Category: Connecticut Travel

The Litchfield Historical Society opens its 2017 special exhibit, America’s Pastimes: Sports and Recreation in Litchfield that runs through November 26. Swing a bat with the Tri-State Champion Cowboys. Race your way through the Litchfield Hills. Splash around in Bantam Lake. Ride a high wheel to the town green. Score a basket in the school gym. Play cricket with the students of the Law School.

Sports and recreation are universal experiences. Whether we make it to the big leagues or never leave our backyards, these activities play important roles in our lives. They promote health and wellness as well as leisure and relaxation. They teach us about competition, but also about working together. They help build teams and form lasting relationships. Above all else, they encourage us to move, to think, and to interact.

On April 16, 2016 the Litchfield Historical Society will open to the public its latest exhibition, America’s Pastimes: Sports and Recreation in Litchfield. The exhibit highlights the role of sports and recreation in town from its founding to today, showcasing the stories and experiences of Litchfield residents, players, coaches, fans, and enthusiasts. To communicate the active nature of this history, the exhibit groups together sports, games, and leisure activities of both past and present based on the actions they entail, from swinging a tennis racket to playing a game of chess. The exhibit incorporates several hands-on interactives for visitors to enjoy.

If you love gardens, history and crafts, the 26th annual Hidden Garden Tour scheduled for June 11 from 11 am – 4 pm organized by the Westport Historical Society should be on your bucket list of events to attend this summer. Tour-goers will have a very special opportunity to experience six spectacular, not-to-be-missed gardens in Westport, Southport and Easton. Each garden has been carefully selected in honor of this tour and one garden, a favorite of past tours is being showcased again so tour – goers can see how it has grown and evolved.

Exceptional sights to see include: a property inspired by the gardens of Monet in Giverny, France; a seven-acre estate with a pool and pool house adorned with parterres of pale pink Bonica roses edged in English boxwood; a garden belonging to a Master Gardener which is entered through a honeysuckle-covered arbor; a cottage garden with cast iron ornaments, walls, evergreens and dried grasses; a property set behind the Aspetuck Land Trust with an English Garden with a fountain and several garden areas; and a property with a pool and new Bluestone patio with tulips, lilacs and climbing roses.

To round out the fun, on the day of the tour, there will also be a Garden Market on the WHS Wheeler House lawn from 9am to 5pm. Admission to the Garden Market is free and will feature a variety of local artists offering items such as lavender filled silk pillows, meditation pillows, jewelry, necklace charms, as well as linen tabletop accessories. There will also be vendors selling antique prints and vintage silver, crystal and glass items.

Tickets are $50 for members and $60 for non-members in advance, $75 day of Tour. All proceeds benefit the educational and cultural programs of WHS. Hidden Garden Tour tickets and directions will be available for pick-up at Westport Historical Society on Tour Day starting at 10am. Tickets are available online.

The Oliver Wolcott Library located on 160 South Street just outside the center of Litchfield in the historic district is hosting an art show through June 29 featuring the work of Carol Moore, a lifelong resident of Litchfield, currently residing in Bantam.

Moore is well-know in the area for her colorful, energy-charged paintings and pottery. Carol has always been drawn to the negative spaces apparent in industrial sites and street scenes and her paintings reflect this keen interest. Plein air (painting on location) landscapes and florals are also a favorite in pastel, oil, acrylic, and watercolor mixed media. Her membership to the Renaissance Artists has lead to a series of figure drawings in ink with intriguing backgrounds that can be seen at her studio in Bantam.

Travel is a way of painting new, exciting places which adds to her many collections. Carol paints her way through life creating memories of her many trips. She also creates one-of-a-kind pottery planters, wall decorations, wall sconces, and functional pieces at her home studio and teaches weekly classes in pottery and painting there.

Carol has received numerous awards and prizes and her works are displayed in collections throughout the United States. She has a MA from Wesleyan University and attended the University of Hartford Graduate Studies Art Program, as well as the University of Connecticut and Northwestern Connecticut Community College. She is a member of many art societies, including Artwell, Inc., Washington Art Association, Kent Art Association, The Rogues, and the Connecticut Pastel Society.

​On Wednesday, June 14th at 10am, Schwenke Auctioneers​ presents a main gallery live auction of over 830 lots of estate property from several estates and consignors. The auction includes American country and formal furniture and decorations, American folk art, English and Continental furniture and decorative arts, Asian porcelain and decorative arts, English & other sterling silver, Native American arts, erotica, jewelry, fine art, miscellaneous decorative arts, and a large group of estate oriental rugs. Estate material includes items from estates in New Haven, Guilford, Southbury, Woodbury, Westport, New Fairfield, Bloomfield, Hartford, New Canaan and Fairfield, Connecticut.

The sale is being held at the firm’s auction hall at Middle Quarter Plaza in Woodbury. Preview times are Sunday, June 11th from noon to 5pm; Monday, June 12th and Tuesday, June 13th from 10am – 5pm, and Wednesday, June 14th from 9am to sale time.
One of the most unique American silver lots ever offered by the firm is The Charles Hayden Memorial Trophy, weight 95.75 ozt and made by Gorham Manufacturing Company, which was awarded each year (except the war years 1942-48) from 1940 to 1969 to the winner of an annual golf outing sponsored by Hayden, Stone & Co. for the Chief Executive Officers of the most prominent investment banking firms of that period.

The Trophy was displayed in a glass display case in the entry hall of Hayden, Stone’s executive offices at 25 Broad Street, near Wall Street in New York City, where the consignor was an Executive Vice President, member of the Board of Directors, member of the Executive Board of Eight, and Chairman of the Finance Committee.

One can follow the golfing lives of many CEOs of the well-known great firms of that time, as documented by the yearly winners of the tournament which were annually engraved on the Trophy. When the space on the main trophy was exhausted, a sterling bound wooden extension base was made to accommodate additional winning entries, and the trophy was then mounted on that base. Most of the firms whose names appear on the trophy have been merged into successor organizations and other large banks.
Fine American furniture is included in the sale, notable among those offerings is a fine New York carved mahogany breakfast table, attributed to the shop of Duncan Phyfe, with cloverleaf drop leaf top with reeded edge, one working drawer, acanthus carved central column and four acanthus carved and reeded legs ending in brass paw casters. The table measures 28 1/2″ high, 36″ long, 24 1/2″ wide, 46″ wide open and carries provenance from a Connecticut collector.

American country furniture and folk art abound, including a fine American red painted early pewter cupboard, having two shelves and plate rail over two cupboard doors below, measuring 67 1/2″ high, 54 1/2″ wide, 17 1/2″ deep with provenance from a Danbury, Connecticut estate. Folk art items include a fine folk art carved powder horn, a Mahantongo Valley paint decorated Sheraton chest, several early hooked rugs including an unusual example depicting aloe and cactus plants, measuring 53″ long, 24 1/2″ wide, many early trade signs, and a gilded patinated copper fish weathervane standing 12 1/2″ high, 26 1/2″ long.

A substantial number of fine English and Continental decorative arts items and furniture are being sold, including a fine George III carved mahogany three tier dumbwaiter, a pair of inlaid George III knife boxes, an early William & Mary walnut veneered chest of drawers, an extremely rare George III inlaid mahogany bird cage, and a fine pair of Queen Anne walnut veneer balloon seat side chairs with the crests and splats with burled walnut veneers, the front cabriole legs with carved leaves and rosette returns ending in ball and claw feet, the slip seats now covered in silk damask, and measuring 38″ high, 21″ wide, 18″ deep. The lot includes the original bill of sale from Frank Partridge, London, and carries provenance of a New York City estate.

From a Fairfield County collector the sale features an early William & Mary walnut drop front secretaire, several pairs of French period arm chairs including a pair of transitional gilt Louis XVI fauteuils, French provincial fruitwood armoire, and a fine George III satinwood console table with inlaid swags and bellflowers, measuring 32 1/2″ high, 56″ wide, 21″ deep.
The sale also features a large number of fine arts items, including Polish artworks most notably a female nude portrait by Miecislaw Reyzner, (Poland, 1861-1941) oil on canvas, signed upper right, measuring 26 3/4″ high, 21 1/4″ wide, consigned by a local Woodbury, Connecticut estate.

American art includes a parian bust of Abraham Lincoln, worked by Martin Milmore, (American, 1844-1883), signed in casting verso “M. Milmore Sculptor”, and measuring 14 1/2″ high, 6 3/4″ wide. A paining of unique local interest is a work by William H. Wordler, “Sunset At Quassapaug Lake, Middlebury, Conn.” oil on panel, initialed, dated ” ’77” lower left, with a paper label verso, measuring 11 1/4″ high, 12 3/4″ wide.

The diversity of the sale is illustrated by a group of mid-century modern lots, including a LeCorbusier type chrome and upholstered armchair from a New York City estate, a modernist brass and marble coffee table, an Arco marble and chrome “arc” form floor lamp, a pair of modern chrome “Z” stools, a fine pair of modernist chrome double arm counter-balance lamps, and a modernist six light brass chandelier, possibly Stuart Barnes for Robert Lamp, measuring 29″ high, 22 1/2″ diameter. Modern art includes a rare size Yacoub Agam, framed seriagraph, numbered, signed in pencil “42/54″, sized 33″ high, 75” wide, with provenance from a Hartford, Connecticut collector. Finally, the modern era lots include an Andy Warhol watercolor of Marilyn Monroe, (American, 1928-1987), on paper, signed lower right “Andy Warhol”. Verso two estate stamps, indistinct pencil notation “VF231.69? Molly Barnes Gallery Label – 631 North La Cienega Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90069″, the sheet size 12 5/8″ high, 8 1/2″ wide.

An interesting jewelry lot is a 14K gold jeweled cross pendant, on a chain and mounted with 6 oval faceted dark blue sapphires weight approximately .25 carat each, and 19 faceted red rubies, weight approximately .03 carats each, total sapphire weight approximately 1.5 carats, total ruby ruby weight approximately .57 carats, gross weight 1dwt. 1 1/4″ high, 1” wide, being sold for a Rhode Island collector.

This sale also will feature a large selection of over 50 estate oriental carpets including Persian and Caucasian room and scatter sized rugs, including a very fine and brilliantly colored geometric antique Shirvan Chi Chi rug, measuring 5′ long, 7’ wide.

The catalog for the sale is viewable at http://www.woodburyauction.com​. Absentee and phone bidding are available for this live gallery auction by registering directly with Schwenke Auctioneers, and the sale will be broadcast live on Live Auctioneers, Invaluable and Auction Zip. To register or arrange for absentee or phone bidding, please call Schwenke Auctioneers at 203-266-0323.

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Music Mountain in Falls Village, Connecticut, is one of the premiere destinations in the United States for intimate chamber music concerts. Gordon Hall is one of the finest chamber music halls in the country with legendary acoustics and resonant, full-bodied sound. Music Mountain is the home of the oldest continuing summer chamber music festival in this country. Founded in 1930 as the permanent home for the Gordon String Quartet, one of the leading string quartets of its time, Music Mountain is celebrating its 88th season in 2017.

Music Mountain and its marvelous setting for both the musicians and the audience is justly famed. The centerpiece is Gordon Hall – one of the finest chamber music facilities in the country. Gordon Hall and the Music Mountain residences were built by Sears Roebuck during the summer of 1930. The property and the buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

With seating for 335 and legendary acoustics, Gordon Hall provides resonant and lovely sound, views of the gardens, grounds and hills from every seat or from the lawn, permitting listeners to savor music and nature as one. The recent addition of air conditioning and heating has allowed them to extend the season.

On Sunday, June 11, 2017, at 3pm, the 88th concert season opens with Peter Serkin & Friends. They will play Piano Trios by Haydn, Schubert and Beethoven; the season concludes on Sunday, September 17, at 3pm, with The Juilliard String Quartet. They will perform String Quartets by Beethoven, Haydn and Dvorak.

In between these the opening and closing events Music Mountain will bring their audience an additional fourteen not to be missed chamber music concerts with many of favorites including: the Shanghai and Penderecki String Quartets and the St. Petersburg Piano Quartet; in addition to thirteen Saturday Twilight Concerts.
The twin theme for the chamber music series in 2017 is Beethoven, with nine concerts highlighting performances of fourteen of his works, plus the Piano in Chamber Music that includes thirteen concerts with piano, to be played by internationally renowned artists.

The entire 2017 Chamber Music Schedule is listed below and is exciting and varied, with a broad variety of beautiful music played by gifted artists.

SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 3PM
88TH SEASON OPENING
CONCERT & RECEPTION
All tickets: $75
Peter Serkin, Piano
Stefan Jackiw,Violin
Jay Campbell, Cello
Haydn: Piano Trio in G Major, Opus 73 # 2 “Gypsy”
Schubert: Piano Trio in B Flat Major, Opus 99, D 898
Beethoven: Piano Trio in B Flat Major, Opus 97, “Archduke”

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 3PM
Alexander Fiterstein, Clarinet
Michael Brown, Piano
Nicholas Canellakis, Cello
Beethoven: Clarinet Trio in B Flat Major, Opus 11
Selected Klezmer Works for Clarinet Trio
Debussy: Premiere Rhapsody for Clarinet & Piano
Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Opus 114

SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 3PM
Cassatt String Quartet
Mihae Lee, Piano
Mendelssohn: 4 pieces for String Quartet, Opus 81 “Capriccio”
Beethoven: String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132
Shostakovich: Piano Quintet Opus 57

SUNDAY, JULY 2, 3PM
All Tickets: $60
Peter Serkin & Julia Shu
Piano 4 hands
Beethoven: The Grosse Fuge, Opus 133
Balance of program to be announced

SUNDAY, JULY 9, 3PM
Arianna String Quartet
Victoria Schwartzman, Piano
Haydn: String Quartet in A Major, Opus 20 # 6
Brahms: String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 51 #2
Dohnanyi: Piano Quintet in C Major, Opus 1

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 3PM
Penderecki String Quartet
Leopoldo Erice, Piano
Mozart: String Quartet in D Major, K. 57 5
Schumann: String Quartet in A Major, Opus 41 #3
Dvorak: Piano Quintet in A Major, Opus 81

SUNDAY, JULY, 23, 3PM
Ariel Quartet
Soyeon Kate Lee, Piano
Mozart: String Quartet in G Major, K.387
Dvorak: String Quartet in F Major, Opus 96 “American”
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E Flat Major, Opus 44

SUNDAY, JULY 30, 3PM
Harlem String Quartet
Fei-Fei Dong, Piano
Webern: Langsamer Satz
Mozart: String Quartet in B Flat Major, K. 458, “Hunt”
William Bolcom — Three Rags for String Quartet
Guido Lopez-Gavilan: Guaguanco
Brahms: Piano Quartet in C Minor, Opus 60

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 3PM
Aeolus String Quartet
Geoffrey Burleson, Piano
Haydn: String Quartet in G Major, Opus 64#4
Mendelssohn: String Quartet in F Major, Opus 74 #2
Franck: Piano Quintet in F Minor

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 3PM
St. Petersburg Piano Quartet
ALL BEETHOVEN PROGRAM
Violin & Piano Sonata # 5 in F Major, Opus 24 “Spring”
Piano Trio in D Major, Opus 70 #1 “Ghost”
Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, Opus 16

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 3PM
St. Petersburg Piano Quartet
Brahms: Viola Sonata in E Flat Major, Opus 120 #2
Shostakovich: Piano Trio # 2 in E Minor, Opus 67
Schumann: Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, Opus 47

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 3PM
Daedalus String Quartet
Tanya Bannister, Piano
Beethoven: String Quartet in F Major, Opus 18#1
Schubert: String Quartet in A Minor, Opus 29 #1, D. 804) “Rosamunde”
Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Opus 34

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 6:30PM
The Shanghai String Quartet
Mendelssohn: String Quartet in E Flat Major, Opus 12
Yiwen Jiang: Selections from China Song
Brahms: String Quartet in C Minor, Opus 51 # 1

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 3PM
LABOR DAY BENEFIT
CONCERT & RECEPTION
All Tickets $75
The Shanghai String Quartet
Qing Jiang, Piano
Beethoven: String Quartet in B Flat Major, Opus 18 # 6
Beethoven: String Quartet in E Minor, Opus 59 # 2
Brahms: Piano Quartet in G Minor, Opus 25

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 3PM
Amernet String Quartet
Vivek Kamath, Viola
ALL BEETHOVEN PROGRAM
Piano Sonata # 8 in C Minor, Opus 13 “Pathétique”
Arranged for String Quartet by Jeffery Briggs
String Quartet in F Major, Opus 135
Viola Quintet in C Major, Opus 29 “Storm”

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 3PM
All Tickets: $60
The Juilliard String Quartet
Beethoven: String Quartet in A Major, Opus 18 # 5
Haydn: String Quartet in D Major, Opus 76 # 5
Dvorak: String Quartet in C Major, Opus 61

Franklin Street Works newest exhibition, “The Work of Love, The Queer of Labor,” is curated by New York City based artist/curator Yevgeniy Fiks and curator/critic Olga Kopenkina. In “The Work of Love, The Queer of Labor,” queerness is discussed through the lens of class and vice versa. Exhibiting artists are: Angela Beallor, Hugo Gellert, Montague Glover, Noam Gonick, Hagra, William E. Jones, Erik Moskowitz+Amanda Trager, Jaanus Samma, and YES! Association / Föreningen JA!. The exhibition is on view through August 17, 2017.

In “The Work of Love, The Queer of Labor,” individual artists and collectives contribute works that represent a desire for liberation through critically engaged connections between class, gender and sexuality. LGBTQI identities are explored from the class perspective in order to re-discover political potentialities in queerness’ countercultural paradigm. By exploring queerness through its relationship with class, curators Fiks and Kopenkina aim to interrogate the possibility of love in a class-based society. They attempt as well to envision a classless society akin to “affectionate community” built by LGBTQI people.

In today’s global economy the difference between work as a productive force in service of capitalism and labor as a condition of biological life is almost gone. Artists’ creative work, once avant-garde and independent, has become alienated and inseparable from market economy. Likewise, love and sexuality have become abstracted from the site of their enactment. They are no longer a product of biological body, but, instead, generated by techno-bodies impacted by multimedia technologies of global capitalist production.

Is it possible for queer activities, which are driven by “true desire,” not social norms, to restore love and produce new relationships between people? Could these relationships be based on equality of all forms of sexuality, love and labor? Artists who present their works in this exhibition extend this desire for love and personal relationships in a society built on equality and justice rather than exploitation and oppression to all people. The struggle for queer rights is everyone’s struggle!

Franklin Street Works is located on 41 Franklin Street in Stamford. Gallery Hours are: Tues. – Sun. noon to 5 p.m. To sign up for a monthly newsletter on things to do and see, special events and travel tips in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County visit www.litchfieldhills.com or www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com