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Herb Alpert is coming to town

Music icon, legendary trumpeter and bandleader, Herb Alpert, and his wife, the internationally renowned singer Lani Hall will grace the stage of The Ridgefield Playhouse on Monday, November 2, 8 p.m.  The team will bring beautifully reinterpreted standards from their first recorded project together called "Anything Goes."  The concert is part of the Danbury Audi Jazz Series.

Herb Alpert is known for his work with Tijuana Brass, his Grammy Award-winning Record of the Year "A Taste of Honey," and his 1979 solo hit "Rise." He also founded A&M records in 1962 with Jerry Moss.

Lani Hall is a Grammy Award-winning songstress known for her solo albums in English, Portuguese and Spanish that began with 1972's "Sun Down Lady."
An AllShows.com VIP Party Pass,  which includes a cocktail party, food and priority parking, plus an artist meet and greet when available, an hour prior to the event (for an additional fee), is available for this show.

For tickets ($50) and further information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call the box office at 203-438-5795; tickets may also be purchased online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street.

Gaelic Storm to play Ridgefield Playhouse

It has now been more than a decade since Gaelic Storm was catapulted out of their formative pub haunts by an appearance in the blockbuster film "Titanic," where they were cast as the "party band" in the steerage scene.  Now, the group takes the stage at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, September 20, 8 p.m. Special guests will be the Gray School of Irish Dance dancers, a group of girls 16 and younger who this year won the North American Irish Dancing  Championship.

Gaelic Storm's compelling originals and fresh arrangements steeped in Celtic traditional melody combined with their unique blend of world rhythms continue to broaden the musical horizons of the Celtic music genre creating new standards for generations to come.

Gaelic Storm released their seventh album "What's the Rumpus?" (Lost Again Records) in July 2008 with a stellar debut at #1 on the Billboard World Album Chart, #1 on the iTunes World Album Chart and #5 on the Billboard Internet Album Chart.
Inspired by the music that drives their loyal fan base, "What's the Rumpus?" is a wild party of an album, full of colorful characters and outrageous stories, flavored with Gaelic Storm's signature acoustic sound that gets you dancing and never lets you go.

For tickets ($65, $50, $45) and further information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call the box office at 203-438-5795; tickets may also be purchased online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street.

Gorka is coming to Woodbridge

Back by popular demand, legendary singer-songwriter John Gorka is returning to the New England Brewing Company (7 Selden St., Woodbridge) on Friday, August 21st at 7:00 pm for a benefit concert for Love 146.  Called the "preeminent male singer-songwriter of the New Folk Movement" by Rolling Stone, he is one of the most popular performers on the folk and acoustic music scene. Raised in Woodbridge Township in New Jersey, John is now based in Minnesota when not playing the continent's top theaters and clubs. He is currently working on his new album So Dark You See. Although it will not be released until October 13th, he will be playing some of the new songs at this August 21st concert. Tickets to the show are a $25 donation and include beer samples. For more information about the concert or to purchase tickets call 203-605-7923 or email benefitlove146@gmail.com.  

Love 146 is an organization that works to abolish child sex trafficking and exploitation through prevention and aftercare--nothing less. They work to train aftercare workers, multiply safehomes, aid socioeconomic development programs in high risk communities and provide a voice for these victims of modern-day slavery. For more information about Love 146 visit http://www.love146.org.

For more information about John Gorka's music or to set up an interview contact, Ellen Stanley at promotions@redhouserecords.com or call 651-644-4161.

Hot Tuna and Little Feat on the same bill at The Warner Theatre

An American blues-rock band that started as an off-shoot of the band Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna has performed to sold out crowds at The Ridgefield Playhouse (in fact they will be coming to the Playhouse again on November 29th) and Little Feat, best known for "Dixie Chicken," has also performed their own show at The Playhouse to sold out crowds.  Now both of these bands will be performing together on one stage for one night.  The co-bill is just too big for a place as intimate as The Ridgefield Playhouse, so The Playhouse and Premiere concerts are presenting this once in a lifetime show at The Warner Theater in Torrington.  Playhouse members still get their benefits and priority seating for this show of country blues and rock on Friday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m.

The name Hot Tuna invokes as many different moods and reactions as there are Hot Tuna fans-millions of them. To some, the group is a reminder of some wild and happy times. To others, the name will forever be linked to their own discovery of the power and depth of American blues and roots music.

Joining them is Little Feat, playing a mixture of blues, R&B, country, New Orleans funk, and rock and roll. With hits like "Dixie Chicken," "Times Loves a Hero" and "Sailin' Shoes," the Feat don't fail.  Little Feat have indeed led a storied life ever since they formed in 1969. Their unconventional signature of earthy, organic appeal and polished, first-rate musicianship wrapped around eclectic and memorable songs has been a lasting fixture on the musical landscape. As American as apple pie-and rock 'n roll itself-Feat's music transcends boundaries, a freewheeling fusion of California rock and Dixie-inflected funk-boogie.

For tickets ($76/$51) call the Warner Theatre at 860-489-7180 or go online at warnertheatre.org. The Warner is located at 68 Main Street in Torrington, CT.

B.B. King coming to Ridgefield

B.B. King's reign as King of the Blues has been as long as that of any monarch on earth. But he is still light on his feet, singing and playing the blues with relentless passion.  He will be headlining a blues festival at the Ives Concert Park (Westside campus/Western Connecticut State University) on Sunday, August 23 at 4 p.m. (gates open at 3 p.m.) presented by The Ridgefield Playhouse, Premier Concerts and Kirschner Concerts. Also on the bill are Marcia Ball, John Lee Hooker Jr., the Christopher Robin Band and Eran Troy Danner.

Soon after his number one hit, "Three O'Clock Blues," B.B. Kind began touring nationally-with Lucille, his trademark Gibson guitar, different ones to be sure over some 50 years. Borrowing from Blind Lemon Jefferson, T-Bone Walker and others, he has developed one of the world's most identifiable guitar styles, integrating his precise and complex vocal-like string bends and his left hand vibrato, both of which have become indispensable components of rock guitarist's vocabulary.

Slide Slam coming to SoNo

Two downtown SoNo galleries are teaming-up for a 2-part Slide Slam (or more accurately, a "JPG" Slam) Thursday evening August 13. Admission is FREE and all are invited. Each gallery has chosen a group of photographers who will present a body of their work in short segments at a progressive Slide Show starting at 22 Haviland Street Gallery (named for its address) 7-9 pm, and continuing across the road at The Brownstone Gallery, 119 Washington Street, 9-11pm.

 

Parking is $1/hr in the Haviland Street Parking Deck across from 22 Haviland Street Gallery. Parking is $1 after 5 pm at The Maritime Parking Garage located  at 10 No. Water Street behind The Brownstone Gallery. On-Street parking in the area is free after 6pm.

 

Guests will see a variety of fresh images by a mix of dedicated photographers - emerging, mid career, & long-time working professionals – enjoy some tasty hors d’oeuvres and have an opportunity to ask questions, listen, look, connect and get creatively recharged. At the conclusion of 22 Haviland Street Gallery’s presentation, which wraps at 9 pm, guests can WALK with other guests across the road (in under 5 minutes) to The Brownstone Gallery at 119 Washington Street in the heart of the commercial nightlife of dining & drinking SoNo – for a continuation of the Slide Slam.

The 2 Galleries and some of the Slide Slam Photographers:

Earl Klugh to play at FTC

By TREVOR SYLVESTRO

Grammy Award winning guitarist Earl Klugh returns to Connecticut to bring his solo guitar artistry to Stage One in Fairfield for An Intimate Evening with Earl Klugh. This is Earl's first solo performance in Connecticut following his 2009 GRAMMY® Nomination for The Spice of Life in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category.
 
An Intimate Evening with Earl Klugh showcases Earl's virtuosity at its finest.  "For me, solo performances are the most challenging," says Klugh. "Without a band you have the ability to use your imagination more, change time signatures, key, tempo, style, or anything that comes to mind.  The only limitation is your own ability to execute your ideas." 
 
Klugh's latest release, The Spice of Life, is his first full-production album in nine years following his Grammy-nominated solo release, Naked Guitar.  Rick Nowlin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes, "I've listened to a lot of the Detroit-born-and-bred acoustic guitarist...and I must admit I've never heard him sound this good...I can only say, 'Wow!'"  The Post Gazette also hailed Klugh's performance in Pittsburgh last August as their "Best Jazz Concert of 2008."

Celebrate the Burning of Fairfield

By LAURA ROBERTS

On July 7, 1779 the people of Fairfield awoke to a warning shot from the fort at Black Rock; a British fleet was spotted off the coast.  For two days Fairfield was under British attack with troops burning virtually all its buildings in the down town area.  This year is the 230^th anniversary of this devastating attack and the Fairfield Museum has a series of special events planned to commemorate this dramatic moment in Fairfield’s history.

A new exhibit, “Reduced to Ashes – the 1779 Burning of Fairfield,” opens June 21, allowing viewers to learn about spying, privateering, and kidnappings leading to Fairfield’s burning. Discover why Fairfield was a British target and read eyewitness accounts of their traumatic invasion. Understand the magnitude of the town’s losses and how the residents rebuilt from the ashes.

“Beyond the exhibit, which is a great opportunity to learn how our region played a role during the American Revolution, the museum is offering a series of wonderful experiences to interact with these stories,” said Michael Jehle, the museum’s executive director.  “You can follow the route the British marched, visit the tavern where George Washington witnessed the devastation, and even cruise Black Rock Harbor while learning about patriot pirates and spies.  Don’t miss the event of the season, Tavern Night at the Sun Tavern on July 11,where you can mingle with Washington himself.”

Sculptor exhibit at the Barnum

The Society of Connecticut Sculptors (SCS), an association of sculptors whose work is derived from and inspired by the real world, is hosting a few free events surrounding the exhibition, “From Models to Monuments,” open now through June 28 in the People’s United Bank Gallery at the Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport.

 

On Wednesday, June 10 from noon to 1:30 p.m. there will be a round table discussion about the various works in the exhibition by the following sculptors: Stop in to learn the techniques, creative processes and much more from these prominent sculptors: Lea Ann Cogswell, Steffi Friedman, Lloyd Glasson, Rosemary Gurpide, Helene Johnson, John Molloy III, Philis Raskind, and Susan Zurles.

Brooklyn is coming to Bridgeport

City Lights and Co., downtown Bridgeport’s community arts center and gallery, is pleased to present INDOOR/OUTDOOR on May 30 & 31, 11 am to 4 pm.  This arts showcase will kickoff the summer-long Sweetport Art, Music and Heritage Festival.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR will expand upon Sweetport’s tradition of innovative music programming.  McLevy Green will once again host the Main Stage, featuring such area acts as Caravan of Thieves, The Zambonis, St. Bernadette, M.T. Bearington and Cosmic Jibaros between 2:00-9:00 pm.  Special guest band is Mates of State who will perform at 6:00 pm.  Music will also be hosted that evening at establishments in Bijou Square on Fairfield Avenue.

 

French Masters exhibit at Westport River Gallery

The Westport River Gallery is now exhibiting a collection of original oil
paintings by International French Masters Elisabeth Estivalet and Stephane
Bulan. Both artists works are collected worldwide, and both have had
numerous international shows and won numerous awards.

Westport River Gallery is at One Riverside Avenue in historic Westport,
Conn., USA. It is open 11-4:30 Wednesday through Friday;  11-5 pm Saturday;
and noon-5 pm Sunday. Phone is 203-226-6934; WestportRiverGallery.com.

New show at The Gallery at Black Rock

MINISTERS OF FUNK

Frank Foster Post

 

  Frank Foster Post is an award winning artist and musician He has exhibited in NYC and Ct. As a musician, he has performed extensively in the United States and Europe.

   Beginning his art career as a photo realist, his work has been stripped down and evolved into what he calls "toon". He uses original cartoon-like imagery to convey the human experience. The universal experience. Post says," My gauge for a decent piece of art is whether a person, no matter where they live, can identify with the piece."  The "toon" paintings are bright, colorful and seem to tap into a collective energy that people of all ages respond to.

  The exhibit at The Gallery At Black Rock is divided into two rooms. The first room has  paintings of

"Angel-o," Post's alter ego, as well as other related images. The second room is a universe of characters that are funny and compelling - "Ministers of Funk."       

 

The Wiz returns to Bridgeport

Due to popular demand, Playhouse on the Green, Bridgeport's not-for-profit community theater, has extended the run of its production of the Tony Award® winning musical THE WIZ for three additional performances: Friday, May 15 at 8PM; Saturday, May 16 at 8PM; and Sunday, May 17 at 3PM. The show, which opens Friday, April 24, already has had an overwhelming response at the box office. The 1975 contemporary re-telling of The Wizard of Oz has music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown, who, for this production only, granted permission for the story to be set in Bridgeport.

Producing Artistic Director, Matt Schicker, said of the extension: "We are so excited that the Greater Bridgeport area has embraced this production in such a big way. It is wonderful that a Bridgeport-themed version of this feel-good musical is bringing the community out to support the Playhouse."

A cast of more than 30 actors, singers, and dancers from the area portray the familiar characters of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Lion, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the rest in this version of L. Frank Baum's classic American tale featuring gospel, soul, and r&b styled music.

Randy Burns to play Exit Coffeehouse

Friday night, March 6^th, Singer/Songwriter Randy Burns comes back to New Haven.  Randy began his performing career at The Exit Coffeehouse in New Haven - 1965, when folk music was king.  In 1966, Randy went to Greenwich Village to join the urban folk revival.  In a short time, he was permanent opening act at The Gaslight Café on MacDougal Street.  In New York, he recorded three albums for a legendary underground label called ‘ESP Disk’…with The Fugs, Sun Ra and The Pearls Before Swine. As the folk revival was fading in New York, Randy released albums on Mercury and Polydor Records, played all the best clubs in the country, and always called New Haven his home. He’s played with everyone, sang across Ireland twice, and was a fixture in The New Haven music scene for decades.  With a new CD out on MusicMaker, and several other projects in the works, Randy Burns makes his first appearance in New Haven in many years.  If you were around New Haven in the 60s, 70s and 80s…you’ve probably heard stories or have your own stories about him.  They’re still true.        

 March 6th. at 8:00 P.M.  Presented by New Haven Folk at First Presbyterian Church, 704 Whitney Avenue (corner of Whitney & Huntington), New Haven, CT. Tickets $16 in advance online.   For more information and to purchase tickets online go to http://www.ctfolk. com/

Concert scheduled for Saint John's

THE SPIRIT OF ORTHODOXY CONCERT

 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND AT 5:00 P.M.

 

St. John's Episcopal Church
768 Fairfield Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604

(203) 335-2528
rector@saintjohnbridgeport.org

 

 

Acoustic Celebration at Saint Stephen's

North Hall, St Stephen’s Episcopal Church will be the location for the Acoustic Celebration’s Feb.8 concert with Martyn Joseph, a Welsh artist with a huge Canadian following who is regarded as “a superb troubadour” with "one of Europe’s finest voices" Edmonton Journal (Alberta).  According to BBC 1 Joseph has built a fan base in both the United Kingdom and Canada that it likens to a "cult following."  Those who have had the chance to hear him on this side of the border understand why.   Joseph is a compelling songwriter whose themes are universal: faith, justice, peace, family and home.

Tom Pacheco to perform in Ridgefield

Acoustic Celebration singer/songwriter series resumes January 25th at 4:00PM in the library at 46 Peaceable Street, Ridgefield (Temple Shearith Israel) with performance by Tom Pacheco who was recently nominated by Folkwax for artist of the year.  Other nominees include  Pete Seeger and Fred Eaglesmith.  Tickets are $15 in advance at www.acousticcelebration.org or at Ridgefield Music, 19 Governor St. Ridgefield.  $20 at the door.  For more info call 203 431-6501 

Tom Tom Club to perform holiday show

Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth are pop music icons. As founding members of the incredibly influential Talking Heads, they helped define the sonic landscape for an entire generation. A wild, hedonistic combination of rock, pop, funk, disco, jazz and whatever else popped into their head at the time, the Talking Heads threw caution to the wind and ended up becoming one of the great rock bands of all time. They’ve inspired everyone from rockers Widespread Panic to hardcore rapper, and Law & Order regular, Ice-T.  While the band no longer formally exists, the Talking Heads played together at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the band in 2002.

 

Frantz and Weymouth grew restless with the band’s long stretches of inactivity (eventually, with Jerry Harrison, recording a Talking Heads album without Byrne called No Talking, Just Heads!)  One of the products of this restlessness is their side project, Tom Tom Club.

 

A more rhythm-based version of some of the sounds previously on display in the Talking Heads, the new band was an instant sensation.  Tom Tom Club was far weirder and, conversely, wildly more pop-oriented than the Talking Heads ever were.  They brought the house down in the punk bars and dance clubs.

 

The twinkling synthesizer, disco echoes and lyrics, sung by Weymouth in a lazy rap style not unlike Blondie, contributed to a wholly unique sound that is endlessly imitated today.  Tom Tom Club is also sampled by almost everyone – Redman, Grandmaster Flash and Mariah Carey are just a few of the names.  Their classic hit “Wordy Rappinghood” is covered by ever be hip indie band, to the point that it is almost a rite of passage. The results are always interesting.

 

The Tom Tom Club lineup has mutated and changed shape over the years but Weymouth and Frantz have remained the band’s core musical force, completing five studio albums and one live album.  They also appeared on the groundbreaking debut album from animated pop band Gorillaz – all the while residing in our quaint hamlet of Fairfield, Connecticut.

 

At StageOne they are putting their individualistic stamp on that old staple – holiday music. For three nights Tom Tom Club, together with opening act Caravan of Thieves, will present a wild and wonderful holiday show that will give new meaning to the words jingle bell rock. The show promises to incorporate all of their past Tom Tom Club hits as well as interpreting classic holiday songs to make an irresistible, one-of-a-kind Christmas bash.

 

Want a place to have your office Christmas party? Want to impress on a first date? Want a place to have the holiday spirit thrust into you with a little bit of rock’n’roll edge? Then this is the show for you. See you there – sleighs permitting.  

Date: Thursday, December 18^th; Friday, December 19^th; and Saturday, December 20th

Time: 7:30 pm show, doors open at 7 pm, box office opens at 5:00 pm day of show

Ticket Price: $42/ FTC Members $5 discount

Buy tickets at: www.fairfieldtheatre.org or call the box office 203-259-1036

Location: FTC at the Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave.; Bridgeport, CT 06605

Jay and the Americans to play East Windsor in Gene Pitney tribute

JAY AND THE AMERICANS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SOMERS SCHOOLS, NOV. 1
(Group available for advance interviews)

JAY AND THE AMERICANS  will be performing for the Somers Education Foundation, at La Renaissance Banquet House, 53 Prospect Hill Road, Route 5, in East Windsor, CT, on November 1 at 7:30 PM.    Also on the bill is master of ceremonies Dave Madsen, news anchor for WGBY Channel 40 and comedian Joe Vega.

This concert honors the late Gene Pitney, who went to school in Somers. 

Gifted in Design show in South Norwalk

22 Haviland Street Gallery presents "PRESENCE: 7 Gifted in Design", group show of fine design in photographic books and photographic prints (including platinum/palladium) by Rod Cook, Alan Shulik, and Marjorie Wolfe, ceramics by Karen Ford and Trevor Youngberg, pure pigment prints and wearable art by Leslie Giuliani, hand-crafted clothing by Japanalia. Free reception Thursday, Oct 16,  6-9pm at the gallery at 22 Haviland Street in South Norwalk, one block south of Washington Street. Gallery hours are Fridays 6-9pm and Sat/Sun 1-5pm and by appointment; (call) 203 852-6727 for information. Oct. 16 - Nov. 9.