Tag Archives: Peter Frampton

Roundup: Peter Frampton, Leaf Blowers, Crepes Choupette …

Posted on September 16, 2024 | 8 comments

Peter Frampton joined a long list of musical legends — from Willie Nelson and Cyndi Lauper to Smokey Robinson and Buckwheat Zydeco — when he headlined last night’s Levitt Pavilion annual fundraiser.

(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)

The guitarist/singer’s show came alive, with — among other things — great graphics and a light show.

Peter Frampton (far right). He has inclusion body myositis, which prevents him from standing while performing. (Photo/Susan Garment)

(Photo/Susan Garment)

The pre-party, at Don Memo and Walrus Alley, drew a large crowd of fans and town officials.

Westport singer/songwriter Drew Angus — a popular Levitt Pavilion performer himself — was at the Peter Frampton pre-party. (Photo/Dan Woog)

The party and concert capped off a jam-packed weekend of Westport fundraisers, including Kristin Chenoweth at the Westport Country Playhouse, HarvestFest at Wakeman Town Farm, the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce’s Slice of Saugatuck, and Band Aid for the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Services at Cedar Point Yacht Club.

Next week brings the Westport Rotary Club’s LobsterFest at Compo Beach, and the Westport Downtown Association’s annual Westoberfest.

Part of the Walrus Alley spread. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)

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Kristin Schneeman and Liz Milwe — backers of Westport’s leaf blower regulations — have put up lawn signs reminding residents that gas blowers restrictions run through October 15.

“While this summer wasn’t perfect,” Kristin says, she perceived “significantly less gas leaf blower usage, which has been amazing.

“But after Labor Day it’s ticking up a bit. We want to remind folks that it’s electric-only for a few more weeks.”

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Westporters will soon have another dining spot on Church Lane.

Coming soon to Bedford Square, near The Blondinit: Crêpes Choupette.

(Photo and hat tip/Sal Liccione)

This is their third location. There are Choupettes already in Darien and New Haven.

The “fabrication traditonelle” (which means “small-scale production” crêperie) joins — in addition to the Israeli restaurant — Mrs. London’s Bakery, Spotted Horse, Pink Sumo and Emmy Squared.

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Next Sunday (September 22, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), Blau House & Gardens hosts a special children’s event, with author/illustrator Guy Billout.

He’ll read and sign copies of “The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea.” There’s also a garden scavenger hunt (recommended for ages 3-8).

Tickets ($25 per family) include a signed book and scavenger hunt. Additional copies can be reserved. Click here for tickets, and more information.

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The spectacular moon drew plenty of photographers this weekend.

Jay Babina — a freshman at Manhattanville College — took these shots on Friday and Saturday nights, from his Westport yard. He then created this collage.

He took both without a telescope. He used a 20-year-oldl Nikon D200, with a zoom lens.

Jay says, “I think it’s impressive how such an old camera can still take such quality photos. It’s also very Star Wars-looking.”

(Photo and collage/Jay Babina)

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When Johanna Keyser Rossi saw today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature — milkweed pods shedding their seeds at Sherwood Island State Park’s West Beach — she thought, “usually I see only a few at a time. This is so good for the future of our monarch butterflies.”

(Photo/Johanna Keyser Rossi)

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And finally … Tito Jackson, an original member with his siblings of the Jackson 5 who then went on to a solo career, died yesterday. He was 70, and suffered a heart attack.

Click here for a full obituary.

(From the Jackson 5 and Michael Frampton to gas-powered leaf blowers and restaurant news, “06880” entertains and informs readers every day. Please click here to support our work. Thanks!)

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Posted in Children, Entertainment, Environment, Restaurants

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Roundup: Levitt Shows, Optimum Outage, Raccoon Rescue …

Posted on September 3, 2024 | 8 comments

Four big — no, huge — shows highlight the final 6 weeks of the Levitt Pavilion.

Concerts include:

  • Peter Frampton (Sunday, September 15, 7 p.m.)
  • Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA (Friday, September 20, 8 p.m.)
  • Tower of Power (Saturday, September 21, 7:30 p.m.)
  • Brad Tursi: singer/songwriter with Old Dominion, and Staples High School graduate; solo show (Saturday, October 12, 7:30 p.m.).

Click here to purchase tickets, and more information.

But wait! There’s more!

The Levitt also offers free shows, too. They include:

  • DNR, the (almost) all-physician rock band (Friday, September 6, 7:30 p.m.)
  • Billy and the Showmen (Saturday, September 7, 7:30 p.m.)
  • Amy Irving’s Birthday Show (Tuesday, September 10, 7 p.m.)
  • Bia Ferreira Trio: Songs of Brazil (Tuesday, October 1, 7 p.m.)

Click here, then scroll down to reserve free tickets to those shows.

Peter Frampton

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Optimum’s outage last night — affecting thousands of customers in the tri-state area — had many Westporters fuming.

And not just at the lack of internet and TV service.

Calls to the company went unanswered.

Some users heard a recording that they were experiencing a “higher than average” volume “due to the COVID pandemic.”

One caller — okay, I — heard the spectacularly unhelpful suggestion to go online, at Optimum.net.

Service has now been restored. Let’s hope their call volume is down too.

Even with everyone stuck at home, because of the pandemic.

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Westporters love our US Postal Service clerks.

From time to time, we give shout-outs to extra-special efforts. Here’s one more, from Karen Como:

“On Friday, Ruben went above and beyond for me.

“I had to return a skirt to a fly-by-night company. He found the smallest (least expensive) envelope. He folded the skirt for me, put it in the envelope, helped me attach the address with his tape, and found me the cheapest way to send it.

“Then he advised me to call my credit card company to report what I feel is a scam.

“He was sooo nice, and sooo helpful!”

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Hot on the heels of the rescue of 5 kittens from a Post Road East storm drain, comes another animal-saving story.

Once again, the Westport Fire Department and Animal Control played big roles.

Larry Hoy reports: “Yesterday morning, my son Colin Hoy and his girlfriend Zoe spotted 4 little feet hanging from the storm drain grate on Quentin Road, next to Gray’s Creek.

Trapped raccoon …

“They realized the tide would soon rise, and drown the little feller.

“Quick action by Westport’s Bravest freed the little varmint. Then Animal Control came to insure its safety.”

Well done, Colin, Zoe, the WFD and Animal Control!

… and the “grate” rescue. (Photos courtesy of Larry Hoy)

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Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer.

Compo Beach was packed yesterday, with residents and visitors enjoying a gorgeous day. The weather, humidity and sun were perfect.

The picnic tables and grills on South Beach were all taken.

These folks may have had to go to Plan B — the pavilion — for their dinner.

But they made the most of it.

(Photo/Gil Ghitelman)

Also making the most of it: a large party on the Old Mill sand bar, celebrating Popup Bagels’ founder Adam Goldberg’s, and his wife’s, birthdays.

The timing was perfect, for food, drinks, even a band on a boat that floated away with the tide.

(Photo/Dave Briggs)

(Photo/Dave Briggs)

(Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)

Meanwhile, off Old Mill in the Sound just a few yards away, a dozen or so boats moored.

The adults socialized, while the kids skim boarded. Another great way to end the summer. (Hat tip: Anna Rycenga)

(Drone phot/Matt Shiel)

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Gabriella S. Izzo died peacefully at her Westport home on Sunday. She was 87.

The native of Ielsi, Campobasso, Italy came to the US with her family in 1947. She was educated in Norwalk, and graduated from cosmetology school. She was a hairdresser in Darien for over 50 years, until her retirement in 2020.

Gabriella was a talented chef, and gave home-grown grape jelly, fresh tomato sauce, homemade sausage, Christmas cookies and Easter pies to family, friends, co-workers and cherished clients.

She honored Ielsi by cooking and baking traditional recipes for special holidays. As a longtime member of Assumption Church, she volunteered for many years. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters until it disbanded.

Gabriella was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Joseph, and brother Nicholas Testa. She is survived by her daughter Lisa (George) Stanton of Westport, son Joseph (Jennifer) of Wilmington, North Carolina, and daughter Felicia (David) Smith, of Westport; grandchildren Melissa (Edward) Carter, Jeffrey Stanton, and Timothy and Kevin Izzo, and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are tomorrow (Wednesday, September 4, 5 to 8 p.m., Harding Funeral Home). A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Assumption Church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 5. Interment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.

Condolences may be left online at www.hardingfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gabriella’s name to Assumption Church.

Gabriella Izzo

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Don’t call them “birdbrains.”

Every spring, for years, birds know to return to the same spot at the Playhouse Condominiums.

There — atop a fire alarm, underneath the protected parking garage — they build their nest.

The mother sits on the eggs. Eventually, they hatch.

They hang out for a couple of months, doing whatever birds do all day.

At night, they sleep.

And next spring, the baby will return to do it all over again.

It’s “Westport … Naturally” at its finest.

(Photo/Dick Truitt)

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And finally … as soon as you saw the raccoon rescue story (above), you knew this was coming:

(Some Levitt Pavilion shows are free. Well, ALL “06880” content is. But we couldn’t do this without contributions from readers like you. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

 

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Posted in Beach, Entertainment, Obituaries, technology

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Frampton Comes Alive — At The Levitt

Posted on June 26, 2024 | 7 comments

Grammy Award-winning guitarist and soon-to-be Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Peter Frampton is the latest star to headline at the Levitt Pavilion.

He brings his “Positively Thankful Tour” to Westport’s under-the-stars amphitheater on Sunday, September 15.

Despite the announcement of his farewell tour over 4 years ago due tothe
degenerative disease inclusion-body myositis, the legendary musician continues to play venues across the country.

After 48 years, “Frampton Comes Alive!” remains one of the top-selling live records of all time: over 17 million worldwide. He will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland this fall.

Concert-only tickets start at $125 ($112.50 for Levitt members); gala plus concert tickets (which include premium seating and a pre-show cocktail party) start at $500 ($475 for members).

The pre-sale begins at 10 a.m. today. Tickets go on sale to the public on Friday (June 28, 10 a.m.). Click here to order, and for more information.

Peter Frampton

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17 Soundview: The Sequel

Posted on March 30, 2016 | 21 comments

A “notice of demolition” sits on the front of the house at 17 Soundview Drive. Such signs are common in Westport. But this home is special.

For one thing, every Westporter knows it. We pass it whenever we walk or drive on the beach exit road.

For another, it has an amazing musical history. Two years ago — when the house was up for sale — I recounted the story, as if its walls could talk.

—————————————————

Ginger Baker sent a drum set to the house. Peter Frampton lounged on the front deck. Carly Simon wanted to buy it.

Those are just a few of the musical memories associated with 17 Soundview Drive. It’s one of the most handsome homes lining the Compo exit road, drawing admiring glances from walkers and sunbathers for its beachside gracefulness.

If only they knew the musical history hidden throughout the property.

17 Soundview Drive.

17 Soundview Drive.

It was built — like the rest of the neighborhood — as a summer house in 1918. One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s students designed it, ensuring harmony with the beach environment.

Francis Bosco — current owner Gail Cunningham Coen’s grandfather — bought it in 1928. A Sicilian immigrant and lover of opera, he tuned in every Saturday to NBC Radio’s live Met broadcasts. For years the voices of Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Robert Merrill and others soared from the living room, under the awnings and onto the beach, thrilling neighbors and passersby.

In 1982 Gail and her husband Terry Coen bought the house. She’s a musician and music teacher; he’s a songwriter and music promoter. Over the past 32 years they’ve lavished love on it. It was one of the 1st Compo homes to be raised, to protect against storms. The Coens added a secluded rooftop deck, and flower and vegetable gardens.

You can see the water from nearly every room in the house. This is the living room.

You can see the water from nearly every room in the house. This is the living room.

But the professionally designed, fully soundproofed music studio is what really rocks.

It — and the chance to hang out privately, yet in the middle of all the beach action — has made 17 Soundview a home away from home for 3 decades of musical royalty.

Ginger Baker spent many evenings talking about the birth of British rock, touring with Eric Clapton, and his childhood in England during World War II. He also recited some very bawdy limericks. In return, he gave Ludwig drums to Soundview Studios.

Ginger Baker, and his drums. (Photo/Wikipedia)

Ginger Baker, and his drums. (Photo/Wikipedia)

Peter Frampton brought his young family. They loved the warm summer breeze, and being able to sit anonymously just a few feet from the hubbub of a beach afternoon.

One summer day, Carly Simon said she was thinking of buying a beach house. #17 was her favorite, because it reminded her so much of Martha’s Vineyard.

Meat Loaf played Sunday morning softball at Compo. After, he headed to the Coens’. One day, he played his next single on the roof deck. No one on the beach could see he was there — but they heard him. At the end, everyone applauded.

The Remains reunited for the 1st time in decades in the studio. (Full disclosure: I was there. It was one of the most magical moments of my life.)

Eric von Schmidt loved to sing by the fireplace, and joined jam sessions in the studio. One day, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott rambled over with him.

Other regulars included Jimi Hendrix’s bass player Noel Redding; Corky Laing and Leslie West of Mountain; former Buddy Miles Express front man Charlie Karp; Eric Schenkman of the Spin Doctors, and guitarist/producer/songwriter Danny Kortchmar.

17 Soundview - roof deck

The rooftop deck is a great place to watch fireworks. It’s also where Meat Loaf played his next single, to the unknowing delight of a Compo Beach crowd.

Some of those musicians — and plenty other great ones, though less known — were guests at the Coens’ annual July 4th fireworks parties. The food and drinks were fantastic, capped off by watching the passing parade on Soundview.

But the real action happened when the fireworks ended. Everyone piled into the studio, and jammed till the sun came up.

From Caruso to the Spin Doctors, 17 Soundview Drive has seen it all. If only those walls could talk (or sing).

(The new owners will replace the 98-year-old house with a handsome new one. They’re making sure it fits in well with the streetscape. We’ll continue to admire 17 Soundview Drive. We’ll just sing a different song.)

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Posted in Beach, Entertainment, Looking back, People, Real estate

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Putting The “Sound” In 17 Soundview Drive

Posted on April 21, 2014 | 11 comments

Ginger Baker sent a drum set to the house. Peter Frampton lounged on the front deck. Carly Simon wanted to buy it.

Those are just a few of the musical memories associated with 17 Soundview Drive. It’s one of the most handsome homes lining the Compo exit road, drawing admiring glances from walkers and sunbathers for its beachside gracefulness.

If only they knew the musical history hidden throughout the property.

17 Soundview Drive.

17 Soundview Drive.

It was built — like the rest of the neighborhood — as a summer house in 1918. One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s students designed it, ensuring harmony with the beach environment.

Francis Bosco — current owner Gail Cunningham Coen’s grandfather — bought it in 1928. A Sicilian immigrant and lover of opera, he tuned in every Saturday to NBC Radio’s live Met broadcasts. For years the voices of Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Robert Merrill and others soared from the living room, under the awnings and onto the beach, thrilling neighbors and passersby.

In 1982 Gail and her husband Terry Coen bought the house. She’s a musician and music teacher; he’s a songwriter and music promoter. Over the past 32 years they’ve lavished love on it. It was one of the 1st Compo homes to be raised, to protect against storms. It’s been beautifully renovated inside. The Coens also added a secluded rooftop deck, and flower and vegetable gardens.

You can see the water from nearly every room in the house. This is the living room.

You can see the water from nearly every room in the house. This is the living room.

But the professionally designed, fully soundproofed music studio is what really rocks.

It — and the chance to hang out privately, yet in the middle of all the beach action — has made 17 Soundview a home away from home for 3 decades of musical royalty.

Ginger Baker spent many evenings talking about the birth of British rock, touring with Eric Clapton, and his childhood in England during World War II. He also recited some very bawdy limericks. In return, he gave Ludwig drums to Soundview Studios.

Ginger Baker, and his drums. (Photo/Wikipedia)

Ginger Baker, and his drums. (Photo/Wikipedia)

Peter Frampton brought his young family. They loved the warm summer breeze, and being able to sit anonymously just a few feet from the hubbub of a beach afternoon.

One summer day, Carly Simon said she was thinking of buying a beach house. #17 was her favorite, because it reminded her so much of Martha’s Vineyard.

Meat Loaf played Sunday morning softball at Compo. After, he headed to the Coens’. One day, he played his next single on the roof deck. No one on the beach could see he was there — but they heard him. At the end, everyone applauded.

The Remains reunited for the 1st time in decades in the studio. (Full disclosure: I was there. It was one of the most magical moments of my life.)

Eric von Schmidt loved to sing by the fireplace, and joined jam sessions in the studio. One day, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott rambled over with him.

Other regulars included Jimi Hendrix’s bass player Noel Redding; Corky Laing and Leslie West of Mountain; former Buddy Miles Express front man Charlie Karp; Eric Schenkman of the Spin Doctors, and guitarist/producer/songwriter Danny Kortchmar.

17 Soundview - roof deck

The rooftop deck is a great place to watch fireworks. It’s also where Meat Loaf played his next single, to the unknowing delight of a Compo Beach crowd.

Some of those musicians — and plenty other great ones, though less known — were guests at the Coens’ annual July 4th fireworks parties. The food and drinks were fantastic, capped off by watching the passing parade on Soundview.

But the real action happened when the fireworks ended. Everyone piled into the studio, and jammed till the sun came up.

From Caruso to the Spin Doctors, 17 Soundview Drive has seen it all. If only those walls could talk (or sing).

It’s on the market now, ready for the next gig. For Westport’s sake, I hope the new owners understand the home’s history. I hope they realize how the place has sheltered so many artists, and helped their creative spirits grow.

And though Brian Wilson was one of the few musicians not to hang out at 17 Soundview Drive — well, I don’t think he did — I hope whoever buys this beautiful, wondrous property will “get” its longtime, way cool and very good vibrations.

(Interested in buying the house? Click here for details.)
 
 

 

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Posted in Arts, Beach, Entertainment, People, Real estate

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