Charter Oak Cultural Center’s Gala will take place on May 3, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at Ann Howard @ The Bond in Hartford.  This year, we present our three Vision Awards to Susan Talbott for Arts and Education, Nilofer Haider for Social Justice and Rabbi Stanley Kessler for Jewish Heritage.  All funds raised support Charter Oak’s arts, social justice and youth programming.  Join us for live music, dancing, performances, great food and drink and great fun.  Tickets are $150 (includes dinner and drinks) and can be purchased by calling 860.249.1207 or emailing Laura.Rozza@charteroakcenter.org.  Ann Howard @ The Bond – 338 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106

Come and see How To Start A Revolution, a film about the life of Gene Sharp, a community activist who successfully utilized non-violent tactics to bring about social change.  Sponsored by the Hartford Organizing Group. Free.

With Jule Michel

Meditative Circle Dancing is a fun way to slow down, center, and practice mindfulness while exercising and connecting with oneself and others. You need no prior dance or meditation experience to enjoy the calm and peace that comes with dancing contemporary and historic circle dances from different cultures. Free.

You can’t be what you can’t see. Miss Representation, which debuted at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, shows how the media portrays women. And it ain’t pretty. Free.

Click on poster to view movie trailer.

We are proud to present Uni Q. Mical., a Black queer wryter/excyter who aims to keep it hyper. Come hear her words which attempt to slash through the silences that we all (un)comfortably live with, place a mirror to our societies so that we speak to each other, build dialogue, and love a lot.  Tickets: $5.

This event is co-sponsored by Charter Oak Cultural Center and  The Unitarian Universalist Society: East.

Post-Modern Panic: http://www.facebook.com/PostModernPanic
Red Car: Has no online sites.
The Distributors: http://www.myspace.com/TheDistributorsRock
Rat Color: http://www.myspace.com/ratcolor

ALL AGES. $6 All proceeds go directly to the musicians and if you bring a canned veggie donation for Hartford Food Not Bombs, we’ll knock a dollar off the admission price ($5). No one turned away for lack of funds.

Cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies, and listen as a children’s book is read by a guest reader.  As a special treat, take home a free copy of the book.  Come in your pajamas. Free.

Great Hall at Union Station, One Union Place, Hartford

All aboard for Hartford’s party of the year, fun for all movers, shakers, and masterpiece makers on this Valentine’s Day weekend! Over 20 local artists will re-create famous works of art in their own style to be sold off in a raucous live auction.   All proceeds go to benefit the 1,000 young artists in our Youth Arts Institute.  Bid on paintings, dance like no one’s watching (except maybe Mona Lisa), and cross a good deed off your list. Fine food by Ann Howard, cocktails by master mixologist David Brogan, live music by String Theorie, dance party by Joan Dylan, and other surprises.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.

TICKET PRICE INCLUDES.. Dance party with DJ Joan Dylan, live music by String Theorie, hors d’oeuvres by Ann Howard, cash bar, live auction of original artwork, silent auction, and free parking*.  All proceeds benefit the 1,000 young Hartford artists in Charter Oak Cultural Center’s Youth Arts Institute.

Forgeries is sponsored in part by Ann Howard Catering, 1^st Alliance Lending, LLC, Rome McGuigan, P.C., and Cooney, Scully and Dowling.

*FREE PARKING PROVIDED AT THE METRO CENTER GARAGE, 150 HIGH STREET.  PARKING PROVIDED THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF HARBOR GROUP & LAZ PARKING.

IT’S TIME FOR A GIRLS NIGHT OUT.

We’ve got the corkscrew and wine glasses, you BYOB! Before Saturday’s Vagina Monologues performance, come early, bring your friends, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres while you peruse the beautiful jewelry and crafts of local women artisans and mingle with the cast. 21+. Free. Tickets to The Vagina Monologues sold separately.

For vendors interested in participating, please contact Katie at 860-249-1207 or email katie.hanley@charteroakcenter.org.