Arts & Entertainment
Diggity band Darien Summer Nights 2024 at Tilly Pond

Darien Summer Nights Concerts Continue Friday Nights from July 26 to Aug 16 at Tilley Pond Park

By |
Download PDF

Darien Summer Nights Concerts will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. with three concerts in the next four Fridays, first with the Bob Button Big Band, then The Dooh Dah’s and, two weeks later, Diggity. — an announcement from the Corbin District website

The Corbin District and Darien Parks and Recreation are sponsoring the Summer 2024 concerts at Tilley Pond Park. The concerts have been held at Grove Street Plaza, but this summer the park is the venue, so bring beach chairs and blankets. The music — from live bands — is from 6 to 9 p.m. (expect a break or two), and it’s free. A few food trucks will be on hand to make it easy to enjoy the music and have dinner.

Gardening

‘Unexpected Beauty,’ a Two-Day Greenwich Garden Club Flower Show

By |
Download PDF

Unexpected Beauty, a GCA Flower Show, a free event hosted by the Greenwich Garden Club this Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15, will feature exhibits in floral design, horticulture, photography and “botanical arts,” the organizers say. — an announcement from the Greenwich Garden Club

A boutique will feature unexpectedly beautiful and unique items.

Also, you can buy raffle tickets. The raffle will feature a Craig Burrows print and a pair of Campagna “Paris” outdoor garden urns. Proceeds from the flower show will go to the Greenwich Garden Club Civic Improvement Fund. Chairwomen are Jane Dunn, Nina King and Susan Schieffelin.

Alive at Five 2024
Alive At Five 2024 poster

Tickets on Sale Now for Alive At Five Concerts Featuring Lil’ Kim, Wyclef Jean, Sublime with Rome

By |
Download PDF

Lil’ Kim, Wyclef Jean and Sublime with Rome will be performing in separate concerts over a three week period this summer in the Alive At Five concert series, the Stamford Special Services District has announced. — an announcement from Stamford Downtown

The three-concert series starts at 5 p.m. on Thursdays, July 25 (Sublime with Rome), Aug. 1 (Lil’ Kim) and Aug. 8 (Wyclef Jean) at Mill River Park. Each concert night features DJs, opening acts, food trucks and a large variety of beer, wine and cocktails for purchase.

Art Exhibits
Light Songs online exhibit poster 2024

Complimentary Reception Opens ‘Light Songs’ Photography and Graphics Exhibit at Darien Arts Center

By |
Download PDF

Light Songs, an exhibit of over 30 works of photography, graphics and artistic improvisations from award-winning photographers and artists, Jim Stasiak and Barbara Soares, runs from Friday, June 7 to Wednesday, June 12 at the Darien Arts Center (DAC) Weatherstone Studio. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center

An opening reception takes place on Friday, June 7, from 6 to 9 p.m., where the artists will be in attendance and wine and light bites will be served. All are welcome and admission to the reception and exhibit are free, with 20% of art sale proceeds to benefit the DAC. Jim Stasiak is an award-winning photographic artist, musician and graphic arts professional. He regularly exhibits at Carriage Barn Arts Center, Sherman Arts Association, Rowayton Arts Center, Shoreline Arts Alliance, Gallery 25, Washington Art Association, White Silo Farm Gallery, and the Warner Theatre Atrium Gallery.

Music
Make Music Day 2024

Communities Across Connecticut Host Performances for Make Music Day, Friday, June 21

By |
Download PDF

Thirteen cities and regions in Connecticut, including New Canaan will join forces to present hundreds of free outdoor musical events on Friday, June 21 for Make Music Day. — an announcement from Make Music Alliance
The celebration, the world’s largest annual music event, takes place on the summer solstice each year, bringing people of all ages and skill levels together to make music. More than 150 communities in the United States are hosting thousands of Make Music Day performances. In Connecticut, they include Bethel, Bridgeport, Danbury, Fairfield, Hebron, Middletown, New Canaan, Northwest CT, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Southbury, Southeast CT, and Waterbury. Make Music Day is the world’s largest annual music event.

Darien Pride Committee 2024
LGBTQ+ Pride You Belong Celebration

LGBTQ+ Pride ‘You Belong’ Celebration, Coming Sunday to Tilley Pond Park

By |
Download PDF

The LGBTQ+ Pride “You Belong” Celebration on Sunday, June 9, at Tilley Pond Park features giveaways, crafts, food trucks and entertainment, including drag performances. — an announcement from the Darien Pride Committee
This family-friendly event will even feature puppies from a local shelter who need a good home. Entertainment will include music, courtesy of local DJ Soce, songs by Stephen Cerussi, and drag performances by DHS graduate Boxa Crayonz and Brooklyn-based David Puck. Boxa Crayonz will also act as host for the festivities. Darien Pride Chair Dan Guller said his committee is excited for this third year of celebrating diversity:
“We’ve gotten so many positive responses from our past celebrations.  With the LGBTQ+ community under fire across the country, we need this reminder of how open and accepting Darien is, which is why the theme of ‘You Belong’ is so fitting.

Concert Series 2024
WIDE Logo Music on Church Lane 2024

35 Evenings of Live Music on Friday and Saturday Nights in Downtown Westport

By |
Download PDF

For 35 evenings this summer, on Friday and Saturday nights from June 1 to Sept. 28, you can attend free concerts  outdoors on Church Lane in downtown Westport. The Music on Church Lane concert series is organized by the Westport Downtown Association, a business group. Professional musicians from the area will play starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night. The organizers ask that you donate to support this summer’s schedule of local, professional musicians and bands.

Darien’s 2024 Memorial Day: Parade, Ceremony, Address, Food Fair

By |
Download PDF

The Darien Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 27, 2024, kicking off at 10 a.m. Traffic detours and restrictions will be in effect at some locations beginning at 8 a.m. (see below). Marchers will gather in the parking lot of Goodwives Shopping Center, 25 Old Kings Highway North, turn right and follow Old Kings, turning left onto Brookside Road and then left onto the Post Road, through downtown, and end up at the corner of Post Road and Hecker Avenue. Right after the parade (usually at about 11:15 a.m.), the towns’ Memorial Day observance will take place at Spring Grove Veterans Cemetary, across the street from Police Headquarters. Traditionally, wreaths are placed at the monument during the ceremony. The names of those from Darien fallen in war are read and a gun salute is fired off.

Shakespeare on the Sound 2024
Romeo and Juliet part of poster

Previewing Shakespeare on the Sound’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ — Presentation May 29 at Darien Library

By |
Download PDF

Two members of Shakespeare on the Sound will discuss Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday evening, May 29, at Darien Library, two weeks before performances start on June 12 in Rowayton’s Pinkney Park. — an announcement from Darien Library

“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”  ― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

It’s almost time for Shakespeare on the Sound, and you can prepare to see this year’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Watch and listen as this play comes to life at Darien Library, just in time for Shakespeare on the Sound’s 28th annual summer production in Rowayton’s Pinkney Park, June 12 through the June 30. Learn the origins of the play, what Shakespeare intended and much more. Shakespeare On the Sound’s Nick Urda and John Love will walk us through this unforgettable play.  Until then, fill up on fun facts about the iconic work which was written in the 1590’s:

• Romeo and Juliet first meet on a Sunday evening.

Dance
Dancer Fairfield County Dance Festival 2024

The Traveling ‘Fairfield County Dance Festival’ Comes to Darien on July 23

By |
Download PDF

Now in its fifth year, the Ted Thomas Dance Foundation and East Coast Contemporary Ballet will come to Darien on Tuesday evening, July 23 as part of a series of free dance performances and presentations in Fairfield County this summer. — an announcement from the foundation

This series, called the Fairfield County Dance Festival, goes beyond outdoor dance performances on its mobile outdoor stage. It includes programs such as master classes, lecture demonstrations and workshops. These are the venues for this year’s traveling festival:

• Milford Green, Milford — July 16, 6:30 p.m.
• Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk — July 17, 6:30 p.m. (Rain Date July 18)
• Weed Beach, Darien — July 23, 7 p.m. (rain date July 24)
• Museum of Contemporary Arts, Westport — July 25, 6:30 p.m.
• New Canaan Library, New Canaan — July 30, 6:30 p.m.
• Fairfield Museum and Historical Center, Fairfield — July 31, 6:30 p.m. (rain date Aug. 1)
• Middletown Green, Middletown — Aug.

Book Sales 2024
Westport Library Book Sale 2024

Westport Library’s BIG Spring 2024 Used Book Sale Starts Friday, Goes Through Monday, May 17 to 20

By |
Download PDF

Westport Library is hosting its Big Spring Book Sale Event indoors with thousands of used books to browse through this weekend, from Friday to Monday, May 17 to 20. 
The Westport used book sale is one of the biggest in Fairfield County (along with Southport’s Pequot Library Book Sale, taking place this year from July 26 to 30). — an announcement from Westport Library
The gently used books in over 50 categories, include children’s; literature and classics; fiction, mystery, and SciFi and fantasy; art, photography, history, math, science, psychology, philosophy, religion and spirituality, biography, business, cooking, gardening, performing arts, travel, foreign language, education, reference, and more, along with noteworthy, especially antiquarian books. 

In addition to books, there are vintage vinyl records, DVDs and CDs, ephemera, and a large selection of framed artworks, from small desktop pieces to supersized wall pictures. Please note:  Graphic novels and manga will be available only at our Westport Book Shop, right across Jesup Green from the Westport Library.  For Book Shop hours, click here. If You’re Going … Westport Library is located at 20 Jesup Road, in downtown Westport.

Parents & Kids
Playland Park from the air

Playland Amusement Park Opening Saturday, May 18: Here’s What It Offers on Opening Day and After

By |
Download PDF

Fun rides and the Long Island Sound’s tides are right around the corner at Playland, in Rye, New York, as the historic amusement park and premier waterfront destination will host a special ribbon cutting opening ceremony at 12 noon, Saturday, May 18, to celebrate the start of the summer season. — an announcement from Playland Park

Guests can enjoy a full season of entertainment, rides, beach going and more with the 2024 All Access Season Pass.The award-winning amusement park features over 50 rides and attractions including the iconic Dragon Coaster, which will turn 95-years-old this year, and the debut of Playland’s newest ride, Jack the Puppeteer. Other opening weekend festivities include a celebratory drum roll line up by the Lighting Drumline from the Barack Obama School for Social Justice in Yonkers, a special performance by an electric violinist, strolling entertainers, face painters, airbrush tattoo artists, and more. “Through our diverse offerings ranging from recreation to leisure, and thrilling entertainment, coupled with our new and robust arts and community programming this year, Playland is committed to not only growing and revitalizing the historic park but to introduce Playland to a new generation of visitors to create lasting memories and traditions for the next 100 years,” said Evonne Keeler, CEO of Playland. On Sunday, a Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk
On Sunday, May 19, 2024, Playland Park will also host a 2nd Annual Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk event by Soul Ryeders, a nonprofit cancer support organization based in Rye.

Art Exhibits

Hand-Made Jewelry, Housewares, Clothing, Furniture at Bruce Museum Crafts Fest, Saturday and Sunday

By |
Download PDF

The Bruce Museum’s 39th Annual Outdoor Crafts Festival features fine contemporary hand-made crafts in jewelry, wearable and decorative fiber, glass, furniture and housewares, pottery, and much more, all available for purchase. — an announcement from the Bruce Museum

There will also be demonstrations, family craft activities, Museum Movers–Kids Yoga on Saturday, and food offered by Aux Délices (ask them if they have their ginger scones and try one — they also have them at the Darien store). If You’re Going … The Bruce Museum is at 1 Museum Drive in Greenwich, near Interstate 95 Exit 3. The Outdoor Craft Festival is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, 2024.

Darien History
A picture that went along with a HisTOURy tour of Darien 5-19-2024

Take a Bus Tour May 19 Through Darien Buildings, Visit Inside Some, Learn About Renowned Darienites of the Past

By |
Download PDF

Visit several home interiors on a bus tour of historic Darien homes, many more buildings along the way and see and learn about renowned Darienites of the past on Sunday, May 19. The tour, which takes about four hours, is sponsored by The Museum of Darien and conducted by HisTOURy, a nonprofit. This is a one-time-only event, space is limited, so you may want to register early. — an announcement from HisTOURy Tours and The Museum of Darien

Actor Frank Latimore, award-winning artist Dorothea Warren O’Hara, and acclaimed author Erskine Caldwell are among many talented and renowned artists, authors, actors and other notable people that once called Darien home. Join us to tour a great collection of their historic homes!

Dance
East Coast Contemporary Ballet perfoemance Darien Arts Center online poster

East Coast Contemporary Ballet Performs This Friday, Saturday Night at Darien Arts Center

By |
Download PDF

East Coast Contemporary Ballet will perform a program, “V: 5 works, 5 Choreographic Styles and 5 years of ECCB,” complete with live music, this Friday and Saturday evenings, May 10 and 11, at Darien Art Center. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center

The evening highlights the versatility, technical prowess, and acute artistry of ECCB’s dancers and celebrates four different choreographers and their varying styles. Come enjoy works by Dorothea Garland, Seyong Kim, Alejandro Ulloa and Claire Mazza in the ballet group’s 5th anniversary Spring Season. You can find several more dance performances on the Darien Arts Center “Events” web page. If You’re Going …