State Announces Free Children’s Admission to Connecticut Museums This Summer; Maritime Aquarium Joins the Program for Kids
Press Release, The Maritime AquariumAn immersive new 4D Theater and an enormous new seal habitat will highlight rediscoveries of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk this summer, especially for families taking advantage of the “CT Summer at the Museum - Free Admission for Kids” offer.
The Maritime Aquarium is among the nearly 100 institutions participating in the state’s “CT Summer at the Museum" admission program, which offers free entry for all Connecticut residents 18 and under, along with one accompanying adult in each group.
“After the tumultuous 16 months we just experienced, the Governor has created an amazing opportunity to encourage all children in the state to make up for lost time and visit the state’s best attractions this summer,” said Jason Patlis, president and CEO of The Maritime Aquarium. “With price no longer a barrier, this initiative opens up the aquarium to anyone who’s a Connecticut resident,” Patlis said. “We’re particularly excited to invite families who might not otherwise visit us.”
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Through the admission deal, one adult with any number of kids = all free. Two kids with two adults = one paid adult admission ($28.95) while receiving three free tickets valued at $68.85.
The offer is open only to Connecticut residents. Guests planning to take advantage of the offer are strongly encouraged to make their reservations in advance online at www.maritimeaquarium.org. Proof of residency will be required at the door.
The program for free admissions was proposed by Gov. Lamont, and approved by the General Assembly, as a way to allocate a portion of the federal COVID-19 recovery funding that Connecticut is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act.
“This program provides a unique opportunity for children to take advantage of the world-class museums and attractions offered in Connecticut, while having both a fun and educational experience,” Governor Lamont said. “Museums are centers of exploration, recreation, and learning, and will play an important role in helping provide social-emotional, mental health, and educational growth opportunities that were limited during the pandemic. It is my hope that families take advantage of this unique opportunity happening in Connecticut this summer.”
Anyone who hasn’t visited The Maritime Aquarium since the pandemic started will discover significant transformations. In January, the Aquarium debuted a 4D Theater to replace its IMAX Theater. This new cinematic experience sends the action visually spilling off the two-story screen and over audiences in 3D, in addition to such thrill-enhancing sensory special effects as bubbles, snow, wind, mists, scents and more. The 169-seat theater offers two films every hour: BBC Earth’s “Shark: A 4D Experience” and “Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4D.”
The opening of the 4D theater also included a new main entrance, with a new Sound Bites café just inside featuring a full selection of hot and cold drinks from Starbucks, as well as pastries from a rotating lineup of local bakeries.
The Maritime Aquarium’s other major change was the June 8 debut of an enormous new seal habitat. At 160,000 gallons, it’s the largest display in The Maritime Aquarium’s 33-year history. Guests can watch from above and below the surface as the seals dive, twirl and bob in the 22-foot-deep exhibit, called “Pinniped Cove.” (The word pinniped means “fin- or flipper-footed” and is the scientific grouping for seals, sea lions and walruses.) The seals’ new home is more than eight times larger than their original exhibit, where they lived from 1988-2019.
Also new this year is a special exhibit called “A Slug’s Life: Facing the Climate Endgame,” a unique exhibit for the Aquarium in that it presents its message through a blending of live animals with sculpture and photography. Stars of the exhibit are a group of mollusks called nudibranchs known for their striking forms, brilliant colors and vulnerability in reef systems. In addition to live nudibranchs and other mollusks, “A Slug’s Life” features nudibranchs depicted in onyx and marble sculptures by Gar Waterman of New Haven, as well as nudibranch photographs by divers from all around the world.
“With COVID vaccinations increasing and cases falling, folks are itching to venture back out this summer, and we’re ready and excited to show off this fantastic seal habitat, the movies in our immersive 4D Theater, and all of the animals and exhibits here,” said Aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth. “If you haven’t visited The Maritime Aquarium in a while, come see how much we’ve changed. Certainly, the ‘CT Summer at the Museum’ offer serves as an incredible extra incentive.”
Based on guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the state of Connecticut. unvaccinated guests – and all children age 2-11 – must continue to wear masks in The Maritime Aquarium. Vaccinated guests are strongly encouraged to continue to wear their masks too.
Learn more about the Aquarium’s exhibits, programs and public cruises this summer at www.maritimeaquarium.org.
Sandbar Romp
A family took advantage of the sandbars off of Cockenoe Island this evening as the sun set over Peck Ledge Lighthouse in the distance.
Curtains Open in Time for the 90th Anniversary of the Westport Country Playhouse
The Westport Country Playhouse opened their doors Tuesday night for the first time since before the pandemic - celebrating the return of the world class theatre house on it's 90th birthday. The Playhouse began this year’s live season with a virtual showing of the film Tiny House, by Michael Gotch and produced by Mark Lamos. The entire film was shot remotely, with the cast filming themselves in their own homes - then sending in the footage to the Editor Dan Scully. Scully then used green screen and digital technologies to blend all of the characters together to make the appearance that they were all in the same place at the same time, all while remaining safe and completely distant.
Mindful Moment: The Sounds of Gulls Surround Cockenoe Island Lagoon
Take a moment to breathe during this week’s Mindful Moment: the sights and sounds of gulls on a crowded Sunday afternoon in the Cockenoe Island Lagoon.
Summer Services Return to Compo Beach after 18 Months
After nearly two years, the Compo Beach summer services returned this morning as members of different local church parishes enjoy the morning air along the coastline. Each week is hosted by one of six churches in Westport or Weston, with sound equipment being donated by Saugatuck Congregational Church. The services are open to all, and are held each Sunday morning at 8:30 at the Compo Beach cannons. Beach chairs and flip flops not provided. Photo by Mark Mathias for The Westport Local Press.
Community Gallery: Westport Farmers’ Market
Westport Local Press photos. Click to enlarge gallery.
Tough Choices at the Westport Farmers’ Market
Tomatoes filled a table at the Westport Farmers’ Market today as dozens filed into the tent to get their pick of the locally-grown produce.
Moon Rises over Long Island as Last Boats head Home
Tonight’s sunset over the Long Island Sound filled the skies with pastel pinks and purples as the nearly full moon rose.
Three Yeas for “Coach Paul Lane Field” at Staples; Board of Selectmen Approve and Move Item to RTM
During their Board of Selectmen meeting this morning, First Selectman Jim Marpe, Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker, and Third Selectwoman Melissa Kane approved the name “Coach Paul Lane Field” for Staples High School’s football field. The decision now passes to the RTM, who will ultimately be responsible for the final “yea” or “nay”. Lane lead Staples High School to many hard-fought victories during a three decade span as coach and physical education educator, in addition to serving as a mentor to generations of Westporters. The naming comes as bittersweet to the community, as “Coach” passed away last week at the age of 93. Staples Wreckers Gridiron Club officer Jim Adrian spoke at today’s meeting in support of the naming of the field, saying that Lane had a positive affect on all of Westport - and that Lane knew the renaming was a possibility - as over one thousand supporters signed an online petition to push the agenda item. Selectwoman Melissa Kane added “his reputation and his style has stood the test of time for Westporters.”
Country Playhouse Opens their Doors on 90th Anniversary for One Night Only Comedy Show Screening
Westport Country Playhouse opens its Jason Robards Theatre for a one-night only screening of a virtual production on its 90th anniversary, June 29. Contributed photo. Westport Country Playhouse Press ReleaseWestport Country Playhouse, closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic, will kick-off its 90th anniversary year by bringing patrons back into its Jason Robards Theatre for a one-night-only virtual production of the new comedy, “Tiny House,” projected on a big screen mounted above the stage. The in-person screening will be on Tuesday, June 29, at 7 p.m. The virtual production will also be available on-demand, from June 29 through July 18. “Tiny House” was filmed using digital technology during early spring when pandemic safety concerns and social distancing prevented producing a live show.
Exactly 90 years ago to the day, the Playhouse first opened its doors when Weston residents Lawrence Langner and his wife Armina Marshall founded the historic theater on June 29, 1931. Since then, the Playhouse has produced over 800 plays, some of which have transferred to Broadway.
Tickets for the in-person screening on June 29 are $20; general admission, seating on a first-come, first-served basis. All in-person patrons will attest to being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or willing to provide a negative PCR test result time stamped within 36 hours of the performance time. Covid-19 health and safety protocols, including capacity restrictions and mask-wearing, will be observed.
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Current virtual performance ticketholders who want to instead attend the in-person screening may exchange their tickets by calling the Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177.
In “Tiny House,” fireworks fly when family, friends, and quirky neighbors come together for a Fourth of July barbecue at the off-the-grid, isolated mountain paradise of a young, urban couple. The comedy is written by Michael Gotch and directed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.
“Tiny House” running time is approximately 100 minutes, including an intermission between the two acts. Appropriate for ages 14 and up. More information on “Tiny House” at: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/tinyhouse/
The Playhouse’s 2021 Season continues with “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 another TBA, from September 13 - 26. Script in Hand playreadings will play October 19 – 24, and December 14 – 19; titles to be announced. All 2021 Playhouse events are listed at: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/whats-on/
2021 Season Sponsor is the Eunice and David Bigelow Foundation. Production Sponsor is Barbara Samuelson. 2021 Season Media Sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio.
All play titles, artists, dates, and formats are subject to change.
To purchase tickets, visit westportplayhouse.org, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to the Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).