In 2014, the town of Fairfield celebrates its founding 375 years ago.
And nothing says “1639” like rock ‘n’ roll, soul, jazz and show tunes.
The Fairfield Museum and History Center kicks off the 375th anniversary with a “Rockin’ Top Ten” exhibit. Among the area musicians honored: former Westporters Ashford & Simpson, and the Remains, a half-Westport band that still inspires awe nearly 50 years after touring with the Beatles.
The exhibit features rare photographs, videos and artifacts from other artists who lived next to Westport, and spent (or are spending) plenty of time here: Weston’s Keith Richards and Jose Feliciano; Wilton’s Dave Brubeck; Fairfield’s Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club), Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards Chic), and Donna Summer.
It’s safe to say that, before this exhibit, all of those names had never before appeared in the same sentence.
The Remains included Westporters Barry Tashian (3rd from left) and Bill Briggs (far left). Rock critic Jon Landau said the band was “how you told a stranger about rock and roll.”
Over the next 3 months the museum show — partially sponsored by Westporters Deej and Deborah Webb — will include musical performances, lectures, artist evenings, films and more.
It kicks off tomorrow (Thursday, January 16, 6 p.m.) with a show featuring Chris Frantz. Other events this year include appearances by Caravan of Thieves, Mystic Bowie and the Zambonis; a performance and lecture tracing the influential friendship between Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland; the story of Bridgeport’s once-famous Ritz Ballroom dance palace, and an evening with Jose Feliciano.
About the only thing missing is Hall and Oates.
(For more information click here, or call 203-259-1598.)
Wish I could be there to see this!
I hope all Westporters will cross the border into Fairfield (where, incidentally, I now live) to see these events. We’re really not as provincial as many of you think. And, while you’re here, you can try some of our great restaurants!
One of my favorite “celebrity spotting” memories from the early 1960s was bumping into Leonard Bernstein at the “Animal Inn” boarding kennel on the Post Road — he was picking up his pet cocker spaniel, and was quite dismayed at the dog’s shedding all over his jacket. Bernstein was rather shorter in person than I had envisioned him from watching him lording over the New York Philharmonic at the podium in the Young People’s Concerts on TV!
We were at the opening night reception earlier this evening. If you’re a music fan, this is well worth checking out.