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CT Humanities has awarded grants to non-profit museums, cultural organizations, humanities organizations and arts organizations. The funds will help them recover from the pandemic, connect K-12 teachers and students to strong humanities and arts content, and improve information technology and digital infrastructure.
CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants are part of $30 million allocated over the next 2 years by the state General Assembly.
Local recipients include:
- Artists Collective of Westport – $5,600
- Beechwood Arts & Innovation – $8,800
- Earthplace – $168,700
- Friends of Westport Public Art Collections – $5,900
- Levitt Pavilion – $38,500
- MoCA Westport – $65,600
- Play With Your Food – $13,000
- Remarkable Theater – $12,500
- Weston Historical Society – $10,200
- Westport Community Theatre – $7,700
- Westport Country Playhouse – $80,900
- Westport Museum for History & Culture – $26,900
- Westport School of Music – $21,800
One of many organizations earning a grant.
(Hat tip: State Senator Will Haskell)
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Too many Americans today know Paul Newman only as the popcorn guy. And not enough know his wife, Joanne Woodward.
Yet, as Variety notes: “They were a Hollywood power couple who chose to live and raise their family in Connecticut, far removed from the center of moviemaking. They were box office draws who remained true to their art, using their celebrity to finance smaller dramas and passion projects. They epitomized glamour and romance for legions of fans, but remained more devoted to social justice and philanthropy than red carpet premieres.”
A new 6-part documentary will bring their lives and legacies to light.
“The Last Movie Stars” is directed by Ethan Hawke and executive produced by Martin Scorsese. The series debuts on CNN+ later this year, and will be available on HBO Max.
No word on its content, but there’s sure to be plenty about Westport — an integral part of their lives — in at least some of the 6 parts. (Hat tips: David Roth and Kerry Long)
Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman and friend.
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Yesterday’s “06880” Roundup noted the lawsuit filed by Westport writer Ruth Shalit Barrett against The Atlantic magazine.
It’s a national story. The New York Times has covered the lawsuit. Click here to read.
And Barrett has created a website with the full complaint. Click here to see.
Ruth Shalit Barrett (Photo/Robertson Barrett, courtesy of Washington Post)
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Westporters — especially seniors and those with low to moderate incomes — can once again take advantage of the town’s no-cost full-service AARP/VITA/IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance Program.
On-site personal counseling is available by appointment at Town Hall (Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m.) and the Senior Center (Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursdays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.), starting January 24. Call 860-590-8910 for an appointment.
The service is also available through a secure internet site. Click here for an appointment.
The program is administered by Westport’s Department of Human Services.
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The 2nd of PBS’s 3 special concerts — “Stars on Stage From Westport Country Playhouse” airs this Friday night (9 p.m. ET on Channel 13; check other local listings). The series is also available on PBS.org and the PBS Video app.
Shoshana Bean is this week’s guest. The Broadway (“Wicked,” “Waitress”) and recording star taped 2 shows at the Playhouse in September.
The series — spearheaded by executive producer Andrew Wilk of Westport — debuted last week with Gavin Creel. It concludes January 21, with Brandon Victor Dixon.
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Always wanted to write your memoir?
The Westport Library and WestportWRITES sponsors a pair of workshops, with best-selling author, personal essayist and memoir writer Mary-Lou Weisman. She’s taught her craft too, at The New School, New York University and Manhattanville College, and through Westport and Norwalk continuing education programs.
The Introductory Memoir Writing Workshop meets Tuesdays (12:30 to 2:30 p.m.) from February 15 through March 29. Click here for information.
The Advanced Memoir Writing Class meets Thursdays (12:30 to 2:30 p.m.) from February 17 through May 17. Click here for information.
Mary-Lou Weisman
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There’s a bit of a back story to today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
Robin Frank reported yesterday: “Our puppy cannot go in the backyard because this raccoon has been outside our kitchen window all day.”
(Photo/Robin Frank)
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And finally … today is the birthday of Slim Harpo. The spectacularly named blues singer-songwriter and musician was born in Louisiana in 1924. He died of a heart attack in 1970, at just 46.
