The Grammy Award-winning artist/producer/composer/Fugees co-founder has just been booked as the headliner for the March 27 concert.
He’ll be there with his full band. Tickets are $125, and available now at VersoFest.org.
If that’s not enough: Jean’s show will support Music Will — the largest nonprofit music education program for schools in the United States.
Wyclef Jean
VersoFest is the Westport Library’s annual music and media conference — a forum for media creators, artists, and fans to converge.
The music that Jean has written, performed and produced — both as a solo superstar, and as founder and guiding member of the Fugees — has been a powerful pop cultural force for more than 2 decades.
Hits include the Fugees’ reinvention of Roberta Flack’s 1973 ballad “Killing Me Softly”; “Hips Don’t Lie” with Shakira, which he co-wrote, produced, and is featured on; his own “Gone Till November”; “Ghetto Superstar”; Carlos Santana’s Numeber 1 single “Maria, Maria” (featuring Jean); and Whitney Houston’s “My Love is Your Love.”
Jean has earned 3 Grammy Awards; Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, and the cover of Rolling Stone’s “Top 50 Hip Hop Players.” He’s made music with Michael Jackson, Queen, Mick Jagger, Paul Simon, Earth Wind & Fire, Kenny Rogers, and Tom Jones.
As a solo artist, Jean’s 6 albums have sold nearly 9 million copies worldwide.
Now he’ll be in Westport — performing for just 700 people, in the cutting-edge, intimate Library space.
On Tuesday, “06880” culture correspondent Robin Moyer Chung checked out the Artists Collective of Westport winter exhibit, at the Westport Country Playhouse barn. All works are 12″x12″ — and all are for sale. She reports:
This time of year is always stuffed with craft sales, pop-ups and gift guides. The Artists Collective’s is one of many.
Yet unlike many of these shopping events, this exhibit has a soul.
With a nod to consumerism, all of the paintings are portable, at one square foot, and at affordable price points.
(Artist/Tammy Winser)
The unintended and interesting consequence of this democracy is that it allowed me to consider the uniqueness and substance of each work, rather than thinking, gift-wise, of its size and practicality.
Which doesn’t mean I think all of them are great. I don’t. A couple of pricier ones feel as though the artist expects us to be grateful for the opportunity to own a toenail clipping from their body of work. Yeah, no.
But these don’t detract from those truly effective in their narrative and worth.
“Celebration” by Lynn U. Miller, with her studied and swirly swoops of ribbons and confetti, is so optimistic and energetic that I stepped in close to see the brushstrokes and markings.
“Celebration” (Lynn U. Miller)
Looking at Ken Runkel’s “Honey, Come Quick, There’s A Spider In the Tub!” I laughed out loud, both for its masterful, humorous nightmare of an arachnid, and because it was painted by a man — and we all know that men should be our protectors against all things spidery and rodent.
Virgina Zimmerman’s “Twilight – Mykonos, Greece” is a quiet, sturdy homage to a near-mythic island that now crawls with tourists. She somehow blends the island’s notorious color scheme — bright white and bright blue — into a serene palette.
“Ruby and Amethyst,” with artist Mary Harold
,In “Sun Solstice,” Jennifer Wyman made the photo of a colorful dahlia on a sunny day into a sepia print, focusing not on the blossom’s beauty but on a drama and resoluteness belying its ephemerality.
There are other stories — one artist’s canvas honors her journey when 11 people in her life passed away within several months of each other. Another artist stumbled onto a local-sh store window displaying 2 dolls, compelling her to stop and photograph them because they were “so creepy.” (And it is. Was. Hopefully the dolls have been removed.)
(The Artists Collective of Westport exhibit runs through December 21, at the Westport Country Playhouse barn. Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m.)
Part of the whimsy of the exhibit: This is not a work of art. It’s the actual HVAC system for the Playhouse barn. (All photos/Robin Moyer Chung)
After 38 years of nourishing Westport, Organic Market owners Maggie and Charles Vosgueritchian are retiring.
But the Playhouse Square mainstay’s many fans should not worry. The new owners — chef Talin and her partner Mary — share the same values, and commitment to quality and wellness.
They will continue the Organic Market’s mission, while bringing fresh ideas to the new chapter.
“We’re honored to continue the legacy that Maggie and Charles built,” Talin and Mary say.
“Our goal is to preserve everything the community loves about The Organic Market, while expanding on its vision of healthy, sustainable living.”
The health food store and café specializes in organic groceries, fresh juices and homemade meals.
The Vosgueritchians — who are retiring — bought the business in 1987. The transition takes place January 2.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of our loyal customers, our wonderful staff, and the Westport community that has grown with us through the years,” Maggie says.
“It has been an honor to serve this town, and to share in so many moments of connection, nourishment and joy.”
She and Charles look forward to sharing memories with customers through the holidays.
In a dark time, the third annual event for Jewish women to celebrate Hanukkah together was, like the Festival of Lights itself, a warm, bright spot.
Over 70 women gathered at The Blondinit on Tuesday. Rabbi Shira Sklar led the candle lighting. A raffle of an Israeli wine tasting, donated by Blondinit owner Inda Sale, raised funds for Enosh, the largest mental health organization in Israel supporting the hostages, families and victims of the October 7 massacre.
The event — organized by Charlene Zeiberg, Carolyn Cohen and Stephanie Feingold — grew out of an anonymous post on social media 2 years ago, asking how to make connections with other Jewish women. The result was a Hanukkah gathering: a space to connect, find comfort, and share the hope of the holiday.
Hanukkah gathering. Blondinit owner Inda Sale is in front, 2nd from right.
Green’s Farms Church celebrates the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany with a special artist’s reception this Friday (December 19, 6 to 7:30 p.m.).
The evening features “The Light Shines in the Darkness.” Katie Nelson Troyer’s paintings explore “illumination, movement, and the quiet power of spiritual encounter.”
The reception includes refreshments and live music from Katie and her husband Scott.
Paintings by Katie Nelson Troyer
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Westport Police did not make any custodial arrests between December 10 and 16.
They issued these citations:
Texting while driving: 10 citations
Failure to grant right of way: 3
Failure to renew registration: 3
Traveling unreasonably fast: 2
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 2
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 2
Failure to register a commercial vehicle: 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension (alcohol): 1
Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 1
Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 1
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 1
Improper use of markers: 1
Texting while driving is illegal — even at a red light.
And finally … on this date in 1892 — just in time for Christmas — Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia.
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Traffic. The environment. Parks & Recreation. Enforcement of regulations.
Those were some of the topics that came up frequently yesterday, at the Select Board’s first “community conversation.”
But the idea voiced most frequently was a simple “thank you” to 1st Selectman Kevin Christie, for convening the meeting in the first place.
He and fellow selectpersons Amy Wistreich and Don O’Day listened patiently, as a dozen attendees listed items of concern.
1st Selectman Kevin Christie, with 2nd selectwoman Amy Wistreich and 3rd selectman Don O’Day, at yesterday’s community conversation. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Transparency was raised often. There was applause when Christie said that all town meetings will be recorded and put on the town website.
Valerie Seiling Jacobs and Wendy Batteau spoke about sustainability. Issues included the Parks & Rec Department’s use of pesticides and battery-powered leaf blowers, and the ongoing discussion about synthetic turf athletic fields.
The Parks & Rec Commission was criticized for canceling recent meetings, and not taking sea level rise at Compo Beach more seriously.
Christie — who said his administration is in the early phases of looking at the makeup of, and “refreshing,” all appointed boards and commissions — called Parks & Rec “a top priority.”
In response to Sal Liccione’s concerns about downtown, Christie pledged “holistic thinking. We’ll move away from the chessboard idea of finding 40 spots. There will be a more creative solution.”
Westport has studied downtown extensively. 1st Selectman Kevin Christie hopes to move forward “holistically.”
A business owner urged Christie to “reject partisanship and cronyism,” in favor of a meeting with all stakeholders to determine the future of downtown parking.
Jennifer Johnson reiterated the ongoing topic of traffic. She asked Christie to consider “a more holistic and systematic approach.”
Other issues included the upcoming loss of police officers and firefighters, due in part to the lack of a pension; the need for enforcement of teen drinking parties, and the possibility of cameras to catch motor vehicle violations.
Christie promised more community conversations in the future.
And, he said, they will be at many different times of day, so all Westporters will have a chance to attend.
Among Westport’s many holiday traditions, none is more beloved than the Candlelight Concert.
For 85 years — ever since 1941, a few days after Pearl Harbor — the Staples High School music department’s gift to the town has thrilled and inspired audiences.
Musicians — singers, and orchestra and band memories — cherish it as one of the highlights of their school lives. Many return as alumni, to bask in its magic.
Two women — now in their 80s — traveled from Oklahoma for last weekend’s Candlelight. Decades after graduating, in 1961 and ’63, they smiled with joy through the traditional “Sing We Noel” processional, the “Hallelujah Chorus” finale with dozens of alumni joining the stage, and so much in between: the beautiful Jewish tune “Al Shlosha”; the percussive Nigerian song “Ogo ni fun Oluwa”; a haunting rendition of “Stille Nacht”; complex works by Prokofiev, Rutter and Tchaikovsky; creative student ensembles, and more.
It was one of the best Candlelight Concerts ever — a high bar, indeed.
But few members of the appreciative audiences knew what it took to produce this year’s show.
Though they worked since school began, Candlelight preparations never really begin until Staples Players’ fall show ends.
This year’s production — “Les Misérables” — was an especially enormous undertaking. Many of the actors are also singers; all the music teachers played in the pit orchestra.
The final curtain fell just 19 days before the first concert.
Exhilarated but exhausted, they pivoted immediately to Candlelight.
And — because of the way the calendar fell this year — they had one less week than usual to do it.
Meanwhile, Orphenians — one of the concert’s centerpieces — entered their busiest time of the year. They sing at the Town Hall tree lighting, Holiday Stroll, and for organizations all over Westport.
Every adult and young person involved in Candlelight was pulled a thousand different ways, these past few weeks.
But they — along with others who handled sound and lighting, plus tremendous volunteers from the Staples Music Parents Association — pulled together.
I can’t imagine the effort it took. I do know that for all who were fortunate enough to be there, the results were well worth it.
So to townwide arts coordinator Steve Zimmerman; directors Jeri Brima, Carrie Mascaro, Kevin Mazzarella, Lauren Pine, Caitlin Serpliss and Mary Gardner; every young musician, and everyone else who had a hand in the 2025 Candlelight Concert: Bravo!
You are this week’s Unsung Heroes.
Although this week, “unsung” is definitely not the right world to use!
From left: Carrie Mascaro, Caitlin Serpliss, Kevin Mazzarella, Jeri Brima, Lauren Pine. (Photos/Dan Woog)
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The Board of Selectmen invites all residents to join them for an informal community conversation this afternoon (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Town Hall Room 201/201A).
It’s the first in an ongoing series. The goal is to provide “an open, welcoming space for residents to stop by, ask questions, share thoughts, and raise topics of interest related to town government.”
Speaking of local businesses, Chris Grimm writes: “You would think, given that their clients are largely sick and old, Walgreens would clear their parking lot of snow.”
The Artists Collective of Westport’s 12×12 Holiday Exhibit opened last night, at the Westport Country Playhouse barn.
Interestingly, all works are 12×12. And all are for sale, just in time for the holidays.
The show runs through Sunday (December 21, noon to 4 p.m.).
Admiring some of the dozens of 12×12 pieces.
The pianist at last night’s Artists Collective opening was not some random guy. It was Mark Naftalin: founding member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and Westport resident. (Photos/Susan Garment)
Like many trail and ultra runners, Jes Parker loves and appreciates the outdoors.
Yet, she knows, runners often engage in behaviors that are not exactly environmentally sound.
Long distance runners, for example, experiment often with gear. Before finding what’s comfortable or works well, they’ve missed return dates, snagged the fabric or others made items non-returnable.
But wait! Don’t throw them out!
Jes — a Westport resident — is building a business that keeps trail running goods, and other running synthetics, out of landfills.
At the same time, it makes the sport more accessible.
Take2Trail — Parker’s brainstorm (and a great, clever name) — buys those items. She then resells them, at a deep discount.
Parker knows that buying and selling on internet peer-to-peer sites can be unfulfilling. Items are strategically photographed to hide warts; they’re not always delivered; meet-up exchanges fall through.
People hyper-focused on their fitness, family — and full-time jobs — don’t have the time or patience to jump through hoops to keep things out of landfills (or even take them to Goodwill).
Take2Trail a great idea. Fleet Foot owner Dave Wright has helped too, donating some return inventory and other sunk cost items.
The 2022 Staples High School graduate, and current senior soccer player at Johns Hopkins University, has been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America team.
Coleman — a neuroscience major with a 3.95 GPA — is also an All-Centennial Conference 2nd team pick.
He was named to the Allstate NACDA Good Works team for fall sports, for his efforts as president and fundraising chair of Baltimore Scores in STEM. The mentorship program supports local youth pursuing STEM education.
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Staples High School Class of 1963 graduate Sam Pair has published “Le Yankee Noir: The Power of Acceptance.”
The write-up on Amazon says: “In the global aviation industry, where building cross-cultural relationships is essential, cultural gaps and accepting others unlike ourselves remain issues.
“A veteran aerospace engineer with vast experience with inter-cultural bridge building, Samuel E. Pair has created a book that illuminates the value of acceptance and its influence on creating the climate for building trusting cross-cultural relationships.
“The culmination of a frustrating career journey — still healing after multiple rejections to his quest to enter a prominent management development program, an African American aerospace engineer is surprisingly summoned to the south of France in 1994 by French aircraft industry leaders.
“Tasked with managing the oversight of the recovery of a floundering new jet propulsion program for intensely anticipated jet liners, his reflection on the experiences of interacting with French and other nationalities on-site, explores the power of mutual acceptance and its influence on inspiring, motivating and propelling him through a myriad of formidable issues and a life threating condition.
“While ruminating about the significant events and consequential happenings during this twelve-year period, he is drawn to the factors that promoted his transformation, the ability to build relational bridges over cultural divides and contributed to his success. He shares them in this book.”
And finally … in honor (sort of) of Jes Parker’s excellent idea for reusing running gear:
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Jeff Kimball says, “The holidays are filled with joy, lights and laughter. But they’re also a time when people tend to suffer in silence, in the shadows of all the excitement.”
He should know. A longtime Westport resident, he has spent over 20 years supporting children and adults who are sick or grieving, in positions like CEO and executive director at Circle of Care, Experience Camps and United Way of Fairfield County. He is now president of Empower Healing Center, which he co-founded.
Jeff Kimball
“I know what it’s like, having dealt with grief professionally and personally,” Jeff notes.
“I lost my wife to cancer at age 38 when my girls were 3 and 5, and both of my parents, my best friend and my 9-year-old niece, all in a handful of years.
“I have since spent my time giving back to help people who are suffering and need support.
“I know people have the best of intentions and want to help those who are grieving. But many don’t know what to do or say, so they pull away at a time when support is needed most.
“This leaves people feeling even more isolated. I thought it might be helpful to provide some tips — non-therapeutic advice — to let people know what kind of support those of us who are grieving need, especially during the holidays.
Jeff’s Empower Healing Center offers practical tips. They include:
Lean in. Presence matters more than perfection.
Don’t try to fix it. As Paul McCartney said, “Let it be.”
Say a loved one’s name.
Include them — but give options.
If you’re tasked with helping people, be specific. Making more demands of someone grieving can feel overwhelming.
Understand that joy and grief can coexist. Grief is a moment. Grieving is a journey.
Respect boundaries.
What you might want in this moment might not be what someone else needs.
“I’m so proud to live in such a supportive, loving community,” Jeff says.
“I want those who are grieving to know you are never alone, that the hurt you feel will one day be met with loving, warm memories, and that there are many people here in town who love and support you. Don’t ever give up!”
Marina Drasnin teaches skating, at the Westport PAL Rink at Longshore, with head coach Mar Jennings. She is also a talented photographer. She shares these photos, of one of her favorite spots in town.
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