Tag Archives: Jeanine Esposito

Roundup: Compo Closed To Swimmers ;OK To Delay Book Club Meets …

Posted on July 10, 2025 | 19 comments

Compo Beach and Weston’s Bisceglie Pond are closed for swimming, due to elevated baceria levels.

Swimming will remain prohibited until samples come back within acceptable levels. Those will be taken on Monday.

Burying Hill and Old Mill Beaches, as well as Sherwood Island State Park, are all open for swimming. Compo is open for all other activities except swimming.

No swimming at Compo until at least Tuesday.

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It’s summer. But “OK To Delay” — the group urging parents to protect middle schoolers from smartphones and social media — is not delaying their efforts.

Next Thursday (July 17, 7:30 p.m., on the sand near the playground), they’ll host “Books on the Beach 203” event, at Compo.

Westport moms, educators and community members will discuss Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation.” It examines the role of “phone-based childhoods” in the youth mental health crisis,

The conversation will touch on the challenges modern families face, and how families can work together to overcome them. RSVP: oktodelaywestport@gmail.com.

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Emmy-winning CNN correspondent Gayle Young is a native Westporter. Her journalism career began as a Westport News writer. She was Connecticut’s finalist for NASA’s Journalist in Space competition.

She’s just published a memoir, “Update: Reporting From an Ancient Land.”

There is plenty about her adventures reporting from the Middle East at the start of the first Gulf War; her work as CNN bureau chief in Cairo and Rome; her award-winning documentaries as a writer and producer for National Geographic Film & Television, and her career as head of multimedia production at the World Bank.

There is also quite a bit about growing up here.

Whether in South Africa for the election of Nelson Mandela, or with Moama Gadhafi and Yassir Arafat, she was always grateful to come home.

She writes too about how helpful Westport officials were in the 1990s, when she was gathering documents to adopt her baby daughter from a Russian orphanage orphanage.

“Update” is available on Amazon, Kindle, Goodreads and Barnes & Noble. To learn more, click here.

Gayle Young

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Speaking of journalism: The New York Times real estate section regularly runs “Renters”: stories of regular people, as they seek a rental that suits their needs, lifestyles (and bank accounts).

The most recent piece highlights Patricia Brennecke, a retired teacher who had to move from a great place in Oakland. She found — miraculously, to anyone familiar with Bay Area housing — an equally great spot in Emeryville.

The cross-continental Westport angle? “Imagine my surprise,” says Steve Doig — who emailed it to me — when I realized the story I was reading was about my classmate!”

Both he and Patricia graduated together, in Staples High School’s Class of 1966.

Once again, our “06880” tagline — “Where Westport Meets the World” — is true. Click here to read the full story.

Patricia Brennecke (Photo courtesy of NY Times)

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Yesterday’s Roundup highlighted the dollar-for-dollar-match fundraising drive on now — through July 31 — at Earthplace.

Every donation goes toward animals: their feeding, medical care and enrichment activities. (To contribute and learn more about Earthplace, click here.)

Meanwhile, if you need a little tug on your heartstrings before you donate: Check out the great video here, or below.

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Congratulations to The Hive!

The non-profit — started and nurtured by longtime Westporters Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito, to “deepen community connections through the arts dialogue, ideas and transformation” — was honored with a US Senate certificate of special recognition.

It included information about the couple’s Beechwood Salons in Westport, and their continuing work with arts organizations across Fairfield County.

Senator Richard Blumenthal presented the honor last weekend, at The Hive’s digs.

From left: Senator Richard Blumenthal, Frederic Chiu, Jeanine Esposito. (Screenshot courtesy of News12 Connecticut).

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Bill Dedman spotted this sign at Stop & Shop …

(Photo/Bill Dedman)

… and writes: “Shucks! Another joy of summer disappearing. Remember the days when, as soon as school let out, we kids rode our bikes down to the grocery to shuck corn.”

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Another sign of summer: Sure, you can play soccer on grass. Or artificial turf.

But there is something special about beach soccer.

These guys — from the O’Dell Group, and others — know it. Amy Schneider captured their early-morning session, at Compo.

(Photo/Amy Schneider)

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Westport Police made 2 custodial arrests between June 25 and July 9.

A 57-year-old Bridgeport man was arresed for driving under the influence, failure to drive right and operating a motor vehicle without a license, following a complaint of an intoxicated man in a resident’s yard who refused to leave. He did so before police arrived, but he was stopped on Greens Farms Road near Valley Road.

A 50-year-old New Milford woman was arrested on an active re-arrest warrant, for failure to appear.

Westport Police also issued these citations:

  • Traveling unreasonably fast: 8 citations
  • Failure to renew registration: 7
  • Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 5
  • Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5
  • Operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance: 5
  • Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 5
  • Driving while texting: 4
  • Failure to obey stop sign: 4
  • Improper use of markers: 3
  • Operating a motor vehicle under suspension: 2
  • Failure to grant right of way: 2
  • Driving under the influence: 1
  • Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
  • Improper entry/exit on a limited access highway: 1
  • Transporting a child without restraints: 1
  • Following too closely: 1
  • Unsafe backing: 2
  • Failure to drive right: 1
  • Failure to obey traffic control signals: 1
  • Failure to return plates: 1

Always look behind when backing up!

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Robert Horne — a former member of Westport Boards of Finance and Tax Review — died June 28, after a lengthy illness. He was 86.

The UK native earned a degree in chemical engineering from Cambridge, and an MBA from Harvard. He held leadership positions at ICI, Digital Equipment Corporation and Nortel, and was president and CEO of BioCad.

After his public service in Westport, he helped shape the city of Johns Creek, Georgia. Robert enjoyed sailing, water sports and skiing.

He is survived by his wife Ann; sons Mark and Adam; daughter Hannah, and grandchildren Ayden, Addison, Morgan, Paige and Luke.

A celebration of Rober’s life is set for July 26 (2 p.m., Lanier Village Estate chapel, Gainesville, Georgia). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LVE Samaritan Fund.

Robert Horne

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Beach plums are blooming — beautifully — near Old Mill Beach.

They’re so beautiful, they’re today’s featured “Westport … Naturally” image.

They look good enough to eat, right off the screen!

(Photo/Judith Katz)

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And finally … on this date in 1553, Lady Jane Grey took the throne of England.

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Posted in Arts, Beach, Environment, Obituaries, Police

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Beechwood Arts Builds A New Hive

Posted on May 8, 2024 | 1 comment

When Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito sold Beechwood — their magnificent Weston Road property, including a 216-year-old home and towering beech tree — and ended their Beechwood Arts & Innovation series, artists, musicians, foodies and the couple’s many friends were heartbroken.

Over 12 years, Beechwood had evolved from a music showcase in a sunny, circular room, into a multi-generational, ever-changing, truly innovative salon.

Violinist Joshua Bell, artists in every medium, chefs — and an eclectic cast of culturally curious area residents — gathered every 3 or 4 months. They listened, observed, ate, asked questions, debated, and gained new perspectives on our universe.

But since moving to Norwalk, Frederic — an internationally known pianist — and his equally talented artist wife Jeanine were hard at work on a new project.

They’ve been as busy as bees. Now they’ve unveiled “The Hive.”

The first 2 public events will take place at the Westport Library. After 32 years here, Frederic and Jeanine remain firmly tied to their town.

The Hive’s mission was inspired by the couple’s experience at Beechwood — especially, the community connection and collaboration that evolved among a diverse mix of artists and audiences.

The connections that developed between people who would not otherwise have met led them from a focus on “reimagining what the arts experience could be,” to “reimagining what the community experience can be – within and across communities.”

Thus, the Hive’s mission focuses on deepening community connection and understanding.

The Hive’s values “embody the ethos of the beehive: enthusiastic collaboration, continual communication, flexibility, transformation, respect, empathy and belonging.”

That should create quite a buzz.

After leaving Beechwood as a venue, they’re now collaborating with a number of community-driven organizations across Fairfield County: arts, libraries, community services, teen groups and more.

Jeanine Esposito and Frederic Chiu. (Photo/Jane Beiles for he New York Times)

They’re meeting with directors throughout the area, gaining input on how to provide value for their organizations through Hive programs.

It’s important for Frederic and Jeanine that at every event, community members be active participants.

“Without them, there is no ‘show,'” Jeanine notes.

The first 2 afternoons present community members on stage, showing art, telling stories, or “laying it down” on the piano.

Both will be followed by a community conversation (not, Jeanine emphasizes, “a Q&A”) on the subject.

The artists’ story share, on the subject of “Unexpected Human Pollination,” is the initial event, on Sunday, June 2 (2 to 4 p.m.).

Artists should think about this prompt: “Have you ever had an experience where you found yourself coming together with others whose mindsets, approaches and/or backgrounds were completely different from your own, and it ended up with very surprising or inspiring results?”

The deadline for artists to apply is May 25. (Artists do not have to tell a story to share their work.)

Community collaboration is a passion for Jeanine Esposito (middle row, center) and Frederic Chiu (far right).

The “laying it down” sessions — in which 6 accomplished amateur pianists follow Frederic on stage to play for an audience, followed by a community conversation revealing piano-connections threads — is Sunday, June 23 (2 to 4 p.m.). The application deadline is June 8.

Click here for more information on The Hive, including ways to get involved.

And how to pollinate interesting, important ideas, all across Fairfield County.

(Like the Hive, “06880” is your place for community-building and conversations. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Staples Lacrosse: State Champs! …

Posted on June 12, 2023 | Comments Off on Roundup: Staples Lacrosse: State Champs! …

First there was Wilton. Then Darien.

Now there’s a new powerhouse in Connecticut boys lacrosse: Staples.

The Wreckers won their 2nd straight state championship — and 2nd ever — yesterday. Seeded #2 in the “L” (large schools) division, they dominated #1-ranked Fairfield Prep en route to a 13-6 victory.

The score was 4-2 at halftime. The blue-and-whites never looked back.

Goals and/or assists came from Tyler Clark, Sam Eigen, Ben Burmeister, Leo Sequenzia, Gavin Rothenberg, Adam Udell, Tristan Schaefer, Michael Nealon and Dixon Scherer. Josh Marcus was a rock in goal.

Two days earlier, in a much closer contest, Staples edged #3 Darien, 9-8.

Congratulations to coach Will Koshansky, and the entire team, on a hard-earned, well-deserved, and fantastic accomplishment!

(Photos/Jada Mirabelle for CIAC Sports)

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A 13% cut in Metro-North service — and 4% fare increase — are coming down the tracks this fall.

What can be done?

Nothing.

That’s the opinion of Jim Cameron, CT Mirror’s transportation columnist.

Click here to read today’s full column. And get ready to gnash your teeth.

Jim Cameron describes what’s on track for local trains. (Photo/Molly Alger)

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Beechwood has been sold.

The storied Weston Road property owned by Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito changes hands later this month.

Before then, the couple’s Beechwood Arts & Immersion — named for the enormous copper beech tree that has shaded the home for 2 centuries — is holding an online auction. It closes this Wednesday (June 14, 7:30 p.m.). Click here for the link. All proceeds go to The Hive, Chiu and Esposito’s next collaborative project.

On Thursday, June 22 (3 to 7 p.m.), there is a “Take and Make” event. It is
“Beechwood’s version of a tag sale.” Go to Beechwood, have refreshments, visit the tree, share a memory of your time there, take some treasures, and make a donation for The Hive.

Among the items: women’s clothing, accessories and jewelry; rare, unusual and fun books; CDs and LPs; home and yard items, and more.

Beechwood House, and its towering copper beech tree.

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Remember this big, ugly, unneeded monstrosity from last summer?

(Photo/Matt Murray)

It’s gone this year.

The view of the plantings at the Compo Beach entrance is now much more soothing.

But wait! How will anyone know how many spaces are available in each lot?!

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Village Pediatrics had 4 interns this spring. Among their tasks: create a new “story walk” outside the office.

The new exhibit — “The Emotions Book” — features a cute elephant who learns to deal with big emotions. The public is invited to wander through the walkway, at 323 Riverside Avenue.

Cooper DeGirolomo of Hamden Hall Country Day School was one of the interns. He says: “The opportunity to learn from such a fantastic group of doctors and nurses has been inspiring, and reinvigorated my interest in pursuing a career in medicine.”

He shadowed physicians during well and sick visits. He learned about diseases and conditions, treatment plans, and medications.

The interns also read books about health, and discussed them with physicians.

Kayla Teplitz, 5, enjoys the Village Pediatrics story walk. She is working on her pre-reading skills, preparing for Coleytown Elementary School kindergarten this fall.

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“Riders to the Sea” was performed this past weekend at the Brooklyn Art Haus.

But theater-goers got a healthy dose of Westport.

Staples High School 2013 graduates (and former Players actors and/or musicians) Phoebe Corde, Jake Landau and Michelle Pauker had prominent roles.

Corde and Landau — part of a group called Off Brand Opera — adapted the opera into a musical. Landau also served as musical director, while Pauker was in the cast. Jake and Phoebe are board members of Off Brand Opera, which produces exciting cross-genre collaborations.

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Speaking of theater: “Days of Wine and Roses” — the new off-Broadway show starring Westport’s Kelli O’Hara — earned a rave review in the Washington Post.

“Her exceptional coloratura proves irresistible for a Guettel-mixed cocktail of ecstasy and pain,” writes Peter Marks.

“At a time when the American musical seems ever more pumped up on pop, what a pleasure it is to encounter a palette of new show tunes delving deeply into character, that favor sweeping emotionality over Spotify familiarity.”

Click here for the full review. (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)

Brian d’Arcy James and Kelli O’Hara in Atlantic Theater Company’s world premiere for the musical version of “Days of Wine and Roses.” (Photo/Ahron R. Foster for the Washington Post)

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A rose is a rose … is a “Westport … Naturally” photo.

Today’s beautiful image was taken by Tammy Barry, on Harbor Road.

(Photo/Tammy Barry)

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And finally … in honor of today’s gorgeous nature shot (above):

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Roundup: Budget, Westport10, Gravity …

Posted on May 2, 2023 | 2 comments

Last night, Westport did easily something the US Congress struggles with.

It passed a budget.

The Representative Town Meeting approved the town side of spending for 2023-24: $81.3 million.

The Board of Education Budget — approximately $152 million — will be debated tonight (7:30 p.m., Town Hall). If approval does not come tonight, a second meeting could be held tomorrow, at the same time and place.

The town budget passed unanimously. It included the Transit District’s full budget of $291,231, which was approved 33-1 after having been lowered by the Board of Finance to eliminate Wheels2U service. Louis Mall voted nay, while Peter Gold — who also serves as the Transit Director director — abstained.

Gold said he and his colleagues received over 325 letters in support of restoration. He said, “Their emails made it clear just how much the Wheels2U service means to all segments of the Westport population, and to those who commute to work in Westport.”

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The other day, News12 reported on Westport10 — the social and networking group of Black men and their families, whose mission is to make Westport a more diverse and welcoming town.

Yesterday, they aired a second segment. This one focuses on founder Jay Norris, and several other members. It’s a great look at another important slice of Westport life. Click here to see.

Westport10, on the News12 website.

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Speaking of Jay Norris:

He’s helping organize tonight’s Common Ground session at the Westport Library (Tuesday, 7 p.m.).

The event includes a conversation with former Congressman Roy Blunt — a Missouri Republican known for his bipartisan work — and Steve Parrish, whose consulting firm specializes in corporate social responsibility and public affairs.

The aim of the initiative is to host positive, productive conversations on how we work together as a civil society, encouraging respectful, constructive dialogue while tackling challenging, controversial issues.

The Library leads the effort, with community leaders representing a wide array of constituents and views. Click here for more information.

Senator Roy Blunt

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As Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito prepare to sell their beloved Beechwood estate, they’re planning one last event.

They’re partnering with realtor Cyd Hamer to give prospective buyers a very cool look inside. A “Spring Soirée” this Sunday (May 7, 3 to 6 p.m.) includes 3 mini-concerts by Frederic, the internationally renowned pianist.

Each will be followed by a house tour of secret spaces and buildings, with Champagne and sweet bites.

Space is limited; all guests must click here to register.

Beechwood House, with its magnificent copper beech tree.

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“Einstein’s Ears: The New Astronomy of Gravitational Waves” is the topic of the next Westport Astronomical Society webinar.

Scott Hughes, associate professor of physicals at the Massachusetts Institute of Technbology, talks about the quest for gravitational waves, and all kinds of related stuff.

It’s May 16 (8 p.m.). Click here for the Zoom link; click here to watch on YouTube.

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Save the date: MoCA Westport’s annual arts celebration/fundraiser “The Surrealist Soirée: A Bash Beyond Reality” is set for September 30.

Tickets start at $325 per person. Click here for more information.

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This bobcat sits serenely for his “Westport … Naturally” close-up.

(Photo/Sean Hogan)

But there was plenty of action nearby. Photographer Sean Hogan spotted this guy on Bay Street — right near the heart of downtown.

Or course, he has every right to be there. His crew was here long before ours.

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And finally … in honor of the upcoming Westport Astronomical Society lecture:

 (“06880” covers the arts, the sciences, the environment, and anything else with any Westport connection. Please click here to contribute — and thank you!)

 

 

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Roundup: Condo Hunt, Village Stories, Touch A Truck …

Posted on April 21, 2023 | 3 comments

In October, “06880” reported that Frederic Chiu and Jeanine Esposito were putting their historic, gorgeous Beechwood home up for sale.

For 10 years, the internationally known pianist and his talented artist wife had opened their property — with its 216-year-old rooms, grand piano and towering copper beech tree — to the public. They hosted innovative salons, with everyone from Joshua Bell to dancers and chefs sharing their talents and ideas.

Six months later, the New York Times has picked up the story.

Frederic and Jeanine are the stars of this Sunday’s Real Estate “The Hunt” feature. Each week, the paper describes a home buyer’s search for the perfect property. Readers learn what they looked and did not purchase (and why) — and, of course, what they finally bought.

On Sunday, you can find out which of 3 Norwalk condos they decided on. You can click on the story here and find out too — but first you’ll have to take a quick quiz on which of the properties you would like, and which one you think Frederic and Jeanine preferred. (Hat tip: Peter Gold)

Jeanine Esposito and Frederic Chiu in their new home. (Photo/Jane Beiles for he New York Times)

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Earth Day is tomorrow.

With no school on Saturday, Kings Highway and Saugatuck Elementary Schools celebrated yesterday.

Parents gathered on the hill between to watch their kids sing “This Land is Your Land,” and offer tips about sustainability and the impact we all have on this planet.

4th and 5th graders beat drums to accompany the 800-plus students singing “This Pretty Planet” by Tom Chapin and Libana’s “The Earth is our Mother.”

The event was the the brainchild of Ashley Moran of SES and Priscila Jones of KHS, with great enthusiasm from music teachers Colleen Cooney and Amy Laurino. (Hat tip: Allegra Gatti Zemel)

Earth Day at Kings Highway and Saugatuck Elementary Schools.

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Every pediatrician’s office has story books in the waiting room.

Village Pediatrics has them outside too.

Patients — and their parents – know that a visit to 323 Riverside Avenue includes time exploring the “story walk” along the Saugatuck River, behind the building.

Dr. Nikki Gorman and her colleagues put up the first story when they moved in, nearly 8 years ago. They’ve changed them seasonally every since.

The Village staff enjoys picking different books to highlight — those with interesting stories, and plenty of illustrations.

The featured book right now is (aptly) “Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring.”

Everyone is welcome to enjoy this great tale. You don’t need an earache or cough to visit Village Pediatrics — well, at least their story walk.

Medical office assistant Nick Schiff Denota joined Village Pediatrics 2 years ago, after graduating from Weston High School. He takes pride in putting up and maintaining the story walk.

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Speaking still of kids: Fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, cranes, dump trucks, buses, big rigs, boats and others roll into the Imperial Avenue parking lot on Saturday, April 29.

They’re all part of the Westport Weston Co-op Nursery School’s 16th annual Touch-A-Truck fundraiser (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; quiet hour without sirens or horns is 9 to 10 a.m.).

Children of all ages can get up close, climb on, and take photos with vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

They’ll also enjoy food trucks, music, balloon animals, magic shows, face painting, sensory play and more.

Admission is $35 per family. Click here for tickets.

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Moving on to teenagers: What’s the difference between the ACT and SAT exams? Which one should my child take? How much do test scores matter? How do test-optional schools evaluate applications?

Those questions and more will be addressed — and hopefully answered — next Tuesday (7 p.m., Zoom).

College admissions counselor Amy Chatterjee talks about “Everything You Didn’t Know — But Should — About the SATs/ACTs.”

The webinar — sponsored by S4 Study Skills — is free, but registration is required. Click here to sign up.

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As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Rowan Center — a local sexual assault resource agency — wants everyone to know how to keep children safe.

On Monday, April 24 (7 p.m., MoCA Westport), they’ll share information about social media, mental health, and sexual violence prevention education. Click here for more information. The event is free.

To RSVP, email info@therowancenter.org.

Artwork for the Rowan Center event.

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The limited edition vinyl LP of “Verso Records: Volume One” has arrived. Now, the Westport Library gets ready to celebrate the “artists, conspirators and community” that helped create the first vinyl record ever recorded, produced and released by a public library.

June 3 marks the official release. It includes 12 live tracks from tri-state area artists. Genres include rock, jazz, hip hop, folk and indie. All were recorded at the Library’s Verso Studios.

A release party is set for that night (7 p.m., Trefz Forum). Four of the bands will perform live.

The release party is free. A $25 ticket option includes a copy of “Verso Records: Volume One” and a free drink. (No record player? A digital copy will be available for $10.)

The album is available for pre-order. Preorders can be picked up at the release party, or will be shipped afterward.

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Speaking of music: The United Methodist Church of Westport & Weston celebrates International Jazz Day with a unique, open worship service for all ages and denominations.

The April 30 event (4 p.m.) combines the liturgical traditions of vespers with the exciting, soulful sounds of saxophone player John Collinge, bassist Steve Clarke, pianist Pat Marafiote, drummer Chris Stanley, guitarist Antonio Penn, and vocalist Jae Jones.

It’s a great introduction to jazz for young audiences, and a toe-tapping service for all.

Admission is free (donations are accepted). For more information click here, or call 203-227-4707.

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The comedy/mystery “Bad Accents” kicks off the Westport Country Playhouse’s “New Works” series on Monday (April 24).

The audience is invited to meet playwright Matthew Greene and director Liam Lonegan (Playhouse assistant artistic director) in the lobby after the performance.

Click here for more information, and tickets. All seats are $25.

The cast of 5 includes Halima Henderson.

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“06880 has covered the hatching of swan eggs by the Saugatuck River, a few yards from the hustle, bustle and carbon monoxide of Parker Harding Plaza.

But a couple of days ago — after that birth — Alina Rodescu-Pitchon spotted another mother, with her nest.

“Westport … Naturally” — and all of downtown — is twice blessed.

(Photo/Alina Rodescu-Pitchon)

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And finally … Otis Redding III only 3 years old when his father and namesake died in a 1967 plane crash.

Otis III — who went on to a fruitful, career as a musician — died Tuesday in the Redding family’s home town of Macon, Georgia. He was 59, and suffered from cancer.

Otis III was not burdened by his father’s fame. He had his own band. But he also sang Otis’ biggest hit, “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay.”

Otis III worked with his family’s foundation to organize summer camps, teaching children to play music. And he served as president of the local chapter of Meals on Wheels. Click here for a full obituary.

(“06880” scours the world for Westport stories. To help us do it, please click here. Thank you!)

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Posted in Children, Education, Entertainment, Environment, Library, Real estate, religion, Westport Country Playhouse

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Beechwood Arts: Turning The Page To Chapter 3

Posted on October 18, 2022 | 2 comments

There are many chapters in Beechwood’s storied history.

The 3-acre property on Weston Road includes a handsome 1806 house, carriage house, and stunning 400-year-old beech tree.’

For the past 12 years it’s been the home of world renowned pianist Frederic Chiu and his wife, equally talented artist Jeanine Esposito. For nearly as long, they’ve shared it with the community.

Beechwood House — with its magnificent copper beech tree — is the site of fascinating salons.

The couple created and curated Beechwood Arts & Innovation. Originally a way to showcase music in a sunny, circular room, the non-profit soon evolved into a multi-generational, ever-changing, truly innovative salon.

Violinist Joshua Bell, artists in every medium, chefs — and an eclectic cast of culturally curious area residents — gathered every 3 or 4 months. They listened, observed, ate, asked questions, debated, and gained new perspectives on our universe.

Food was an artful part of the Beechwood experience.

Chapter 1 of Beechwood Arts & Innovation was its workshops, Chiu and Esposito say. They created a destination, a physical community where could join together and connect, over a shared discipline.

Chapter 2 involved greater collaboration, across arts genres, and an outreach to even more diverse artists and audiences. When COVID struck, and intimate gatherings grew difficult, Beechwood pivoted to interactive livestreams and “Salons Around the World,” happening simultaneously in a variety of venues.

A piano performance was  just part of one salon.

Now — at the same time Esposito and Chiu are planning their 100th Beechwood event October 30 — they’re preparing for Beechwood’s Chapter 3.

Soon, the magnificent property will be on the market. The 216-year-old home they’ve spent the past 2 years renovating will be sold. They’ll stay in the area. though — and shepherd Beechwood into Chapter 3.

The end of the pandemic is only part of the reason for the latest evolution. In recent months, Chiu’s touring and piano competition judging schedule has increased dramatically.

He’s on the road constantly. And when he’s not touring, he’s teaching. He began during COVID; now he’s doing it in the classroom, away from Westport.

Jeanine Esposito and Frederic Chiu, at their Beechwood home.

Yet there are still concerns about large gatherings in small spaces, especially as the weather forces more people indoors. Summertime “Beechwood Open” series — conducted outdoors — are impractical most of the year.

The summer 2021 gathering was a great success. Ongoing extensive renovations made this year’s Open impractical, however.

Esposito and Chiu had originally planned small repairs. “It’s an 1806 house though,” she notes. “One thing always leads to another.”

The immediate next “other” for Beechwood is October 30 (2 to 6 p.m., 52 Weston Road). Guests can wander around, at their leisure. There will be  performances under the tree and in the music room — and an open piano and stage.

In addition, 21 artists will offer tiny paintings, commemorating secrets from the property’s long history.

A scavenger hunt will enable attendees to see parts of the house they’ve never been in. A tag sale — with items grouped by collections (and vintage outfits, hats, jewelry, scarves and bags) — will help Chiu and Esposito downsize.

Plans are not finalized for all of Chapter 3. It will, however, involve collaboration with institutions like the Westport Library, MoCA, SHU Community Theater and other partners. Small dinners will continue, with guest musicians and artists.

And a name has already been chosen: “The Hive.”

“Beehives are totally collaborative,” Esposito says.

“And buzzing with activity,”” Chiu adds.

(Guests at the October 30 event should park at the United Methodist Church on Weston Road, across the street from Beechwood. There is no charge, but pre-registration is requested; click here.) 

(“06880” regularly covers Westport’s arts scene. Please click here to contribute to this hyper-local blog.)

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Beechwood Arts: A Decade Of Immersive Innovation

Posted on April 20, 2021 | 3 comments

In their first 2 decades here, Frederic Chiu, Jeanine Esposito and their kids lived in a small Greens Farms house.

A decade ago, they searched for something a little bigger. One listing had nothing they were looking for. It was old (1806), had too much property (3 acres), and sat on a busy street (Weston Road).

But for some reason the couple — he’s a world-renowned pianist, she’s an equally talented artist — checked it out. When they saw the big music room, carriage house and beautiful, 400-year-old copper beech tree, both knew it was what they wanted.

There were four other bidders. In a letter to the owners, Frederic and Jeanine described their vision. It would be a place where artists and performers of all types could gather, connect, learn from and inspire each other.

They got the house. Then wondered, “What did we do?!”

Beechwood House, with its magnificent copper beech tree.

They scheduled their first event before they had furniture: a celebration of Latin America. Guests brought chairs.

As soon as the event began, there was an exciting chemistry. Most attendees were strangers, working in different art forms. But they felt united.

Beechwood Arts was born.

Friends said it wouldn’t work. There were too many other arts organizations, they warned. You can’t combine different arts. You’d need a big board of directors. And on and on.

Jeanine and Frederic did not listen to the skeptics. They heeded their own instincts. They had faith that their intimate space, its spirit of energy of openness, and their own belief in celebration and collaboration, would work.

It did.

This year, their project — now called Beechwood Arts & Innovation — turns 10. Their mix of generations, cultural backgrounds and themes has blossomed into a thriving, ever-evolving special salon.

Their day jobs keep them plenty busy (and, until COVID, on the road). But Beechwood is their special baby. As its parents, they look back proudly at a decade of arts experiences.

Jeanine Esposito and Frederic Chiu, at home. That’s where they host their eclectic Beechwood Immersive Arts salons.

The statistics are stunning. Frederic and Jeanine have produced 130 events: arts immersion salons, petit and open salons, livestreams, shows, creative conversations, inspiration retreats, community conversations and more.

Nearly 350 visual artists have shown over 1,400 pieces. Beechwood has hosted more than 180 performers, along with dozens of filmmakers, video artists and creative chefs.

Great food and good conversation — important elements of Beechwood salons.

Beechwood has featured works by international artists like Joshua Bell, and local students. Events have been held in the music room, dining room, and under that magnificent beech tree.

A piano performance is just part of one salon …

… and Joshua Bell in the same space.

Art was drawn during some events. Tiny portraits were hidden in the walls and grounds. Audience members have read out loud. Musical works were premiered. A “sonic sanctuary” allowed guests to create performances that mixed with nature. Chefs and filmmakers competed in smackdowns. Long before Zoom was a thing, Beechwood linked artists and musicians around the world, all creating simultaneously.

Sculpture — indoors and outside — is an important part of Beechwood salons.

The lack of a big board of directors — or many other trappings of a traditional arts organization — has allowed Beechwood to be both creative and flexible.

Immediately after the 2016 election, an event was aimed at healing divisions around the country. Less than a month after the COVID lockdown, Beechwood inaugurated weekly virtual programs. Then, a week after George Floyd’s death, a group of Black artists created an delivered an “Amplify Festival,” with original art and performances, and plenty of conversation.

Those conversations are a key to Beechwood’s success. Every event includes opportunities for strangers to mingle.

Attendees at Beechwood’s first “Ben Franklin Day” dinner. Hosts Jeanine Esposito and Frederic Chiu are in the middle row, center and far right.

Frederic and Jeanine are not afraid to talk with other organizations. Though there is often tension in the arts world over perceived competition for audiences and dollars, many Beechwood events are done collaboratively. Partners have included the Westport Library, MoCA Westport, Westport Museum of History & Culture, Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, Connecticut Alliance for Music, Festival Edelio, Maritime Gallery, MakerFaire and others.

Entering its second decade, Beechwood joins with other venues around the country for 3 compelling Thursday 7 p.m. Classical Smackdowns , with interactive voting– all courtesy of Frederic.

On April 27 it’s Debussy vs. Prokofiev. May 27 brings Bach vs. Glass. Mendelssohn vs. Chopin follow on June 24. All are virtual.

Beechwood also continues its Amplify Festival — “amplifying voices through the arts” — as a partnership with the Westport Library and TEAM Westport (May 8, 7 p.m., in person and livestream). It’s part of the WestportREADS program involving Layla Saad’s book “Me and White Supremacy,” and includes “Duets” by Mozart & Mumford, “Skin” body paint and spoken word, and more.

The Beechwood grounds.

On Sunday, August 1, Frederic and Jeanine plan to welcome artists, performers and guests to their beautiful Beechwood grounds. They’ll show off their frog pond, sculpture field, birds and bees garden, indoor spaces — and of course their beloved copper beech tree.

“Hidden Secrets of Beechwood Arts Immersion” is set for Sunday, October 17.

Both events are great ways to celebrate 10 years of arts in their home. It’s one they never intended to even look at — but now is is their, and the arts world’s, wonderfully innovative institution.

(Click here for the Beechwood Arts website.  Click here for more information on Beechwood’s Smackdown Series. Click here for tickets.)

 

 

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Beechwood Amplifies Arts, Social Issues

Posted on June 15, 2020 | Comments Off on Beechwood Amplifies Arts, Social Issues

Beechwood Arts is one of Westport’s most important — and cutting-edge — cultural institutions. Through salons and workshops, in collaboration with artists, musicians, performers, filmmakers and many others, Frederic Chiu and his wife Jeanine Esposito inspire, illuminate and provoke a wide array of audiences, in often unexpected ways.

One of Frederic and Jeanine’s guiding principles is that art is an intimate part of the broader world. Beechwood always makes those  connections clear — but never more so than today. Frederic and Jeanine say:

An important part of Beechwood’s mission over the last 10 years has been to build a collaborative community of artists, performers and audiences across the divisions of age, gender, race, cultural backgrounds and lifestyles.

Jeanine Esposito and Frederic Chiu, at their Beechwood Arts home.

We have been honored to welcome a diverse community across all of our events, including a large number of black artists, performers and audience members. We’ve been heartbroken and horrified by the many violent instances of black lives being extinguished and the evidence of enduring, systemic racism in our communities and our country. We stand in support of identifying and eliminating systemic racism and replacing it with respect and equal opportunity.

In these past tragic weeks, we have reached out to the members of our Beechwood community that are directly affected by these issues to discuss, collaborate and develop together a way for Beechwood to use our resources and our mission to best support them.

The answer that emerged is AMPLIFY. The goal of AMPLIFY is to use Beechwood’s resources to support black artists and the black community by giving them control of the narrative and amplifying their voice, while standing with them in support and solidarity.

For the next 2 weeks, we have invited black members of our creative community to participate with other artists they invite to collaboratively create visual art and to perform (and stream) from our Music Room or under the Copper Beech to share their voice in whatever way they choose through the lens of the arts. Juneteenth falls in the middle of this period. We will have a special performance that evening, from 7 to 9 p.m. (see below).

All activities will run for 2 weeks (June 14-28), on either side of Juneteenth (June 19), the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.’

In addition, Beechwood purchased 40 plain black lawn signs to post along the road on our property. We’ve invited black artists from our community to pick up a sign, create an artwork on one side, then pass it along to a supportive fellow artist of their choice to paint the other side and drop it off at Beechwood. As the plain black signs are replaced with finished artwork, a river of amplified artistic voices will emerge.

Beechwood Arts’ signs, before artists’ creations.

Although Beechwood on Weston Road is not yet reopened to the public, we have invited black performing artists from our community to record and stream performances of music, theater, spoken word, live art, etc. from Beechwood’s Music Room or under the embrace of the Copper Beech.

Performers will stream from Beechwood’s Facebook Live platform, and receive donations to support them and their work, and share with other supportive organizations as they choose. The schedule will be revealed as performers sign up.

For example, there is a special, poignant and powerful performance by Tiffany Renee Jackson’s “From The Hood To The Ivy League (and Back)” about her extraordinary journey as a black woman, on June 19 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Dr. Tiffany Renee Jackson

Dr. Jackson sings and performs the story of her life journey – from growing up in a tough New Haven neighborhoods, to the development of her singing gift in the black church, to walking to lessons at Yale, to becoming an international opera star (she has sung several times at Beechwood!), to teaching at private schools including Greens Farms Academy, to finally returning to New Haven to teach and lift up young black voices.

Once all the art is in and performances have begun, we will work with the artists to forge partnerships with other venues and organizations. The goal is to expand ways to show the art and use the performances to have dialogue and conversations that bring awareness, understanding and support of Black Lives Matter issues. Please email contact@beechwoodarts.org with any suggestions, or if your organization wants to be involved.

We’d also like to share some history about the copper beech tree on Beechwood Arts’ property. Estimated at close to 400 years old, it has been witness to the history of black lives in America since the beginning of slavery.

Beechwood’s main house was built in 1806 — possibly earlier. Inside is a door that, when opened, appears to be a shallow closet, but whose side wall is a narrow entrance to a 4-room underground basement. It is believed to have played a role in the Underground Railroad.

It is reported that President Lincoln saw that tree when visiting Morris Ketchum, who owned Beechwood when it was part of the Hockanum estate.

Beechwood House, with its magnificent copper beech tree.

We did not know this history when we purchased Beechwood and set our mission to share the arts with the surrounding community by building a collaborative community of artists, performers and audiences, or when we included collaboration and community conversation in our mission to explore meaningful, and sometimes difficult and complex, themes through the arts.

But we believe that a space retains the energy of its history to influence its future!

(For more information on AMPLIFY, click here.)

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TEA Talk Sunday: Breaking Barriers Through Arts

Posted on October 24, 2019 | 1 comment

Everyone knows about TED Talks.

But here in Westport, we’ve got TEA Talks.

The Westport Arts Advisory Committee and Westport Library’s 8th annual TEA — that’s Thinkers, Educators, Artists — event is set for this Sunday (October 27, 2 p.m., Town Hall).

The topic is timely and relevant: “Breaking Barriers Through the Arts.”

Music, visual arts, performance and poetry artists will share personal stories of breaking boundaries through their work, in 3 20-minute conversations and performances.

There are special appearances by Westport poet laureate Diane Lowman and internationally renowned pianist Frederic Chiu — a local resident — plus an audience Q-and-A, and the presentation of a Horizon Award to a young area artist of note.

Noah Fox

Noah Fox is the winner of that Horizon Award. The 2009 Staples High School graduate — he went by Noah Steinman then — studied photography at Staples, and studio art, art history and queer theory at Oberlin College; earned an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; worked as education manager at the Westport Arts Center, and now serves as coordinator of academic and public programs at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum.

He’s made a name with a unique project: “transforming” educational books that are “alarmingly misogynistic, homophobic and racist.” Fox paints, draws, sculpts and uses collages to gouge out the books, and “reclaim” them. He “sheds light on the oppressive foundations of American culture, while exposing the ways in which these systems and rhetoric persist today.”

Fox will be joined on the TEA stage by:

  • Illustrator Ann Chernow of Westport, whose works evoke the images of female cinematic figures of the 1930s and ’40s
  • Westport conceptual artist and sculptor Jeanine Esposito, who co-founded Beechwood Arts salon, and now brings innovation to libraries, universities and non-profits
  • Westport director, producer, dramatic coloratura and private voice teacher Wendy Morgan-Hunter
  • Ecuadorean-born violinist, educator and social entrepreneur Angelica Durrell
  • Groundbreaking classical and jazz singer, inspirational teacher, body builder and nutrition specialist Dr. Tiffany Renee Jackson.

The TEA Talk is free, and open to the public. A reception follows immediately afterward. Registration is encouraged; click here.

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Frederic Chiu: Booked By The Library To Innovate

Posted on May 28, 2019 | 2 comments

In its 21 years, Booked for the Evening — the Westport Library’s signature fundraising event — has brought many big names to town.

Tom Brokaw, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Patti Smith, Alan Alda and others have enlightened and entertained us, on the cramped main floor.

But now the library’s Transformation Project is almost complete. Stacks of books have been replaced by a Forum — a dramatic event space framed by a state-of-the-art stage and screen.

This year’s Booked for the Evening is the first chance for the public to see the transformed library. Organizers needed an extra-special honoree, someone as compelling as the new space itself.

Frederic Chiu (Photo/Chris Craymer)

They did not have to look far. Frederc Chiu — the internationally acclaimed, award-winning virtuoso pianist, collaborator, innovator, entrepreneur and Westporter — will inaugurate the Forum’s stage.

And he’ll do it using a spectacular new piano, with a great back story. But more on that later.

Chiu has performed on 5 continents, in all 50 states, and with orchestras like the National Symphony in Washington DC, the China National Symphony and the BBC Concert Orchestra Symphony. He has collaborated with friends like Joshua Bell.

But he’s also our neighbor.

Chiu’s introduction to Westport came in 1986, when he won the prestigious Young Performers International Competition (now named for Heida Hermanns) here.

In the 1990s he lived in Paris. Whenever he played in New York, he visited his friend Jeanine Esposito here. After they married, Westport — with its arts heritage, and proximity to New York and Europe — seemed like a perfect place to be.

Chiu loved the Westport Library. He researched music and travel. He checked out CDs, DVDs and books. And whatever he could not find, the staff tracked down through interlibrary loans.

Jeanine Esposito and Frederic Chiu, at home. That’s where they host their eclectic Beechwood Arts Immersive Salons.

Esposito, meanwhile, helped then-director Maxine Bleiweis develop the next phas of the MakerSpace.

Current director Bill Harmer has impressed the couple too. Recently, he announced that the library will be the winter home of Chiu and Esposito’s Beechwood Arts Immersion Salon series.

“Today, libraries are community hubs” Chiu notes. “They’re places to create bonds, where people can communicate. And they’re accessible to all.”

Chiu is excited that the Westport Library is expanding that mission by including the arts in its transformation. Audio and video production have dedicated spaces, next to the impressive new stage.

On Tuesday, June 4, Chiu’s Booked for the Evening performance debuts not only that stage, but also the library’s new Yamaha Disklavier piano.

It’s an astonishing instrument. Besides its marvelous sound, the piano is a technological marvel. It can play 50,000 songs (like a player piano). It also connects with any other Disklavier anywhere in the world.

And with its video capabilities, it allows Chiu to do something he’ll showcase on Tuesday: He can play a duet with himself. He’s chosen Chopin’s only work for 2 pianos.

Here’s looking at Chiu: The pianist stands in the Forum, while a video of him playing plays on the high-def screen behind the stage.

That’s just one piece of Chiu’s performance. He’ll play with Timo Andres, an award-winning young pianist/composer.

He also brings his interactive production of Prokofiev’s popular “Romeo and Juliet: The Choice” ballet to the stage. At the end, Booked guests vote for either the tragic conclusion, or the composer’s little-known happy ending.

But back to that Yamaha piano. It’s a gift from Stacy Bass and her brother, David Waldman. It honors their mother, Jessica Waldman, who died in January.

The donation has special meaning for Stacy, who helped start Booked for the Evening 21 years ago.

“My mother was passionate about theater and music,” Stacy says. “David and I wanted to give something to the library that really represents her. The piano will be part of the stage. She will live on every day.”

Frederic Chiu, at the beautiful new Yamaha Dislavier piano. It’s a gift from Stacy Bass and David Waldman, in honor of their mother Jessica. (Photos/Dan Woog)

Last week Chiu sat at the piano, in the still-unfinished Forum, and smiled.

“I’m being honored, and I’ll be onstage. But the soloist is always the instrument and the music. I do my best to put them out front. I’m of service to great music, and a great piano.”

Chiu notes that when the piano was invented more than 300 years ago, it “brought music to the masses. It was as much an innovation as the printing press and computer were, for bringing information to the public. Playing it is unlike any other activity people can do.”

No one plays better than Frederic Chiu.

And there is no better choice for Booked for the Evening, to inaugurate the Westport Library’s new age of arts and innovation.

(For more information on the June 4 Booked for the Evening, including tickets, click here.)

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