Connecticut Arts Connections to Make This Week!

Nicholas Sparks.
Photo: Courtesy of Sacred Heart

Don't miss these happenings at:

Sacred Heart
Weslyan
Hartford Stage
Westport Country Playhouse
and more...

Bestselling author Nicholas Sparks will speak as part of the Student Affairs Lecture Series at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield 7 pm Monday, March 11 in the Edgerton Performing Arts Center, 5151 Park Ave. The sold-out event was postponed from its original Feb. 12 date because of the blizzard.  Information: EdgertonCenter.org.

Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts will celebrate its 14th annual DanceMasters Weekend, an exciting event for choreographers, students, and dance enthusiasts, with Armitage Gone! Dance, Ballet Hispanico, and ODC/Dance. The DanceMasters Weekend Showcase Performance will take place onSaturday, March 9 at 8 pm in the CFA Theater, located on the Wesleyan University campus at 271 Washington Terrace in Middletown. Tickets: $28 for the general public; $23 for seniors citizens, Wesleyan faculty/staff, and non-Wesleyan students; and $8 for Wesleyan students. http://www.wesleyan.edu/dancemasters; 860-685-3355, Box Office, Usdan University Center, 45 Wyllys Ave., Middletown. Master Classes are taught throughout the day on bothSaturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10 from 11am to 4:30 pm. Fees: $19 per class for the general public (plus a $6 registration fee); $17 per class for four or more classes; and $13 per class for Wesleyan students. AWeekend Pass includes five Master Classes and one ticket to the Showcase Performance: $100 for the general public (plus a $6 registration fee); and $73 for Wesleyan students. More info: 860- 685-3355; http://www.wesleyan.edu/dancemasters.

The education department at Hartford Stage is launching a new MainStage Master Class series for adults beginning in March, featuring special topic workshops taught by guest artists featured in the theater's productions. First up: "Movement Scores in Theater" taught by Tymberly Canale (Man in a Case), taking place Sunday, March 3, 10 and 17 from 10 am to noon. Cost is $135 per students age 18 and up. Space is limited. Students may sign up online (www.hartfordstage.org/adult-classes) or by calling Chelsea Caplan, education sales coordinator, 860-520-7244.

After two sold-out Family Festivities presentations so far this year, Westport Country Playhouse will present the musical adventure How I Became a Pirate, as part of its Family Festivities Series, on Sunday, March 3 at 1 and 4 pm. Based on the best-selling book by Melinda Long and produced by the Omaha Theater Company, the presentation is recommended for ages 6 – 10. How I Became a Pirate is about young Jeremy Jacob, who, while digging in the sand, is recruited by Captain Braid Beard and his mates to join the pirate crew on a quest to bury their treasure. The rollicking musical adventure is about finding one's own heart - a path that can't be found on any treasure map. Tickets: (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org.

Playhouse on the Park in West Hartford will be one of the beneifciaries of this year's Mayor's Charity Ball on May 11. www.themayorscharityball.org.

Pantochino Productions Inc. will open its new musical spoof,“Glam Kitty Squad,” March 23 for a limited engagement at the Milford Center for the Arts on Railroad Ave. Featuring book and lyrics by Bert Bernardi and music by Justin Rugg, “Glam Kitty Squad” is a family friendly pop musical spoofing television serials from Charlie’s Angels to Batman. More info: www.pantochino.com.