In the harsh midwinter, the annual Hygienic festivities serve as a bright light of entertainment. The popular main art show and its many related events kick off this week and continue into February. Without further ado, here's a round-up of the fun to be had. 

Screening Room

7-10 p.m. Friday, Hygienic Galleries, 79 Bank St., New London

Who needs Sundance? This indie fest promises an entertaining mix of short movies (nothing longer than 10 minutes) made by emerging and established filmmakers.

— Kristina Dorsey

Hootenanny

6-10 p.m. Friday, 33 Golden Street, 33 Golden St., New London

The Hootenanny is always a highly anticipated part of Hygienic Weekend, and this year's theme is "Women: Love 'em or ..." Entertaining are Sherwood (6 p.m.), The Friendly Ghost (6:15 p.m.), Charlie & Bill Reyburn (6:40 p.m.), Nancy and Ben Parent (&7:50 p.m.), Noah Feldman (8:15) and Kevin Kane (8:40 p.m.). Admission is free; donations go toward Music in the Art Park 2016.

— Rick Koster 

Salon des Independants XXXVII

7 p.m. Saturday, Hygienic Art Galleries, 79 Bank St., New London

If you go back to the beginning of what's now affectionately known as Hygienic Weekend (or "Stink Off, Mardi Gras, We Don't Need You!"), it was all about the actual art show. It's still about the art show, it's just that the art show's so great and notorious that all this other fun has popped up around it and in thematic support. So, yes, it's time for the 37th edition of Salon des Independents proper — and you know the governing mantra, which is etched in your happy brain in even more indelible fashion than the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. To wit: "One piece per artist. No judge, no jury, no fees, no censorship." Over 400 folks are expected to contribute to the show, which remains on display through Feb. 13. Contributors can hang their work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

— Rick Koster

Young Artists Expo

Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Garde Art Gallery, 305 State St., New London (kids can drop off their art 3-5 p.m. today or 3-9 p.m. Friday)

Let the kids have their fun, too! While the Hygienic main exhibition features works by adults, the Hygienic Young Artists show gives youngsters the opportunity to have their own version. Anyone under age 14 can make and hang his or her art at the Garde gallery. There's an opening event (from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday) where youths can make art with Hygienic resident artists, and they can watch performances by Mystic Paper Beasts, storytellers and folk musicians.

— Kristina Dorsey

Ice Carnival

6-10 p.m. Saturday, Hygienic Art Park, 83 Bank St., New London

Have you noticed how, each time Hygienic Weekend draws nigh, and we need appropriate weather for the Saturday night Ice Carnival, a timely winter storm blows through? And it happened again! Even if it should all melt, though, it won't bother the tricksters, carnies, acrobats, sleight-of-hand folks, fortune-tellers and other sundry sorcerers who will gather in the Hygienic Art Park with a circus's worth's of frosty delights. Oh, and did we mention the haunted house? Yes. It's all free.

— Rick Koster

Rock Haus

7 p.m.-1 a.m., Crocker House Ballroom, 35 Union St., New London

Germany has a fine and expansive history with rock music. Think of Queensrÿche, Blue Öyster Cult, Motörhead and Mötley Crüe with those Alpine-y umlauts. Think of Scorpions and Michael Schenker! The Beatles and Nektar in Hamburg! Krautrock and Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk and Amon Düül II (bonus umlauts)! What does any of this have to do with Hygienic? Why, consider Saturday's "Rock Haus" music performances in the Crocker House Ballroom. "Haus" is very German. More importantly, seven of the region's finest acts will perform — with or without umlauts: The Cranks (7 p.m.), Ken Atkins & The Honkytonk Kind (7:45 p.m.), Straight to VHS (8:30 p.m.), Fatal Film (9:15 p.m.), N.M.E. the Illest with DJ Chum Zilla (10 p.m.), HEAP (10:45 p.m.), and The Bright Midnight (11:45 p.m.). Bonus fun: In charge of the proceedings will be Marko Fontaine, host of the illimitably great "Marko's Punk Rock Jukebox" (WCNI, WECS). The "Haus" is a presentation of head Rivergod Ben Parent on behalf of his forward-thinking Good Sponge Records outfit. There is a $10 suggested donation; beer, wine and band merchandise available for purchase.

— Rick Koster

And future weeks continue the Hygienic-connected activities with ...

Cabaret Extraordinaire, 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, 33 Golden St., New London

Fashion in the Ballroom, 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, Crocker House Ballroom, 35 Union St., New London

Hygienic Photo-Gienic, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, Expressiones, 84 Bank St., New London

Mayfly Playhouse 24, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, Crocker House Ballroom, 35 Union St., New London

Hygienic Poets, 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, Hygienic Art Gallery, 79 Bank St., New London

New kid in town: Hygienic's Sarah McKay experiences her first Salon des Independants

By Rick Koster

Day Arts Writer

Sarah McKay became general manager of Hygienic Art in late October. This means she only had three months to prepare for the organization's Salon des Independants XXXVII — the annual, massive, all-are-welcome art show with a cornucopian array of tangential activities and events — which is renowned and anticipated across southern New England.

Contextually, that's an assignment that seems like telling someone to read a book on Mardi Gras — then build the floats for Rex, Momus and Zulu, organize the parade routes, order the beads and commemorative hurricane glasses, and talk Harry Connick, Jr., into running for mayor.

And now Hygienic weekend is upon us — and McKay is happy, prepared and ready, and only very slightly nervous.

"Mostly, I'm really excited because this is a big part of what I signed up for, and people have made it so comfortable for me," McKay says. "It's so amazing to be actually involved in it, and I realize that this is something that's happened so long and it continues to happen and it continues to grow. It has its own momentum, and working with all of these wonderful volunteers has been very educational. People are passionate about it, and they know how it all works — and it's easy to see how the whole weekend takes on a life of its own."

As a longtime printmaker and painter, McKay says she's particularly jazzed to see the actual art show itself — the legendary "no judge, no jury, no fees, no censorship" exhibit that draws artists from all over southeastern Connecticut and western Rhode Island.

"I like it when artists push the boundaries a bit — and have the actual opportunity to push boundaries," she says. "I know some people will enter work under false names to feel comfortable about that." McKay laughs. "I've stopped focusing so much on my own art, but I might put something up. And, yes, it'd be under a false name. You'll never know."

McKay obviously has various duties over the course of the weekend, but they also necessarily imply that she'll get to be all over the streets.

"I'll definitely be around, popping into each of the events," she says. "What's also cool is how much the businesses in the area become part of it. They have their own events and stay open longer and ride the energy of the Hygienic. And that's important. The whole idea is about community. And if the arts can draw all of these people and make it an even bigger experience, that's what we want."

By now, folks know that "Hygienic Weekend" actually extends into next month. The art show itself is on display through Feb. 13, and the Cabaret Extraordinaire, Fashion in the Ballroom, Hygienic Photo-Gienic, Mayfly Playhouse 24 and Hygienic Poets all take place over the next two weeks.

"I'm looking forward to (those events)," McKay says, "because I'll have a little more time to enjoy them. I'm particularly looking forward to the Cabaret. It sounds very fun. I'll be there for the whole thing."