Sail away this summer at Soundwaters in Stamford CT

If you ever dreamed of sailing on a tall ship, Soundwaters in Stamford Connecticut can make your dreams come true.

Once again this summer Soundwaters is offering afternoon and sunset sails on their 80 foot three masted schooner in June, July, August and September on selected weekends.  

The afternoon sails that take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. are perfect for families.  Participants will enjoy the wonder of Long Island Sound as they help raise the sails and examine first hand the rich diversity of aquatic life that exists beneath the waves.  Educators on board will teach participants about the quality of the water, how to test it and how to analyze groundwater.

The sunset sails are perfect for adults and a romantic cruise along Connecticut’s “gold coast”.  Guests on the sunset cruise are invited to bring their dinner aboard and favorite beverage and relax as the sun dips below the horizon of the Sound.

The schooner is located on 333 Ludlow Street in the Stamford Harbor Park Marina in Stamford just off of I-95.  To reserve your spot on the schooner visit http://www.soundwaters.org for dates and times and your reservation.  If you have additional questions call 203-406-3335 or email hstarks@soundwaters.org.

About Soundwaters

Soundwaters is a leading environmental education organization in Stamford CT located on Long Island Sound.  Their award winning programs take place at their Coastal Education Center and on the Soundwaters, an 80-foot three-masted schooner as well as at schools, community centers and field sites throughout the region.  Their mission is to protect Long Island Sound through education.  

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

Music Mountain’s 84th Season Continues Shanghai String Quartet August 31

America's oldest continuing summer chamber music festival, Music Mountain, continues its 84th Anniversary Season with a weekend of classical music by the Shanghai String Quartet on Saturday, August 31st (6:30PM) and Sunday, September 1st (3PM) featuring guest artist Haochen Zhang, piano. Music Mountain is located on 225 Music Mountain Rd. in Falls Village Connecticut.

Music Mountain has a long-standing reputation of bringing some of the finest and most widely admired chamber musicians and guest artists to Falls Village each summer, and this weekend is no exception. Award winning talents from around the world have filled Gordon Hall with the sounds of exceptional music. 

On Saturday evening, Shanghai String Quartet presents Haydn: String Quartet in D Major, Opus 64 # 5, The Lark; Shostakovich: String Quartet # 6 in C Major, Opus 101; and Dvorak: String Quartet in A Flat Major, Opus 105. 

Sunday afternoon brings the acclaimed quartet back to perform Beethoven: String Quartet in C Major, Opus 59 # 3; and Schumann: Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Opus 44. Van Cliburn Gold Medalist, Haochen Zhang will play a selection of his favorite concerts pieces. 

Haochen Zhang

Celebrated for their passionate musicality and impressive technique, the Shanghai String Quartet has become one of the world's foremost chamber ensembles. Since 1983, the quartet has regularly toured the major music centers of Europe, North America and Asia and has performed with many internationally distinguished artists. The Shanghai String Quartet currently serves as Quartet-in-Residence at Montclair State University and Ensemble-in-Residence with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. They have appeared at Music Mountain every summer since 1989. 

Award-winning pianist Haochen Zhang is already regarded as a seasoned master, lauded by critics and audiences alike. The young musician has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia and is set to make his Paris debut with a recital at the Louvre Museum, and his Vienna debut with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra in the spring. Zhang continues to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia under the guidance of Gary Graffman.

The Music Mountain summer season concludes with Bard Festival String Quartet; guest artist, Xak Bjerken, piano (September 8).

For a complete summer schedule, special ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form www.musicmountain.org or call 860-824-7126. 

SEA ADVENTURES CELEBRATE SUMMER IN CONNECTICUT”S FAIRFIELD COUNTY

Hoist the sails on a tall ship.  Explore an island. Trawl for lobsters and sea stars. Watch the sunset at sea.

Refreshing summer adventures at sea are a great way to celebrate summer along the Long Island shore in Western Connecticut’s Fairfield County. There’s something for maritime explorers of all ages.

Tall Ship Tactics

Soundwaters, an environmental education organization in Stamford dedicated to protecting the waters of Long Island Sound, invites the public to set sail aboard their 80-foot, three-masted schooner Soundwaters most weekends through September. Afternoon sails from 3p.m. to 5 p.m. are ideal for families, with passengers invited to help raise the sails and to examine first hand the aquatic life that lives beneath the waves. Educators teach participants about the quality of the water, and how to test it.
Relaxing and romantic two-hour early evening sunset cruises are better suited to adults, who are invited to bring their own picnic dinners and beverages on board. Afternoon sails are $30 for adults, $20 for children; sunset cruises are $30 for all ages.
The Soundwaters is located on 333 Ludlow Street in the Stamford Harbor Park Marina just off of I-95.  Information, schedules and reservations are available at www.soundwaters.org or by phoning 203-406-3335.


Deep Sea Secrets

Educators at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk show and tell what goes on from the water’s surface to the bottom of the sea for passengers on the aquarium’s 29-passenger research vessel. Oceanic. Crewmembers drop the nets and passengers haul them laden with treasures for close-up views. The haul may include plankton from the surface and a variety of creatures from the muddy bottom, perhaps fish, crabs, lobsters, sea stars and other little-seen creatures. The catch is important since the observations are recorded as part of the on-going Long Island Sound Biodiversity Data Project.  Cruises lasting two-and-a-half hours go out every day at 1 p.m. in July and August and on Saturdays at 1 p.m. in September and October. Cruises are $20.50 per person. Children must measure 42 inches to sail.  For reservations, phone 203-852-0700, ext. 2206, during regular business hours; or email reservations@maritimeaquarium.org.

Island Adventures

Board the Norwalk Seaport Association’s 49-foot catamaran C.J. Toth for a salty 45-minute escape to Sheffield Island. Passengers enjoy a special day of picnicking, tours of a historic lighthouse, shell hunting, and walks to view the colorful sea birds sheltered in the marshes and sandy shores of the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge.

Vistas of Long Island Sound from the 44-foot lighthouse tower are among the island’s highlights. On a clear day, the views reach to the distant skyline of New York City.

Trips to Sheffield Island will run weekends through September 29 with boats leaving at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30pm.  Return trips are at 1:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Weekday trips at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. are also available through Labor Day, and the fare is $22 for adults, $12 under age12,

Clambake cruises depart at 6 p.m. every Thursday evening to September 26, returning at 10 p.m. They are a true New England dining experience in a festive tented pavilion on the lighthouse lawn. The menu includes clams, mussels, corn on the cob, and a choice of lobster, fish, steak, or chicken. Roundtrip cruise and dinner is $65 to $79 per person, depending on entrée. Tours of the lighthouse are included with dinners.  

Special theme weekends include Pirates Weekend July 13, 14 and July 20,21 and Haunted Lighthouse August 10, 11.  Early bird watchers can board special bird-watching cruises at 8 a.m. on July 6 and August 3. For details and tickets www.seaport.org or phone 203-838-9444.

For information about nearby events and a free copy of UNWIND, a full-color,

152-page booklet detailing what to do and see, and where to stay, shop and dine in

Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968,

Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Sharon Audubon Festival in Litchfield Hills

The Sharon Audubon located on Rte. 4 in the bucolic hamlet of Sharon Connecticut is hosting its' 46th annual Audubon Festival on August 10 and 11. Gates to the festival open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. each day.  Admission to the event is $5 per person or $20 per car load. 

The Audubon Festival that takes place in the northwest corner of the Litchfield Hills features fun and interactive ways families can learn about nature. The staff of the Audubon have scheduled two full days of nature walks and programs, live animal presentations, and children's activities that will engage kids and teach them about nature in addition to food, music, exhibits and a select number of vendors.

Scheduled programs such as Exploring Bog Meadow by Canoe, a Tree Identification Walk, Swarming Behavior of Honey Bees, Bird Banding, making Pressed Flower Bookmarks and much more will take place at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. each day.  The Festival will also host a number of ongoing activities such as the children’s Merry Marsh Activity Tent.

There will be two keynote presentations that will take place each day that is perfect for everyone whether they are a seasoned naturalist or a young explorer.  At 1:00pm on Saturday, storyteller Eshu Bumpus will present his engaging “Folktales,” sure to please young and old alike. A highlight of the day will take place at 3:30 p.m. when there will be a falconry demonstration by Brian Bradley of Skyhunters in Flight.

On Sunday, at 1 p.m. “Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures that feature 10-12 animals from all corners of the world will entertain festivalgoers.  The grand finale of the festival will be an appearance by Atka the Wolf from Wolf Conservation Center at 3:30 p.m.

For up to the minute information on the festival visit www.sharon.audubon.orgwww.sharon.audubon.org by August 1^st or by calling 860-364-0520 for more information.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

The art of George Lawrence Nelson in Kent

Portrait of the Hirschberg/Nelson family by George Laurence Nelson, Kent Historical Society

The Seven Hearths, the Kent Historical Society Museum, will re-open this summer after being closed for two years with a series of new art exhibits focusing on the life and work of George Laurence Nelson. The Seven Hearths Museum is located on Rte. 7 north of Kent center on the corner of Studio Hill Road in Kent in the historic Flanders area that was once the original center of Kent.

George Laurence Nelson, trained at the Art Students League and the National Academy, and began teaching at the Art Students League in his early 20s. Nelson was among the founders of the Litchfield Hills Art Colony, and later one of the nine founders of the Kent Art Association. 

The Litchfield Hills Art Colony played a meaningful role on a national scale in twentieth century American art. George Laurence Nelson's studio in Seven Hearths is the only remnant of the colony that is open to the public today.

Set within Nelson's beloved pre-Revolutionary Seven Hearths, which he donated to the Historical Society located on Rte. 7 in Kent Connecticut in the heart of the Litchfield Hills, the Historical Society is presenting three changing exhibits of Nelson’s work in August, September and October.

Floral Painting by Nelson

The August exhibit beginning on the 3^rd and running through the 25^th will feature large and interesting selection of Nelson portraits.  He made his money by doing portraits, and the subjects range from well-known celebrities such as Arturo Toscanini, to NYC society dames, to familiar local faces such as Frank Goodsell as a child.

In September from the 1^st to the 29^th Nelson’s floral paintings will be on display.  While he made money-painting portraits, his heart was devoted to stunning renditions of the lovely flowers that he and his wife Helen grew in their gardens at Seven Hearths. Some are exquisitely colored oil paintings and some are perfectly detailed pencil drawings. Some even are featured on the cover of matchboxes!

Toscanini by Nelson

A show that will fill the Seven Hearths Museum with works by Nelson that are borrowed from private collections will be the final exhibit of the season and will take place from October 5 – 27. 

The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the month.

Call the Historical Society office, 860-927-4587 or visit the web site for more information www.kenthistoricalsociety.org.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com