For years, a Westport Christmas Eve highlight has been José Feliciano singing at the Assumption Church service.
The Weston resident, Grammy-winning, multi-platinum international recording star — whose “Feliz Navidad” battles Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” for most beloved holiday tune — is a longtime Assumption parishioner.
Now — on the “eve” of the church’s 150th anniversary next year — he’s helping raise $1.3 million, to preserve and enhance the historic building.
A good chunk of those funds could be raised August 15. That evening, he hosts “Feliciano & Friends,” at the Westport Country Playhouse.
Besides an incomparable concert, the event includes an auction, with an autographed guitar crafted by Cuban luthier Miguel Compañy. It’s been part of Feliciano’s collection since 1969. Bidding starts at $5,000. Click here to participate.
There is also a raffle for an Aruba getaway, and golf at Aspetuck Valley and Silvermine. Click here to purchase raffle tickets.
General admission tickets includes concert seating and access to the raffle, auction and merchandise in the lobby..
VIP admission includes premium concert seating, and a post-show event with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse, plus a meet-and-greet with Feliciano and his Friends.
Click here for tickets to “Feliciano & Friends,” and more information.
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Speaking of entertainment: Sway Wild was last ight’s featured artist, at the Levitt Pavilion.
Susan Garment captured the evening — and the entire summer concert series — perfectly:
(Photo/Susan Garment)
Upcoming shows include Hopalong Andrew (Children’s Series; tomorrow, Tuesday, 7 p.m., free); I’m with Her, with Ken Pomeroy (Wednesday, July 16, 7 p.m.; ticketed); Nellie McKay Trio (Thursday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.; free), and Pete Muller & the Kindred Souls (Friday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.; free).
Click here for tickets — including the free shows — and more information.
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Speaking of photography: The Westport Farmers’ Market Young Shoots photo contest is cooking along.
Photgraphers ages 5-18 can take shots every Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Imperial Avenuue parking lot. The deadline is August 8.
Local artists will judge the entries, by age group. There’s a show on August 20 at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center. Winners receive cash prizes.
Here’s one of the entries. It’s from Parker Toohey, in the 15-18-year-old division.
Parker sets a high standard. Fruits, vegetables, faces, action — let’s see what you’ve got!
Click here for details. The contest is a partnership between the Westport Farmers’ Market, the Artists Collective of Westport, and the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.
(Photo/Parker Toohey)
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Yesterday’s Roundup included a photo of a mailbox resting on a slab, atop a table, on Gorham Avenue. Click here, then scroll down to see.
We called it “a new of ensuring your mailbox does not get over.”
Wrong.
Mailbox owner Ed Perrault reports it had already been knocked down — by a tree branch.
Here’s the culprit:
(Photo/Ed Perrault)
Ed works quickly. Yesterday, a new mailbox was already in place.
(Photo/John McCarthy)
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Sometimes we take nature for granted.
Nikki Gorman doesn’t.
The popular pediatrician spotted this scene near Longshore. It’s perfect for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And a great reminder of the importance of celebrating scenes like this, wherever we find them.
(Photo/Nikki Gorman)
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And finally … in honor of Westport mailboxes, and all they endure (story above):
(Want to support “06880”? We have a post office box. We also accept PayPal. And Venmo. And Zelle. It’s easy … just click here, then follow the prompts. The sooner the better 🙂 Thank you!).
Nicer mailbox stand
I had my First Holy Communion at Assumption in 1954, and somewhere I actually have home movies of us marching from the school to the church. It’s amazing that this 150 year old building can be saved and Long Lots, which was built in 1953, has to be demolished!
Jack: I think the parish is 150 years old but the church on Riverside dates from 1899 or thereabouts. The first church stood up the hill from the current church on Post Road West —then likely called the Boston Post Road
Bob Grant, You’re always right!! I remember I couldn’t remember if Backiel’s Roadside Stand had gas pumps and you jogged my memory that they did. By the way, doing anything special on September 20th in Fairfield?
The Levitt is obnoxiously loud right now. 0.8 miles away and I can I can hear every word and chord.
You should remind the authorities of your historic district designation….
JK, keep fighting the anti developer fight.
Sure beats rolling over.
What you guys did was impressive but it required neighborhood unification.
Sadly I think those days in Wepo are long gone, too many third party investors.
I have no recollection of what happened but I sort of wonder if the didn’t developers get exactly what they wanted. They just figured they’d start with something obscene and get “negotiated back” to what they really wanted rather than starting with what they wanted and either being negotiated back or having to threaten something else.
Isn’t that sort of how the subdivision of the property across from Greens Farms School played out?
Some chance folks would be loving the Hamlet if ROAN started with the 500 unit 8-30g proposal. Lesson learned for future developers.
Bill, yes, that is what happened. And what 8-30g is all about.
August 15 for the Feliciano show (& a good, good use of the WCP, to boot) is The Feast of the Assumption.
!st Communion for me 1956.