The Week in Arts and Entertainment

Bridge Street Live and Tolly's 41

Bridge Street Live's 2011 season ends this weekend with two big shows, and then the venue will be closed for the winter season until mid-March. Next season's confirmed shows are listed at http://41bridgestreet.com/calendar/.

John Gorka plays tonight, Friday, at 8 p.m., promising his signature folk-inspired acoustic songcrafting and guitar playing style. John is credited by Rolling Stone as a founder of the New Folk Movement. 

Saturday night, longtime Bloomfield resident Jaimoe, a founding member of the beloved Allman Brothers Band, brings his band Jaimoe's Jasssz Band to Collinsville for a special end-of-the-season performance at Bridge Street Live at 8 p.m.  

Jaimoe is a legendary drummer who surrounds himself with the best players around for this current line-up. Bandmates Saturday night include Dave Stoltz on bass, Kris Jensen and Paul Lieberman on saxophones, Reggie Pittman on trumpet, Bruce Katz on keyboards and Jr. Mack on guitar and vocals.

The show features American improvisational music—Jaimoe's inclusive and energizing definition of jazz. 

, the restaurant at 41 Bridge Street, is open this week for dinner, starting at 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. They are closed for the season beginning on Sunday. 

When Tolly's 41 reopens in early March 2012, the restaurant will be open five days a week, adding brunch and lunch offerings to the existing dinner and cabaret menus. Riverfront dining will be available on the venue's large porch.  

Crown & Hammer Restaurant & Pub

Tonight, Friday, Pat Allen and Andy Robbin of The Substitutes bring their upbeat rock 'n' roll to the Crown & Hammer for a duo set of party cover music starting around 9:30 p.m. The Substitutes are area educators who rock out after hours, just in time for the end of the semester. Parents, colleagues and music fans alike will enjoy the evening of classic rock.

The Dan McNamara Group, slated for Saturday night at 9:30 p.m., features Dan McNamara on keys and vocals, Tony Lee on guitar, Frank Giguere on drums and Craig Garfinkel on bass. Expect special guests for this unique night of improvisational originals and covers. 

This Wednesday, the Crown is recommencing their Open Mic Night, which will occur on the second and fourth Wednesday nights of each month. Music runs from 9 to 11:30 p.m. with Danny Reilert hosting and accompanying as needed.   

There is no cover for live entertainment at the Crown.

The Fireplace Cafe

Northwest Connecticut's The Regulators rock the Fireplace on River Street Saturday night starting at 9:30 p.m. with long sets of roots rock, country and Americana. Four veteran musicians make up the band's core: Marty Carlson on guitar and vocals; Roger Cannavaro on bass and vocals, Jonathan Lichtig on drums; and Mark Louis Miller on guitar and vocals. 

There is no cover at the Fireplace, so be sure to bring money to add to "the bucket" in appreciation for the music.  

Dish 'n Dat 

Solo artist Brian MacDonald entertains at Dish 'n Dat tonight, Friday, starting at 8 p.m. Included in his set will be covers of Steely Dan and other progressive and classic rock.

Gallery on the Green Holiday Show and Sale

's 2011 Holiday Show and Sale is in full swing through Sunday with a closing party occurring Saturday night from 6 to 9 p.m. Wine and light refreshments will be served. 

Artwork by member artists is on exhibition, and many handmade items are cash and carry. This is a great opportunity for last-minute holiday shopping in a festive environment with neighbors and friends. 

More Holiday Gifts by Local Artists in Collinsville

Opportunities to support talented local artisans while completing holiday shopping abound in Collinsville as well!

Start at , owned and operated by Carol Ackerman, an accomplished jeweler and gemologist for 25 years with several collections of her own work available at her store. Over the years, the store's specialty in carrying work by regional artists has brought many loyal, repeat customers into the gallery and retail space. Hours until Christmas are Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other Collinsville businesses providing opportunities to "Support Local" for holiday gift buying are: , River City Art Center, , , :loveycraft:, , , Lola & Me, ,  and much more.  

Free Concert: "Music for a Joyous Season"

At 4 p.m. on Sunday at the , The Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Arts Fund presents a free performance by the Quodlibet Ensemble, a group of young professional instrumentalists formed in New Haven in 2008.

Part of the Shepherd Music Series, this concert includes works by Corelli and Handel, five concerti from Vivaldi's L'estro Armonico and a newly commissioned work by Robert Honstein, Four Night Scenes from the Ospedale. 

A reception will follow the concert. No reservations or tickets are required. Donations to The Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Arts Fund, a Canton-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to the fine and performing arts, will accept tax-deductible donations at the event or by mail at MSMAF, Inc., c/o Collinsville Savings Society, P. O. Box 197, Collinsville, CT 06019.

Free Weekly Events

The popular Open Mic Night held at  Friday nights at 6 p.m. is hosted alternately by Eric Paradine and Con "Coyote" Doty. Call ahead or be early, as the sign-up sheet fills up fast.

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

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.

The  hosts weekly Karaoke Nights on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. 

 also has a weekly Karaoke Night on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m., although the event may change to Fridays. 

The Crown & Hammer is open on Mondays at 5 p.m. in celebration of of Monday Night Football with a special pub menu, and Trivia Night occurs each Thursday night at 9 p.m.

At , artist Jim Koplar hosts an "Art Jam" on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For a $10 cover charge, art supplies and instruction are provided in a casual, supportive and fun environment.