Charity Events and Opportunities
The Undies Project Logo image from Facebook

Comedy Event to Raise Money for ‘Most Under-Donated, Most Needed item of Clothing’

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Comedian Ross Bennett, Master of Ceremonies Jane Condon and special guest Miss Connecticut 2017, Olga Litvinenko, will be featured at the “Cocktails & Comedy” fundraiser on Sept. 29 for the Undies Project. — an announcement from the Undies Project

Co-founders Laura Delaflor and Lucy Langley started the Undies Project in 2015 after recognizing that underwear is the most under donated and most needed item of clothing.  No one should be deprived of the simple, daily necessity of clean underwear. Cocktails & Comedy promises to be a fun evening of laughter with Ross Bennett, a popular headliner at comedy clubs worldwide, veteran comedian (and BTW, he is also a veteran!). Ross Bennett appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman.  Ross was the winner of the Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Web Series at the LA Webfest 2016.  A star on Sirius XM Comedy Channels, Ross is a recurring guest on the Bob & Tom Show, the popular morning radio show heard by over 5 million listeners daily.

Food & Drink, Restaurants & Bars
Blues Views and BBQ festival two 2018

All-Day Music and More at Westport’s Blues, Views & BBQ Festival Saturday, Sunday

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Soulful, Southern-inspired food, music and family fun are happening at the 11th annual Blues Views & BBQ Festival this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2, at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in downtown Westport.  

Tickets and two-day passes are on sale now. This year’s festival in Westport will feature 20 bands, including headlining performances on the Epstein Stage at the Levitt Pavilion — from funk powerhouses Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and Grammy Award Winner Fantastic Negrito. Blues, Views and BBQ is also known for introducing up and coming and local talent along with marquee headliners.

Charity Events and Opportunities
We Choose Love from Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement website

Spadtastics Perform Friday, Aug 31 in Fundraising Concert for Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement

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Darien Summer Nights is hosting a special concert fundraiser on behalf of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, featuring the Spadtastics from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, Aug. 31 at Tilley Pond Park. The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement is a charitable organization with a mission to ensure that every child has access to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).  We do this in honor of Jesse and to spread the message he left on his family’s chalkboard – Nurturing, Healing Love. — an announcement from the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement

The fundraiser also includes live music by Free Flow and special guest, Doug Allen. Plus, a photo booth, face painting, food trucks and Choose Love merchandise. After Darien native, Scarlett Lewis’ 6-year-old son was killed in his first grade classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School, her friends from Darien High School rallied around to support her.

Music
Bob Button Band Darien Summer Nights 2018

Bob Button Band Performs Big Band Era Music Friday at Grove Street Plaza

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The Bob Button Band performs Big Band Era music from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 24 for its debut performance at Grove Street Plaza as part of the free, outdoor Darien Summer Nights concert series. For more than 40 years, The Bob Button Big Band has entertained audiences in the New York Metropolitan area. — an announcement from Darien Summer Nights

The Band has played at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, The NY Athletic Club, Playhouse on the Green in Bridgeport, Connecticut Jazz Festival, Glen Island Casino, Hyatt Regency for the 2000 Millennium, The Greenwich Town Party with Paul Simon and Santana, and numerous summer concerts in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Darien Summer Nights is a weekly summer concert series located at Grove Street Plaza in Darien, Connecticut.

Education

Mark Your Calendar: Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival Coming on Saturday, Oct. 13

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This fall, the Tokeneke School campus will become an amusement park and haunted house, just like it does every year for the past 50:

Here’s an announcement from the organizers:
The Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival is an established favorite fall activity for Fairfield County families, offering something spooky and fun for children both big and small. Every October for over 50 years, the Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival has transformed the Tokeneke Elementary School, located on Old Farm Road in Darien, into a Halloween-themed haunted house and amusement park where kids of all ages can find delicious food, unique games and activities plus a wide variety of mechanical rides. This year, the Pumpkin Carnival is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rain date for the event will be on the following day (Oct. 14).

Music
Mods and Rockers Harry Bergen

Mods and Rockers with Harry Bergen Perform Friday in Darien Summer Nights Concert

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Darien Summer Nights continues Friday, Aug. 10 with a returning favorite, Harry Bergen. This summer he is the front man for Mods and Rockers, a band devoted to the classic rock music of the ’60s. Best known for their spirited renditions of Beatles classics, a fun night of great music is on tap. — an announcement from Darien Summer Nights

Pick up dinner and bring friends, we have an amazing night of 60’s rock that all ages will enjoy. Summer may be winding down but the concerts are in full swing.

Arts & Entertainment
Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet Levitt Pavilion

Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet Performs Sunday, Aug 5 at Levitt Pavilion

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Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet performs from 8 to 9:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 5 at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport. Here’s the announcement from Levitt Pavilion:

Originally from Córdoba Argentina, Pedro Giraudo moved to New York City in 1996. Since then he has become a highly versatile bassist, composer and arranger, performing in a wide variety of musical projects

In 2014, Pedro played bass on Ruben Blades’ CD “Tangos” which won two Grammys Awards (Best Tango Album and Best Latin Pop). Pedro has also been the musical director of Mariela Franganillo’s Companyies, “Tango Connection” and “Tango Recuerdo.”

He has performed with the most prominent tango ensembles in the United States, including “Forever Tango,” Hector Del Curto’s “Eternal Tango,” Fernando Otero’s “X-Tango,” and Daniel Binelli’s “Tango Metropolis.”

He was the bassist and longtime collaborator with the great, late tango pianist Octavio Brunetti.

Arts & Entertainment
Ranky Tanky Levitt Pavilion

Ranky Tanky Performs Saturday at Levitt Pavilion in Westport

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Ranky Tanky, a widely praised jazz/gospel/R&B group, performs from 8 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport. Here’s the announcement from Levitt Pavilion:

Taking its name from the Gullah phrase for “work it” or “get down,” Ranky Tanky infuses the music of the Georgia/South Carolina sea islands with jazz, gospel, and R&B—and the result is irresistible. Grounded by “an enigmatic, unshakeable and unspoiled tradition that’s long been hidden in plain sight,” this band brings together six dynamic musicians, many of whom call Charleston home. Lead vocalist Quiana Parler, “whose power, dexterity and expressiveness convey the breadth and strength of the material’s emotional content” (JAZZIZ magazine), merges her talents with trumpeter/singer Charlton Singleton, bassist Kevin Hamilton, percussionists Quentin Baxter and Calvin Baxter, and guitarist/singer Clay Ross.

Art Exhibits
Dragon and Bird Borneo photo by Steve Watson Class of 73

‘Harvest’ Art Exhibit Reception 6:30 PM at Darien Library, Performances Start at 3 PM Saturday

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“Harvest,” a “creative arts festival” presented by the Darien High School Class of 1973 will be held at the Darien Library, starting with a reception for the artists from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3. At 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4 there will be a musical performance in the Community Room. All the art is created by members of the DHS Class of ’73.

Music
Leslie Costa Darien Summer Nights Aug 2 2018

Cinnamon Girl Performs in Friday Darien Summer Nights Concert

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Cinnamon Girl, a Neil Young tribute band, will play for free, outdoors at Grove Street Plaza from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 3 in the latest of the Darien Summer Nights concerts. The band was formed by singer-songwriter Leslie Costa in 2015. Costa fell in love with guitar after her cousin, Chris, let her try his 1969 Fender Stratocaster. She formed her own band in 1990 called Leslie Costa and the Usual Suspects.

Music
Rad Trads Levitt Pavilion

Rad Trads Perform Friday Night at Westport’s Levitt Pavilion

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The Rad Trads, a New York City band that blends indie rock, Americana, and soul, perform from 8 to 9:30 p.m., Friday at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport. With a reputation as one of New York’s most entertaining live bands, this genre-bending outfit draws inspiration from New Orleans brass band, R&B, Chicago and delta blues, and rock ’n’ roll. — an announcement from Levitt Pavilion

They win over audiences with relentless energy and enthusiasm, building an international fan base headlining shows and opening for the likes of Lake Street Dive, Tom Jones, Charles Bradley, Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, the Lone Bellow, Dustbowl Revival, and Margaret Glaspy.  

When not playing with The Rad Trads, members of the band have performed or recorded with artists such as St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Deer Tick, Sarah Jarosz, Buck Meek & Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief, Lee Fields & the Expressions, David Duchovony, and Christopher Paul Stelling.

Music
Sister Sun, from their Facebook page Bartlett Arboretum concert

Sister Sun Folk Band Plays Sunday at Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford

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Sister Sun, an original music family folk band, will play outdoors at Bartlett Arboretum in North Stamford from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday. Consisting of Dave, Dianne, Jenna Colavito, Kate Gunn, and Joe Colavito, they play shows on a monthly basis and are sometimes seen in the Caribbean. Bartlett Arboretum Summer Concert Series performances on the Great Lawn or in the Silver Educational Center if there’s rain. Bring chairs or a blanket, and a picnic dinner. $5 for members, $10 for non-members, free for children 12 & under.

Arts & Entertainment
Low Cut Connie rock band Levitt Pavilion publicity

‘Low Cut Connie’ Rocks Levitt Pavilion Friday Night

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“Low Cut Connie” performs Friday night from 8 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, July 27 at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport. You can catch them right before they head to the Newport Folk Festival.  
Since Low Cut Connie’s debut record Get Out the Lotion (NPR’s Fresh Air Top 10 albums of 2011), they’ve firmly established their reputation as one of the most exciting live shows in the U.S., with Greg Kot (Sound Opinions / Chicago Tribune) exclaiming they are “the essence of what rock n roll should be” and the New York Times stating “The group’s live show is a strange phenomenon.”
Adam Weiner’s $100 junker piano, named Shondra, is the backbone of their boogie strain of rock n roll. Recently adding longtime Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings member Saundra Williams, the result is what Rolling Stone describes as “a mix of Seventies Stones (but dirtier), the New York Dolls (but tighter) and Jerry Lee Lewis (but Westerberg-ier)…with an extra sense of bare-knuckled grit and sonic thwump.”

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— an announcement from the Levitt Pavilion

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On their 5th studio album Dirty Pictures (Part 2), released via Contender Records, the band urges all current and former youths: Feel your feelings. Feel sadness, feel love, feel wildness.

Music
Gunsmoke band 2018 Darien Summer Nights

‘Gunsmoke’ Performs Friday Night at Grove Street Plaza: Latest Darien Summer Nights Concert

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Gunsmoke, a homegrown band in Darien, will perform an outdoors at Grove Street Plaza, starting at 6 p.m., Friday, July 27, in the latest Darien Summer Nights concert. – an announcement from Darien Summer Nights

The band has been playing for many different audiences for over 25 years, including for two sitting Presidents of the United States and the world famous Ernest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree in Nashville, following the Grand Ole Opry. With six recorded albums under their belt, Gunsmoke was inducted into the Connecticut Country Music Hall of Fame, and was elected band of the year six years in a row by the New York Metro Country Music Association.  

The band was founded on family values as it was created by Nick DeMaio Jr. and his younger brother Jeff. With great fondness, we remember the many years they were joined by their father, Nick Sr. The band continues to welcome the younger family members into the band with Christina Mae and Nick DeMaio III joining the tradition.