Singing and bantering in English and Spanish (and a little Italian), José Feliciano enterained a full and adoring crowd last night, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
The historic theater was the venue for the legendary, Grammy Lifetime Achievement-winning artist. It was a benefit for the Church of the Assumption, which next year celebrates its 150th anniversary. (That’s almost as old as the 94-year-old Playhouse and 80-year old Feliciano combined.)
The guitarist was accompanied by his sons Mikey (bass) and Jonnie (drums), and a band that — along with Feliciano — played a wide range of songs, in genres including Latin, rock, blues, Motown, Dylan and jazz (plus a smooth Sam Cooke tune).
José Feliciano (right), Hawkins French (left), and 3 other musicians in the 11-member band. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The 2-hour show ended with 2 of Feliciano’s best-sellers: “Light My Fire” and (of course) “Feliz Navidad.”
He’s sung that tune at Assumption’s Christmas Mass for over 3 decades. He and his wife Susan — who took a deserved bow — have been longtime parishioners and supporters of the Riverside Avenue church.
José Feliciano and his wife Susan. (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
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If you think more people in Westport are working from home after COVID: You’re right.
According to data released by the CT Data Collaborative and AdvanceCT, and reported by CT Mirror, 36% of residents here work from home. That’s up from 15% in 2019.
Weston saw a similar increase: 39%, also up from 15%.
Meanwhile, 59 businesses opened iin Westport between 2021 and 2024. The number fwas just 30, between 2016-19.
Click here for many more statistics, available by town. (Hat tip: Peter Gold)
GG & Joe opened during the pandemic. They’ve been crushing it ever since.
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Jimmy Fallon knows tomatoes.
But Sal Gilbertie knows a lot more about them.
I’m not sure of the back story behind all this. Here though is a Gilbertie’s video starring a “celebrity tomato”:
It was followed by a Facebook video, from patriarch Sal Gilbertie (click here to see).
Both are delicious to see. (Hat tip: Mary McGee)
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The Board of Education begins meeting again on Thursday (August 21, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria), following its summer break.
The first order of business will be the introduction of its new junior student representative on the BOE: Anwara Olasewere.
Click here for the full agenda.
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Looking for a great activity for your son or daughter?
Look no further than Scouting.
Westport Troops 39 (boys) and 139 (girls) welcome new potential members and their families in grades 5-12 for homemade pizza making and a bonfire (September 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Compo Beach).
Current members and adult leaders will answer questions, and share their excitement about plans for 2025-26 They include:
- Ziplining
- Downhill mountain biking
- Camping
- Whitewater rafting
- Climbing
- A trip to Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island
- Leadership and service opportunities
- And more.
Questions? Email Troop39Westport@gmail.com.
Troops 39 and 139.
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George C. White — the driving force behind the famed Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, who died August 6 at 89 — was not a Westporter.
But he nurtured and influenced many residents.
Werner Liepolt was playwright-in-residence at the O’Neill theater — twice.
Liepolt says that Westporter Arthur Kopit was also a resident playwright. Max Wilk was a dramaturg there for several summer sessions.
And Michael Douglas — who lived with his mother on Whitney Street, in a house that Kopit later rented — was a frequent actor on the Eugene O’Neill Theater stage.
Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
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This crepe myrtle catches Topsy Siderowf’s eye, very time she passes it on Compo Road South.
She sends it along as today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo, adding, “They are more often seen in the south. But this specimen is thriving in Zone 7.”
(Photo/Topsy Siderowf)
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And finally … Bobby Whitlock — a keyboardist and singer-songwriter who helped found Derek and the Dominos, and played with stars like Eric Clapton and George Harrison — died Sunday in Texas. He was 77, and had been diagnosed with cancer.
Click here for a full obituary.
(As we gear up for the start of school, add this to your checklist: Please click here to support “06880.” We’ll keep providing all the news you need — with your help. Thank you all!)
crepe Myrtle trees are all over in North Carolina.
Thank you to Topsy for taking that beautiful photo of the Crepe Myrtle that we planted many years ago. I’m glad to hear that it brightened up someone’s day. Also I never knew that it might not do well in our cold temperatures. I’m so happy it keeps coming back every year.
That crepe myrtle is spectacular!
So glad you mentioned Bobby Whitlock. I had to prompt the NYTimes to publish his obit.
Re Jose’s church – that would be Assumption on Riverside Avenue…
I adore that tree!!!