Darienite (https://darienite.com/category/arts-entertainment/page/2)
Art receptions, author appearances, performing arts and some film events
Darien Library invites you to Open Mic Night this Friday. Come recite poetry, play music, or dazzle us with any other talent. — an announcement from Darien Library
All ages are welcome to perform or to support our creatives as part of the audience. If You’re Going … This event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Jan.
Darien Arts Center invites you to see “So We Think We Can Dance,” a one-of-a-kind performance featuring the apprentice and company dancers of the DAC Dance Academy. — an announcement from the Darien Arts Center
The performances are entirely produced, choreographed, costumed and lit by DAC Dance Academy students. Twenty-five dancers perform pieces across various styles of dance, every aspect of the production—from choreography to execution—has been brought to life by the students themselves, showcasing their creativity, dedication, and artistic vision. Featuring DAC dance students from ages 10 to 18, this year’s performances return to the DAC Weatherstone Studio with 25 dancers performing pieces that encompass many different styles of dance. So We Think We Can Dance was the brainchild of past DAC students, some who have moved on to pursue careers in dance.
Darien Library has announced the return of its 10th Annual Mini Golf Fundraiser, happening on Saturday, February 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
— an announcement from Darien Library
Mini Golf at the Library has been a community favorite for the past decade, bringing families and friends together for a day of fun. Players of all ages can enjoy putting their way through a unique 18-hole miniature golf course set up throughout the Library. After completing the course, all golfers can warm up with a complimentary hot chocolate, generously provided by Michael Joseph’s Catering. To learn more and register in advance, visit darienlibrary.org/minigolf, or contact the Darien Library Administrative Office at 203-669-5220. Early bird pricing will be available until January 26th for just $8 a person, after that tickets will be $10 per player.
Sorokin Gallery of Greenwich will exhibit small sculptures and paintings of the American modern master David Hayes (1931-2013) from Sept. 3 to 24. — an announcement from the Sorokin Gallery
There will be an opening for the exhibit on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m., then a subsequent talk by the artist’s son, David Hayes Jr., on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Hayes enjoyed a robust six-decade career working in Paris and Coventry, Connecticut.
Professor Gil Harel will discusses the history of one of the most enduring and successful shows in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, which ran for 35 years on Broadway, until 2023. — an announcement from Darien Library
Harel, from the piano, demonstrates how the music has helped sell so very many tickets over the years. Casting for this show requires a particular type of voice for the role of Christine, who must possess a nimble soprano that can sing well into the sixth octave. Having grossed over a billion dollars on Broadway alone, Phantom also won the 1988 Tony for Best Musical. If You’re Going …
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.