Arts Center East is Vernon’s creative nerve center, a rehabbed carriage- house-turned-gallery where pottery wheels spin, poets spit verse, and newbie painters accidentally reinvent modern art while the resident cat judges from a sunbeam. The 501(c)(3) packs rotating exhibits, book clubs, and craft markets into a cozy 709-Hartford-Turnpike footprint, and entry is technically free (a $5 “keep-the-lights-on” donation gets you instant good karma). Gallery doors swing open Thursday–Saturday, 1-5 p.m., just enough time to soak up inspiration before hitting Rein’s Deli down the road for post-museum matzo ball soup.

Now through Aug 2, the walls are marching to a different drum: Life Studies of the Great Army, a raw, etching-by-etching look at the Civil War through illustrator Edwin Forbes’ mud-splattered eyes. Picture campfire coffee, cavalry dust, and bugles at dawn—then realize the dude sketched it all in real time, no Instagram filter required. Swing by, whisper “history nerd” to the volunteer, and they’ll probably let you linger past closing. Bonus flex: drop the fact that Forbes’ plates first dropped in 1876 and watch fellow visitors nod in scholarly respect

Walk into 1 Royce Circle and you’re smack in puppet paradise: more than 3,500 marionettes, shadow figures, rod, glove, and body puppets from six continents share shelf space with the largest puppetry film-and-video archive in the country. That haul makes the Ballard Institute one of America’s three biggest puppet collections—an academic shrine to UConn legend Frank Ballard that hopped into its sleek Storrs Center digs in March 2014.

Pro tip for a low-stress visit: stash the car in the Downtown Storrs Garage (first two hours free), duck across the plaza, and drop a pay-what-you-wish $5 suggested donation at the door. Swing by a hands-on workshop to build your own hand or rod puppet, then grab a seat at the museum’s mid-week Puppet Forum series—Wednesdays one season, Thursdays the next—where scholars break down everything from Star Wars masks to Broadway marionettes. Because UConn is still the only U.S. school handing out an MFA in Puppetry, you’ll often catch student work and rotating exhibits that spotlight alumni like Sesame Street photographer-puppeteer Richard Termine.

Columbia | Mocktail Tasting | 6:30pm - Learn about the flavorful world of mocktails with Frances of Reframe at Saxton B. Little Library (319 Rt 87). Register by calling (860) 228-0350.

Rockville | 8 Dimensions of Wellness | 4:30pm - Expand your spiritual knowledge with a holistic look at wellness at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St). Must register

Somers | Classic’s Cruise Night | 4:30-7:30pm - Joanna’s (145 Main St) is hosting their weekly car night. Check out some cool classic vehicles and enjoy the community!

Storrs | Insect Wonders | 3pm - Bring the kids to learn about little creepy crawlies at this even held by UConn at Spring Valley Student Farm (80 Spring Manor Ln). Sign-up

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Square Peg - Vernon | Kt Lay | 6:30-8:30pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Karaoke | 7-10pm

Bolton | Summer XC Series | 6-7:30pm - Get your fit on for the whole family at Bolton Heritage Farm (258 Bolton Center Rd). Register

Columbia | Cocktail Culture | 5:30pm - Take a step back in time at Saxton B. Little Library (319 Rt 87) and learn about fashion in the Mad Men era - 40’s-60’s. Register by calling (860) 228-0350.

Rockville | Summer Sand Art | 2-3pm - If you’re looking for something to do with the kids, Rockville Public Library (52 Union St) is offering a session of sand art. Register by calling (860) 875-5892.

Somers | Cornhole | 5-8pm $ - Get ready for the weekly cornhole league at Sonny’s Place (349 Main St). Register upon arrival.

Stafford Springs | Talkin Tarot | 5-7pm - Step into the mystical world of Tarot cards with a free monthly gathering at Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St). If you really want to be awesome, you’ll bring a donation for the local food pantry, too.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bolton Green - Bolton | COVER2COVER | 6:30pm
⬢ Willington Summer Concert - Willington | Bruce John | 6:30-8:30pm

TRIVIA

Bond 124 - Somers | 7-8:30pm

Somers | Worthington 5K Series | 5:30-7pm - If you love running, wine not do it at the beautiful Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd) as part of their free 5K summer series. After you finish, treat yourself to a glass of wine, because you deserve it! Register

Willington | Summer Music Docu Series | 6:30pm - If you’re a Bob Dylan fan, you won’t want to miss diving into the 1975-76 Bob Dylan tour crisscrossing the US at Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd). If you can’t make it tonight, they’re also having a screening on Fri 7/18 at the same time!

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Alex2e | 7-10pm

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7-9pm

Bolton | Houseplant Bingo | 5:30pm $ - Play some Bingo for the chance to win some houseplants from Cropley’s Garden Center (1262 Boston Tpke). Register

Ellington | Ellington Blood on the Bayou | 6pm - Ellington Historical Society is bringing you the story of Ellington men who fought in the Battle of the Irish Bend, being held at the Nellie McKnight Museum (70 Main St). Rain date 7/19

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Greenleaf - Hebron | Blue Mountain Haze | 8:30pm
⬢ Cassidy Hill Vineyard - Coventry | Piranha Brothers Duo | 6-8pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Mass-Conn-Fusion | 6pm
⬢ Rough Cut Cider House - Tolland | Aaron Spearin | 5-8pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | 7Roads | 8-11pm

Columbia | Beginners Stained Glass | 11am $ - Go step by step in learning how to create beautiful stained glass at The Main Moose (94 Rt 66 E). Call Dawn at (860) 716-5895 with any questions.

Coventry | Farm Day | 12-4pm - Check out some antique farm equipment, tools, horse drawn vehicles, and participate in fun, friendly competitions at this free day at Strong-Porter Museum (2383 South St).

Ellington | Blueberry Festival | 9am-12pm - The Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St) is celebrating all things blueberry this weekend!

Somers | Barn & Craft | 9am-12pm $ - The Story Barn (952 Main St) is holding a mini-craft session to make a tiny vase filled with fairy flowers. Story times, free outdoor scavenger hunt, and snacks too!

Somers | Thunderbirds Community Caravan | 10am-12pm - Bring the kids to meet the Springfield Thunderbirds at Sonny’s Place (349 Main St). Vendors, interactive activities, balloon animals, face paint, and much more.

Stafford Springs | Burnout Rivals | 2pm $ - If you love racing and the smell of burning rubber, the Stafford Motor Speedway (55 West St) has you covered with some exciting automotive action. Tix

Tolland | Community Healing Clinic | 10am-1pm - Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke) is giving back to the community with 30-minute Reiki session. You must sign up, and donations aren’t expected, but appreciated.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bidwell Tavern - Coventry | Gene Donaldson and the Stingrays | 8:30pm
⬢ Bond 124 - Somers | Willy Smith | 7:30-10:30pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | The Brian & Vicky Show | 1-4pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Backstage Pass | 8-11pm $

Coventry | Youth Market | 10am-1pm - Celebrate young entrepreneurs at this week’s Coventry Farmers Market (2299 South St).

Mansfield | Grist Mill Tour | 1-5pm - Add to your knowledge of local history with a guided tour of the Gurleyville Grist Mill (Stone Mill Rd) sponsored by Joshua’s Trust.

Stafford Springs | High Tea | 3:30pm $ - Add a little taste of high society into your life with a monthly tea event at Café de Flore (72 Main St). Bonus points for a fancy hat!

Tolland | New Moon Women’s Circle | 2-4pm $ - Connect with other women looking for some spiritual connection at Be Love Yoga (12 Goose Ln). Tix

Union | Snowmobile Waterskip | 10am-5pm $ - This is your last time to catch the very entertaining spectacle of seeing if a snowmobile can double as a jet ski by the Nipmuck Trail Rider Snowmobile Club (477 Buckley Hwy). Food, raffles, and kids under 12 get in free!

Vernon | National Ice Cream Day | 10am-2pm - Celebrate National Ice Cream Day at Strong Family Farm (274 West St). Learn how to make your own ice cream, meet some mini cows, and do some crafts.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Flour Girl - Hebron | Aaron Spearin | 8:30-10:30am
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Remember Tomorrow | 3-6pm
⬢ Mill Pond County Store - Stafford Springs | David Soltz | 2-4pm
⬢ Four Seasons By The Lake - Stafford Springs | SHOVELHEAD | 2pm

Bolton | Mini-Golf Fundraiser | 6:30pm $ - CAST children’s theater is holding a fundraiser at Mar-Lea (244 Boston Tpke). Drinks and candy are included. Tix

Hebron | TACA Golf Tournament | 8am $ - Calling all golfers who would love to get a round in and help autism support at Blackledge CC (180 West St). If you’re interested, shoot Pamela an email at [email protected]

Vernon | Art Explorers | 9am $ - This will be the kick-off of the 3rd session of Art Explorers at Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke) for youngin’s looking to expand their artistic prowess. This week’s theme is Enchanted Kingdoms. Sign-up

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Karaoke | 6-9pm