Connecticut
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.
Even as a born-and-raised New Yorker, I have a relatively open mind when it comes to pizza. When I’m out on the road, I’ll eat at any pizzeria as long as I can see the oven from the counter and buy pizza by the slice. However, the idea of any place outside the Big Apple proclaiming itself “the Pizza Capital of the United States” is just sacrilege. Connecticut doubled down on its ludicrous claim last weekend by approving the rollout of a special “Pizza State” license plate. This is the worst affront to the craft since Chicagoans started shilling their crust-bowl casserole as pizza.
Connecticut Foodshare
Let’s actually take a look at this license plate. One peek, we all know the rules. “The Pizza State” plate features a similar blue-to-white gradient as on the standard Connecticut license plate. The aforementioned self-proclaimed moniker replaces the state’s official nickname, “The Constitution State,” beneath the plate number. To the right of the number is an image of a pizza slice ripped straight from Microsoft’s ClipArt library. It’s a flat image that looks nothing like what’s served in New Haven. Connecticut drivers will be able to pick up a “Pizza State” plate for $65.
This is a pizza war for good
The only undisputedly good aspect of the “Pizza State” license plate is that its introduction will help feed Connecticut’s hungry. According to CT Insider, the $28.6 billion budget bill approved by the Connecticut General Assembly last weekend, which authorized the plate, also directly appropriated funding to Connecticut Foodshare. The sitewide food bank will also receive $50 from each $65 license plate fee, as it continues to provide millions of free meals to food-insecure people.
Back to the pizza debate at the heart of the matter. Governor Ned Lamont declared Connecticut the country’s pizza capital back in 2024 as part of a marketing campaign to promote the state. That declaration could have grounds for war in a different century, but individual states apparently don’t fight wars against each other anymore. Connecticut had better go back to being a UConn Husky-obsessed suburb before New York makes Greenwich the next Toledo.
Connecticut
Suspect in preppy booze-fueled Connecticut party stabbing death asks court to drop charges: ‘Double jeopardy’
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The attorney for a Connecticut man who was recently acquitted of first-degree murder charges stemming from a booze-fueled brawl between prep school students is making another move to ensure his client’s freedom.
Last July, a jury found Raul Valle, now 19, not guilty of murder and intentional manslaughter in the May 14, 2022 stabbing death of James “Jimmy” McGrath. Valle was 16 at the time of the incident, and McGrath was 17.
The jury was deadlocked on lesser charges of reckless manslaughter in that trial, leading to a partial mistrial.
Valle attended St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, near Fairfield Prep, where McGrath was a junior and star lacrosse player. Prior to the stabbing that evening, both had been at a house party that involved underage drinking and a fight.
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Split image of Jimmy McGrath showing him in a collared shirt and tie and in his Fairfield College Preparatory School lacrosse uniform. (The McGrath Family)
After heading to another location to continue partying, tempers flared again and about 25 people engaged in another brawl on the front lawn of the second home, whose owners were present at the time, witnesses told police. It was during that fight that the stabbing death occurred.
Valle admitted to the stabbing, but said it was committed in self-defense and in defense of a friend.
The day after Valle’s July 9, 2025, acquittal on the most serious charges, the state filed new reckless manslaughter and reckless assault charges.
Raul Valle speaks during his second day of testimony at his murder trial in state Superior Court in Milford, Conn., on July 1, 2025. (Ned Gerard/Connecticut Post)
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Now, Valle’s attorney, Darnell Crosland, has filed a motion claiming that the reckless manslaughter and reckless assault charges constitute double jeopardy, which is unconstitutional, according to The Connecticut Post.
Crosland’s motion says the only explanation for the initial jury’s decision to acquit on the first-degree murder charge was that his client acted in self-defense.
“No other theory explains the acquittals,” he wrote in the motion.
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Defense attorney Kevin Smith delivers his closing arguments to the jury during Raul Valle’s murder trial in state Superior Court in Milford, Conn., on July 3, 2025. (Ned Gerard/Connecticut Post)
“The jury has spoken,” he continued. “The law is clear. The court must dismiss these charges with prejudice — immediately.”
The Connecticut Post reported that in an interview after Valle’s acquittal, the jury foreperson said self-defense was not discussed.
In their own filing, prosecutors disagreed with Crosland’s reasoning, according to the report.
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They described self-defense as a “justification defense,” not one that is central to the elements of the charges Valle still faces, and thus, cannot be used as an argument to have the current charges dismissed.
Kevin McGrath, father of slain prep school lacrosse player Jimmy McGrath, speaks to reporters outside the state Superior Court in Milford, Connecticut, following Raul Valle’s acquittal on July 9, 2025. He is accompanied by family attorney Michael Rosnick. (Fox News)
“The fact that the jury acquitted the defendant of murder, intentional manslaughter and intentional assaults, but could not reach a unanimous verdict as to the reckless charges, demonstrates only that the jury must have reached the conclusion that the defendant lacked the specific intent to either kill or to cause serious physical injury,” the filing reportedly said.
McGrath’s family was shocked by the results of the 2025 trial.
“I’m astonished at the results, but, you know, it’s due process,” a stoic Kevin McGrath said outside the state Superior Court in Milford, Connecticut, later describing his son as a “wonderful person.”
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“He’s entitled to it,” said McGrath. “And at the end of the day, the jury made their verdict. I’m not sure if, you know, they were in the same courtroom as we all were together, but that’s the verdict. And we’ll live with it.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Crosland for comment.
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