Healing, Heritage, Hanky-Panky and Health in Hartford

Whether you're looking for a low-key evening with friends or a chance to have a lively discussion with your neighbors, Hartford has it this weekend.

Thursday night has two different events in Hartford with two very different vibes. First is a Healing Circle on Child and Youth Violence. This is the first of three group writing and sharing events taking place to "address our individual and collective pain resulting from the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case and similar killings of Black youth, such as Robert Lawlor, that have occured in Hartford." This event will take place in the Community Room of the Albany Avenue Branch Library. Future dates are Thursday, August 15 at the Children's Program Room of the Downtown Branch Library, and Thursday, September 10 at the Conference of Churches at 224 Farmington Avenue. This event is free and refreshments will be served.

Also on Thursday is Wadsworth Atheneum's First Thursday event, the theme for this month being Emancipation! A Caribbean themed block party to get you warmed up for the Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival. If I were to compile a list of things you must do in Hartford, (which I probably should) First Thursday would be on it. For $5 on the First Thursday of each month, you can come to the museum for a wide variety of events pertaining to the theme, all the while surrounded by the Wadsworth's beautiful collection. This month will include reggae music, a poetry reading, spray-on tattoos, stilt walkers and more. Children are welcome here as well.

On Saturday, the Taste of Caribbean & Jerk Festival comes to town. The Riverfront will come alive with music, games and vendors and so.much.food! This is a yearly event that always pleases. The actual festival is free, but you're going to want to bring money for the food and vendors. Obviously you can bring your kids.

Then you can drop them off at yo mama's house and drive to Springfield for the second edition of Brighter Than Before's Earotica: An Elegant Evening of Sensual Poetry, Music and Tantalizing Tips! If you went last year, then you know that this event gets steamy! Last year was quite the time with some hot area poets (including the hosts), raffles and vendors selling things from massages to...ahem...adult novelties. Last year the place was packed, so get there early! Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. As a note, this is rescheduled from their original date back in July, which you may also have heard about. You had your chance before, but don't miss it again!

Then on Sunday morning, calm back down, center yourself and act like you weren't all hot and bothered the night before.  The first installment of Yoga in the Park starts on August 4th. From now until October, Downtown Yoga, along with the City of Hartford are putting on a free weekly yoga class in different parks in Hartford. Bring a yoga mat, a towel, a bottle of water and wear something to move in. Start your week off with some stretching and moving! Here's the schedule:
Keney Park Aug. 4 9:30 am
Pope Park Aug. 11 9:30 am
Goodwin Park Aug. 18 9:30 am
Colt Park Aug. 25 9:30 am
Bushnell Park Sept 8 11:00 am
Elizabeth Park Sept 15 11:00 am
Keney Park Sept 22 11:00 am
Pope Park Sept 29 11:00 am
Goodwin Park Oct 6 11:00 am
Bushnell Park Oct 12 11:00 am

After any and all of this, support some local businesses and get some dinner at any of the participating Taste of Hartford restaurants. Taste of Hartford ends Sunday!