Spring Shows at Fairfield Theatre Company’s Stage One

The Fairfield Theatre Company located on 70 Sanford Street in Fairfield has just announced a series of concerts in their award winning intimate 225 seat theatre that is consistently noted as the best caliber of the artists.

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If you like the blues, don’t miss the show on Saturday, March 21 with Roomful of Blues. This band is a tour de force of horn-fired blues. So tight, and so right: a masterful combination of jumping, horn-heavy, hard-edged blues, and R&B. Since ’67, the group’s deeply rooted blend of swing, rock ‘n’ roll, jump, blues and soul has earned it a slew of accolades. But you really don’t need to know their history to join in the fun. If knowing they have earned five Grammy Award nominations, and seven Blues Music Awards gives them credibility for you, so be it.

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For a change of pace, on March 29 the Pine Hill Project takes center stage. Pine Hill Project is the reunion of Richard Schindell and Lucy Kaplansky with special guest Larry Campbell. Their work together in the folk revival supergroup Cry Cry Cry represents a turning point in American folk music, and in their separate careers they have helped to broaden the definition of folk.

Each writer brings their own unique view to the project; Schindell, his esoteric story telling, and Kaplansky, her unique outlook on life. Schindell’s work is hallmarked by the unlikely heroes that he depicts. Kaplansky left behind a career in clinical psychology in order to pursue songwriting, and has been a vital voice ever since.
The April 8 headliner is Lee Dewyze. There is a special VIP package that includes a Pre-Show Meet & Greet and Acoustic

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Dewyze is a cross between Cat Stevens and Paul Simon, and has certainly broken the mold of American Idol winners.
With his rough-hewn voice and laid-back Midwestern charm, DeWyze won over millions of viewers as a contestant and eventual winner of the 2010 season of American Idol. There’s an easy-going sprit on his major-label debut Live It Up — a breezy blend of rootsy pop, rock, and folk, anchored by DeWyze’s soulful, husky voice and bright-sounding acoustic guitar.

For ticket information visit http://fairfieldtheatre.org. For more event information on Fairfield County visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

From bonnets and bell bottoms to Victorian blocks

This spring the Newtown Historical Society has organized a series of events sure to please the entire family. Events will take place at the historic Matthew Curtiss House located on 44 Main Street in Newtown, just down the street from the iconic giant flagpole.

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On March 9 at 7:30 pm., the C.H. Booth Library Karen Karen DePauw, a Research & Collections Associate at the CT Historical Society, will help you recall the clothing of your ancestors, your parents, and your own fashion choices as she takes you on this trip through over 100 years of fashion. You can even contribute to the discussion by bringing a favorite garment and sharing your memories.

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For a change of pace, the Society is offering an open house and colonial dancing at the Matthew Curtiss House from 12 noon to 4 pm on March 15. Guests will be invited to join Patricia Campbell, a Dance Caller, who will be accompanied by Fran Hendrickson on keyboards. They will conduct three sessions that will include an introduction and instruction. Each session lasts 45 minutes and is limited to 20 participants. This event is free, but registration is required by e-mailing bkwilsonhistory@yahoo.com. Please indicate which session you would like to attend (12:30, 1:30, or 2:30). This activity is appropriate for ages 8 and up.

Block Building

On April 26 from 12 noon to 4 pm the Historical Society will host an open house and Victorian block building event at the Matthews Curtiss House. If you have ever wondered what children used before Legos this event is for you. Join the Society’s staff for a fun filled afternoon of block building Victorian style. The society has recently acquired a set of Richter Stone Blocks which in its day rivaled Lego Building Blocks, complete with starter kits, supplemental sets, and instructions on how to build certain models within a series.

For more information on the Newtown Historical Society visit http://www.newtownhistory.org and for area information visit www.litchfieldhills.com

Spring into Cooking Classes at The Silo

The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm Trust located on 44 Upland Road in New Milford Connecticut is offering up a series of cooking classes in March featuring a wide variety of food offerings. On Sunday, March 15 for example from 11 a.m. 2 p.m. join Nancy Stuart for “Green Eggs and Ham” for ages 6 to 13 ushers in St. Patty’s day and celebrates Dr. Suess’ birthday. Kids will make an assortment of items and get recipes to take home for the family. Full participation. $45 per person.

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Tuscan Holiday zings into Spring on March 21 from 6 to 9:30 pm with Chef Daniel Rosati. The menu will include: Warm Spinach Pesto Crostini with Creamy Fontina; Tuscan Leek Soup; Tuscan Pork Tenderloins “Porchetta” Style; Sweet & Savory Marinated Artichoke Hearts; and Chocolate Hazelnut Zuccotto Cake. This class offers full participation and is $90 per person.

If you like brunch, don’t miss the Sunday Brunch Classic class on March 29 from 6 to 9 pm with Chef Daniel Rosati. The brunch menu will include: Chunky Apple Cinnamon Muffins; Parmesan Herb Scones; Vermont Cheddar & Sausage Savory Bread Pudding; Asparagus & Herb Miniature Frittatas; Smoked & Fresh Salmon Hash; Classic Pecan Sticky Buns. This class offers full participation and is $90 per person.

On April 25 the Silo is hosting a special class based on the Titianic with Chef Catherine Titus Felix, CCP. This is a classic dinner that you can share with your friends and family. The Titanic – It’s the story that continues to fascinate the world. April 14 marks the anniversary when “the large luxurious ship carrying many of the wealthiest people on the globe met its doom. “The story of the Titanic isn’t just about the mysterious circumstances of the sinking, or the tragedy and loss of life. Much of our fascination with Titanic is in the details. It’s a look back at how the Edwardian-era passengers lived, dressed and of course, how they ate.” This multi-course feast, with champagne and wine, will allow you to take a journey back in time to an Edwardian world of strict class distinctions, obsession with etiquette and fashion and the era’s love of fine food. This is a demonstration class. and is $100 per person.

For more information and to register visit http://www.hunthillfarmtrust.org, or call (860) 355-0300. Registration is also available at The Silo during regular business hours. The Silo Gallery and store are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Silo Cooking School at Hunt Hill Farm, 44 Upland Rd, New Milford, CT. 860.355.0300; www.hunthillfarmtrust.org.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Colonial Revival Fashion and more at Litchfield Historical Society

The Litchfield History Museum has planned a series of March programs sure to make this month fly by. On March 5 there is a program called A New Country that will focus on immigration. Each participant will take on the identity of an immigrant to the United States and go through a series of tasks, including traveling to America, going through Ellis Island, and navigating life in your new home. The program begins at 3:30 p.m. and is suitable for children 7+ and costs $5 for members and $7 for non-members.

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At 2 p.m. on March 8, celebrate creating a national identity with the songs of Irish – Americans. “Creating a National Identity: Songs of the Irish Americans” is a lecture and music presentation which explores the fascinating history of a variety of songs that evoke strong emotional visions of Ireland, but are of American authorship. This program traces popular songs from the 1840’s through to the early Twentieth Century as a road map to the emergence of the cultural identity of Irish-Americans. Presenting songs of labor, emigration, homesickness and struggle, we recognize a people who have traveled far, achieved much and recorded their journeys in songs with fullness of feeling and tremendous faith. The musical ensemble Ask Your Father presents acoustic ballads and songs in the American folk tradition. Ask Your Father is the husband and wife team Rich & Dee Kelly and their partner Rick Spencer. This program is free for members and $5 for non-members.

The month is rounded out on March 22 at 3 pm with an interesting lecture on fashion during Connecticut’s Colonial Revival period. From costume balls to reproduction furniture Connecticut embodied the ideals of the Colonial Revival. Taking root during the Centennial celebrations of 1876, residents looked back at the colonial past and took to heart the simplified lives of their ancestors. Embodied by furniture and fashion designs, as well as social clubs and entertainments, the Colonial Revival Movement grew to extremes in Connecticut, and the New England Region. Participants will explore this period of Connecticut’s history through what it created and what inspired it with Karen DePauw, research and collections associate at the Connecticut Historical Society. This program is free for members and $5 for non-members.

To register for these events go to registration@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org. For more information on what to see and do in the Litchfield Hills visit www.litchfieldhills.com

Photographys by Hank Meirowitz at Carole Peck’s Good News Cafe

Hank Meirowitz is proud to bear the title of Portrait Photographer of the Pampered Pet. He has proven himself in group and solo shows in the area and in New York as a lover of animals, using his talent to capture the personality of his subject in his studio in New Milford equipped with animal toys, cookies, bench, backgrounds and floods. He has had no problem with their posing after adjusting themselves to his comfortable set-up. Dealing with pets, much the same as with humans, a one-to-one relationship and trust must be established and then everything works perfectly! However, you must start out with a basic love and interest in both people and animals. And they will respond once they sense your feeling.

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As time has passed, he has grown restless with being confined to a studio space and the lureof travel came on the scene. He now documents far-away lands and indigenous wildlife many people only dream of seeing. Over the last few years he has photographed Russia, Poland, Australia, India, Turkey, China, Korea, Prague, Budapest, Croatia, and ANTARCTICA and has only recently returned from a most exciting riverboat cruise to Viet Nam and Cambodia, which will be on display through March 2015 at the Good News Cafe in Woodbury, Connecticut.The architecture, the people, the faces of happy children and the ambience of each locale are what interests him the most.

The Good News Café is open from 11:30am to 10pm daily; closed Tuesdays and open from 12pm to 10pm Sundays. For more information www.Good-news-café.com

For more event information on Litchfield Hills www.litchfieldhills.com

Oil Paintings Litchfield- Beth Carlson at Oliver Wolcott Library

Beth Carlson is a life-long resident of Litchfield Hills and has been drawing and painting since childhood. A lover of nature and the scenery of the northwest corner of Connecticut, she strives to celebrate the beauty of the local landscape using oils on canvas. Her favorite subject is Lake Waramaug. Beth has been fascinated by the ever-changing, vibrant colors and patterns created during sunsets as seen from Tanner Hill Road in Warren. Yearly trips to Cape Cod also provide inspiration.

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Decades of painting for her own enjoyment have led to a body of work that she now wants to share with the hope that others will enjoy her visions and journey. Beth studied illustration at Paier College of Art in Hamden and attended workshops and classes taught by fine artists at the Washington Art Association in Washington Depot and The Wooster Community Art Center in Danbury. She also studied graphic design at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted and made a living in that field at The Litchfield County Times where she was involved with the production of many award-winning publications. In the gallery: March 1- April 24.

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In the gallery: March 1- April 24. Reception- Thursday, March 5, from 5:00- 7:00 p.m. at the Oliver Wolcott Library, 160 South Street, Litchfield, CT. 06759. 860-567-8030.
www.owlibrary.org.