The winter arts season really kicks out the jams this week with some important hardcore acts at The Webster and Cafe Nine and a forum of arts leaders at Hartford Public Library .
There are also three legendary rock guitarists at The Kate , Kate Pierson of the B-52s at Ridgefield Playhouse , Tycho at District Music Hall, a massive “Soul Session” of musicians and artists in Bristol and a multi-night Afro Latino Film Festival presented by Pa’lante Theater in both Waterbury and Hartford.
VCTMS and 156/Silence The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford
VCTMS, the nu metal/hardcore trip with hip-hop inflections from Streamwood, Illinois, is on a big national tour with co-headliner 156/Silence, the post-hardcore/noise/slash band from Pennsylvania. Heavy//Hitter (from Florida) and Monochromatic Black (from New York) are also on the bill. Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. thewebsterct.com .
‘Croce Plays Croce’ Warner Theatre, 68 Main St., Torrington
A.J. Croce’s full-band touring tribute to his father, the late 1970s hitmaker Jim Croce, has taken many different turns. The show Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Warner Theatre is A.J.’s last “Croce Plays Croce” show of 2025, and we’re only two weeks into the year. The theme is “Croce’s B-Day Bash,” as Jan. 10 was the 82nd anniversary of Jim Croce’s birth. $49-$69. warnertheatre.org .
Midnight Anthem and Meadow Brothers Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook
Two Connecticut folk/Americana acts, the trio Midnight Anthem and the duo The Meadows Brothers, join for a lilting local concert at The Kate in Old Saybrook. Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. $29. thekate.org .
‘Colorful Silence’ Clare Gallery, Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry, 285 Church Street, Hartford
The theme for the whole 2025 season of exhibitions at the Clare Gallery inside the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry is “Mystery, Mystical and Meaning.” The first on view is “Colorful Silence,” work by painter/writer/storyteller Brother Mickey O’Neill McGrath. Some of the messages in his work are explicit, writ large in huge quotations drawn from the writings of Richard Rohr, Dorothy Day, St. Therese and others. The exhibit runs Jan. 14 through March 9, with a gallery talk with the artist on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. and a reception on March 2 from 1-3 p.m. Gallery hours are hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. spsact.org .
‘The Value of the Ticket: The Power of Artistic Voices’ Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St., Hartford
“The Value of the Ticket” is a forum on arts issues moderated by theater artist Taneisha Duggan with a panel consisting of Trudi Lebron of The Institute for Equity-Centered Coaching and ScriptFlip!; Gilbert McCauley, a professor in the Theater department at UMass Amherst who is directing the upcoming production of August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running” at Hartford Stage; and Hartford-based trumpeter and educator Haneef Nelson. The event, happening Jan. 15 at the main Hartford Public Library, begins with a catered reception at 6:30 p.m. The talk is at 7 p.m., followed by a performance by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra String Quartet at 7:50 p.m. and a Q&A with the audience at 8 p.m. Admission is free but an RSVP is required .
Kate Pierson Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridgefield Road, Ridgefield
Kate Pierson, the bubbliest member of the B-52s — and that’s saying a lot — released her second solo album, “Radios & Rainbows” last year and is on a national tour with a stop Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Ridgefield Playhouse. $60-$90. ridgefieldplayhouse.org .
Masters of the Telecaster Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook
Three important American guitarists share the stage for a concert that could also be seen as a clinic on the Telecaster technique. Jim Weider is the guitarist who was selected to succeed Robbie Robertson in The Band in the 1980s. G.E. Smith was renowned in Connecticut as a member of The Scratch Band before playing on numerous Hall & Oates hits from 1979-1985 and being the on-camera face of the “Saturday Night Live” band from 1985-1995. Larry Campbell was in Bob Dylan’s touring band from 1997 to 2004, worked with Levon Helm for years and even played in the orchestra for several Broadway musicals. Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. $49. thekate.org .
Dervish Infinity Music Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford
An Irish music ensemble that actually hails from Ireland and is on an international tour, Dervish plays Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford. $47.42-$57.73. infinityhall.com
H.R. Cafe Nine, 250 State St., New Haven
A pivotal figure in the development of hardcore punk, Bad Brains frontman H.R. makes a solo appearance on Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. at Cafe Nine in New Haven. The local opening act is T!lt. $30, $25 in advance. cafenine.com .
Justin Willman The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford
The magician, whose latest TV series is “The Magic Prank Show” on Netflix is on his “Illusionati” tour. It’s no illusion that you could recognize Willman as the past host of everything from “Cupcake Wars” to “Scrabble Showdown” to “Win, Lose or Draw” to “Baking Impossible.” Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. $39.50-$49.50; $150 VIP meet and greet. bushnell.org .
Taimane & Her Trio Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook
Hawaiian-born ukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner and her band play on Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. at The Kate. Taimane’s released five albums and her Tiny Desk Concert on NPR two years ago went viral. $33. thekate.org .
Afroman The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford
Legendary California rapper Afroman has recorded 20 albums but may still be most recognized for two from his first one, “Because I Got High” and “Crazy Rap.” Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. $36.65. thewebsterct.com .
Tycho District Music Hall, 71 Wall St., Norwalk
The songwriter/composer/producer and multi-instrumentalist (though most notable for his synthesizer work) Tycho has been recording for over 20 years. The latest Tycho album, “Infinite Health,” came out last year and the artist is on tour with his band, which includes a visual artist providing projected images. Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. at District Music Hall in Norwalk. $49.32-$74.56. districtmusichall.com .
Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford
Hot on the heels of the “MJ” musical playing The Bushnell, Who’s Bad is a long-running high-end full-length Michael Jackson impersonation show on Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Stamford Palace. Who’s Bad has been around over 20 years and has done over 2500 performances around the world. $25-$45. palacestamford.org .
‘The Addams Family’ Palace Theater, 100 East Main St., Waterbury
A new national tour of the popular musical based on the Charles Addams cartoons, TV show, movies and cartoons. The show, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elise (who also co-wrote “Jersey Boys”) and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, is at the Waterbury Palace for just three performances, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 18 at 2 and 8 p.m. It stars Rodrigo Aragon as Gomez and Renee Kathleen Koher as Morticia. $59-$101. palacetheaterct.org .
Afro Latino Film Festival Pa’lante Theater, 158 Grand St., Waterbury The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford
The local Pa-lante Theater in Waterbury, which is dedicated to work by Black Latino artists, presents a five-night Afro Latino Film Festival of screenings of dozens of shorts and features at two locations: the company’s own new space in Waterbury on Jan. 15 and 16, then Jan. 17-19 at 6 p.m. at The Bushnell in Hartford. $19. palantetheater.org .
MOMIX: ‘Alice’ Warner Theatre, 68 Main St., Torrington
Connecticut’s own MOMIX movement troupe, active since the 1980s, brings its provocative, endlessly creative take on “Alice in Wonderland” to the Warner in Torrington. The show was created by MOMIX founder Moses Pendleton. Jan. 18 at 8 p.m., Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. $48-$73. warnertheatre.org .
Boyz II Men Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville
The 1980s New Jack Swing icons Boyz II Men are still at, serenading generations of soul/pop/R&B fans with their love songs and harmonies. Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. $60.10-$286.45. mohegansun.com .
Brian Dolzani Space Ballroom. 295 Treadwell St., Hamden
The long-established Massachusetts singer/songwriter is in a special show performing songs by Neil Young. Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. $26.69. $21.54 in advance. spaceballroom.com .
The Amish Outlaws Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook
The story is that several members of this cover band grew up in the strict Amish culture then were liberated when they experienced the sanctioned break known as “Rumspringa,” embracing rock ‘n’ roll and not returning to the religious society. Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. $43. thekate.org .
The Lords of 52nd Street Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road, Ridgefied
Former members of Billy Joel’s touring band have kept their New York pop spirits alive by touring as The Lords of 52nd Street. Multi-instrumentalist Richie Cannata, drummer Liberty DeVitto, and guitarist Russell Javors, who all played with Joel on the albums “Turnstiles” through “Glass Houses,” anchor the group, which also features pianist Dan Orlando, bassist Malcolm Gold, guitarist Dennis DelGaudio and keyboardist Doug Kistner. Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. $35-$50. ridgefieldplayhouse.org .
‘The Soul Session: A Night of Live Music & Art’ Rockwell Theater, 70 Memorial Blvd., Bristol
A four-hour celebration of music, visual art and spoken word with live performances, an art exhibit, a silent auction supporting local artists, showcases of local performers, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., interactive elements, a photo booth and more. The event is presented by Paradigm Foundation on Jan. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Downtown Live at the Rockwell Theater, Bristol. $35. bristolct.myrec.com .
Phoenix Performing Arts Chinese Dance Whiton Branch Library, 100 North Main St., Manchester
The Hartford-based Phoenix Performing Arts troupe discusses and demonstrates traditional Chinese classical dances and other aspects of Chinese culture on Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Whiton branch of the Manchester Public Library. Free. manchesterct.gov …