Three days of fun, food, and dazzling free entertainment on
multiple stages, plus a myriad of special events for families and friends, from
nine to ninety marks just some of the activities planned for the 2019 Norwalk
Oyster Festival hosted by the Seaport Association on Friday, September 6,
Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 8, 2019 at the 35-acre Veterans
Memorial Park in Norwalk. “Our 42nd annual festival is packed with
value-added extras especially when you consider that all the entertainment including the
headliners Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot, and Brian Howe, former lead singer
of Bad Company are included in the ticket price,” said Mike Reilly, President
of the Norwalk Oyster Festival. “This season has been one of our best
with the addition of a free-standing timber pavilion on Sheffield Island that
will host parties and events for years to come. Our mission has always been to preserve and share our
maritime heritage, to help with the environment of Long Island Sound, and to
have children experience our 151 year-old Lighthouse and Gate Keepers Cottage
and, this festival helps us do just that,” adds Reilly. For tickets click here https://www.seaport.org.
Headliner
of Oyster Festival, Sept. 7 – Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot @ 8:30 pm
The late summer tradition of the Norwalk Oyster Festival is
one of Connecticut’s most iconic festivals which is why Mike DelGuidice, a
multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist touring internationally with Billy Joel is
taking a night off from his touring schedule to perform with his band, Big Shot
on Sept. 7 at 8:30 pm. In addition to producing two of his own albums, one of DelGuidice’s
original songs, “Ordinary Guy” was the theme song for actor/comedian Kevin James
sitcom, “Kevin Can Wait.” Kevin James also stars in DelGuidice’s new music
video featuring his new original song, Mona Lisa, https://youtu.be/TvOZNVW_nsc.
DelGuidice has spent the last 18 years building and
perfecting his encyclopedic knowledge of Joel’s musical catalogue. After Billy
Joel heard Mike sing, he hired him, literally on the spot to be in his band. Mike
is probably one of the few artists around where the front guy of the band is
actually in the band of the artist his band covers. DelGuidice’s band, Big Shot
includes other current long-time members of Billy Joel’s touring band including
guitarist Tommy Byrnes and drummer Chuck Burgi, along with John Scarpulla,
Carmine Giglio, and Nick Dimichino, who also have impressive resumes.
DelGuidice and Big Shot packs hit after chart topping hit in
an amazingly high-energy show that leaves audiences wanting more. “We are
thrilled that DelGuidice is taking a night off from touring with Billy Joel and
performing at this years’ Oyster Festival. DelGuidice stature as a well -known
worldwide performer makes his band highly sought after because they are such
crowd-pleasers. After all, DelGuidice was handpicked by Billy Joel himself and
hired, and on Saturday night he will be rocking the Oyster Fest. We would also,
once again, like to acknowledge that First County Bank is our presenting
sponsor for the ninth year in a row.” says Mike Reilly, President of the
Norwalk Oyster Festival.
Main
Stage Performance – Sept. 7 @ 7:30 p.m.
To get Saturday night rocking, Alex Shillo takes the stage
at 7:30 p.m. with his eclectic brand of rock and country music with a nod to
his hero, Bruce Springsteen. Growing up in a musical household has its
advantages. One super advantage is that Shillo grew up in a home with a
recording studio where a variety of musicians had sessions. Needless to say, Shillo
has been enthralled by music since a very early age and his performances show a
depth of style and experience well beyond his years. Shillo finds inspiration
in his father and is following in his footsteps. Shillo’s dad was the founder/lead
singer/songwriter of the late 70s and 80s band SILVERADO that had songs on the
Billboard charts. Recently Shillo released his first CD, “Had It All, ” that
shows his sound is matched by his excellent songwriting skills.
Main
Stage Performances Sept. 6, 7 and 8
Music on the Main Stage is scheduled for all three days and
features a variety of crowd-pleasing musical entertainment. “The Oyster
Festival is the last big thing that takes place before the end of the summer. This
is the perfect time for folks to come to the Festival and say goodbye to the
summer of 2019; and to help us celebrate 151 years of the Sheffield Island
Lighthouse,” says Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Oyster Festival.
Main
Stage –Tim Curries Tumblin’Dice Band Sept. 6 @ 6:30 pm
On Friday, Sept. 6 the first night of the festival, Norwalk’s
own Tim Curries will entertain audiences at 6:30 p.m. Get ready to rock out
to the 1960s with songs by some of the best artists of the decade. The range of
music played is amazing from Carol King and Guess Who to Lovin’ Spoonful, Grass
Roots and many more. The music of the 1960s is contagious and will have you
tapping your feet and, dancing as the sunsets! Tim is the drummer and is
surrounded by some of the best musicians in the area that will bring you back
to the summer of love.
Main Stage – Sacred
Fire – Sept. 6 @ 8:30 p.m.
You
are in for a treat if you like Latin music, because the headliner act, Sacred
Fire is taking the Main Stage on Sept. 6 @ 8:30 p.m. They are a fantastic
tribute band to Santana with an amazing repertoire. The robust energy of this
band’s live performances makes Sacred Fire a band to be reckoned with! Sacred
Fire is blistering six-piece Latin rock band considered by many to be one of
the hottest, hippest live shows that perform the songs spanning the entire
50-year career of Carlos Santana. Sacred Fire brings a sound that sizzles with
guitar, organ, percussion, and vocals.
Main Stage – Ripchord
– September 7 @ 2 p.m.
Saturday
afternoon kicks off with a Connecticut favorite, Ripchord, the Official Band of
the Connecticut National Guard. The 102 Army Band plays a variety of music from
classical and jazz to rock and patriotic; sure to please listeners of all ages.
As goodwill Ambassadors of Connecticut and the nation, they perform at
concerts, ceremonies, and parades all over the U.S. and around the world.
Main Stage – Virginia
Military Institute Commanders – Sept. 8 @ 1 p.m.
Get
ready to swing into Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. with the Commanders that will
perform music from the Big Band Era and beyond. Listening to the music of Benny
Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, and Glen Miller you will be doing the
Lindy Hop, (named after Charles Lindberg’s Trans-Atlantic flight) before you
know it! The VMI Commanders have a long and distinguished history. They were
first formed in 1917 as the Ramblin Keydets and have provided music for dances
and social events since that time. The big band, is styled after Glenn Miller’s
Band from the 1940s swing era and consists of 17 cadets at the “I” and a
vocalist. Today this band travels all over the world performing at a variety of
venues. The cadets in the band are from all majors and branches of the Military
ROTC Department at the Virginia Military Institute.
Main
Stage Jimmy Kenny and the
Pirate Beach Band, Sept. 8 @ 2 pm
Great ready to escape to “Margaritaville” at the Oyster
Festival on Sunday, September 8, beginning at 2 p.m. when the ultimate beach
party tribute band, Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band plugs in and lights
up the stage...after all, it is almost 5 o’clock somewhere! The goodtime vibe
of the Jimmy Kenny Band will put you in an endless summer state of mind. So put
on your best “Parrothead” gear - your favorite Hawaiian shirt, straw hat, and
flip-flops, grab some food and drinks from one of our nearby vendors and get
ready to sing and dance along to some of the best of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny
Chesney and the Zac Brown Band plus a variety of country favorites, summer pop,
reggae and tropical classics.
Main
Stage – Bad Company former Lead Singer – Brian Howe @ 5 p.m.
Brian Howe, former Lead Singer of Bad Company will close out
the 42nd Norwalk Oyster Festival with style, exuberance, and a blast
from the past of some of our favorite songs ever. Howe has one of rock’s most
legendary voices and as he croons hit after hit he will have you dancing as the
sun goes down. Howe fronted Bad Company between 1986 and 1994 and provided hit
vocals on hit albums including Dangerous Age (1988) and Holy Water (1990).
Today he is performing all the Bad Company hits like “Feel Like Makin Love,” “Good Lovin’ Gone
Bad,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and other hits. Howe has pursued his solo career with
passion and enthusiasm, and he always ignites and entertains the crowds that he
performs for.
Multiple
Stage Performances Sept. 6,7,8
In addition to Main Stage performances, the 2019 Oyster
Festival features dozens of local and regional acts on multiples stages. For a
complete list of multiple stage performers check out our website
https://seaport.org/Entertainment.
About
the Oyster Festival
Proceeds go to The Norwalk Seaport Association (a
not-for-profit 501 C3 organization) that is wholly responsible for organizing
and financing the annual Oyster Festival. Funds raised from the Oyster Festival
allow the Seaport Association to continue its educational programs, stewardship
for the 1868 Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Norwalk Islands, habitat restoration
projects with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other services. The First County Bank has been a
presenting sponsor for eight years.
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