Music is the predominant theme in Norfolk during the summer. How could it not be, with the venerable Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Infinity Hall and concerts on the Green and at the Library! This week is no exception. But, at the same time, Miranda Lee reminds us to be Mindful, a TED Talk by Mel Robbins instructs us in how to get what we want, and Babs Perkins describes the creative process. Truly something for everyone!
And for more about what’s happening, visit norfolkct.org's calendar section, your daily directory to Norfolk living. Be sure to forward this newsletter to a friend so they can sign up for a free subscription.

Flower Bouquet Contest, Music on the Green

Seth Hagymasi and Aaron Shaw will perform this week at Friday Night on the Village Green. The Norfolk Community Association will also sponsor a flower bouquet contest. At 6:00 p.m. every Friday night through Sept. 2 everyone in the community is invited to come to the Village Green for two hours to enjoy music, food and fun events hosted by a variety of town organizations. Bring yourself, your family and your friends. 

Miranda Lee Leads Mindfulness Classes   

Mindfulness practitioner Miranda Lee is presenting a series of programs at the Norfolk Library. She teaches participants how to live a more mindful life and equips them with the tools they need to help build resilience against the challenges of day-to-day life. Some gentle movement is included but no special clothing or equipment is required. The course is offered Fridays, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., before the Library opens to the public. The remaining July sessions focus on: July 22, "Awake and Rest," and July 29, "Compassion and Gratitude. Click here to register.

Women Composers Highlighted in Friday Concert 

A program highlighting women composers’ chamber music through the centuries will be offered Friday at 8:00 p.m. in the Music Shed on the Stoeckel Estate. Featured are: Clara Schumann, who was discouraged from composing her own work, but who became well known for performing and championing the work of her husband, Robert; Louise Farrenc, professor at the Paris Conservatory in 1842, the only woman appointed to such a position for the entire 19th century; Lili Boulanger, the first woman to win the prestigious Prix de Rome; Nokuthula Ngwenyama, acclaimed violist and composer, and Joan Tower, regarded as one of the most important American composers living today. Performing will be Melvin Chen, piano, Ransom Wilson,  flute, and Scott Hartman, trombone, with Norfolk Fellows. For tickets, click here.

Pop-up Story Time at Farmers Market  

Miss Eileen will present a Pop-up Story Time Saturday, July 23, at the Farmers Market from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. The Farmers Market is held weekly on the grounds of Town Hall, 19 Maple Ave.

Emerging Artists Concerts Continue in Music Shed 

Yale School of Music is presenting a series of free concerts each week in the Music Shed on the Stoeckel estate. Performed by extraordinary Norfolk Fellows, the concerts feature a repertoire chosen weekly. The concerts are sponsored in part by the Battell Arts Foundation. Remaining Saturday dates are July 23, 10:30 a.m.; July 30, 10:30 a.m.; August 6, 7:30 p.m., and August 13, 7:30 p.m. Thursday concerts are scheduled for July 28, 5 & 7:30 p.m.; August 4, 7:30 p.m.; August 11, 7:30 p.m. For more information, click here.

 Dover Quartet Plays Saturday in Music Shed 

The Dover Quartet, named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years by "BBC Music Magazine," will perform Saturday at 8:00 p.m. in the Music Shed on the Stoeckel Estate. It will perform music by Haydn, Mozart and Ravel. Prior to the Saturday concerts, Festival Director Melvin Chen will be joined at 7:00 p.m. in the Battell Recital Hall in conversation with festival artists. For tickets, click here.

Vaughn Brings Blues to Infinity Hall 

Jimmie Vaughan who has dedicated his life to making sure the Blues thrive, will perform Saturday, July 23, at 8:00 p.m. at Infinity Hall. Vaughan's new album, "Baby, Please Come Home," is a celebration of everything the Blues can be. There is a constant reinvention for musicians like Vaughan, because the Blues demand it. For more information and tickets, click here.

TED Talk Discusses How to Get What You Want 

The Norfolk Library continues its summer discussion series of the “Top 10 TED Talks That’ll Change Your Life," Monday, July 25, with "How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over," with Mel Robbins, a married, working mother of three, an ivy-educated criminal lawyer and one of the top career and relationship experts in America. Similar to a book group, the program discusses selected TED Talks that participants watch ahead of time. Discussions then take place virtually through Zoom on Mondays from 1:00-2:00 p.m. The discussion group  runs through September 19 (no meeting on Labor Day). Click here to register and to gain access to the entire discussion series. 

Intro to Hip Hop Culture July 25 

The Norfolk Library will offer an Intro to Hip Hop Culture Monday at 5:30 p.m. Children will learn its history and core elements—focused around the dance known as Breaking--aka Breakdance. The artist known as Tiger will teach them basic dance movements and encourage children to get on their feet and move their bodies. Tiger, who has earned many first place titles in dance competitions, nationally and internationally, has more than 10 years experience in teaching dance. For more information and to register, click here.

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