Arts & Entertainment
Local Educators Love to Rock
This Week in the Arts (Jan. 20-26): A roundup of events around Canton in art, music, theater, film, dance, comedy and more.
The Substitutes Return to the Crown & Hammer
The , which has been closed for a winter break since Sunday, reopens tonight, Friday, at 5 p.m., with an abbreviated menu combining the Pub Menu with four entree specials. The abbreviated menu is in effect throughout this weekend and next and includes customer favorites such as specialty burgers, potato skins served in three different styles and pasta dishes.
Tonight's entertainment, which starts at 9:30 p.m., features crowd-pleasers The Substitutes, local educators who love to rock. Frequent performers at the cozy Crown, they're a duo for this gig, with Patrick Allen, a Canton Intermediate School 6th-grade teacher, on keyboards and vocals and Andy Robbin, the Cherry Brook Primary School principal, on guitar and vocals. Andy will also be debuting his electric ukelele.
Andy writes, "Patrick and I love being at the Crown & Hammer, as we always end up playing a few surprises based on requests."
Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On Saturday, the Johnny Larsen Trio returns for an intimate night of acoustic music with Tommy Hansen, Carolyn Rae and Johnny Larsen. Their set begins at 9:30 p.m.
Open Mic Night at the Crown, which occurs every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, is on for this week. Hosted by Danny Reilert, the format includes three-song sets from anyone wishing to sign up to perform. This month's theme, according to the event's new Facebook page, is "favorite TV and movie songs, radio and TV ads, with a special sing-along led by Barry Panitch." The fun starts at 9 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Downright's New Open Mic Night for Writers
On Thursday, Jan. 26, at Collinsville's , a new open mic especially for writers takes place for the first time. Poets, songwriters and writers of all genres are invited to share their work at this supportive gathering from 6 to 8 p.m., which is planned for the fourth Thursday of each month. Artist and writer Kate Gorman is the host.
Roaring Brook Concert Series
After a break for the holidays, the 's concert series is back up and running this Saturday night with folk troubadour Bill Staines, who stops in Canton as part of his annual 70,000 mile tour. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Fireplace Cafe
Guitarist Con "Coyote" Doty rocks the Fireplace Cafe tonight, Friday, with his signature mix of blues, rock and country music. Known for his solo shows as well as performances with his band Bloodbrother or other musical friends, tonight's lineup and song list will be a surprise for friends and fans.
On Saturday, Poor Old Shine returns to Collinsville to play "for the bucket" at the Fireplace. Formed at the University of Connecticut, this roots-rock band has previously performed at Bridge Street Live and LaSalle Market. The show starts around 9:30 p.m.
Acoustic Open Mic Night, hosted by singer-songwriter "GrimFacts" Ed Hoyer, Jr., continues each Tuesday starting at 8:30 p.m., and attracts a regular crew of musicians from right here in town.
LaSalle Market
The popular Open Mic Night held at 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.
La Trattoria Restaurant
At , members of jazz band Swing 39 play as a trio on Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m., and return as a duo Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m. On Saturdays pianist John Lomartra from Cromwell entertains from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Rice Fields
Asian restaurant and lounge has resumed their weekly Karaoke Nights. They are now on Fridays from around 8 to 11:30 p.m. in the special events room.
Flatbread Company
The hosts live entertainment each Thursday night from 6 to 8 p.m. to help bring a festive, creative element to the late-week dinner hour. This week, singer-songwriter Nate Day returns to perform a mix of original music and covers.
Canton Public Library
The is hosting two Drop-in Knitting groups this season. On Saturday, the group meets from 1 to 3 p.m., and on Monday, it's 6:30 to 8 p.m. See the website here for more information and the groups' future dates.
Painter Art Chouinard demonstrates how he puts together an oil painting one day a month at the library. He will be there on Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. working on one of his signature marine scenes.
