Here Comes the Long Weekend Hartford

Show openings,  galas and  non-profit celebrations fill the bill this weekend, a weekend with a bonus. Columbus Day is Monday which for some means a long weekend.

Thursday, The Aurora Women and Girls  Foundation is holding its signature breakfast event, “Building A Legacy: Educating Women and Girls”  at 7:30 a.m. at The Hartford Golf Club.

The fundraiser  will feature author Jill Ker Conway, who was the first President of Smith College, and former Fleet Bank chair, Eileen Kraus, named 2012 Woman Philanthropist.

Later Thursday, Leadership Greater Hartford will hand out its annual Polaris Awards at a program beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Awards are given in various categories including arts, education, housing and youth. Proceeds from this event allow Leadership Greater Hartford to continue researching and developing new programs and providing tuition assistance to participants of current programs. For information go to www.leadershipgh.org.
On Friday, the Goodspeed in Haddam, it will be  opening night for its newest production “Something’s Afoot.” The musical “whodunit” plays through Dec. 9. For information call 860-873-8668 or go to www.goodspeed.org.

Also opening Friday at TheatereWorks in Hartford is “Venus
in Fur,” described as “the sexiest, funniest, most acclaimed new Broadway play of the season.”  The theater is located at 233 Pearl St. The play, which continues through Nov. 11,  does contain adult content. For information go to www.theatreworks.org.

The Wadsworth Atheneum will hold its sixth annual “Splendor Gala” at the Connecticut Convention Center Saturday at 6 p.m. The previous five fundraisers have netted more than$1.2 million with proceeds used for programs including free transportation and museum admission for Hartford Public School students and the creation of the museum’s monthly Second Saturday program which provides free admission and hands on activities for families. Information: www.thewadsworth.org

Across the way on Saturday at the Hartford Marriott Downtown, University of Hartford’s Hartt School will hold its 11th Annual Hartt Gala . The evening includes performances by Hartt students, as well as auctions, dinner and “After Glow” dancing. Information: www.hartford.edu/hartt

Extra time means thinking about what else can be done around the house. Go to The Hartford  Home show Oct. 5 to Oct. 7  for ideas about renovations, services, landscaping and new products for the home. It’s at the XL Center and features free admission. go to www.xlcenter.org.

And so we have an extra day this weekend what with Monday being a holiday, well for some of us . And despite whether it is or isn’t,  treat yourself or someone else to some authentic celebrity bling.

On Oct. 6 and 7, Mohegan Sun will host its Sun Brewfest. More than  100 beers, including Craft and Microbrews, Imports, Domestics, Limited Editions and Malt Liquors, will be spotlighted. Meet brewmasters, learn about the beer-making process and watch live demonstrations and mini-seminars. Go to www.mohegansun.com for more information.

Jewelry pieces from celebrity estates, including Elizabeth Taylor’s, will be spotlighted at Becker’s $3 Million Celebrity Estate Sale from noon to 8: 30 p.m. at its LaSalle Road store in West Hartford.  Hors d’ourves will be served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The sale will also include a selection of antique, vintage and contemporary jewelry with prices starting at $500.