Spotlight on arts, entertainment

The show will run June 29-Aug. 24 at the Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Ave. S.

Opening reception and presentation of awards will be July 20.

One or two pieces will be accepted per artist with a fee of $25 for one and $35 for two. MAC members receive $5 off their total fee. For a prospectus: www.milfordarts.org.

For more information, call the Milford Arts Council at 203-878-6647 or go to www.milfordarts.org.

MILFORD >> “Our Fine-Feathered Friends” art exhibition is at the Milford Arts Council’s Firehouse Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Ave.

Showing is noon-4 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, through June 24.

Juror is Jan Prentice. For more information, go to prenticestudio.com, call the gallery at 203-306-0016 or the council at 203-878-6647.

MILFORD >> The Milford Arts Council and Milford Photo are sponsoring Milford Photo Expo 2017, at Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Ave. S.

The open-theme show for photographers of all levels ends June 22.

For more information, contact the Milford Arts Council at 203-878-6647, www.milfordarts.org, www.milfordphoto.com.

MILFORD >> Uilleann piper Mattie Connolly will be featured at an evening of traditional Irish music at St. Gabriel’s Parish Hall, 26 Broadway, Thursday, June 15, sponsored by the P.V. O’Donnell Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

The 7:45 p.m. session is free. BYOB.

Connolly was born in New York City and moved to County Monaghan in Ireland with his family when he was 6. He grew up a musical household, and credits his family for his background in traditional Irish music. He returned to America in the early 1960s and began to play with other musicians who kept traditional Irish music going in the U.S.

In 1980 he won the Senior All-Ireland uilleann pipe championship and, in 1986, he was honored by the American Irish Musicians’ Society for his commitment and dedication to traditional music.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann promotes Irish traditional music, song, dance and language. For information, call Tim Quinn at 203-257-8737.

MILFORD >> A warm-hearted play, “4,000 Miles,” by Amy Herzog, will be presented through June 18 at the Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Ave. S.

The play was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. It is both funny and moving as it chronicles the sometimes difficult but always loving relationship between Leo, 21, and his feisty grandmother, Vera, 91. It is directed by Nancy A. Herman.

Leo shows up at his grandmother’s apartment, feeling alone and alienated after suffering a major loss while on a cross-country bicycle trip. Most of the major events occur off-stage, but the psychological and personal fallout creates powerful tension infused with intimacy and humor. Over the weeks that follow, these unlikely roommates infuriate, bewilder, and eventually come to understand one another.

Herzog has been nominated for the Lucille Lortel Award and Drama Desk Award. She has based several of her characters on family members, most notably her grandmother, after whom Vera is modeled.

The play features Matthew Bennett of Wallingford, Sehee Lee of North Haven, Carmen Mendez of New Haven, and Katie Scott of Milford.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $20, $18 for seniors and students and $16 for MAC members. For tickets, go to www.milfordarts.org or call 203-882-0969. The play contains some adult language and situations.

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.

ORANGE >> A viewing of art by Michael Voytek and Jessica Zamachaj will be held 5-7 p.m. July 6 at Case Memorial Library, 175 Tyler City Road, off Lambert Road.

Refreshments will be served.

The exhibit will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except Sundays, July 5-31.

River St. Wednesdays is at 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 Wednesday events are complemented by Open Mic nights at 7-10 p.m., July 12-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 5, Old Time String Band The Uncommon Night Crawlers; July 12, jewelry demonstration S.V. Decker Jewelry, copper bracelet; 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 as well as a picnic.

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