The 50th annual Fine Arts Festival ended yesterday just as it began Saturday: with huge crowds, a great variety of excellent art, plenty of music and food, and tons of smiles.
The Westport Downtown Association drew raves for the organization, execution and energy of what many called the “best ever” of all 50 shows.
The family-friendly event included a children’s art project, sponsored by the Artists Collective of Westport. Youngsters drew a huge whale in chalk, near Bedford Square.
It was part of Westport artist Jana Ireijo’s “Vanishing Mural” project. It looked great. But it will eventually disappear — emphasizing the fragility of the natural world.
The not-yet-completed, but eventually vanishing, whale. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The Fine Arts Festival was pet-friendly too — for real dogs, and artistic ones.
(Photo/Ted Horowitz)
==================================================
Yesterday, as Carolyn Doan does what she often does — checking on the Fresh Market ospreys — a concerned woman in the parking lot said she had not seen them in a couple of weeks. She worried they were no longer there.
Carolyn reports, happily, that all is well. Both adults were in the nest, doing fine.
“They are probably taking care of hatching eggs or very young chicks now,” she says.
“When they sit on the eggs, it’s very hard to see them. Thank you to the nice lady who asked about them!”
And thank you, Carolyn, for sending along this photo:
(Photo/Carolyn Doan)
==================================================
Of all the difficult traffic merges in town, one of the worst is heading west on Coleytown Road, where it runs into Lyons Plains Road.
You stop, crane your neck, and hope for the best. Not only can’t you see to the right — but oncoming traffic does not stop, in either direction.
Some drivers may not be aware of that last fact.
Fortunately, a new addition to the stop sign lets you know.
It won’t help you see. But in this case at least, a little knowledge is not a dangerous thing.
(Photo and hat tip: Stacy Prince)
==================================================
The League of Women Voters of Westport’s annual meeting and lunch is Wednesday, June 7 (11:30 a.m., Green’s Farms Congregational Church).
The public is invited — and welcome to stay for a very timely panel.
The topic: “Building Consensus in Today’s Political Climate.” Panelists include Jim Marpe, former Westport first selectman; Ken Bernhard, former Connecticut state representative, and Dr. Nora Madjar, associate professor of management at the University of Connecticut School of Business.
The lunch (cheese platter, sliced beef tenderloin, poached salmon, 4 salads, dessert) is $50 per person. RSVP to celestelacroix@hotmail.com, or send checks to LWV Westport, PO Box 285, Westport, CT 06881.
==================================================
Homes with Hope brought back its famed “Gather ‘Round the Table” fundraiser, for Project Return at Susie’s House.
Among the 240 guests at the Shorehaven Golf Club luncheon were the keynote speaker, Connecticut Commissioner of Housing Seila Mosquera-Bruno; Westport 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and the many town employees who work hard behind the scenes to support the home and program.
Plans have been approved for renovations, to better accommodate homeless women in Fairfield County. The program offers long-term housing in a nurturing, home-like environment.
From left: Lena Holleran, Connecticut Department of Housing; Homes With Hope program director Paris Looney; Seila Mosquero Bruno, Connecticut Commissioner of Housing; executive director Helen McAlinden;; Carmen Ayala of Homes with Hope, at the “Gather ‘Round the Table” fundraiser.
===================================================
Looking for “The Complete Family Guide to Dementia”?
Thomas Harrison and Dr. Brent Forester — authors of a book by the same name — will be at The Residence at Westport on June 19 (4 p.m.), talking about that subject.
A limited number of complimentary books are available. To RSVP, email ddunning@residencewestport.com, or call 203-349-2002.
==============================================
Before he graduated in 2005, Igor Pikayzen was already one of the most talented violinists in Staples High School’s long musical history.
After Juilliard, a master’s degree and artist’s diploma from Yale University, a doctorate in musical arts at CUNY and solo appearances with major orchestras at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow and more, he founded Festivo Edalio.
The opening concert June 11 (7:30 p.m., Saugatuck Congregational Church) celebrates the joy of sharing live music.
Pikayzen will play Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.” As the violinist says, “‘Edelio’ means ‘forever young.’ This masterpiece remains beloved 300 years after it was composed.”
The program also includes the “Estaciones Porteñas” of Argentine legend Astor Piazzolla.
Edelio continues at the Pequot Library June 14 (7 p.m.). The return to chamber music features Mozart’s impeccable piano quartet in G minor, the rarely played edgy and tumultuous first Shostakovich trio, and the triumphant Dvorak piano quartet.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Igor Pikayzen
================================================
Most “Westport … Naturally” photos are completely natural.
Today’s, from Hillandale Road, shows a man-made assist to Mother Nature.
Come to think of it, the hedge and stone wall look a bit unnatural too.
(Photo/Bob Weingarten)
==================================================
And finally … on this (and every) Memorial Day, we salute all the men and women who served in our armed forces. And we remember the far too many, who gave their lives so that we can be here today, living ours.
(“06880” is honored to bring you news and information about Westport, on this holiday and every day. Please consider a contribution to help us continue. Click here — and thank you.)
Despite its name, the Fine Arts Festival is not a leave-your-kids-home thing. Children and teenagers are absolutely welcome. In addition to seeing very cool paintings, photos, sculptures and more, there are activities especially designed for them.
