History Comes Alive At Westport Library’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
On Sunday the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum was standing room only for what may arguably be one of the best MLK Day celebrations Westport has seen to-date. The term “epic” may be quite over used but anyone who attended this event could hardly disagree. This achievement was made possible by a collaboration between the Library, TEAM Westport, the Westport Country Playhouse and Westport/Weston Interfaith Clergy and Council.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
The stellar line-up of speakers included U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Representative Richie Torres from the Bronx, New York’s 15th Congressional district, acclaimed novelist, playwright, and filmmaker Trey Ellis, TEAM Westport (Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism) Chair Harold Bailey and Westport Library Director Bill Harmer.
What place this event on a whole new level was the appearance of guest of honor civil rights icon Dr. Clarence B. Jones who served as legal counsel, strategic advisor, and draft speechwriter to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1960 until King’s assassination in 1968. Among his many accomplishments was his writing of the first seven paragraphs of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech which is one of the nation’s most well known and beloved addresses in recent history. The interview was conducted by Westport’s own Craig Melvin, noted NBC anchor, correspondent and host of the 3rd hour of the Today Show.
The event, which was Westport’s 18th celebration of MLK day, began with opening remarks by TEAM’s Harold Bailey who made mention of the visit by Dr. King to Westport’s Temple Israel on May 22nd, 1964 where he spoke before a crowd of more than 600 people. Bailey spoke about his and TEAM’s efforts to encourage diversity, equity and inclusion in the Town of Westport.
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The next speaker was U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who was called a “national treasure” by Bailey, a comment which clearly amused the Senator who said he had never been called that before, and quipped that he hoped that his wife Cynthia would take note of the accolade. Blumenthal thanked Melvin and Congressman Torres whom he called his heroes for being great advocates in the spirit of Martin Luther King. Blumenthal went on to praise Dr. Clarence Jones for the powerful support that he gave to King, including his contribution to King’s “I have a dream” speech. He stressed the need to recognize that troubled times we are in currently quoting King who said that “hate cannot drive out hate, only love can drive out hate” adding, “Where there is injustice anywhere, there is injustice everywhere.
Next was a brilliant performance of Donny Hathaway’s “Someday We Will All Be Free” by violinist Kersten Stevens, six-time winner of amateur night at the Apollo and Stratford native. Next, Westport’s Lisa Weitzman, co-founder of the “Spill The Honey Organization” which helps build Black-Jewish relations presented a pre-recorded very special conversation on the Forum’s giant screen with the guest of honor, Dr. Jones, who she then welcomed to the stage. Trey Ellis then introduced Craig Melvin who began what turned out to be an interview which captivated the audience for more than an hour.
What transpired during that time was the 93 year old Jones describing highlights of his life and regaled the audience with stories of his association with King and other civil right leaders with whom he worked closely, including the celebrated entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte and Andrew Young, former Ambassador to the United Nations and mayor of Atlanta who is credited with helping to draft the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which was instrumental in helping to secure the rights of African Americans.
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Dr. Jones was described as “bringing history to life” with his stories of his significant contributions to civil rights and gave insight to the inner workings of his part of the movement with Dr. King. He spoke of the time when Dr. King and many of his young supporters were arrested in April of 1960, spending 5 days in jail. He was contacted by Nelson and David Rockefeller, part of one of the wealthiest families in America who wanted to help with King and his supporter’s plight. He was called at the suggestion of Bellefonte to the Chase bank in New York, now called Chase Manhattan, where he met the Rockefellers and of which David was chairman and CEO. David then began counting out $100 bills until he reached a total of $100,000.00 which was to be given to Jones to aid in the bail for King and his supporters. He then described how he had to sign an on-demand promissory note as per banking regulations, which took him by surprise, telling he audience “ Oh my Lord, I better not tell my wife”. He called Bellefonte and complained that he had to sign the note, to which Bellefonte replied “better you than me” causing Jones to yell, “but you got more money than me.” Jones finished the story by speaking of the following Tuesday when a messenger arrived at his office bearing that promissory note which had been marked “Paid In Full”. He informed the audience that King’s most famous speech, the first paragraphs he wrote, was from that point on entirely extemporaneous. He described how famous gospel singer Mahalia Jackson yelled to King “tell him about the dream”, and the rest was history. These stories held the rapt attention of the audience who would probably have listened to his stories for another hour.
Above, (left) Shonda Rhimes was in the audience and was given a shout-out by Dr. Jones who called her “his Goddaughter”.
Jones had answered Melvin’s questions mostly in normal tones, however when the topic of anti-semitism and the Gaza situation was raised, Dr. Jones became heated, defending Israel’s attempt to eliminate the threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel. Jones had become very close to the Jewish community through the years having become close friends with Jewish students in college.
What followed was the appearance on stage of Congressman Torres who In 2013, at the age of 25, became New York City’s youngest elected official and the first openly LGBTQ person elected to office in the Bronx. Jones was clearly highly impressed with Torres, joking that he would become president of the United States one day. Dr. Jones then gave a shout out to entertainment mogul Shonda Rhimes who is a Westport resident, whom he called his “Goddaughter” and who was in the audience and who lovingly accepted Jones’ acknowledgement.
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Near the end of his appearance he discussed an intimate experience with King who had been having mental health issues and King’s personal physician who was attempting to have King see a psychiatrist. Jones pushed back telling the doctor that there was no way he would allow that fearing that “within thirty to sixty days that Martin King is under regular consultation of a psychiatrist the transcript of everything he said to the psychiatrist would be on J. Edgar Hoover’s desk”. Hoover was the very powerful head of the FBI who vehemently opposed the work of Dr. King and went to great lengths to destroy his career. At this point, Dr. Jones came to tears as he described his efforts to help and protect King to which the audience responded with tremendous applause as they heard this story, for many the first time they would hear of it. What follows was a standing ovation as Jones tearfully said “I wish that I could have done better, but I didn’t, I’m sorry, I did the best that I could.
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Mr. Melvin told WestportLocalPress, “It was an honor and privilege to spend time in conversation with Clarence Jones, a living piece of essential history. His stories, perspective, and humor were precisely what we needed to honor and celebrate his friend and our angel, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I just sat there like a fly on the wall. I’d do it every weekend if asked. What a special afternoon.”
As we said earlier, history came alive at the Westport Library on Sunday.
To see this amazing and unforgettable presentation visit the Westport Library’s YouTube recording here: Westport Library MLK Celebration YouTube Video
After the conclusion of the event, Dr. Jones held a signing of his new book, Last of the Lions: An African American Journey in Memoir
Gloria Gouveia of Westport gets a moment to speak with Dr. Jones while he signs his new book after Sunday’s MLK event at the Westport Library.
Last of the Lions is two histories woven into one remarkable story. It's a personal history – the evocative life of Clarence B. Jones, from his depression- and segregation-era upbringing at the hands of caring Irish Catholic nuns through our current era (when America elected a President to follow the first black man to hold the office with a man dog-whistling to white supremacists for four years). And all the amazing moments in between – his Ivy League years, his unprecedented dual role as simultaneous military draftee and protester, his work as an entertainment lawyer, financial and media entrepreneur, and more. But it's also the coming-of-age story of this country, with the kind of intimate observations and thought-provoking perspective that unfurl in classics like Soul on Ice, On the Road, and The Feminine Mystique.
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First Selectwoman Tooker Looks At The Year Ahead In Westport What’s Happening Podcast
Long Lots Building Project To Be Discussed at Town Hall On Tuesday
In this podcast produced by Westport “Y’s Men, Jen looks at the year ahead and discusses objectives and updates on new and continuing projects and programs to giving us her vision for the coming year. This is a very informational podcast.
This podcast addresses the Long Lots Building Committee meeting taking place at Town Hall which had originally been scheduled for Tuesday January 9th at 6:00 PM.
That Committee meeting has been re-scheduled for Thursday, January 11, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
Tooker has withdrawn the current plan before the Planning and Zoning Commission and said that she “expects to re-submit a potentially modified plan on the 22nd of January.”
To view the Podcast, click here: Westport… What’s Happening
Wreckers Corral Mustangs To Take Immaculate Holiday Tournament Title
Wreckers captains Adam Udell, Sam Clachko, Caleb Smith and Nick Sikorsky with tournament title trophies.
The Staples Wreckers Boys got their pre-season off to great start with a victory in the annual Immaculate High School Holiday Tournament in Danbury on Friday night. The boys 62-51 victory over West Haven Wednesday brought them to the final match-up against Immaculate High in which they defeated the Immaculate Mustangs 64-52.
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Udell, who scored 20 points in this win, and was named the All-Tournament player. Sophomore Clachko’s 22 points and 11 rebounds against a taller Immaculate squad earned him tourney MVP honors. Clachko was also instrumental in the West Haven win, scoring 31 points in that game. Junior Adam Udell added 20 points and led rebounding with 11 boards, and sophomore Mason Tobias also had a strong game, adding 8 points and another 8 rebounds.
Immaculate got of to a good start holding a 6-5 lead early in the first period and then 11-9 after breaking a 9-9 tie. That would be the last lead they would have as Staples found their rhythm gaining an 11-15 advantage with a minute left in the first. A combination of good outside shooting and the repeated drives in the lane by sophomore standout Sam Clachko brought the lead to 7 midway into the second period. The Wreckers went into the locker at the half leading 35-28 but the Mustangs fought from the second half tip-off recovering with a 36-36 tie in less than two minutes of play.
Staples continued their tenacious defense and started the final period holding an 8 point advantage, which they built upon with continued strong drives to the hoop, sealing the victory by 13 points to take home tournament trophies.
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Coach David Goldshore told WestportLocal that he was “Pleased with our preseason. Competed through some injuries and an incredible state football run. Excited to be at full strength to begin our conference schedule next Friday at home vs the cream of the crop, Ridgefield.“ Senior captain Caleb Smith was the Wreckers standout QB who led the Wreckers to the State Football Title.
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Goldshore added “ I understand we are slightly undersized, but our goal is not to be out-toughed, and I think we have accomplished that goal so far.” He added, “I didn’t think it was our best effort as a whole, but when you win games and you don’t play great, miss a lot of free throws I think it speaks volumes about where you are as a team right now.”
Staples fans will recognize Wrecker superstar Chris Zajac, (above right) who was in the stands to support his former teammates. The 6’7” Zajac helped lead Staples basketball last year and in prior years and was a pitcher for Staples baseball.
A Visit To Christmas Past
Revisitng the magic of Rick & Joan Setti’s Spectacular Christmas Village which ran for 26 years nearby in Norwalk.
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For nearly three decades generations of people, young and old made their yearly pilgrimage to Norwalk each December to one the the greatest Christmas displays in Connecticut and actually one of the best in the country. That fact was established in 2014 when the nationally televised ABC show, “The Great Christmas Light Fight” airing for it’s second year awarded the Settis first place which came with a $50,000 prize.
Rick and Joan’s reaction was stunned amazement in a moment that is a must see, click here: Great Christmas Light Fight.
There are no doubt hundreds and hundreds of Westporters with fond memories of one day being children and teens brought by their parents to years later being parents brining their own little ones to find amazement and joy at the sight. Alone approached the families home they could see they were on the right road as the glow of the lights was visible even before you got to the house.
The family and friends would begin assembling their display, which included 150,000 lights and over 700 hand-made characters in September to get ready for the big day after Thanksgiving Day.
That is when the City made their Midwood Road in Norwalk’s West Rocks section a one way street to try to manage the hundreds of cars which would arrive at dusk to marvel at the brilliant spectacle the Settis created. They added to their display over the years as Rick would create characters from across the spectrum of children’s entertainment in his wood shop and wife Joan would lovingly hand paint each figure. There was everything from early Disney films such as Snow White to the Peanuts Gang. There were scores of snowmen, Surfs galore, their North Pole Village and the scenes from the birth of Jesus. There were numerous room vignettes which the children would clamor into and pose for photos. The demand for electric service was so great CL&P, now Eversource had to install a dedicated transformer to handle the demand.
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The biggest day for the Settis was in fact Christmas Eve. This was when, at “their invitation” Santa and Mrs. Clause would take up their positions and hand out a candy cane to every child who came to sit on Santa’s lap to answer the age old question, “And what would you like for Christmas this year?”, no doubt hoping their Christmas wish would be granted the next morning. This would easily be a four hour process and they were able to tally the number of children who each received one candy cane which sometimes numbers more than 800 children.
The great gift of the first place finish was a poignant one for the Setti’s, who were then in their 70’s and would be making their last Christmas Miracle that year. They told everyone they would hold a tag sale after their season was over so that the beautiful pieces that had been a part of so many people’s lives would then become part of those family’s Christmas decorations.
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Staples High School Presented Their 83rd Annual Gift Of Joy To Westport
As they have now for 83 years, the Staples Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra and Choral Ensemble gave the people of Westport and it’s surrounds the gift of a joyous holiday concert in what has become recognized as exceptional musicianship, superb vocals and creative, top-notch production values from the moment the candle procession entered the auditorium.
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As always, the Friday and Saturday performances were sold out almost immediately which one can see by the photo of the packed house. Many were excited to see the world premier presentation of the first commissioned work for Candlelight in 40 years which was composed by by 2013 graduates Jake Landau and Emily Garber.
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The achievements of the talented musicians and choir were on full display under the leadership of the Staples music department. Their new choir director Lauren Pine joined perfectly with orchestra directors Jeri Brima and Carrie Mascaro, and Band director Philip Giampietro along with assistant Caitlin Serpliss in producing another outstanding and joyful holiday experience.
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And as always, for the Hallelujah Chorus finale the audience was invited to stand as alumni from Staples classes happily joined the full orchestra and choir in song.
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From Behind the Ice Cream Counter: Support Local
Note from the Editor the Ice Cream Scooper:
When I was 18, I saw an email from Al DiGuido about needing people to help scoop ice cream on the weekends.
Last night, now 26 years old, I helped lock the doors to Saugatuck Sweets Westport for its final time. It began to rain again as the small group of us stood outside looking at the darkened storefront. As one young girl said as she left the store: “they’re tears.”
A chapter ended for the Westport institution; the story continues at the Fairfield location on Reef Road. Same ice cream, candy, Al’s Angels spirit, and good people.
However, as I sit here today, I cannot thank the DiGuidos and the Saugatuck Sweets family enough for all that it’s given me. I was able to work for a locally owned business - and experience every up and down that comes with it. As Westport continues to evolve, I wonder how many teens will ever experience the wonders of working for a family-owned place in Westport. The frustration, the joy, the camaraderie of the staff, feelings of success after surviving a busy night.
From behind an ice cream counter I could observe a very different view of the community. I learned a lot with my head facing the ice cream bins.
I’ve been privy to devastation; a child getting a scoop of ice cream just before his parents gave him the news of his classmate passing away. “You’re lying” he said as he put down his ice cream. I can still hear him saying it. I kept scooping.
I’ve been privy to triumph; siblings running in and both ordering double scoops as they tell me about their mother’s cancer treatment, and how well it was going and the ice cream they’d bring back to her as she rested at home. Their whole family has come in ever since. I kept scooping.
I’ve been privy to pride; dozens of elementary schoolers lined the sidewalk after their concerts - the kids shouting and yelling orders as parents bravely protected their white dresses or button down shirts. Kids in basketball uniforms, soccer cleats, football pads, ballet flats, “Class of 20##” logowear; adults in softball jerseys, business suits, pajamas; police officers, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics in uniform. I kept scooping.
I kept scooping as families came in week after week, year after year. Some came in small enough to be lifted-up to see the ice cream, and left this weekend while looking me in my eyes. I’ve watched as mothers, who enjoyed their free scoops while pregnant, came in with their newborns. Just two weekends ago, a man came in without his wife, but with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen; on his phone was a photo of his beautiful newborn son, and his wife’s ice cream order that he was going to bring home as they get settled in to their new normal. Some of those newborns from our first years in business are in elementary school now - I was able to scoop them their first ice cream as an infant, and their 150th ice cream. They refer to the owners as “aunt” or “uncle”. A few came in to say “goodbye” to the store, and “see you in Fairfield” to the staff.
I kept scooping until we entered the pandemic - then everyone stopped scooping, but Chris and Lisa worked day and night to get families their Easter baskets by leaving them outside on the benches; holding together a store and a business that thrives on long lines and a packed parlor in the midst of a pandemic.
Some things were ritual - each night the entire staff shared dinner together - something that meant even more after the pandemic, some of us coming in just to share dinner even if we weren’t on the schedule to work. We got to know the Saugatuck restaurants and their staffs, like Tutti’s and Match Burger Lobster. We watched as some closed down - like Julian’s, and Parker Mansion, even Commuter Coffee where I’d enjoy breakfast before helping open the shop.
From behind the counter I met some really wonderful people - people who will remain a part of my life much longer than I would have expected any ice cream customer to be.
I’ve also met some really wonderful colleagues - colleagues who will also remain part of my life after we spent some very, very long nights scooping together. We experienced the kindness of some customers, the anger of others. We could predict the orders of people just by looking at them, we knew the orders of the local kids who arrived by bikes or kayaks just the same as the older folks who walked in with their walking canes and their own cooler bag that as ready to carry their to-go quarts home. All of those colleagues now dot the Earth - at school, at jobs, traveling or just “being.” All of them will forever be marked by the shiver they get from hearing the jingle of the bell as the door swung open, and all will forever be marked by some pretty firm forearm muscles.
On rainy days, Chris would make sure that one of us would grab the umbrella that was kept in the corner to walk customers out to their cars if they were moving a bit slower.
On hot summer days, droves of people would show up barefooted and shirtless from their boats or the beach. They’d stare into the window while we worked on their orders, bringing them outside while the salt water still dripped from their hair as the mint ice cream drops began to fall, too. Some parents just borrowed our garden hose to wash down their kids outside after particularly messy encounters with a particularly large ice cream cone on especially hot days.
One night - a group of middle schoolers came in. Customers complained about their loud voices and the space they were taking-up. They were acting like, well, middle schoolers. After a quick conversation, they turned out to be incredible - they ended up sweeping the floors as our crew worked on closing after a busy summer night; they always stopped in to say hi as they rode their bikes past the shop in the years after that.
One afternoon (one of my first ever being allowed to work alone) - a woman came in and asked if I had hot balls. Pallor took over my face and I stuttered for words. She then corrected herself, and asked if we had “Fire Balls”. I pointed to the bin of cinnamon candies, then sat myself down while trying to regain feeling in my fingers and called the owners with my story. I was laughed at, and am still laughed at, for my adolescent misunderstanding.
Another night - a woman came in and ordered a single ice cream; she usually ordered two for the several years leading up to that point. She was told that the ice cream was “on us” when she attempted to pay, and she broke down crying. She continued to come in every week after that - her single ice cream was always ready.
One afternoon - a child came in and we asked about the best and worst part of his week. He exclaimed that he had failed a math test. We took out some dry erase markers - and he, the two other ice cream scoopers, and I all practiced math problems on the ice cream case glass. He came in a few months later and was very proud of the high mark he received on his maths exam, and he continued those good grades for years afterward.
In the midst of a snowstorm, I drove down and opened up the shop on a whim - the parlor was pure magic in a snowstorm. A few police officers stopped in to chat and for a scoop, a few snowplow drivers enjoyed some hot coffee, and then 3 kids showed up with literal skis and snowboards after a long day shredding the gnar at the Birchwood Country Club hill. Everyone began to crowd into the shop as the Christmas lights alerted them to our being open. We ended up propping the door open as people came and went - snow swirling around the Christmas tree in the courtyard as kids slid on the iced over puddles.
On another evening, with a line out of the door - a mother approached me at the cash register. She handed me a jar of honey with her child’s name on it; it came from his own beehive. The child had passed away, the mother explained, and they wanted me to have some of his honey. The glass jar now sits on my desk at home.
Saugatuck Sweets was the epitome of small-town and locally-owned. Some of our first customers, who were just six years old when Chris and Al opened the store, became official employees this past summer - some of them asking every month for years “how old do I have to be to work here?” Their pictures lined the ceiling - each year they got taller and older - the pictures of the local kids remained a time capsule that will now head to Fairfield.
Some of our Saugatuck neighbors became our closest friends - we shared meals, laughs, and complaints as the neighborhood continued to evolve. We celebrated, we vented. We watched the world go by from one of the greatest spots in the world - the parlor was electric on a busy night, peaceful and calming on the coldest winter afternoons - the river and tides constantly giving us a rhythm by which we could work by. Scoop, after scoop, after scoop.
I was spoiled for having Saugatuck Sweets as a weekend job. After particularly long days - I knew I could stop in to the shop to vent to whichever staff members were there. I knew that during my busiest and hardest weeks, I would get a text message from Chris or Lisa that simply said “cookies just came out of the oven”, because they knew I was a sucker for a warm cookie. Everyone put up with my lack of attention-span, especially when I would hear the horn blow that announced the Cribari Bridge opening - and I’d run out to watch every. single. time. I spent hours and hours working on this website after the doors locked - I would sit outside at one of the tables or inside at the countertop and write and re-write until things looked just right, with shots of espresso in between to keep me going. Some days I’d take my small Boston Whaler to work instead of driving, always keeping a spare pair of shoes at the store in case I showed up damp from the drive over, almost always showing up on “Jaime Time” [late].
I was even spoiled for being able to mop the floor - when the world was turned upside down around us, I just scrubbed harder until the seemingly endless drips of ice cream came off of the small blue and white tiles and everything else didn’t matter as much. Back and forth, more hot water, back and forth. A therapy all its own.
Westport was spoiled by this landmark - a cornerstone of many childhoods, and many moments of growing up; a first job, a first ice cream, the first time allowed to go out with friends with a five dollar bill in-hand; a first date, a place to meet after a meeting, or before a meeting; a place to go to celebrate, or to console. Dozens of donations to countless PTAs, sports teams, schools, charities, and free scoops for being pregnant, wearing a helmet on your bike, or just being kind sometimes. It was simply “the place.” We might not have known your name, but we definitely knew your favorite flavor.
As we head into the final days of the holiday season: I urge all of you to support our local businesses. Make it a point to go out and spend some money at your favorites this week. Don’t wait until the news article comes out announcing their closure. These businesses support the community you live in - so go support your community; support the small guys. They don’t have corporations to fall back on when times get tough - they have us.
Thank you to everyone who helped “raise” me the past 8 years from behind the ice cream counter. An experience that has changed my life. I can only hope that the next generations of Westporters will have family-owned businesses to work for as they, too, grow up in our community.
In partnership,
Jaime Bairaktaris, Editor & Ice Cream Scooper
The neon lights turn off for the final time.
Twinkling Lights Create Downtown Glow
On Saturday night, the glowing lights from the buildings on the west bank of the Saugatuck are reflected in the near high tide. Christmas lights which adorn Main Street and Church Lane for the holiday season add to the cheery ambience for many shoppers working to finish getting gifts for Christmas as the big day nears. Downtown restaurants were also busy as Westport shoppers and visitors sometimes waited on short lines for a seat at their favorite restaurant.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge image.
Voices Midwinter Concert Brings A Capella Magic To Westport
Windborne's Music of Midwinter brought incomparable vocal harmonies to the Unitarian Universalist Voices Cafe in the latest of their exceptional concert series last night!
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Above, right, Voices Director Dave Caplin introduces Windborne to to the one hundred audience members.
The evening’s performance offered gorgeous songs from holiday times of old , brought to new life by the ensemble of Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, Lauren Breunig and Will Rowan gave Voices Cafe audiences a real treat. With voices honed by decades of experience and a deep friendship, there was an unmatched creative energy in the room last night and Windborne had the audience singing, clapping and on their feet!
Windborne delivered what NPR promised: "...the stunningly powerful Windborne sets a new bar for harmony singing today!”
Voices Cafe is a 100% volunteer run live music venue, dedicated to bringing the power of song to our local community while supporting social justice causes across the region. It is a cabaret style venue at which guest can enjoy their top-notch musical offerings while they bring their own food and libations. December 16th's concert benefited Bridgeport's Helping Hands Outreach, and its holiday toy drive.
Voices Cafe has a strong line up for 2024, starting with on Feb 3rd's concert featuring social justice troubadour Crys Matthews, called "the next generation's Woody Guthrie". This concert will benefit Trans Haven, a program of New Haven's Peer Pride.
Tickets and information is available at VoicesCafe.org.
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MoCA Westport Brings The Holiday Cheer With Evening Of Holiday And Classical Music
Thursday evening Kristen Young and Joe Bush wowed the audience with their dynamic collaboration for the second year running at MoCA Westport.
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Kristen Young graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Music in Violin Performance and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship, and from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Music in Music Management. Kristen is the Director of Performing Arts at MoCA where she heads the Music at MoCA Concert Series and the Heida Hermanns International Music Competition. She also teaches violin at the Westport School of Music and plays in the American Chamber Orchestra.
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Joseph Bush is a graduate of the University of Connecticut (UCONN) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music under the tutelage of Irma Vallecillo. He received his masters in piano performance from Indiana University studying under Alexander Toradze. Joe has played in numerous venues over many diverse genres. After graduating he has been the artist in residence at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh New York. Since being there, he has revived and developed their choral program to include 20+ members.Joe makes his living teaching privately, maintaining a studio of over 50+ students. He also accompanies all over Fairfield County and the greater New York area.
Concert Guests Also Enjoyed The New Exhibit Of Artist Purvis Young
While waiting for Kristen Young and Joseph Bush to take the stage, visitors on Saturday night viewed the current exhibition, “This Is The Life I See” by acclaimed artist Purvis Young whose work appears in these photographs.
Purvis Young (1943 – 2010) was an entirely self-taught artist who dealt with the plight of the underprivileged and the consequences of racism and daily violence through a highly distinctive visual style. Young lived his entire life in the Miami, FL neighborhood of Overtown, once an entertainment destination as well as a designated black neighborhood in the segregated South.
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Young created thousands of works that featured a mixture of painting and drawing with collaged elements, utilizing everyday discarded found objects such as scrap lumber and plywood. Some are large and some are small. Some are landscapes. Some are portraits. Some have figures, people. Some of these people have bodies. Some of these people have eyes. Some have both, some have neither.
Young’s work radiates rawness. His paintings indulge in color and shape. They are riddled with unrest and animation. They are intensely prolific. Ultimately, Young’s work is a dialogue of binaries. Freedom versus struggle. White versus black. Country versus city. Movement versus confinement. History versus contemporary. Truth versus deceit. Rich versus poor.
Visit Soon! The exhibit runs through December 29th. For more information visit: mocawestport.org/exhibitions
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Pequot Library Hosts Annual Menorah Lighting For Westport & Fairfield Communities
On Tuesday the Jewish communities of Westport and Fairfield joined for a Menorah lighting at the Pequot Library in Southport. The site has been chosen in the last few years as it is the midway point for the two communities. The event on the sixth night of Chanukah was organized by the Westport Chabad, Rabbi Yehudi Kantor and Rabbi Shame Landa of Fairfield Chabad. While waiting for the lighting ceremony to begin lighting the six candles, guests enjoyed treats such as delicious donuts.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The memorable event began with a multiple car parade which had lighted menorahs mounted on the roofs and which was facilitated by the Westport and Fairfield police departments.
The exciting festivities were quite the Chanukah celebration, the sonic background for which was provided by DJ Marv exciting the close to 100 guests by spinning a curated soundtrack that resonated with the spirit of Chanukah. The playlist featured electrifying remixes, including hits like "Candlelight" by the Maccabeats, a parody which told the story of Chanukah in a unique and clever way to the tune of the Taio Cruz hit, “Dynamite” The track included lyrics like “I flip my latkes in the air sometimes, sayin' ay oh spin the dreidel.” He presented a soulful "Hanukkah Song Mashup" by Elliot Dvorin and the Key Tov Orchestra and other crowd favorites.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The finale after the lighting was provided by Lady Blaze, a fire spinner and fire dancer for more than 20 years, who put on an amazing show with a dazzling display of skill and precision with multiple flaming props including a burning hula hoop.
Rabbi Kantor included in his remarks that “Chanukah is the Holiday of Lights with a strong message of hope over despair, triumph of good over evil and the empowerment of everyone to make a difference in this world.”
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.