Arts, entertainment

July 14, What Up Funk, funk, soul; July 21, Midnight Rodeo Band, country; July 28, Kathy Thompson Band, blues, soul; Aug. 4, The Bernadettes, rock, soul; Aug. 11, Rumrunners, pop, covers.

Rain cancellation notices will be broadcast on WPLR and WICC radio.

Alcohol is not permitted.

ORANGE >> Art by Michael Voytek and Jessica Zamachaj is being shown at Case Memorial Library, 175 Tyler City Road, off Lambert Road.

The exhibit is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except Sundays, through July 31.

BETHANY >> Betsy Ratner is showing her new mixed-media collages through July 28 at Clark Memorial Library gallery, 538 Amity Road. The opening is 5:30-7 p.m. July 13.

The show, “Nature Smiles” encompasses the multitude of colors expressing light.

MILFORD >> The Milford Arts Council has a new fundraiser, The Great MAC Scavenger Hunt, set for 4-8 p.m. July 16.

There is a $1,000 grand prize for the team that completes a series of “photo tasks.”

Each team will receive a list of 30 creative photos to take around the city and must complete 20, with above 20 adding to the chances of winning. Each photo must show the requested task with all team members.

Tickets to the event include an after-party at 6 p.m. at MAC, 40 Railroad Ave. S., with entertainment, free food, a cash bar, and a raffle. The photos will be streamed during the party.

To register: www.milfordarts.org/specialevents. Tickets for adults over 21 are $35 before July 16, and $40 on the day of event; $10 for 12-20 years; and free for under 12.

MILFORD >> The Milford Arts Council presents Open Mic Nites at 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 16 at the Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Ave. S.

Registration starts at 6 p.m. for all performing arts: singers, musicians, comedians, poets, magicians.

Performances will be judged and the winner at the end of the series wins a spot on the 2016 Oyster Festival’s Lisman Landing stage. Soft drinks, beer and wine and snacks will be sold. There is a door fee of $5. Performers are free. Information: 203-878-6647 or go to www.milfordarts.org.

MILFORD >> The 10th Connecticut Tango Festival, with master Argentine dancers Carolina Leonardelli and Gabriel Salvi, will be held July 21-30.

Events will be held in Milford, Norwalk, Danbury and Middletown. Go to www.CTTangoFest.org

In Milford, the programs at Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Ave. S. are:

• July 22: Tango Boot Camp for Beginners with Dale and Gem, 2:30-5:30 p.m., $50.

• July 28: Tango Passion Show, 8 p.m., tickets $38, $42, presented by the Milford Arts Council and the CT Tango Fest with piano, bandoneon and bass musicians; and Grupo Folklorico Rio de la Plata, Tango Sueño Performance Group.

• July 29: Tango workshops with Manuela and Juan, 1-5:30 p.m., $75.

Contact: 203-584-4480, www.CTTangoFest.org.

MILFORD >> The 43rd annual Milford Oyster Festival will present Blackberry Smoke on the festival main stage, Aug. 19.

Blackberry Smoke is a Southern country rock band from Atlanta. The lineup is Charlie Starr, lead vocals, guitar; Richard Turner, bass, vocals; Brit Turner, drums; Paul Jackson, guitar, vocals, and Brandon Still, keyboard.

Since forming in 2000, the band has toured Europe multiple times and performed in Australia in 2016 to sold-out crowds. Along the way, Blackberry Smoke has recorded a handful of independent releases, including “Bad Luck Ain’t No Crime,” “Little Piece of Dixie” and “The Whippoorwill,” plus “Holding All the Roses.”

Opening will be the Artimus Pyle Band. The festival will be held, rain or shine, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 19.

It includes a craft beer area at Lisman Landing, a car show, children’s stage at Fowler Field, Armory Square big toys, 200 arts and crafts vendors on the Green, amusement rides, schooner cruises, canoe and kayak races, and 35,000 oysters.

Oyster Eve, the festival kickoff, will be held 6-10 p.m. Aug. 1 at Lisman Landing. Headlining is Classic Stones Live! The band will also play on the harbor stage the next day during the festival. Craft beers, wine and oysters as well as other food will be available.

Information: www.milfordoysterfestival.com.

River St. Wednesdays is at downtown park

MILFORD >> The city and Milford Arts Council are holding River Street Wednesdays every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in the park in front of City Hall until Aug. 23.

The events are complemented by Open Mic nights at 7-10 p.m. through Aug. 16 at the Milford Arts Council; performers register at 6-7 p.m. The winner will perform at the widely attended 43rd Annual Milford Oyster Festival Aug. 19.

The schedule: July 19, fencing demonstration, Milford Fencing; July 26, “Paint-in” Milford Arts Council; Aug. 2, K-9 Unit demonstration Police Department; Aug. 9, puppet show, sparkle tattoos, Duck Duck Goose; Aug. 16, Chalk the Walk Milford Prevention Council; Aug. 23, pet portrait session, Milford Photo.

For more information visit www.milfordarts.org.

Attendees may bring a blanket or chair and a picnic.

Visit the Downtown Milford Business Association at www.downtownmilfordct.com for a list of restaurants and shops to visit.

ORANGE >> “Duo Retrospectives,” Audrey Galer, watercolors, and Stephanie Arrell, oil paintings and ceramics, will be shown Aug. 2-31, at Case Memorial Library, 176 Tyler City Road.

An opening reception is set for 5-7 p.m. Aug. 10.

MILFORD >> Eastbound Theatre, a division of the Milford Arts Council, announces auditions the darkly comedic piece, “November,” by David Mamet, directed by Michael R. Mele.

Performances will be Sept. 29-Oct. 15.

Auditions will be held 7:30 p.m. July 18, 20 at the Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Ave. S. Roles are available for four men, age 20s to 70s, and a woman, age 30s to 60s. Actors will be asked to read sides from the script.

This is the first show of the theater’s 24th season. For more information, contact the Milford Arts Council at 203-878-6647.

Synopsis:

It’s November in a presidential election year, and incumbent Charles Smith’s chances for re-election are looking grim. Approval ratings are down, his money’s running out, and nuclear war might be imminent. Though his staff has thrown in the towel and his wife has begun to prepare for her post-White House life, Smith isn’t ready to give up. Amid the biggest fight of his political career, he has to find time to pardon a couple of turkeys, saving them from the slaughter before Thanksgiving, and this simple PR event inspires Smith to risk it all in attempt to win back public support. They play is a scathingly hilarious take on the state of America and the lengths to which people will go to win.

Roles available:

Charles Smith: mid 30s-mid 60s, the bumbling and bombastic president; Archer Brown: mid 30s-mid 50s, Smith’s cynical presidential adviser; Turkey Guy: late 20s-late 50s, a nervous representative from the National Association of Turkey and Turkey By-Products Manufacturers; Clarice Bernstein: 30s-60s, Smith’s idealistic lesbian speechwriter; Dwight Grackle: 30s-70s, an irate Native American.

For an alternate audition time, to review the script in advance, for other information, contact Mele at michaelrmele@gmail.com.