Cabaret, Hootenanny Part Of Two-Week Hygienic Art Festival

Artists, grab your best artwork. Everybody else, learn a song and get ready to sing it.

The art festival Hygienic Art XXXVII runs Friday, Jan. 29, through Feb. 13 in New London. Nearly a dozen activities will be held in the Bank Street neighborhood, including the reason for the festival’s existence: Salon des Indépendants. The annual art exhibit is open to any artist who wants in. Each can bring one artwork and hang it in the Hygienic Art Gallery. There is no censorship, so parental discretion is advised.

“Every year something outrageous comes in,” said event spokeswoman Sarah McKay. “It’s almost like a test to see how brave you can be.” The hanging of the artworks can be quite a madhouse, so artists are advised to show up early to get good spots in the gallery.

Another highlight is the Ice Carnival on Saturday, Jan. 30, at the art park next to the gallery. Admission to the carnival is free to see the fire breathers and ice sculptures. Those who want the free tickets to play games must sing a song to get them.

Other activities include a rock concert, a hootenanny, a cabaret, a fashion show and a youth art exhibit to see more family-friendly works. A photo scavenger hunt and exhibit has the theme “Shoot Pictures, Not People!” emphasizing nonviolence.

Here’s a list of activities. Admission is free to everything. Some events ask for a suggested donation. Beverages are sold in some venues. Area restaurants will be open. Free parking is available in the municipal parking structure near Hygienic Galleries. Details: hygienic.org.

Jan. 29

Hygienic Hootenanny, 33 Golden St., 6 to 9 p.m. Sherwood, The Friendly Ghost, Charlie & Bill Reyburn, The Carolans, Dennis & Mike, Nancy and Ben Parent of the Rivergods, Noah Feldman, Kevin Kane and With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm. The theme is “Women: Love ’em or…”

The Screening Room, Hygienic Galleries, 79 Bank St., 7 to 10 p.m. A program of independently produced short films, each 10 minutes or less.

Jan. 30 to Feb. 13

Salon des Indépendants exhibit, Hygienic Galleries, 79 Bank St. Art drop-off: Jan. 30, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Opening: Jan. 30, 7 to 11 p.m.

Jan. 30

Photo scavenger hunt begins, Expressiones, 84 Bank St. Pick up packets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Turn in results Feb. 3. Exhibit opens Feb. 5, 6 to 8 p.m.

Young Artists Expo, Garde Art Gallery, 305 State St. Art drop-off: Jan. 28, 3 to 5 p.m., and Jan. 29, 3 to 9 p.m. Exhibit is Jan. 30 from noon to 4 p.m.

Ice Carnival, Hygienic Art Park, 79 Bank St., 6 to 10 p.m. A carnival midway of games and interactive activities.

Rock Haus, Crocker House Ballroom, 35 Union St., 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Rock acts, The Cranks, Ken Atkins & Honkytonk Kind, Straight to VHS, Fatal Film, N.M.E. Illest w/DJ Chum Zilla, HEAP and Bright Midnight.

Feb. 4

Cabaret Extraordinaire, 33 Golden St., 8 p.m. Actors, drag performers, belly dancers and poets perform adults-only show. Also open mike.

Feb. 5

Fashion show, Crocker House Ballroom, 35 Union St., 8 to 10 p.m. Showcase of local clothing designers including Anna Lucas, Damaris Rivera, Susan Hickmanm, Alonzo Costello, Eric Pellot, Craig Williams, Naily Khasanshina. Emcee is Casey Spectacular. Music by DJ Rob Vaughn Guess.

Feb. 6

Mayfly Playhouse 24, Crocker House Ballroom, 35 Union St., 8 p.m. Seven world-premiere short plays written that day will be performed.

Feb. 13

Poetry readings, Hygienic Galleries, 79 Bank St., 6 to 9 p.m. Sign up for open mike at 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded.