Westport may not be the center of the musical universe.
But last night, it sure came close.
Darlene Love’s first live performance in 2 years thrilled a sold-out Levitt Pavilion crowd.
The Levitt Pavilion was packed, on a beautiful evening. (Photo/JC Martin)
The singer — who turns 80 this month — gave one of the most memorable performances in the outdoor venue’s 47-year history.
Mixing her Phil Spector hits with gospel and more recent Stevie Van Zandt songs, she owned the stage with a powerful, wide-ranging voice and engaging banter.
Darlene Love in action. (Photo/JC Martin)
As befitting a former backup singer — if you haven’t seen “20 Feet From Stardom,” why not?! — she gave extended solos to a pair of future stars.
Darlene Love’s backup singers got their own star turns. (Photo/JC Martin)
Darlene Love was clearly delighted to be back on stage. And — because there are always Westport connections beyond the obvious — one of the key members of her rock-the-house band was our neighbor, saxophonist Crispin Cioe.
Saxophonist Crispin Cioe (left) is a huge Darlene Love fan. (Photo/Dan Woog)
He once called Darlene Love his “soul and inspiration.” He’s played with her for over 30 years.
And yes, they both gave a rousing rendition of that Righteous Brothers/Phil Spector song of the same name last night.
A pre-show announcement warned concert-goers that, because of COVID, there would be no dancing in front of the stage. So these fans — all probably born years after Darlene Love sang with the Crystals — danced in their own pod. (Photo/JC Martin)
Meanwhile, an hour or so earlier and a couple of miles away, Soundview Drive was the stage for a concert of a different kind.
More than half a dozen Broadway stars sang from the front lawn of Karen Elizaga and her husband, Jay Ptashek.
Broadway stars on Soundview Drive. (Photo/Lauri Weiser)
Mixing familiar show tunes with humor — it’s not every day that cars and trucks pass between singers and audience — the singers wowed a crowd arranged in beach chairs, across the street on Compo Beach.
6-year old Chloe Silverstein, and a small part of the large crowd on Compo Beach. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Among the performers: Staples High School graduate Mia Gentile (“Kinky Boots”) and Karen and Jay’s own daughter, Sloane Ptashek.
Mia Gentile, a proud Staples Players alum. (Photo/Lauri Weiser)
Admission was free. But anyone could make (and still can!) donations to Broadway for Arts Education. The non-profit provides arts education to underserved youth in New York, Haiti and India.
Host Karen Elizaga and her husband, Jay Ptashek. (Photo/Lauri Weiser)
Only a few tickets remain for Darlene Love’s sure-to-be-great benefit show tomorrow night (Friday, July 16, 7:30 p.m.)) at the Levitt Pavilion.
She’s a legend. Under Phil Spector, she sang lead on the Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel.” She worked with everyone from Sam Cooke, Dionne Warwick and the Beach Boys to Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and Sonny & Cher. She performed on Broadway (“Hairspray,” “Grease,” and as herself in the first jukebox musical ever, “Leader of the Pack”), then won a Grammy for her featured role in the Oscar-winning “20 Feet From Stardom,” about backup singers.
She’s ranked among Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Singers. And in 2011, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
As an added attraction, she’ll be joined by Westport’s own Crispin Cioe. A legend himself — he’s a renowned music director, saxophonist, composer and songwriter who has played and recorded with James Brown, the Rolling Stones, Solomon Burke, Tom Waits, Ray Charles and the Ohio Players — he calls Darlene Love “my soul and inspiration.”
The 2021 Emmy nominations are in. And at least 3 have Westport ties.
Two nominees are from the very same Staples High School class. Kerri Kenney-Silver is up for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her role as Deputy Trudy Wiegel in “Reno 911!”
Here 1988 classmate Eric Beetner was nominated for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Structured Reality or Competition Program. He edited “The Amazing Race.”
Up for an Emmy for Outstanding Music Supervision for “Halston” is Amanda Krieg Thomas. Her father, Peter Krieg, graduated from Staples in 1969.
I am sure there are plenty of other Emmy nominations with Westport connections. Email dwoog@optonline.net, and I’ll give them their due. (Hat tip: Bonnie Erickson)
Kicking + Screening may be the world’s biggest celebration of soccer culture.
Since 2009, the gloriously named organization has screened hundreds of soccer-related films, raised thousands of dollars for soccer charities, and organized panels, parties, soccer poetry readings and soccer art shows.
Kicking + Screening has (of course) strong Westport roots. Co-founder Rachel Markus — a former “ruthless striker,” and 20-year film industry veteran — lives here.
(Co-founder Greg Lalas — brother of former national team star Alexi Lalas — has been MLS vice president of content and a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated and The New York Times. He is on the board of Soccer Without Borders.)
COVID brought a halt to in-person movie showings. But Kicking + Screening is ready to start up again.
And their first show is right here in Westport.
The North American premiere of “Men of Hope” is set for the Westport Library on Thursday, July 29 (7 p.m.). The fascinating-way-beyond-soccer documentary follows the Afghanistan national team, as it attempts to qualify for the Asian Cup. Challenges include war, political squabbling, corruption — and some formidable opponents.
Click here for tickets. For more information on Kicking + Screening, click here.
(Can’t make the July 29 Library screening? “Men of Hope” is available to stream from July 30 through August 1, through the link above.)
For a while, Earthplace has struggled to raise money to feed and support its animals. The need is great, for everything from weekly produce for Animal Hall ($50) to a month’s supply of food for the bald eagles, Cerena and Chatty ($250).
Now — in the midst of a fundraising drive — several donors have stepped up. They’ll match all pledges up to $20,000. That would cover the animal program’s cost for a full year. Click here to help.
Cerena, one of Earthplace’s 2 bald eagles, can’t go hungry!
Earthplace does not feed bears. But — as part of their educational mission, particularly during this summer when several Westporters have had close encounters of the ursine kind — the Woodside Lane center is sponsoring a free program about bears.
On Wednesday, July 28 (7 p.m., Earthplace amphitheater), Connecticut master wildlife conservationist Felicia Ortner will provide “bear facts” — and dispel myths and misunderstandings.
This was the scene recently, off Weston, (Photo/Denny Galindo)
Two days ago, our “06880” Roundup featured a photo of a car whose 4 wheels — probably because of the rims — had been stolen, on the top floor of the Wilton Road parking garage.
Today’s shot — eerily similar — is from the eastbound side of the Westport train station.
(Photo/Frank Rosen)
Pretty brazen, in these days of security cameras everywhere.
A closing reception for the George Billis Gallery “Summer Escape” pop-up exhibit is set for next Wednesday (July 21, 5 to 7 p.m., 166 Main Street).
Artwork includes oceans, beaches, pools, sailboats, waterscapes, and paintings inspired by travel around the US and Europe. Westporter Dale Najarian is a featured artist.
Jeffrey Evans died peacefully in the company of family in Cumming, Georgia on Sunday. He was 64., and lived in Westport for over 35 years.
A graduate of Staples High School, Jeff had a successful career in communication technology sales.
Jeffrey Evans
Jeff was known for his ready smile and constant humor. He was an excellent golfer and dancer. He enjoyed music, and went on many travel adventures with his wife.
He is survived by his wife, Diane Evans; daughters Adriana and Theresa of Connecticut; stepdaughters Brandi Garner and Kristin Baxter of Georgia; sister Valerie Russell of North Carolina, and 8 grandchildren. His family says, “His generous heart and wonderful spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”
A memorial service will take place at Christ Church in Greenwich on Sunday, July 25 (2 p.m.). In lieu of Flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jeff’s name to your favorite non-profit organization.
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