The Magic of Courting FLutes

The Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington has a perfectly unique way to top off Valentine's Day week.  On Saturday, February 16 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Ojibway artist, and musician Allan Madahbee will explain the cultural significance and the hauntingly beautiful sound of the Native American courting flute.   The flute is deeply rooted in the traditions of Eastern Woodland indigenous peoples. 

Today, makers of Native American Flutes like Ojibway artist and musician AllanMadahbee craft their personal style and sound into their creations.   Madahbee began to research the Chippewa flute culture and was influenced and mentored by Joseph Firecrow of the Cheyenne Nation. "We became friends and he provided guidance and feedback and explained some of his methods of flute making. With his passing last year, we have all lost a great Native American flute maker and musician. I am proud to continue our flute making traditions." The sound of the courting flute that is usually made of cedar has an uncommon scale for Western music and is entrancing.

Born on the shores of Lake Huron, Allan Madahbee is a member of the  Ojibway (Chippewa) Nation that has pursued the traditional arts and crafts of his ancestors. He has been making Native American flutes for about ten years. "I had always thought they were a product of the Southwest Indian tribes, but a book that I found that was written during the 1800s about Chippewa culture, had a passage about the Chippewa flutes, along with pictures. This made me realize that they were indeed a part of my Chippewa culture. Knowing that my ancestors constructed these flutes for hundreds of years has inspired me to continue this tradition. Also, the haunting sound from these mystical instruments is a large part of my inspiration."

Along with constructing Woodland flutes, beaded moccasins, woodcarvings, Native American regalia, and rock sculptures, Madahbee always returns to his artistic roots in paintings. Mainly self-taught, Madahbee attended school with fellow Ojibway artists Blake Debassige and James Simon - two well known Anishnawbe artists that are respected and have their paintings displayed around the world.

Space is limited and reservations are suggested.  To make sure you get a spot call the Institute for American IndianStudies at (860) 868-0518 or email general@iaismuseum.org to reserve your spot.  The program is included in the price of admission: $10 adults; $8 seniors; $6 children; IAIS Members free.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

The Institute for American Indian Studies preserves and educates through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality, and knowledge of Native American cultures. Through archaeology, the IAIS is able to build new understandings of the world and history of Native Americans, the focus is on stewardship and preservation.  This is achieved through workshops, special events, and education for students of all ages.

 Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS has an outdoor Three Sisters and Healing Plants Gardens as well as a replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village.  Inside the museum, authentic artifacts are displayed in permanent, semi-permanent and temporary exhibits from prehistory to the present that allows visitors a walk through time. 

The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut and can be reached online or by calling 860-868-0518.

Children's Ball @ Stepping Stones Museum - Feb. 9

Calling all little princes and princesses! Stepping Stones is rolling out the red carpet as the museum transforms into a snow-kissed wonderland for its sixth annual Winter Wonderland Children’s Ball on Saturday, February 9 from 4:00 – 8:30 pm.

Children are invited to dress up in their party best for a memorable evening of fun and entertainment. Moms and Dads, sons and daughters will be treated like the princes and princesses that they are as they enjoy a magical wintry celebration featuring dancing and full access to all the exhibits in the museum. Families will enjoy posing for the paparazzi as they arrive, learning ballroom moves from the experts and making wonderful winter crafts.

Be sure you bring your camera.  Photo opportunities abound as we celebrate the magic and wonder of the season amidst a whimsical winter backdrop of a lighted courtyard, a play-sized igloo, a life-sized snow globe, spectacular winter murals, snowflake-adorned galleries and a myriad of snow people.  Bring your appetite as well.  The Stepping Stones Cafe will be open for purchases of their healthy fare.

 Tickets for Members are $10/person, Non-members $15/person. Register online at www.steppingstonesmuseum.org, call 203 899 0606, ext. 264, or visit the Welcome Desk. Reservations are required. 

About Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Conn., is an award-winning, private, non-profit 501(c)(3) children’s museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children and families. Located on five acres in Mathews Park, the LEED Gold certified museum encompasses five hands-on galleries, state-of-the-art Multimedia Gallery, Family and Teacher Resource Center, cafe and retail store. Stepping Stones is located at 303 West Avenue, exit 14N or 15S off I-95 in Norwalk. Museum hours are Monday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults and children. Children under 1 are free. To learn more, call 203 899 0606 or visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.

Its Tea Time in Woodbury @ the Glebe House Feb. 10!

The historic Glebe House in Woodbury, Connecticut's antiques capital is hosting a Winter Afternoon tea at this historic house museum. Guests will enjoy traditional afternoon teas and a delectable selection of sweet and savory treats served by costumed docents. This elegant tea will be set in the main floor rooms of the historic Glebe House. Guests may be seated in the grand Green Parlor, the formal Study or the Colonial Kitchen.

A highlight of this event besides the tea and goodies is the chance for guests to win one of four door prizes.  Each guest will receive a ticket and four of them will be lucky winners! If one ticket isn't enough, additional tickets will be available to purchase.

 The winter afternoon tea will take place on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m., in case of inclement weather a snow date has been set for Feb. 17.  The Glebe House is located on 49 Hollow Road in Woodbury. There is limited seating for this event so it is best to get tickets in advance. First-floor admission to the museum is included in the price of the ticket which is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. Please call 203-263-2855 to reserve your ticket with a credit card or send a check in advance to the Glebe House.

All proceeds from this event directly benefit the Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden. 

WINter Weekend in Norfolk Feb. 24-25

It’s the perfect winter celebration: outdoor sports; a tour of stained glass windows, a brunch crawl, and a pancake breakfast; concerts and art shows; kids’ activities, tours, and open houses, ice carving, tea tasting, a look at the stars, and much more will be featured during Norfolk’s Second WINter Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, February 24 and 25. What’s even better, most of the events are free.

Event Highlights

Music and art will be strongly represented. The Doobie Others Band will perform at Infinity Hall Saturday night at 8 p.m. For classical music lovers, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival is sponsoring a free performance called Music among Friends with composer Krists Auznieks and the Yale School of Music Piano Quartet in the library on Saturday afternoon from 2 to 3:30 pm.  There is entertainment that is fun for the whole family planned at the Norfolk Library, who will host the Traveling Lantern Theater Puppet Show on Saturday from 10 am to 11 am. free of charge.

As for art, there is a show by painter Victor Leger at the Library on Sat. and Sun. from 12 noon to 4 pm.  The Norfolk Artisans Guild is hosting a variety of artisan demonstrations from 10 am to 5 pm and an art show by Pamela Harnois.  The Norfolk Historical Society will be open with a fabulous display of the work by  19th-century photographer Marie Kendall on Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 pm.  New this year at the Norfolk Hub in the center of town there will be video showings of Haystack Book Talks on Saturday at 11 am 12:30 pm, and 2 pm.; the videos will run again on Sunday at 12 noon and 1:30 p.m.   Another highlight offered at the Hub is a demonstration on how to make handmade art journals by Leslie Watkins on Saturday from 11am to 4 pm.

Revelers won’t go hungry.  Don't miss out on all the goodies at the indoor Farmers Market, inside Town Hall from 10 am to 1 pm.  The Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department will serve up coffee and donuts free of charge on Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm and Great Mountain Forest will open its sugar shack on Sat. and Sunday from 12 noon to 4 pm.  The restaurants in Norfolk have organized a Sunday Brunch crawl, the Manor House Inn will host a Murder Mystery on Sunday evening from 5 pm to 7 pm, and Mountain View Inn will offer visitors a tea tasting and mini spa services on Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm. The Immaculate Conception Church will host a free pancake breakfast on Sunday. And of course, sit-down meals will be readily available at almost any time of day.

A perennial favorite of WINter Weekend are the tours offered by the Norfolk Curling Club that will have an Open House on Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 9 am.  If you like stained glass, don't miss the Stained glass window tours of the Church of Christ on Saturday and Sunday.  The tours of these beautiful stained glass windows by Tiffany begin on Saturday and run on the hour from 10 am to 3 pm and on Sunday from 12 noon to 3 pm.

Interested in sports? There will be plenty—skating on the town ice rink with lessons on Saturday from 10 am to 11 am,  there is all day cross-country skiing, hiking and snowshoeing on one of Norfolk’s many trails including the beautiful North Brook Trail and sledding for all ages on the hill behind the Congregational Church on the green (bring your own sled). There will be an owl prowl from 4 am to 6 am. and a wildlife walk at Aton Forest on Saturday from 9 am to noon.  New this year is the Astronomy Night on Saturday from 7 pm to 11 pm for a look at the winter constellations, there will be a bonfire and hot chocolate to take the chill out of the air.  To round things out, the Norfolk Land Trust is hosting a discussion with Michael Gaige at the Norfolk Library from 4 pm to 5:30 pm on wolf trees.

To see a full schedule of events and times, go to weekendinnorfolk.org or call 860-542-5829. For updates, follow Weekend in Norfolk on Facebook. And save the date: the annual Weekend in Norfolk is coming up August 2, 3 and 4, 2019,  for three days of summer fun.

Savor CT 2019 - Tickets on sale now!

Once again this year the Naugatuck Historical Society is hosting its Savor Connecticut on Feb. 9 and they invite the general public to join them for their annual food, beer, wine, and spirit tastings. It may not be the biggest "Savor" in CT, but they are the original! 

This year's event includes seven breweries, four distilleries, in addition to a number of vineyards.  A highlight of this event is the attendance of more than twenty food vendors that will help participants celebrate all that is good in CT.  The entrance fee includes all the samples, you pay nothing but your entrance fee. The Society has also organized several tempting raffles to participate try your luck at.
.
The Society would like to extend their thanks to their sponsors, Fine Wines and Liquors and Attorney Frederick A. Dlugokecki. Fine Wines and Liquors are bringing some of the samples for you to try and Attorney Dlugokecki is providing each guest with a glass tasting cup to take home.

Tickets are on sale at the Naugatuck Historical Society Museum located on 171 Church Street, Naugatuck or Fine Wines and Liquors on Meadow Street, or online at https://tickets.beerfests.com/event/savorct (there is a small processing fee for online ticket purchases) 

Advance Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Tickets at the door will be $35 for everyone.

A Sweet Deal from the Norwalk Seaport Association Perfect for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and if you are looking for the perfect gift for that special someone, the Norwalk Seaport Association is offering a truly thoughtful and unique gift, the new “Taste of the Seaport Restaurant Tour Card” that is sure to light up a smile!  Best of all, this Valentine’s Day gift is not a generic product like flowers or candy but one that is good through June 2019 at 15 restaurants in Norwalk, Westport, and Stamford that both of you can enjoy. 

For just a $50 donation to the Seaport Association, The Restaurant Tour Card is yours and entitles you and a guest to enjoy a FREE entree when you buy one of greater value at 15 fabulous restaurants...what a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the added perk of benefitting the Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Connecticut’s maritime icon and the Norwalk Seaport Association that is made up of a team of hard working volunteers dedicated to the preservation of the Lighthouse and Long Island Sound.

The Seaport Association has made it easy to purchase the "Taste of the Seaport Restaurant Tour Card" just call the Association at 203-838-9444 or log onto their website at www.seaport.org or click here.

The 15 restaurants included on the card offer a variety of food and price ranges making this offer something that will appeal to everyone's palette.  This card has very few restrictions other than diners must order two entrees in order to receive the entree of lesser value as complementary.  It should be noted that take out orders, drinks, appetizers, desserts, and gratuities are not included and that the card cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.  The restaurant will indicate on the card that it has been used at its establishment, as the card is good for one-time use at each dining destination.

The list of restaurants includes:

1. Adams Rib -Seasonal American fare and classic cocktails served in a warm dining room within the Norwalk Inn, 99 East Ave., Norwalk.

2. BanC House - Offering New American grub including BBQ and crabs in casual surroundings with outdoor seating in season, 16 River St., Norwalk.

3. Beach House Cafe - Fresh seafood, American fare, and cocktails served in a nautical environs with a patio located near the Seaport Dock and Aquarium, 19 North Water Street, Norwalk.

4. BJ Ryan's - Offering New American food including barbecue and crabs in a casual setting that offers outdoor seating in season, 57 Main St., Norwalk.

5.  Bourbon Raw - Hospitality from the heart at this restaurant that features a Southern Style menu of tasty, bold flavored comfort foods with a seafood influence, 80 Washington Street #2, Norwalk.

6. Brasitas of Norwalk - Upscale eatery with tropical decor offering innovative Pan-Latin cuisine and high octane drinks, 430 Main Ave., Norwalk.

7. Italia Pizzeria Restaurant - Warm, long-running eatery preparing pizza, pasta, and many other Italian-American main courses, 285 Main Ave., Norwalk.

8. Knot Norm's - An extension of the Catering Company, the Eatery is a small establishment on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Norwalk River that provides a menu of New England staples including a warm lobster roll nominated for the best lobster roll in New England, 10a First Street, Norwalk.

9.  Long Ridge Tavern - A converted barn with a cozy fireplace, antiques, and outdoor seasonal seating offers up live music and American fare for lunch, dinner, and brunch, 2635 Long Ridge Road, Stamford.

10. Match Burger Lobster - Many New England seafood favorites from hot lobster rolls to fried clams, burgers and more. The Bloom Family of Copps Island Oysters supplies this eatery with all shellfish and all the meat is from Fleishers Craft Butchery, 580 Riverside Ave., Westport.

11. Osteria Romana - Feast on traditional recipes from Rome Italy. Specialties include homemade pasta daily and fresh, fish, veal, and chicken prepared to order, 250 Westport Ave., Norwalk.

12. Pearl at Longshore - This menu is a balance of modern inventive flavors including small plates, an extensive raw bar, salads, freshly caught fish, grass-fed meat, hand made pasta and pizza, 260 Compo Road, Westport.

13. Saltwater Restaurant and Bar - A vibrant outpost for New England coastal classic cuisine located in a sprawling nautically themed space, 128 Washington St., Norwalk.

14. The Spread -  Enjoy dining in a rustic industrial chic space.  This restaurant serves award-winning New American cuisine and cocktails, 70 North Main Street, Norwalk.

15. Via Sforza Trattoria - Dine at this Italian Restaurant in a beautiful stone cottage Tuscan farmhouse setting.  Offerings include classic and modern Italian fare and brick oven pizza, 243 Post Road West. Westport.

Fractured: Photographs by Spencer Platt @ Westport Arts Center

The Westport Arts Center is pleased to announce the exhibition Fractured: Photographs by Spencer Platt opening January 11, 2019, 6-8 pm and on view through March 2, 2019.

Fractured is the first solo exhibition of award-winning photographer Spencer Platt. The photojournalistic works are curated by influential art critic Kenneth Baker, presenting the captivating human narratives behind news headlines in a fine art context for the first time.

Fractured curator, Kenneth Baker explains,

“News photos fulfill their purposes, frequently beyond the camera worker's intentions or expectations, serving some editorial agenda to inform or illustrate, provoke response, or embed events in civic memory. Yet the photographic acts—reflexes responding to immediate circumstances, perhaps steered by an assignment—also have their own particular content and personal register. This selection of Platt's work cross-sections all these dimensions.”

Artist Spencer Platt says,

“Looking for meaning in the face of tragedy is a mission I have been pursuing for over 20 years. A news-wire photographer must be close to the action; to smell, hear and to taste what unfolds in the here and now. In this ‘whirlpool of action,’ I attempt to make visual sense of what are often indescribable events. I’m most interested in creating empathy in a world increasingly indifferent to and distracted from the suffering of others. I seek to give a viewer a little bit of light in so much darkness.”

Westport Arts Center brings fresh viewpoints to its exhibitions program by engaging guest curators recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise. Kenneth Baker joins an extensive roster of curatorial talent over recent years, including Elizabeth Gorayeb (Wildenstein Plattner Institute), Joe­ Amrhein and Susan Swenson (Pierogi Gallery), Alexandra Munroe (Guggenheim Museum), Lisa Phillips (New Museum), Gerry Snyder (Pratt Institute), and Douglas Hyland (New Britain Museum of American Art).

Kenneth Baker states,

“Platt's journalistic bull’s-eyes are "warning shots"—warning us of events' far-reaching reverberations...but so do his more contemplative images warn us of missing, by inattention, fleeting beauties of reality at its least imposing.”

Visit westportartscenter.org for more information.

About the Spencer Platt

A Westport native, Spencer Platt has been a photojournalist on domestic and international news-wire assignment with Getty Images for over 17 years. With a strong interest in writing, Platt is influenced by journalists and authors James Agee, Olivia Manning and Oriana Fallici. Recipient of World Press Photo of the Year for his 2006 coverage of Beirut, Platt has been highly recognized in his field for 20 years.

About Kenneth Baker

Kenneth Baker retired in 2015 after 30 years as resident art critic for The San Francisco Chronicle. He is the author of Minimalism: Art of Circumstance (Abbeville Press, 1989), the first major retrospective of Edward Burtynsky,Manufactured Landscapes (Yale, 2003) and The Lightning Field (Yale, 2009), and has contributed to books and museum catalogs internationally. A freelance contributor for many years to periodicals ranging from Artforum and Art In America to Art & Auction and The Burlington Magazine, he is currently San Francisco correspondent for The Art Newspaper.

About the Westport Arts Center

The Westport Arts Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting our community through the arts, reaches more than 7,000 people annually through outstanding programs in visual arts, arts education, and the performance arts of chamber music and jazz.

The Westport Arts Center receives philanthropic support from the Katherine and Howard Aibel Foundation; Anthropologie & Co.; Artur and Heida Hermanns Holde Foundation, Inc.; Bernstein Private Wealth Management; Cohen and Wolf, P.C.; Critical Mix; Delamar Southport; Design Within Reach; Dragone Motor Cars; Fairfield County Bank; Fairfield County's Community Foundation; Fairfield County Hunt Club; 4th Row Films; First County Bank Foundation; GWAY Print Solutions; Hal Prince Music; the Hall Art Foundation; The Hofstetter Baron Group; Hotel Zero Degrees; J.P. Morgan; Land Rover/Jaguar of Fairfield; Moffly Media; Newman's Own Foundation; Serena & Lily; Shack Sackler Foundation; Sontag Advisory LLC; SRI Fine Art Services; Steven Mancini Salon; Success Printing & Mailing; Teich Gardens; Verde Energy USA, Inc.; Wells Fargo Advisors; Westport Now; Westport Resources, a division of United Capital; WPKN and WSHU Public Radio Group. The Westport Arts Center operates with the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

For more information, contact the Westport Arts Center at 203/222-7070 or www.westportartscenter.org.  The Westport Arts Center gallery is open Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT.