Brad Tursi rocked his return to Westport.
The Old Dominion singer/songwriter/guitarist — with a passel of Country Music Association awards — is a 1997 Staples High School graduate.
Brad was best known there as a soccer player.
But he’s honed his musical craft in the years since. Now — while still a member of Old Dominion — he’s embarked on a solo career.
Backed by a very tight 5-piece band, and hot off the release of his new “Parallel Love” album, Brad delighted a full house at the Levitt Pavilion last night.
It was the group’s first public performance, he said. And his first as a solo artist.
The Levitt was also, he noted, where he first played, with Staples friends Ryan O’Neill and Dan Asher. O’Neill (now known as Ryan Smith) joined him for a final number.
Brad bantered with the audience. Many were long-time Westport friends (and a couple of his old soccer coaches). He gave shout-outs to his mom.
It was a wonderful Westport night, with a big-time entertainer who was nonetheless thrilled to be back home.
Brad Tursi, at the Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Dan Woog)
==================================================
It’s late notice. But an event today is worth noting, even with just a few hours to go.
This afternoon (4 p.m.), Mitchells of Westport hosts a benefit for Recovery Community Development. The non-profit offers men and women in 12-step and other addiction economic programs the job skills, supportive housing and social services needed to become productive citizens in Bridgeport and Norwalk.
Guest speaker Craig Melvin — the NBC “Today” News anchor, and a Westport resident — will discuss his own family legacy of addiction and incarceration. He’ll describe the power of transformation, redemption and faith, and explore the challenges facing all dads. (He’s the father of 2 young children.) Click here for tickets.
Tony Kiniry, executive director of Recovery Community Development, spoke about the work his organization does — and previewed today’s event — at Friday’s Sunrise Rotary Club meeting. Bill Mitchell also praised RDC’s work.
==================================================
Our “06880” blog is “where Westport meets the world.”
And today we’ve got a small-world story, courtesy of Wakeman Town Farm.
The other day, on a random spot on a random island in the out-of-the-way Azores, 2 groups of travelers randomly found each other.
Ashley Constantino — a descendant of the Wakeman family, which for decades owned the Cross Highway farm property — was with one group. Alex Brandfon was with another. He spotted Ashley’s boyfriend’s WTF hoodie.
They chatted, discovered their local connection, and took this photo. WTF!
Chance encounter, in the Azores.
==================================================
Speaking of the world: Internationally renowned New York Times photojournalist (and 1991 Staples High School graduate) Lynsey Addario’s new exhibit, “RAW,” opened Friday, at Lyle & King Gallery on Henry Street, in lower Manhattan.
Dave Matlow was at the gallery yesterday. He took photos of Lynsey’s images, which were shot in Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, Kenya, Panama and many other countries.
The exhibit runs through November 9.
Lynsey Addario’s work, on display. (Photo/Dave Matlow)
==================================================
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” features our first-ever Eastern kingbird.
Naturally, the regal-looking image comes from one of our favorite wildlife photographers: Lou Weinberg.
(Photo/Lou Weinberg)
==================================================
And finally … Happy Father-Daughter Day!
(Fathers! Daughters! And everyone else! If you enjoy “06880,” please click here to help support our work. We rely almost entirely on contributions from readers like you. Thank you.)
Decked out in winter parkas my wife and I enjoyed the Brad Tursi Concert at the Levitt. A great band and Brad’s rich voice and song writing made the evening a very enjoyable one. The Levitt truly is a treasure to this town.
Funny how old memories come back to you and you remember little things on your journey. When my daughter Anna, who was in the same class as Brad at Staples, was playing soccer in the first grade, I was coaching her team. After the game we walked by a field and a bunch of boys were battling it out on the pitch of the same age level. I stopped to watch with Anna and one tall lanky boy stood out with his skills and quickness. I asked Anna if she knew who that boy was and she said his name was Brad Tursi. I said to myself that he was going to be quite a player someday.
I was correct, and in my career as a soccer official I got to officiate a number of games in which he and his classmates shined on the pitch.
So nice to see him succeed in the world of music and life.