Story By Chelsea Murray Kaneb

Have you ever dreamed of diving into a painting like Mary Poppins did?

I know I have, and The Beyond Van Gogh immersive experience helps you do just that by bringing the popular, tormented Impressionist artist’s work to life. The exhibit has been in Hartford for the past few months and I was excited to get a chance to experience it.

The first part provides a glimpse into Van Gogh’s life by stringing excerpts from his letters to his beloved brother and leads a visitor along a snaking path leading to the giant immersive room.

The quotes, information about the artist’s life, and letter snippets were projected onto large squares of a detailed backdrop of close-ups of his unique brush strokes, use of vibrant color, and swirly style. Many just know Vincent Van Gogh as the guy who chopped off his ear, and for the incredible A Starry Night painting, so it’s powerful to go deeper into who he was, and be inspired by quotes pulled from his beautifully expressed letters, which were pieces of art in themselves.

Slim chance you’d find letters that eloquent in our modern times, this is a lost art form.

The immersive room was honestly like nothing I’d experienced before. You’re surrounded by a show of 300 paintings, including Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Café Terrace at Night, breathed to life on all sides of you as well as below set to a powerful instrumental playlist. Occupying over 30,000 square feet, Beyond Van Gogh is the largest immersive experience in the country, offering guests ample room to safely enjoy the exhibit.

The projection technology is slightly trippy and even a tad bit emotional at points. There’s never been an artist with a style quite like Van Gogh, or “Vincent”, as he famously scribbled on the corner of his paintings.

To experience it in such an intense, up close, and the captivating way was a real treat for the senses, and a unique way to appreciate art.

You can catch the exhibit crafted by a French-Canadian creative team at the CT Convention Center in Hartford for a few weeks more until October 23rd, when it moves onto the next ports including Washington DC, Baltimore, Long Island, and New Jersey to name a few.

Open – Sunday: 10 am – 8 pm (last entry 7 pm), Monday & Tuesday: closed,Wednesday & Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm (last entry 7 pm),

Friday & Saturday: 10am – 9 pm (last entry 8 pm)

Connecticut Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A

100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford CT 06103

Buy your tickets for this incredible experience here- https://beyondvangoghhartford.com

Local Happenings:

• Saturday in the Park on October 1st at the Lewis Fulton Memorial Park in Waterbury from 12-4 PM- The Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office, Preservation ConnecticWaterbury invite you to Fulton Park to celebrate the state’s historic Olmsted landscapes. Join us for a preview of the Olmsted documentation project, walking tours, activities for kids, food trucks, and more. https://olmsted200.org/events/saturday-in-the-park/

Oktoberfest Events Around the Area:

• Oktoberfest Festivities September 30 – November 6- Craft Brewery Package- Start the adventure at the Manor House Inn with a beer lovers welcome package. Spend the night in one of their spacious suites, and then fuel up in the morning with a delicious breakfast while you map out your craft brewery exploration. To book, select your dates and room and then choose the “Craft Brewery” option. Or call us at 860-542-5690. Package is available Wednesday through Saturday from April to December. Manor House Inn 69 Maple Ave Norfolk, CT 06058 Contact: (203) 503-4549 https://manorhouse-norfolk.com/vacation-packages-and-specials/ innkeeper@manorhouse-norfolk.com

• Oktoberfest Powder Ridge on October 1- Tickets are on sale now check out PowderRidgePark.com

• Oktoberfest, A Fundraiser to Benefit Founders Hall on October 1st at Founders Hall in Ridgefield. The Oktoberfest at Founders Hall will feature authentic German cuisine, beer pairings, a magician and musical entertainment. The event begins at 6:30 PM, and admission is $150. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oktoberfest-tickets-392435112987

• East Rock Brewing Company Oktoberfest on October 8th at East Rock Brewing Company (285 Nicoll Street, New Haven CT 06511) Save your trip to Munich and come party at the only German-inspired brewery in CT. This is a 21+ event, have ID ready. No children or pets permitted. Session 1: 12 p.m.-4 p.m, Session 2: 5 p.m.-9 p.m. https://events.beerfests.com/e/east-rock-brewing-company-oktoberfest.

Haunted Halloween Events:

• Evidence of Evil Haunted Attraction on September 30 – November 7 at Lyman Orchards. Connecticut’s interactive Haunted Attraction returns this Fall with even more scares. Visit Lyman Orchards every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting September 30th at the Lyman Orchards ‘Pick Your Own’ location on South Street in Middlefield, CT. The hours are from Dusk until 10 PM. Tickets cost $25 each and are sold online only. No tickets will be sold at the door. You can find the answers to all of your questions here: http://evidenceofevil.net/faq/ This is an outdoor event; please dress and plan according and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

• Haunting at The Ridge from September 30 – October 30- Graveyard Productions brings its trademark thrills and chills to Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort with this one-of-a-kind haunt that is not for the faint of heart. Zombie-themed food and drinks are available. $12 per person. Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort at 99 Powder Hill Rd, Middlefield, CT 06455.

• Trail of Terror 2022 October 1 – 30 (60 North Plains Hwy. Wallingford CT 06492)- The Trail resides on four appalling acres of forsaken forest. Tickets are sold online only. 2022 Schedule: October 1st | 7, 8, 9 | 14, 15, 16 | 21, 22, 23 | 28, 29 & 30th (Parental discretion is advised. Not recommended for children under the age of 10). The tour starts at 7 PM Admission: General admission $25, VIP $40. See website for more information. (833) 600-0054 https://trailofterror.com info@trailofterror.com

• Terror at Quassy at Quassy Amusement Park 2132 Middlebury Rd. Route 64 Middlebury, CT 06762on October 7 – 30. The amusement ride area of the park will be transformed into a variety of frightening attractions, including a zombie hospital, dungeons, a misty walkway, demons of darkness area, and more. The huge athletic field in the park will play host to a haunted catacomb and cemetery. Themed live performances will take place nightly at the Carousel Theatre stage. A number of the park’s major rides, included in the admission price, will also operate during “Terror At Quassy” nights. The park’s restaurant, arcade, and gift shop will be open. Schedule: Oct. 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30. Fri.-Sun., gates open at 7 p.m. (203) 758-2913 http://www.quassy.com Email- info@quassy.com

Family Friendly Halloween Events:

• Torrington Library Not So Spooky Halloween Bash Saturday October 15 from 4-6 PM- $10 per family. Fun for the WHOLE family & best for ages 1-10. They’ll keep it “not-so-spooky” for the little ones and make sure everyone gets into the Halloween spirit while helping raise money for the library. All ages are encouraged to come in full costume.

The Not-So-Spooky Halloween Bash features: Trick-or-Treating: Stop at each location, take a cute picture, and receive a not-sweet-treat. Temporary Halloween Tattoos: For all ages. Halloween Photo Station: They’ll have a dedicated station where you can get a cute fall-themed family photo. Hand a staff member your phone, they’ll snap a free pick, and it’s yours to print and frame. Monster Photo Station: Let your little monsters pose with their little monsters. Haunted Mini Golf in the Stacks: Golf through the stacks and get into the Halloween spirit. Costume Closet sale. All costumes are on sale for one night only. Tickets on sale through Eventbrite or in person at the library. Please purchase tickets in advance. Walk-Up sales may not be available that night.

• Fun Fall Mummy and Me at Art Party Studio 158 Waterbury Rd Suite C, Prospect, CT 06712. Join them weekly for arts and crafts sessions with your little one. All ages welcome, but sessions are designed for ages 3 -6 years old. Choose one, more or all sessions. Sign up for all sessions and you get 2 free. Can’t make a session, no problem you get a $15 voucher for any missed session to use at another time. If you’d prefer you can also contact them directly to register for event at 203-723-3883, via Facebook or email at artpartystudiollc@gmail.com. They are located in the lower level and through the side entrance.

• Halloween Spooktacular & Boo Bash at EverWonder Children’s Museum- experience the SPOOKTACULAR side of science at EverWonder Children’s Museum at 31 Pecks Lane, Unit 11, Newtown, CT, United States, Connecticut.

• Walk Through Haunted Petting Zoo at Flamig Farm, 7 Shingle Mill Rd, West Simsbury, CT 06092. Flamig Farm’s traditional Halloween Hayride has been reimagined as a Haunted Petting Zoo. Some elements of the experience are light-hearted, and some are scary. Not recommended for children under 8 years old. $15 per person for kids (ages 3 and up) and adults. Strollers are not permitted. Friday and Saturday nights from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, October 21st and 22nd (rain date October 23), October 28th and 29th (rain date October 30)

• Kidsplay Children’s Museum 61 Main Street, Torrington CT 06790

Contact: (860) 618-7700 info@kidsplaymuseum.org

Hispanic Heritage Month at KidsPlay: Make a Guatemalan Worry Doll on September 29th. Tickets are $2 per person and include Museum admission. Members are free.

Thursday, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Dance across Latin America on October 13 For the final celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, KidsPlay is partnering with New Opportunities to showcase dances across Latin America. Tickets are $2 per person and include Museum admission. Members are free.

Breakfast with a Policeman on October 1 Join them for breakfast with a police officer and learn about the role that these first responders play in our community. Addison, the Police department’s friendly Labrador retriever, will also be there to meet and greet. A light breakfast will be served (with coffee for the grown-ups!), followed by a show-and-tell presentation from the officers. Ticket price is $15 per person for non-members and $5 for members and includes food and early Museum admission. Feel free to stay and play after the program.

Theater Happenings:

• Palace Theater in Waterbury (Celebrating 100 years)

Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros featuring The Wolfpack

Friday, September 30, 2022 from 7:00pm – 11:00pm (Doors Open at 5:30pm)- LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS AVAILABLE. https://www.palacetheaterct.org/shows-and-events/main-stage/bobby-weir

Anthony Rodia: The Road Rage Tour (Comedy)

Friday, October 21, 2022 from 8:00pm – 9:30pm- Tickets available and with a price range of $40-$50.

Lee Greenwood

Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 7:30pm- Tickets available $49 – $95- $10 off select seats for all active, reserve, and retired military personnel & families. Some restrictions apply. Must buy in person or over phone with valid military ID. Special Effects warning- May contain strobe lights, gunshots and/or haze. Lee Greenwood is an American country artist who bridged the gap between traditional and contemporary country music. He is best known for his patriotic anthem “God Bless the USA.”

• The Warner Theatre in Torrington

(For tickets to any event please contact (860) 489-7180 https://www.warnertheatre.org/ Email- marketing@warnertheatre.org)

Almost Queen on October 1 at 8 PM- The most authentic QUEEN tribute show since the days of QUEEN themselves. Tickets tiers range from $32-$52

My Name is NOT Mom on Friday October 7 at 8 PM- The Warner Theatre will welcome My Name is NOT Mom to the historic Oneglia Auditorium (Main Stage) for the first time ever on Friday, October 7, 2022 at 8 pm. Ticket tiers range from $35-$55

Trace Adkins: The Way I Wanna Go Tour on Sunday October 9th at 8 PM on the Main Stage. Ticket tiers range from $57 – $117

11th Annual International Playwrights Festival on October 14th and 15th at 8 PM each night. Admission is $12.

The mission of the International Playwrights Festival is to recognize the work of emerging and established playwrights and to build a link between the playwrights, the theatre community and our audiences. The festival is a two-night celebration of new works by playwrights from across the country and around the globe.

Wine & Food Tasting on October 21st

The Warner Theatre will hold its Wine & Food Tasting on Friday, October 21, 2022, from 7-9 pm, presented in partnership with The Cork Fine Wine & Spirits.General admission tickets are $30 and VIP tickets are $100. VIP ticket holders get early access to the entire event at 6 pm. For tickets, visit warnertheatre.org, call the Box Office at (860) 489-7180, or stop at The Cork Fine Wine & Spirits at 1597 East Main Street in Torrington.

• Landmark Community Theatre (The Thomaston Opera House)

The Addams Family

October 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 @ 8 p.m.

October 9, 16, 23 @ 2 p.m.

October 9th performance will feature ASL interpreters for our deaf patrons. Those interested in reserving seats for this performance can email admin@landmarkcommunitytheatre.org

Admission price $26

Suitable for children ages 10 years old and up.

Colbie Caillat Coco Live 15th Anniversary Tour on October 23 at The Ridgefield Playhouse from 8-10 PM.

A-MAZE-ING Corn Maze events in the area:

• Corn Maze Flashlight Night from October 15 – 29 at The Farm in Woodbury. Explore the Maze by Flashlight (B.Y.O.) Bring your flashlights and coats. Location: Farmstead Location of The Farm 281 Weekeepeemee Rd. Route 32 Woodbury, CT 06798 Saturday Only, 5:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Adults $13, youth (6-11) $7, Children Under 6 Free

• Corn Maze: Alice In Wonderland until October 30th at The Farm in Woodbury- Fall down the rabbit hole in the Alice in Wonderland-themed corn maze stretching across 4 acres of corn. Purchase Tickets Online Only.September 3rd – October 30th, 2022 Open Columbus Day. Ticket Entry Times Every Top of The Hour. Saturday and Sundays 10 am – 4 pm. Last Ticket Entry at 4pm. The Farm begins to close at 6pm. Location: Farmstead location of The Farm 281 Weekeepeemee Rd. Route 132 Woodbury, CT 06798 Admission: $4.95-$14.95. They have some awesome Alice in Wonderland-themed games and activities strewn around the farm that are fun for the whole family as well as a beautiful pumpkin patch, a delicious farm cafe, extensive farm stand and some friendly Nubian goats.

• Corn Maze from September 3 – November 6 at Lyman Orchards- Navigate your way back to the 18th Century in the revolutionary 2022 Lyman Orchards Ben Franklin Corn Maze opening September 3rd. The massive 4-acre Corn Maze is masterfully carved into a design featuring Ben Franklin’s likeness, lightning bolt, kite and key, along with the hashtag #AllAmerican. The maze is open 1pm-5:30pmMonday-Friday and 10am-5:30pm on Weekends and Holidays. Last maze entry is 5:30pm*. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for ages 4 – 12, and free for children under 3 years. For information on group pricing, click here.

More local Autumn activities:

Fall Yoga in the Pumpkins- Saturdays September 3 – October 15 at The Farm in Woodbury from 9-10 AM. Only 20 tickets per class. Tickets must be purchase on their page, no walk in ticket sales are allowed. $20 per class. Farmstead Location of The Farm 281 Weekeepeemee Rd. Route 132 Woodbury, CT 06798 Contact: (203) 263-4550

https://thefarmwoodbury.com/ Email- customerservice@thefarmwoodbury.com

• 17th Annual Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival on October 8th and 9th at the Bethlehem Fairgrounds on Route 61 in Bethlehem, Connecticut (just north of town).

• Lantern Tour of the Plymouth Burying Ground and the Underground Railroad on October 22 at the Plymouth Green- Discover how the symbols and inscriptions on the gravestones provide clues to life in Colonial Connecticut. The walk includes a safe house on the Underground Railroad, with a visit to a secret passageway used by slaves escaping to freedom. Bring flashlights. Reservations required. Meet at the Plymouth Green 10 Park St. Plymouth, CT 06782 from 7-8 PM. Adults $10, children (18 and under) $5. Contact: (860) 921-6118. http://www.plymouthhistoricalsociety.org plymouthct.history@gmail.com

• “Children of the Elm City” until December 30, 2022 at the New Haven Museum- Over 30 images of the city’s youngest residents, selected from the museum’s collections and dating from the 19th century through the early 20th century, are on view in the museum’s small exhibit gallery. Location: New Haven Museum 114 Whitney Ave. New Haven, CT 06510