Weekends in Connecticut!

Get out and enjoy all the wonderful local spots our state has to offer! It's going to be a cold weekend in Connecticut, so we have lots of events inside to keep you warm while having fun..however for our winter loving friends there's lots of ways to enjoy our state with winter fairs and markets and even our CT mountains! Plus there’s great dining, shows and movies, so follow me for all the fun!

• Check out Renee DiNino's Blog for interviews, stories and events HERE
• iHeartCommunities events, concerts and more HERE
• Visit CT has a great listing of events HERE
• SUPPORT LOCAL here is a great listing of farmers markets HERE
• For all the new movie releases in theaters and streaming CLICK here and be sure to scroll below for my movie picks of the weekend!

Skiers, snowboarders, and more get ready to experience Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall, Mount Southington Ski Area in Southington, Ski Sundown in New Hartford, or Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield.

Weekends in Connecticut!

Friday night get ready for "An Acoustic Evening" with Rick Springfield and Richard Marx live at Foxwoods Resort Casino at the Premier Theater. Tickets: foxwoods.com

The Hartford Boat Show: More Boats, More Brands Under One Roof than anywhere else in the Hartford area! Runs through Sunday at the Earth Expo Center at Mohegan Sun!

The Hartford Home Show happens this weekend Saturday and Sunday at the XL Center

Find Experts, Inspiration & More

At the Home Show, our goal is simple: to inspire, motivate and excite you for your upcoming home improvement - whether it's a minor renovation or a major remodel. Visit: homeshowhartford.com

Saturday it's the Bender Classic! All to raise funds for Special Olympic's Connecticut! We lace 'em up again at 5:25 PM at the Toscano Family Ice Forum in Storrs!

The Bender Classic will take place during the first and second intermissions  - at the annual meeting of the Newtown/New Fairfield Nighthawks and E.O. Smith/Tolland Bucks!

The Newtown Police Department takes on the UConn Police Department! Come pack out a hockey game with your friends and family! 

There will be t-shirts for sale, and a raffle for team-signed - visit www.benderclassichockey.com

Happening at 1741 Pub and Grill at Lyman Orchards Golf Course

If you’re a self-proclaimed Swiftie, bring yourself to the 1741 Pub & Grill on Sunday, January 21st 10am-2pm for a Taylor Swift Brunch!

Feast on a Tay-Tay themed brunch menu including "Fearless" French Toast, while you and your pals enjoy a curated Taylor Swift playlist with DJ Stardust.

Call 860-349-6033 to make a reservation.

SAVE THE DATE:

Ace of Paws Casino Night Gala

Sat. Feb. 3 from 6-11 pm

The annual Ace of Paws Gala is back and better than ever! Join us for a casino night gala at the Society Room in Hartford CT and support the life-saving work that our non-profit, all volunteer rescue dogs. Your $150 ticket price includes:

• Craps, roulette, poker and blackjack. Play for prizes!
• Open bar
• Dinner and dessert stations
• DJ & Dancing
• $50 “Bark Bucks” for casino games

This event will sell out and space is limited so please buy your tickets now. Our pups thank you for your support!

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The Hometown Foundation,  IHeartMedia and Channel 3 Cares present the second annual Hearts & Paws Gala on Saturday, Feb. 10. At the Farmington Polo Club. The event will honor K-9 officers & raise funds for K-9 units. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit hometownfoundation.org.  

We are asking for businesses and the community to support their favorite Amazing K9 Duo’s in their hometowns by supporting the 2nd annual K9 Gala! We never charge the officers and their dates for a night out of thanks! The Hometown Foundation, IHeartMedia and Channel 3 Cares present the second annual Hearts & Paws Gala on Saturday, Feb. 10. At the Farmington Polo Club. The event will honor K-9 officers & raise funds for K-9 units. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit hometownfoundation.org.  

New movies in theaters and streaming are here and you can get a complete listing on my blog by following @reneedinino on FB and IG!

Movies this weekend also include a local event with a movie that the critics love! Friday night at 7:30pm at the New London Garde Arts Center

Maestro, starring Academy Award Nominees Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan tells the complex love story of Leonard and Felicia Bernstein, a story that spans over 30 years from the time they met at a party in 1946.

The screening at the Garde Arts Center in New London will be unique since the London Symphony Orchestra, featured in the film, also performed live on the Garde stage, and it will have opening remarks from a former student of Bernstein, the maestro of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, Toshiyuki Shimada. For more info and to purchase your tickets visit: gardearts.org

You can also watch it on Netflix

In theaters this weekend Cult Killer, A PI (Antonio Banderas) and his partner (Alice Eve) are drawn into a web of intrigue when they start tracking a serial killer targeting a wealthy family with a dark secret.