Month: January 2015

Once again, on January 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk located on 10 North Water Street is hosting one of the one of the largest consumer-oriented chocolate events in the United States. Chocoholics will have the opportunity to sample chocolates from 30+ vendors that will offer FREE tastings and sales of their products. They’ll be set up throughout the Aquarium’s galleries.

This event is for people that are serious about chocolate and unique specialty foods. It has been suggested that you think of the chocolate tastings in the way you might think of a wine tasting at a winery: you get a small sample to try and you often get to talk with the person who made the product. If you like what you’ve tasted, you can purchase that product directly at the show for yourself or to give as gifts.

Expo/Aquarium visitors will find not only traditional and gourmet chocolates, but also unique offerings like chocolate tarts, chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate balsamic dressing, chocolate-covered bacon and even chocolate-scented bath soaps. But Chocolate Expo isn’t entirely about chocolate. Vendors also will present baked goods, specialty foods and even fine soaps and bath products.

The Maritime Aquarium exhibits will be open on Jan. 25 – and will stay open two hours longer than normal: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please note that our new “Jiggle a Jelly” jellyfish touch adventure will not be open on Sun., Jan. 25 during Chocolate Expo because of the crowds expected. Jiggle a Jelly will be open Saturday, Jan. 25, and weekends and holidays and school vacation weeks after Chocolate Expo.
Admission to this event is $15 for adults and $10 children ages 3-12. These are discounted admissions that include chocolate, the aquarium and free chocolate samples.

For more information visit http://www.maritimeaquarium.org. For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

World War I marked the beginning of modern nation states, modern warfare technology and the emergence of the United States as an international power. Commemorating the centennial of the 1914 onset of that shattering event in Europe, the Greenwich Historical Society will launch a multi-faceted project beginning with an exhibition mounted in the Storehouse.

Compelling images, artifacts and documents will illustrate the diverse experiences of military personnel, volunteers, and civilians alike. For the first time in the Storehouse Gallery, touch-screen technology will be used to enhance the visitor experience through supplementary shared audio and visual resources including personal remembrances, photographs, newspaper reports, wartime letters, popular songs and more.

The project will also include a special tour and temporary installation in Bush-Holley House demonstrating how Greenwich inhabitants supported the war effort at home, along with a World War I-period, patriotic home vegetable garden (on view during the 2014 growing season). Online resources for educators and students and a menu of public events featuring lectures, workshops, and performances will round out the program.

From the discourse preceding the war to the actions and influence of its citizens once engaged, Greenwich provides rich material and multiple perspectives on a conflict that to this day influences international politics and continues to shape history.

The exhibition hours are noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free to members and $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors. Admission is free the first Wednesday of each month. For more information visit http://greenwichhistory.org. For area information and more events on Fairfield County www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Pequot Library’s Mid-Winter Book Sale is the little sister of the Library’s nationally known Summer Book Sale. The Mid-Winter Sale is smaller but more intimate with many treasures and bargains to be found. The sale runs from Saturday, January 17 – 18, 2015, from 9:00am – 5:00pm daily.

As the result of a mammoth donation, this sale will feature vinyl in outstanding condition, particularly in the Jazz and Classical categories. There are some sealed albums and many in pristine condition. Jazz includes albums from Verve, Jazzology, Citi, and Blue note, and Classical albums are ninety percent European imports. As always, there is plenty of Rock and Roll and other genres. The base price for albums remains highly affordable!

Two rare performances by former Paul Butterfield Blues Band keyboard player Mark Naftalin & Friends will be scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday. Mark Naftalin will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, in 2015. Naftalin, is known as one of the best blues piano players anywhere. He will hand-pick other equally renowned musicians to play acoustic music during the book sale. Go to pequotlibrary.org for confirmed times and performers.

Admission to the book sale is free and all Sale proceeds help fund Pequot Library’s over 500 annual programs, serving 30,000 participants of all ages. Categories include: Fiction; Classics; Mystery; Biography; History; Cookbooks, including Americana regional cookbooks; LP Records including Vocal, Stage and Screen, and World; CDs, DVDs, other Media; Comics 1970s – 1990s; and Connecticut/New England books.

If snow or weather-related conditions cause the Library to be closed on Saturday or Sunday, the book sale will resume on Monday, January 19th.

Please visit www.pequotlibrary.org to learn more about this vibrant library, educational, arts and cultural institution.

Pequot Library’s Mid-Winter Book Sale takes place Saturday, January 17 – Sunday, January 18, 2015, runs from 9:00am – 5:00pm daily. Held in Pequot Library’s Auditorium/Concert Hall with free admission, the sale is open to the public. All Sale proceeds help fund Pequot Library’s over 375 annual programs and events for all ages.

Pequot’s annual Mid-Winter Book Sale is the little sister of Pequot Library’s nationally known Summer Book Sale, which is considered, “The best book sale in New England.” The Mid-Winter Sale is smaller but more intimate with many treasures and bargains to be had, including the two new categories added, Cookbooks and Classics.

When asked why, two long-time book sale volunteers responded, “Cookbooks do well and people want different categories. We listen to the public’s requests; there have been requests for cookbooks at the Mid-Winter Book Sale, plus more classics.” In addition to the fiction category which is the highlight of the Mid-Winter Book Sale, there will be: Hundreds of hand-picked LP records; Vintage paperbacks; Audio books, CDs, DVDs; Children’s books; Biography; History; Books celebrating Town of Fairfield; Large collection of comic books, 1970s – 1990s; Magazines; Cookbooks; and Classics.

Please visit www.pequotlibrary.org to learn more about this vibrant library, educational, arts and cultural institution. All classes and programs are open to everyone. For information: (203) 259-0346 ext. 15.

The Westport Arts Center located on 51 Riverside Ave. is once again hosting a series of jazz concerts in January, February and March.

The new year kicks off with the sounds of Brazilian Samba and Bossa Nova as performed by Ali Ryderson and Joe Carter on January 11 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jazz flutist Ali Ryerson teams up with longtime duo partner, guitarist Joe Carter, along with bassist David Finck and Brazilian percussionist Ze Mauricio, to perform an exciting program of Brazilian favorites from master composers Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luiz Bonfa, Carlos Lyra and more. Admission is $30.

On February 1 from 3 pm to 5 pm, the Westport Arts Center is hosting a “Jazz Jam.” Admission: $15.00 WAC Members and $30 for non-members. Guests are invited to join the Center’s Artistic Director Brian Torff, for a free-wheeling jam session with some of the community’s most active musicians. The sessions are intended to be a spontaneous exploration of Jazz, Blues, and other music styles. The Center encourages students and semi-professionals to drop in and jam for free!

On March 22, the Center is hosting the Hartford Jazz Orchestra at the Pequot Library on 270 Pequot Ave. in Southport from 3 pm – 5 pm. The Hartford Jazz Orchestra will perform songs from the great American songbook with vocalist Nicole Pasternack. Since it’s inception in 1965, the Hartford Jazz Orchestra has performed concerts with the Woody Herman, Stan Kenton band along with joint appearances with jazz greats Zoot Sims and Clark Terry. Among its notable band members was Chic Cicchetti, who joined them as a trombone player and later rose to lead the HJO. Admission is $30 for non members and $25 for members of WAC.

For more information and to register http://westportartscenter.org/programs/jazz/