Learn the fundamentals of Inkscape! This course will go over the basics of vector graphics using Inkscape, a free and open-source program and a maker staple for integration with the various machines at Spark. You can create a design in Inkscape and turn it into a pattern to be laser cut or engraved in conjunction with Lightburn or cut on the CNC router with VCarve. But the first step is always a design program.

Class requires a laptop. If you do not have a laptop to bring to class, please write to electronics@sparkmakerspace.org to see if one is available to use during class. Please download and install the latest version of Inkscape before class. Click here to download.

Ages 14+

This workshop will go over: how to draw basic shapes, how to create paths, union/difference/intersection functions, snaps, alignment, and other essential operations. No experience is necessary, but if you have a project in mind, we can work on the operations that most closely relate to that project.

This is a one-day class taking place at 7 Union St., New London, CT 06320. Sign up today! Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Treat Mom to a special Mother’s Day she won’t forget at Olde Mistick Village! Stroll through charming shops, enjoy delicious dining, and soak up the atmosphere created just for her. This year’s festivities will include live music, a family photo contest, as well as an exciting $500 value giveaway for one lucky mother to indulge in with prizes that include gift cards, jewelry, and bath & body items.

Gillian Welch’s rich and remarkable career spans over twenty-five years, and she and her musical partner David Rawlings are a pillar of the modern acoustic music world. They have been hailed by Pitchfork as “modern masters of American folk” and “protectors of the American folk song” by Rolling Stone.

After moving to Nashville in the early 1990s, Welch was launched into the public consciousness when Emmylou Harris recorded a cover of Welch’s “Orphan Girl.” Her career continued to flourish as her 1996 debut Revival, produced by T Bone Burnett, was released to critical acclaim. Firmly on the roots music map following the release, Welch followed up that GRAMMY nominated album release with 1998’s Hell Among The Yearlings, a stark duet record with Rawlings, further solidifying the duo as a force in the folk music scene.

For her work as executive producer as well as a performer and songwriter on the eight times platinum O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, Welch was awarded the Album of the Year GRAMMY, and was simultaneously nominated for her own Time (The Revelator) which Rolling Stone called one of the best albums of the 2000s and is widely considered by critics to be one of the best albums of all time. This release was Welch-Rawlings’ first on their own record label, Acony Records, helping to establish the duo’s fierce commitment to independent music.

No experience needed! Perfect for first-timers. Using the Tiffany copper foil method of stained glass construction, you will make and take home a unique and colorful stained glass feather. You will learn the basic skills of glass cutting, grinding, copper foiling, and soldering while you make your feather from a choice of several patterns. These feathers are elegant on their own or suitable for embellishment with beads, leather, wirework, or assembled into mobiles.

*Please be advised that sufficient hand strength and dexterity are required for scoring glass as well as the ability to stand while working with tools.

Ages 16+

This one-session class takes place at 7 Union St. New London, CT 06320

Sign up today!

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

No experience needed! Perfect for first-timers. Using the Tiffany copper foil method of stained glass construction, you will make and take home a unique and colorful stained glass feather. You will learn the basic skills of glass cutting, grinding, copper foiling, and soldering while you make your feather from a choice of several patterns. These feathers are elegant on their own or suitable for embellishment with beads, leather, wirework, or assembled into mobiles.

Please be advised that sufficient hand strength and dexterity are required for scoring glass as well as the ability to stand while working with tools.

Ages 16+

This one-session class takes place at 7 Union St. New London, CT 06320

Sign up today!

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

IN THE OASIS ROOM

A heartfelt tribute to two iconic songwriters from the late ’60s and early ’70s,

OF HEART AND MIND

– A Tribute to the Music of Joni Mitchell, &

CATMOONSHADOW

– A Tribute to the Music of Cat Stevens

The Joni & Cat Show features two solo performers, Nicole Gauthier and John Fuzek. In an intimate, acoustic, singer-songwriter style, they expertly connect with their audience, creating a musical journey through the timeless songs of Joni and Cat. Their voices are strikingly reminiscent of the originals in their prime, with Nicole Gauthier’s emotive tone melting hearts, while John Fuzek pours raw emotion into each performance. The show, which includes a mix of beloved hits and hidden gems, offers an unforgettable experience that pays tribute to the soul-stirring music of these legendary artists.

This stained glass project is designed for first-timers and experienced glass artists alike. A simple yet elegant design, these air plant holders bring the tranquility of nature indoors and soothing color to a sunny window. A healthy air plant (“tillandsia”) is included to make your creation complete and a perfect gift! The holders are designed and intended to be hung.

In this workshop, you will learn to score glass, grind, foil, and solder. Sign up to make your air plant holder today!

Please be advised that sufficient hand strength and dexterity are required for scoring glass as well as the ability to stand while working with tools.

Ages 16+

This is a one-day class taking place at 7 Union St. New London CT 06320

Sign up today!

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

This stained glass project is designed for first-timers and experienced glass artists alike. A simple yet elegant design, these air plant holders bring the tranquility of nature indoors and soothing color to a sunny window. A healthy air plant (“tillandsia”) is included to make your creation complete and a perfect gift! The holders are designed and intended to be hung.

In this workshop, you will learn to score glass, grind, foil, and solder. Sign up to make your air plant holder today!

Please be advised that sufficient hand strength and dexterity are required for scoring glass as well as the ability to stand while working with tools.

Ages 16+

This is a one-day class taking place at 7 Union St. New London CT 06320

Sign up today!

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Basics of Crochet

Join Sparks Crochet Wizard Maritza Vargas and learn the basics of crochet to create your own scarf. This two-part class will introduce you to the essential techniques needed to start your crochet journey.

• First Class: We will cover three fundamental stitches: single, double, and half double. These stitches form the foundation for most crochet projects.
• Second Class: Learn how to adjust these basic stitches to create new decorative patterns, adding unique elements to your scarf.

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refresh your skills, this class will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to start crocheting. All materials will be provided.

This is a two-part class taking place at 7 Union St., New London, CT 06320

Sign up today!

Ages 16+

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Something Great is coming to New London this Spring!

Join us for the World Premiere of The Great Gatsby Ballet!

Step into the jazzy world of the Roaring Twenties with this new production of the World Ballet Company. See the glitz, glamor, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel LIVE on stage, featuring a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers, an all-star creative team, lustrous hand-crafted costumes, and lavish, groundbreaking sets. The original score evokes the energy and atmosphere of the 1920s.

World Ballet Company’s “The Great Gatsby’ is a must-see feast for the eyes. Get your tickets today and be among the first to experience this lavish new production!

*The Creative Team of The Great Gatsby: Renowned choreographer Ilya Zhivoy captures the passion of the central love story with a sensual, dynamic style. Celebrated LA-based film and TV composer Anna Drubich, whose work includes the music for the 2023 Oscar-winning Navalny documentary, makes her ballet debut with a rich, lively score that embraces the sounds of the Jazz Age. Theatrical costume designs by Sonya Vartanyan complete the production with sumptuousness and fling.

Duration: 2 hours (including 20-minute intermission)

Audience: For ages 5 & over

Learn Calligraphy Basics-

Anyone can learn calligraphy, so come join this beginner class as we learn about the Chancery Italic style of handwriting, most popular during the Renaissance and most usable today. Participants will review the structure of the lower-case alphabet and proceed to the capital letters while using broad-nibbed tools. If time permits, we might even try out a dip pen. Have fun, amaze yourself. Handouts provided.

No experience with calligraphy is necessary.

We ask students to be 18+

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Whatever you do, don’t let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), TheaterWorksUSA‘s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party!

It’s not easy being the Pigeon-you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping.

Recommended Grade Levels: Pre-K to 2nd

Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Literature Based, Music

Themes: Friendship, Exploration, Teamwork, Creativity, Adventure

Tickets: $17 per person. Groups of 15 or more: $15 per person & groups will receive one free chaperone ticket with every 15 paid. Additional chaperone tickets available for $15 per person.

Special Assistance: The Garde is equipped with wheelchair seating positions and accessible bathrooms. Wireless listening systems are available by reservation. Please indicate special needs at the time of your reservation. Wheelchair seating is available in the orchestra only.

TICKETS or QUESTIONS: Call the Garde Box Office at (860) 444-7373 ext 1. or email boxoffice@gardearts.org 

Educational Resources Here

Download Theater Etiquette Basics Here

Download Arrival & Departure Procedures Here

Please Note: Due to time constraints the Garde requires that students arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to performance time.

This performance is part of the DOMINION ENERGY SCHOOLTIME PERFORMANCE SERIES

Beginner-Level Woodshop Class

Students will build a wooden cutting board. Students will start with mixed strips of wood and will glue, flatten, shape, groove, and finish the cutting board. This is a two-session class,( 5/22 & 5/27,) and at the end of the second class, students will take their project home.

This class will provide tool certification for Spark Makerspace Members who demonstrate safe usage of the tools. (chop saw, router, & planer)

Ages 18+

Sign Up Today!

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Experience the gripping power of Anthony Davis's opera Amistad, a masterpiece that revives the true story of the 1839 Amistad uprising—a courageous fight for freedom that ignited a landmark legal battle in Connecticut, resonating through history. Presented by Connecticut Lyric Opera in collaboration with Harlem Opera Theater and Discovering Amistad, this visually and musically compelling production combines music, theater, and multimedia elements to bring this pivotal story to life. Join us as we explore themes of racial justice, resilience, and the enduring quest for human dignity, underscoring opera's ability to spark dialogue and reflection in today's world.

Basics of Crochet

Join Sparks Crochet Wizard Maritza Vargas and learn the basics of crochet to create your own scarf. This two-part class will introduce you to the essential techniques needed to start your crochet journey.

• First Class: We will cover three fundamental stitches: single, double, and half double. These stitches form the foundation for most crochet projects.
• Second Class: Learn how to adjust these basic stitches to create new decorative patterns, adding unique elements to your scarf.

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refresh your skills, this class will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to start crocheting. All materials will be provided.

This is a two-part class taking place at 7 Union St., New London, CT 06320

Sign up today!

Ages 16+

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Beginner-Level Woodshop Class

Students will build a wooden cutting board. Students will start with mixed strips of wood and will glue, flatten, shape, groove, and finish the cutting board. This is a two-session class,( 5/22 & 5/27,) and at the end of the second class, students will take their project home.

This class will provide tool certification for Spark Makerspace Members who demonstrate safe usage of the tools. (chop saw, router, & planer)

Ages 18+

Sign Up Today!

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman. She will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig but also ensures his place on the farm forever.

This treasured tale, featuring madcap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love and the true meaning of friendship.

Recommended Grade Levels: K – 5th

Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Literature Based, Music, Relationships & Family

Themes: Friendship, Communication, Perseverance, Coming of Age, Loyalty, Sacrifice

Tickets: $17 per person. Groups of 15 or more: $15 per person & groups will receive one free chaperone ticket with every 15 paid. Additional chaperone tickets available for $15 per person.

Special Assistance: The Garde is equipped with wheelchair seating positions and accessible bathrooms. Wireless listening systems are available by reservation. Please indicate special needs at the time of your reservation. Wheelchair seating is available in the orchestra only.

TICKETS or QUESTIONS: Call the Garde Box Office at (860) 444-7373 ext 1. or email boxoffice@gardearts.org 

Educational Resources Here

Download Theater Etiquette Basics Here

Download Arrival & Departure Procedures Here

Please Note: Due to time constraints the Garde requires that students arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to performance time.

This performance is part of the DOMINION ENERGY SCHOOLTIME PERFORMANCE SERIES

Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman. She will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig but also ensures his place on the farm forever.

This treasured tale, featuring madcap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love and the true meaning of friendship.

Recommended Grade Levels: K – 5th

Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Literature Based, Music, Relationships & Family

Themes: Friendship, Communication, Perseverance, Coming of Age, Loyalty, Sacrifice

Tickets: $17 per person. Groups of 15 or more: $15 per person & groups will receive one free chaperone ticket with every 15 paid. Additional chaperone tickets available for $15 per person.

Special Assistance: The Garde is equipped with wheelchair seating positions and accessible bathrooms. Wireless listening systems are available by reservation. Please indicate special needs at the time of your reservation. Wheelchair seating is available in the orchestra only.

TICKETS or QUESTIONS: Call the Garde Box Office at (860) 444-7373 ext 1. or email boxoffice@gardearts.org 

Educational Resources Here

Download Theater Etiquette Basics Here

Download Arrival & Departure Procedures Here

Please Note: Due to time constraints the Garde requires that students arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to performance time.

This performance is part of the DOMINION ENERGY SCHOOLTIME PERFORMANCE SERIES

Join us at the Parade Plaza in New London, and don't forget to bring your chairs to enjoy live music. Families can also take part in free activities, explore food vendors, experience face painting, and engage in various other family-friendly activities.

 Fireworks Sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino

Eddie B. soared to new heights by creating his own opportunity starting with his series of comical videos titled “What Teachers Really Want to Say”. In a matter of hours, those videos sparked the attention of educators all over the country when they realized that they were not alone and finally had someone to joke about the things they were reluctant to say out loud. 

Shortly after, Eddie decided to take his videos to the stage selling out comedy clubs, theaters, and arenas with his “Teachers Only Comedy Tour” in 2017-2018 and the “I’m Already Professionally Developed Tour” in 2019- 2020. When the worldwide pandemic made it impossible for Eddie to see his fans in person he began performing his “Teachers Only” comedy virtually! Now that things are getting back to normal Eddie B is ready to give educators more of his unfiltered comedy beginning with his ” Teachers Only Summer Break Tour” in 2021! 

Eddie B has established himself as the official voice of teachers across the globe. Educators from America to Africa, Dallas to Dubai, New York to New Delhi (and beyond) are getting a lesson in the funniest ways to express their worst frustrations and they are loving every second of Eddie B’s uncensored, raw, and hysterically realistic portrayal of a teacher’s hectic life, from the point of view of an actual teacher!

This stained glass project is designed for first-timers and experienced glass artists alike. A simple yet elegant design, these air plant holders bring the tranquility of nature indoors and soothing color to a sunny window. A healthy air plant (“tillandsia”) is included to make your creation complete and a perfect gift! The holders are designed and intended to be hung.

In this workshop, you will learn to score glass, grind, foil, and solder. Sign up to make your air plant holder today!

Please be advised that sufficient hand strength and dexterity are required for scoring glass as well as the ability to stand while working with tools.

Ages 16+

This is a one-day class taking place at 7 Union St. New London CT 06320

Sign up today!

Get Tickets Today! Class Fee is non-refundable. Please plan accordingly.

Two-Day Beginner Workshop!

This is a perfect project for those with little or no experience working with stained glass. You will construct a colorful art glass strip panel up to 12 inches long, suitable for hanging in a window. You will be taught the techniques of the copper foil method of construction and learn to score, grind, foil, solder, frame and finish the entire piece in this 2-day workshop.

All materials included.

Please Note: Sufficient hand strength and dexterity are needed for scoring glass. Must be able to stand for extended periods while working with tools.

Closed-toed shoes must be worn.

Ages 16+

This is a two-session class taking place at 7 Union St., New London, CT 06320