjoy watching those types of open air performances…that is one thing I miss about visiting the State Fair of Texas. Haven’t been in years… but I love it.
Pat
They were great, Pat. I marvel at what they can do!
Looks like a fun day in the park Claudia..Did those dark clouds bring any rain? It poured here!
It rained overnight, Nancy.
That looks like a fun day! The photo with the capitol is just beautiful. Just keep busy and keep thinking one more week!! That’s what we’re doing. We are down to four weeks left.
Judy
I’m thinking of you and John, my friend. Hope to call you sometime this week.
Claudia- Isn’t it amazing what joy can come with an attitude adjustment? I love that you went and enjoyed the day. Love the pictures…and the clear bubbles in the water! Hope you have a relaxing couple of days- xo Diana
All the fun events in the park looked great! Just a little longer and home you will go!
I’m glad you got out and had an enjoyable day, Claudia. I like to sit and be entertained by talented people such as the ones you saw.