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Southbury Poet Laureate Emerita, Faith Vincinanza is back for another inspiring Poetry/Storytelling Writing Workshop on May 19th! Faith Vicinanza is the Poet Laureate Emerita of Southbury, Connecticut—an artist, published author, poet, and educator. Her work invites reflection and connection, bringing people together through the shared experience of poetry. Faith led our first monthly Poetry/Writing workshop in February and the event was sold out. Be sure to sign up soon as this one will fill quickly. So happy to have her back!
Join us on May 20 for our next Table Talks on Death & Dying and the afterlife. ALL are welcome.
Come perform at our queer-friendly open mic!
How it works:
- Show up to sign up on the list. We recommend you sign up early to ensure you can get on the mic.
- Each performer gets 6 min max, including setup time.
- Songs & spoken words (poems, stories, jokes, commentary, etc.) are grand. Want to do something else? Talk to the host first. No karaoke, sorry!
Don't forget:
- No cover, but please support our amazing host venue, Molten Java, by buying your drinks, snacks, etc. at MJ to support local queer small business.
- Tip your barista!
- This is an all-ages event. Please be mindful of your material when kids are present.
- We ask everyone—performers and audience members alike—to help keep this a respectful, welcoming environment.
- This is an LGBTQIA+ friendly event but is open to the public. More details available at the event! Come join us and see what it's all about
Come see us from 9-1 at 67 Stony Hill Road. Every Saturday May - December.
Celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community at our FREE parade and celebration!Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 12-5PM. Bethel Municipal Center, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT. Sidewalk parade followed by music, vendors, food trucks, lawn games, kids activities, and more in downtown Bethel, CT! More details closer to date. Event Schedule:12 PM - Parade Check-In & Line Up (across from Bethel Train Station)12:30 PM - Sidewalk Parade Starts1:00 PM – 5 PM - Celebration begins!Rain or Shine
Let there be songs, to fill the air. Gather on the 1st Sunday of each month with fellow Deadheads and celebrate the timeless music we all love.
June 7 - Acoustic Ablaze / July 5 - Jared Sage Cowen / August 2 - TBD / September 6 - Nate & JD / October 4 - TBD / November 1 - Acoustic Ablaze / December 6 - TBD
Join us for a fun, hands-on DIY Cup Bar experience at Jubi Tea & Sweets! Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026. Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Your ticket includes:
Meetup for LGBTQ+ folks age 55+ and their friends on the 2nd Friday of the month! Or if you're a senior looking to support a younger LGBTQ person and don't know much about local resources, stop by and meet people!
Mix and mingle with other folks and find out about other LGBTQ+ events or senior focused events in the area that you can go to! Daily Fare has coffee, baked goods, and some light lunch options like soup. If you have any concerns about allergens, please ask at the counter and they can tell you all about which items are gluten free, nut free, or vegan.
Event by Bethel CT Pride
Drop off plants or pick up some new ones! You don't have to bring plants to take some home and you can drop off plants without taking more home. (but it won't hurt to look....) Please INDOOR PLANTS ONLY during period of frost! You can also drop off or pick up seed packets or seeds you've saved from your garden.
Join the Town of Bethel for a day of history, learning and fun as we commemorate and celebrate the 250th Birthday of the Declaration of Independence - with a uniquely Bethel perspective! Join the Story. Celebrate History. Inspire the Future. On Saturday, June 13 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. the Town of Bethel Green will come alive as we celebrate the 250th Birthday of the Declaration of Independence. This is more than an event — it’s a community-wide experience. Additional Info: bethel250@bethel-ct.gov
Get ready to run, spin, and celebrate at the Flag Day 5K around the Bethel School Campus! Winter Guard is all about flag life—from dazzling spins to powerful performances—and now we’re taking that energy on the move! This exciting community 5K brings together fitness, patriotism, and the performing arts for a one-of-a-kind event full of spirit and pride.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner, casual walker, or just here to support a great cause, this event is for YOU. Come and get ready for a fun, high-energy course that celebrates everything we love about our community.
This race is a fundraiser supporting the Bethel Winter Guard program, helping our Juniors, JV, and Varsity teams continue to grow, perform, and shine throughout the season.
So lace up your sneakers, bring your spirit, and join us as we run for a cause that truly makes an impact!
Register Here today! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/flag-day-5k
Bethel Public Schools Student receive a 20% discount using code BPS2026
Poetry For Your Palate at La Zingara
This is going to be magical, mad fun. Get ready to savor delicious bites while diving into poetry that explores food, connection, and the ways we gather. An evening where words and flavors meet—lingering, surprising, and shared. Whether you’re a devoted poetry lover or simply curious, this is a space to come as you are. Bring your friends, your appetite, and your love of something a little different. Let’s make a night of it.
⸻
Hosted by Hannah Lipman
Hannah Lipman is the Poet Laureate of Bethel, Connecticut (2026–2028). She is a poet and community arts advocate who hosts monthly Poetry Open Mics and Writing Workshops, creating spaces where voices are heard and shared. Her debut collection, Lessons from the Wind, will be released in 2026. Follow @bethelpoetlaureate for upcoming events.
⸻
Featured Poets
Brian Clements – Professor of Creative and Professional Writing at Western Connecticut State University; author/editor of numerous works including Bullets into Bells and A Book of Common Rituals.
Barb Jennes – Poet Laureate Emerita of Ridgefield; award-winning poet whose work weaves nature, spirituality, and the human experience.
Katherine E. Schneider – Poet Laureate of Norwalk (2025–2027); Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Northeast Coast; author of I Used to Remember the Story of How and Breaking the Fever.
Rick Magee – Poet Laureate Emeritus of Bethel; professor at Sacred Heart University; author of Green Latitudes and a passionate community builder through poetry.
Cheryl Panosian – Danbury’s first Poet Laureate; poet and psychotherapist whose work explores heritage, family, nature, and social themes.
Susan Marie Powers – Poet and former educator whose collection Gather Your Chi reflects on the intersection of human life and the natural world.
Bethel Arts is once again coordinating Make Music Day Bethel, taking place on Sunday, June 21st—which also happens to be Father’s Day this year. We invite you to be part of this exciting, community-wide celebration of live music! Performances will take place throughout Bethel, with our primary location at the Municipal Center, where we will feature two alternating stages to keep the music going all day long. If you would like to participate as a musician, please register on our website: https://www.makemusicday.org/bethel/participate/
Questions? Email info@bethelartsct.org. We’re looking forward to another great day of music across Bethel!
Southbury Poet Laureate Emerita, Faith Vincinanza is back for another inspiring Poetry/Storytelling Writing Workshop on May 19th! Faith Vicinanza is the Poet Laureate Emerita of Southbury, Connecticut—an artist, published author, poet, and educator. Her work invites reflection and connection, bringing people together through the shared experience of poetry. Faith led our first monthly Poetry/Writing workshop in February and the event was sold out. Be sure to sign up soon as this one will fill quickly. So happy to have her back!
Join us on May 20 for our next Table Talks on Death & Dying and the afterlife. ALL are welcome.
Come perform at our queer-friendly open mic!
How it works:
- Show up to sign up on the list. We recommend you sign up early to ensure you can get on the mic.
- Each performer gets 6 min max, including setup time.
- Songs & spoken words (poems, stories, jokes, commentary, etc.) are grand. Want to do something else? Talk to the host first. No karaoke, sorry!
Don't forget:
- No cover, but please support our amazing host venue, Molten Java, by buying your drinks, snacks, etc. at MJ to support local queer small business.
- Tip your barista!
- This is an all-ages event. Please be mindful of your material when kids are present.
- We ask everyone—performers and audience members alike—to help keep this a respectful, welcoming environment.
- This is an LGBTQIA+ friendly event but is open to the public. More details available at the event! Come join us and see what it's all about
Come see us from 9-1 at 67 Stony Hill Road. Every Saturday May - December.
Celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community at our FREE parade and celebration!Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 12-5PM. Bethel Municipal Center, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT. Sidewalk parade followed by music, vendors, food trucks, lawn games, kids activities, and more in downtown Bethel, CT! More details closer to date. Event Schedule:12 PM - Parade Check-In & Line Up (across from Bethel Train Station)12:30 PM - Sidewalk Parade Starts1:00 PM – 5 PM - Celebration begins!Rain or Shine
Let there be songs, to fill the air. Gather on the 1st Sunday of each month with fellow Deadheads and celebrate the timeless music we all love.
June 7 - Acoustic Ablaze / July 5 - Jared Sage Cowen / August 2 - TBD / September 6 - Nate & JD / October 4 - TBD / November 1 - Acoustic Ablaze / December 6 - TBD
Join us for a fun, hands-on DIY Cup Bar experience at Jubi Tea & Sweets! Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026. Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Your ticket includes:
Meetup for LGBTQ+ folks age 55+ and their friends on the 2nd Friday of the month! Or if you're a senior looking to support a younger LGBTQ person and don't know much about local resources, stop by and meet people!
Mix and mingle with other folks and find out about other LGBTQ+ events or senior focused events in the area that you can go to! Daily Fare has coffee, baked goods, and some light lunch options like soup. If you have any concerns about allergens, please ask at the counter and they can tell you all about which items are gluten free, nut free, or vegan.
Event by Bethel CT Pride
Drop off plants or pick up some new ones! You don't have to bring plants to take some home and you can drop off plants without taking more home. (but it won't hurt to look....) Please INDOOR PLANTS ONLY during period of frost! You can also drop off or pick up seed packets or seeds you've saved from your garden.
Join the Town of Bethel for a day of history, learning and fun as we commemorate and celebrate the 250th Birthday of the Declaration of Independence - with a uniquely Bethel perspective! Join the Story. Celebrate History. Inspire the Future. On Saturday, June 13 | 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. the Town of Bethel Green will come alive as we celebrate the 250th Birthday of the Declaration of Independence. This is more than an event — it’s a community-wide experience. Additional Info: bethel250@bethel-ct.gov
Get ready to run, spin, and celebrate at the Flag Day 5K around the Bethel School Campus! Winter Guard is all about flag life—from dazzling spins to powerful performances—and now we’re taking that energy on the move! This exciting community 5K brings together fitness, patriotism, and the performing arts for a one-of-a-kind event full of spirit and pride.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner, casual walker, or just here to support a great cause, this event is for YOU. Come and get ready for a fun, high-energy course that celebrates everything we love about our community.
This race is a fundraiser supporting the Bethel Winter Guard program, helping our Juniors, JV, and Varsity teams continue to grow, perform, and shine throughout the season.
So lace up your sneakers, bring your spirit, and join us as we run for a cause that truly makes an impact!
Register Here today! https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/flag-day-5k
Bethel Public Schools Student receive a 20% discount using code BPS2026
Poetry For Your Palate at La Zingara
This is going to be magical, mad fun. Get ready to savor delicious bites while diving into poetry that explores food, connection, and the ways we gather. An evening where words and flavors meet—lingering, surprising, and shared. Whether you’re a devoted poetry lover or simply curious, this is a space to come as you are. Bring your friends, your appetite, and your love of something a little different. Let’s make a night of it.
⸻
Hosted by Hannah Lipman
Hannah Lipman is the Poet Laureate of Bethel, Connecticut (2026–2028). She is a poet and community arts advocate who hosts monthly Poetry Open Mics and Writing Workshops, creating spaces where voices are heard and shared. Her debut collection, Lessons from the Wind, will be released in 2026. Follow @bethelpoetlaureate for upcoming events.
⸻
Featured Poets
Brian Clements – Professor of Creative and Professional Writing at Western Connecticut State University; author/editor of numerous works including Bullets into Bells and A Book of Common Rituals.
Barb Jennes – Poet Laureate Emerita of Ridgefield; award-winning poet whose work weaves nature, spirituality, and the human experience.
Katherine E. Schneider – Poet Laureate of Norwalk (2025–2027); Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of The Northeast Coast; author of I Used to Remember the Story of How and Breaking the Fever.
Rick Magee – Poet Laureate Emeritus of Bethel; professor at Sacred Heart University; author of Green Latitudes and a passionate community builder through poetry.
Cheryl Panosian – Danbury’s first Poet Laureate; poet and psychotherapist whose work explores heritage, family, nature, and social themes.
Susan Marie Powers – Poet and former educator whose collection Gather Your Chi reflects on the intersection of human life and the natural world.
Bethel Arts is once again coordinating Make Music Day Bethel, taking place on Sunday, June 21st—which also happens to be Father’s Day this year. We invite you to be part of this exciting, community-wide celebration of live music! Performances will take place throughout Bethel, with our primary location at the Municipal Center, where we will feature two alternating stages to keep the music going all day long. If you would like to participate as a musician, please register on our website: https://www.makemusicday.org/bethel/participate/
Questions? Email info@bethelartsct.org. We’re looking forward to another great day of music across Bethel!