You don’t have to stay in the backyard with the hot dogs this 4th of July.
Bushnell Park becomes a community party “ bonanza ,” Hartford Symphony Orchestra holds its latest “Celebrate America!” outside in Simsbury and The Used, Grails and Arrows in Actions demonstrate a range of modern American rock.
It’s not all about America this 4th of July weekend in Connecticut arts. Canadian pop icon Alanis Morissette is here. So are British exports UB40, former Foreigner vocalist Lou Gramm and an array of international acts at the Nice Festival in Norwalk.
Sea Tea Comedy Theater is flattering both an American institution (“Seinfeld”) and a Japanese one (anime) with back-to-back improv shows.
Declare independence from staid old arts scenes and dig in this.
Grails Space Ballroom, 295 Treadwell St., Hamden
In the nostalgia band summertime, it’s nice to find the esteemed heavy Portland experimentalists Grails out on tour now and at such a reasonable ticket price. When people call them dark, it’s apt: Their best known works include “Doomsdayers Living,” “The Burden of Hope” and the multi-volume “Black Tar Prophecies.” The newest Grails album “Anches En Maat” came out last year. July 2 at 8 p.m. $25 day of show, $20 advance. spaceballroom.com .
The Used Oakdale Theatre, 95 S. Turnpike Road, Wallingford
Utah alt-rockers The Used have been around for 25 years and 10 albums, with this year’s “MEDZ” recorded around the same time as last year “Toxic Positivity.” The Used uses The Oakdale July 2 at 7 p.m. $41.25-$95.60. livenation.com .
Arrows in Action The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford
The bright-eyed pop-punk act Arrows in Action, from Tennessee by way of Florida, is at The Webster Underground July 2 at 7:30 p.m. on its “Back to Life” tour. Brooke Alexx and Elliot Lee open. $25, $50 more for a meet-and-greet opportunity. thewebsterct.com .
Improvised Anime with Magical Boy Transformation and Friends Improvised Seinfeld: An Improv Comedy Show About Nothing Sea Tea Comedy Theater, 15 Asylum St., Hartford
Sea Tea Improv hosts two special bizarrely themed live comedy shows on June 5. At 7 p.m., it’s “Improvised Anime” with improv troupes creating routines based on Japanese anime. At 9 p.m., it’s “Improvised Seinfeld,” an entire new episode of “Seinfeld” including that annoying bass theme music. June 5 at 7 and 9 p.m. $10. seateaimprov.com .
Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Celebrate America!’ Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, 22 Iron Horse Blvd., Simsbury
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s second installment of this year’s Talcott Mountain Music Festival is its annual “Celebrate America!” patriotic concert on July 5 at 6 p.m. The orchestra is joined by another local ensemble, the Latin jazz septet Ed Fast & CongaBop!. $25, $5 children for lawn tickets; $50 for table seating near the stage. simsburymeadows.org .
Jason Mraz and the Super Band Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport
A smooth pop hitmaker since 2002’s “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry),” followed by “I’m Lucky,” “Yours,” “I Won’t Give Up” and others, Jason Mraz put out his eighth album Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride last year after issuing a greatest hits comp in 2022. July 5 at 7:30 p.m. $46.15-$240.60. hartfordhealthcareamp.com .
The 80s Rock Tour Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville
These names mean a lot to longtime fans of certain shouty 1980s acts: Lou Gramm (formerly of Foreigner), Steve Augeri (who sang for Journey) and John Payne (once with Asia). July 5 at 8 p.m. $59.63-$89.20. mohegansun.com .
UB40 Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
The UK pop/reggae sensation has had dozens of hits worldwide, led by the instantly recognizable cover of “I Can’t Help (Falling in Love With You)” and the summertime classic after which this tour is named, “Red Red Wine.” The band released the album “UB45” in honor of its 45th anniversary this year. The band will be performing at Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Showroom on July 5 at 8 p.m. Most of the tickets have been sold, leaving VIP-level seats and packages at $138.05-$315.50. foxwoods.com .
Nice Festival Oyster Shell Park, 95 N Water St., Norwalk
The dozens of music, drumming and acts at this sprawling international outdoor festival include young guitarist Brandon “Tax” Niederauer, St. Lucian singer/songwriter Gozilay, pianist/vocalist Ophelia Handberry, Kalpulli Huehuetlahtolli Aztec Dancers and the drum team from the Korean American Youth Assistance Coalition. July 6 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free; suggested donation $5. norwalknice.org .
Hartford Bonanza Bushnell Park, 1 Jewell St., Hartford
The annual Hartford Bonanza party in Bushnell Park features live bands (including Natasha Ramos and Nelson Bello), DJs (Sonia Sol, Eric Otero), food trucks, vendors, two beer gardens and booths representing small businesses from throughout the state. July 6 from 4 to 10 p.m. Free. hartfordbonanza.org .
Alanis Morissette Xfinity Theatre, 77 Savitt Way, Hartford
The musical theater version of Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” was at The Bushnell last year. It’s time to hear Morissette herself belt out those 1990s teen angst standards like “You Oughta Know,” “Hand in My Pocket” and “Ironic” again. July 6 at 7 p.m. $54.35-$1,079.40. concerts.livenation.com .
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