Connecticut

Big bands bring the boom to Connecticut this week

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2024

Big bands bring the boom to Connecticut this week

Metal bands from the 1990s and 2000s crash and boom at College Street Music Hall and Mohegan Sun Arena, while indie rockers rage at the Space Ballroom this week in Connecticut.

There is also a saucy opera in New Haven and a Celtic punk band at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

The popular drag farce “The Legend of Georgia McBride” is having its umpteenth Connecticut production at the Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk, and there is an Elton John impersonator at the Oakdale Theatre.

Yes, there are calm respites with a cello concert at TheaterWorks and sultry hip-hop star Pardyalone at The Webster, but the oomph wins out.

Here are some of the top things to do and see.

Redscroll Records Release Party
Space Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St., Hamden

Wallingford’s Redscroll Records is an indie record store, an indie record label, performance venue, a gathering spot for the local alt-rock scene and a state of mind. On Feb. 11, not at the store but at the Space Ballroom in Hamden, Redscroll celebrates new releases by several bands on its label: Chop Chop Chop Chop Chop Chop Chop and Doom Beach (who share a new 12-inch release) and noise rockers Intercourse (introducing their singles “Egyptian Democracy” and ”Bum Wine”). The headliners don’t have current Redscroll product to tout but are firmly connected: Chained to the Bottom of the Ocean (which issued an album and an EP on Redscroll last year) and Tongued Depressor joined by Austin Larkin (whose recent tour was captured for a forthcoming Redscroll release) Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. $10. spaceballroom.com.

Static-X and Sevendust
College Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New Haven

A couple of respected mainstream metal bands from the ‘90s, the midwestern powerhouse Static-X and “Driven” and “Enemy” hitmakers Sevendust have been on tour together since last year. Dope and Lines of Loyalty are also on the bill. It will get loud on Feb. 13 at 6:15 p.m. at College Street Music Hall in New Haven. $54-$75. collegestreetmusichall.com.

Pardyalone
The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford

The Minnesota hip-hop/alt-pop artist Pardyalone’s songs lurch from promising relationships (“She Likes My Tattoos”) to isolation and self-examination (“Alone,” “Still the Dumb One”). His national I Left You in Minnesota Tour hits The Webster on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. $15; $400 for VIP booth. thewebsterct.com.

311
Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville

The numbers 3 and 1 hold meaning to the band 311. They had three No. 1 singles on the charts: “Down”, “Love Song” and “Don’t Tread On Me.” They’ve released 13 albums. “Don’t Tread on Me” has 13 letters in its title, while “Down” has 4, which is 3 + 1. OK, we’ll stop now. The raging Nebraska rockers play Mohegan Sun Arena on Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. $47-$158; VIP packages range from $198 to $576. mohegansun.com.

Flogging Molly
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket

St. Patrick’s Day is still a month away, but the Celtic punk band Flogging Molly has a rabid fan base and the band is welcome in Connecticut anytime. They really know how to rock a bodhran. The flogging commences Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Showroom. $71-$190; $185-$300 for VIP packages. foxwoods.com.

Courtesy Space Ballroom

California comedy rockers the Wolves of Glendale are at the Space Ballroom in Hamden Feb. 17. (Courtesy Space Ballroom)

Bearly Dead
Infinity Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford

Yes, Bearly Dead is a Grateful Dead tribute band. Give them credit for a name that spells that out clearly and cleverly. The Boston-based band tackles all things Dead, including the vast solo careers of that band’s many members. This leads to unique, deeply memorable sets that are catnip for Deadheads who want to be the first person in the room to proclaim “That song’ is from …” Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. $20. infinityhall.com.

‘The Legend of Georgia McBride’
Music Theatre of Connecticut, 509 Westport Ave., Norwalk

Matthew López, who wrote the epic 20th-century gay historical romance drama “The Inheritance” (and premiered his “Reverberation” at Hartford Stage in 2015), also penned one of the most popular plays of the past decade, “The Legend of Georgia McBride.” In Connecticut, the play has been done at TheaterWorks Hartford, Ivoryton Playhouse, Seven Angels Theatre and elsewhere. Now it’s time for MTC in Norwalk to stage it . “The Legend of Georgia McBride” is about a heterosexual Elvis impersonator who tentatively becomes a drag queen when he’s desperate to perform, and how he grows to love the artform and trust the queens who teach him. Performances are Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 3. $50-$60, $45-$55 for preview performances on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. Limited seating on the stage $65. musictheatreofct.com.

The Rocket Man Show
Oakdale Theatre, 985 S. Turnpike Road, Wallingford

Elton John must be a fun target for tribute acts. There were two different ones at Seven Angels Theatre and New Park Brewing last month, and this month brings a third with one of the most extravagant out there. The Rocket Man Show comes to the Oakdale Theatre on Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. $41-$53. livenation.com.

Johnathan Moore
TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St., Hartford

The acclaimed young New Haven-born cellist/composer Johnathan Moore presents an intimate solo concert as part of TheaterWorks Hartford’s Living Room series. He gives two performances on Feb. 17. The first one, at 6:30 p.m., is sold out, but there are still tickets for the 8:30 p.m. one. twhartford.org.

‘The Rake’s Progress’
Shubert Theatre, 247 College St., New Haven

The opera program at the Yale School of Music does a full production of a full-length opera every winter. The operas they choose are often ones that don’t get done very often, at least in Connecticut. This year is a good example: Stravinsky’s “The Rake’s Progress,” based on the famous 18th-century engravings by William Hogarth. The opera, with a libretto by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman, is written in English but will be presented with subtitles anyway. There are two performances, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. $23.80-$71.40. shubert.com.

Wolves of Glendale
Space Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St., Hamden

Wolves of Glendale is a comedy rock band that has opened for the likes of David Cross and Tenacious D. The Wolves released their debut album recently and are on tour, playing the Space Ballroom in Hamden on Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. $20, $15 in advance. spaceballroom.com.

Source link

Click to comment

Connecticut

Enfield mother relieved after landmark social media case jury verdict

Published

33 minutes ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Enfield mother relieved after landmark social media case jury verdict

Wednesday’s landmark jury ruling in a social media addiction case was watched closely by an Enfield mother who’s also suing social media companies, including Meta, after her daughter took her own life a few years ago. She said her daughter’s death was fueled by an addiction to the platforms.

“We deserve this win. The whole, all of us who have lost our children deserve this win,” Tammy Rodriguez said.

She jumped for joy after a jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a social media addiction case. The verdict found the social media companies negligent in the design and operation of their platforms to the point where it was a substantial factor in causing harm to the plaintiff.

This is the first of many cases brought by families accusing social media companies of harming their children. Rodriguez is suing after her 11-year-old daughter, Selena, took her life in the summer of 2021. She pointed to Selena’s struggles with bullying and a change in her behavior.

“She was doing things she never would have done in the past, very risky things,” Rodriguez said.

In a statement to NBC News, Meta called teen mental health “profoundly complex” and “couldn’t be linked to a single app,” saying in part: “We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”

Google, which owns YouTube, said the case “misunderstands” YouTube, saying it’s a “responsibly built streaming site”.

Quinnipiac University law professor Wayne Unger says this is a landmark verdict for other similar cases in court.

“For the first time, we are holding companies civilly liable for the harms that they have caused,” he said.

He says the ruling means Meta and YouTube didn’t adequately warn users about the dangers of using their platforms. He says down the line, this could mean companies changing their behaviors and adjusting their platforms.

“That means change their products to now make them essentially legally compliant or, in other words, to mitigate the new legal exposure that they have,” Unger said.

An exposure Rodriguez hopes could bring real change.

“People need to know the real truth.”

Rodriguez’s case still remains pending in federal court.

Unger says for social media companies, the easiest thing that could happen, for example, is putting a warning label on their products. He says there could be changes with likes and reshares as well.

Source link

Connecticut

State trooper who was arrested twice has resigned

Published

13 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

State trooper who was arrested twice has resigned

A state trooper who was arrested in August and November of 2025 for the same domestic disturbance resigned on March 5, Connecticut State Police confirmed on Tuesday.

On Aug. 27, 37-year-old Trooper Edward Gookin was arrested after a verbal and physical altercation at a home in Griswold, and he was determined to be the aggressor.

He was charged with disorderly conduct, released on $2,500 bond, and placed on paid administrative duty at that time.

Then on Nov. 19, Gookin was arrested again for the same incident that happened on Aug. 27.

This time, he was charged with risk of injury to a child, reckless endangerment, and illegal discharge of a firearm. He was again placed on paid administrative duty, posted a $25,000 bond, and appeared in court.

Now, state police say Gookin has resigned.

Source link

Connecticut

New push for Long Island–Connecticut bridge revives decades-old debate

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

New push for Long Island–Connecticut bridge revives decades-old debate

A proposal to build a bridge linking Long Island to Connecticut is once again sparking conversation—and controversy—nearly a century after the idea first surfaced.

The latest plan, introduced by Connecticut developer Steve Shapiro, calls for a 14-mile span stretching across Long Island Sound from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to the Sunken Meadow Parkway on Long Island’s North Shore. If completed, the project would mark the first direct roadway connection between Long Island and New England.

Supporters say the bridge could transform regional travel, easing congestion and offering an alternative route for drivers who currently must pass through New York City to reach the mainland.

“We have such an opportunity in Connecticut and on Long Island to connect our two regions,” Shapiro said in a promotional video.

The proposed crossing would cost an estimated $50 billion to construct, with tolls projected at roughly $39 each way. Plans could also include a rail component to accommodate both passenger and freight service.

The idea of a cross-sound bridge is not new. Discussions date back to the 1930s, but repeated proposals over the decades have failed to gain enough political or public support to move forward.

At Sunken Meadow State Park, where the bridge could make landfall, residents and visitors expressed mixed reactions.

“I think it’s helpful with traffic—alleviating congestion trying to get to the city,” said Gus Hueber of East Northport.

Others worry about the environmental and cultural impact on Long Island’s character.

“It would destroy this area,” said Maureen Abbatecola of Kings Park. “It might make it easier for people to get on and off Long Island, but it’s also very special that this is an island—and that might take some of that away.”

Shapiro has suggested a potential compromise to address environmental concerns, including a hybrid design that would tunnel a portion of the route beneath the shoreline near the park.

“You could tunnel it under about a mile or two offshore and then go under the park,” he said.

In Connecticut, a bill that would authorize a feasibility study for the bridge was introduced in the state assembly but has not yet advanced out of committee. Despite that, Shapiro remains optimistic, emphasizing that cooperation between New York, Connecticut, and the federal government would be key to making the project a reality.

For now, the proposal remains in its early stages—but as it has for generations, the idea of bridging Long Island Sound continues to divide opinion on both sides of the water.

Source link