50 things to do this weekend, July 19, 20 and 21

Saturday. Find out more. Celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Grateful Dead as Ives Park hosts their annual Forever Grateful music festival on Saturday. Find out more. Celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Grateful Dead as Ives Park hosts their annual Forever Grateful music festival on Photo: Christian Sollitto / Contributed Photo Photo: Christian Sollitto / Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 71 Caption Close 50 things to do this weekend, July 19, 20 and 21 1 / 71 Back to Gallery

The music gods are smiling on Connecticut again. Country phenomenon Florida Georgia Line kicks off this weekend’s entertainment Friday with a concert at Hartford’s Xfinity Theatre. The next night, Lisa Lisa, who hit the charts in the ’80s with Cult Jam, headlines a free show on the New Haven Green. (Did you know she was only 14 when she recorded “I Wonder If I Take You Home” and “Can You Feel the Beat”?)

Saturday is also when Lionel Richie plays Mohegan Sun Arena, and “American Idol” winner Caleb Johnson performs an over-the-top “Bat Out of Hell” concert with Meat Loaf’s band. Johnson’s show is at The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Company. Meat Loaf, himself, gave Johnson his blessing.

There’s comedy, too. Thursday through Saturday you can catch comedian and actor Deon Cole, of ABC’s “Black-ish,” at Bridgeport’s Stress Factory. “Weird Al” Yankovic, known for his amusing musical parodies (think “Like a Surgeon” and “Amish Paradise”), plays Foxwoods Resort Casino on Friday.

Theater events include an evening of stories and music with Broadway’s Kate Baldwin and Bryan Perri Saturday at ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) of Connecticut. Baldwin played opposite both Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters in “Hello Dolly!” Perri just finished a five-year run as music director/conductor for Broadway’s “Wicked.” This Ridgefield show, part of ACT’s Broadway Unplugged Series, will be like hanging out with your BFF Broadway stars.

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Meanwhile, Musicals at Richter’s Fairy Tale Theater presents “Aesop’s Fables at Workspace Education in Bethel Saturday. And “Into the Woods” runs Thursday through Saturday at The Deacon John Grave House in Madison. There’s also a major craft show on the Guilford green Friday through Sunday, featuring the works of 180 artisans.

That’s just a small sample of what’s happening. Check out the slide show to see what else you might enjoy.