When Natalie Cole, above,  comes to Stamford this weekend, her performance will not only be a boon for her fans, but it also will help to raise funds for Dana’s Angels Research Trust. For the past decade, the group has raised more than $2 million for research into developing therapies and a cure for Niemann-Pick type C disorder. Cole will perform at the Palace Theatre on Saturday, May 5.

Other musical acts are swinging through the area, as well, including Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo, who performs solo at Toad’s Place in New Haven on Monday, May 7, as the opener for M. Ward. West Fest with Ludacris comes to Western Connecticut State University on Saturday, May 5 — the same night jazz singer Jane Monheit performs in Ridgefield. Sugar and the Hi Lows will be at the Heirloom Arts Theatre in Danbury on Tuesday, May 8. And, Cake will be at the Palace Theater in Waterbury on Wednesday, May 9. (You can check out the video of the band’s 2002 single “Love You Madly” below.)

There is still more music to enjoy, including Brasilian Vibes in Wilton on Saturday, the Fairfield County Chorale on Saturday, the Danbury Community Orchestra on Sunday, the Connecticut Chamber Choir (also on Sunday), a gospel concert in Westport on Sunday, and a farewell concert of the Stamford Young Artists, who will honoring the group’s founder and longtime conductor, Salvatore Princiotti on Sunday.

There are a number of theatrical productions opening this weekend, too. “Sweet Bird of Youth” takes flight in New Canaan. “Red” colors Theaterworks weekend programming. “Wagner’s Dream” comes to Ridgefield through the power of technology. Fairytale characters continue to journey “Into the Woods” in Westport. Stamford’s Curtain Call takes a trip to “On Golden Pond.” The Carriage House Arts Center in Norwalk will present “And Then There Was Nun,” while Little Theatre in Newtown will “Dial M for Murder.” Meanwhile, over in Darien “The Runner Stumbles.” And in Hartford and Bridgeport “Tyler Perry’s Madea Gets a Job.”

There will be cars, cars and more cars over at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, plenty of art at the Stamford Loft Artists Gallery, lots of photos in Fairfield, loads of antiques in Ridgefield at the Community Center and plants aplenty in Greenwich and New Canaan.

Comics are coming to Connecticut this weekend. Lisa Lampanelli is in Bridgeport. Sinbad is in New Haven. And, George Lopez is in Uncasville.

With the running of the Kentucky Derby this weekend, there are a number of events planned to celebrate the day, from Derby Day at the Pequot Library to a party at Milford’s Center for the Arts.

For kids, this might be the weekend to check out marine life on Long Island Sound, farm life in Stamford, the sounds of a spring night or what’s blossoming in Ansonia.

So get on out there and enjoy.

Until next time …