VersoFest: “06880” Culture Correspondent’s Critique

“06880” culture correspondent Robin Moyer Chung writes:

At VersoFest’s headline concert Friday night, Westport Library executive director Bill Harmer introduced Wyclef Jean to a packed Trefz Forum, saying, “What you’re experiencing here does not exist in any other public library in this country.”

I’d argue hardly anything exists like VersoFest in any institution at all.

Each year, the days-long music festival features performances, installations, business insights and author discussions that entertain, enlighten and engage.

It has also galvanized a unique community of renowned musicians, artists, industry professionals and journalists to support VersoFest in myriad ways. At any event you’ll see legendary recording artists, transformative business professionals, and Westport’s own media stars.

And of course Grammy-winning Wyclef Jean, the powerhouse recording artist/ writer/producer, and co-founder of the Fugees.

Imagine the library packed with 800 people dancing and hollering lyrics as though they were in a place that’s not a library.

Wyclef Jean (Photo/Jerri Graham Photography)

While expertly riffing through instruments and singing hits — both his (“Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “Maria Maria”) and covers (“Jump Around”) — Wyclef’s inexhaustible exuberance emitted some sort of particle hallucinogen that caused everyone to go nuts. Even those who had quietly saved seats on the “grandstand” could hardly resist the urge to stand up and go moderately nuts.

Toward the end Wyclef welcomed kids to climb on stage and rock out with him, proving both his multi-generational appeal and his being a great guy.

Fans of all ages loved Wyclef Jean. (Photo/Jerri Graham Photography)

Saturday offered a series of talks, culminating in a performance and discussion with David J. of Bauhaus.

The first was an interview with Claire Dederer on “Monsters, a Look at What to Do with Great Art by Bad People.” In part, her book questions how we can accept artistic works as important, even masterpieces, despite the  the lascivious and sometimes criminal behavior of men who create them.

The discussion with the journalist Hilarie M. Sheets rambled for about 15 minutes before finally hitting on the subject: why the works of convicted or accused predators such as Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Picasso and Hemingway are still considered creative diadems.

A tough question to tackle, especially in our current cancel culture. The once-acceptable masculinity of Picasso and Hemingway is now often viewed as toxic. However, the nascency and naiveté of then-emerging “mass marketing” overlooked their womanizing (or worse), and promulgated their brooding character as the ideal of manliness.

Does historical context disallow cancellation? Seemingly yes, but why? In the light of #MeToo it’s important to know what we’re seeing or hearing, and understand its context.

Next, a rock star who was definitely not a monster: Tom Petty. Adria, his daughter and a well-known rock music director and managing partner of Tom’s estate, spoke with Sam Hendel, a pioneer in the music industry.

Adria Petty chats with Sam Hendel. (Photo/Kerry Long)

Adria recounted little-known stories about her dad, such as his donating all of the revenue, in perpetuity, from his hit ‘90s Christmas song, “Christmas All Over Again” to Special Olympics. And during his concerts. audience members could submit song requests by writing them on a roll of butcher paper. The band honored every request.

At one point the discussion veered dangerously into a seminar sales pitch for “uber deluxe” packages of records and random souvenirs. A Petty superfan might find merit in this but, honestly, who can blame her? We’re all selling something.

She promptly re-engaged with us though, and continued telling humorous anecdotes about her famous father, making him less an icon and more a caring, quick-witted human being.

Lastly, a woman who defended herself against monsters, actress Gina Gershon, discussed her memoir “AlphaPussy” with former CNN anchor (and Westport resident) Alisyn Camerota.

I’m not crazy about the title. True, young Gina possessed a wherewithal that many women at her age and in her situation may not have had. But that doesn’t make her “alpha” and another “beta,” as the title “AlphaPussy” suggests. I was expecting a self-aggrandizing monologue.

Gina Gershon (left) and Alisyn Camerota.

I was wrong. Gina was entertaining, and had great rapport with Alisyn. She talked about meeting Prince when he considered casting her in “Purple Rain,” and sneaking into a cinema and stumbling onto a porn flick (she grew up in the “porn capital of the world.”)

Mostly though, I loved the questions from the audience. Women asked about inner strength and initiative, viewing Gina as a warrior in a minefield of sexual judgment and assumptions.

Capping off that evening was a performance and discussion with alt-rock superstar David J. He’s credited with “spearheading the post-punk alternative music scene of the early 1980s.”

His crowd was smaller, but passionate. David received a standing ovation as soon as he walked on stage.

David J.

He read stirring poems from his new book, “Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer,” including a haunting one about meeting Kurt Cobain 2 years before his suicide. (Kurt was lying in a fetal position in his wife’s dressing room).

David then gave a heartfelt and energetic performance of a few of his popular songs, before speaking with author and documentarian Douglas Rushkoff.

Best of all, David attended almost all of VersoFest’s events over the weekend — and was impressed by every one of them.

(“06880” covers Westport’s cultural events of all kinds, plus much more. If you enjoy keeping up with all the action — before and after it happens — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)