The first of the two Outdoor Summer Concerts on the lawn at the Marlborough Arts Center this year will be on Saturday, May 20^th, at 2:00 p.m. The School of Rock will play at both of the concerts. What a perfect spot for good listening in a casual atmosphere surrounded by the beauty of the Arts Center’s manicured grounds. Bring your own seating and refreshments. In case of inclement weather, for everyone’s comfort we will move the concert inside. If you are driving by and see the fun, turn around and drive back into the ample parking area and join in. $10 goodwill donations are suggested; all donations are appreciated. The second School of Rock Summer Concert will be on Saturday, August 19^th, again at 2:00 p.m.

SOOP members pictured from left to right: Michael Frantzen, Mark Hall, Carolyn Brodginski, Jeff Gorman

The Marlborough-based group, Seat of Our Pants (SOOP), is starring on the stage at the
Marlborough Arts Center’s 4^th Friday @ the Arts Cafe on Friday, May 26^th, at 7:30 p.m. Their harmonies on the classics as well as their original songs have delighted audiences from the beginning at what many consider to be their “home” venue. Since 2011, SOOP has been known for its award-winning, heartfelt, and superbly crafted songs that entertain while getting you to think about the world around you. The unforgettable renditions by Carolyn Brodginski, Mark Hall, Jeff Gorman, and Michael Frantzen, captivate the audience, and their instrumentation continues to evolve with the addition of a Celtic harp. SOOP’s touch is open and personal, making this evening of music special for all in attendance.

The Arts Center is located at 231 North Main Street in Marlborough, CT. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Admission at the door is $10. The building is ADA accessible and there is ample parking. Be sure to visit SOOP’s website at https://seatofourpantsmusic.com/ for more details.

The Modern Riffs is a Marlborough-based classic rock, jazz, and pop band that will be performing at Marlborough Arts Center, 231 North Main St., Marlborough CT on April 28^th at 7:30 p.m. This inspiring group, founded in 2008 by Marlborough saxophonist Bruce Phelps, is a collaboration of exceptionally talented high school musicians and long-time experienced musicians. Their upcoming show at MAC includes a lineup of high-energy material from Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Spiral Staircase, AWB, Patsy Cline, Earth Wind And Fire and many others.

Current Riffs members include three RHAM seniors: singer Caelyn Calhoun; bassist Miguel Genung; and trumpeter Ben Cancellaro. Other members, also from RHAM, are drummer Alexa Odoy, trumpeter Trevor Hooker, baritone saxophonist Finn Blake, and tenor saxophonist Jake Sauer. The two adult mentors are Keith Coakley, keyboards, and Bruce Phelps, alto saxophone.

MAC has hosted the Riffs several times since 2008, and their support has enabled the Riffs to provide a great musical experience to more than 40 young musicians over the years—many of whom have now become professional musicians and teachers.

The Modern Riffs will perform on Friday, April 28^th in the Charles W. Hall Gallery at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 7:00 p.m. Admission remains $10 at the door. Masks are suggested but not required. The facility is fully accessible and there is ample parking.

The Marlborough Arts Center announces a one-day, three-hour workshop to be held on Saturday, May 6^th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The subject will be Rock Carving. All materials will be covered in the $60 class fee. This class is offered to adults and teenagers.

Instructor Susan Hourihan, a new resident of Marlborough and an experienced high school teacher, says that rock carving is a therapeutic process with beautiful, creative results. She has been teaching soapstone rock carving for the past eight years.

Ms. Hourihan’s training is in photography (both darkroom and digital), but she has recently added other media. She is an acrylic landscape painter who has shown her work at the Scranton Public Library and the Madison Art Society. Some of her soapstone carvings are currently on display the Marlborough Arts Center.

A class registration form can be downloaded here and mailed with a check for $60 to the Marlborough Arts Center, 231 North Main Street, Marlborough, CT 06447.

For more information, please call the Arts Center at 860-467-6353 or email info@marlborougharts.org.

The Marlborough Arts Center opened its annual Members’ Art Show on Sunday, April 23^rd, 2023, to a wondrous turnout! Guests experienced beautiful works of art – all submitted by MAC members. Please check out the slideshow below for photographs of artists’ submissions, prize winners, and the reception.

*If you wish to enlarge the slideshow below or pause it to see any of the photographs, please use the built-in player buttons on the slides.

The show will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 – 4:00 from April 28^th to May 28^th. We highly recommend you visit in-person!