FLAMINGOS AND FUN IN 21-AND-OVER “MARITIME WITH A TWIST” ON JUNE 22 IN THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK

 Sample the best of South Norwalk’s restaurants amid pulsing jellyfish and pink flamingos – live pink flamingos, not the vodka cocktail – during a fun adults-only evening on Thurs., June 22 in The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.

“Maritime with a Twist” is a special but casual affair that celebrates and connects SoNo’s food and drink with SoNo’s anchor, The Maritime Aquarium.

From 6 to 8 p.m., guests 21 and over can explore the entire Aquarium, including the expanded new jellyfish exhibit “Journey with Jellies” and a special exhibit featuring gorgeous Chilean flamingos.

Pay one price at the door and then enjoy happy-hour samplings from such neighborhood restaurants as Cask Republic, El Segundo, Killer B, Hell or High Water, The Spread, Match, Prime Burger, Washington Prime, Tablao and Rio Bravo, as well as the meal-delivery service Maikana Foods.

Area craft breweries and artisanal distilleries offering their products will include Aspetuck Brew Lab, Asylum Distillery, Hartford Flavor Company, Charter Oak Brewing, 212 Brewing and Spiked Seltzer.

“Maritime with a Twist” includes live music by Kritikal Mass.

Tickets are $50 ($45 for Aquarium members), with proceeds going to The Maritime Aquarium. There are no other costs for food and drink after your admission ticket.

Purchase tickets at the door or in advance at www.maritimeaquarium.orgor by calling (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

A Retrospective Journey of Sebastian DiStefano’s Art @ Carole Peck's Good News Restaurant and Bar

Carol Peck's Good News Restaurant and Bar​ located on 694 Main Street South in Woodbury has announced a ​new show,  on display through August 14,“A Retrospective Journey of Sebastian DiStefano’s Art” that is an exhibition of the work of the late Sebastian DiStefano’s, a Waterbury native.

Mr. DiStefano spent his life painting abstract and non-objective art, a medium where he felt most comfortable. Color and balance were two focal areas for him. He was inspired by the Abstract Expressionists and Color Field artists but also moved by the Baroque painters. The incorporation of light and dark contrasts can be found weaved into his works; and, as he painted, he continually turned his pieces around to seek balance. Even in the pieces that appear unbalanced, balance is found. This allows many of his works to be viewed from different perspectives, even though he had seen it in one particular orientation and allowing any owner of his works to hang these pieces from their own perspective. 

In reflection of the late Sebastian DiStefano’s life and art, the family is showing a broad selection of Sebastian DiStefano’s work from the 1960’s to the present included watercolors, oil on Masonite, and acrylics which depict how he explored color, line, and composition. In being the product of five decades, these paintings depict a full expression of the emotional experiences of his life. As in the words of Mr. DiStefano, “I love the elements of painting; it sets my mind in motion where I am seeking the balance even if the piece ends up unbalanced. I don’t speak for my paintings they speak for me.”

Sebastian DiStefano’s paintings will be on display at Carole Peck’s Good News Restaurant & Bar​ located on 694 Main Street South in Woodbury from June 14th, 2017 – August 14th, 2017. An opening reception will be held on June 18th, 2017. The reception is free to the public.  The Good News Restaurant & Bar is open from 11:30am to 10pm daily. Closed Tuesday and open from 12Noon to 10pm Sundays.

​

Summer Music @ the Barn in Weston

The Weston Historical Society announces its 2017 "Music at the Barn" outdoor summer concert series. The 2017 season features popular local musicians, bands and performers, and will be held Sunday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Coley Homestead, 104 Weston Road on June 25, July 23 and August 27. No reservations are required for this delightful family entertainment series. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, favorite food and beverage, and enjoy show. In the event of rain, the concert will be moved indoors and chairs will be set up. Admission is $10 per member, $15 per non-member, and kids are free.

OTIS AND THE HURRICANES – Sunday June 25th Otis and the Hurricanes play the roots of American Rock 'n Roll influenced by the likes of Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Little Feat, The Funky Meters, Alan Toussaint, Delbert McClinton, and the legendary Chuck Berry. The Hurricanes are a group of veteran musicians who will rock the barn! Chris "Otis" Cross is the voice of the Hurricanes. His friends named him "Otis" at the age of 12 when he picked up a Fender Telecaster and bent his first blues note. He has opened for and played with musical icons like James Montgomery, Mark Naftalin, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter and Buckwheat Zydeco.

P.J. PACIFICO – Sunday July 23 P.J. has built a name for himself over the past few years, with a number of CD & EP releases via Viper Records and gaining credibility in indie singer-songwriter circles for his serene and thoughtful brand of introspective folk and pop music. Pacifico has evolved from a beloved, under-the-radar, Connecticut-based road warrior to an international-profile indie, and has been covered in national outlets ranging from Musicians Magazine to American Songwriter and more. He recently signed a licensing deal with Razor & Tie Publishing and will be announcing new tour dates soon. On his new Viper Records EP 'Ready to Run', singer P.J. Pacifico takes a leap of faith and leaves behind the acoustic guitar stylings focusing instead on synthesizers as the backdrop to his intense, emotional lyrics,

THE CHRIS COOGAN QUARTET – Sunday August 27 Jazz and gospel musician Chris Coogan will close out the "Music at the Barn" series on Sunday, August 28. The New York Times called Chris "a masterful pianist." He has played with many famous musicians and celebrities among them Stevie Van Zandt, Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love, Phoebe Snow, and Ben E. King among others. His gospel credentials include performances with Take 6, Maya Angelou and Richard Smallwood. A Weston native, he directs the Good News Choir, a community choir, and teaches jazz piano. His recordings of original jazz and gospel music are available on CD. On television, Coogan has played piano on "Celebrity Jeopardy" and the "Arsenio Hall Show." He has written and performed original gospel music for a PBS documentary on evangelist Amy Semple McPherson with Emmy award-winning composer Brian Keane.

Vintage Vehicles Antique & Classic Car Show June 18 at Shelton History Center

      

 Enjoy a day with Dad and Granddad peeking under the hoods of the cars they remember

from their youth at the Shelton Historical Society’s Vintage Vehicles Antique and Classic Car

Show on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18.  Two wheels or four, from Model T’s to muscle cars,

there’s bound to be something that will trigger a memory from every visitor.  This annual event

will take place at Shelton History Center, 70 Ripton Rd. from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.  

   

 

Past shows have featured everything from a 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom, to a restored

rickshaw that was used as an ambulance in the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, to a 1911

wood paneled Model T.  Sometimes a fire truck shows up; a 2016 entry included a penny

farthing, or high-wheeled bicycle.  Nearly every decade of transportation history from the 20^th

century has been illustrated on the shaded grounds of the Shelton History Center with more

recent muscle cars, Mustangs, and Army Jeeps joining many Ford Model A’s and T’s. All

vehicle owners generously share information, their cars, and their hobby with the public.   

A new award category for Most Unique was added for this year so six prizes will be presented

 to crowd favorites.     

Visitors will enjoy refreshments and voting for their favorite vehicles. Admission is $1

for dads, $5/adults and $10/family of four. Proceeds will benefit the educational programs of the

Shelton Historical Society, whose mission is to “preserve elements of the community’s history in

order to create connections between Shelton’s past, present, and future generations through

education, maintaining a museum with its collections, and providing a voice in the community

regarding matters of historical significance.”

            For additional information including directions, please call (203) 925-1803, visit 

www.facebook.com/SheltonHistoricalSociety.  

                                                           

          

A wee bit o' Scotland comes to Litchfield Hills

This summer a wee bit o' Scotland comes to the Litchfield Hills on June 25 at Lime Rock Park when the Round Hill Highland Games takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This annual festival celebrates Scottish heritage and culture; a highlight of this event is the traditional traditional professional and amateur highland game competitions. The Round Hill Highland Games are the third oldest in the United States and this is the 93 year this event has been organized.

This tradition dates back to  King Malcolm III (1057-93) who started the Scottish Highland Games nearly a thousand years ago
at Craig Choinich by Braemar near Balmoral, in order to sort out the smartest, swiftest, strongest, most nimble, accurate, agile and coordinated Cumbrians with the most prowess, endurance, stamina and character from amongst his subjects! These subjects became the King's Royal Inner Circle of protectors and couriers when going into battle.

Scottish and Scottish at heart are welcome to attend and will enjoy traditional piping and drumming competitions, pipe major competitions, pipe band competitions, Scottish country dancing, heavy athletic competitions, races and amateur sports for the whole family and children's games & crafts.  There will plenty of Scottish entertainment and folk music to add to the fun as well as fabulous Scottish food and drink plus vendors offering a wide assortment of Scottish merchandise. 

To sign up for a  free monthly newsletter on Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County on things to do and see and special deals visit  www.litchfieldhills.com or www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Music Mountain announces 2017 music schedule

Music Mountain in Falls Village, Connecticut, is one of the premiere destinations in the United States for intimate chamber music concerts. Gordon Hall is one of the finest chamber music halls in the country with legendary acoustics and resonant, full-bodied sound. Music Mountain is the home of the oldest continuing summer chamber music festival in this country. Founded in 1930 as the permanent home for the Gordon String Quartet, one of the leading string quartets of its time, Music Mountain is celebrating its 88th season in 2017.

Music Mountain and its marvelous setting for both the musicians and the audience is justly famed. The centerpiece is Gordon Hall – one of the finest chamber music facilities in the country. Gordon Hall and the Music Mountain residences were built by Sears Roebuck during the summer of 1930. The property and the buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

With seating for 335 and legendary acoustics, Gordon Hall provides resonant and lovely sound, views of the gardens, grounds and hills from every seat or from the lawn, permitting listeners to savor music and nature as one. The recent addition of air conditioning and heating has allowed them to extend the season.

On Sunday, June 11, 2017, at 3pm, the 88th concert season opens  with Peter Serkin & Friends. They will play Piano Trios by Haydn, Schubert and Beethoven; the season concludes on Sunday, September 17, at 3pm, with The Juilliard String Quartet. They will perform String Quartets by Beethoven, Haydn and Dvorak.

In between these the opening and closing events Music Mountain will bring their audience an additional fourteen not to be missed chamber music concerts with many of  favorites including: the Shanghai and Penderecki String Quartets and the St. Petersburg Piano Quartet; in addition to thirteen Saturday Twilight Concerts.

The twin theme for the chamber music series in 2017 is Beethoven, with nine concerts highlighting performances of fourteen of his works, plus the Piano in Chamber Music that includes thirteen concerts with piano, to be played by internationally renowned artists.

For a free monthly newsletter on things to do and see and travel tips  visit www.litchfieldhills.com

The entire 2017 Chamber Music Schedule is listed below and is exciting and varied, with a broad variety of beautiful music played by gifted artists.

SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 3PM
88TH SEASON OPENING
CONCERT & RECEPTION
All tickets: $75
Peter Serkin, Piano
Stefan Jackiw,Violin
Jay Campbell, Cello
Haydn: Piano Trio in G Major, Opus 73 # 2 "Gypsy"
Schubert: Piano Trio in B Flat Major, Opus 99, D 898
Beethoven: Piano Trio in B Flat Major, Opus 97, "Archduke"

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 3PM
Alexander Fiterstein, Clarinet
Michael Brown, Piano
Nicholas Canellakis, Cello
Beethoven: Clarinet Trio in B Flat Major, Opus 11
Selected Klezmer Works for Clarinet Trio
Debussy: Premiere Rhapsody for Clarinet & Piano
Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Opus 114

SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 3PM
Cassatt String Quartet
Mihae Lee, Piano
Mendelssohn: 4 pieces for String Quartet, Opus 81 "Capriccio"
Beethoven: String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132
Shostakovich: Piano Quintet Opus 57

SUNDAY, JULY 2, 3PM
All Tickets: $60
Peter Serkin & Julia Shu

Piano 4 hands
Beethoven: The Grosse Fuge, Opus 133
Balance of program to be announced

SUNDAY, JULY 9, 3PM
Arianna String Quartet
Victoria Schwartzman, Piano
Haydn: String Quartet in A Major, Opus 20 # 6
Brahms: String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 51 #2
Dohnanyi: Piano Quintet in C Major, Opus 1

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 3PM
Penderecki String Quartet
Leopoldo Erice, Piano
Mozart: String Quartet in D Major, K. 57 5
Schumann: String Quartet in A Major, Opus 41 #3
Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A Major, Opus 81

SUNDAY, JULY, 23, 3PM
Ariel Quartet
Soyeon Kate Lee, Piano

Mozart: String Quartet in G Major, K.387
Dvorak: String Quartet in F Major, Opus 96 "American"
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Opus 44

SUNDAY, JULY 30, 3PM
Harlem String Quartet
Fei-Fei Dong, Piano
Webern: Langsamer Satz
Mozart: String Quartet in B Flat Major, K. 458, "Hunt"
William Bolcom -- Three Rags for String Quartet
Guido Lopez-Gavilan: Guaguanco
Brahms: Piano Quartet in C Minor, Opus 60

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 3PM
Aeolus String Quartet
Geoffrey Burleson, Piano
Haydn: String Quartet in G Major, Opus 64#4
Mendelssohn: String Quartet in F Major, Opus 74 #2
Franck: Piano Quintet in F Minor

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 3PM
St. Petersburg Piano Quartet
ALL BEETHOVEN PROGRAM
Violin & Piano Sonata # 5 in F Major, Opus 24 "Spring"
Piano Trio in D Major, Opus 70 #1 "Ghost"
Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, Opus 16

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 3PM
St. Petersburg Piano Quartet
Brahms: Viola Sonata in E Flat Major, Opus 120 #2
Shostakovich: Piano Trio # 2 in E Minor, Opus 67
Schumann: Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, Opus 47

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 3PM
Daedalus String Quartet
Tanya Bannister, Piano

Beethoven: String Quartet in F Major, Opus 18#1
Schubert: String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 29 #1, D. 804) "Rosamunde"
Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Opus 34

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 6:30PM
The Shanghai String Quartet
Mendelssohn: String Quartet in E Flat Major, Opus 12
Yiwen Jiang: Selections from China Song
Brahms: String Quartet in C Minor, Opus 51 # 1

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 3PM
LABOR DAY BENEFIT
CONCERT & RECEPTION
All Tickets $75
The Shanghai String Quartet
Qing Jiang, Piano
Beethoven: String Quartet in B Flat Major, Opus 18 # 6
Beethoven: String Quartet in E Minor, Opus 59 # 2
Brahms: Piano Quartet in G Minor, Opus 25

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 3PM
Amernet String Quartet
Vivek Kamath, Viola
ALL BEETHOVEN PROGRAM
Piano Sonata # 8 in C Minor, Opus 13 "Pathétique"
Arranged for String Quartet by Jeffery Briggs
String Quartet in F Major, Opus 135
Viola Quintet in C Major, Opus 29 "Storm"

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 3PM
All Tickets: $60
The Juilliard String Quartet
Beethoven: String Quartet in A Major, Opus 18 # 5
Haydn: String Quartet in D Major, Opus 76 # 5
Dvorak: String Quartet in C Major, Opus 61

June 25 Connecticut Historic Garden Day

Summer in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County is awash with the colorful blooms of summer and the Connecticut Historic Garden Commission that cultivates our love of historic gardens has declared June 25 as Connecticut Historic Garden Day! This special state-wide celebration will take place rain or shine from 12 noon - 4 p.m. The historic gardens in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County are planning special events and activities to celebrate their gardens and to make your visit even more fun. Below is a list of historic gardens that are celebrating the wealth of CT's beautiful blooms!

Bethelehem, Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden. Discover the treasures of the Bellamy-Ferriday estate. Stroll through the formal parterre garden designed by Eliza Mitchell Ferriday between 1915 and 1918. Grounds admission is free; regular admission applies for historic house tour.

Woodbury, Glebe House Museum and The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Garden volunteers will be giving tours through the Gertrude Jekyll Garden and answering your questions about Miss Jekyll's design and the history of the garden at The Glebe House Museum. Admission to the garden is free, but donations are suggested. Refreshments will be served. Call 203-263-2855 for more information or visit www.glebehousemuseum.org.

Derby, Osborne Homestead Museum. Visitors can enjoy tours of the museum's lovely Colonial Revival gardens and learn about flower and tree legends and Frances Osborne Kellogg's favorite flowers. After strolling through the gardens, visitors can visit the historic house museum and learn about Frances Osborne Kellogg's passion for gardening and land conservation. Complimentary museum and garden tours will be offered every half hour on the hour.

Bridgewater, Promisek at Three Rivers Farm. Promisek gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about the Beatrix Farrand-designed garden and the history of the land. Violinists from The Hartt School will perform from the garden terrace, and iced tea will be provided. For those wishing to sketch, draw or paint, please do! Admission is $5 per person.

Wilton, Weir Farm National Historic Site. Celebrate Connecticut's Historic Gardens Day at Weir Farm National Historic Site, where gardens and art go hand-in-hand! From 12pm to 4pm, park staff and Garden Gang volunteers will offer short informal talks in the Sunken Garden and Secret Garden about each garden's history, flowers, restoration, and ongoing preservation. In addition to the talks, visitors can spend an afternoon painting en plein air in the only national park dedicated to American painting. Join a professional art instructor from 1 to 4pm for informal art instruction using the park's free-to-use watercolor supplies! Be sure to see inside the visitor center for a special exhibition featuring contemporary paintings, photographs, and prints inspired by the park's gardens, buildings, and landscape.

GIANT “TAILGATE TAG SALE” COMING JUNE 10TH in SOUTHPORT

Back by popular demand, Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport is once again hosting its giant, one-of-a-kind “Trinity Tailgate Tag Sale” on Saturday, June 10^th from 9am-4pm.  This event will take place in Trinity Church's parking lot, located on the corner of Pequot Avenue and Center Street in Southport.

This year, over 40 families will set up spots and sell. Treasure hunters can browse through antiques, clothing (Vineyard Vines, Patagonia, Lily, Coach, Hermes), handbags, scarves and accessories, china, silver, housewares, children’s party clothes, kayaks, mountain bikes and more.  There will also be a "Merchants Row" where tag sale treasure hunters can meet local merchants including those from: Bespoke Designs, Two Bs Accessories, Little River Farm, DFM Stationery and more.

If You are a Real Hunter, get First Dibs at “Chic Boutique & Cocktails” on Friday June 9^th from 630pm-8: 30pm. The team will be serving “tailgate style” appetizers including lobster rolls in Trinity’s Parish Hall. Visit tinyurl.com/tagsale2017 for tickets ($40 per person or $75 for 2).

If you work up an appetite there will be coffee, tea, hot Chocolate & lemon scones in the morning and for lunch there will be “2 Bills" Truck (Hamburgers & Hot Dogs) plus Southport's own Sammy's Pizza. And of course, there will be treats throughout the day including: cookies, ice cream, candy and sodas. There will also be entertainment for the kids including face painting and games.

In the event of rain, the Trinity Tailgate Tag Sale will take place on Sunday, June 11^th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Experience Birds of Prey @ Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy

The Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy located on 55 Duck Pond Road in Litchfield is one of the few facilities in the United States that offers a falconry experience run by Master Falconer and LRWC's Director of Aviculture Nick Tiberio. 

Master falconer Nick Tiberio is the Director of Aviculture at LRWC and has 16 years of experience working with birds of prey. He has hunted and flown a wide range of raptor species including hawks, falcons, and owls. Prior to joining the Conservancy, Nick worked as a professional abatement falconer in New York, training and flying a team of abatement falcons to deter pest birds from landfill grounds.

Participants in this unique experience will personally interact with birds of prey as well as learn about heir adaptations, conservation, and how they are trained and handled for falconry while watching their free-flight.  It is an unforgettable experience to have one of these magnificent birds land on your gloved hand.

Falconry experiences will included a lesson on the the fascinating history of falconry, the equipment, the birds and their training as well as learning about the biology, life history, and conservation of birds of prey. There will be free flight demonstrations as well as a hunting demonstration, hawk walk and the chance to meet the Conservancy's owls face to face.

LRWC is home to a diverse group of Birds of Prey that includes: Harris's Hawk named "Alula",  aSaker Falcon named "Paris", a Eurasian Eagle Owl named "Camo" and a Barn Owl named "Poppy".  Each bird has unique adaptations that make it a top predator in its respective environment and thus each brings a fascinating perspective to our falconry experiences.

The Introductory session is $100 per participant and $25 per non participant and includes handling and flying a a trained Harris's Hawk while learning about raptor behavior and conservation.

A hawk walk that consists of a  walk in the woods with a trained Harris's Hawk flying back and forth from your
glove to the trees while learning about raptor behavior and conservation is $150 per participant and $35 per non participant.

The 90 minute extended experience where you will meet all the birds of prey os $225 per participant and $50 per non participant.

To sign up for a  free monthly newsletter on Litchfield Hills or Fairfield County on things to do and see and special deals visit  www.litchfieldhills.com