Tag Archives: Norwalk Symphony Orchestra

Roundup: Soundview Stroll, Levitt Lights, Media Mentions …

Posted on June 30, 2025 | Comments Off on Roundup: Soundview Stroll, Levitt Lights, Media Mentions …

The Soundview Summer Stroll has an Instagram page: @SoundviewSummerStroll.

In the weeks leading up to the July 27 event, we’ll post information on the great new tradition. All day long, the Compo Beach exit road will be closed to traffic, and open for live music, kids’ activities and games, food, community gathering and fun.

On our Instagram we’ll offer information on the bands that will play, times for the photo booth and face painting, food vendors, and everything else you need to make the day special.

Please follow the page, check out the reel, and add a comment if you’d like. If you’ve got any photos from last year, add them in!

The Soundview Summer Stroll is a gift to the town, from “06880” and the Compo Beach Improvement Association. See you on July 27, at the Stroll!

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Blau House & Gardens — the magnificent property high on a ridge off Bayberry Lane — is one of Westport’s true hidden gems.

The gardens were developed over 50 years by the late advertising entrepreneur, Barry Blau. The intimate series of interlocking garden rooms, incorporating native plants interspersed with a blend of exotics — surround a mid-century modern house designed by celebrated theatrical designer, Ralph Alswang.

Since 2017, Emily Blau and Robert Cohen — the BH&G stewards — have opened their special garden for events like signings by bestselling authors, children’s book readings, scavenger hunts, garden tours, horticultural classes and more.

Next up: “Music in the Garden.” Two concerts this summer — presented in collaboration with the Norwalk Symphony Orchetra — offer a chance to hear beautiful music, in an unparalleled setting.

The first is August 3, with the Quantum Leap String Quartet. The second is August 17, featuring Harmonia V Woodwind Quintet.

Both days begin with a garden tour, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. ($25). The music begins at 6 p.m., through 7:15 ($75). Picnicking in the gardens is encouraged.

Shuttles will run from the parking lot at Coleytown Elementary School. Click here for tickets.

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Saturday’s Levitt Pavilion show — the Disco Biscuits’ 30th anniversary tour stop — included great celestial lighting, for the popular EDM/jam rock band.

For disco biscuits 30th anniversary tour stop!

Click here or below for an intriguing look at the “mother ship.”

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The New York Times gave plenty of coverage in yesterday’s “Vows” section to the marriage of Jackie Hornung and Ben Jacob.

Much of the story involved their dog, Little Bear Lumi. He’s social media famous. In fact, Jackie — who majored in psychology at Tulane University — handles his accounts full time.

The couple met as 11-year-olds at Camp Echo Lake. At 16 — more than a decade ago — they became a couple.

Click here to read the full story. And see more photos of Lumi. (Hat tip: Robin Frank)

Jackie Hornung, Ben Jacob and Lumi. (Photo Brindamour Studios)

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Another newspaper feature, another Westporter: Taking a break from tough topics, this weekend the Wall Street Journal asked: “What Do You Wear Though Your Partner Hates It?”

One answer came from a Westporter:

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After 3.5 miles yesterday, the Y’s Men Sunday walking group was just over half done.

And fully parched.

Fortunately, Lou and Dorothy Rolla were there, with cold lemonade and water.

The men cooled off. They thanked the couple. And then — refreshed — they were off again.

Dorothy Rolla (right), with the Y’s Men. (Photo/Lou Rolla)

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“06880” has recently featured a few very cool, classic cars, parked at Compo’s South Beach.

But that’s not the only spot to spot ’em.

This Can Am drew admiring glances Saturday night, in the Viva Zapata lot.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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On Saturday, Wakeman Town Farm dedicated a garden in honor of ardent environmentalist and civic volunteer Cathy Talmadge.

Representative Town Meeting (RTM) colleague Andrew Colabella was there. He snapped this evocative photo, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

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And finally … the wedding story (above) got us thinking about this song. Just swap out Lumi for Boo …

(Happy holiday week! Follow all the fun on “06880.” And if you get a chance to click here to support our work — well, thank you! That’s the spirit!)

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Violins Of Hope: Victory Of The Human Spirit

Posted on October 30, 2024 | Comments Off on Violins Of Hope: Victory Of The Human Spirit

Some are over 100 years old.

But string instruments rescued from the Holocaust have a new life, thanks to Violins of Hope.

On November 16 (7 p.m., Norwalk Concert Hall), they’ll be featured in a unique performance by the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.

The concert — set for the week after the anniversary of Kristallnacht — highlights the first-ever local visit of Violins of Hope, a private collection of violins, violas and cellos painstakingly restored by violin-makers based in Tel Aviv and Istanbul.

The instruments — which belonged to Jews before and during the Holocaust, some of which were played in concentration camps or thrown from cattle cars — will also be displayed at high schools, synagogues and churches throughout Fairfield County. The week-long visit features cultural exhibits, performances and community education, with a message of hope, resilience and unity.

Violins of Hope has been featured in print, film and television. The instruments have been used in educational programs worldwide, exhibited in museums, and played in concert halls from Berlin and Tel Aviv to Los Angeles and Washington.

The Violins of Hope visit, coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County, is underwritten in part by donations from Westporters Andy and Carol Boas.

“With the startling rise of antisemitism and swastikas etched on lockers in our schools, our role in the community is more important than ever,” says Shelley Kreiger, founding director of the Holocaust Resource Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County.

“The Nazis used music to humiliate and degrade Jews in ghettos and camps. The NSO concert, and the entire Violins of Hope program, are the ultimate answer to their plan to annihilate a people and instead represent the victory of the human spirit over evil and hatred.”

“Norwalk Symphony Orchestra is truly honored to join with the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County to bring music to life using the Violins of Hope for our community,” says Sandra Miklave, NSO’s executive director.

“We know the healing power of music, and this is multiplied as we play these truly historic instruments. It will be a meaningful and uplifting experience for both the audience and the musicians on the stage.”

The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra will also partner with the Jewish Federation for a children’s concert and instrument “petting zoo” on November 17 at the Discovery Science Center and Planetarium in Bridgeport.

The event includes science demonstrations and musical activities for young families. All proceeds from both events support the educational work of the Holocaust Resource Center of Greater Fairfield County.

Organizers have donated 2 tickets to “06880.” They will go to the first reader who requests them. Email 06880blog@gmail.com, with the subject line “Violins of Hope tickets.” UPDATE: The tickets have already been claimed.

Tickets for students, educators and Holocaust survivors are free. Other readers can get a 60% discount. Click here, then use the code “VOH-60.”

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Roundup: Carjacking Update, Mitchells Party, Earthplace Events …

Posted on July 10, 2024 | 4 comments

The 20-year-0ld Waterbury man arrested after last September’s carjacking of an Aston Martin from a Westport garage pleaded guilty yesterday, in Stamford Superior Court.

Vincys Baez was charged with second-degree robbery (with a carjacking enhancement),  first-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, and third-degree assault.

He may be sentenced to up to 8 1/2 years in prison.

A 16-yyear-old and 22-year-old were also charged in the crime. Baez and the 22-year-old also face charges related to a car theft the previous day. They are alleged to have stolen a BMW from Church Lane, when the owner was inside a restaurant picking up an order.

Screenshot from a security camera, during the carjacking. The driver is still in the vehicle, in his garage.

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It was the 25th (or so; no one is really sure) annual Mitchells company cookout at Compo Beach last night.

Over 200 employees and family members from the Westport and Greenwich (Richards) stores enjoyed lobster and steak, just a couple of miles from where the original men’s shop opened 66 years ago.

What made it special — and what makes Mitchells the company that it is — is that the grills were manned by the owners.

Mitchells now includes the 4th generation. But Ed and Norma’s 7 grandsons did what the family has always done: led by example.

And the founders’ sons, Jack and Bill — both now in their 80s — were there in their familiar roles: greeting the crowd; making sure everyone felt comfortable;  quietly and humbly, giving back in every way they could.

Bill Mitchell, welcoming everyone at Compo Beach. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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July is humming at Earthplace.

Westport’s non-profit science, conservation, environmental and education center has activities for all ages, all month. They include:

  • 2nd annual Moth Ball (July 12, 8-11 p.m.; $10 adults; under 21 free); nighttime celebration of summer.
  • “Books ‘n’ Bugs: Who’s Living in our Stream?” (July 16, 1-2:30 p.m.; $15 per family). Hands-on, with an Earthplace naturalist.
  • “Invasive Plant Removal” (July 22, 10-11:30 a.m.; free).
  • “Organic Vegetable Gardening for Beginners” (July 24, 2-3 p.m.); $5 members, $10 non-members).

In addition, there’s a photo contest for inclusion in Earthplace’s 2025 calendar. And a few spots are still available for summer camp.

Click here for details on every program and event.

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Speaking of enjoying the outdoors: Blau House & Gardens and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra present “Music in the Garden” (August 18).

There’s a pre-concert tour of the magnificent property off Bayberry Lane from 4:30 to 5 p.m. The woodwind quintet plays in the gorgeous gardens from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.

Bring your own picnic, blankets and chairs. There’s a shuttle from Coleytown Elementary School. Tickets are $75.  Click here to order.

A small section of the Blau Gardens.

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“Party School” is a coming-of-age teen romance that “reminds us that it doesn’t matter what college you go to, but what you make of the journey.”

Journalist Jon Hart says his debut novel, with a heavy dose of “school shaming,” was inspired by Fairfield County (his parents lived in Fairfield).

Hart grew up in New York, but says, “Westport is all over ‘Party School.’ One of the main characters, the crowd-pleasing ‘Spicoli with heart,’ was inspired by a Westport native.”

Click here for more information, and to order.

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Wendy Levy calls today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo “First Blush.”

We call it “mouth-watering.”

(Photo/Wendy Levy)

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And finally … happy 77th birthday to Arlo Guthrie.

Woody Guthrie’s son is best known for “Alice’s Restaurant.” But his 5 decades of work go far beyond that 20-minute Thanksgiving garbage dump talking classic.

I saw him at the Westport Country Playhouse many years ago. He was the consummate performer. And I really loved that great head of white hair.

(You can get anything you want at “06880.” This blog is your blog. But we can’t do it without readers’ support. Please click here to help. Thank you!) 

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Posted in Arts, Children, Environment, Local business, Media, Police

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Serendipity Chorale’s Serendipitous 45 Years

Posted on February 27, 2021 | 3 comments

In 1975, the Norwalk Symphony Organization planned a concert version of “Porgy and Bess.” Composer George Gershwin had stipulated it could only be performed by Black artists.

Gigi Van Dyke knew many Black singers in the area. She was asked to recruit a choir of 40 or 50 voices, teach them the score, and rehearse them.

Gigi called choir members from Norwalk to New Haven. She credits “serendipity” with finding all the sopranos, altos, tenors and basses needed.

Gigi Van Dyke

The story goes that the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra told Gigi to bring “her people” to the concert hall for a technical rehearsal. When the members — all well prepared and ready — showed up, there were more commands like “get your people to…” and “your people had better…” 

Gigi told the NSO that she could not be involved with the project. The choir did not want to go on without her.

The Norwalk Hour got wind of the exit from a sold-out performance. The headline was something like “Porgy and the Norwalk Symphony: It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

Members of the pick-up choir did not want to disband after enjoying singing together, with Gigi playing piano and directing. They continued rehearsing.

Again by serendipity, opportunities to perform kept coming Gigi’s way.

Hundreds of men and women singers have been part of the group — now called the Serendipity Chorale — over the past 45 years. They performed with Pete Seeger, Andy Williams, Betty Jones, (and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra), among others.

Peter Jennings and ABC News recognized Van Dyke and the chorale in 1998 for its “service to all mankind.” In 2000, Governor Jodi Rell honored the Chorale as a “Connecticut Treasure.”

The Serendipity Chorale’s last live performance was last February 23, at the Darien Library. The repertoire of show tunes, pop standards, folk songs and gospel spirituals was to have kicked off a busy year celebrating their 45th anniversary.

The pandemic shattered those plans. Instead, Chorale members and friends decided to sponsor the production of a solo piano CD featuring Gigi.

Finding the right piano, recording site and engineer was difficult. Finally Gigi’s longtime friend and colleague, Rev. Dr. Edward Thompson — minister of music at Westport’s Unitarian Church in Westport — suggested recording in the now-empty sanctuary, on the church’s Steinway Grand.

Gigi Van Dyke at the Unitarian Church’s Steinway. (Photo/Lynda Shannon)

Congregation member Alec Head — a recording engineer and producer — heard Gigi play. He quickly signed on.

The sanctuary was booked for 4 hours in September. Recording took just an hour.

“Artists always tell me they can do their piece in a single take,” Alec said. “It just doesn’t happen. Except that with Gigi it did.”

Head remastered the CD, titled “It’s Love.” It was created not as a Chorale fundraiser but as a gift to Gigi, and from her to churches that could no longer have live music, as well as to senior centers and other organizations where she and the Chorale had often performed.

Recording and production costs were underwritten by donations. Copies were sent to singers who have been part of the Chorale’s life and spirit for 45 years.

The Serendipity Chorale looks forward to singing together again — perhaps this year.

In the meantime, they can hear Gigi at the piano playing her favorite hymns and songs.

For the past year, the choir could not sing. But — without missing a beat — they shared the magic of music anyway.

(Hat tip: Lynda Bluestein)

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Posted in Arts, People, religion

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Roundup: MoCA, Deliverers, Decorations, Brass Symphony, More

Posted on December 13, 2020 | 4 comments

Yesterday’s weather was not exactly frightful. Just foggy, wet and miserable.

But MoCA Westport’s outdoor holiday open house was on.

Families enjoyed caroling by Staples’ Orphenians, performances by teen musicians and members of the Westport School of Music, kids’ crafts,admission to the World Peace exhibition, and complimentary hot chocolate.

It was — almost — beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

A small group of (socially distanced) Staples Orphenians.

This has been a tough year for everyone.

Particularly our FedEx, UPS, Amazon and other deliverypersons.

They’ve worked long hours since March. They’re monitored closely. They’re not paid particularly well.

A few Westporters are putting treats — baked goods, other munchies, soda, water and the like — on their front steps, with a note of thanks.

And don’t forget your mail carrier. They’ve been battered this year. An envelope with cash is always appreciated!

Andrew Colabella spotted this holiday house on Vani Court:

(Photo/Andrew Colabella)

Have you entered Westport Holiday House Decorating Contest?

Register first (click here). Then submit no more than 5 photos or videos of your decorations to mrobbins@westportct.gov by December 20. Prizes are awarded for the top 3 entrants.

Next Saturday (December 19), the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet tootles downtown. They’ll be at the Bedford Square pick-up circle outside TecKnow and Barbour.

A bit of holiday normalcy, in an abnormal year!

I wrote about the Westport Woman’s Club’s gingerbread house fundraiser the other day (click here for details — it’s a great cause!).

Here’s a bit more: It would not have been possible without the help of 2 big chain stores. Michael’s provided a number of gingerbread kits at a great discount — and Trader Joe’s donated 10 more. That’s the holiday spirit!

A few of the Westport Woman’s Club’s gingerbread houses.

Tom Cook sends this photo. It shows a squirrel at Longshore enjoying Tom’s PB&J sandwich during his last round of golf for the year.

(Photo/Tom Cook)

And finally … Ted Nugent turns 72 today.

 

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Posted in Entertainment, Longshore, Organizations, Staples HS

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‘Tis The Season…

Posted on December 8, 2009 | Comments Off on ‘Tis The Season…

…for “Messiah.”

Handel’s soaring oratorio is as much a part of the holiday season as “Feliz Navidad,” fruitcake and fantasies of winter wonderlands.  Sometimes it seems as if everyone except the Lubavitcher Chorus chimes in.

But Westporters should take note of two special performances.

George Friedrich Handel

On Saturday, Dec. 19 the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut offer a joint “Messiah” production. Their 4th annual holiday co-presentation is set for Norwalk Concert Hall, at 8 p.m.

The NSO is celebrating its 70th season; MCC, its 25th. There are plenty of Westporters involved — Elaine Arnow, Marjorie Freilich-Den, Richard Epstein, Anna Czekaj-Farber, Margeaux Johansson, Jennifer Judge, Carol Maloney, Yvonne Senturia, Nicholas Thiemann, Andrea Turner and Audrey Williams — and their lusty song will be heard, no doubt, far beyond East Avenue.

Three days later — on Tuesday, Dec. 22 — Alice Lipson will appear at Avery Fisher Hall (8 p.m.).  She’s best known as the choral director at Staples (where “Messiah” highlights the annual Candlelight Concert).  At Lincoln Center, she’ll serve as a guest conductor.

Alice will conduct nearly 3,000 singers — the audience — in this magnificent event.  Be sure to bring your own score.

Hallelujah!

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70 Years Of NSO

Posted on October 13, 2009 | Comments Off on 70 Years Of NSO

Remember 1939?  Neither do I.

I do know it was the year World War II began in Europe; the year of the New York World’s Fair, and the year both “Wizard of Oz” and “Gone with the Wind” were released.

I did not know 1939 was the year the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra played its first concert.

But that makes sense, considering this is the venerable organization’s 70th anniversary.  To celebrate, they kick off their 2009-10 season with a special concert this Saturday (8 p.m., Norwalk Concert Hall).  Included are two pieces from their 1st-ever performance (Gliere’s Russian Sailor’s Dance and Beethoven’s First Symphony), and — in honor of 1959’s ground-breaking all-Charles Ives concert — the Connecticut composer’s The Unannounced Question.

Westporter Ken Olson, president of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra board

Westporter Ken Olson, president of the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra board

Three Westporters perform with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra:  bassoonist Richard Epstein, and violinists Elaine Arnow and Marjorie Freilich-Den.

In addition, Westporters Winston Allen, Lee Greenberg, Phil Nourie, Steve Nevas, Ken Olson and Allen Raymond serve on the NSO board.

(For further information, including tickets, click here or call 203-847-8844.  The concert is preceded by a free lecture, at 7 p.m.)

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