Tag Archives: Emmy Squared

As Election Day looms, lawns and traffic islands will be filled with political signs. And the Westport Police Department will field complaints about the removal of them.

The WPD says: “Residents and visitors are advised against taking it upon themselves to remove signs that do not belong to them, from either public or private property.

“The enforcement of the town’s rules is the responsibility of the town of Westport, not that of private citizens. The removal of signs from public or private property by someone not authorized to do so by the town, or by the owner of the sign, may constitute theft.  Entering onto private property to remove signs may also constitute trespassing. Both of these acts can ultimately result in an arrest.

“Town property includes traffic islands and road rights of way. It is not advisable to place signs on State of Connecticut property (including rights of way and islands along Routes 1, 136, 57, 33, and the Sherwood Island Connector, or on the exit or entrance ramps of I-95 or the Merritt Parkway) as the state may remove them.

“In addition, signs may not be placed on school property without permission of the superintendent’s office, nor may they be put inside Compo Beach or Longshore, Town Hall, or on trees or utility poles. Signs my not interfere with traffic visibility.

“Signs on private property cannot extend beyond the property line or into the town right-of-way. They should be removed within 2 days after the election.”

Political signs, 2012.

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Emmy Squared’s arrival was eagerly anticipated by Westporters who know — and love — its New York locations.

The new restaurant in the old Bedford Square Amis space has not disappointed.

Its square Detroit-style pizza, mammoth burgers and decadent brownie dessert draw big crowds and great raves.

Emmy Squared prides itself on friendliness and customer service. Here’s how they walk the talk: I was there last night. When it came time to bring out the meal, there were apologies instead.

My friend’s pizza had not come out right. The server did not want us to have a less-than-perfect experience. They were making a new one.

The attention to quality — and honesty — was refreshing.

And the wait was worth it. Emmy Squared is a winner.

Pizzas from Emmy Squared.

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Halloween: It’s not just for kids anymore.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Horrors –er. Commerce — has conjured up a new event to die for. A Halloween Concert and Costume Ball, featuring Bella’s Bartok, is set for Saturday, October 28 (8 p.m., Westport Library).

The event is an adult alternative to the Children’s Halloween Window Painting Contest, held earlier the same day (also run by the Chamber).

Costumes are encouraged. Prizes will awarded for best outfits, in several categories.

Specialty cocktails, beer and wine will allow patrons to pick their own poison.

Bella’s Bartok is an inspired choice for entertainment. Their raucous theatrical performances edge toward the macabre. Their high energy mix of funk, pop and folk will have even the deadest attendees dancing.

Tickets are $35. Click here to purchase, and for more information.

Bella’s Bartok.

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Taking a reflective walk yesterday at Compo Beach, recalling the September 11 of 22 years ago, Andrea Metchick saw this sight:

(Photo/Andrea Metchick)

It was a team-building activity, for Coleytown Middle School 7th graders. Their mission: build a raft that floats.

“It was so cool, on this somber day,” Andrea says.

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Many towns have “new neighbors” groups.

In Westport, it’s “Neighbors & Newcomers.” All are welcome. It’s a way for recent arrivals to meet folks who have been here a while — and vice versa.

It must work. Neighbors & Newcomers has been around for 60 years.

They celebrate that anniversary this Friday (September 15, 6:30 p.m., Compo Beach).

Food and water will be available. RSVP: presidentnnwestport@gmail.com.

Ignore the tagline — it’s now over 60 years.

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Declining audiences is not just a Westport Country Playhouse woe.

It’s a national issue.

Several days ago, the New York Times examined the trend. Yesterday, they published letters in response.

Among them: Carole Schweid’s.

The organizer of the “Play With Your Food” series — which never went out of style — wrote:

As I like to say: “If Joe Papp can do ‘Shakespeare in the Park,’ we can do Chekhov in the parking lot.” Performances like these are one of the ways my nonprofit arts organization brought our audiences back at the end of the pandemic.

As producers of Connecticut’s popular lunchtime play-reading series, “Play With Your Food,” we’ve learned a lot about survival from our five-star Westport Library, which has evolved from an excellent library into a vibrant center for the community. Like it or not, books are not enough, and I fear that it is much the same for theater.

We have been developing programs: talkbacks, theater lovers’ book groups, reading lists, a book group where we read plays out loud together, and, my current stock in trade, staged readings, to name a few low-cost, engaging, community-building activities.

We try to remind our audiences of the joy and the unique fun that can be had being part of our community. I think of it as an investment in our future.

Carole Schweid/Westport, Conn.
The writer was in the original Broadway cast of “A Chorus Line” and is the author of “Staged Reading Magic.”

Carole Schweid

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Speaking of the Playhouse: If you missed “Justin Paul & Friends” Saturday night there, what a shame.

The evening was both joyful (high energy, huge talent, memorable music) and important (it was a fundraiser).

Justin — the 2002 Staples High School graduate/Grammy-, Emmy- and Tony-winning songwriter (“Dear Evan Hansen,” “La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman) — brought his “A” game. He not only rocked the piano and vocals, and not only enlisted a ton of great friends (Kelli O’Hara, James and Greg Naughton, Jacob Heimer, Staples Players …), but he described — again and again — the lasting influence that both Westport and Staples had on his development as a musician and a person.

If you were not there, this photo will have to suffice. If you were, you’ll appreciate once again Justin’s connection with the sold-out audience

Justin Paul (Photo/Jerri Graham)

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Speaking of pianists: Ragtime rang out yesterday, at Green’s Farms Congregational Church.

The Y’s Women hosted Orin Grossman, professor emeritus of visual and performing arts at Fairfield University. His “From Ragtime to Stride: American Music Comes of Age” spanned many ages, from Scott Joplin to novelty piano and George Gershwin.

Grossman noted that when jazz was first introduced in the 1920s, it was looked upon as disparagingly as when Elvis burst on the scene 3 decades later.

Dr. Orin Grossman, at Green’s Farms Church. (Photo/Molly Alger)

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Speaking still of pianists: Ethan Iverson makes his first-ever Jazz at the Post appearance Thursday (Sept. 14, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399; cover charge $15).

Iverson — also a composer and writer — was a founding member of The Bad Plus.

Greg “The Jazz Rabbi” Wall met Iverson in 1998 at a Brooklyn recording session. They recorded together … and the rest is jazz history.

Iverson and saxophonist Wall will be joined by bassist Yuriy Galkin and drummer Vinnie Sperrazza.

Dinner service begins at 7 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended: JazzatthePost@gmail.com

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Westport plastic surgeon Flora Levin and her daughter Miri — a 10th grader at Hopkins School — recently returned from Guatemala. For the second year in a row, they volunteered with the International Esperanza Project to provide medical and surgical services, as well as building stoves and installing water filters 2 hours outside of Guatemala City.

Supplies are limited, in the poverty-stricken area. Levin brought sutures, lighting and anesthetic from her Connecticut office.

On the last day she did 8 lachrymal surgeries, but had only enough post-operative medication for 5. She went to a pharmacy and bought eye drops for $7 — an unaffordable cost for her patients.

Though Miri missed the first week of school, her mother says, “it was definitely worth the experience, and I am glad Hopkins appreciates that. The kids are amazing, always willing to help, first ones to get there, last ones to leave with the group. This is no summer camp, but there is an amazing sense of purpose and teamwork for a common cause.”

Click here for more information on the International Esperanza Project, including ways to help.

Dr. Flora Levin (left) and a Mexican colleague operate, in Guatemala. Miri Levin (rear) assists.

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Jerry Kuyper’s orchids got a bit of fresh air the other day.

He captured the shot, for a colorful “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Jerry Kuyper)

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And finally … in honor of “ragtime professor” Dr. Orin Grossman, and his Y’s Women appearance (story above):

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