Hygienic XXXIV Events Start This Week

New London's celebrated downtown arts festival is back again next week for its 34th year.

Hygienic XXXIV will have numerous offerings in the visual and performing arts as well as music and poetry. The centerpiece of the annual event is the Salon des Independents, an exhibit at Hygienic Art open to any and all submissions. Performances will take place in several downtown spaces.

The Hygienic XXXIV offerings begin on Friday, with some shows continuing into next month. The following events will take place as part of the festival:

The Hootenanny (7-10 p.m. on Friday at The Commoner)

Hosted by Sherburne Stidfole, the Shoreline Acoustic Music Society, and Hygienic Art, this show features eight musical groups performing for about 20 minutes apiece. Donations will support the Hygienic's summer music series. The performers will be The Crew, Paddle Faster, Charlie Reyburn, Hugh & Jim, Nancy Parent, Dirt Road Radio, Kevin Kane, and 28 Strings.

The Screening Room (7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Hygienic Art)

Like the Salon des Independents art show, this showcase of independent locally produced films has no entry fee, judge or jury, or censorship.

The Pre-Fix (10 p.m. on Friday at Oasis Pub)

A taste of what's to come at the upcoming Rock Fix, this show features performances by Quiet Life, Daphne Lee Martin, and M.T. Bearington.

Salon des Independents (8 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Hygienic Art)

No fees, no judge, no jury, and no censorship. Anyone is invited to drop off a piece of artwork at the gallery, and works will be accepted between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Organizers expect over 400 artists to contribute to this show, which officially opens at 8 p.m. Works will be on display through Feb. 9, and artists should pick up their work between noon and 4 p.m. on Feb. 10.

People may also pick up a packet for the "Hy-gienic Photo-gienic" photographic scavenger hunt between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the gallery.

Hygienic Young Artists Exhibition (noon on Jan. 26 at the Garde Arts Center Gallery)

A "junior salon" invites young residents to submit their work in a similar way to the main event. Art may be dropped off between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and the opening reception will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Jan. 26. Performances and hands-on activities will take place during this opening.

The Rock Fix (7 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Crocker House Ballroom)

Local bands including Incognito Sofa Love, Street People, Fake Babies, Bedroom Rehab Corporation, Brazen Hussy, Anne Castellano & The Smoke, and Slander will play sets at this show, which is being put on in collaboration with the Telegraph Recording Company.

Cabaret Extraordinaire (8 p.m. on Jan. 26 at 33 Golden Street)

A performance of puppetry, burlesque, song, dance, poetry, and more. The Weird Beards will be the house band for the evening.

Hy-gienic Photo-gienic (6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 1 at Expressiones)

The opening reception for this display of entries in the photographic scavenger hunt that begins on Jan. 26. Photographers are instructed to interpret the words given to them and take pictures evoking them in the New London Historic District. Anyone taking part in this event should return their packet with five-by-photographs to Hygienic Art by Jan. 30. This display will be up through Feb. 10.

Fashion in the Ballroom (8 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the Crocker House Ballroom)

A fashion show with special guests and musical performances, featuring designers Susan Hickman, Cristin Gallagher, Christina Dempsey, and Susan Gorra.

Mayfly Playhouse V (8 p.m. on Feb. 2 at the Crocker House Ballroom)

The performance of seven plays, each of which have been conceived, written, directed, and rehearsed over a single 24-hour period.

Hygienic Poets (7 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Hygienic Art)

Hosted by Rhonda Ward, this open mic poetry slam includes cash prizes that will be awarded by the audience.

Rock Lobster Band-O-Matic (10 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Oasis Pub)

This closing party for Hygienic XXXIV features performances by bands of volunteers that have been randomly assembled to create new groups with singers, guitarists, drummers, bassists, and other musicians. The bands will have had two weeks to come up with a name, performance, and two songs.

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