“South for Winter” Brings “dreamy acoustic duets, foot-stomping folk and bluesy ballads” to Voices Cafe Saturday
On Saturday evening May 7th, at 8:00pm, South for Winter brings a blend of dreamy acoustic duets, foot-stomping folk and bluesy ballads to Voices Café, in-person and live streamed. Voices Café is located at The Unitarian Church in Westport, 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport. Doors open at 7:30. For tickets go to: voicescafe.org.
Multi-instrumentalists and songwriters New Zealander Nick Stone, Colorado native Dani Cichon, and Michigander Alex Stradal create an eclectic, original mix combining cello, guitar, mandolin, and three-part harmonies into a genre-bending "impeccable sound" as described by American Songwriter.
Nick and Dani met as volunteers building greenhouses in South America, and never expected a lighthearted rooftop jam to evolve into an internationally-touring Americana band described as "laden with delicate harmonies, intricate guitar-work and earthy vocals...". Years after meeting, the two musicians settled together in Christchurch, NZ and forged what is now South for Winter's characteristic blend of bluesy ballads and dreamy acoustic duets. After moving to Nashville, TN in 2017, the duo met cellist Alex Stradal, who added classically-trained strings to their blend of storytelling lyrics and instrumentation that transcends classification.
With Stradal in the lineup South for Winter hit the road and within their first two years toured through over twenty-one American States and two Canadian provinces.
Described as “as cool and eclectic as their origins" by The Static Dive, they’ve been turning heads across continents ever since.
In 2018 South for Winter was nominated as a rising local band by Nashville's Lightning 100 Radio; in 2019, voted a "Most Wanted" Artist at Falcon Ridge Festival; in 2020, chosen as a Top Artist of 2019 by BuzzMusic blog; in 2021, chosen as a "top DJ pick" by John Platt of New York City’s WFUV Radio and an Official Showcase Artist at Folk Alliance’s Regional and Midwest showcases; and finally, in 2022, an Official Showcase Artist at Folk Alliance International. In March 2020 the trio successfully crowdfunded the independent release of their debut full-length album Luxumbra, recorded with GRAMMY award-winning producer Matt Leigh in Nashville, TN, praised by sites such as For the Love of Bands ("a wonderful mix of indie and folk rock"), Grateful Web ("eclectic in the best sense of the word"), AmericanaUK ("a journey well-worth taking"), Relix Magazine, and DittyTV.
"South for Winter will warm your soul with their earthy vocals and delectable harmonies...the group shimmers and shines through a blend of folk, gypsy, jazz, and blues music, creating carefully crafted stories that draw listeners into their glowing depths" - Musical Notes Global
Don’t miss this opportunity to see these talented artists in a rare appearance in the Northeast!! https://www.southforwintermusic.com/
Voices Café and South for Winter share a commitment to social justice and a portion of the proceeds of this concert benefit a variety of community organizations under The Unitarian Church in Westport’s social justice programs, including anti-racism, identity and equity, and immigration and refugee efforts as well as local programs that serve our under-resourced communities.
Voices Café’s offers café-style (at tables) and individual seating, providing the audience the opportunity to bring snacks and beverages, and enjoy a warm, inviting atmosphere with friends and family. Groups of 4 or more can reserve table space. General admission is $25 per person, and Livestream tickets are also available. For more information and to purchase tickets go to: https://voicescafe.org/
View our COVID Protocols on our website.
Our Spring 2022 lineup wraps up on June 11th with the powerful and poetic singer-songwriter Diana Jones, and more in store for Fall 2022! For additional information please contact David Vita at 203.227.7205 x14 or david@uuwestport.org
Elizabeth Wilhelmina Louisa Roberts, 88, Died; Former Westporter, Beloved Oma
ROBERTS, Elizabeth Wilhelmina Louisa (nee von TAKATS) December 9, 1933 – April 24, 2022
Born December 9, 1933, Batavia, Indonesia, to parents, Bertalan Jorsef Erno von Takats and Juliana Maria Regina Takats (nee van der Vlies). Elizabeth or Boske, to her friends, began her life in Indonesia where she and her older sister, Phineke, played and attended school.
Her carefree childhood was interrupted by WWII and after spending 3 years in a Japanese Concentration Camp, the von Takats family moved back to the Netherlands where Elizabeth attended a trade school to become a seamstress. In 1953, Elizabeth moved to Ottawa and lived at Carleton University with close friends.
Upon graduating, Elizabeth became a teacher while moonlighting as a seamstress for the diplomats and dignitaries in our nation's capital. Her curious spirit brought her to Toronto where she met and ultimately married John GM Roberts. The newlyweds' journey brought them to New York City where on February 13, 1963, Elizabeth gave birth to Margaret Sophia Roberts. Life in the "Big Apple" transitioned to a Transatlantic return to the Netherlands and it was here that Frederick John Roberts was born on July 9, 1966. Elizabeth's energy was focused on family, and after a few years in Holland, the Roberts family moved to a small house in Westport, Connecticut. Eventually, they moved to Canada, where the Roberts family rented a house in Newmarket before finally purchasing their home in Stouffville.
The house was small, but the yard was not, and Elizabeth used her green thumb to transform the yard into a beautiful garden. Her other passion was for her grandchildren. Being an Oma was a badge of honour, and she would always find time to transform into a Spice Girl or a Jedi knight for her grandchildren.
Like her garden, Heather Elizabeth Drudge, Emma Juliana Drudge, Cameron Duncan Roberts, and Luke Alexander Roberts all grew from Oma's love. Her care, attention and nurturing were unlimited. As the years progressed, Elizabeth continued working in her garden and occasionally volunteered at various events around Stouffville. Elizabeth Wilhelmina Louisa Roberts (nee von Takats) died surrounded by her family on April 24, 2022. She is survived by her husband, John GM Roberts; Margaret Drudge, Heather Drudge, Emma Drudge, Fred Roberts, Christine Roberts, Cameron Roberts, and Luke Roberts.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 42 over Weekend; State Positivity Rate 8.85%, Hospitalizations Up 18 Patients
The State Department of Public Health reported 42 more cases in Westport over the weekend. The State’s daily test positivity rate was down to 8.85% while hospitalizations were up 18 patients, with 230 patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 throughout the State.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 4,483 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 36 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 8.85% [down from 9.42%]
State Hospitalizations: 230 patients [+18]
Talking Transportation: Grading our State Legislators
Legislative Scorecard
As our Connecticut legislators wrap up their “short session” this week, it’s time to assess their work: things accomplished, mixed messages sent and issues left unresolved.
Transportation is responsible for almost 30% of all air pollution in the US, more than half of that spewed by cars and trucks. The EPA cays Connecticut is in “severe non-compliance” with Federal clean air rules, especially Fairfield, New Haven and Middlesex counties. Our air literally stinks.
So while I’m happy the state has finally committed to a Clean Air Act, it will take until 2040 for many of its provisions to take effect. That’s far too long to keep endangering the health of our residents.
But while lawmakers do one right thing, albeit too slowly, they send a very different message in the short term. As I predicted, they have continued a cut in the gasoline tax until December 1st, shortly after the November elections. What a coincidence.
While commuters can save money by driving, bus riders and rail commuters are losing their discounts: the free bus rides program will expire at the end of June. Ridership on one busy transit system jumped 17% when the free-fare plan was launched, taking cars and their pollution off the road.
And if you mistakenly bought a peak ticket on Metro-North during the many months when only off-peak fares were required, good luck getting a refund. Why did the railroad keep selling peak tickets during the pandemic? They said they couldn’t reprogram their ticket machines. Really.
As legislators congratulate themselves for cleaning up our state’s air (by 2040) they encourage further driving, worsening our air pollution, while discouraging use of mass transit.
And, oh yeah, while you’re speeding down I-95 please let your passengers enjoy a beer.
Yes, Connecticut still can’t pass a law banning “open containers” in cars despite an increase in deadly accidents on our highways. Why? Because sports fans want to be able to tailgate at stadium events.
Pandering to that vocal minority has cost Connecticut $132 million in lost Federal aid over the last 20 years. Apparently, Washington is smarter than we are and doesn’t want to subsidize stupidity.
What other weighty matters did lawmakers find time to address while delaying air quality and ignoring public safety? Well, they voted to name the lollipop as our state’s official candy, answering a petition by third-graders from Fairfield.
Yep, that’s quite a civics lesson for the kids, wheezing from asthma as they enjoy their lollies.
Finally, a get-well greeting to Stamford mayor Caroline Simmons who, along with her husband, has come down with COVID. She says she’s feeling well but I think she’s delirious. In her pre-recorded State of the City address she said her team is studying the idea of a ferry service to New York City.
Madame Mayor: As I have written since 2005, that idea has been “studied” over and over again and found wanting. Why waste time and taxpayers’ money on a “fuelish” transportation plan long ago rejected by industry experts.
Please apply cold compresses to your fevered brow. And have a lollipop.
About Jim Cameron:
Jim Cameron has been a commuter advocate for over 30 years, with a special focus on the Metro North railroad. He spent nearly two decades on the Connecticut Metro North Commuter Council, and most recently founded The Commuter Action Group. Jim Cameron’s Talking Transportation was a popular column on the former WestportNow.com prior to its cessation, and joins The Westport Local Press and several other online community organizations. A resident of Darien - he serves on its Representative Town Meeting and is Program Director of the town government TV station, DarienTV79. He can be reached at CommuterActionGroup@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter: @CTRailCommuters