Corey Lynn Tucker Photography Hangs at the Crown & Hammer

New photography by Corey Lynn Tucker will be installed this week at the Crown & Hammer in time for an opening reception there on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. The show, "Road to Steamboat," features light-filled work from Corey's fall trip to the majestic mountains of Colorado. The reception is free and open to the public.

She visited Boulder at the encouragement of her friend Leigh Cushing, former Connecticut resident and employee at Rootz Organic Hair Salon.

"Given the year of crazy weather in Connecticut, Colorado was a sunshine welcome," Corey says. "With sun 300 days a year, blue skies, snow and mountains, in Colorado I felt as if I were on another planet."

Corey took road trips each day, taking photographs of rock climbers at El Dorado Canyon, elk and mule deer at Gem Lake and scenery and wildlife on a trip from Boulder to Steamboat Springs. 

"Much like Collinsville, Steamboat truly called to my spirit," Corey says. "It's a friendly town with the first hot springs I had ever been in, at Strawberry Park."

And the photographic journey included many horses. 

She says, "My love for horses has been with me since childhood. As often as possible, I stopped on the trip to capture their majestic beauty."

Moved to action by her disappointment in the signing of a recent federal spending bill essentially reinstating the horse-slaughter industry in the United States, Corey is donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of photographs in this show to horse rescue organizations to help offset the cost of feeding and keeping horses.

She explains, "Unfortunately, there is a horse overpopulation problem, and many owners can no longer afford to keep their horses due to the economy... You have to have the time, the money and the energy to care for these animals and expect that commitment to last for up to 40 years. Horses live a long time." 

One of Corey's even more recent projects was shooting a 2012 pin-up calendar with help from local models, make-up artist Julia Gulia of FACE by Julia in West Hartford and the stylists at Rootz in Collinsville. (See the January page in the images above.) Corey will have the calendars for sale the night of the opening at $20 each, and some of the models will be on hand to sign them just for fun.

Corey, who can be reached at coreylynntucker@gmail.com, is available for portraits and boudoir, fashion, sports, adventure and other photography styles. Her studio is at 111 Main Street in Collinsville, although she also often works outside, taking advantage of the natural light and, of course, the unique settings around her studio's neighborhood.

See a video highlighting Corey's 2011 photography projects here. 

Also at the Crown & Hammer

Tonight, Friday, Shawn Taylor returns to the Crown & Hammer for a night of American roots, both originals and cover tunes. 

On Saturday, albinoTree performs their monthly gig featuring "live music for lovers of wine and song."

Although the Monday Night Football season has come to an end, the restaurant will indeed be open Monday night from 5 to 11 p.m. this week as usual.

Open Mic Night has resumed at the Crown, occurring this Wednesday night at 9 p.m. The biweekly event, planned for the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, is hosted by regional open mic mainstay Danny Reilert, who will also provide accompaniment for performers who'd like the support on stage. 

The Crown's increasingly popular Trivia Night occurs every Thursday starting around 9 p.m. and includes prizes for the winning team.

The Hub Bar & Grille 

School may be back in session, but local educators The Substitutes are keeping their night job as classic rockers. They play a full band gig at The Hub Bar & Grille tonight, Friday, from 8 to 11 pm. 

The Hub hosts Karaoke Night each Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 9 p.m.

Flatbread Company

In case you miss seeing The Substitutes rock the Hub tonight, they're also playing right down Rt. 44 at the Flatbread Company on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Take a break from homework to support these teachers' talent and passion for music. 

Dish 'n Dat 

Don "The Piano Man" Pettruzzi is performing tonight, Friday, at Dish 'n Dat. Don plays keyboards and sings during his set mixing cover songs and original material. 

Fireplace Cafe 

Paul the Shoreline Guy returns to the Fireplace in Collinsville tonight, Friday, at 9 p.m. 

Acoustic Open Mic Night, hosted by singer-songwriter "GrimFacts" Ed Hoyer, Jr., continues each Tuesday starting at 8:30 p.m.

Live entertainment at the Fireplace is always free, so just be sure to bring tips "for the bucket," all of which go to the performers.

LaSalle Market 

The popular Open Mic Night held at LaSalle Market each Friday night at 6 p.m. is hosted alternately by Eric Paradine and Con "Coyote" Doty, and the sign-up sheet fills up fast.

Gallery on the Green

The Canton Artists' Guild, the collective behind Canton's Gallery on the Green, is hosting a Meet & Greet Potluck for new members on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call the gallery at (860) 693-4102. 

Roaring Brook Nature Center 

See the sights in a different light during the Full Moon Hike offered by Roaring Brook Nature Center on Saturday at 7 p.m. for $7 per person. Dress warmly for a guided hike through the trails of Werner's Woods. Call (860) 693-0263 for the required preregistration.