VersoFest 2025 Draws Thousands To The Westport Library For Music, Media and Creativity
The Trefz Forum at the Westport Library once again hosted VersoFest, a four day festival devoted to music and the arts, the library's annual gift to the community. About 3,500 people took part from Thursday when rock star Patti Smith was in conversation with journalist Alisyn Camerota, with Smith’s opening remarks which included, saying, “I’m a big, big fan of libraries, and I’m so happy to be here” to Sunday, when Paul Shaffer, music icon and music director for the David Letterman show spoke with local legend Christine Ohlman.
On Friday, abut 700 attendees came to enjoy a concert with Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers followed by a panel discussion featuring the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run album which launched the career of one of America’s greatest rock stars and a seminal figure in the genre of heartland rock, known for his ability to fuse commercially successful rock music with deeply resonant, poetic lyrics that capture the essence of working-class American life.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
On April 6th, the last day of the VersoFest weekend, hundreds attended to hear an interview of Paul Shaffer, long time music director for the David Letterman show and was, music director for Saturday Night Live for five years. Here, he is being interviewed by Christine Ohlman A.K.A. the Beehive Queen who has made numerous appearances on SNL and performs regularly at The Westport Library.
Ohlman and Shaffer provided the packed house with a very informative discussion with Shaffer telling countless stories on his amazing, more than 50 year career on the national stage where he has established himself as a significant presence in the music industry. They discussed his role as music director for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which he took on in 1986 and he provided a fascinating insight into his relationships with some of the music industry's biggest stars. At the end of the event, the duo took to the stage treating the audience to several musical selections.
During the discussion, images of his storied career were projected on The Trefz Forum’s 18-foot video wall, complemented by its state-of-the-art sound system. The conversation delved into many memorable performances, including his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame productions featuring superstars like The Mamas and The Papas, The Righteous Brothers and others, offering the audience a "backstage access" experience and insights into decades of music history. Notable visuals included Shaffer alongside his Letterman house band, “The World’s Most Dangerous Band,” as well as his early work with fellow SNL music director G.E. Smith. The presentation also highlighted his annual performance with the iconic Darlene Love, showcasing her classic, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," which was co-written with the renowned Phil Spector.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Nearly 300 audience members listened attentively as Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman engaged in a captivating conversation with Paul Shaffer, delving into the myriad stories from his more than half-century career in music. Shaffer, who began playing piano at the tender age of six in his hometown of Fort William—now known as Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada—shared anecdotes that highlighted his remarkable journey through the music industry. The afternoon was a celebration of his experiences, showcasing not only his talent but also the evolution of musical genres and the significant moments that shaped his illustrious path.
The audience cheered and applauded at several moments in the lively discussion, as clips showcasing a variety of their favorite performers from the last half-century were played on the screen. Each segment not only ignited nostalgia but also highlighted the enduring impact these artists have had on the entertainment landscape. The reflections prompted laughter and admiration, drawing the crowd into a shared celebration of beloved talent. The atmosphere was electric, with audience members visibly engaged, exchanging knowing glances and smiles as they relived cherished memories alongside the panelists.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Saturday started off with a panel discussing all things Springsteen, celebrating his iconic album, Born To Run
Library Executive Director Bill Harmer beginning the discussion by introducing panelists who provided an in-depth look at Bruce’s career and “Born To Run at 50”
The panel discussion was hosted by Arlen Schumer (above, far right podium), author, pop culture historian, and the art director of Thunder Road, the first magazine dedicated to Springsteen’s life and music. Dick Wingate (standing, far left) is a former music industry senior executive and current Verso Studios advisory board member who, while at Columbia Records, product managed Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town.
Seated (left to right) was Michael Pillot, former Columbia Records promotions director, Robert Santelli, executive director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, Mike Appel, Springsteen’s first manager and the co-producer of Born to Run who appears on the screen in his earlier years and Kenneth Womack, music historian and co-author of 2024 Rutgers University Press book, Bruce Songs.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The panel discussed, among many topics, the rise of Springsteen’s career from playing small clubs at the Jersey shore to his 1973 debut albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle. They noted, that espite receiving positive reviews from critics, these records did not capture a large audience. However, this changed significantly with the release of Born to Run in 1975, which catapulted him to international fame. Following this breakthrough, Springsteen continued to refine his sound, unveiling Darkness on the Edge of Town in 1978 and The River in 1980, the latter marking his first album to reach the top of the Billboard 200 chart. These works solidified his position in rock music and showcased his evolving artistry.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The audience was fascinated as the members of the panel gave exceptional insight into Bruce Springsteen's 50+ year career, with each panelist opining upon a multitude of interactions with "The Boss." From personal anecdotes about backstage moments to reflections on Springsteen's lyrical depth and social impact, the discussions highlighted the enduring legacy of one of rock music's most iconic figures. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, illustrating how Springsteen's influence spans generations and resonates on both personal and cultural levels. The stories shared not only celebrated his artistry but also illuminated the profound connections he has forged with fans and fellow musicians alike.
One audience member was Professor Marilisa Merolla (above, 3rd from left) who is a Springsteen scholar visiting from Italy who teaches a course on the artist , “Bruce Springsteen As History” at New York’s New School College Of Performing arts.
VersoFest 2025 will conclude on Friday, April 18, the seminal post-punk band Gang of Four will be launching their farewell tour at the Library. The show starts at 7:30 pm, with doors opening at 6:30 pm. Prior to the concert, a book talk will take place at 1:00 pm featuring Gang of Four vocalist Jon King in conversation with Chris Frantz, the drummer of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. The discussion will center around King’s new book, To Hell with Poverty! A Class Act: Inside the Gang of Four, offering insights into the band’s influential career and the socio-political themes that defined their music.
Hands Off! Westport Protest Draws 1,500 People Or More
An crowd estimated by Westport Police to be 1500 people or more was the largest for a protest since the Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd. The crowd along the Post Road stretched from Main Street to near the end of the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial bridge on Saturday as Westport joined an estimated 1200, or possibly more towns and cities all across America in protest against the actions of Trump, Musk and DOGE in recent weeks.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Those who joined the protest rally spanned several generations, from a young woman proudly representing her generation to a 90-Something Veteran who showed up in his wheelchair. David Osborn, a Marine dive-bomber pilot who fought in World War 2 braved the cold day to make his voice heard.
No matter where one might stand on the issues, we have to agree that Westporters are very creative when it comes to creating signs. This artistic HANDS OFF banner took hours of work and addressed many of the issues protestors were there to bring to the collective attention, and was proudly signed by "Paula".
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Protests nationwide were organized through the Hands Off and Mobilize websites, with some taking place overseas as well. Locally, activist Bean Corcoran who has been organizing weekly protests on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen bridge which have taken place for the last several weeks. Each group aims to address critical issues spanning a wide array of societal needs, such as significant reductions to the federal workforce and the slashing of funds for essential programs that support individuals from major cities to small towns. Environmental advocacy is central to their mission, as is the protection of reproductive rights and LGBTQ rights. These groups rally participants to unite their voices, emphasizing the importance of collective action in the pursuit of meaningful change. By focusing on these vital issues, they seek to build a more equitable and just society, ensuring that the concerns of marginalized communities are heard and prioritized in national discussions.
Traffic slowly crept along the Post Road as drivers honked horns, yelled and waved in support of the protestors, with many coming prepared, displaying signs of their own.
One of the issues of great concern was the impression that the administration is leaning toward facism, seeming to ignore sort orders, demanding that government employees either display complete fealty to Trump and programs many find appalling or risk losing their jobs. High ranking officials in civilian government and in the military have been fired for insufficient loyalty. DOGE has fired thousands, only to find they were needed and had to be re-hired.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
It is clear that Westporters joined millions of Americans on April 5th, with reports indicating that crowds reached tens of thousands at numerous events across the country. In Boston, organizers had initially estimated 25,000 participants for a rally near Government Center, but the turnout vastly exceeded expectations, with estimates ranging close to 100,000. The crowd was so large that it spread to nearby Boston Commons. Similarly, in New York City, tens of thousands marched up 5th Avenue in Manhattan, making their way between Madison Square and Bryant Parks. This widespread participation reflects a significant mobilization of civic engagement, resonating strongly along with local communities like Westport. In Detroit, Americans on one side of the Detroit River expressed solidarity with Canadians across the border, with protestors on each side showing the support for Canadian-American relations which have suffered under the current political climate.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
One protestor, Xavier Cronin brought guitar and with his friend holding a small amplifier, played songs including John Lennon’s imagine, a fitting soundtrack for the day’s event.
The diversity of protestors was clearly indicative of the broad swath of Westporters and Americans writ large who want to make their voices heard in opposition to actions they view as a threat to democracy and freedom to hold views contrary to those of the current administration.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
There was a very visible police presence with officers from Fairfield joining Westport PD and police cruisers blocking portions of the area roads. At left, Westport command staff including Chief Foti Koskinas kept a watchful eye on the demonstration. Below, Corporal Jimmy Loomer, Westport PD K-9 officer assists demonstrators moving about the protest.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Hands Off! Mass Mobilization Rally Saturday In Westport May Draw Hundreds
The Westport location of the nationwide Hands Off! movement will take place on Saturday, April 5th at 11:30 AM on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Memorial Bridge in downtown Westport, where rallies have been held for several weeks now to protest recent actions by Trump and Musk which many feel are out of control, from mass layoffs of government workers to program killing cuts to programs ranging from health services to the arts.
Above right, State Senator Ceci Maher who represents Westport and surrounding towns standing (left) with former State Senator Will Haskell at a recent rally on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen bridge. Photo By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com
National news outlets have reported that up to 1,000 rallies will be held from small towns to major cites like NYC and Washington. Registrations have been ongoing for a few weeks on sites like Mobilize.US HandsOff where additional information can be found.
Local activist Bean Corcoran, who has organized rallies at the bridge recently told WestportLocalPress there have been more than 850 registered to attend and she has raised the capacity to 1,000, but possible rain may curb attendance, although the day will be mild with temps nearing 50º.
State Senator Ceci Maher issued a press release yesterday on cancellation of grants to CT organizations including one to the Weston Historical Society. Maher's office said, " Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) issued the following statement in response to the cancellation of a $25,000 federal grant committed to the Weston Historical Society in December by Elon Musk's DOGE this week, part of a larger $3 million cancellation of grants awarded and then rescinded across Connecticut by that body", adding, "The $25,000 was meant to support "Weston at Work," a permanent exhibit in town that would focus on Weston's industrial history and marginalized groups in its history."
It seems no dollar figure is too small to escape DOGE cuts, which have been widely criticized and have prompted a nationwide backlash.
A comprehensive report on these activities appears on Spectrum News 1.
Y's Men Of Westport/Weston Host Congressman Jim Himes Town Hall
The Y's Men of Westport-Weston an organization of more than 500 retired and semi retired men from the greater Westport area which has hosted events featuring important figures in the state, ranging from Governor Ned Lamont to UCONN Women's Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma, hosted Congressman Jim Himes on on Thursday morning.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A capacity crowd at Saugatuck Congregational await the start of the town hall event with Congressman Jim Himes.
Himes, who has represented the 4th Congressional District since 2009, recently appeared at a special town hall meeting that followed the group's weekly gathering at Saugatuck Congregational Church's Hoskins Hall. The venue was filled to capacity, with standing room only for the approximately 200 audience members who were eager to hear Congressman Himes' insightful views on a variety of pressing issues currently facing the nation. This interest comes at a particularly turbulent time on the national stage, largely due to a multitude of actions being undertaken by the Trump administration, as well as the notable activities surrounding figures such as Elon Musk and the so-called DOGE initiative which Musk either is or is not directing, depending on whom you ask and when.
The Congressman began by addressing the issue of tariffs, emphasizing that the impending tariffs set to take effect in April could have significant economic repercussions. He clarified a common misconception that countries of origin are responsible for paying these tariffs; in reality, it is the importer and ultimately the consumer who will absorb the costs, likely leading to inflationary pressures. He then shifted focus to the evolving international landscape, criticizing the current administration's apparent pivot away from traditional allies and its stance on supporting Ukraine, suggesting a concerning alignment with autocratic leaders such as Putin. While he expressed discontent with certain positions taken by both the Trump and Biden administrations, his comments highlighted a broader unease regarding the United States' foreign policy direction.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Prior to the start of the event audience members rose and were led in the Pledge Of Allegiance.
Opening remarks were given by Y's Men including (l. to r.), former President John Brandt, current President E.Bruce Borner, Carleen Walker, wife of Y’s Men's Bob Walker, Ron Holz and Westport former First Selectman Jim Marpe, who introduced the Congressman.
The Congressman thoughtfully opined upon the ongoing and complex Israel-Gaza situation, and he spoke at some length about the crucial balance of power that exists between the three branches of government, which he expressed as a matter of great concern. He highlighted the challenges that the current administration clearly faces, particularly with its apparent disregard for the courts as evidenced by recent ongoing legal cases. He articulated his worry that the administration may indeed choose to overlook court rulings that could potentially interfere with their broader agenda. In making his point, he mentioned President Andrew Jackson, who famously disregarded the Supreme Court ruling in Worcester v. Georgia, and who reportedly said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it," a response that many historians consider likely apocryphal. He added that while there is not currently a constitutional crisis, one could be on the horizon, emphasizing that he adamantly believes, "we cannot allow ourselves to slip into a country where the laws and the rules only apply to the other side." Furthermore, he demonstrated an even-handed viewpoint as he discussed his controversial sanction of Congressman Al Green for his outburst during Trump’s joint congressional address, which, notably, drew strong condemnation from many of his Democratic colleagues both in the House and in the Senate.
Following his remarks which drew loud applause, Himes responded to questions from several audience members, beginning with the impact of the new administration's restructuring of the intelligence community. He addressed the concerns surrounding the "Five Eyes" alliance, composed of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Himes emphasized the importance of maintaining strong partnerships and aligning intelligence-sharing protocols to ensure collective security. He acknowledged that any changes in the intelligence framework could raise valid apprehensions among allies, but he expressed confidence that collaborative efforts would continue to adapt to evolving global threats.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Other questions included his perspective on Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer's recent vote concerning the recently passed budget resolution, which has garnered significant attention. He elaborated on the notable shortcomings associated with DOGE, as well as his views on Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard and their potential negative impact on the security posture of The United States. These discussions were specifically related to their actions, particularly in context with the Department of Energy and the Veterans Affairs Department—issues that were of special concern to the multiple veterans present in the audience.
The full 50 minute video of this important town hall is available on the Y's Men Of Westport/Weston Vimeo Channel: Jim Himes Town Hall