AGP Executive Report

Live Music: Greta Van Fleet announced a 2027 “Into the Beginning” tour, including a July 24 stop at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, with tickets and supporting acts detailed ahead of the Oct. 9 release of “Palace For The People.” CT Theater: Hartford Stage kicks off its season with a U.S. premiere of a new “Dracula” adaptation (Oct. 9–Nov. 1), billed with a feminist lens and spotlighting Mina and Lucy as central figures. Arts & Community: A Famine painting—“The Irish Peasant’s Grave” from Fairfield’s Irish Great Hunger Museum—goes on display for 12 months at Skibbereen Heritage Centre, tied to Connecticut’s collection work. Music Spotlight: Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro returns to Connecticut Oct. 10 at UConn’s Jorgensen Center. Local Food/Place: South Hadley’s Blackbird Marketplace opens at the former Tailgate Picnic site, expanding the grab-and-go legacy into breakfast, salads, smoothies, and baked goods. Fitness/Charity: Hartford’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk returns around Bushnell Park with Zumba warmups and community fundraising.

Hartford Stage Season Opener: Hartford Stage kicks off its fall with a U.S. premiere of a new “Dracula” adaptation (Oct. 9–Nov. 1), billed with a feminist slant and starring Mina as an equal in the fight against the vampire. Music in Connecticut: Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro returns to UConn’s Jorgensen Center on Oct. 10 after earlier Connecticut stops, bringing a solo-tour twist to his signature virtuosity. Jazz & Composition: Pianist/composer Zaccai Curtis spotlights “Cubop Lives!”—a Cubop blend of bebop harmonies and Latin rhythms—drawing on his Hartford roots. Local Arts & Community: South Hadley’s Blackbird Marketplace is set to replace Tailgate Picnic, expanding grab-and-go sandwiches into breakfast, salads, smoothies, and baked goods. Arts, Health, and Public Life: Hartford’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk returns to Bushnell Park, pairing a Zumba warmup with a community one-mile route. CT Sports with a Human Story: Yale QB Dante Reno threw four TDs one day after his father, former coach Tony Reno, died—an emotional home opener for the Bulldogs.

WNBA Spotlight: The Indiana Fever’s playoff run is over, but the fallout keeps rolling—reporters and players are pushing back on viral claims and fan-versus-fan narratives after A’ja Wilson’s courtside confrontation and Aliyah Boston’s resurfaced comments. Connecticut Arts & Community: Fairfield’s Julia Isabel (2022 Ms. Connecticut) is extending her solo exhibit “The Image of the Sound” at The Rye Arts Center, blending classical music, movement, and painting with proceeds supporting youth arts programs. Film & Culture: A 4K restoration of Henry Jaglom’s “Sitting Ducks” and “Tracks” returns to theaters, with Vinegar Syndrome handling the technical work in Bridgeport. Local Events: Lyme-Old Lyme VFW Post 1467 hosts a Oct. 10 benefit for veterans in need, featuring dinner reservations and support for CT VA and therapy programs. Food & Safety: FDA recalls frozen berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s, including products distributed in Connecticut.

WNBA & Connecticut Sports: The Indiana Fever’s season-ending loss to the Las Vegas Aces didn’t slow the conversation—Sophie Cunningham criticized how the league handled an A’ja Wilson courtside incident, while Fever GM Amber Cox addressed “attacks” on the fan base. Playoff Spotlight: Golden State’s Valkyries rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat Dallas and set a semifinal matchup with the defending champion Aces. Court & Community Impact: A Connecticut mom who lost her daughter to suicide urged Congress to strengthen kids’ online safety laws, following a multistate Meta settlement that includes major funding for youth mental health and crisis programs. Arts in Connecticut: TheaterWorks Hartford opens its season with Samuel D. Hunter’s intimate drama “Little Bear Ridge Road” (Oct. 8–Nov. 8). Film & Local Craft: A Henry Jaglom 4K restoration brings “Sitting Ducks” back to theaters, with technical work done in Bridgeport. Food & Local Life: Madison’s Goodfellas has relocated to a former Taylor’s Drug Store, aiming for more space and visibility. Culture Watch: A new animated Catholic kids’ series, “Bishop Frank Teaches the Faith,” launches with Bishop Frank J. Caggiano as host.

Mystic Pizza: A New Musical: The cast stopped in Mystic ahead of Connecticut performances at Waterbury’s Palace Theater (Fri–Sun), bringing 1980s/’90s hits to the story of three friends working at the iconic pizzeria. Connecticut DEEP Hunting: DEEP announced fall season opening days—firearms turkey starts Oct. 3, with pheasant and small game opening Oct. 17—plus a Junior Pheasant Hunter Training Day on Oct. 10. Banned Books Week (Eastern Connecticut State University): Eastern will host a Banned Books Week kickoff event in Willimantic (Oct. 4–10 theme: “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read”), featuring speakers and a focus on censorship and the right to read. Local Arts & Community: Newington’s Casadoro Ristorante & Bar was named a finalist for the CRAZIES “Service Team of the Year” award, highlighting Connecticut hospitality culture. Sports Culture in CT: The Connecticut Sun’s final season ended as the franchise prepares to relocate for 2027, with the WNBA offseason already shaping what’s next.

Public Art: Calder’s monumental “Mountains and Clouds” is back in motion—restoration of the Hart Senate Office Building sculpture is underway and set to finish later this year, returning a major piece of American public art to the Capitol complex. Education Policy: Connecticut advocates are pushing back hard on proposed Head Start changes, warning the overhaul could weaken services for thousands of CT children, including bigger class sizes, fewer degree requirements, and looser disability and staffing rules. Guns & Courts: A federal judge temporarily blocked Connecticut’s ban on certain handguns that can be converted into quick-firing “Glock switch” weapons, citing Second Amendment concerns while the case plays out. Local Arts/Community: UConn women’s basketball is rolling into the season with preseason BIG EAST honors, while the state’s arts calendar continues to point audiences toward fall events and performances. Business & Culture: The viral cookie chain Chip City abruptly shut down all remaining locations, a reminder of how quickly beloved local food brands can disappear. Manufacturing & AI: CT defense manufacturers are urging careful, staff-led AI adoption—collect data responsibly and avoid experimenting with sensitive company information.

UConn Field Hockey: After a rainout, the Huskies resume with a big Big East test at Providence, then host No. 3 UMass on Sunday—an early-season measuring stick for a national-title push. UConn Men’s Basketball: The program leans into a younger, transfer-portal-heavy roster, with new leaders setting the tone for a grueling nonconference slate. Local Arts & Culture: Greenwich’s Benedict Court breaks ground as a 120-unit multifamily project with below-market homes—an arts-and-community adjacent story about where people live and gather. Student Art Spotlight: Harrison Beckenstein ’27 explores identity, queer history, and sacrifice through layered mixed media, including a collage using cow leather. Arts & Entertainment: Netflix’s “East of Eden” arrives with Florence Pugh’s Cathy at the center, praised for performance even as the series is called uneven. Community Events: Norwalk’s October ArtWalk and other fall gallery happenings keep the season moving, while Stonington’s “Sip & Sign” fundraiser supports Operation Fresh Start’s family aid. Arts-Adjacent Policy: A federal judge cleared the Paramount-Warner Bros. settlement path, setting up a major media merger that could reshape Connecticut’s entertainment landscape.

Immigration & Voting Rights: Connecticut’s new law limiting ICE arrests in hospitals, schools, and churches takes effect Oct. 1, after Danbury raids fueled fears of families being targeted in daily life. Legal Fight Over Guns: A federal judge blocked Connecticut’s Glock ban, calling it “presumptively unconstitutional” under Bruen, as the state vows to keep defending the law. Online Safety Push: After a multistate settlement with Meta, a Connecticut mother urges Congress to pass stronger federal online protections for kids. Arts & Culture Spotlight: Rosanna Warren, a Connecticut-born literary figure, discusses why readings matter at UNH’s Writer’s Series. Entertainment in Connecticut: Olivia Rodrigo’s Hartford show included a dissolving dress stunt, and the Netflix “East of Eden” adaptation keeps drawing attention for its Cathy-focused storytelling. Community Arts Calendar: October ArtWalk events are set to bring galleries and cultural stops to the spotlight across the region. Business/Tech: Redwood Logistics launches Redwood Advisory via a Guilford-based acquisition, expanding supply-chain consulting in Connecticut.

Norwalk Arts District: Norwalk marked the state-designated Arts and Cultural District with “Arts Over Norwalk” at SoNo 50, spotlighting nearly 30 attractions and dozens of arts stops across Wall Street and South Norwalk. Netflix TV Review: Florence Pugh leads Zoe Kazan’s Netflix miniseries “East of Eden,” a fresh, Cathy-forward take on Steinbeck’s epic with lush production and a sharper focus on free will and family fallout. Connecticut Music Spotlight: Hartford reggae singer Brian Holt is preparing a new version of “The Tide Is High,” honoring his late father John Holt while adding updated arrangements and plans for an EP and album. Connecticut Art & Culture: A puppeteer’s “Puppet Free Library” keeps a hidden, weekly lending tradition alive, pairing handmade life-sized puppets with a workshop culture that’s been passed down for over 60 years. Food Waste & Community: DEEP highlights Food Waste Prevention Week, pointing to grants and free technical help aimed at cutting excess edible food and boosting recovery and composting. Local Antiques Win: A Connecticut man’s $35 yard-sale find—an early Ming imperial-era Ming bowl—sold for $721,800 after Sotheby’s identified it as one of only a handful known.

Connecticut Arts & Entertainment: TV/Comedy: “Abbott Elementary” is bringing in Katy Mixon for Season 6, with a newly released trailer teasing her clash with Melissa and more school-district chaos. Sports (CT spotlight): UConn football: CBS Sports Network’s Week 5 slate includes a Syracuse vs. UConn rematch in Storrs on Saturday, Oct. 1. Local college sports: Fairfield’s Cristiano Carlos has already made a splash as a first-year forward, scoring early and finding the net against UConn and other opponents. Arts & culture: Film: Chatham Orpheum Theater in Massachusetts screens “The Librarians,” a documentary about book bans, during Banned Books Week (Oct. 4–10). Animals/Community: Beardsley Zoo: The zoo’s first red panda cub has been named Pabu after a public vote, marking a milestone for the endangered species program. Arts calendar: A CT-wide “Arts calendar for September 30–October 18” roundup is also listed for weekend planning.

College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan “Protect College Sports Act” (77-22), aiming to rein in athlete pay and transfers, with Connecticut’s senators split—supporters see guardrails, opponents say it still falls short for student-athletes. CT Arts & Community: East Haddam’s new mural, “You Never Walk Alone,” uses anthropomorphic cats to trace local history and will be celebrated Oct. 4 with remarks and community art. Arts Spotlight: Billy Joel announced a 50th anniversary “Turnstiles” box set, including newly released tracks and a newly transferred “Billy Joel Tonight” concert film recorded at Connecticut College. Sports Culture: The Kennedy Collective, celebrating 75 years in Connecticut, highlighted its work employing and empowering people with disabilities, including through its Autism Health and Fitness Center in Orange. Energy & Reliability: Attorney General Tong co-led a coalition urging FERC to reject the NextEra-Dominion merger, arguing it could harm affordability and competition in New England.

Medical Innovation: Yale New Haven Hospital is installing Connecticut’s first PET/MR system, slated to begin patient care in 2027 and aimed at faster, combined brain and cancer imaging. Arts & Culture (Literature): Canadian-American author Emily St. John Mandel discusses her new novel “Exit Party,” shaped by the feeling of a divided America and the aftershocks of collapse. Community & Housing: A Connecticut connection shows up in a broader homeownership story: Habitat for Humanity and Freedom Boat Club are helping a family secure its first home after years of instability. Local Sports & Community Life: A new indoor padel club is planned for Bristol’s former Bristol Brass site, bringing a year-round racket sport to Greater Hartford. Policy Watch (Sports): The U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, a major step toward national rules for NIL and transfers, though House approval still isn’t guaranteed. Weather Disruption: A nor’easter knocked out power across the Northeast, with coastal flood warnings stretching into coastal Connecticut.

Connecticut Arts & Culture: NUE Vodka is expanding its NUE Naturals line with a new NUE Naturals Vanilla Vodka, pitched as “zero sugar, zero carbs” with no artificial flavors or coloring—another local-to-market spirits move worth watching for cocktail culture. Arts, Policy & Education: The U.S. Department of Education formally rescinded Biden-era Title IX rules that expanded protections for gender identity and sexual orientation, reinstating 2020-era regulations—an immediate ripple for school sports and lawsuits involving Connecticut athletes and families. Community & Civic Life: Connecticut River Conservancy’s “Source to the Sea” cleanups continue, with volunteers collecting litter and syringes in the Hartford area, while regional “Source to the Sea” efforts keep pulling trash from waterways. Local Arts Calendar: Greater Hartford Theater Week is set to bring theaters, artists, and audiences together, and the broader CT arts calendar runs through late September into mid-October. Sports & Entertainment (CT-adjacent): Connecticut’s own Sun legacy news continues to land nationally as the franchise prepares to leave Mohegan Sun for Houston.

Cancer Care Coverage: Paxman says California has enacted AB 1682 requiring insurance coverage for FDA-cleared scalp cooling for chemo patients, joining New York, Louisiana, Maryland, West Virginia—and Connecticut—in expanding access. CT Sports Business: Connecticut sports and iGaming wagers hit $2.02 billion in August, up 6% year-over-year. Gambling Reform in CT: Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Paul Tonko launch “Truth and Integrity,” pushing federal rules for sports betting and prediction markets, including limits on ads, affordability checks, and AI-related safeguards. Politics Meets Media: A Trump “paid for by the U.S. Government” video sparks fresh ethics questions ahead of midterms. WNBA Spotlight: The Connecticut Sun’s legacy looms as the franchise heads toward relocation, while the Liberty open their playoff run with a Game 1 win over Minnesota. Arts & Pop Culture (CT): Olivia Rodrigo’s Hartford “Unraveled” opener featured a planned dissolving dress during “The Cure,” turning a costume change into a viral moment. Community & Outdoors: Green River Cleanup in Greenfield draws hundreds of volunteers to tackle repeat trash hotspots. Weather Disruption: A nor’easter batters the Northeast, with flooding and power outages hitting Connecticut and beyond.

Pop Culture in CT: Olivia Rodrigo kicked off her Unraveled Tour in Hartford (Sept. 25) with “The Cure” staged under artificial rain—her water-soluble dress literally dissolved onstage, sparking nonstop “wet toilet paper” style reactions online. Local Arts & Live Performance: The first national tour of The Great Gatsby lands at The Bushnell (Sept. 29–Oct. 4), with Senzel Ahmady returning to Hartford after touring Aladdin in 2022. Music Calendar (CT): A fall lineup roundup highlights classical-crossover concerts pairing live orchestras with movie and TV scores, including Outlander in Concert (Oct. 9) and Ghostbusters in Concert (Oct. 21) at Oakdale Theatre. Community Spotlight: Greenfield’s Green River Cleanup drew a couple hundred volunteers despite severe weather, continuing a 23-year tradition tied to the Source to Sea effort. Sports & Culture: The Connecticut Sun plays its final home game before relocating to Houston, with fans bracing for an emotional farewell at Mohegan Sun Arena. Weather Disruption: A deadly nor’easter battered the region with flooding, outages, and travel chaos—conditions that also forced major event cancellations.

Pop Culture in CT: Olivia Rodrigo kicked off her 2026 Unraveled Tour in Hartford (Sept. 25), delivering a two-hour, season-themed set that pulled from all three albums—plus a standout “dissolving” Hussein Chalayan dress moment during “The Cure.” Local Arts & Theater: TotoToo Theatre’s Jagged Little Pill (Diablo Cody’s jukebox musical) is in performance through Oct. 3, bringing 90s hits and a grunge-leaning look to a suburban Connecticut community. Arts, Weather, and Community: A powerful nor’easter slammed the Northeast with heavy rain, dangerous surf, flooding, and widespread outages—disrupting travel and forcing cancellations, including in the region’s event calendar. Sports & Culture Crossovers: UConn football fell to Miami (Ohio) 24-21 in a streaming-only matchup, while UConn field hockey opened BIG EAST play with a 3-2 win over Liberty in Storrs. Arts Beyond CT: Irish painter Donald Teskey turns 70, reflecting on how place and environment are seeping into his work.