Category: Connecticut Travel

The Mattatuck Museum located on the Green (144 West Main Street) in Waterbury has announced the opening of two new exhibitions. Winslow Homer: American Life 1857-1875 and Passing By: Laure Dunne will be celebrated with an opening reception on Sunday, July 30 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Docent-led tours of both exhibits will be available beginning at noon.

About Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer: American Life 1857-1875 features approximately 100 prints from illustrated weeklies and journals by American Master, Winslow Homer. The works were selected from a gift of engravings recently donated to the Mattatuck Museum by Fairfield collector David Jones and his wife Ann. This group of engravings will be complemented by several paintings on loan from Connecticut institutions including Yale University Art Gallery, Wadsworth Atheneum and New Britain Museum of American Art. This overview of Homer’s rich career as an illustrator will be presented thematically. It will reflect the concerns of a nation during a period of significant social and political change. Subjects addressed include the Civil War, domestic and daily life in the 19th century, the changing role of women, popular entertainments and the outdoors.

Winslow Homer will be complemented by several public programs during the run of the exhibition, including a Lunch & Learn – “An American Icon: Winslow Homer – A Personal Interpretation” – with Professor Dorothy Keller and an evening reception entitled “Homer in Nature” with David Davison.

About Laure Dunne

MIXMASTER winner Laure Dunne will also open her new exhibition of photography, Passing By, on July 30. This exhibition of 25 photos includes shots from Oregon, Maine, New York and Connecticut. Thematically organized between two subjects, trains and trees, Dunne’s clear, clean aesthetic is evident in these compositionally strong and dramatic images.

About the Mattatuck Museum of Art
Located in the heart of downtown Waterbury’s architectural district, the Mattatuck Museum is a vibrant destination, known locally and regionally as a community-centered institution of American art and history. For more information on all of the Museum’s programs, events, and exhibits visit the website at mattmuseum.org or call (203) 753-0381.

This summer marks the 20th anniversary of Tea for Two Hundred held in Washington Connecticut on 63 River Road on August 12. This garden party benefit is held in the beautiful gardens of the Washington home of Mr. Gael Hammer and Mr. Gary Goodwin. Revel in an afternoon of delicious food, wine and dancing to the music of the legendary “Beehive Queen” Christine Ohlman.

Shop the fabled Silent Auction and bid on fabulous trips, dining experiences and spa packages. Participate in the beloved hat contest featuring guest judge Laura Daly, world renowned milliner.

Honorary Chair is Sheila Nevins, an American television producer and the President of HBO Documentary Films. She also has a new book that made it to the New York Times best-seller list. “You Don’t Look Your Age… and Other Fairy Tales,” (Flatiron Books).
Dress code is summer white attire. This garden party benefit will be held in the beautiful gardens of the Washington home of Mr. Gael Hammer and Mr. Gary Goodwin.

This year the Gunn Historical Museum and Interfaith Aids Ministry will benefit from this event. To register: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ee0s0tdifa37512f&oseq=&c=&ch=

About the Gunn Historical Museum
Founded in 1899, the Gunn Historical Museum is a non-profit organization with a mission to educate the public about the history of Washington, Connecticut and to preserve the town’s history and culture. The Museum is located in a 1781 colonial home situated on the Washington Green. The museum has received national awards for its exhibits, conducts original research and creates educational programs for children, adults and seniors.

About Tea for Two Hundred
In 1998 Gael Hammer, along with Ted Hine and John Trainor, instituted Tea for Two Hundred as a memorial to Gael’s partner Timothy Mawason and as a way to raise funds for AIDS awareness and other charities in western Connecticut. This year the proceeds will benefit the Gunn Historical Museum and Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury.
Now in its 20th year, the event held at the beautiful gardens of Mr. Hammer and Mr. Goodwin is widely considered one of Litchfield County’s major social events of the season and draws hundreds of participants. Tea for Two Hundred has generated net proceeds approaching $1 Million for area organizations.
Photo: Rural Intelligence

On Saturday July 29th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Torrington Historical Society will host a jazz concert and fundraiser with the Litchfield Jazz Camp Faculty All Stars on the grounds of the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum located on 192 Main Street. The tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main Street or on-line at http://www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org

In the event of inclement weather the concert will move indoors to the Carriage House gallery behind the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum. Although outdoor seating will be available, concert attendees are encouraged to bring a comfortable lawn chair and a picnic basket.

The Concert

The jazz performed will be rhythmic, forward leaning and exciting. The musicians have shared the stage with many of the important figures of the jazz idiom in their long careers and this is an opportunity to hear these players performing some new compositions as well as some of their previous work.

This ensemble of well-known jazz artists includes: Mario Pavone, bass; Peter McEachern, trombone; Dave Ballou, trumpet and Mike Sarin, drums will include special guest Oscar Noriega, on saxophone. Noriega has just won the rising star category in the 2017 Down Beat critics poll. Oscar Noriega is also on Mario Pavone’s recent CD “Vertical” along with Dave Ballou, Peter McEachern and Mike Sarin.

The concert will feature music from Mario Pavone’s recent CD Vertical on Clean Feed Records and Peter McEachern’s upcoming CD Double Helix. The concert will be held in the garden of the Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum 192 Main Street, Torrington. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the Torrington Historical Society, 192 Main Street or on-line at www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org

Musician’s Bios

Mario Pavone: Bass

Bassist/composer Mario Pavone has collaborated with both legendary innovators and today’s most respected young musicians to consistently define the cutting edge of jazz for the past 40 years. He has anchored the trios of Paul Bley (1968-72), Bill Dixon (1980’s), and the late Thomas Chapin (1990-97), and co-led a variety of notable ensembles with Anthony Braxton, Wadada Leo Smith, and Marty Ehrlich. Unlike most artists whose careers span five decades, his most recent recordings are his most widely acclaimed, appearing on best-of-the-year lists from Slate.com, AllAboutJazz.com, All AboutJazz-New York, Coda, the Village Voice , and the New York Times among others.

Dave Ballou: Trumpet

Trumpeter/Composer Dave Ballou has released nine internationally recognized CD’s as a leader or co-leader. He has performed or recorded with ensembles led by Rabih Abou-Kahlil, Steely Dan, Michael Formanek, Woody Herman, Andrew Hill, John Hollenbeck’s Large Ensemble, Sheila Jordan, Oliver Lake, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Dewey Redman, and Maria Schneider . Ballou has performed Bach’s Brandenberg Concerto #2 with the Bella Musica Orchestra of New York, Larry Austin’s Improvisations with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, and Gunther Schuller’s Journey into Jazz with the Spokane Symphony and Boston Modern Orchestra Project.

Mike Sarin: Drums

Since moving to New York in 1989, Mike Sarin’s unique style and approach to the drum set has been highly sought after by NYC and European musicians looking to expand the definitions of jazz and improvised music. He has contributed to recordings of Thomas Chapin, Frank Carlberg, Anthony Coleman, Mark Dresser, Marty Ehrlich, Mark Helias, Denman Maroney, Simon Nabatov, Mario Pavone, Ned Rothenberg, and Fred Wesley–recordings found on numerous music critics’ Top Ten CD year-end lists. Sarin performs all over the world–in major and minor festivals. He is currently on staff of the Count Basie Theatre Performing Arts Academy and is a member of the teaching faculty of the New York Jazz Workshop.

Peter McEachern: Trombone

Peter McEachern, has toured and recorded three CDs for Polygram with Blues legend Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown; has worked and recorded with minimalist composer Lamonte Young, and is featured on several important CDs: “Insomnia” with the Thomas Chapin Trio on Knitting Factory Works and “Song for Septet” with the Mario Pavone Septet on the New World Countercurrents label. Peter has been a teaching artist at the Litchfield Jazz Camp since 1998. He has released 3 CD’s in the past year “No Chordtet” featuring Dave Santoro, George Sovak and Hamir Atwal,”Shockwave” featuring the late Thomas Chapin, Steve Johns, Mario Pavone and Jamie Finegan, and No Chordet’s 2nd CD “Subconscious Love” on Truth Revolution Records.

Oscar Noriega: Saxophone

Multi-instrumentalist and composer, Oscar Noriega has lived in Brooklyn since 1992.
He has worked with Lee Konitz, Anthony Braxton, Gerry Hemingway, Dewey Redman and Paul Motion. He is currently performing with Tim Berne’s Snakeoil, Endangered Blood (Chris Speed, Jim Black, Trevor Dunn) and is co-leader of the Mexico-inspired Banda De Los Muertos. He plays alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet and drums.

Get inspired and celebrate the arts at the 3rd Annual Stamford Art Festival at Harbor Point, taking place on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 from 10 am to 5 pm, rain or shine. Admission to the Festival is free.

A juried event featuring more than 125 artisans selected locally and from across the country and Canada, the Stamford Art Festival offers a selection of paintings, photography, drawings, prints, sculptures, mixed media, jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal and glass pieces that are original works and available for purchase in every price range.

Held at the beautiful Harbor Point waterfront in Stamford, exhibitors will display their work on the gorgeous boardwalk overlooking Stamford Harbor – an extraordinary backdrop for this visual feast. Visitors will be able to browse and buy from a wide variety of artisans, all of whom will be present to showcase their work and, with demonstrations and text, inform patrons about their creative process.

The Festival includes live musical performances on both days, as well as free arts activities and demonstrations for children and adults, plus a variety of food temptations ranging from gourmet food to homemade desserts. There will be a “Poet’s Corner” coordinated by Connecticut poet and spoken word artist Jerry T. Johnson. On Sunday, July 30 the Farmers Market will be open. And it all happens under tents, rain or shine.

The event is held on Pacific Street and Harbor Point Road, which is easy to reach via Connecticut Exit 7 on I-95 northbound and southbound. There is ample free parking. It is also a short ride from the Stamford Train Station.

The center of New Milford located in the scenic Litchfield Hills is noted for its long traditional village green laid out in 1872. Here you will find monuments from past wars as well as a bandstand, first built in 1891 that is a symbol of New Milford’s sense of community.
You can also explore many exceptional galleries, boutiques, restaurants and antique shops that are clustered in the heart of this village. Many are located in beautifully restored 18th and 19th century homes and buildings. Town Hall, facing the Green, marks the home of one of New Milford’s most illustrious citizens, Roger Sherman, the only Connecticut man whose signature is on all key documents of the founding of this nation.

On July 28 and July 29, 2017 the New Milford Green becomes a hive of activity with the many activities and family fun offered up at the 50th Annual New Milford Village Fair Days.

Organized by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, this is the largest annual event in New Milford. Hundreds of vendors including: local businesses, organizations, church groups and clubs exhibit their unique offerings. If you like crafts, you won’t be disappointed as many skillful crafters offer their wares.

There are three new attractions making their debut at this 50th anniversary fair.

Touch a truck will be a highlight from 11 am – 3 pm on Bank Street where kids are invited to come out and actually touch a truck!

The Wishing New Milford Well is an exciting way to celebrate the Fair’s 50th anniversary with a give-back to the community. Fair organizers are offering all non-profit organizations that are Chamber members in good standing an opportunity to participate in the bandstand replica wishing well fundraiser – Wishing New Milford Well. The bandstand replica is being built by a local resident and will be located in the Food Court area. The wishing well will have slots that correspond with non-profit organizations. Fairgoers will have the opportunity to donate to whichever organizations are near and dear to their heart.

The final new feature is the Five Gets You Plus Fifty contest. Try you luck at opening a locked box by guessing the five number digital combination. At no cost, eligible persons will be able to input a 5 digit code. If their code unlocks the combination, they will win the prizes inside. We will also offer a second chance to win. If no one guesses the correct combination, we will hold a “second chance to win” drawing. The contest will run from noon to 7 pm with the second chance drawing being held at 8 pm.

Food is a big element of any Fair and New Milford’s food vendors won’t disappoint. There is even a dining tent and two days of entertainment that add to the festivities. A wide variety of food vendors serve up delicious fare to satisfy every palate.

Exploring the south Green you will find a variety of businesses, organizations, church groups and clubs, while the north Green hosts master crafters. Food vendors can be found in the mid-section of the Green where fair goers will find everything from tasty snacks to a wonderful meal that can be enjoyed in the large sit-down dining area.

The Fair opens on July 28 at 10:00 am and closes at 10:00 PM on both days. A highlight of Friday’s event is the the Kid’s Fun Run at 6:00 PM. On Saturday, July 29th the Fair opens at 10:00 am and closes at 10:00 PM. Highlights on the 30th include: the 50th Annual 8 Mile Road
Race & 15th Annual Fair Days 5K at 8:30 am.

For further information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 860.354.6080 or visit http://www.newmilford-chamber.com for up to the minute information.

Get close to some of the most strangely beautiful ¬– but painfully dangerous – animals in the sea as The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk offers a newly expanded exhibit of jellyfish.

With “Journey with Jellies,” The Maritime Aquarium now displays the most jellyfish species in the region. Jellies – as they should be called, because they’re not fish – have been among the most popular animals in The Maritime Aquarium for more than 20 years.

This bigger new space builds around the tall centerpiece display of moon jellies, and offers large new displays with such non-native species as Pacific sea nettles, flower hat jellies, Japanese sea nettles and more. Journey with Jellies” has traditional “window” displays of jellies, but also unique displays of jellies living in cascading globe and half-dome habitats.

Jellies are among the most simple animals, thriving without a brain, heart, lungs, gills and really any of the other organs that we believe an animal must have to survive. Yet survive they have, for millions of years, in forms and colors that are fascinating.
Jellies, of course, also have stinging cells, and Aquarium guests can learn about how jellies sting and about their unique life cycles. In addition to jellies, this new exhibit space also includes a big new natural habitat for the Aquarium’s giant Pacific octopus, as well as a new display featuring lionfish, a species with a large splay of venomous spines that are a troubling invasive presence on the Atlantic coast.

“Journey with Jellies” is included with Aquarium admission. For more details about exhibits, programs and IMAX® movies, go to www.maritimeaquarium.org.