Remarkable Monday Night Movie: Grease
Tonight at the Drive In:
Today, July 19th:
Grease | 9:00 PM
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
About the Remarkable Theater
Starting in Summer of 2020, the Remarkable Drive-in Theater began as a safe way to get families back to the movies in Westport. The Remarkable Theater is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization run by volunteers, whose mission is to “build a first class art house movie theater in downtown Westport, CT that provides purposeful employment to individuals with disabilities.”
The theater is nestled along the Saugatuck River at 50 Imperial Avenue, Westport, Connecticut
Westport PAL Car Show Draws 62 Classics while Raising Money for Local Kids’ Programs
Spectators at today’s PAL Car Show walk past a vintage Ford Mustang on display. The event was put on by the local non-profit to continue their mission in supporting community kids through sports, college scholarships, and community events. One of the organization’s largest fundraisers - the annual Independence Day Fireworks at Compo Beach - have been cancelled two years in a row, creating a need for more fundraising efforts so they can continue to serve the community. Today’s car show included a $15 fee to enter a vehicle, with a barbecue and raffle prizes being held at the railroad station lot. The Westport PAL was founded in 1948 and is operated by active and retired law enforcement officers alongside local volunteers. To learn more or donate, visit WestportPAL.org
WestportLocal.com photo
Standing with his 1934 Ford Model A at the Westport PAL Car Show
Mark Weinberger of Rowayton stands with his 1934 Ford Model A classic car at this morning’s PAL Car Show on Franklin Street. WestportLocal.com photo
Darlene Love Rocks and Rolls through Westport
Popular artist Darlene Love rocked Westport on Friday night from the Levitt Pavilion stage, a concert that went on sale in June and was quickly sold out. At 79 years old, Love and her band had guests on their feet dancing and singing to the songs and beats she’s been renowned for throughout the decades. Photos by J.C. Martin for WestportLocal.com
Black Bear Visits Broad Street Neighbors
In the ongoing saga of Westport’s Backyard Bears, a black bear visited homes along Broad Street this morning - between Weston Road and Newtown Turnpike. The black bear was not aggressive, with the Westport Police Animal Control Officer nearby for assistance. Photo by George Franciscovich for WestportLocal.com
Afternoon Traffic Caused by Cars; No Major Road Closures or Accidents to Blame
Traffic was heavy throughout Westport this afternoon into this evening, crippling any hopes of heading East or North, or heading across any of the towns Saugatuck River bridges. Traffic on Post Road West was backed up from Route 33 until Sylvan Road, and cars were stopped on Riverside Avenue in both directions from Route 1 until Bridge Street.
Minor accidents were reported on side streets, but no major accidents or road closures were reported in the community, or on any of the area highways and parkways.
Maritime Aquarium Offers “Sensory-Friendly Evening” for Differently-abled Kids and Adults
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is planning a special evening on Mon., July 26 to give guests with sensory-processing differences a fun, comfortable and accepting environment.
And, thanks to the statewide “CT Summer at the Museum - Free Admission for Kids” initiative, admission will be free for most Connecticut residents.
During this "Sensory-Friendly Evening," from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., all Aquarium exhibits will be open, including the enormous new seal habitat called “Pinniped Cove.” But lights in galleries will be lower, and music and other sounds will be turned down or off. Plus, tickets will be discounted for guests not eligible for free admission.
Click here to expand press release.
While The Maritime Aquarium offers “Sensory-Friendly Evenings” several times a year, the date for this upcoming event – July 26 – was chosen to celebrate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA is one of America's most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life -- to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in state and local government programs and services.
Tom Naiman, the Aquarium’s director of Education, said the advantages in offering this event after the Aquarium’s normal opening hours are two-fold: Aquarium staff can focus on the guests with special needs, and guests averse to crowds won’t encounter them.
As during daily Aquarium hours, admission during the July 26 “Sensory-Friendly Evening” is free for Connecticut residents age 18 & younger, along with one accompanying adult, through the “CT Summer at the Museum” program. For additional adults and non-residents, discounted admission is $19 for adults, $17 for seniors (65+), and $14 for children (3-12).
For those wanting to include a movie in the new 4D theater, guests can enjoy the films wearing 3D glasses but with sounds lower and theater lights brighter, and without any of the sensory effects. (Guests aren’t required to wear the 3D glasses but, without them, images onscreen will appear blurry.) Pick from BBC Earth’s “Shark: A 4D Experience” (12 minutes long) at 7:15 p.m., or “Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4D” (10 minutes) at 6:45 and 7:45 p.m. Tickets for a 4D movie, which are optional, are $7.
Based on recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the state of Connecticut, unvaccinated guests and all children age 2-11 – except for those with a medical note from their doctor – must wear masks in The Maritime Aquarium. Vaccinated guests are strongly encouraged to continue to wear their masks too.
Reserve tickets for the July 26 “Sensory-Friendly Evening” in advance online by going to www.maritimeaquarium.org and clicking on “Visit,” and then “Aquarium Happenings.”
Learn more about the free admission summer initiative for Connecticut residents at https://www.ctvisit.com/articles/connecticut-summer-museum-free-admission-kids
Playhouse Presents an Evening with Ali Stroker, Tony Award Winning Actress
Photo by Jenny AndersonPress ReleaseWestport Country Playhouse will present “An Evening with Ali Stroker,” 2019 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Ado Annie in the Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!, on Saturday July 24, at 8 p.m. The live, in-person performance is part of the Playhouse’s series, “Cabaret in the Robards,” featuring Broadway musical talents.
“Ali Stroker is nothing less than a force of nature,” said Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. “I first experienced her striking, electric stage presence in the powerful Broadway revival of Deaf West's ‘Spring Awakening’. But that didn't prepare me for the sheer comic zest and magnitude and Broadway musical savvy she brought to the recent revival of ‘Oklahoma!’ She tore the place apart and stopped the show as Ado Annie-- the best I'd ever seen-- and also brought to the role depth, sweet sensitivity and, well, joy. For that she won a richly-deserved Tony Award. I’m thrilled that she'll be appearing on the Playhouse stage and can't wait to see just what she does next, since Ali is a true one-of-a-kind star with all sorts of magic up her sleeve.”
Click here to expand press release and for ticket information.
This past winter, Stroker starred in the Lifetime holiday film, “Christmas Ever After.” She made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway in Deaf West’s acclaimed 2015 revival of “Spring Awakening.” She starred in 12 episodes of “The Glee Project,” culminating in a guest role on Fox’s “Glee.” She recurred in the ABC series, “Ten Days in the Valley,” and guest starred on CBS' “Blue Bloods,” Freeform's “The Bold Type,” Fox’s “Lethal Weapon,” CBS’ “Instinct,” The CW's “Charmed,” and Comedy Central's “Drunk History.” She recently co-wrote a novel, “The Chance to Fly,” which was released by Abrams Books. She’s performed her cabaret act at Green Room 42 and soloed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., New York’s Town Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall. Her mission to improve the lives of others through the arts, disabled or not, is captured in her motto: “Turning Your Limitations into Your Opportunities.”
Lamos added, “There's a special resonance in Ali performing on our historic stage, since it's the same stage that premiered a play called ‘Green Grow the Lilacs’ in 1940. Composer Richard Rodgers was convinced to come to Westport to check it out, and the next thing you know, he and Oscar Hammerstein were writing ‘Oklahoma!’ Please join me in the audience for this very special night, won't you? Thanks! See you there!”
Tickets for “An Evening with Ali Stroker” start at $25 for performance only. Supporter tickets, raising funds to reopen the Playhouse, start at $150 and include VIP perks and pre-show cocktail party.
Sponsors for “An Evening with Ali Stroker” are Athena and Daniel Adamson, and Adam Clemens.
The series, “Cabaret in the Robards,” began in June with in-person performances by Broadway’s Tonya Pinkins and Brad Simmons. The Robards, officially known as The Jason Robards Theatre at Westport Country Playhouse, was named in memory of the actor, who, along with his wife Lois, supported the historic theater’s 2005 major renovation.
The Playhouse’s 2021 Season includes two new virtual productions, “Tiny House,” a timely new comedy, written by Michael Gotch, and directed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director, playing June 29 through July 18; and “Doubt: A Parable,” the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama written by John Patrick Shanley and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, playing November 2 through November 21. Two HD video productions from the Playhouse archives will stream on-demand, beginning with the musical, “Man of La Mancha” (2018), from August 23 through September 5, and John Steinbeck’s drama, “Of Mice and Men” (2008), from September 13 - 26. Script in Hand playreadings will be on October 4 - 10, and December 14 - 19, titles TBA. All virtual content in the Playhouse’s 2021 Season will be available on demand for patrons’ convenience, with open captions in Spanish. The complete schedule is available at westportplayhouse.org.
All artists, dates, and formats are subject to change.
To purchase tickets to “An Evening with Ali Stroker,” contact the Playhouse box office at (203) 227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org. To sponsor one of the evenings, contact Gretchen Wright, Playhouse director of development, at 203-571-1131 or email gwright@westportplayhouse.org.
Westport Public Schools ESY and Continuing Education Activities Cancelled for Friday
ReleaseDear Families of Westport Families and Staff,
Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to bring substantial precipitation to the region tomorrow morning. Westport could potentially receive 4-6 inches of rain in a short span of time. This amount of water, combined with precipitation from this evening’s thunderstorms could cause flash flooding throughout the community. As a result of the storm’s potential impact and out of an abundance of caution, all Westport Public Schools Extended School Year programs and all Westport Continuing Education programs scheduled to take place in our schools on Friday, July 9, 2021, are canceled. Further information will follow as to any possible rescheduling of tomorrow’s activities.
Please stay safe during the storm and avoid travelling through any areas of standing water after the storm’s exit.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools