Beginning last week, Ball & Socket Arts, 493 West Main St., kicked off the return of LIVE FRIDAYS, a free, outdoor public concert series at the factory. The series will run on Friday evenings throughout August. This series is sponsored by Eversource.
Concerts will take place at Ball & Socket Arts. To register, or learn the latest concert news and updates on parking or any weather-related changes, visit https://ballandsocket.org/livefridays2023.
The 2023 LIVE FRIDAYS line-up features:
■Aug. 11, 7-9 p.m. – Stefanie Clark Harris and Stephen Peter Rodgers (singer-songwriters)■Aug. 18, 7-9 p.m. – Sperry Creek (bluegrass)■Aug. 25, 7-9 p.m. – Thaddeus Black Band (funk)
All concerts are BYOC (bring-your-own-chair). The Wandering Agave Food Truck will be on site for those who want to purchase a tasty dinner, or feel free to pack a picnic.
Ball & Socket Arts will have beer available for purchase for those 21 years of age or older. Audio equipment and sound support will be provided by Orange Truck Audio. Event parking will be available at Rebel Marketing or at the municipal lots near the Farmington Canal Linear Trail. Arrival by bike and by foot is heartily encouraged. In the event of poor weather, a rain location will be announced on social media and the B&S website.
In addition to these concerts, B&S is excited to share that a new Artcade mural is in the works and will be unveiled on Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. Be sure to visit the Arcy mural while you still can before the transition!
The new mural was commissioned from local artist and Cheshire resident, Nina Chang. The group can’t wait to share her work with visitors!
Artcade commissions are supported by dedicated programmatic grant funds from the Connecticut Community Foundation and the Ion Bank Foundation. Nina Chang’s Artcade mural is the first of these commissions and will be on view for three to four months.
Speaking of the Artcade, permanent glass doors that will protect the artworks from the elements and offer a bit of shelter in cooler weather have finally be installed. Also, Ball & Socket Arts is pleased to share that they have recently been awarded a CT Humanities Quick Grant towards the installation of interpretive signage on the site describing the past uses and history of our industrial landmark buildings. Local historian Elizabeth Pratt Fox will support the research and history content of these signs.
To hear the latest news from Ball & Socket Arts, please sign up for their email newsletters or check out the website.