Singing and bantering in English and Spanish (and a little Italian), José Feliciano enterained a full and adoring crowd last night, at the Westport Country Playhouse.
The historic theater was the venue for the legendary, Grammy Lifetime Achievement-winning artist. It was a benefit for the Church of the Assumption, which next year celebrates its 150th anniversary. (That’s almost as old as the 94-year-old Playhouse and 80-year old Feliciano combined.)
The guitarist was accompanied by his sons Mikey (bass) and Jonnie (drums), and a band that — along with Feliciano — played a wide range of songs, in genres including Latin, rock, blues, Motown, Dylan and jazz (plus a smooth Sam Cooke tune).
José Feliciano (right), Hawkins French (left), and 3 other musicians in the 11-member band. (Photo/Dan Woog)
The 2-hour show ended with 2 of Feliciano’s best-sellers: “Light My Fire” and (of course) “Feliz Navidad.”
He’s sung that tune at Assumption’s Christmas Mass for over 3 decades. He and his wife Susan — who took a deserved bow — have been longtime parishioners and supporters of the Riverside Avenue church.
José Feliciano and his wife Susan. (Photo copyright DinkinESH Fotografix)
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If you think more people in Westport are working from home after COVID: You’re right.
According to data released by the CT Data Collaborative and AdvanceCT, and reported by CT Mirror, 36% of residents here work from home. That’s up from 15% in 2019.
Weston saw a similar increase: 39%, also up from 15%.
Meanwhile, 59 businesses opened iin Westport between 2021 and 2024. The number fwas just 30, between 2016-19.
Click here for many more statistics, available by town. (Hat tip: Peter Gold)
GG & Joe opened during the pandemic. They’ve been crushing it ever since.
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Jimmy Fallon knows tomatoes.
But Sal Gilbertie knows a lot more about them.
I’m not sure of the back story behind all this. Here though is a Gilbertie’s video starring a “celebrity tomato”:
It was followed by a Facebook video, from patriarch Sal Gilbertie (click here to see).
Both are delicious to see. (Hat tip: Mary McGee)
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The Board of Education begins meeting again on Thursday (August 21, 7 p.m., Staples High School cafeteria), following its summer break.
The first order of business will be the introduction of its new junior student representative on the BOE: Anwara Olasewere.
Click here for the full agenda.
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Looking for a great activity for your son or daughter?
Look no further than Scouting.
Westport Troops 39 (boys) and 139 (girls) welcome new potential members and their families in grades 5-12 for homemade pizza making and a bonfire (September 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Compo Beach).
Current members and adult leaders will answer questions, and share their excitement about plans for 2025-26 They include:
- Ziplining
- Downhill mountain biking
- Camping
- Whitewater rafting
- Climbing
- A trip to Fort Adams in Newport, Rhode Island
- Leadership and service opportunities
- And more.
Questions? Email Troop39Westport@gmail.com.
Troops 39 and 139.
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George C. White — the driving force behind the famed Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, who died August 6 at 89 — was not a Westporter.
But he nurtured and influenced many residents.
Werner Liepolt was playwright-in-residence at the O’Neill theater — twice.
Liepolt says that Westporter Arthur Kopit was also a resident playwright. Max Wilk was a dramaturg there for several summer sessions.
And Michael Douglas — who lived with his mother on Whitney Street, in a house that Kopit later rented — was a frequent actor on the Eugene O’Neill Theater stage.
Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
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This crepe myrtle catches Topsy Siderowf’s eye, very time she passes it on Compo Road South.
She sends it along as today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature photo, adding, “They are more often seen in the south. But this specimen is thriving in Zone 7.”
(Photo/Topsy Siderowf)
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And finally … Bobby Whitlock — a keyboardist and singer-songwriter who helped found Derek and the Dominos, and played with stars like Eric Clapton and George Harrison — died Sunday in Texas. He was 77, and had been diagnosed with cancer.
Click here for a full obituary.
(As we gear up for the start of school, add this to your checklist: Please click here to support “06880.” We’ll keep providing all the news you need — with your help. Thank you all!)
