POTUS
2026-05-08 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-05-09 14:00 - 16:30, 2026-05-09 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-05-10 14:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | MainStage Theatre, VPAC, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury, CT
POTUS: WestRep Stage at WCSU presents POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. Presented in the MainStage Theatre at the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus, May 1-10.
Playwright Selina Fillinger
Director Donna Baldwin-Bradby
One four-letter word is about to rock 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the President unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. This uproarious play is a riotous comedy about the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world.

Click here to learn more about the production and to select other performance dates/times.
WCSU student tickets are $10 and are available for purchase at the VPAC box office.
No refunds are permitted; all sales are final. Please note that tickets are subject to a higher price at the box office. The venue recommends purchasing your tickets in advance on wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com.

"Nobody" by Sofia Zizolfo-Gonzalez - New Works Series
2026-05-09 17:00 - 19:00 | VPAC, Room 334, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury, CT
“NOBODY” BY SOFIA ZIZOLFO-GONZALEZ – NEW WORKS SERIES: “Nobody” is a musical written by Sofia Zizolfo-Gonzalez featuring music by Mitski. We will have a staged reading of it in Room 334 of the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus at 5 p.m.

Mindfulness at the Library
2026-05-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Ruth Haas Library, 181 White St., Danbury, CT
MINDFULNESS AT THE LIBRARY: Feeling stressed this semester? Having trouble finding calm amidst assignments, classes, and other responsibilities? We’ve got just the program for you!
Join Prabha Makayee in the Ruth Haas Library for a meditation series running through the Spring 2026 semester! Prabha seeks to help build new perspectives and develop paradigm shifts in how we navigate challenges and practice des-escalation and self-regulation strategies.
Find Prabha on the first floor of the Haas Library on the Midtown campus from 3 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday that the Haas Library is open.

Centerstage Annual Theatre Banquet - Enchanted Forest
2026-05-13 19:00 - 23:00 | Westside Campus Center Ballroom, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury, CT
CENTERSTAGE ANNUAL THEATRE BANQUET – ENCHANTED FOREST: Centerstage is having its annual theatre banquet to end the year! From 7 to 11 p.m. in the Westside Campus Center Ballroom. For more information, contact Nyelle Gogarty at gogarty002@wcsu.edu.

Virtual Teen Comics Chat
2026-05-14 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
VIRTUAL TEEN COMICS CHAT – AANHPIA AND JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH: Join us as two librarians talk about comics for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPIA) Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. Teens who attend and visit the Riverside or 53rd St libraries afterwards can get a free comic book to keep. Advanced registration required.
The link to the virtual event will be sent one day in advance. Attendees must have a valid email address and a device with an Internet connection and audio and/or video capabilities. Public participation in the talk is optional. From 4 to 5 p.m. Register at https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2026/05/21/virtual-teen-comics-chat-aanhpi-and-jewish-american-heritage-month.

Media Arts Film Festival
2026-05-15 18:00 - 22:00 | Midtown Student Center, 181 White St., Danbury, CT
MEDIA ARTS FILM FESTIVAL: The Western Connecticut State University Media Arts Film Festival returns to the Midtown campus on Friday, May 15. In its 12th year, the festival showcases the best student works from the Media Production, Digital & Interactive Media and Art programs at WCSU. The MAFF is very popular bringing in students, family members, alumni, and the community.
The May 15 event takes place in the Student Center on the Midtown campus. The evening will begin with a 6 p.m. reception in Room 202A, a 6 p.m. Digital Interactive Media Arts Exhibition in Room 202B, and an 7 p.m. film screening and awards ceremony in the Student Center Theater. The festival is free and open to the public; formal attire is suggested, but not required. There will be refreshments and a cash bar.
Sponsored by the Communication & Media Arts Department the event will culminate with awards for best films, videos, animations, screenplays, and interactive media.
For more information, contact Dr. JC Barone at baronej@wcsu.edu

Undergraduate Commencement
2026-05-18 15:00 - 17:00 | Total Mortgage Arena, 600 Main St., Bridgeport, CT, 06604, United States
UNDERGRADUATE COMMENCEMENT: 3 p.m. , Total Mortgage Arena, 6oo Main St., Bridgeport. For more information, visit www.wcsu.edu/commencement/

Graduate Commencement
2026-05-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St., Danbury, CT
GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT: 5 p.m. , Ives Concert Hall, White Hall, Midtown campus. For more information, visit www.wcsu.edu/commencement/

Adult Short Story: "Madwomen"
2026-05-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
ADULT SHORT STORY – “MADWOMEN”: This event is ONLINE ONLY. Join us as we discuss the story, “Madwomen,” by the writer Megan Kamalei Kakimoto. A single mother wrestles with how to protect her young son while still equipping him with the requisite skills to survive in the world. Her love for her son, terrifying and all-consuming, can also be, at times, potentially destructive, threatening to harm him when she yearns only to protect him. Register for the story, then click the link above to read it. On the day of the event, a link will be sent to you to join the discussion. From 11 a.m. to noon. Register at https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2026/05/20/adult-short-story-madwomen.
Megan Kamalei Kakimoto (born 1993) is an Japanese-Kanaka Maoli (native Hawaiian) writer. She is the author of the story collection, “Every Drop Is a Man’s Nightmare,” which interweaves Hawaiian mythology and superstition into a surreal contemporary Hawaiian vision. According to her Wikipedia page, her forthcoming novel is entitled “Bloodsick.”

Virtual AAPI Rising Summit
2026-05-29 11:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
VIRTUAL AAPI RISING SUMMIT!: The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion is promoting this virtual event.
Get ready for Movement Beyond The Moment, an exciting online event celebrating AAPI voices and stories. Connect with a vibrant community, dive into inspiring talks, and explore powerful ideas that uplift and empower.
This virtual summit is your space to learn, share, and grow alongside passionate changemakers. Don’t miss out on this energizing experience — right from the comfort of your own home!
Who Should Attend:
This summit is for leaders, professionals, advocates, and community members across nonprofit, corporate, public, and philanthropic sectors who are committed to building lasting impact within AANHPI communities.
Why This Matters:
Our communities have a strong history of coming together during moments of crisis. This summit is about building the relationships, strategies, and systems needed to sustain collaboration and power long after those moments pass.
This virtual event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-aapi-rising-summit-tickets-1985450216043.

2026 High School Student Art Showcase
2026-05-31 14:00 - 16:00 | Art Gallery, VPAC, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury, CT
2026 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ART SHOWCASE:
Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony
Sunday, May 31 | 2–4 p.m.
Join Western Connecticut State University for an inspiring afternoon celebrating the exceptional creativity of high school artists from across the region. The 2026 High School Student Art Showcase Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony invites students, families, educators, and community members to experience a vibrant juried exhibition and honor the next generation of artists.
Presented by WestConn in partnership with the Danbury Cultural Commission and Jerry’s of Norwalk, this biennial exhibition features outstanding artwork by students in grades 9–12. Selected artists will be showcased in a professional gallery setting, with top artists receiving special recognition and awards during the opening reception.
This celebratory event offers a unique opportunity to: View exceptional student artwork in a university gallery; Celebrate and support young artists at a pivotal stage in their creative development; Connect with fellow students, families, educators, and arts advocates; Experience the creative energy of WCSU’s Visual Arts program.
WCSU is proud to provide a platform that recognizes student achievement, encourages artistic exploration, and inspires future study in the arts. By bringing young artists into a collegiate exhibition environment, this showcase affirms the vital role of the arts in communication, community-building, and creative growth.
Come celebrate creativity, dedication, and the promise of emerging artists—all are welcome!
Exhibition Dates: May 31 – June 14, 2026
Gallery Hours:
• Tuesday–Friday: noon–4 p.m.
• Saturday–Sunday: 1–4 p.m.
Location:
The Gallery at the Visual & Performing Arts Center, Westside campus
43 Lake Avenue Extension
Danbury, CT 06811

Lessons from a Latino Professor at an HSI Community College
2026-06-05 08:30 - 10:00 | Virtual
HSI-PLC SESSION – LESSONS FROM A LATINO PROFESSOR AT AN HSI COMMUNITY COLLEGE: The HSI-PLC is a monthly online community dedicated to shared learning and engagement around Dr. Gina Garcia’s framework of Latino Servingness. This framework is of critical importance to CT State Community College as we strive to become a system that more fully supports Latine students — and, by extension, all students — in reaching college completion.
The HSI-PLC grew out of CT State’s HSI Retreat held in February 2025, which convened 125 colleagues from across the state to share best practices and deepen their theoretical and conceptual understanding of HSI work. The PLC is also a Leadership Development Project of Dr. Madeline Pérez De Jesús and Dr. Manuel Gómez as part of their year-long 2025–2026 Fellowships with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) which concludes in June.
June 5
Lessons from a Latino Professor at an HSI Community College
Dr. Francisco Medina
John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York

Join the meeting at https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_MDViNDZlODUtYmM2Mi00NDcwLTgyMTgtYzg5ZWNhMDQ0MjFj%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522679df878-277a-496a-ac8d-d99e58606dd9%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25223fe3a803-b972-4433-ba08-6d83c5e9c9ec%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=4bf4f16a-4a4a-492d-86d0-72b6c4b611e1&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true
Meeting ID: 282 702 492 668 8
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Celebration of Life for William P. Hawkins
2026-06-06 12:00 - 14:00 | VPAC lobby, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury, CT
CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR WILLIAM P. HAWKINS: There will be a reception for the Celebration of Life Memorial Event for William P. Hawkins scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. in the lobby of the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus.
Learn more at www.legacy.com/legacy/william-hawkins.

Juneteenth Celebration 2026
2026-06-19 17:00 - 21:00 | CityCenter Green, 1 Ives Street, Danbury, CT
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION 2026: Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were finally free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is the oldest nationally celebrated observance of the end of slavery in the United States and is now recognized as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a federal holiday honoring freedom, resilience, and African American history.
The Danbury Juneteenth Coalition is a collaborative, volunteer‑driven group of local organizations, community leaders, and residents dedicated to honoring this important history and celebrating Black culture in Danbury. The Coalition has organized Juneteenth celebrations for several years, bringing together partners including WCSU affiliates, CityCenter Danbury, the Greater Danbury NAACP, Salt & Light Ministries, and the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut.
Our mission is simple: Create a welcoming, community‑centered celebration that educates, uplifts, and unites.
We’re proud to continue this tradition in partnership with CityCenter Danbury for 2026. From 5 to 9 p.m. on the CityCenter Green in Danbury.
Learn more at https://cbo.io/app/public/bidapp/danburyjuneteenth

Ancell Advantage: A Blueprint to Academic and Career Success
2026-07-21 09:00 - 2026-07-23 17:00 | Westside Campus Center Ballroom, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury, CT
ANCELL ADVANTAGE – A BLUEPRINT TO ACADEMIC AND CAREER SUCCESS: Ancell Advantage: A Blueprint to Academic and Career Success is a tuition-free, three-day career development program taking place July 21-23.
This program equips students with the AI skills necessary for employment in the 21 century. During this 15-hour program, students will take part in hands-on skill-building projects to develop their technical expertise in AI-enhanced tools, including ChatGPT and PowerBI. Students will also connect with peers, faculty, and alumni in a positive and productive environment. Students will have the chance to formalize their resumes, enhance their personal brand, and participate in mock interviews.
Through hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and career-focused experiences, participants will have the opportunity to:

Build AI and professional skills using tools such as ChatGPT and PowerBI
Strengthen resumes, interviewing skills, and personal branding
Connect with alumni, faculty, and industry professionals
Earn one academic credit for full participation
Compete for scholarship and team award opportunities

This program has limited enrollment. For more information, email hemenways@wcsu.edu.
