While “The Cher Show” brings singular fashion statements and pop moves of the 1960s and ‘70s to the Bushnell stage in Hartford this week, other venues in the state are indulging in other unique cultural presentations.
Terry Fator brings his troupe of ventriloquist dummies to Foxwoods, the hip-hop friendly 360 ALLSTARS circus breakdances at the Garde Arts Center in New London and an extravagant “The Life and Music of George Michael” tribute whams both the Garde Arts Center in New London and the Waterbury Palace Theater.
Musically, sounds range from ‘70s rock guitarist Peter Frampton to ‘90s bohemians The Dandy Warhols to the solo piano show tunes of Seth Rudetsky to the Dead-adjacent jams of Circles Around the Sun.
Here are some of the top things to see this week in Connecticut arts.
‘The Life and Music of George Michael’
Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London
Palace Theater, 100 East Main St., Waterbury
The year began with a slew of Elton John tribute acts playing around the state, so it’s only natural that we move on to Elton’s friend and sometime collaborator George Michael. The internationally touring live “The Life and Music of George Michael” show makes two stops in Connecticut this week: Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Garde in New London ($41-$63. gardearts.org), then March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Palace Theater in Waterbury. ($36-$66. palacetheaterct.org).
Circles Around the Sun with Mikaela Davis and Southern Star
Infinity Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford
Circles Around the Sun formed for a Grateful Dead 50th anniversary tribute show, then continued with a slightly different, yet still psychedelic, jammy and instrumental sound. They play Infinity Hall Hartford on March 6 at 8 p.m. with Mikaela Davis and Southern Star, another singular band that has had brushes with members of the Dead. $29. infinityhall.com.
‘Arlington’
Yale Cabaret, 217 Park St., New Haven
The Yale Cabaret, that unconventional student-run basement-level theater on the Yale University campus, does short runs of various shows each semester. Up this week is “Arlington,” a dystopian “collision of poetry, video, theatre and dance” by Enda Walsh. Walsh may be best known for the stage musical version of “Once” and his collaboration with David Bowie, “Lazarus,” but has done many fine small experimental theater works like this one. March 6-8. Wednesday at 8 p.m., Thursday at 8 and 11 p.m. and Friday at 8 p.m. $27, $14 students. yalecabaret.org.
Seth Rudetsky’s Broadway Fest
Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford
The Charter Oak Cultural Center welcomes back Seth Rudetsky, the Broadway talent (“Disaster!”) who brought his piano-based, show tune-filled solo comedy/music act to the center and elsewhere in Connecticut many times. Hopefully, he will be doing his Cher impression, since “The Cher Show!” tour happens to be at The Bushnell this week. March 7 at 7 p.m. $15-$25. charteroakcenter.org.
Peter Frampton
Oakdale Theatre, 95 S. Turnpike Road, Wallingford
Peter Frampton was a pop heartthrob for a year or two when his solo album “Frampton Comes Alive!” became one of the biggest records of the ‘70s, but his staying power is due to his prowess as a guitar player, first with Humble Pie and Camel and later on tour with the likes of David Bowie, Ringo Starr and Bill Wyman. He is on the list of nominees for this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On March 7 at 7:30 p.m., you can find Peter Frampton at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford. $53-$359.30. concerts.livenation.com.
‘Stand-up Against Homelessness’
College Street Music Hall, 238 College St., New Haven
Gianmarco Soresti and LeClerc Andre are performing at the third annual “Stand Up Against Homelessness” show benefiting the organization New Reach. Both comedians have done late-night talk shows and Soresi has also done some streaming shows and movies. March 7 at 8 p.m. $55.76-$86.66. collegestreetmusichall.com.
The Dandy Warhols
Space Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St., Hamden
Oregon indie icons The Dandy Warhols had an earworm hit with “Bohemian Like You” in 2001, but there is much more to them. Their strange rivalry with Brian Jonestown Massacre was chronicled in the award-winning 2004 documentary “Dig!” Their 2020 album “Tafelmuzik Means More When You’re Only” is an experimental electronic listening experience that lasts three and a half hours. Three-quarters of the lineup is the same as it was since the band formed in 1994, and the current drummer has been on board since 1998. The psychedelic rock band Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor opens the 8 p.m. on March 7 at Hamden’s Space Ballroom. $48.29. spaceballroom.com.
Resistance Revival Chorus
Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield
The feminist Resistance Revivalist Chorus is made up of dozens of female and non-binary singers. Their stated mission: “The RRC centers women in music and addresses how historically marginalized women have been in the music industry.” In honor of International Women’s Day, the chorus is doing a free show on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Free; registration required. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
360 ALLSTARS
Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London
The lively young theater circus 360 ALLSTARS is full of acrobatics, clowning and breakdancing, plus unconventional routines with BMX bikes and basketballs. March 8 at 7:30 p.m. $32-$65. gardearts.org.
Terry Fator
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Shoreline Trolley Dr., Mashantucket
Ventriloquist Terry Fator’s new tour is called “On the Road Again,” and along for the ride are his puppet pals Walter T. Airdale, Duggie Scott Walker, Fernando V. Francisco, Vikki the Cougar and Winston the Impersonating Turtle. Given the tour’s title, you can expect a Willie Nelson impersonation. March 8 at 8 p.m. at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater. $49.35-$92.45. foxwoods.com.
