Stamford Pulse: Thursday, May 15

Good morning, Stamford.

Palace Theatre has a show every night this weekend. Leonid & Friends on Friday, a dance showcase on Saturday, Swan Lake on Sunday. Add a dueling pianos charity night at the yacht club, the Kappas' 50th anniversary celebration at the DoubleTree, and an annual drag queen brunch on Hope Street, and this is one of the more stacked weekends we've had in a while.

Here's what's in this week's Pulse:

• Leonid & Friends bring their Chicago tribute to Palace Theatre on Friday
• Dueling pianos, dinner, and dancing for charity at Ponus Yacht Club
• The 41st Annual Outdoor Crafts Festival is back
• The Old Place's annual drag queen brunch returns Sunday

And more. Let's get to it.

-- Cooper

All Weekend Long

Stamford Kappas 50th Anniversary Weekend Half a century. The Stamford chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi is marking 50 years with a multi-day celebration at the DoubleTree by Hilton, running Thursday through Sunday.

• Details: May 14-17, DoubleTree by Hilton Stamford
• See more: Eventbrite

The Addams Family Musical Turn of River Middle School puts on the Addams Family. Two chances to see it: Friday and Saturday. Family-friendly, and school theater always has that energy you can't fake.

• Details: Friday & Saturday, Turn of River Middle School
• See more: Friday tickets | Saturday tickets

Nissen Carousel at Mill River Park The Brownstein/Selkowitz Carousel is open both days, 9 to 5. Rides are $2 each, or grab a six-ride pass for $10. The Rich Pantry will be open for snacks.

• Details: Saturday & Sunday, 9am-5pm, 30 West Broad Street
• Cost: $2/ride or $10 for 6 rides. Family-friendly.
• See more: Saturday | Sunday

Friday

Leonid & Friends at Palace Theatre

If you've ever wanted to hear "25 or 6 to 4" performed by a full horn section, this is the night. Leonid & Friends are a Chicago tribute act that has built a serious international following for getting the arrangements exactly right. Palace is the kind of room where that hits differently.

• Details: Friday, Palace Theatre. Ticketed.
• See more: Palace Theatre

Keys to Empowerment: Dueling Pianos Charity Night

Dinner, drinks, dueling pianos, and dancing at Ponus Yacht Club. It's a charity event, so you get to dress up and feel good about it. The kind of Friday night that doesn't come around every week.

• Details: Friday, Ponus Yacht Club. Ticketed, 21+.
• See more: Eventbrite

Saturday

41st Annual Outdoor Crafts Festival

Forty-one years running. That kind of staying power means the vendors are vetted and the crowd knows what to expect. A good Saturday afternoon stop.

• Details: Saturday. Free, outdoor.
• See more: Patch

Into The Unknown at Palace Theatre

Dance Pointe takes the Palace Theatre stage for their spring showcase. Local dancers, real production value, and a theater that makes any performance feel bigger. Family-friendly.

• Details: Saturday, Palace Theatre
• See more: Palace Theatre

VFW Post 653: Memorial Day Flag Placement

VFW Post 653 is looking for volunteers to help place flags ahead of Memorial Day. An hour or two of your Saturday for something that matters. Community service, outdoor.

• Details: Saturday
• See more: Patch

In Case You Missed It

Stamford dog park opens at Scofieldtown Park. North Stamford finally has a dedicated off-leash dog park, now open at Scofieldtown.

School board postpones vote on $360M budget. The board delayed its vote on a budget that would cut 76 positions. Worth watching.

Road closures announced for upcoming 5K race in Stamford. Heads up if you're driving this weekend. Check the route before heading downtown.

Sunday

Swan Lake at Palace Theatre

Westchester Ballet Company brings Swan Lake to Palace. You know the music. You probably know the story. Seeing it performed live at Palace is a different experience than the version in your head.

• Details: Sunday, Palace Theatre. Ticketed.
• See more: Palace Theatre

Drag Queen Brunch at The Old Place

Annual tradition on Hope Street. Brunch, drinks, and a show. They sell these out, so don't sit on it if you're interested.

• Details: Sunday, 920 Hope Street
• See more: Eventbrite

Mental Health Care IS Health Care: Community Self-Care Fest

Free community wellness event at the Boys & Girls Club. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this one is built around resources, not lectures. All ages.

• Details: Sunday, Boys & Girls Club of Stamford (Mary C. Rich Clubhouse)
• Cost: Free
• See more: Eventbrite

On the Horizon

Looking ahead:

• Memorial Day Weekend Bar Crawl (May 23) starting at Hudson Social. The unofficial kickoff to summer downtown.
• Lou Gramm at Palace Theatre (May 28). The voice of Foreigner. "I Want to Know What Love Is" live, at Palace.
• Stamford Pride Drag Brunch (May 31) at Towne Parlor Pizza & Pints.

The lilacs along Cove Island's shoreline path are at their peak right now. Worth an evening walk before the weekend hits.

Thanks for reading Stamford Pulse. Forward this to a neighbor who'd like it.

We also cover Norwalk and Greenwich.

-- Cooper