Mystic Bowie may not be as well known globally as Keith Richards and José Feliciano.
But — like those fellow Weston residents — his musical chops are very impressive.
And the story of how the reggae singer ended up living in, and loving, the quiet rural community is even more interesting than the Rolling Stones and “Feliz Navidad” artists’.
Mystic Bowie
Bowie performed as a child throughout the Caribbean. After college he moved to Florida, but quickly realized it was not for him. It was hotter and more humid than his native Jamaica; it lacked mountains, but had plenty of snakes and alligators.
He relocated to New York. Island Records got him an apartment on 91st Street and 1st Avenue. The city was not for him either. Traffic, horns and noise made it tough to sleep.
Bowie was dating a woman from Weston. She suggested he move there.
He fell in love with the town. To his surprise, it and nearby Westport were filled with musicians: Richards, Feliciano, Meat Loaf, Nile Rodgers.
And — even more surprising — Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth lived nearby.
Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, back in the day.
He’d first met the Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club stars as a 14-year-old, at the Nassau resort owned by Island Records’ founder Chris Blackwell.
Then, in 1992 — soon after moving to Weston — he was asked to perform at Tramps in New York. All he knew was that the house band loved reggae. He was given an address — 10 minutes away, on the Fairfield/Westport border — to meet 2 of the members.
To his astonishment, they were Frantz and Weymouth. They’d been to Jamaica, and had many reggae musician friends in common.
Bowie sang with them, as a guest. When Tom Tom Club singer Charles Pettigrew was diagnosed with cancer, he asked Bowie to take over.
They’ve been together ever since, as partners and friends.
Frantz and Weymouth have shown him “the utmost love and respect,” Bowie says. “They’re so authentic in their music, and open-minded. They brought me into something, and I’m very grateful for it.”
Click above for a 2010 Tom Tom Club “NPR Tiny Desk Concert,” with Mystic Bowie.
Weston “is very private,” Bowie says. “There’s all the space you need for tranquility, and to compose, write or paint.”
When he needs “a town,” he heads to Westport — sometimes by bike.
On June 27 he’ll head there again. So will hundreds of others.
That night, the Westport Library and DinkinEsh Presents host a reggae dance party. The headliner: Bowie’s Talking Dreads.
The cleverly named band — formed in 2015– reimagines classic Talking Heads songs, through roots reggae, ska and lovers rock. New wave classics like “Psycho Killer” and “Burning Down the House” are transformed into Caribbean bangers.
He’s played at the Levitt Pavilion, as well as 2 drive-in concerts at the Imperial Avenue parking lot during COVID (and, a couple of years later, at Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center 100th anniversary).
But this will be Bowie’s first appearance at the nearby Library.
When it was being renovated, he and producer Rob Fraboni — also a Weston resident, who worked with Bob Dylan, the Band, Eric Clapton and the Stones, and who as vice president of Island Records oversaw the remastering of the entire Bob Marley catalog — hung out at what became Verso Studios.
“We brought Jamaican food and Caribbean vibes,” Bowie says. “So I’m personally invested in it.” It is now, he says proudly, “The world’s loudest library.”
Mystic Bowie, doing what he loves best.
Reggae may not seem like a genre associated with Weston or Westport. But, Bowie notes, “it’s a blessing to the world. I’ve traveled a lot. Wherever reggae is played, people dance and bop their heads.”
The lyrics are important too — especially now. Reggae is “spiritual, a fight against negativity. It makes you happy.”
Bowie’s high-energy shows are “exercises in disguise. You don’t even realize it.” Concert-goers should “come prepared to dance.”
Sure, you and 110 million other people watched the Kansas City Chiefs win (another) Super Bowl last night.
But they also saw Dr. Clarence Jones’ 30-second PSA, which aired during the game.
Sponsored by the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, it offered a powerful platform for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s speechwriter to declare: “All hate thrives in silence.”
StartUp Westport and Westport 10 celebrates Black History Month with a special event.
“Past, Present and Future Opportunities for Diverse Entrepreneurs” (February 29, 6 p.m., Westport Library) spotlights the contributions and experiences of local business owners of color.
StartUp Westport is the town’s public/private partnership whose goal is to make our town the tech entrepreneurial hub of Connecticut. Westport 10 is a social and networking group for Black men in town, and their families.
NBC news anchor (and Westport resident) Craig Melvin is the moderator. Jay Norris — founder of Westport 10 — has assembled an all-star panel, including Kal Amin, Wesly Saintil Arbuthnott, Eric Freeman, Ilka Gregory, Craig Livingston, Adam Moore, Pamela Moss, Paige Parker, Ted Parker, Michele Peterson and Kitt Shapiro.
They are business leaders from a variety of industries, including film/TV, music, real estate, retail, technology, food and beverage, and financial services.
The evening kicks off with a video presentation showcasing the history of
diverse entrepreneurship in Fairfield County. Following the panel, attendees can network during a cocktail reception.
On Friday, Westport Library’s Verso Studios’ Brendan Toller interviewed Talking Heads founding members and drummer Chris Frantz and bassist Tina Weymouth. at a screening of the remixed and remastered 40th anniversary version of Jonthan Demme’s Talking Heads Concert Film “Stop Making Sense.”
The large crowd sang along, lustily. The event was a benefit for April’s VersoFest, and WPKN.
Brendan Toller interviews former Talking Heads Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)
Wakeman Town Farm aficionados know him (every Tuesday) as Tony Pizza Napolitano.
But Anthony Kesselmark – his real name — is more than just a one-trick pizza pony. He studied at the Culinary Institute of America, and made his name at L’Impero and Veritas in New York before moving to the ‘burbs.
On Sunday, March 10 he serves WTF’s first Italian family-style feast.
The menu includes a classic Italian salad; homemade bread/focaccia; traditional Sunday sauce served over rigatoni with braciole, meatballs, pork chops, sausage and breaded chicken cutlets, and assorted cookies and pastries.
There are 2 seatings: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m. The $60 price includes food and service ($25 for children 12 and under); BYOB.
Click here for more information, and to reserve a spot.
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Some fundraising galas are dress-up. Some are “cocktail attire.”
The dress code for Rach’s Hope’s annual event is: pajamas.
On March 23 (The Warehouse, Fairfield), guests can come in “pajama chic.” Rachel Doran — the Staples High School graduate who died in 2018 as a rising Cornell University senior after a rare reaction to common medications — was a talented Staples Players costume designer, and the founder of “Rachel’s Rags,” a company that makes intricate cotton and fleece pajama tops and bottoms.
The night of food (from AMG Catering and Tito’s Cocktails), fun and dancing to live music raises money for Rach’s Hope. The non-profit supports local families navigating the critical illness of a child by providing nutritious food, lodging, transportation, and encouragement so they can focus on being present for their ailing children.
Click here for more information, and to purchase tickets or donate.
Little Leaguers can get ready for the spring baseball season — and support the Staples Baseball Diamond Club booster organization — at a spring clinic March 6 (6 to 8 p.m., Staples fieldhouse)
Boys and girls in grades K-7 can have fun with Staples coaches and players, who run drills and games. Participants will be separated by grade and skill level. The event is hosted by the Staples baseball program.
The $40 fee includes a slice of pizza. To register, Venmo @StaplesBBDiamondClub by March 1. Include the player’s name, grade and parent email in the memo line. Registration after March 1 is $50 per player. Players should bring a bat, glove and water bottle.
A “Histoury” bus tour of historic Weston homes is set for March 10 (1 to 4:30 p.m.).
It features mid-century modern homes. They were radical and controversial at the time. Today they are enjoyed for their simplicity, creativity and integration with nature.
The tour includes several interior stops.
Tickets are $75 for adults, $49 for students. For more information and to purchase, click here.
The Wilton Arts Council is seeking photographers of all ages for its 24th annual photography exhibit, “FOCUS ’24” — and Westporters are encouraged to apply.
Last year’s 2nd place high school winner was Westport resident Charlie Lukens. The adult division also included several Westport photographers.
There are 3 divisions: adults (professional and amateur), high school and youth (“old enough to hold a camera through 8th grade”).
Photographers can submit up to 2 film or digital images, in color or black and white. They may be enhanced by darkroom or digital techniques, but additional objects not photographed by the photographer cannot be added.
Entries will be judged by area photographers. Submissions can be dropped off at the Wilton Library on March 15 (noon to 5 p.m.) and March 16 (10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.). They must be at least 8″ x 10″, and wired for hanging. There is no maximum size. Photos will be available for sale throughout the exhibit; the Wilton Library will receive a 20% commission
Sponsors include Rockwell Art & Framing in Westport.
Click here for more details, entry forms and fee information. Questions? Email baswilton@yahoo.com, or call 203-834-9986.
“Eleuthera,” by Charlie Lukens
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There is something fishy about today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo, taken at Compo’s South Beach …
And finally … on this day in 1938, BBC Television produced the world’s first science fiction television program. It was an adaptation of a section of the Karel Čapek play “R.U.R.,” which coined the term “robot.”
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Posted onJanuary 20, 2024|Comments Off on Library And VersoFest: “Stop Making Sense”
A remixed, remastered, 4K, 40th anniversary re-release of Jonathan Demme’s 1984 film “Stop Making Sense“ has excited Talking Heads fans — and members like Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, who across the Sturges Highway border in Fairfield.
There’s been a nationwide publicity tour, with everyone from Stephen Colbert to Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon paying tribute.
Now it’s coming to Westport.
On February 9, the re-release comes toThe Westport Library.
The event is a benefit for both VersoFest and WPKN-FM, where Frantz hosts a monthly radio show (“The Talking Head”).
‘PKN DJs will spin vinyl before and after the film, followed by a Q-and-A with Frantz and Weymouth.
VersoFest 2024 — the 4-day music and media conference and festival featuring performances, panels and workshops — takes place April 4-7. Music producer Tony Visconti and pop rockers the Lemon Twigs have already been signed. More names will be announced soon.
Frantz and Weymouth supported VersoFest since its inception. He has moderated discussions with music producer Steve Lillywhite and Psychedelic Furs front man Richard Butler, and discussed his memoir “Remain in Love.”
For 60 years, WPKN (89.5) has been a hallmark of listener-supported, freeform community radio. The New Yorker called it “the greatest radio station in the world.”
Verso Studios — with its 18×10-foot LED screen and concert hall sound system, has screened Connecticut premieres of Todd Haynes’ Velvet Underground documentary, and other innovative screenings.
Dancing in the aisles is encouraged.
Click here for tickets (starting at $20), and more information. The night includes a cash bar.
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Comments Off on Library And VersoFest: “Stop Making Sense”
Big news from the Westport Woman’s Club: They held their first monthly luncheon in over a year.
Bigger news: The Yankee Doodle Fair is back!
The century-old event — Westport’s traditional last week of school/beginning of summer carnival — was canceled last year and this, due to COVID.
But the WWC has arranged for all the rides, games and cotton candy vendors to come this fall. The 2021 Yankee Doodle Fair is set for September 23 to 26.
As usual, all profits go toward grants and scholarships. It’s a great fundraiser, by an amazing group.
This fall’s Yankee Doodle Fair will be a great way to ring in the new school year. To raise money for those in need. And of course, to try to win one of those very elusive stuffed animals.
The Yankee Doodle Fair takes over the Imperial Avenue parking lot. (Photo/Lee Scharfstein)
Westport Paddle Club’s first-ever Saugatuck River cleanup yesterday was trashy.
The Riverside Avenue rental and lesson facility supplied dozens of people with kayaks. They headed upstream, collecting trash along the way.
A thunderstorm sent them back to shore before everyone was done. Still, they filled barrels with “stuff.” Some of it was brush; much of it was man-made (and man-tossed).
Jr’s Deli fed the crowd. Rain cut short the reggae band. But the most important work was done.
And next year, it will have to be done all over again.
A small sampling of the large amount of trash collected from the Saugatuck River.
Summer is here! Well, it arrives at 11:32 p.m. tonight, anyway.
To celebrate, the Minute Man donned a beach-type necklace.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
PS: I’m sure that, as usual, a commenter will write in about this “desecration” of our town’s monument.
Ever since 1910, our Minute Man has been decorated. He’s worn Santa caps and Easter bunny years. He’s had flags draped over his shoulders, and flowers stuck in his musket.
Without going all First Amendment here, he fought for the right to be free. I think he would be pleased.
Tomorrow is worldwide “Make Music Day.” There are more than 1,000 events, in over 120 countries.
Unfortunately, there is no specific Westport celebration. But residents Louis Fuertes and Pat Blaufuss — members of the 4-person band Picnic on the 4th of July — will perform at Old Post Tavern in Fairfield (7 to 8 p.m.).
The CUkes — a ukulele group that originated at the Westport Weston Family YMCA — entertain in the Nordstrom Courtyard of The SoNo Collection mall (Norwalk, 6 p.m.).
And Talking Heads members Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth — who live just over the line in Fairfield — are part of an international “This Moment in Time” musical event. Click here for details.
Highlights from last night’s Board of Education meeting:
The 2021-22 budget of $126,942,298 passed. Among other cuts, Staples High School will lose 2 teachers and 2 paraprofessionals. Not cut, however, are 4 Staples grade level assistants and 4 elementary school world language teachers. Also defeated: a proposal to implement “pay to play” for Staples sports. Next step for the budget: the Board of Finance.
Staples is planning for 75% of students to return to full-time learning in March. Details will be announced soon.
Dr. Mary Lou DiBella has resigned as principal of Kings Highway Elementary School, effective at the end of the school year.
For years, Calico’s Post Road store near Stop & Shop has been a favorite destination for fabrics, window treatments, shades, wallpaper, furniture, bedding, pillows and cushions.
It’s still a great spot. But now it’s closer to downtown. The new Calico is in the old State Cleaners space, at the Post Road/Imperial Avenue corner.
There’s plenty of room, now that all the dry cleaning racks are gone.
The new store is a way for Calico — part of a 70-store national chain — to show off its decorating chops.
COVID has been tough on many businesses. But with families spending more time indoors, interior design stores have been busier than ever.
The almost-Westport resident (other side of Sturges Highway) — and drummer for Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club — will be honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. (He’s already in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.)
Plus, he’ll curate a virtual concert at the Westport Library.
That may sound pretty local, compared to the Grammys. But the March 13 event (7 p.m.) is virtual, meaning anyone anywhere in the world can watch.
It will be quite a show. Frantz has assembled an all-star lineup:
Deep Banana Blackout, the soul/funk band with full horn section
Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads, who mix roots reggae, ska and lover’s rock
Plastic Ivy aka Lira Marie Landes, Philadelphia multi-instrumentalist
Xeno & Oaklander, an electronic group
The Zambonis, an indie-rock band that writes songs exclusive about ice hockey (!)
Sadie Dupuis, poet
Du-Rites/Lulu Lewis, New York City husband-and-wife rock band.
The concert — which benefits Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, the art, music, theater and dance non-profit for underserved Bridgeport students — will be livestreamed form the Library’s state-of-the-art Verso Studios. It’s co-sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce.
The March 13 date is significant. That’s almost one year to the day that Westport went into a sudden COVID lockdown (hence the name: “Lockdown Music Festival”).
The goal of the concert is to celebrate “optimism, resilience and the power of music.” Tickets are $25. Click here to register.
Yesterday: Chris Frantz and his wife, Talking Heads bassist Tina Weymouth …
On Saturday, Sean Gallagher completed a solo marathon around Central Park’s outer loop — over 4 full laps.
His time was 3 hours and 47 minutes.
Not real good for a former soccer and track star, Annapolis grad and Marine infantry officer.
Except … the 2011 Staples High School alum did it while carrying a 35-pound Marine Corps “ruck” (backpack).
“Rucks teach Marines how to handle adversity with grit and determination — the same qualities necessary for small businesses to survive,” Gallagher says.
Gallagher mentions small businesses for a reason. The purpose of his marathon run was to raise money for small businesses impacted by COVID.
When Sean Gallagher sets a goal, he accomplishes it. He said he was going to run 26.2 miles wearing a 35-pound ruck, and he did.
Ane he said he would raise $20,000. Yesterday’s total: $20,712.
As you probably heard, Sunday’s 17th annual event ended in dramatic fashion. Trailing by 3 points with less than a minute left, Team Ruff rallied to defeat Team Fluff, 73-69.
The local poop?
(Former) resident Martha Stewart was host.
More excitingly, former Staples Players lighting designer Jeffrey Small served as production manager. He fills that role for many live events now, nationally.
Arf!
Jeffrey Small and friend, at Puppy Bowl XVII.
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There was another “bowl” on Sunday. Perhaps you heard of it: Super Bowl LV.
Staples High School class of 1986 grad Ted Marcus — now an Emmy-winning New York-based sound designer and audio engineer — created the sound design and audio for 2 pre-game promos.
“Polishing the Trophies and Plaques,” with the song “I Love Somebody” in the background, aired at 5 p.m.
The second was shown just before kickoff. It was narrated by Brad Pitt.
And finally … the story about Chris Frantz (above) brought back memories of Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime.” The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame named it one of the 500 songs that shaped rock.
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The event is a benefit for both VersoFest and WPKN-FM, where Frantz hosts a monthly radio show (“The Talking Head”).
