Tag Archives: Freda Welsh

Roundup: Wreaths, Welshes And More …

Posted on November 29, 2025 | Comments Off on Roundup: Wreaths, Welshes And More …

There are plenty of places to buy Christmas wreaths.

If you want to support a Scout fundraiser, mark December 7 (Saugatuck Congregational Church front lawn, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on your calendar.

Troop 36’s annual sale features fresh, decorated 22-inch wreaths, for just $35. Proceeds support activities throughout the year.

Pre-orders will be taken through Monday (December 1); click here. Additional wreaths (and bake sale items) will be available December 7.

Troop 36 members, at last year’s wreath sale.

==================================================

The final Club203 event of 2025 will be a festive one.

Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities celebrates the holidays at the Westport Woman’s Club (December 17, 6:30 p.m.).

Members — and parents and caregivers too — are invited. The night of giving, gratitude and great fun includes cookie decorating with MoCA\CT, and photos by the WWC Christmas tree. Click here to register.

Scenes from last year’s Club203 holiday party.

==================================================

For almost 50 years, Freda Welsh has been the executive director of the Levitt Pavilion concerts.

In 2011 she was joined by her daughter Carleigh Welsh, who produces the shows (and opens them, thanking the audience and sponsors). 

On December 4 (2:45 p.m., Westport Senior Center) Rozanne Gates will speak with both.

The event — part of the Legacy Project USA’s “This is Your Life” series — will explore how the mother and daughter teamed up to bring world-class musicians to Westport every summer, for 50 free concerts and start-studded special events.

Registration is required. Call 203-341-5099.

Carleigh and Freda Welsh

==============================================

There are many spots to enjoy a fiery sunrise.

Today, “Westport … Naturally” features this view. Carl McNair captured it over the Staples High athletic fields, from Bedford Middle School.

(Photo/Carl McNair)

==================================================

And finally … on this date in 1777, San Jose, California was founded as Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. It was the first civilian settlement (pueblo) in Alta California.

(Do you know that “06880” is supported by readers like you? And do you know that by clicking here, you can make a tax-deductible donation? Finally, do you know that we really, really thank you?!)

Comments Off on Roundup: Wreaths, Welshes And More …

Posted in Entertainment

Tagged , , , , , ,

Levitt Pavilion: About Those Wrist Bands …

Posted on July 20, 2023 | 3 comments

Back in the middle of the pandemic — remember those days? — the Levitt Pavilion pivoted like many entertainment venues.

“Pods” — circles drawn on the grass — kept small groups socially distanced from each other. Pre-registration was required. Attendance was capped.

COVID is now in our rear view mirror. Social distancing has gone the way of washing our food and keeping it outside for 48 hours before eating.

But Westport’s premier summertime showcase still requires registration — even for free events. And many shows “sell out.”

Why?

“The free-ticket model was one we adopted for some shows even before the pandemic,” say Freda and Carleigh Welsh, the Levitt executive director, and marketing and development director respectively.

Enjoying the Levitt Pavilion lawn. (Photo/Jim Honeycutt)

“Most importantly, it allows us to safely limit capacity. Shows frequently attract capacity crowds — not all, but many — and if, say, we were to attract 2,000 people for the free Calexico show but had to turn away almost half of them, it would not be ideal from any perspective.

“Free ticket distribution has become an integral part of crowd management, as well as providing effective communication with attendees for updates (showtime changes, weather, etc.).”

Other benefits, the Welshes say, include helping people make plans in advance so they can count on attending popular shows with friends.

The Welshes note that tickets are sometimes returned, prior to a show. They are given to the box office and/or a wait list.

“Spontaneity is still in season,” the Welshes add.

“On any given evening, people can still come. If there is space on the lawn, they can check in at the box office.”

(Photo/JC Martin)

ENCORE: The Levitt Pavilion presents over 50 free shows each summer. Information (and free tickets) are available at www.levittpavilion.com. The box office opens 2 hours before showtime.

And the Levitt has just announced 3 new free ticket shows: Julie Williams on July 28, Karina Rykman August 11, and Bailen September 14. Get ’em while they last!

(Over 50 Levitt Pavilion shows are free. “06880” is free too. But — like the Levitt — we rely on residents’ support. Please click here to donate to your hyper-local blog. Thank you!) 

3 Comments

Posted in Entertainment

Tagged , ,

Jose Feliciano, Mimi Levitt Launch New Pavilion

Posted on July 20, 2014 | 10 comments

Saying “I look forward to returning for years to come,” 93-year-old Mimi Levitt shined with excitement as she welcomed Westport’s newest jewel: the refurbished Levitt pavilion.

The $9 million public/private project — propelled by a $4.5 million grant from the Levitt Foundation — represents a complete overhaul of an already intriguing downtown attraction.

With a soaring, sail-inspired, state-of-the-art stage; a killer sound system; amenities like dressing rooms, food concessions, ramps and restrooms — plus a completely renovated riverwalk that now extends all the way to the point behind the pavilion — this Levitt marks the 2nd transformation of a former landfill.

Parks and Rec, politicians, architects and construction folks all took their bows.

Then Jose Feliciano took over. His kick-butt show is just the start of a summer filled with entertainment.

And there was not a mosquito in sight.

A small portion of the large crowd, and the new Levitt stage.

A small portion of the large crowd, and the new Levitt stage.

The one and only Jose Feliciano. The Weston resident donated his fee to the Levitt building fund.

The one and only Jose Feliciano. The Weston resident donated his fee to the Levitt building fund.

The lawn was full -- but there was plenty of room to relax.

The lawn is full — but there’s still plenty of room to relax.

Mimi Levitt -- 93 years young -- and her daughter Liz Levitt Hirsch.

Mimi Levitt — 93 years young — and her daughter Liz Levitt Hirsch.

Dancing in the aisle, to Jose Feliciano.

Dancing on the grass, to Jose Feliciano.

Freda and Carleigh Welsh: 2 of the driving forces behind the Levitt Pavilion's success.

Freda and Carleigh Welsh: 2 of the driving forces behind the Levitt Pavilion’s success.

The new Levitt has real restrooms. And they are already in use.

The new Levitt has real restrooms. And they are already in use.

The landscaping extends beyond the stage, out to the point where the Levitt juts into the Saugatuck River. A newly enhanced riverwalk adds to the beauty.

The landscaping extends beyond the stage, out to the point where the Levitt juts into the Saugatuck River. A newly enhanced riverwalk adds to the beauty.

10 Comments

Posted in Arts, Downtown, Entertainment, People

Tagged , , , ,

The Next Stage Of The Levitt

Posted on June 6, 2012 | 5 comments

For a couple of years now, the Levitt Pavilion has been in a state of flux.

Not the leadership or the entertainment — the pavilion itself.

The original structure was great for its time. But that time — and weather — took its toll. In May 2007 — after 34 years — the bandshell burned to the ground.

No problem. It was a training exercise, conducted by the Westport Fire Department.

A temporary structure was erected. Within 2 years, officials promised, a new, improved pavilion would be built.

Five years later, plans are still on the drawing board.

Literally.

The temporary Levitt Pavilion.

On Monday, contractors interested in the project examined the site. Bids are due soon.

According to executive director Freda Welsh, committee members will then determine whether it’s possible to actually start building this year, to be ready for 2013.

According to the Levitt’s website, Westport architect Peter Cadoux’s new pavilion

will feature greatly improved facilities and amenities for audiences and artists alike. Our new LEED-certified building will have a covered stage with vastly updated technical abilities, furthering our capacity to attract world-class artists as well as to support emerging ones. The enhanced park will feature an improved RiverWalk and picnic groves, an info booth and community hospitality center outfitted with food services and indoor restrooms — all of which will feature universal access.

It’s already 4 years overdue. Fundraising in the current economic climate is not easy — just ask the Y.

A rendering of the proposed new Levitt Pavilion, from their website.

Though the Levitt sits on public land, its 50 nights of free entertainment are privately funded.

The new project will rely entirely on donations, too.

The 39th season kicks off Sunday, June 24 with a “60s Show.” Musicians include former members of Billy Joel and Elton John’s bands, the Boston Pops and current Smithereens.

The traditional summer-long mix of military bands, klezmer, comedy, kids’ nights and everything else — a modern-day Ed Sullivan Show, minus Topo Gigio — follows.

Perhaps in 2013 they’ll perform on a fresh, modern, state-of-the-art stage.

Or sometime this century.

5 Comments

Posted in Entertainment, Organizations, People

Tagged ,