From a doo-wop party to a family-friendly dog show, here are the top things to do and see this week in CT arts
The arts appear in some magical places this week in Connecticut.
Dozens of doo-woppers and sock-hoppers at a casino. A classical pianist at the arts center inside the Milford train station. Heroic cartoon dogs live on stage in an arena. A current TV reality show diva hosting a drag show at one of her familiar local haunts. A versatile drummer holding forth at a blues-loving restaurant. Six British queens (the royal kind) commanding The Bushnell, plus the visual art/music/conversation mix of a Creative Cocktail party.
Here are some of the top things to do and see.
Bowzer’s Rock ‘N’ Doo-Wop Party XXI
Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville
The current editions of vocal groups and rock acts that have existed since the 1950s or ‘60s gather for the latest “Rock ‘N’ Doo-Wop Party XXI” hosted by Jon “Bowzer” Bauman of Sha Na Na. The line-up includes twist master Chubby Checker & the Wildcats, Jay Siegel’s Tokens (”The Lion Sleeps Tonight”), Chris Montez of “Let’s Go” fame, Lala Brooks (lead vocalist on The Crystals’ “And Then He Kissed Me”), “Love Potion #9″ imbibers The Clovers, The Dubs (”Could This Be Magic”), Johnny Farina of the “Sleep Walk” duo Santo & Johnny, New York firefighter Frank Pizarro (a 9/11 first responder) paying tribute to the songs of The Platters, the tour’s longtime backing band Rocky & the Rollers and Bauman’s own band Bowzer & the Stingrays, featuring another Sha Na Na veteran, Johnny Contardo. It’s an early show, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena. $25 and $35. mohegansun.com.
New England LOL Comedy Show
Funnybone Comedy Club, 194 Buckland Hills Drive, Manchester
Connecticut comedians Marshall Brandon and Big Regg co-host an “MLK Weekend” comedy show Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Funnybone Comedy Club in Manchester ($25-$35). Later in the week, Jan. 21 at 7:30 and 10 p.m. and Jan. 22 at 7 and 9:30 p.m., one of the biggest Black female comedians on the touring circuit, Sommore, is at the same club ($37-$47). hartford.funnybone.com.
PAW Patrol Live: The Great Pirate Adventure
Total Mortgage Arena, 600 Main St., Bridgeport
The kids’ show “PAW Patrol” began in 2013, which means its original fans are now sullen teens. The show continues to rejuvenate itself and capture new audiences with the latest “PAW Patrol” movie due in October and a spin-off, “Rubble & Co.,” set to debut next month. Then there’s “PAW Patrol Live,” a lively combination of human performers and giant dog costumes (and pirates!), returning to Connecticut for two shows Jan. 17 and 18 at 6 p.m. at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport. $32-$130. totalmortgagearena.com.
Creative Cocktail Hour
Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor St., Hartford
The first Creative Cocktail Hour of 2023, Jan. 19 from 6 to 10 p.m., features live music by Habbina Habbina, party music from DJ Realistic, the East-West Grille food truck, art-making activities and a chance to hang around Real Art Ways with other cool people. An immersive art exhibit by Korean artist Kate Bae has its opening that night, joining exhibits by Rashmi Talpade and Howard el-Yasin. $15, $10 RAW members and bicyclists. “RAW members on bikes get in free.” realartways.org.
Wynona Wang
Milford Arts Council, 40 Railroad Ave Milford
Hartford-based classical pianist Wynona Wang has been playing since she was 4. At her concert on Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Milford Arts Council, she’ll play Nikolai Medtner’s “Fairytale” sonata, Beethoven’s “Appassionata” sonata and Liszt’s “Piano Sonata in B Minor.” It’s sonatamania! $22-$42. milfordarts.org.
Chris Barron
Wall Street Theater, 71 Wall Street, Norwalk
Before they were MTV sensations for their hits “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” in the early ‘90s, playing such giant venues as New Haven Coliseum, the New York alt-funk band Spin Doctors could be found visiting much smaller (now defunct) Connecticut clubs such as the Poco Loco and the Cape Codder. The smaller rooms suited the band’s sweaty hippie fun-for-alls. Now Spin Doctors frontman Chris Barron is on a solo tour and happily playing relatively intimate venues again, including Norwalk’s Wall Street Theater on Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. $23-$35. wallstreettheater.com.
Forever Fierce
Chez Est, 458 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford
Millions now know her as a current contestant on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15, but in Connecticut, Robin Fierce has been a drag legend for years. She’s hosting one of her “Forever Fierce” shows at Chez Est, also featuring Miss Rozzz, Angel Rivers and Ivanka, on Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. chezest.com.
Liviu Pop & Friends
Black-Eyed Sally’s, 350 Asylum St., Hartford
The internationally touring Hartford-based blues/soul/jazz/funk drummer Liviu Pop is the attraction at Black-Eyed Sally’s on Jan. 21 at 8 p.m., bringing special guest performers with him. blackeyedsallys.com.
Neighbor
Infinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford
The band Neighbor has been on tour playing big rooms alongside Greensky Bluegrass and Umphrey’s McGee. In June, they’re playing the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee and the Greensky Camp fest in Iceland. On Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. at Infinity Music Hall Hartford, they get a stage all to themselves, and the improvisational four-piece groove band knows how to use it. $22-$32. infinityhall.com.
Reach reporter Christopher Arnott at carnott@courant.com.
