August Concerts on Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk

Summer nights in Norwalk mean music by the Sound, and there is no better place to enjoy a concert as the sunsets than at Calf Pasture Beach.  In addition to music, four concert evenings begin with a classic car show organized by The Coachmen for several hundred-car buffs from throughout the tri-state area.

On August 1, Calf Pasture Beach welcomes Dinoman at 6:30 p.m.  Fun for young and old alike, Dinoman ((a.k.a. Bob Lisaius) with the help of life-size inflatable dinosaurs, and his raccoon Reflex (a.k.a. Paul Lavarek) combine audience participation, magic and mayhem to explore how fossils are made and what the earth was like when dinosaurs roamed the area.  At 7:30 p.m. Diamond- One Hot Night takes the stage.  This ensemble features vocalist Tommy Lynn and a ten-piece band from New York. Sure to delight, this show replicates Neil Diamond’s career from start to today. Musicians in the band have played and collaborate with performers like Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Michael Jackson, Enrique and Julio Iglesias, Bruce Springsteen,Tommy James, and Gary U.S. Bonds.

Gunsmoke takes the stage on August 7 at 7 p.m.  This award-winning band has been entertaining Country & Western music fans in the Northeast for more than 20 years.  The band now is receiving national attention after its performance on “Ernest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree,” America’s second longest-running radio show, which is broadcast from Nashville, TN, following “The Grand Ole Opry.”  Members of the band are Jeff DeMaio (steel guitar), Nick DeMaio Sr. (acoustic guitar), Nick DeMaio III (bass guitar), Gary Tokarz (drums) and Scott Tyler (electric guitar).  Please note there is no rain date for this show.

A Classic Car Show beginning at 6:00 p.m. on August 14 is followed by the music of The Barons.  The audience will be transported back to the 60s and 70s with one of the tri-state’s hottest “oldies” groups. The Barons are known for their 1963 hits, “Pledge of a Fool”, “Remember Rita” on Epic Records, and “Possibility” on Old Town Records under the name of The Crowns. The Barons have shared the stage with such groups as Brenda Lee, Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, The Tokens, The Drifters, The Shangri-las, Lloyd Price, The Del Vikings, The Teenagers and The Chantels. The vocalists, led by Ronnie deAngelis, are Doug “Ice” Dorsey, Doug Muller and Francine Rodriguez backed by Tommy Ardise (guitar/arranger), Dom “Cuz” Cardamone (keyboard/bass guitar/drums/saxophone), Barry Nardi (bass note/lead guitar), Michael “Stix” Bossone (drums) and Ron Yovino (bass guitar).

On August 21 at 7:30 p.m. concertgoers will enjoy the music of Beginnings.  This tribute band brings to life the music of Chicago, recreating songs from every decade of that group’s hits. The veteran New York musicians featured in the band are Jason Chapman (trumpet), Adam Colombo (drums/vocals), Rob Cutts (tenor sax), Joe DeMaio (guitar/vocals), Ed Leon (trombone/vocals), Marty Safran (keyboards/vocals), Adam Seely (alto sax) and Mason Swearingen (bass/vocals). Please note, there is no rain date for this show.

The last concert in August, on August 28 beginning at 7:30 p.m. is a performance by Minute by Minute. This Doobie Brothers tribune band features Nick Ambrosino (keyboard/vocals), Tom Huber and Larry Lippman (drums/percussion/vocals), Diane Marketta (harmonica/percussion/vocals), Paul O’Dell (bass), Rob Sammarco (guitars/vocals) and arranger Adam Seely (saxophones/keyboards/vocals).

To complete the 2013 summer concert season at Calf Pasture Beach there will be a Classic Car Show on September 4 beginning at 6 p.m.  At 7 p.m. Sixology will perform classic rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s, this band features Steve Boccuzzi (guitar), Vinnie Deflorio (drums), Marc Fabrizio (guitar), Geof Skully (keyboards), Bobby Tirado (vocals) and Joe Valenzano (guitar).

The Facts

Each Wednesday night throughout the summer, area residents look forward to packing a picnic and a blanket and heading to the beach to enjoy a relaxing evening of music beside Long Island Sound. A $5.00 parking fee is charged for cars without a Norwalk beach sticker. For updates and additional information call the Norwalk Recreation and Parks Office at 203-854-7807. All concerts have a rain date of the following day.  For cancellation information call 203-854-7938.  A $20.00 parking fee is charged for cars without a Norwalk beach sticker.

Summer Exhibits at Silvermine Arts Center

Kite Charles Hinman and Master Printer Gary Lichtenstein

Silvermine Arts Center, located in New Canaan, CT will be kicking off its summer exhibitions with an exciting collaboration of works by Charles Hinman and Gary Lichtenstein, and new works by Guild Artist Christ Durante. Silvermine's new Viewing Room features presentations of new works on paper by Guild Artists Roger Mudre and Robert Gregson. The exhibitions will open on Sunday, July 28th with a reception from 2pm-4pm, and will run through September 7th.

"Kites" features the latest collaborative silkscreens between three dimensional painting pioneer Charles Hinman and Master Printer Gary Lichtenstein. A working relationship which began in 2011 with their prints Gems, this latest body of work continues their exploration into translating the visual vocabulary of Hinman's signature hard-edged shaped canvas into the realm of prints. By combining a mutual understanding of color and the use of subtle hand embossing, they have created a suite of prints that epitomizes the core of Hinman's ideology: "Though the works at first glance appear serene and placid, they are ever changing as the surface of the ocean or the expanse of the sky. Ever dynamic, they are ever alive."

A prime example of this idea can be seen in Kite 2. At first glance, the silkscreen faithfully reconstructs Hinman's paintings down to the inclusion of subtle lines referencing the support system of his three dimensional work. As the viewer gazes at the work, the true complexity of its arrangement of space unfolds into an ever changing visual experience that expands upon Mr. Hinman's longstanding commitment to visual perceptions of space.

In his new exhibit "No Mans Land," Guild Artist Chris Durante has constructed an environment of what he calls "considered hanging," where viewers can visually and physically traverse his works. An artist who is never satisfied with making work that neatly fits into prescribed categories, Durante continually explores and blurs the lines between mediums and artistic genres. Using a combination of paintings, drawings,graffiti, found objects and a collection of other materials, Durante creates a space that furthers his exploration of boundaries into a visual experience, creating a thought provoking space, a "place of freedom," if you will, where viewers can explore ideas. About his work, Chris comments, "The inability to couple a thought with a sustained and focused action can be an asset if one can be patient and accept that condition as temporary. Let the mind wander and the hand fiddle. Attention is a slippery proposition. The unison of idea and craft will come, eventually."

Drawing - Robert Gregson

Silvermine's new Viewing Room, will present works by Guild Artists Roger Mudre and Robert Gregson. A selection of new abstract silkscreens by Roger Mudre which were produced in collaboration with Master Printer Gary Lichtenstein and an installation of recently created optically fetching geometric drawings by Robert Gregson will be featured through the summer. For more information about the exhibitions and other upcoming events at Silvermine Arts Center call 203-966-9700 or visit our website at www.sivermineart.org.

About Silvermine Arts Center

Silvermine Arts Center located in New Canaan, Connecticut is one of the oldest artist communities in the United States. Located on a four acre campus, the center consists of a nationally renowned artist guild, award winning school of art offering multi-disciplinary art classes for all ages, an art and fine crafts shop and galleries, offering over twenty contemporary and historic exhibitions annually.

The center also provides innovative free and subsidized arts education in Norwalk and Stamford schools through its outreach program, Art Partners; and hosts a lecture series, performances, and special programs throughout the year. Silvermine Arts Center is a nonprofit organization.

Gallery Hours: Silvermine Galleries are open Wednesday through Saturday, 12p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1pm to 5 p.m. For more information, call (203) 966-9700 ext. 20 or visit the website: www.silvermineart.org.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Connecticut Wine Festival July 27 and 28

The Connecticut Wine Festival will be returning this year for its fifth year of showcasing some of Connecticut’s best wines.   It is a reflection on the growing popularity of Connecticut wines, which are quickly gaining a reputation as quality vintage worthy of attention from wine lovers everywhere.

This year, the Fifth Annual Connecticut Wine Festival will be staged again at the Goshen Fairgrounds in Litchfield County, on Saturday and Sunday, July 27th and 28th. Sponsored by the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association (CVWA) and presented by the CT Wine Trail, the festival features fine wines from a wide variety of local vintners, making it one of the “must attend” events of the summer.  The festival also features wine classes, specialty food vendors, artisanal crafts, as well as a variety of live musical entertainment.

Daily admission to the CT Wine Festival is $25 in advance, available from early June through July 19th at any participating CVWA winery, online or by phone; $30 at the door.  These tickets include free wine tastings, a commemorative festival wine glass (for the tastings) and a tote bag.  Guests under 21 and Designated Drivers can attend for a reduced admission price of $10.  Photo ID with proof of age is required for the wine tasting.  Hours for the Festival are 12:00 Noon to 7:00 PM, Saturday, July 27; and 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM Sunday, July 28.  More information and a complete list of participating wineries can be found at www.ctwine.com.

 “From international gold medals to ‘people’s choice’ and ‘Best in Show’ awards, Connecticut wines continue to win fans and impress connoisseurs from around the world,” said George Motel, Festival Chairman and owner of Sunset Meadow Vineyards.  “The Connecticut Wine Festival is a true showcase for introducing wine lovers to much of our state’s home-grown offerings.  We look forward to another record year, and the opportunity to prove that our wines are truly the ‘hidden gems’ of the industry, as The Wall Street Journals calls them.”

Festival proceeds are used to promote the CVWA Wine Trail and the Connecticut wine industry.  The CT Wine Trail, a state approved winery and vineyard awareness program, features trails that wind their ways through some of the most scenic and historic regions of Connecticut.

 “The Connecticut Wine Festival is a great place to come and enjoy the day, taste some local wines, some great food and relax.” said Sherrie Palmer, the festival director. “Cases of wine will also be available at a discount, so guests can easily make back the price of admission in great savings. What more can you ask for?”

The specialty food vendors are primarily members of the Connecticut Specialty Food Association, an association that is part of the Connecticut Food Association. They feature local foods made in Connecticut.  Adams Hometown Market, a Platinum Sponsor of the Festival, will also sell advance tickets at its stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts.

For more information and to purchase tickets, log on to www.ctwine.com.  You can also email info@ctwine.com or call (860) 677-5467.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Bruce Museum features Durer, Rembrandt and Whistler

Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly Joachim and the Angel

Located in Fairfield County Connecticut, the Bruce Museum located on One Museum Dr. in Greenwich is featuring prints of old masters and works from the 19^th century through August 18^th.  This is one of the most distinguished local collections of prints that have been painstakingly assembled by Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly. The works include prints of Durer, Rembrandt and Whistler among other notable artists.

While Dr. Kelly’s collection has been comprised primarily of American 20th-century prints and prints by John James Audubon, in recent years he has also collected Old Master and 19th-century works extensively.

  James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834-1903)

   Limehouse, 1859

   Etching

   From “The Thames Set”

   Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly

These encompass splendid sheets by the great German printmaker Albrecht Dürer, including a rare etching, woodcuts, and engravings of such iconic images as his Nemesis of 1502.

Dr. Kelly's Dutch prints include several of the rare engravings after the influential Adam Elsheimer by Hendrik Goudt and no less than 28 images by the highly experimental printmaker Rembrandt van Rijn, ranging from early works of the 1630s to mature impressions from the 1650s.

Dr. Kelly's 18th-century holdings include sheets by the great Italian artists Canaletto and Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo and several fine sheets from Los Caprichos by the renowned Spanish artist Francisco de Goya y Lucientes.

Completing the collection is a group of etched cityscapes and figure studies by the American artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

The Triumph of Mordecai
Collection of Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly

 Together the collection attests to the quality of some of the greatest printmakers in Western Art.

The exhibition – on view through August 18, 2013 and is accompanied by a scholarly catalog and a series of educational and public programs.

The Bruce Museum is grateful to Dr. Dorrance T. Kelly for sharing this extraordinary collection with the public.

About the Bruce Museum: Explore Art and Science at the Bruce Museum, located at One Museum Drive in Greenwich, Connecticut. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm; closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for students up to 22 years, $6 for seniors and free for members and children under 5 years. Individual admission is free on Tuesday. Free on-site parking is available and the Museum is accessible to individuals with disabilities.  For additional information, call the Bruce Museum at (203) 869-0376 or visit the website at www.brucemuseum.org. 

For area information on Fairfield County www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.