The Friend at Real Art Ways

“…witty, wise, and warm character study.” – Indiewire “Watts finds another rich vein of emotion to dramatize with delicacy, humor and intelligent vulnerability.” – LA Times “The work Watts and Murray do […] is both emotionally raw and acutely thoughtful, rife with specificity. It’s career-high stuff.” – RogerEbert.com 83% on Rotten Tomatoes Writer and teacher Iris (Naomi Watts) finds her comfortable, solitary New York life thrown into disarray after her closest friend and mentor (Bill Murray) dies suddenly and bequeaths…

“…an engaging delight from start to finish.” – The Hollywood Reporter Inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, Tom discovers a divided nation and a class of unteachable students. However, after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside-down.

“Roshan Sethi’s quietly confident film unspools a tender love story between two men—and the generations learning to accept them—with wit, nuance and no interest in cliché.” – Observer “In this vibrant addition to cinema’s romantic landscape, love isn’t the only winner: cultural understanding and the freedom to choose your own path triumph as well.” – The New York Times 96% on Rotten Tomatoes Naveen Gavaskar is a self-effacing, soft-spoken doctor with a boisterous mother, seemingly perfect sister and quiet father.…

“If you want a balm for these difficult times, Bob Trevino Likes It is it.” – FilmWeek “A deeply moving film, and a passionate, uplifting paean to the importance of found family.” – AV Club “When one performance in a movie is exceptional, you can credit the actor. But when everyone is great, it has to have at least something to do with the director. That’s the case with “Bob Trevino Likes It,” which has three standout performances.” – SF…

  On Saturday, May 3, we will host a special screening and conversation with director/producer Jeremy Workman, artists Michael Townsend and Umberto Crenca (both who are in the documentary). On Tuesday, May 6, we will host a special screening and conversation with City of Hartford Director of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Taneisha Duggan and Head of Development Services Jeff Aucker. Tickets for both events can be found on this page. — “Upon first glance, Jeremy Workman’s Secret Mall Apartment tells a bizarre…

“The comedy manages to be at once an odd-couple bromance, a showcase for Key’s uproarious woolgathering, a quite respectable musical event, a meditation on grief, and an achingly nostalgic look at the harmonies we carry with us through life.” – NPR “…effective character study that deserves your attention.” – Boston Globe 97% on Rotten Tomatoes THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his…

  Saturday, May 3, we will host Tape Artist Michael Townsend (the main subject of the documentary) and AS220 co-founder and artist Umberto Crenca for a special conversation after the 7:00 pm screening, moderated by our Executive Director, Will K. Wilkins. UPDATE: The director, Jeremy Workman, will not be able to make this screening. Tuesday, May 6, we will host “How We Living: A Q&A on Livability in Hartford w/Taneisha Duggan Director of Arts, Culture and Entertainment and Jeff Auker Director…

Experience music imagined and created in real-time. This series runs from September 2024 to May 2025. Check out the full schedule here! May 4 Performance: Larry Ochs-tenor, soprano saxophone Larry Ochs works on and breathes music. He composes. He plays saxophone. He looks for adventurous ideas to take on and for other artists – musicians and friends in other art mediums – to take them on with him. Ochs is primarily found in the worlds of “avant-garde” or “improvised music.” That…

The series takes place in person on the second Wednesday of the month from September 2024 through May 2025. Each night typically begins with a poetry reading featuring regionally or nationally known poets, followed by an open mic featuring readers with one poem (one page). On Wednesday, May 14, at 7 PM, Riverwood Poetry Series @ Real Art Ways will host eight Poets Laureate from Connecticut cities & towns. This is the last installment of the 2024-2025 season! There will not…

Join us Thursday, May 15, from 6 to 9 PM for our Creative Cocktail Hour. Admission is free. We’ll have music, a food truck, custom cocktails, hands-on art-making activities, and exhibitions on view! But most importantly, you’ll be there!   Solo Exhibitions: To Be Announced Music Miss Olithea and J. Bubble (Electro drum & bass) Fresh out of the Burnt Sugar SmokeHouse comes “Miss Olithea & J Bubble.” Olithea Anglin & Jared Michael Nickerson’s groovaliciously avant groidd party-like-it’s-1999 electro drum &…