Clover Farms (now Stew Leonard’s) had a milk vending machine on Riverside Avenue. Il Pastaficio has a machine that sells fresh pasta — the first in the world, owner Federico Perandin says.
So it should be no a surprise that Temple Israel has launched the world’s first Jewish vending machine.
But it is.
Rabbi Michael S. Friedman calls the machine “a one-stop shop for living a Jewish life. It puts Jewish rituals in easy reach, providing a simple yet profound way to engage with Jewish tradition.”
The machine vends a variety of Jewish items, from Shabbat candles and mezuzah scrolls to Israeli snacks.
Assistant Rabbi Zachary Plesent adds, “At Temple Israel, we’re not just embracing innovation; we’re making it a tangible part of our community. This Jewish vending machine physically manifests our commitment to making Jewish tradition accessible to everyone.”
Everyone is invited to see and enjoy the Jewish vending machine. It’s inside the building, near the stairs.
Rabbi Michael Friedman, with the world’s first Jewish vending machine.
“Along the Lines” — the Connecticut Department of Transportation podcast — recently hosted Matt Pentz.
The Norwalk Transit District CEO discussed “micro-transit” — including its place in Westport. (Norwalk Transit operates Westport’s buss.) Click here to listen. (Hat tip: Sal Liccione)
If you love remember and/or love Coney Island — and who doesn’t? — you’ll enjoy Robin Jaffee Frank’s 2-part look at the historic site.
On April 4 and 11 (6:30 p.m.), she’ll be at the Westport Museum for History & Culture. Her talks are in conjunction with the museum’s “Playful Pastimes” exhibit.
Building on Frank’s exhibition and book “Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland,” Frank will explore Coney Island’s appeal as a subject for artists and filmmakers, from the Civil War to today.
“Their visions of Coney Island imagined the future and later recalled the past, conveying changing ideas about leisure, and exploring the mixing of people of different races, ethnicities, classes, and sexual orientations, transcending social boundaries,” Frank says.
Three of Artists Collective of Westport member Béatrice Crane-Baker’s works have been chosen for a Connecticut Center for Contemporary Printmaking show in Norwalk. It runs from June through August.
When it closes some of the prints may go the Litho Werkstatt in Berlin, part of a swap arrangement between the German gallery and the printmaking non-profit.
And finally … when you saw “Coney Island,” you knew this was coming, right?
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The other day, alert and longtime “06880” reader Scott Smith tromped around one of Westport’s most historic sites: the “Meeting House” land, where the original Green’s Farms Congregational Church was located. It was there that the West Parish of Fairfield grew and flourished, on its own.
Today the site is off the Sherwood Island Connector, just beyond the I-95 commuter parking lot.
This 1933 map of Greens Farms by George Jennings shows the meeting house across from the burial ground near Greens Farms Road, West Parish Road and Center Street.
Digging into the subject, Scott found that — years ago — a plan was developed by Westport’s Historic District Commission to create an interpretive trail there.
“Like so many other well-intentioned local improvement schemes, it is just gathering dust in some Town Hall office,” Scott laments.
A vision of a possible “West Parish Meeting House” Historic Site, from the Historic District Commission brochure.
“But maybe 06880 readers will be as curious about the site’s potential as I am.”
Scott writes:
For all the chest-thumping we Westporters do about our rich history and vaunted sense of “place,” I find it odd that so little attention is paid to the earliest traces of our beginnings.
I’m talking about the West Parish Meeting House that was constructed in 1737 at what is now the corner of Greens Farms Road and the Sherwood Island Connector, opposite the Colonial Cemetery established even earlier.
Though it was erected nearly a century after the 5 Bankside Farmers and their families first settled on the fertile coastal upland between Sasco and New Creek in 1648, this ground and its forgotten structure seem to be regarded as the foundational heart of our community.
Some years ago, I tried to explore the setting with my then-young son. We parked in the commuter lot and hiked over to the field where I’d heard the Meeting House once stood, until it was burned by the retreating British in 1779.
I don’t know what I was thinking. Maybe I thought we’d stumble upon the charred remains of the foundation, or kick up an old glass bottle or shard of a clay jug.
We didn’t make it far, defeated by swampy marshland and thick brambles.
Which is why I was intrigued to see the other day that the overgrown field has been bushwhacked back to stubble.
The entrance to the Meeting House site …
I pulled my car off to the side of the road near a gate of the enclosing stone wall, and wandered across the 5.9-acre property. Squat concrete posts, 2 feet high and set about 30 paces apart, mark 4 corners, likely of the original structure.
… and one of the concrete posts. (Photos/Scott Smith)
What I also see in this empty lot is a blank slate to recreate something new. Perhaps it’s an interpretive trail that explains more of the history of these colonial settlers, ideally including stories of the native inhabitants they replaced (sometimes by force). Their absence from our collective memory is even more stark.
By the time of widespread European contact in the early 1600s, the Algonquian tradition characterized Fairfield County. The Westport area was further defined as the Paugussett/Pootatuck group, though there were many dialects and sub-groups …
The Uncowa occupied territory west of the Pequonnock to Southport. The Sasqua occupied lands about the Great Swamp and Sasco Creek. The Maxumux occupied the lands west of Sasco Creek to Compo, extending inland to the Aspetuck River. The Compaw occupied the lands between Compo and the Saugatuck River. West of the Saugatuck were the Norwalk people. North, along the Aspetuck River, were the Aspetuck.
One of the very few reminders of the first residents of this area is Machamux Park, on Greens Farms Road near I-95. (Photo/Fred Cantor)
That’s a lot of people, and a lot to unpack. Perhaps the Meeting House is the place to do it, paying appropriate homage to all who lived and met here long ago.
I’m a big fan of Westport’s open spaces and pocket parks. A model for a reimagined Meeting House Historic Site would be the Mill Pond Preserve, with its native plantings, benches, and signage displaying historic and wildlife information. It was designed and built by a volunteer committee that still actively maintains it.
Details of the proposed plan.
As it always comes down to parking, there would be plenty for school groups and others at the Meeting House if the state lends access to the commuter lot.
Wouldn’t that be a fitting future for one of Westport’s oldest past places?
(The Historic Site was designated as a State Archaeological Preserve in 2010. Details about the original building are found in this Westport Historic District Commission brochure. A fuller preservation and cultural landscape assessment plan may be found here.)
The Historic District Commission’s proposed “ghost structure.”
(“06880” is Westport’s hyper-local blog. We cover our town’s present, future — and past. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Albion Vu is a multi-disciplinary artist, based in New York, Martha’s Vineyard and Miami.
The other day, he visited Westport for the first time. He found beauty and inspiration all around town, in a variety of angles and shapes. Here is some of what he saw:
Tonight is the night for a forum on “Addressing Incidents of Antisemitism and Bias in our Schools” (Wednesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m., Temple Israel).
The event — including educators, clergy and community leaders — will provide an opportunity to share best practices for preventing and responding to identity-based bullying in public schools. A Q-and-A session will follow.
Originally scheduled for February, the forum was postponed by snow.
Click here to attend in person (pre-registration is required). Click here to watch via livestream. Click here to watch via livestream.
Several big capital spending projects loom in Westport.
What are the rationales, goals and processes?
Town Hall and Westport Public Schools leaders share insights on March 26 (7 p.m., Westport Library) in a community conversation.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker and Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice will present their capital spending strategies and rationales. A panel of experts will discuss possible funding strategies, capital planning best practices, and the approval process for achieving capital spending goals. An audience Q-and-A session will follow.
The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Westport, and the Westport Library’s Common Ground initiative.
Longshore is one of several large capital projects planned for the future.
Congratulations to the Staples High School Model UN Club.
Inklings reports that 16 delegates attended the recent National High School Model UN Conference in New York.
Staples delegates represented South Africa in 8 committees, debating topics like healthcare and renewable energy.
Club president Tucker Peters and vice president Jameson Russell were given the Commission on Science and Technology for Development’s Awards of Distinction, the highest possible award.
Alessandra Spadea, Jori Altman, Mia Bomback and Graysen Peters earned Awards of Merit for their contributions in the UN Human Rights Council and International Organization for Migration, respectively.
Jacob Calandro and Julien McMahon received Awards of Excellence for the Commission on Crime Prevention and Justice.
Staples’ Model UN Club, at the real UN. (Photo/Mia Bomback)
From a quick glance at this photo, it looks like just some guy playing piano at last night’s Artists Collective of Westport pop-up gallery opening party.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
But look closely. “That guy” is Mark Naftalin. A spectacularly talented keyboardist, he played with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band — and was inducted with them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
It did not take long for the large crowd to realize they were in the presence of greatness — musically, as well as artistically.
Attendees of all ages gathered around the piano, as the famed Westport resident played blues, boogie-woogie, and lots more — just like he was back on stage at Monterey.
Mark Naftalin: a master at work. (Photo/Tomoko Meth)
But plenty of Westporters are members of the 75-year-old organization.
And sure, they’ll all be there this St. Patrick’s weekend to celebrate.
You’re invited too!
From Friday to Sunday (March 15-17; $10 non-members), Irish and non-Irish alike* will enjoy live music from a pipe band, with step dancers; corned beef sandwiches and more.
As our national mental health crisis escalates, TAP Strength — the individualized coaching center in downtown Westport — is offering an intriguing discussion.
“Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy” features a discussion with Jennifer Boyd, a physician assistant, ecopsychologist and Reiki master. TAP founder Dr. EJ Zebro will moderate.
The event is March 26 (6-7 p.m., 180 Post Road East). Proceeds from the suggested $25 donation will go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Westporter Atara Nova’s unique “Cosmic Misfit” concert and one-woman show of all original music heads to Newtown’s Sticks & Stones Farms this Saturday (March 16, 7 p.m.).
Organizers say: “As the music from pulsating beats to haunting melodies unfold, you’ll embark on a journey woven with intricately layered harmonies and rhythms, each reflecting a chapter of Atara’s profound inner quest.
“The music tells a story of Wetiko, a deadly virus of the mind, and one celestial being’s quest to heal herself and her community.”
Tickets are $22 (sliding scale available). Click here to buy, and for information.
PS: If you haven’t heard of Atara Nova, you may know her as Atara Horrigan.
And finally … in honor of Mark Naftalin, last night’s featured musician at the Artists’ Collective of Westport gallery opening (story above):
(Today — as every day — “06880” is “Where Westport meets the world.” But we couldn’t do it without our readers’ support. Please click here to contribute. Thank you very much!)
Yesterday’s rain was an annoyance to many Westporters.
To residents of Saugatuck Shores, it meant another high tide flood.
This was the scene looking north on Canal Road:
(Photo/Matt Fortuna)
A few hours later, Canal Road looked like this:
(Photo/Yulee Aronson)
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The Brubeck Brothers Quartet rocked the Westport Library last night, for a special fundraiser. Proceeds support the Library’s vast array of free programs and offerings.
The Brubeck Brothers Quartet is led by Chris (bass and trombone) and Dan Brubeck (drums), sons of the jazz legend who lived in Wilton. They recorded their first album in 1966. Rounding out the group is guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb.
Chris told stories about the family. Home movies added to the warm atmosphere.
The group has performed across North America and Europe, including Newport, Detroit, Montreal, The Hollywood Bowl, and Monterey Jazz festivals.
Now they can add the Westport Library to the list.
Brubeck Brothers Quartet, at the Westport Library. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
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Last year, 7-year-old Evelyn Sullivan was a leading participant in the Westport Weston Family YMCA Race4Chase triathlon training program. It honors Chase Kowalski, a victim of the Sandy Hook shooting.
Head coach Robin Myers worked with Evelyn and 18 other youngsters, strengthening their swimming, biking and running skills, while they enjoyed team building and learned about nutrition.
Evelyn and her mother Sarah raised over $700 for the Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski Foundation. Illness and bad weather kept her from her first 2 triathlons, but she’s resilient. She’s ready for this summer.
The Race4Chase program returns to the Y this summer — at no cost to participants. It runs 5 days a week from June 24 to August 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, and registration, click here.
Westport Y 2023 Race4Chase triathlon program participants.
Sure, the new apartments going up on Wilton Road at Kings Highway North corner have everyone talking about the massive change coming to the already congested intersection, a few yards from wetlands.
But it wouldn’t be worth an “06880” photo without the massive amount of utility lines, hanging all around the site.
In the waning days of winter, “Northern Lights” come to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.
That’s the name of a concert this Friday (March 15, 7:30 p.m.). It features choral and bell music inspired by the Northern Lights, stars and sky, plus music and composers from northern countries.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door; click here to purchase. Children and students are free.
I’ve written before about the move of Saugatuck Congregational Church.
The building where Westport was founded — in 1835, a group of residents sat in its pews, to create a new town from parts of Norwalk, Weston and Fairfield — seems to sit on a perfect New England site: behind a broad lawn, a few yards from the middle of downtown.
But its original location was across the street, and up a hill — where the Shell gas station is now, next to the Fairfield County Bank building I have never seen anyone go into or come out of.
(The new site had previously been only the church parsonage. That house, and 8 acres of land, had been a gift from Morris K. Jesup in 1884.)
In the early dawn of August 28, 1950 the Post Road (then called State Street) was blocked. 500 men, women and children gathered for a service of prayer and thanksgiving.
V-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y — at 60 feet per hour — the 200-ton church was moved down a 19-foot incline on 55 logs, which revolved under runners. “This is more fun than a cocktail party!” one “Westport matron” told Life magazine.
Life Magazine chronicled the church move in its September 11, 1950 issue.
Photos of the event now hang proudly in the church.
(They also line the front hall of the Westport Woman’s Club, where — a couple of weeks after the church trek — the 2nd, less famous Sunday school building was cut in half. The 2 sections made their own journey west, and were joined together to form what is now Bedford Hall, at the WWC clubhouse on Imperial Avenue. Frederick Bedford paid half the cost of the $20,000 purchase, moving and renovation price.)
Life Magazine ran photos of Bedford Hall being moved from the Post Road to Imperial Avenue.
As I said, I’ve written about both moves before.
But a couple of days ago, I saw — for the first time — a film of the church move.
James Orr posted a YouTube video to Facebook. Silently — but in color (!) — we see the preparation work, the move, a service on the new lawn, even a shot of the new church months later, blanketed in snow.
It’s a fascinating look back, at a memorable but seldom-seen moment in Westport history.
And if anyone can identify any of the dignitaries (or young kids) seen in the video, click “Comments” below.
(Friday Flashback is a weekly “06880” feature. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our hyper-local blog — please support us with a tax-deductible donation. Just click here. And thank you!)
As pressure mounts on young athletes to be more competitive than ever, Sebastian Little says: Enough!
The leadership coach — who works with clients in MLB, the NBA and NHL, and is in his 3rd year as Yale University football’s performance coach — will speak on a Westport Public Schools and Westport Together panel called “For the Love of the Game: How Parents Can Promote Successful Athletes on and Off the Field.”
The session — for parents and coaches — will offer insights and strategies into “balancing competition with compassion and growth with enjoyment.”
The event is on Tuesday, March 5 (7 p.m., Bedford Middle School auditorium). Click here to register.
Speaking of sports: The Staples boys basketball team is in the FCIAC (league) final for the 2nd time in 2 years tonight.
The #4-seed Wreckers — fresh off Tuesday’s huge upset over #1 Ridgefield — are playing for the championship for the 2nd straight year. Tip-off is 7 p.m. at Wilton High, against Trumbull.
Staples fell to Danbury in last year’s title match (and then went on a great run, to the state Division II final).
But it’s been a while since the Westporters last won the FCIAC crown. 61 years, in fact. Their first — and only — league championship came in 1963.
Charlie Scott — Staples’ talented senior video producer/WWPT-FM announcer — has created another superb pump-up video. Click below to see:
Last night’s winds knocked out power in a few areas of Westport and Weston.
Trees and wires were down at 15 Partrick Road, 119 Hillandale Road and 30 Prospect Road.
Outages affected the Greens Farms and Wilton Road neighborhoods.
At 8:30 a.m., 78 Westport customers (0.61%) were without power. There were 105 outages (2.66%) in Weston. The total number statewide was 3,399 (0.26%).
Wires down at South Morningside Drive and Hillandale Road. At 8:30 a.m., crews were on the scene. (Photo/Bob Weingarten)
Dara Horn forcefully addressed the recent rise of antisemitism last night, at Chabad of Westport.
Dara Horn — author of “People Love Dead Jews” — headlined the event, part of Chabad’s Critical Conversations series. Nearly 200 people attended.
“People ask: Are Jews a race, a religion, or a nationality? she said.
“Jews existed before these structures existed. What is clear is Jewish civilization is indigenous to the land of Israel. It’s not a political statement. It’s fact.
“People want to erase Jewish culture, but instead that is exactly what needs to be explained and taught to ensure its survival.”
Dara Horn, at Chabad of Westport. (Photo and hat tip/Matthew Mandell)
Her fans know here as Jean Louisa Kelly. Her Westport neighbors and friends call her Jean Pitaro.
Whatever name she goes by, Jean is featured at the Westport Country Playhouse’s first Mic in Hand of 2024. She takes the stage April 4 (7 p.m.).
Jean’s stage and screen credits include the original Broadway cast of “Into the Woods,: and the movies “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” “Uncle Buck” and “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Her uplifting show will be a journey through her life in and out of show business, with songs from “Gypsy,” “The Fantasticks,” “Next to Normal” and “Company.”
All tickets are $40. Click here to purchase, and learn more. Proceeds benefit education programming at the Playhouse.
Also new at the Playhouse: the first Barnstormer event.
It’s “Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile” (April 21, 7 p.m.).
Broadway veteran Talman portrayed Taylor’s daughter on Broadway in “The Little Foxes,” beginning a lifelong friendship.
This show is an evening of story and song about Ann and Elizabeth’s bond.
All tickets are $20. Click here to purchase, and learn more.
Called “Jewels of Westport,” they visit the hidden — or at least lesser-known — gems of our town.
On Tuesday they toured Westport Public Art Collections’ Town Hall display.
Overall, WestPAC’s collection includes over 2,000 artistic treasures. Many are in schools, where they are enjoyed by students and staff, yet often unseen by the public.
But how many of us walk by all the art on the Town Hall walls, without giving it a second glance?
The Y’s Women Town Hall tour was led by WestPAC co-president Anne Boberski. It was “eye-opening,” for sure.
Anne Boberski leads the Y’s Women Westport Permanent Art Collections tour in Town Hall.
Westport Police made 6 custodial arrests between February 21 and 28.
One — reported earlier — was for larceny, in connection with the theft of 5 Israel flag yard signs in December.
One was for larceny, illegal use of a credit card, identity theft, criminal impersonation and forgery, following a February 7 complaint that a mailed check was stolen, altered from $830 to $18,300 and deposited.
A woman was arrested for criminal attempt at larceny, identity theft and forgery, after a complaint in April 2022 that a check had been stolen from a US Postal Service box on Myrtle Avenue, altered from $250 to $4,300, and attempted to be cashed.
Another woman was arrested for criminal attempt at larceny, larceny and identity theft, following a complaint in January that a check had been stolen, altered and cashed.
A man was arrested after he and a juvenile shoplifted $492 worth of groceries from Stop & Shop. They were found with the bags at the HomeGoods bus stop. The man was charged with larceny, criminal impersonation and failure to appear. The juvenile was issued a summons and released.
One woman was arrested for failure to appear.
Police also issued these citations:
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 5 citations
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 3
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 2
Kicking + Screening is a film festival dedicated solely to soccer. (Now do you get the clever name?)
It returns next month for its 15th year in New York. But it’s very much a Westport production.
Current Westport resident Rachel Markus co-founded Kicking + Screening in 2009, with former professional player Greg Lalas.
Always an avid fan (and a ruthless striker), Rachel studied film at New York University. She has worked in the film industry for over 2 decades.
The other local connection: This year’s festival will be held at Football Cafe, the Lower East Side “soccer cultural center” founded by Kyle Martino.
He’s the 1999 Staples graduate — and former Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, MLS Rookie of the Year, US men’s national team player and NBC Sports Premier League broadcaster. Kyle is now a soccer analyst with Warner Brothers Discovery Sports.
The 2024 festival lineup — 11 features and shorts, plus panels, special guests and more from March 14 to 16 — includes Eric Cantona’s Manchester United biography, “The United Way.” Click here for more information, and tickets.
Norwalk Hospital — once independent, now part of Nuvance Health — may soon become part of a larger group.
Nuvance — owner of 4 Connecticut hospitals, and 3 in New York — plans to merge with Northwell Health. They are New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer, with more than 81,000 employees.
Together, the companies will own 28 hospitals, and more than 1,000 other care sites.
In 2019, Ruth Sherman was an “06880” Unsung Hero of the Week.
At 79 years old, she had just returned from a 100-mile spiritual trek in Spain.
We hailed her for her civic work — teaching exercise and fitness at the Westport Weston Family Y, Senior Center and Arthritis Foundation family aquatics program.
We noted that every day for 50 years — in all kinds of weather — Ruth walked from Hillspoint Road to the top of Compo Hill.
She’s now in her mid-80s. And she’s still walking.
Tammy Barry spotted her yesterday. The weather was meh, but there was Ruth, getting in her (many) steps.
Tammy writes: “Ruth walks in rainy, snowy, and sunny weather. What a beautiful woman, on the inside and out!
“She is an inspiration and role model for us all. She told me she wakes up every day and never has a complaint— it’s not allowed. Keep on moving and grooving. Ruth!”
Tammy sent a great photo too.
So — apropos of nothing, and everything — here’s another “06880” to the indefatigable, wonderful Ruth Sherman!
And finally … do you know how hard it is to find a leap year song?!
I’ve spent my February 29 searching the internet. This will have to do.
(“06880” is your hyper-local blog. We cover news, events, businesses, restaurants, sports, trends, history and more — and we do it 24/7/365. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
After nearly 5 years, there’s finally some action on the William F. Cribari Bridge.
The state Department of Transportation is preparing a long-overdue environmental document. It will examine many issues pertaining to the 133-year-old swing span over the Saugatuck River.
It will include a “preferred alternative” — probably, a replacement.
When the document is published, there will be public hearings and comments. DOT will then forge ahead.
Yesterday, the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization moved ahead with an endorsement for a $4.1 million addition to the DOT’s Transportation Improvement Plan for the design phase for the bridge.
William F. Cribari Bridge (Photo/Sam Levenson)
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Hot off the mic!
Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn of TCS recently returned from a trip to Israel, with Rabbi Michael Friedman of Temple Israel, and congregants from the 2 synagogues.
Soon after he returned, Rabbi Wiederhorn sat with 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, for the Y’s Men’s “Westport … What’s Happening” podcast.
Click below to listen to their informative, emotional conversation.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5 for Camp Compo and RECing Crew only.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6 for all other spring and summer programs.
Officials urge residents to login in to their online account to verify family information.
In the profile, choose “Manage Family Member” on the bottom right. Then, on the “My Family Members” page, click on the first name in the column. Verify date of birth, and the correct grade (as of December 31, 2024). Then hit “save.”
Unable to log in? Email recreation@westportct.gov or call 203-341-5152. Office hours are weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dave Brubeck — a longtime area resident who earned a Kennedy Center Honor, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, before his death in 2012 a day before his 92nd birthday — lives on.
The Brubeck Brothers Quartet is set for a special fundraising event March 9, (Westport Library). Proceeds support the Library’s vast array of free programs and offerings.
The Brubeck Brothers Quartet is led by Chris (bass and trombone) and Dan Brubeck (drums), sons of the jazz legend. They recorded their first record in 1966. Rounding out the group is guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb.
They have performed across North America and Europe, including Newport, Detroit, Montreal, The Hollywood Bowl, and Monterey Jazz festivals.
General admission tickets are $75. VIP tickets ($125) include a pre-event reception with the Brubeck family and gifts, including a vinyl LP exclusive pressing of “Time OutTakes,” featuring previously unreleased takes from the original Brubeck masterpiece “Time Out” — the first jazz album to sell 1 million copies.
Next up in the Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand series: “The Trip To Bountiful” (March 11, 7 p.m.).
Carrie Watts dreams to escape the city, and return to simpler times in her beloved Bountiful, Texas. On her risky journey she encounters kindness and compassion — and makes a remarkable discovery about the true meaning of home.
Click here for tickets ($30), and more information.
Also at the Playhouse: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical “Cinderella” — originally seen on Broadway in 2013 — is set for a limited run this weekend and next. Dates are February 17-25.
Click here for more information, including the all-star cast and tickets.
MoCA Westport’s current “60s Mod” exhibition showcases iconic works by established artists, and submissions from high school artists who interpret the era.
One influential featured artist — and quite appropriate for Black History Month — is the late Richard Hunt. He pioneered using industrial machine imagery as a staple of modern art.
Inspired by modernism and abstract expressionism, the sculptor took to junkyard metals to recreate organic figures. His monuments to civil rights heroes include Martin Luther King Jr., Mary McLeod Bethune, Jesse Owens and Ida B. Wells.
At 35, he was the first African American to have a retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art, and the first to serve on the National Endowment for the Arts governing body. The MoMA has presented 12 exhibitions of his work.
MoCA Westport’s exhibition features a Hunt lithograph and serigraph. The Westport Arts Collection curated this exhibition, and has 21 other prints related to his 3-dimensional sculptures.
In the 1940s, whist parties were all the rage in Weston. James and Cleora Coley — the last owners of the history Coley house — won many tournaments.
They return March 27 (6:30 p.m.), when the Weston History & Culture Center hosts its own event. That’s the site of the same Coley house where James and Cleora lived (and played).
The evening includes its card playing, and retro-inspired snacks and cocktails. Experienced players will be at each table of 4 to teach whist, and assist.
Meanwhile, today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature stars Anne Bernier’s tunnels and perches, made by her son and daughter (ages 15 and 10) for Toby (the dog). They stood yesterday, despite the melting snow.
Today will be mostly sunny, with a high of about 42. Saturday may bring snow showers.
And finally … today is the 101st anniversary of Howard Carter’s unsealing of the burial chamber of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, as well as the birthdays of Sonny Bono (he would have been 89 years old) and Ice-T (66).
I’m pretty sure this is the first time in history that King Tut, Sonny Bono and Ice-T have appeared in the same sentence.
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