Month: November 2015

The World on Stage, part of the Namaskaar Foundation has planned an exciting beginning to their 2015 – 2016 season. In November they are presenting a duo of two culturally exciting events.

On November 17 from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. a show called Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers takes center stage. This concert invites you to explore the lush and exotic land that is India! The Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India present The Spirit of India, a new step toward a bold vision in Indian live music and dance being presented to the world for the first time. Rahis Bharti, one of India’s greatest musical figures, and the Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers will guide you on a lively musical journey from Rajasthan to Mumbai.

The second performance is by PACO PENA & Flamenco Dancers on November 18 from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. It is intense, passionate and wild with a constant threat of losing control, barely held back by a strict rhythmic structure. It is Flamenco, the signature musical style of Spain. Paco Pena, Flamenco, showcases this mesmerizing musical genre whose history is mysterious and debated, yet undeniably powerful and timeless. With a highly impressive record of playing venues throughout the world and captivating international audiences, Paco Peña and his dancers promises a fiery displays, stunning precision and boundless passion ones more on our stage at Palace Theatre in Stamford.

Buy now online at www.palacestamford.org

The Glass House, once the home of architect Philip Johnson was built between 1949 and 1955 and is a National Trust Historic Site located in New Canaan, Connecticut. The pastoral 49-acre landscape comprises fourteen structures, including the Glass House (1949), and features a permanent collection of 20th-century painting and sculpture, along with temporary exhibitions. Tours of the site are available in May through November and advance reservations are recommended.

A special exhibition running through November 30 called Night (1947-2015) has been guest curated by Jordan Stein. The exhibition is predicated on a statue that was never returned to The Glass House. Sometime in the mid-1960’s, a rail-thin white plaster sculpture called Night (1947), by Alberto Giacometti, walked away from the Glass House and never came back.

One of very few artworks ever displayed in the Glass House, Night’s rawboned figure was granted pride of place atop the Mies van der Rohe glass coffee table. Over time, the sculpture began to shed its outer layer and was eventually sent to the artist’s studio for repairs. But Giacometti died before the work was restored and the sculpture never returned. Neither repaired nor replaced, its absence still lingers; a Modern ghost.

In place of a traditional artist-in-residence program, Night (1947 – 2015) is instead a sculpture-in-residence program; an unfolding sculptural exhibition held in the same spot where Giacometti’s Night once stood. A series of contemporary artists will contribute works that contend with the legacy of Giacometti’s sculpture and Johnson’s architectural opus. On display for three to six months at a time, the sculptures in Night (1947 – 2015) will “disappear” after their run, making room for new work and new absences.

Although world-class painting and sculpture populate Johnson’s property, Night (1947 – 2015) is the first formal art exhibition to be held on-site. The slowly unfolding exhibition places Johnson’s collection in dialogue with contemporary sculptural practice while positioning the architecture itself – long a site of critical discourse – as both backdrop and collaborator.

Night (1947 – 2015) is primarily comprised of never-before-seen works by a number of mid-career and established artists. Special attention will be paid to artists who grapple with themes raised by Giacometti’s vanished Night — themes that largely work in contrast to those of Johnson’s transparent temple. Works will explore unreliability, looping, curving, transparency, reflectivity, and doubt. Additionally, works will have a significant relationship to architecture and design.

For more information http://theglasshouse.org.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com
photo by Robin Hill (c)

The Litchfield History Museum is hosting a lecture on the history of Connecticut beer making on November 19 at 7 p.m. at the Litchfield History Museum located on the corner of Rte. 63 south and West Street in Litchfield.

The history of the frothy beverage in Connecticut dates back to early colonists, who used it to quench their thirst in the absence of clean drinking water. Over the next two centuries,the number of breweries rose and then declined, especially after Prohibition.

It was not until the 1980s that home brewers brought this vital Nutmeg State tradition back to life. Join Will Siss, author and Connecticut Beer Snob, as he discusses his new book about the history of brewing in the Nutmeg State.

The craft beer craze sweeping the country has taken firm hold in Western Connecticut, where half a dozen micro breweries offer unique tastes on tap as well as the chance to sample and tour their one-of-a-kind facilities. Beer aficionados will discover many creative new combinations as young brewers experiment with intriguing ingredients.

Some of these beer makers have lost no time being recognized. Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford was included in Boston Magazine’s “21 Top Breweries in New England and” O.E.C. Brewing in Oxford was Connecticut Magazine’s 2015 pick as best in the state.

Meeting the brewers is part of the fun of a visit as their backgrounds and goals are as unique as their products. Contact each property for current tasting and tour times.

Oxford Scholars
OEC stands for the Latin phrase, Orinen Ecentrici Coctores, loosely translated as The Eccentric Brewers Influenced by the lost brewing traditions of Northern Germany and Belgium, this Oxford brewery does not filter or pasteurize any of their ales. The award-winning results include a number of sour beers and unusual brews such as Albus, a historic interpretation of a white ale and Arcanum, modeled after an extinct German style ale. 203-502-9768, www.oecbrewing.com

Black Hog Brewery, another Oxford operation, just opened for business in July, 2014 but their popular brews can already be found in neighboring Rhode Island and New York… Veteran Brewmaster Tyler Jones honed his skills at Smuttynose and the Portsmouth Brewery in New Hampshire and Mercury Brewing in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Beer choices include. Ginga’ Ninja, a Red India Pale Ale brewed with ginger; Granola Brown Ale, brewed with oatmeal; S.W.A.G., a Summer Wheat Ale made with grapefruit peel; and Nitro Coffee Milk Stout. 203-262-6075, blackhogbrewing.com/

Young proprietors who have realized a dream with their breweries hope to inspire others to their own fulfillment. Conor Horrigan, founder of Stamford’s Half Full Brewery is a former Wall Street executive who put in four years of study and fund raising before the brewery’s first beers were poured on August 7, 2012. The name tells everyone his philosophy that a positive outlook can make for a more rewarding life.

Half Full produces a variety of ales including seasonal flavors such as pumpkin ale for fall and Winter White., 203-658-3631, halffullbrewery.com

“Get Lit” the slogan at Firefly Hollow Brewing in Bristol refers to ideas not imbibing. The owners say. “We are a conglomerate of creative minds who believe we can make the world a better place by providing an atmosphere and a product conducive to creative expression.” Firefly is in the midst of an expansion that will double its production. Among its popular brews on tap are Toadstool Oat Stout-, Moonrise Amber and Penumbra Cream Ale., 860-845-8977, www.fireflybrewing.com

Luck of the Irish
Shebeen Brewing in Wolcott takes its playful name from an Irish Gaelic word meaning “illegal brewhouse. “ Rich Visco the co-founder hails from Derry, Northern Ireland. The mural in the Tasting Room depicts his drinking adventures in Galway. Along with its signature Irish Pale Ale, the brewery creates unusual combinations like their Cannoli Beer and CucumberWasabi along with seasonals such as Pumpkin Scotch and Concord Grape Saison., 203-514-2336. shebeenbrewing.com

From Pabst to Pints

Brad Hittle, a former Pabst marketing executive, and brew master Phil Markowski head the team of Stratford’s award-winning Two Roads Brewery. Founded in 2012, Two Roads is known for its wide range and creative names such as Road 2 Ruin, “a temptingly hoppy ale,” and Unorthodox, a Russian Imperial stout aged in Aquavit barrels. The experimental Road Less Traveled Series includes Philsamic, a sour beer made with aged balsamic vinegar. 203-335-2010. http://tworoadsbrewing.com.

Down on the Farm
Kent Falls Brewing Company, one of the newer operations, is one of the few farm-based breweries. The owners are producing farmhouse ale in Kent by growing their own hops, drawing water from their own well and sourcing local grains and ingredients. They plan to open their tasting room in the spring of 2016. 860-398-9645, kentfallsbrewing.com

For information about lodging, dining and other activities in the area and a free copy of UNWIND, a full-color, 152-page booklet detailing what to do and see, and where to stay, shop and dine throughout Fairfield County and the Litchfield Hills of Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit their web site at www.visitwesternct.com