The Yankee Doodle fair ended at 5 p.m. yesterday. The last cars cleared out of the Library/Levitt Pavilion parking lot, just as the first concert-goers arrived for the Michael Franti show.
It was a full day of fun, for all ages. Summer in Westport has begun!
Michael Franti & Spearhead. (Photo/Dan Aron)
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“06880” readers know local photographers Michael Chait and Michael Tomashefsky for their work, featured previously in this blog.
They can see more of the duo’s Westport landscapes this weekend (Saturday, June 25, 4 to 7 p.m.; Sunday, June 26, 1 to 4 p.m., Michael Chait Studio, 11 Riverside Avenue, 2nd floor).
Chait — who is known for using his camera like a paint brush — has shown his works at the Brooklyn Museum and MoMA.
Tomashefsky is an award-winning landscape and travel photographer. He has spent over 3 decades showcasing Westport’s natural beauty.
Photos by Michael Chait and Michael Tomashefsky
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Speaking of art: Linda Colletta hosts a “Stomp Out Gun Violence” fundraiser and awareness event in her studio (July 7, 7 to 9 p.m., 33 Elm Street). It’s a benefit for Moms Demand Action. The event includes guest speakers.
Eleven pairs of her Vans painting sneakers — part of her artistic process — will auctioned off. They’re mounted and encased in Plexiglas boxes.
To RSVP, email reni@lindacolletta.com.
Linda Colletta’s Vans sneakers. An integral part of her artistic process, 11 pairs will be auctioned off at the “Stomp Out Gun Violence” fundraiser. (Photo/Chloe Crespi)
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The on-again, off-again swan egg saga in the Saugatuck River downtown appears to be off again.
Amy Schneider spotted this scene yesterday. The eggs appear abandoned, and the mother is nowhere in sight.
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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When Staples High School assistant principal James Farnen moved to Westport several years ago, he inherited a garden planted by previous owner Dale Lamberty.
He continues to tend it. And every spring, he’s rewarded with roses like these — today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
(Photo/James Farnen)
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And finally … it’s hard to believe, but Brian Wilson turns 80 year old today. (I missed Paul McCartney’s 80th on Saturday).
The Beach Boys’ genius singer/songwriter/producer has had a famously difficult life. He grew with a tyrannical father; he was a perfectionist whose masterful harmonies and complex orchestrations never seemed to live up to his own high standards, and he has battled mental illness for decades.
He did not even like to surf.
But his songs live on. They sound as fresh today as they did in the 1960s. Like his influences George Gershwin, Phil Spector and Burt Bacharach, they are part of the American songbook.
Here are 5 of my favorite Brian Wilson songs. Click “Comments” to add yours.
Don’t miss the PBS documentary about Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys
If you admire his genius; playing now on PBS… and streaming online.
I’m pretty sure I set a new personal record (no pun intended) for consecutive plays of a 45 on the portable record player in my bedroom when “I Get Around” was released towards the end of 5th grade. It remains among my all-time favorite songs. Having said that, I think the most amazing song Brian wrote—or co-wrote in this instance—is “God Only Knows”: pure creative genius.
In My Room…love that song
Dale Lamberty made the most beautiful cakes! I miss her! She was an ICU nurse for many years. A very special woman! I am so glad to hear that her house and gardens are appreciated!
Sorry you didn’t offer us “California Girls.” I remember driving up the 101 (as they say out there) en route to my first academic job at UC Santa Barbara with “CG” blasting out of my car radio. I had never lived outside of New England in my life. It was like moving to the moon….
Hard to choose just one but it is easy to listen to God Only Knows.
There is no doubt in my mind that “God only Knows” is Brian Wilson’s best composition. Even Sir Paul agrees