Connecticut Flower and Garden Show Coming February 23rd - 26th

Coming to the CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER 

in Hartford CT!

Come to the CT Flower Garden Show 2023 at  the Hartford Convention Center

If you're anything like me - you're already counting down to the first day of spring! So I have GREAT news for you! The sights and smells of that season will be on full display at the 41^st “Connecticut Flower & Garden Show” from Thursday, February 23 through Sunday, February 26, 2023 at the Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford, Conn. Dates/Hours: Thursday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Discounted admission tickets are on sale now: 

$17 for Adults and Seniors at www.CTFlowerShow.com.

The prestigious annual event will be New England’s only 2023 flower exhibition show, covering almost two acres, and offering ideas for house, apartment, and condo dwellers. “Gateway to Spring” is the theme of this year’s show that features expansive live gardens, a nonstop schedule of seminars and demonstrations, the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s annual Standard Flower Show, and hundreds of vendors displaying and selling all types of items.

 

As soon as attendees step into the Exhibition Hall, they will be welcomed by more than a dozen live gardens in full bloom by professional landscape designers and nonprofit organizations, including naturalistic, low maintenance, native, containers, vegetables, organic, herb, and pollinator gardens.

 

Over 80 hours of seminars and demonstrations will be presented by more than 20 horticulturalists, landscapers, and industry professionals, and are free with admission. An impressive roster of expert speakers includes Paul Split, Charlie Nardozzi, Ellen Ecker Ogden, Kim Eierman, Kerry Ann Mendez, Nancy DuBrule-Clemente and Lorraine Ballato.

 

The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s annual Standard Flower Show will amass 12,500 square feet of beautiful design, horticulture, botanical arts, and photography competition with entries from members across the state – all themed “Gateway to Spring”.

 

Hundreds of booths will showcase displays, activities, shopping: artisans, handcrafted gifts, fresh flowers, plants, garden ornaments, metalwork sculptures, herbs, bulbs, seeds, fertilizers, soils, gardening books, patio furniture, lawn and garden tools, equipment and more. Bring 1/2 cup of soil for free testing at the UConn Co-op booth.

 

Returning this year is the popular Barnes & Noble Center, selling flower, plant, and garden books, including those written by the show’s seminar speakers.

 

Come to the CT Flower Garden Show 2023 at  the Hartford Convention Center 2023

“During the Covid experience of isolation, hands-on gardening and outdoor living became increasingly important for reducing stress and elevating our moods,” says Kristie Gonsalves, President of North East Expos, Inc., the show’s longtime producer and a past president of the National Association of Consumer Show Producers. “We are thrilled that our colorful show offers opportunities for people to discover new ways to enjoy their homes and growing spaces – indoors and out!”

 

Admission for February 23-26, 2023 Show:

Discounted Tickets: $17 for Adults & Seniors are on sale now at www.CTFlowerShow.com and can be purchased online through the last day of the show.

At the Door: $20 Adults & Seniors; $5 Children 5-12; Free for Children Under Age 5.

 

Parking:

Daily parking in the Connecticut Convention Center Garage: $9 all day; or $3 for the first hour and $2 each additional hour.

 

Thursday & Friday ONLY:

Free parking with Free shuttle at Propark South Surface Lot, 63-89 Capitol Ave. (and Hudson St.) in Hartford (several blocks South of the CT Convention Center).

 

Saturday & Sunday ONLY:

$5 all-day parking in the Front Street North and South Garages (across street from CT Convention Center).

 

Show sponsors include: 

Connecticut Organics (a division of Connecticut Mulch Distributors, Inc.); Maple Meadow Farm; Renewal by Anderson; The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc.; the Connecticut Convention Center; and North East Expos, Inc.

 

For general information or to become an exhibitor, visit www.CTFlowerShow.com or Facebook, or call
860-844-8461.

Discounted Admission Tickets On Sale Now at CTFlowerShow.com

Connecticut Convention Center

100 Columbus Boulevard

Hartford, Connecticut

Center Stage Theatre 2023 Season

 See Fun Classic like  “Xanadu,” “A Grand Night for Singing,” Rumors,” and More

 

 Center Stage Theatre, an inclusive and intergenerational community-based theatre providing high quality and affordable performances, educational programming and volunteer opportunities, today announced its 2023 season.  

 

Premiering with “Xanadu” on February 17, 2023, the season will include four musicals, including the 40^th anniversary Youth CONNection production, a Neil Simon comedy, a bonus musical and more.

 

“2023 is going to be an exciting year at Center Stage Theatre; we’ve put together a great line-up of productions that will offer something for everyone,” said Carla Sullivan, Managing Director, Center Stage Theatre.  “In addition to both beloved and newer musical titles, a play by one of the most famous playwrights of all time and a celebration of 40 years of Youth CONNection productions, we also have big plans for our educational offerings in 2023 for adults, teens and kids who are new-to or more experienced in theatre.  We’re already counting down to kicking this all of in 2023, with some additional surprise announcements to come!”

 

The 2023 subscription series includes:

• “Xanadu” – February 17 – 26, 2023

This Tony Award-nominated, hilarious, roller skating, musical adventure about following your dreams despite the limitation’s others set for you, rolls along to the original hit score composed by pop-rock legends, Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Based on the Universal Pictures cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, “Xanadu” is hilarity on wheels for adults, children and anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired.

“Xanadu” follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first ROLLER DISCO! (Hey, it's 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds.

• “A Grand Night for Singing” – April 21 – April 30, 2023

 

Taste and imagination, the two key ingredients for a first-rate revue, abound in this fresh take on the Rodgers & Hammerstein canon, conceived by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie. Over three decades after the duo's final collaboration, “The Sound of Music,” took Broadway by storm, this new R&H musical opened the 1994 Broadway season with flair and distinction, garnering wildly enthusiastic notices and earning two Tony nominations, including Best Musical.

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein may never have imagined "Shall We Dance?" as a comic pas de deux for a towering beauty and her diminutive admirer, nor might they have suspected that one day a lovelorn young lad might pose the musical question, "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" But that's precisely the kind of invention lavished upon this new revue, with innovative musical arrangements, including a sultry Andrews Sisters-esque "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," a swingin' "Honeybun" worthy of the Modernaires, and a jazzy "Kansas City," proving how terrifically up to date the remarkable songs of R&H remain.

 

• “Catch Me If You Can” – July 21 – 30, 2023 (The 40^th Anniversary Youth CONNection production)

Based on the hit film and the incredible true story, “Catch Me If You Can” is the high-flying musical comedy about chasing your dreams and not getting caught. Nominated for four Tony awards, including Best Musical, this delightfully entertaining show was created by a Tony Award-winning "dream team," with a book by Terrence McNally (“The Full Monty,” “Ragtime”) and a swinging score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (“Hairspray”).

Seeking fame and fortune, precocious teenager, Frank Abignale, Jr., runs away from home to begin an unforgettable adventure. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. When Frank's lies catch the attention of FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, though, Carl pursues Frank across the country to make him pay for his crimes.

• “Rumors” – October 13 – 22, 2023

Written by Neil Simon, the show opens as the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though it's only a flesh wound, Ken Gorman's self-inflicted injury sets off a series of events causing four couples to experience a severe attack of Farce.

As their tenth wedding anniversary party commences, Ken lies bleeding in another room, and his wife Chris is nowhere in sight. Chris and their lawyer, Ken, scramble to get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.

• “All Shook Up” – December 1 – 10, 2023

It’s 1955, and into a square little town in a square little state rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” this hip-swiveling, lip-curling musical fantasy inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley will have you jumpin’ out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.”

Center Stage Theatre will also present a bonus musical:

• “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – June 15 – 25, 2023

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.

2023 Highlights from the Education Center include:

• “Xanadu Jr.” – March 3 – 12, 2023

This 60-minute, full scale musical production with lights, sound, costume and a complete set with cabaret style seating at tables and chairs features performers ages 7-14.

• Spring Classes – TBD
• Summer Camp – June 26 – August 4, 2023
• Fall Performances – November 2 – 12, 2023

 

Subscriptions for the 2023 season can be purchased online for $145 per person, which includes 5 shows for the price of 4.  Tickets to “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” can be added to subscription packages for $25 per person.  Student subscriptions are available for $75 per person.  Single tickets will go on sale one month before opening night of each show ($36 adults, $18 students) with group rates available.

 

For more information, visit www.centerstageshelton.org.

 CENTER STAGE THEATRE, INC. 

54 Grove Street, Shelton, CT 06484

About Center Stage Theatre

Center Stage Theatre is an inclusive and intergenerational community-based theatre providing high quality and affordable performances, educational programming and volunteer opportunities.  Located in Shelton, Connecticut, the theatre produces five full scale productions a year including its annual Youth CONNection summer musical, as well as year-round theatre education for student’s grades K-12.  Founded in 2005 by Gary and Francesca Scarpa, Center Stage is a 501(c)3 non-profit theatre attracting actors and audiences from throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties.  For more information, visit centerstageshelton.org, or the theatre’s Facebook (@centerstageshelton) or Instagram (@centerstageshelton) channels.