MoCA Westport Cocktails and Conversations Series Announced
Ameen Mokdad. Contributed photo.MoCA [Museum of Contemporary Art] Westport announces its Spring 2023 Cocktails and Conversation series on select Thursday evenings at the Museum.
The Cocktails and Conversation series is designed to present relevant and compelling speakers within the context of MoCA’s current exhibition. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to explore the exhibition and to purchase a drink or specialty cocktail prepared by The Cup Bearer.
MoCA Westport is currently showcasing Rainbow in the Dark, a solo exhibition featuring the works of German contemporary artist Anselm Reyle curated by Emann Odufu, on view through May 28, 2023.
“We’re excited about the momentum our Cocktails and Conversation series is experiencing,” noted Liz Leggett, MoCA Westport’s Director of Exhibitions. “The response from the community has been very strong and we look forward to continuing to provide a forum for these visual and performing arts discussions.”
Upcoming Cocktails and Conversation event are as follows:
Thursday, April 20 at 6 PM: Artist Talk Featuring Robert Chaplin
Artist Robert Chaplin’s talk will include a storytime performance and touch on the importance of artistic license, creative synthesis, and notions of copyright, all without the benefit of AI. The conversation will include images from his divergent practice, and a few physical samples. The event will be moderated by artist and entrepreneur Sandra Botnen. MoCA Westport thanks The Union House for their generous funding of this event.
Thursday, April 27 at 6 PM: Creativity and Climate Action
Join MoCA for an introduction to The Carbon Almanac and a conversation between four Bridgeport artists— kHyal, Karl Heine, Finoula Breen-Ryan, and Richard Killeaney—focusing on working toward a better world. See the projects they’ve created and how they are connected. Participate in a lively Q&A and learn how you can get involved.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to purchase selected products created by the participating artists, including sustainably produced custom notebooks, luxury handbags, totes and accessories crafted from post-consumer leathers.
Thursday, May 4 at 5 PM: The Wellness of Style With Gayle Perry, moderated by Marysol Castro*
Join MoCA for a discussion about The Wellness of Style featuring Gayle Perry, a stylist and content creator whose philosophy is to break style barriers, enabling every woman or man no matter body type, budget, or age to feel their best and do great things. Broadcast journalist Marysol Castro will guide a dynamic conversation with Gayle, exploring the noise that our clothes and spaces create for us, either positive or negative, and advise on how to enhance the positive.
The event will also include 15-minute style sessions; sign-ups are available on a limited basis. Event hosted by JL ROCKS, DEVON WOODHILL, and WEST.
*Special event timing and pricing will apply
Thursday, May 11 at 6 PM: Ameen Mokdad
Engage in conversation with Ameen Mokdad, an Iraqi multi-instrumentalist, who will also be performing in concert at MoCA Westport on Friday, May 12.
Mokdad will speak about Iraqi musical traditions and their lineage throughout history, including the attempted eradication of these traditions by extremist groups. He will speak from his own personal experiences as a musician in the cities of Mosul and Baghdad during ISIS occupation.
Thursday, May 18 at 6 PM: Rainbow in the Dark Curator Talk accompanied by NYC-based Punk band Darling
Don’t miss a conversation with Emann Odufu, the curator of Rainbow in the Dark, followed by a 30-minute concert by rock band Darling, as they play their new album! Newark, NJ-based Odufu is an art activist, independent filmmaker, producer, screenwriter and digital media specialist. He is best known for his work that explores the genre of Afro-Futurism within black cinema.
Thursday, May 25 at 6 PM: Barbara Sallick of Waterworks and Shari Lebowitz of Bespoke Designs
Join MoCA for a special Cocktails and Conversation focused on female entrepreneurship, home design trends, and the blending of function and style. The conversation features Barbara Sallick of Waterworks and Shari Lebowitz of Bespoke Designs, moderated by Jen Berniker, content creator and founder of Designport.
The majority of events are free for MoCA Members and $10 for non-members; pricing will vary for special events as noted on the Museum’s website. Advance event registration on mocawestport.org is requested. For more information on Cocktails and Conversation events, visit mocawestport.org or call 203/222-7070.
“MTA Announces Record Pandemic-Era Ridership on Metro-North Railroad”
MTA: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced Metro-North Railroad reached record pandemic-era ridership yesterday, April 18, with 194,549 riders, or 74% of the pre-pandemic average.
"Record ridership means more and more people are realizing that commuter rail is the fastest and most efficient way to travel,” said Metro-North Railroad President and Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi. “Our riders can count on public transit to get them to work, school, and everything the region has to offer this summer.”
The milestone comes as the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has exceeded 200,000 riders on 16 days since Feb. 27, a threshold the railroad had only crossed twice during the first 57 days of 2023. During the seven days between April 9 and April 15, the LIRR carried an average of 168,726 daily customers, the best seven-day average since March 2020.
Metro-North and the LIRR rolled out fare offerings including a 10 percent discount for monthly passes, and a 20-trip ticket tailored for the hybrid work schedule. The 20-trip ticket saves riders 20 percent on regular peak one-way fares. For rail riders traveling within the five boroughs, the City Ticket offers a reduced, flat fare of $5.00 for rail travel within New York City during off-peak hours on weekdays and on weekends. The new joint Metro-North LIRR Combo Ticket encourages regional travel between Metro-North and Long Island stations via Grand Central for only $8 more than the customer’s ticket to New York City.
Fire Department: Tire Strikes Car on I-95, “shearing off” Car’s Roof
Press ReleaseWestport Fire Companies from Saugatuck Station 4 and Headquarters responded to a reported motor vehicle crash on Interstate 95 south between exits 17 and 16 at 3:11am. Engine 4 arrived and found a single vehicle accident in the left lane. Engine 4 reported the occupant was trapped and would require extrication. Companies utilized extrication equipment to free the trapped occupant. Westport EMS transported the occupant to an area hospital with unknown injuries.
CT State Police determined that an errant tire from an unknown vehicle had struck the moving car, shearing off most of the car’s roof. The accident is under investigation by the CT State Police.
Chamber of Commerce Announces First Citizen Award Recipients
Press ReleaseThe Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Charlie Haberstroh, Founder and CEO of CastleKeep Investment Advisors, and Bill Harmer, Executive Director of the Westport Library will be this year’s First Citizen Award recipients. This is the return of the First Citizen Award gala dinner since the pandemic.
“We have selected a fine and admirable mix of awardees this year,” said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director of the Chamber. “Each year the board looks for one nonprofit and one traditional businessperson and these dedicated individuals stood out and represent what is best in our town for their work ethic, generosity and how they approach business.”
“It is a distinct honor to be recognized by a community that has given my family so much since we moved here in 1990. Whether it's long nights on the baseball fields, picturesque sunsets at Compo Beach or digging out of the sand hazards at the Longshore golf course, I cherish the many memories and experiences in Westport,” said Charlie Haberstroh. Since I founded my investment advisory firm in 2000, I've also had the privilege of giving back to the community through public service. I was inspired to do so by my wife and by Bill Meyer who also inspired many who continue to serve Westport.”
“I am deeply humbled and moved by this recognition by my friends at the Chamber of Commerce for frankly doing work that I absolutely love and am extremely passionate about,” said Bill Harmer. “Thanks also to my staff and our Board of Trustees who consistently support our vision and allow me to be a part of this magnificent place we call Westport and the Westport Library.”
The keynote speaker this year will be Richard Blumenthal, Senior U.S. Senator from the State of Connecticut, having previously served as the State’s Attorney General.
Also receiving awards will be four “Young Entrepreneurs,” Marley Brown, Akhila Kooma, Addison Moore and Jamie Semaya seniors from Weston and Staples High Schools, for their efforts in creating new and intriguing business ventures.
“What a wonderful group of innovative kids, they truly embody the entrepreneurial spirit,” said Barbara Reynolds Chairman of the Board of the Chamber. “They have executed at a higher level and deserve these accolades. Congratulations to all.”
The gala dinner is to be held on Thursday June 8th at Branson Hall. Tickets for the evening, including cocktail hour, dinner and presentations are available through the chamber and cost $125 per person. Tables of 10 are also available. Congratulations in the commemorative book are also available for purchase. Information can be found at