Frank Mastrone & Special Guests Bring Broadway, Pop And The Classics To The Levitt Pavilion Sunday Evening
Frank Mastrone returned to the Levitt Pavilion For The Arts on Sunday once again to the delight of the very large, appreciative audience. Together with his exceptional band and the vocal talents of his special friends they delighted the audience again this year with their high energy performances across multiple genres of music. New this year was the addition of a "celebrity piano" once owned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis which was provided to the Levitt Pavilion this week by Yury Feygin of Amadeus Piano of Westport. The former first lady studied piano growing up on Hammersmith Farm in Newport Rhode Island.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
In a memorable evening sponsored by Leifer Properties, Mastrone who has appeared on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Cats, Big: The Musical, Jekyll and Hyde and Saturday Night Fever brought his signature cabaret show giving fabulous renditions of Broadway hits everyone knows. He was joined by very talented vocalists Terry Eldh of Westport, Michelle Foor from New York City, and Jesse McGarty of Norwalk. Each of the performers joined Mastrone for several numbers and also sang solos.
After leading with Sinatra and Broadway show tunes, this amazing ensemble performed pop hits ranging from a cover of Nancy Sinatra's hit "These Boots Are Made For Walking" to a cover of the Tom Jones' hit "I Who Have Nothing/Delilah, and even a Jim Croce medley which had the audience joining in, and Adele's "Someone Like You". At the conclusion of the show, the standing ovation brought Mastrone back onstage for the Louis Armstrong classic hit from 1967 "What A Wonderful World".
Coming this week to the Levitt Pavilion For The Performing Arts will be Connecticut Ballet on Tuesday, another in the Wednesday Children's series, Brady Rymer & the Little Band That Could, and a Santana tribute band, Borboletta which appears on Thursday. For additional shows visit: https://www.levittpavilion.com/calendar/
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 83. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
A 20 percent chance of showers before 9am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 90. West wind around 10 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind 6 to 8 mph.
High Tides
3:25 AM / 3:57 PM
Low Tides
9:47 AM / 10:19 PM
Aquarion: Mandatory Sprinkler Schedule as Drought Conditions Continue through October
Over the last thirty days, Connecticut has experienced lower than normal rainfall, with rain amounts totaling an estimated one inch, compared to four inches of rain which would typically fall in this time period. Lower rainfall, combined with high water demand, has led the State of Connecticut's lnteragency Drought Working Group to declare that all eight counties in the state are experiencing Stage 2 Drought conditions. These conditions can lead to a drought event and can impact water supplies, agriculture, and the environment. In light of these conditions, Aquarion is reminding its customers about the importance of water conservation.
Currently, Aquarion customers living in 13 towns are under a mandatory, twice-weekly irrigation schedule until October 31. Aquarion customers in the Fairfield County towns of Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Newtown, Stamford and Westport; the Hartford County towns of East Granby, Granby, and Simsbury; and the New London County towns of Groton, Mystic, and Stonington should continue following the mandatory, twice-weekly sprinkler irrigation schedule.
Mandatory, Twice-Weekly Sprinkler Irrigation Schedule in Darien, East Granby, Fairfield, Granby, Greenwich, Groton, Mystic, New Canaan, Newtown, Simsbury, Stamford, Stonington, and Westport
Aquarion also encourages customers that live outside of these 13 towns to voluntarily follow this schedule as an easy way to conserve water.
“As a precaution, we’re asking for our customers’ participation as we work to conserve water,” said Donald Morrissey, Aquarion President. “Our reservoir levels are currently sufficient, and we’re hopeful that rain amounts will soon return to normal. With our customers’ support, we are better able to mitigate the impacts of the current drought conditions.”
In order to use water more efficiently, Aquarion is encouraging customers to take the following actions:
Outdoor water conservation measures
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn provides shade to the roots and helps retain soil moisture, so your lawn requires less water.
Reduce your sprinkler setting to our two days per week schedule. The grass roots will grow deeper and make your grass more drought tolerant.
Adjust your sprinklers so that they're watering your lawn and garden, and not the street or sidewalk.
Use hand watering or drip irrigation for shrubs and flowers.
Delay new plantings until the fall.
Inspect your overall irrigation system for leaks, broken lines or blockage in the lines. A well-maintained system will save you money, water, and time.
Indoor water conservation measures
Turn off the water while lathering up, shaving, or brushing your teeth.
Minimize baths and the amount of water you use for each. Trim one minute off the length of your showers.
Wash only full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine.
Hand wash dishes in a pan or the sink, not under continuous running water.
Reuse dehumidifier water or use a bucket to capture shower and bath water while you wait for it to warm up; then use the water to water your plants.
Visit www.aquarionwater.com/conserve for additional water conservation tips.
Westport Domestic Violence Task Force Seeking School Supply Donations for local Safe Houses
From Tuesday, July 19th through Tuesday, July 26th, the Westport Domestic Violence Task Force (WDVTF) will be collecting back-to-school supplies for residents of the two Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) safe houses and community clients.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) supports individuals on their journey to safety. DVCC advocates for individuals who are experiencing abuse in personal relationships. It offers multiple services and professional staff to help those experiencing any level of domestic violence and assist them in building a safer environment for the well-being of themselves and their families. All victim services are free and confidential, and all services offered are multicultural/multilingual. These services include assistance with basic needs such as food, clothing, and personal items. Counseling and legal services are also introduced in addition to transportation assistance, children’s advocacy, weekly play-based children’s programming focused on self-esteem and healthy communication and referrals to community resources. The DVCC also provides economic advocacy, including budget development and assistance with job searches and resumes.
The DVCC safe house and community clients are in need of the following items to ensure the children are prepared for the new school year:
New Backpacks
Notebooks
Pens/Pencils/Highlighters/Crayons
New and Unused Lunch Boxes
Graphing Calculators
Donations can be left in the collection bin located in the lobby of the Westport Police Department, 50 Jesup Road, Westport between July 19th and 26th.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, help can be reached via the 24 hour hotline, 1-888-774-2900 and additional information can be found on the DVCC website, www.dvccct.org
For more information on Westport Domestic Violence Task Force initiatives, please check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Westport-Domestic-Violence-Task-Force-1550811978272839/.
Morning Weather Report
Today
A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tomorrow
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow Night
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
High Tides
2:29 AM / 3:02 PM
Low Tides
8:54 AM / 9:20 PM
Anthony “Tony” Giunta Jr., 77, Died; Westport Police Sergeant Ret., Army Veteran, Staples Class of ‘64
Anthony P. Giunta, Jr. "Tony," age 77, of Westport, Connecticut, son of Anthony P. Giunta Sr. and Maria Rose Giunta, was born March 2, 1945 and died on Saturday, July 9, 2022. He was married in 1972 to his loving wife and life partner of 49 years, Frances.
Tony was a life-long resident of Westport, graduating from Staples High School in 1964. He went on to New England College, graduating in 1969 with a BA in English. In 1975 he received his Masters of Science Degree in Law Enforcement from the University of New Haven.
Tony lived a life dedicated to his family and to the service of others. Tony loved God, his family and his country.
In the U.S. Army, he reached the rank of E-5 and left the service with an Honorable Discharge. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion.
Tony joined the Westport Police Department as a Patrolman in 1971 and retired as a Sergeant in 2006. He served as the PBA President for two years and the Community Outreach Program Chairman from (1997-2005).
In 1982 he joined the Kiwanis Club of Westport and became President in 1984. Tony started the Staples High School Kiwanis Key Club in 1985 and became its advisor through 2021.
Tony joined Boy Scouts of America in 1989 as an adult leader in Troop 39. Within scouting he held many leadership roles including Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout Coordinator and received many awards including Silver Beaver Award from the CT Yankee Council and through Masonic Scouters, the Daniel Carter Beard Award in 2011.
Tony served on the committees of the American Red Cross and the Westport-Weston YMCA.
In 1996 he was selected as an Olympic Torch Relay Runner in Westport in recognition of being a Westport Community Hero.
In 2007 he joined Temple Lodge #65 in Westport and became Worshipful Master in 2014.
As a kidney transplant recipient in 2011, Tony inherently understood the gift of life. He became a supporter of Donate Life, an organization to encourage organ donation. He cared deeply about the program.
Besides his wife, Tony is survived by his daughter Kirsten, her husband Devon Middleditch and their daughter Maria, his son David and partner Elizabeth, his sister Carol Axley and her husband Michael as well as many other close relatives.
Calling hours for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 22 between 4pm and 8pm at the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East. A Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, July 23 at 10am at St. Luke's Church, 49 Turkey Hill Road North, Westport, CT. Interment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the National Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association or Donate Life America.
Award-Winning Guitarist Isiah Sharkey Returns To Rock The Levitt Pavilion
GRAMMY Award-winner, guitarist, soul singer, and songwriter Isaiah Sharkey returned to take center stage Friday night at the Levitt Pavilion For The Performing Arts and once again delivered an amazing display of guitar excellence to a very appreciate and enthusiastic crowd. Sharkey, a Chicago native and former child prodigy who played jazz clubs in his teens fuses together his background in rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, and funk to create an original sound with an unmistakable dose of soul. He blended brilliant covers of well known songs as well as his originals.
In 2009, Isaiah started working with artist D'Angelo on his third album, Black Messiah, which won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Based on his work and contribution to the project, Isaiah received his first Grammy before his thirtieth birthday.
Isaiah also has worked, recorded, and toured with several world-renown and Grammy award winning artists including John Mayer, Patti LaBelle, Christopher Martin of Coldplay, Paul Simon, Corrine Bailey Rae, Mike Posner, Keith Urban, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, Lalah Hathaway, Raphael Saadiq, Chris Dave and the DrumHedz, Regina Bell, Ruben Studdard, Lupe Fiasco, Kelly Price, Faith Evans, Rance Allen, The Winans, The Clark Sisters and many others.
His highly anticipated debut album Love.Life.Live. was released in September of 2017 and earned him the iHeart Radio Artist of the Month Award in November for his single “It’s a Shame” featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff. His sophomore album Love is the Key: The Cancerian Theme was released on June 21, 2019.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Bridge Street Bridge: Another Day, Another Opening
Marcelino Martinez, a member of the Connecticut Department of Transportation, stands on the edge of the William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge that carries Bridge Street over the Saugatuck River as it swings back into place this afternoon along the river’s west bank. Martinez remarked that the bridge operated perfectly, pointing out that the opening and closing was silent with an updated motor in place that allows the bridge to swing the 90 degrees with ease. Martinez and his two colleagues are specially trained to operate the unique bridge on behalf of the DoT, including how to twist the 138 year old bridge open manually should the motor fail - just as it was done over one century ago. Today’s opening, and subsequent closure of Bridge Street, lasted about five minutes. WestportLocal.com photo
Click to enlarge photos. All photos by WestportLocal.comMoCA Westport Hosts Award Winning Pianist Adam Tendler
On Friday night, classical contemporary artist Adam Tendler, a recent recipient of the Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists, and a prestigious Yamaha Artist, performed in MoCA Westport's gallery. Tendler performed a diverse contemporary program including selections by Aaron Copland, Philip Glass, Darius Milhaud, and more. Guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks and explored the current Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse exhibition.
Esteemed Music at MoCA Concert Series Curator Alexander Platt, shared readings from Madame Bovary to complement Tendler's performance of Darius Milhaud's Album of Madame Bovary, a set of piano pieces written by Milhaud for the film version of the novel.
Up next in the Music at MoCA schedule is a tribute to Broadway on MoCA's outdoor stage by rising Broadway star Michelle Pauker on Saturday, August 23. Tickets available on mocawestport.org.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
Morning Weather Report
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 78. Southeast wind around 7 mph.
Tonight
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
High Tides
1:33 PM / 2:08 PM
Low Tides
8:02 AM / 8:23 PM