Resilient Living Center

July

Monday, July 7th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Movies & Films: Rogers and Hammerstein Pt. 2
Free | Performance Studio
Appreciating the films of Rodgers and Hammerstein means diving into a unique moment in American musical and cinematic history. Their work blended memorable music, social themes, and visual spectacle, creating some of the most influential musical films of the 20th century.

Tuesday, June 8th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Sizzle & Sample: Grilled Fruits
Free | The Test Kitchen
This interactive cooking demonstration offers a front-row seat to delicious creations in the making. As flavors come to life, you’ll have the chance to taste fresh samples, ask questions, and mingle with fellow food lovers. It’s a flavorful blend of learning and community—no apron required!

Wednesday, June 9th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Acoustic Music with Chris Smith
Free | The Gathering Place

Wednesday, June 9th | 3:00p – 4:00p

Thursday, July 10th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Origins of the English Language
Facilitated by Brad Connolly
Free | Performance Studio
We will review the historical events leading to the arrival of English in England and the linguistic effects of the Norman Invasion. We will also discuss English as a hybrid language and identify its components. Finally, we will see and listen to some examples of Old English (Beowulf) and Middle English (Chaucer).

Thursday, July 10th | 6:00p – 7:30p
Summer Concert Series : Demolition Brass Band
Free | Cafe Courtyard

The Demolition Brass Band brings an electrifying, all-ages celebration of rhythm, soul, and unstoppable energy! Blending the grit of classic New Orleans brass with funky grooves and global beats, the boys from New York City bring their signature big brass sound to LiveWell’s Summer Series stage! With bold horns, driving percussion, and joyful spirit, this dynamic band will have kids dancing in the aisles, parents clapping along, and grandparents grooving in their seats. It’s not just a concert — it’s a party for the whole community. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of music, movement, and connection!

Friday, July 11th | 3:00p – 4:00p  
Social Hour
Free | The Test Kitchen
Join us for this laid-back community event where ice cream and popsicles take center stage! Enjoy cool treats, casual conversation, and the chance to connect with neighbors in a fun, friendly setting. Whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting someone new, it’s the perfect way to savor summer vibes and build community—one bite at a time. 

Monday, June 14th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Movies & Films: Rhythm & Reels Pt. 2
Free | Performance Studio
Come experience some of the most captivating tap dance sequences on film from the greatest tap dance artists through the decades!

Tuesday, July 15th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Sizzle & Sample: Perfect Summer Chicken
Free | The Test Kitchen
This interactive cooking demonstration offers a front-row seat to delicious creations in the making. As flavors come to life, you’ll have the chance to taste fresh samples, ask questions, and mingle with fellow food lovers. It’s a flavorful blend of learning and community—no apron required!

Wednesday, July 16th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Music with Shannon Kiley MM, MT-BC Music Therapist
Free | The Gathering Place

Thursday, July 17th | 3:00p – 4:00p
The Music-Brain Connection
Free| Performance Studio
Facilitated by Shannon Kiley, MM, MT-BC Music Therapist

“The Music-Brain Connection: Music Strategies for Brain Health, Care Support, and Wellbeing”
Music is more than entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for enhancing brain function, emotional regulation, and overall wellness. In this presentation, we’ll explore how music affects the brain, practical ways to use music in everyday life (including how music can support care partnering with individuals living with dementia), and why that song keeps playing in your head at 3am.

Friday, July 18th | 3:00p – 4:00p  
Social Hour
Free | The Test Kitchen
Join us for this laid-back community event where ice cream and popsicles take center stage! Enjoy cool treats, casual conversation, and the chance to connect with neighbors in a fun, friendly setting. Whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting someone new, it’s the perfect way to savor summer vibes and build community—one bite at a time. 

Saturday, July 19th | 12:30p – 2:00p
Blues, Rock and Soul: Music with Tony Rarus
Free | The Gathering Place 
Tony Rarus is one of Western MA-Northern CT’s Blues-Rock-and Soul, singer guitarists, who has had a 50 year career as a musical performer. He has lived in Boston MA, Nashville TN and Austin TX, playing his brand of Soulful Blues and Rock to people all over the country.

Monday, June 21st | 3:00p – 4:00p
Movies & Films: History of Special Effects in Movies
Free | Performance Studio

Tuesday, July 22nd | 3:00p – 4:00p
Sizzle & Sample: Easy Stirfry
Free | The Test Kitchen
This interactive cooking demonstration offers a front-row seat to delicious creations in the making. As flavors come to life, you’ll have the chance to taste fresh samples, ask questions, and mingle with fellow food lovers. It’s a flavorful blend of learning and community—no apron required!

Wednesday, July 23rd | 3:00p – 4:00p
Music with ArleneWow!
Free | The Gathering Place

Award winning solo artist ArleneWow! is well known for her signature vocals and diverse musical stylings. She performs originals as well as covers ranging from contemporary pop/rock classics to standards. Arlene has the skill to cover artists such as Carly Simon and James Taylor while blending in sweet oldies from Frank Sinatra to Patsy Cline then expertly tossing in a few tasty originals for good measure. No matter what the setlist holds for the evening, she delivers a sonic array of feel good music for everyone to enjoy. ArleneWow!’s live performances have been described as “mesmerizing, uplifting, emotionally charged and a whole lot of fun!”.         www.arlenewow1.com

Thursday, July 24th| 3:00p – 4:00p
Speaker Series: Gardening for Wildlife
Presented by the Roaring Brook Nature Center
Free | The Performance Studio
Your garden is home to many wonderful creatures. Learn about their life cycles, their ecological value, and how to bring life to your garden by planting the right plants, as well as providing shelter and water.

Thursday, July 24th| 6:00p – 7:30p
Summer Concert Series: The Jolly Beggars
Free | LiveWell Courtyard
Step into a lively celebration of Irish and Celtic heritage as The Jolly Beggars bring their foot-stomping, heartwarming music to LiveWell’s Summer Concert Series stage! This talented local group blends traditional folk tunes, spirited storytelling, and rich harmonies to create a performance that’s as engaging as it is authentic. With fiddles flying, bodhráns beating, and voices ringing, audiences of all ages will be swept up in the timeless charm of Celtic music. Perfect for families, friends, and neighbors of every generation — come share the magic of the music that’s meant to be experienced together.

Friday, July 25th | 3:00p – 4:00p  
Social Hour
Free | The Test Kitchen
Join us for this laid-back community event where ice cream and popsicles take center stage! Enjoy cool treats, casual conversation, and the chance to connect with neighbors in a fun, friendly setting. Whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting someone new, it’s the perfect way to savor summer vibes and build community—one bite at a time. 

Monday, July 28th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Movies & Films: Mama Mia!
Free | Performance Studio

Tuesday, July 29th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Sizzle & Sample: Stove Top Cobbler
Free | The Test Kitchen
This interactive cooking demonstration offers a front-row seat to delicious creations in the making. As flavors come to life, you’ll have the chance to taste fresh samples, ask questions, and mingle with fellow food lovers. It’s a flavorful blend of learning and community—no apron required!

Wednesday, June 30th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Music with Brian Mattiello
Free | The Gathering Place

Thursday,  July 31st | 3:00p – 4:00p
Remembering G. Fox & Co.
Presented by the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
Free | Performance Studio
For over a century, G. Fox & Co. was a fixture in downtown Hartford. Over the years, the department store established itself as a premiere shopping destination with a commitment to superior customer service. Join us for an overview of the history of the store and the story of Beatrice Fox Auerbach, the pioneering businesswoman who led G. Fox & Co. through its golden age.
About the Presenter: Natalie Belanger is the Public Programs Manager at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. She holds a B.A. in history from Smith College and an M.A. in women’s history from the University of Maryland. She has worked in museum education for most of her career, and teaches history courses at CT State Community College.

August

Friday, August 1st | 3:00p – 4:00p
Social Hour
Free | The Test Kitchen
Join us for this laid-back community event where ice cream and popsicles take center stage! Enjoy cool treats, casual conversation, and the chance to connect with neighbors in a fun, friendly setting. Whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting someone new, it’s the perfect way to savor summer vibes and build community—one bite at a time.

Monday, August 4th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Movies & Films: More Information Coming Soon
Free | Performance Studio

Tuesday, August 5th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Sizzle & Sample: Summer Fish Fry
Free | The Test Kitchen
This interactive cooking demonstration offers a front-row seat to delicious creations in the making. As flavors come to life, you’ll have the chance to taste fresh samples, ask questions, and mingle with fellow food lovers. It’s a flavorful blend of learning and community—no apron required!

Wednesday, August 6th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Acoustic Music with Shannon Kiley, MM, MT-BC Music Therapist
Free | The Gathering Place

Thursday, August 7th | 3:00p – 4:00p
The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art
Facilitated by Julie Averbach of SmARTee
Free | Performance Studio
In this live- virtual tour we will explore works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, & more. What inspired Vincent Van Gogh to paint The Starry Night? Which sculpture fascinated Albert Einstein when he visited the MoMA in the 1930s? We will delve into these stories and others, as we tour one of New York’s beloved museums and consider its most iconic artworks.

About the Speaker: Julie Averbach recently graduated from Yale University with a double major in History of Art and Psychology. Her interests encompass areas as diverse as Indian graphic novels, activist poster art, and decorative arts of the Belle Époque. In July 2020, Julie launched smARTee to promote arts access and emotional well-being amid the Covid-19 pandemic. As President & CEO, she continually expands smARTee’s global impact through research and content development, outreach, and program delivery.

Friday, August 8th | 3:00p – 4:00p  
Social Hour
Free | The Test Kitchen
Join us for this laid-back community event where ice cream and popsicles take center stage! Enjoy cool treats, casual conversation, and the chance to connect with neighbors in a fun, friendly setting. Whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting someone new, it’s the perfect way to savor summer vibes and build community—one bite at a time. 

Monday, August 11th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Movies & Films: Bollywood
Facilitated by Shazia Chaudhry
Free | Performance Studio

Tuesday, August 12th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Sizzle & Sample: Picnic Sides
Free | The Test Kitchen
This interactive cooking demonstration offers a front-row seat to delicious creations in the making. As flavors come to life, you’ll have the chance to taste fresh samples, ask questions, and mingle with fellow food lovers. It’s a flavorful blend of learning and community—no apron required!

Wednesday, August 13th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Music with Chris Marolda
Free | The Gathering Place

Thursday, August 14th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Speaker Series: Music, Meaning, and Mystical Experience
Free| Performance Studio
Facilitated by Shannon Kiley, MM, MT-BC Music Therapist
Music has always had a role as a gateway to something deeper; it can unlock memories, emotions, or even a spiritual insight. In this presentation, we’ll explore how cultures around the world have used music for healing, ceremony, and transcendence. We’ll also take a look at emerging research into how music is used in modern therapeutic settings—including some surprising findings about its role in guided psychedelic therapy. Come with curiosity, leave with wonder.

Thursday, August 14th | 6:00p – 7:30p
Summer Concert Series: Here’s Elton
Free | Cafe Courtyard
Get ready for a dazzling journey through the iconic music of Elton John, as Russ Davis channels the legendary performer in a tribute full of energy, showmanship, and unforgettable hits. Russ brings the sights, sounds, and spirit of a real Elton concert to life — complete with signature costumes and piano flair. Inspired by Bennie and the Jets at a young age, he formed his first band as a teen and has been lighting up stages ever since. Now, with decades of experience and a deep love for the music, Russ invites audiences of all ages to relive the magic of Elton John’s greatest songs in a performance that’s both heartfelt and high-energy.

Friday, August 15th | 3:00p – 4:00p  
Social Hour
Free | The Test Kitchen
Join us for this laid-back community event where ice cream and popsicles take center stage! Enjoy cool treats, casual conversation, and the chance to connect with neighbors in a fun, friendly setting. Whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting someone new, it’s the perfect way to savor summer vibes and build community—one bite at a time. 

Monday, August 18th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Movies & Films: National Geographic
Free | Performance Studio
National Geographic has long been a gold standard in visual storytelling, especially in the realm of nature, science, history, and exploration. Its documentary productions are recognized for their cinematic excellence, scientific credibility, and deep emotional resonance. Come learn about their iconic storytelling into motion picture, producing documentaries that are both educational and visually stunning.

Tuesday, August 19th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Sizzle & Sample: Summer Salads
Free | The Test Kitchen
This interactive cooking demonstration offers a front-row seat to delicious creations in the making. As flavors come to life, you’ll have the chance to taste fresh samples, ask questions, and mingle with fellow food lovers. It’s a flavorful blend of learning and community—no apron required!

Wednesday, August 20th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Music with Chris Smith
Free | The Gathering Place

Thursday, August 21st | 3:00p – 4:00p
Speaker Series: Sleep Well
Presented by Cori Zuppardi from TheKey
Free | The Performance Studio
Join Cori with TheKey for ‘Sleep Well: The Art of Sleep’. Learn about the science of sleep, common myths and practical tips to improve your sleep hygiene.

Friday, August 22nd | 3:00p – 4:00p
Social Hour
Free | The Test Kitchen
Join us for this laid-back community event where ice cream and popsicles take center stage! Enjoy cool treats, casual conversation, and the chance to connect with neighbors in a fun, friendly setting. Whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting someone new, it’s the perfect way to savor summer vibes and build community—one bite at a time.

Monday, August 25th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Movies & Films: The Greatest Music Videos Every Made
Free | Performance Studio
Long before MTV, YouTube, or even television, music was already making its mark on screen. In this lively and nostalgic multimedia event, we’ll explore the fascinating history of music videos (starting with 1940s Soundies, the original musical short films shown on jukebox-style movie machines!) and visit some of the most iconic videos that shaped not just how we hear music, but how we see it.

Tuesday, August 26th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Sizzle & Sample: The Perfect Lobster Roll
Free | The Test Kitchen
This interactive cooking demonstration offers a front-row seat to delicious creations in the making. As flavors come to life, you’ll have the chance to taste fresh samples, ask questions, and mingle with fellow food lovers. It’s a flavorful blend of learning and community—no apron required!

Wednesday, August 27th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Music with Shannon Kiley and Bill Lynch
Free | The Gathering Place

Thursday,  August 28th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Beginner Birding
Presented by the Connecticut Audubon Society
Free | Performance Studio
Beginner Birding: Observing birds is a great way to connect with the natural world and tune in to the beauty all around us. Join Connecticut Audubon for an introduction to birds and birding. Learn about our local birds and how to go about observing and identifying them. What equipment will you need? Where should you look? What resources can help you

Thursday, August 28th | 6:00p – 7:30p
Summer Concert Series: Below Deck
Free | Cafe Courtyard
Grab your lawn chairs, your dancing shoes, and your favorite crew — Below Deck is coming ashore with the smooth, sunny sounds of yacht rock! With silky-smooth vocals, laid-back grooves, and lush harmonies, this 8-piece band brings the breezy vibes of the late ’70s and early ’80s to life as they revive the golden era of soft rock — when every song felt like a sunset cruise on open water. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the yacht rock sound or hearing it for the first time, everyone’s invited to kick back, sing along, and soak in the mellow magic together.

Friday, August 29th | 3:00p – 4:00p
Social Hour
Free | The Test Kitchen
Join us for this laid-back community event where ice cream and popsicles take center stage! Enjoy cool treats, casual conversation, and the chance to connect with neighbors in a fun, friendly setting. Whether you’re catching up with friends or meeting someone new, it’s the perfect way to savor summer vibes and build community—one bite at a time.