Enchanted Evenings in Suffield; Bluegrass in Windsor; Mother's Day Tea in West Hartford

Doubt at Cheney Hall

You're a nun, and you have a little bit of doubt about the behavior of one of the priests. What do you do? Award-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley explores the question in Doubt, A Parable, which begins performances May 6 at Cheney Hall in Manchester. The production, presented by the Little Theatre of Manchester, is directed by Sara Logan.

Performance dates are May 6 through 8, May 12 through 15, and May 20 through 22. Tickets range from $17 to $24. For tickets, show times, and more information, visit www.cheneyhall.org or call 860-647-9824. Cheney Hall is at 177 Hartford Road, Manchester.

Horizon Blue Plays Windsor Arts Center

Bluegrass, country, blues and rock are the sounds generated by Horizon Blue, a trio whose original songs tell stories from history and daily life. The trio performs May 5 at the Windsor Art Center in Windsor. Trio members are songwriters and string players Monique Hill and Pete Hill, and guitar and accordian player Mark Annulli.

Concert time is 6:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $10 at the door. The Windsor Art Center is at the corner of Central and Mechanic streets in Windsor. For more information, visit www.windsorartcenter.org or email info@windsorartcenter.org.

King's Speech at Kent Memorial

You're about to be crowned k-k-k-k-k-king of England, but you've got a bit of a problem: a stutter that turns public speaking into an a-a-a-a-gony. Does the plotline sound familiar? Last year's Oscar-winning best picture The King's Speechfeatures the peerless, Oscar-winning Colin Firth as King George VI of Britain, Geoffrey Rush as the speech therapist who helps him overcome his affliction, and Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth. The supporting cast, under the direction of Tom Hooper, is an all-star lineup that includes Michael Gambon, Jennifer Ehle, Derek Jacobi, Timothy Spall, and Guy Pearce. The film is rated R.

You can see The King's Speech for free on May 6 at 2 p.m. at the Kent Memorial Library in Suffield. No registration required. No food or drink allowed. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. For further information call the library at 860-668-3896. Kent Memorial Library is at 50 North Main St., Suffield. For more information, visit www.suffield-library.org or call 860-668-3896.

Some Enchanted Evenings in Suffield

Some Enchanted Evening . . . There Is Nothing Like a Dame . . . I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair . . . You guessed it, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical classic South Pacific takes the stage as the Suffield Players present a production starting May 5. One of the greatest musicals ever written is set during wartime. Navy Nurse Nellie Forbush falls for plantation owner Emile DeBecque as a crew of American sailors, GIs, and seabees play their parts. Frank Borelli directs with musical direction by George Garber, Jr.

Performance dates are May 5 through 7, 13 and 14, and 20 and 21 at 8 p.m., with matinees performances May 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $17. Performances take place at Mapleton Hall, 1305 Mapleton Ave., Suffield. For more information, visit www.suffieldplayers.org or phone 800-289-6148.

Mother's Day Tea at Webster House

Looking for something to do with Mom on Mother's Day? How about tea at West Hartford's Noah Webster House? The sixth annual event, presented by the Noah Webster House and the West Hartford Historical Society, features a light lunch of tea sandwiches and desserts, a variety of teas and lemonade. After tea, Saint Joseph College professor Dorothy Keller presents a lecture and slide show on the works of American Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt called Mary Cassatt's Paintings of Motherhood, Celebration, and Friendship.

The Mother's Day event is May 8. Tea time is 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are required. Admission costs $22 for adults, $18 members; $17 for children 17 and under, $16 members. Ages 12 and older welcome. The Noah Webster House is at 227 South Main St., West Hartford. For more information, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org or call 860-521-5362.

Poetry and Prose at Webster House

Award-winning poets Gray Jacobik and Pit Pinegar headline an evening of poetry and prose on May 6 at West Hartford's Noah Webster House. Attendees are invited to bring works of poetry to share during the open-mic portion of the event. Maria Sassi hosts. 

Starting time is 7 p.m. Admission is by donation. The Noah Webster House is at 227 South Main St., West Hartford. For more information, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org or call 860-521-5362.

Mother's Day Warbler Walk at the Hill-Stead

Does your mom love nature, walking in the woods, and early outings? On May 8, invite her to tie on a pair of hiking shoes and accompany you to Farmington's Hill-Stead for an annual celebration of mothers and spring migration. Birds are heading north for breeding season, and Hill-Stead is a favorite resting spot for feathered friends. Songbirds of all types serenade participants, and rarer favorites including the Indigo Bunting and the Baltimore Oriole may be seen. 

Early birders should plan to assemble at 6:30 a.m. The walk is easy to moderate. Binoculars are recommended. Registration is required. Phone 860-677-4787 ext. 140. The fee is $8; $5 museum members. The Hill-Stead is at 35 Mountain Road, Farmington. For more information, visit www.hillstead.org.

Hill-Stead's May Market

Fans of Hill-Stead's May Market wait all year for this event, which attracts nurserymen, craftspeople, food purveyors and antiques vendors to the grounds of the Farmington museum for a two-day event. This year's market takes place May 6 and 7. Other attractions include expert horticulturalists and master gardeners on hand for consultations. Los Angeles-based caterer and event planner Lulu Powers discusses stress-free entertaining as presented in her book, Lulu Powers: Food to Flowers. The talk by Powers, whose clients include Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Ariana Huffington, is followed by a post-lecture book signing. New York Times contributor and author Jane Garmey gives a powerpoint presentation based on her book Private Gardens of Connecticut followed by a post-presentation book signing. Award-winning garden writer and designer Steve Silk conducts tours of the Hill-Stead's Sunken Garden. Also featured at the event is live music, open-house format tours of the museum and grounds.

Hill-Stead's May Market runs rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 6 and 7. Advance tickets cost $10; $8 members. Day-of-market tickets cost $12; $8 members. Children under 12 free. Lectures cost extra. For a complete schedule of activities and to purchase tickets, visit www.hillstead.org/activities/maymarket.

Sea and Atmosphere at Stanley-Whitman

Paintings of the sea by Sarah Anjali are on display at the Stanley-Whitman House in Farmington. "The sea has always been important to me,“ says Anjali, who works with paint, ink and crayon. “My personal feeling is that capturing that perfect wave on a canvas compares to the thrill of the surfer capturing that perfect ride.”  

A reception for the artist is May 15 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The public is welcome. The exhibition runs through May 29 in the Spear Community Gallery, where admission is free. The Stanley-Whitman House is at 37 High St., Farmington. For more information, visit www.stanleywhitman.org or call 860-677-9222.

Celtic Harpist at Roaring Brook

The Wood of Morois was a primeval place where two famous lovers once sought refuge. It is also the title of a 2010 album by Celtic harpist and storyteller Patrick Ball, who headlines a May 7 show at the Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton. Ball will perform is mix of Irish, Breton and Medieval music taken from his stage show The Flame of Love: The Romance of Tristan and Iseult. Other highlights include the music of Turlough O'Carolan played on the wire strung Celtic harp.

Concert time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 in advance; $22 at the door. Roaring Brook Nature Center is at 70 Gracey Road, Canton. Visitwww.roaringbrookconcerts.org.

Music and Stories for Mom and Kids

Children's books including Aesop's Fables, Robert Munsch's Love You Forever,and the poetry of Willa Cather are the inspiration behind Once Upon a Horn, a performance by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra Horn Quartet. The May 7 event is at the Hartford Public Library. Designed as a celebration of Mother's Day, the concert demonstrates the connection between music and storytelling for adults and children alike.

Concert time is 2 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact the Hartford Symphony Orchestra Community Engagement and Education department at 860-246-8742 ext. 328 or visit www.hartfordsymphony.org.

Grammy-Nominated Trumpeter Joins HSO for Brown Tribute

Grammy-nominated trumpeter Claudio Roditi joins members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for a Jazz and Strings Series tribute to the music of trumpeter Clifford Brown. The concert, to be held May 7 at the Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, features selections from the album Clifford Brown With Strings with musical chestnuts including Harbach and Kern'sYesterdays, Rodgers and Hart's Where or When, and Kern and Hammerstein'sCan't Help Lovin' Dat Man. Original compositions by Brown and the Brazilian-born Roditi are also featured.  

Concert time is 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20 or $40 with $10 tickets for students. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact the Hartford Symphony Orchestra ticket services at 860-244-2999 or visit www.hartfordsymphony.org. Asylum Hill Congregational Church is at 814 Asylum Ave., Hartford.