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Lynsey Addario has been in the news a lot lately. The 1991 Staples High School graduate and Pulitzer Prize winning/MacArthur fellow photojournalist has taken harrowing photos of Ukraine, for the New York Times. Earlier this week, she gave an insightful interview to Katie Couric.
Lynsey has been doing great work for years. And in January — several weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine — the Westport Library featured a special exhibit of her photos.
“Veiled Rebellion: Women of Afghanistan” began with a 2009 assignment from National Geographic.
Cultural and societal taboos make it extremely difficult to photograph women in that conservative country. But Lynsey persevered, gaining trust and shooting remarkable, intimate images. They cover home, work, religious and recreational life.
The exhibit is on display in the entrance gallery through June 15. They’re just part of the 34 photos that Lynsey donated to the Westport Public Art Collections.
Lynsey Addario’s “Veiled Rebellion” exhibit at the Westport Library.
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And speaking of Lynsey Addario: Here is a photo she took yesterday, at President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press conference in Kyiv.
A good picture tells 1,000 words. This one speaks volumes.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, at his press conference yesterday in Kyiv. (Photo/Lynsey Addario for The New York Times)
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Tyler Hicks — Lynsey’s New York Times colleague, and a 1988 Staples graduate — continues to capture compelling photos as well.
This was shot yesterday in Dachne, a village near Odessa. Bombs at midday killed one person there.
(Photo/Tyler Hicks for The New York Times)
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One more sign we’re emerging from the pandemic: The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce and Westport Library are bringing back “Supper & Soul.”
The first dinner and concert event in 2 years is set for Saturday, May 7. Cris Jacobs — a Blues Views & BBQ favorite — presents a concert in the Library Forum, following dinners at various restaurants throughout downtown.
Participating downtown restaurants are 190 Main, Amis, Arezzo, Basso, Capuli, De Tapas, Don Memo, Manna Toast, Spotted Horse, Wafu and Walrus Alley.
One ticket buys a 3-course meal at any of 11 participating restaurants, plus the concert — and happy hour-priced drinks afterwards, at any of those restaurants.
Tickets are $90 per person; concert-only tickets are $40. For more information and tickets, click here.
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Money. It’s what makes Westport (and the world) go round.
Want to be entertained, educated and empowered about it?
Check out Galia Gichon’s new podcast: “The Fiscal Firecrackers.” The 20-year finance industry veteran, with an MBA in finance — and a Westport mom — has teamed up with comedic actress Susan Yeagley (Jessica Wicks on “Parks and Recreation”) and Jill Leiderman (a producer with Jon Stewart, David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel).
It’s available wherever you get your podcasts.
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Punk is coming to MoCA.
In fact, “Punk Coming” is the name of the local museum’s next exhibition. A diverse group of photographers, filmmakers and artists whose work defined the punk era in 1976 New York City, as well as contemporary works heavily influenced by the movement, kicks off with an opening reception on March 26 (6 p.m.)
The show runs through June 5. It features over 30 artists with additional programming, events and concerts throughout the spring.
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Suzanne Sheridan grew up on protest music.
On Saturday, March 12 her Westport-based Suzanne Sheridan Band performs at the Unitarian Church’s Voices Café (and via livestream), . They’re dedicating the concert to “the freedom-loving people of Ukraine.”
On the bill: favorite songs from the likes of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and others.
All proceeds will go to Save the Children, to provide food, water, clothing, medical supplies, emergency assistance and toys to Ukrainian refugees entering Poland, Romania and Lithuania. Click here for tickets, and more information.
Suzanne Sheridan
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Artist/author/naturalist James Prosek spent years trespassing on the Aspetuck Reservoir.
On April 6 (7 p.m., Westport Library), he turns that experience into this year’s Aspetuck Land Trust Caryl and Edna Haskins Lecture. In “Trespassing and Conservation,” Prosek will talk about how growing up near the reservoir shaped his appreciation of the natural work, his career, and his art. Click here for tickets, and more information.
James Prosek
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Tomorrow’s rally in support of Ukraine (Saturday, March 5, 11 a.m. Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge), includes a silent auction of 3 native hand-embroidered shirts.
Proceeds will go to 2 aid organizations: Save the Children, and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. A QR code will be available to help with the bidding.
One of the 3 Ukrainian shirts.
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There’s nothing like a comedy/drama about midlife crises and aging parents.
Westport Country Playhouse’s next Script in Hand play reading tackles those subjects. “Dot” is set for Monday, March 14 (7 p.m., live) and on-demand streaming (March 17 through 20).
Script in Hand shows offer intimate storytelling. Professional actors bring words to life, without sets or costumes.
The Playhouse describes “Dot”:
In their West Philadelphia home the Shealy family, headed by proud, lovable matriarch Dot, is ready to celebrate the Christmas holiday. But the family must grapple with more than exchanging presents as Dot’s memory is beginning to slip.
While her 3 grown children reunite, each with their own personal challenges to attend to, they must also struggle with how to best care for their mom as she faces the difficulties ahead.
For tickets and more information click here, call 203-227-4177 or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org.
“Dot” playwright Colman Domingo
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Longtime Westporter Elizabeth Izzo Petretta died peacefully at home on Monday. She was 85.
Born in Caserta, Italy to Luigi and Maria Izzo, she and her family moved to Westport in the 1950’s. That’s where she married her beloved husband, Rocco Petretta.
With Elizabeth’s support, Rocco’s Restaurant was established in 1975 on the Post Road. She worked there for many years.
She enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, sewing and crocheting. She especially loved spending time in her garden. She loved to take care of others, always with a smile. She was her happiest when she was with her family.
Her faith was extremely important to her. She was a lifelong parishioner and volunteer at Assumption Church.
She is survived by her husband Rocco and their daughters Emily (Vinny) Engongoro and Michelle Hankey; grandchildren Christopher Engongoro, Chloe and Olivia Hankey; siblings: Angelina (Joseph) Carusone of Verona, Italy, Josephine Bertoldo of Meriden, Antonia Prentice of Monroe, Anthony (Margie) Izzo, of Tar Heel, North Carolina, Jospeh Izzo and Ann Izzo of Westport, and her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated this Saturday (March 5, 10 a.m. at Assumption Church. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolences for the family may be left online.
Elzabeth Petretta
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On Tuesday, a flock of robins visited Elisabeth Keane’s yard, off South Compo.
“They did not faze the woodpecker who is here every day,” she reports, as she sends along today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo.
(Photo/Elisabeth Keane)
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And finally … on this day in 1837, the city of Chicago was incorporated.
Condolences to Rocco. My wife and I were regular patrons of his Post Road restaurant back in the early 90’s when we were courting. Rocco kind of took us under his wing when he found out we were engaged, and he started treating us as though we were members of his own family.
We were getting married at Christ and Holy Trinity Church here in town, and the only place we wanted to have the reception afterwards was at Rocco’s restaurant up the street. He shut down the place for us and put on a fabulous spread that day. It was the perfect climax to what had already been a memorable day for us and our families.
We haven’t seen Rocco in years now, but we’re happy to learn he’s been living well. He’s been fortunate to have had such a lifelong partnership, and we wish him well.