Darienite (https://darienite.com/category/arts-entertainment/music)
Music and those who create it or present it in and around Darien
“Ramblin” Dan Stevens, a veteran bluesman and raconteur is gonna CLOSE DOWN Darien Library when he talks, sings and plays in his educational and entertaining multi-media presentation on the history of the blue on Wednesday night. It’s true. The library has announced it will not be open for anything else after 7 p.m., Wednesday. If you’re not there to hear and see Dan Stevens, you’re not welcome. Go back the next day.
Stamford Symphony’s Spring Chamber Concert Series begins Feb. 27 at the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan on Feb. 27 with the first of four concerts. — an announcement from Stamford Symphony
The series is aimed at encouraging new audiences to explore and appreciate classical music in a chamber size presentation. The second concert will take place at Westport Public Library on March 6, and concerts will also take place on May 1 and June 5 at locations to be announced.
Attention Young Composers! The Music Department of the Darien Public Schools will be sponsoring the 22nd annual Young Composers Concert at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 6 in the Darien High School Auditorium. The deadline for submissions is March 14. — an announcement from the Darien Public Schools Music Department
This program is open to all students currently enrolled in the Darien Public Schools. It is a great opportunity for students to compose their own original music and share it with an audience.
Stamford Symphony is launching Play, Sing, Listen! The Education Fund of Stamford Symphony, a new initiative focusing on education and youth engagement across Fairfield County.
The program is meant to ensure that all youth in local communities have access to high-quality music education opportunities encouraging them to explore, appreciate, perform, and create music. At the same time the program should nurture important life skills, including creativity, listening, problem-solving, and self-esteem. — an announcement from Stamford Symphony
One of the program’s goals within the next five years is to “have at least one educational program (instrument bootcamps, chamber performances, masterclasses, etc.) in every town across Fairfield County.” Stamford Symphony is continuing to raise money for the project.
Darien native Dan Micciche, current musical director for Wicked on Broadway, is bringing Broadway to Darien on Dec. 19 with a concert at Noroton Presbyterian Church. Broadway performers from The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Hamilton, and Disney’s Frozen, alongside members of the NPC Chamber Choir and Orchestra, will perform holiday favorites. The free concert, performed with COVID-19 safety protocols, will be open to the public and livestreamed on the homepage of Noroton Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m., on Sunday, Dec, 19. — an announcement from Noroton Presbyterian Church
“We could all use some joy this Christmas season and this concert will certainly do just that,” Micciche said.
In partnership with Verso Studios at Westport Public Library, Stamford Symphony’s Wind Quintet performance at 2 p.m., this Sunday, Nov. 21, at the library. — an announcement from Stamford Symphony
Tickets are available online, here. As a follow up to the Stamford Symphony Gala, which streamed live from the Westport Library in October, this performance marks a significant milestone in our partnership. Serving as the eastern hub for the Stamford Symphony, the Westport Library partnership strengthens the Symphony’s mission to serve its many audiences in Fairfield County, making music accessible for all-ages.
The popular Darien fall tradition – Art Darien was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but it’s back this weekend at Grove Street Plaza — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday. — an announcement from the organizers
“I have been rebuilding the art event to make sure the event will be safe and comfortable for everyone even during the pandemic,” said artist Nobu Miki, the organizer of the two-day event, which is free. Artists used to bring their display setups and stay at their spots all day. This original idea was inspired by the famous artist colony, Montmartre Paris, and Nobu loved it. But she invested and purchased outdoor display panels this year to create a smoother visitor flow.
The Corbin District and The Darien Chamber of Commerce welcome back The Spadtastics to Tilley Pond Park on Saturday, Sept. 18 starting at 6 p.m. for a free community concert. Families are encouraged to come with coolers and lay a blanket or place lawn chairs for a fun-filled evening of live music. Food vendors including Crepes Choupette, Fjord Fish Market, Darien Butcher Shop, Gofer Ice Cream, Sipstirs (in-store only, Sept. 17 to 18) and Parlor Pizza will be on-site donating 15% of profits to Darien Emergency Medical Services-Post 53.
Dinner tickets are no longer available, but you can still reserve picnic tables for the final Weed Beach Festive Night of the summer today, Friday, with gates opening at 5 p.m. (Weed Beach will close to regular beachgoers starting at 2 p.m.)
— an announcement from Darien Parks and Recreation Department
If you didn’t already pre-purchase dinners through Nikki Glekas Events (which will be served at 6 p.m.), you can bring your own picnic or get food and beverages from the Beach Grill concessions, which will remain open throughout the event. Festive Night features music from the Darien Community Band and local favorite Kenny Weiss. The Darien Community Band, now celebrating its 75th year, plays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Kenny Weiss, will follow from 6:30 to 8 p.m., when the event ends. If the event has to be cancelled, the rain date is Saturday, Aug. 28.
A string ensemble made up of middle school and high school students in Darien Summer School will perform a half-hour concert Friday morning, July 9, in the Darien Library courtyard. The free concert “of familiar favorites” starts at 11 a.m. The students are under the direction of Jane Minnis. — an announcement from Darien Library
UPDATE, 10:49 a.m., Friday:
Weed Beach Festive Night, which was originally scheduled for Friday night, then postponed for 24 hours, is now cancelled due to expected rain, Darien Parks and Recreation Department announced just before 10 a.m., Friday. If you pre-purchased a meal for the event, you can still pick it up between 5 and 6 p.m., Saturday, Park & Rec Program Supervisor Jami Gore said in the 9:59 a.m. emailed announcement. You’ll be able to get into the beach to do it, she said. The next Weed Beach Festive Night is scheduled for Aug. 27. Here’s the full text of Gore’s announcement:
Unfortunately, we have made the difficult and disappointing decision to cancel the Weed Beach Festive Night scheduled for this weekend due to potential inclement weather.
The Norwalk Art Space, the area’s newest museum, will open its doors to the public with a weekend-long celebration featuring a group exhibition, an outdoor live music festival, and the opening of the Art Space Cafe by celebrated Chef Bill Taibe. — an announcement from The Norwalk Art Space
The museum, just north of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum in central Norwalk (off Exit 14), features a gallery, resident artists, classes, a sculpture garden and cafe, and musical performances. Live music will be presented in our sculpture garden by a wide variety of musicians. SEE ALSO: A New Museum, Norwalk Art Space, Opens June 5 With Exhibit Tours, Outdoor Music, Sculpture Garden, Cafe (May 9)
On Opening Weekend
The opening weekend will feature:
A group exhibition by our Resident Artists and Korry Fellows, curated by Artistic Director Duvian Montoya, and Curatorial and Policy Advisor Nicole Sansone Ruiz, PhD. The opening of our Sculpture Garden, curated by sculptural curator Yvonne Shortt.
A new art museum is opening Saturday, June 5 in central Norwalk with a free weekend celebratory party. The museum will include an exhibition gallery, a sculpture garden with regular live music on weekends, a cafe, studios for artists, a classroom and workspaces for students. — an announcement from The Norwalk Art Space
The Norwalk Art Space is located at 455 West Ave., next to Mathews Park (the location of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum). The museum building is the former Norwalk First Church of Christ Scientist. “Our goals are to promote local artists, offer free art classes to high school students, and provide the public a welcoming space to enjoy art and music,” the museum says on its website.
Americares, a health-focused relief and development organization, is tapping into the power of music to reinforce the continued importance of COVID-19 safety precautions with a campaign featuring original music and choreography. — an announcement from Americares
As vaccines roll out across the nation and states relax restrictions, the music and dance-based public health education campaign puts safety precautions at the center of pop culture. The “Wear a Mask” campaign encourages the continued adherence to COVID safety protocols, pairing an infectious melody with an entertaining dance—and scientific evidence. The campaign targets the 18 to 34-year-old demographic, encouraging the age group to adhere to core COVID-19 health hygiene and precautionary measures, including mask wearing, physical distancing and hand washing. The campaign, which debuts today on World Health Day, includes an original song and choreographed dance.
The plot of “Pippin” presents the audience with an exceedingly abstract and “meta” story. In fact, at points in the musical, one gets the feeling that one is watching a show within a show. During this online program, Professor Gil Harel will discuss this unique musical, calling attention to its genesis and evolution, its unusual and somewhat complex plot, and its infectious score. — an announcement from Darien Library
Having been conceived during Stephen Schwartz’s days as a student at Carnegie Mellon, and having made its debut on Broadway in 1972, the show was reimagined in an award-winning revival in 2013. In the nearly 50 years since its premiere, and in various stagings and incarnations, “Pippin” has enchanted audiences with its compelling story and stellar score.
One Darien High School classmate, Doug Allen, is performing an online concert this Friday to benefit the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, founded by another DHS classmate, Scarlett Lewis, and they both hope you’ll watch and listen. — an announcement from Corbin Cares
This special concert with Doug Allen, sponsored by Corbin Cares, runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, April 24 on Zoom. Allen, born in Darien and a member of DHS’s first lacrosse team, is a Nashville based singer-songwriter who is quickly becoming known for his high energy, acoustic shows and rich voice. Often compared to a cross between Zac Brown & John Denver he’s an artist whose songs, killer stage presence and voice make you take notice. Along with having two successful albums and several singles available online, Doug has had songs featured in Universal Pictures and Lions Gate Films. He keeps busy playing over 200 shows a year in theaters and corporate events between LA, Chicago, Nashville, and New York.