Culture & Events

By Kaitlin Martinez Elizabeth Giannetta-Ramos gives her acceptance speech at the award ceremony Hartford, April 23, 2026 Elizabeth Giannetta-Ramos, a Hartford-native, has made it her life's mission to uplift and empower the city’s youth. As the Director of Programs for COMPASS Youth Collaborative, formerly known as the Southend Knightriders Youth Center, Giannetta-Ramos is committed to improving the lives of the people in the community. Under her leadership, the program aims

By Kaitlin Martinez Hartford, April 6, 2026 Hartford’s vibrant public art scene reflects a city rich in creativity and color. Organizations like Artists of Color Accelerate (AOCA) champion this movement by fostering a supportive ecosystem where emerging talent can thrive. Intended to dismantle systemic barriers and facilitate access to new talent and artists, AOCA’s year-long fellowship program helps budding artists find a collaborative network of art organizations and profe

By Serenity LaChance Photo courtesy: Hartford Performs photo gallery Hartford, March 28, 2026 Hartford Performs received a one-time appreciation grant from the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation , previously known as the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. In 2025, the Foundation begun distributing $6 million in grant funding to local arts and culture nonprofit organizations in Hartford. Sarah Asmar, Advancement Director for Hartford Performs, said the grant is parti

By Gulian Marconi & Roz Green Hartford, March 5, 2026 Rising operational costs and skyrocketing rent among other factors has led to the closing of the Parkville Art Gallery in the Parkville neighborhood in Hartford early this month. The gallery opened it's doors to local artists in the area in September 2024. Intended to serve as an artistic refuge and community event space for local art lovers, this gallery has displayed the works by numerous Hartford artists. Miguel Jose M

By Camilo M. Benitez McDonough Middle School students pose with their trophy Hartford, February 22, 2026 McDonough Middle School students cheerfully took the trophy home after an afternoon of fervent competition and trivia and participating eighth graders from Hartford waiting in anticipation for the final call that would crown the winners. Four Hartford-area schools participated in a spirited trivia challenge at the fifth annual African and African American History Bee h

By Ayanna Kelley-Fraser Valentine's day cards made by children for their loved ones at the Connecticut museum of history and culture. Hartford, February 11th, 2026 While couples were stressing over dinner reservations and finding babysitters, the Connecticut Museum of History and Culture opened its doors to local families and their children for an annual event called ‘Valentine’s for Kids.’ Children huddled around glitter-strewn tables; scattered around were all kinds of art

By Rayna Oakley & Emma Gutfleisch Promotional flyer for the documentary screened at the University of Hartford. Hartford, December 19, 2025 Stephanie Thomas’s political journey began with an intention to evoke a genuine sense of duty and responsibility that comes from civic literacy. Through intimate interviews and fly-on-the-wall footage, Voice in the Room offers a rare look at the high-stakes environment of Connecticut’s chief elections supervisor. As the first African Ame

By Emma Gutfleisch Performance by Yunie Mojica (also known as YunieMo). Hartford, December 16, 2025 The Artist Collective celebrated its 55th anniversary honoring the late Jackie McLean’s legacy, which he co-founded with his wife, Dollie McLean and other artists. The Collective’s alumna, Yunie Mojica (also known as YunieMo) performed on this occasion to pay her tributes to the legend and commemorate Hartford’s one of its kind arts and cultural organization dedicated to sup

By Linda Petersen and Jaiden Louden Hartford, December 7, 2025 The West Indian Social Club recently announced the opening of the Caribbean Heritage Museum, showcasing the story of the diaspora and the waves of migration that has shaped the diverse and vibrant West Indian community in Hartford. A meticulously gathered collection that displays the researched historical timeline of their migration, family relics that have survived years of displacement, and oral history that dat

By Kaitlin Martinez & Amanda Simmons The popular bee bread served at Yemerica coffee. West Hartford, Nov 17, 2025 Picture this. It’s cold outside. Sitting by the large window at Yemerica coffee , you take the first bite of the soft, fluffy, cream-cheese-filled, gooey dough-ball. Honey-drizzled, bee bread is a popular pull-apart bread, which literally translates to "bee's honeycomb" in Arabic due to its appearance. Paired with their spiced Yemeni coffee, this sweet bread is a