Holiday Tapestries
Farmington Valley Chorale will present a collection of festive lullabies and carols from around the world to celebrate the season on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Holiday Tapestries will be performed at First Church of Christ Congregational, 75 Main Street in Farmington. Adult admissions are $25, students are free. Tickets available through Eventbrite, on the chorale’s website and at the door. For more information, email info@farmingtonvalleychorale.org
Out of this world learning
The New England Air Museum, in partnership with Challenger Center Maine Virtual Missions, presents a digital learning program that brings aerospace history, science and technology to your door. Designed for ages 10 to 14, these virtual simulations are delivered to participants in real-time, using video conference technology. The winter 2026 sessions are:
Destination Mars: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2–3:30 p.m. We need to build a base on one of the Red Planet’s moons, Deimos or Phobos, that will allow us to send a spacecraft to the surface of Mars and back in the fastest and safest way possible. Help select which moon is best to build our base by analyzing three sets of data collected by rovers on Deimos and Phobos.
Destination Moon: Saturday, Feb. 14, 2–3:30 p.m. Launch and fly Blue Origin’s reusable launch vehicle, New Glenn, into orbit; safely land Blue Origin’s lunar lander, Blue Moon, on the lunar surface; and prepare to explore the Moon’s surface.
Observation Earth: Saturday, March 14, 2–3:30 p.m. Earth-monitoring sensors on the International Space Station are outdated and need to be replaced with new, state-of-the-art hardware. You will work to capture a cargo craft using a robotic arm, monitor astronauts during a spacewalk as they install the new sensors and analyze data from Earth-monitoring satellites.
Call the museum at 860-623-3305 for more information or to register. Participants will receive free passes to visit the museum at a later time!
‘Tis the season to lean into learning
Check out Presidents’ College Lifelong Learning at the University of Hartford for discussions, lectures or two- or three-session non-credit mini-courses open to adults of all ages. Taught by professors and community experts. No membership fee, pay only for what you take. Offered this month:
Backstage with the award-winning Wicked on Thursdays, Dec. 4 and 11, 12:30–2 p.m.
What’s up with contemporary art? on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
To learn more or to be added to the mailing list, visit Hartford.edu/pc or email pcollege@hartford.edu or call 860-768-4495.
Fantasy Forest Tour
Step into a Fantasy Forest this holiday season at the historic Oliver Ellsworth Homestead, 778 Palisado Avenue in Windsor, beautifully decorated for Christmas. On Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., enjoy a self-guided tour through festive rooms of this 18th century treasure, each adorned with dazzling holiday trees and wreaths—all available for purchase to bring history and holiday spirit home. Tree themes this year include: patriotic nutcrackers, Hummel angels, Polish pottery charms, trees of jewels, rings and bling, and even an appearance by Elvis. Tickets: $10 at the door, children under 10 free.
Hartford Chorale News
Christmas Concert
The Hartford Chorale, with Jack Anthony Potts as conductor, will offer a free concert on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, 140 Farmington Avenue in Hartford.
The public is invited to bring non-perishable food items to help stock local food banks and shelters.
Open Auditions
If you have a love and passion for choral music and dream about adding your own voice to amazing sounds that move your soul, then consider the Hartford Chorale. Auditions will be held as follows: Friday, Jan. 23, 5:30–8:30 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 24, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at St. James’s Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave, West Hartford.
Qualified singers who can accurately and independently prepare music and commit to a number of rehearsals and concerts during the multi-concert season will be considered. We also invite qualified students to participate in a internship program; no audition is required, only a recommendation from a current music teacher.
To schedule your audition and for additional information go to hartfordchorale.org/sing/auditions or email auditions@hartfordchorale.org