Category: Connecticut Travel

SHERATON STAMFORD HOTEL AWARDED NEW BUILDS & TRANSITIONS HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Newly Renovated Lobby at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel

This month at their Annual Meeting, Starwood Hotels & Resorts awarded the Sheraton Stamford Hotel as the“New Builds & Transitions Hotel of the Year.” The hotel, owned by RockBridge Capital and managed by Davidson Hotels & resorts, converted to the Sheraton brand on July 12, 2011.

With the hotel’s increase in revenues and RevPar Index, their compliance to Brand Standards, and high loyalty scores, it is understandable why they won this prestigious award.

Just a few blocks from the new Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. global headquarters, the 379-room Sheraton Stamford Hotel is considered the headquarters hotel for those visiting Starwood corporate offices and is the site for numerous Starwood corporate meetings.

Located at 700 Main Street, the hotel is within walking distance from the shops and restaurants in the recently opened Plaza at Stamford Town Center, the University of Connecticut Stamford campus and the headquarters of numerous major corporations and fortune 500 businesses.

From the Sheraton, there is convenient access to several multiplex cinemas, night clubs and Stamford’s key performance venues – Rich Forum and Palace Theatre. The hotel is just 20 minutes from the Westchester County Airport Hotel and a 45-minute train ride from New York City.

Stylish and comfortable, guest rooms and suites at Sheraton Stamford Hotel are equipped with an oversized work desk, custom-designed ergonomic chair, high-speed Internet, LCD flat panel television, iPod home docking station and the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed.

Hotel facilities include full-service dining; an indoor pool and fully equipped fitness facility featuring the brand’s revolutionary new health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness, Programmed by Core Performance; and 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space.

For more information about the hotel visit www.sheratonstamford.com.

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Waterbury Palace Theater Announces April Line UP!

Dr. Frankenstein and Monster

From monsters to menopause, the Palace Theater’s April line-up has something for everyone. Tickets and gift certificates can be purchased by phone at 203-346-2000, online at www.palacetheaterct.org, or in person at the box office, 100 East Main Street in Waterbury. Groups of 15 or more qualify for discounted rates and should call the group sales hotline at 203-346-2011. For area information visit www.litchfieldhills.com

MEL BROOKS’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
Friday, April 13- 8pm; Saturday, April 14- 2pm & 8pm
The classic Mel Brooks movie is ALIVE and headed to Waterbury! Patrons will have a monstrously good time at this spectacular new production, winner of the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award for BEST MUSICAL! Don’t miss the sensational cast delivering all your favorite laugh-out-loud moments from the classic film. Sponsored by Webster Bank, WTNH/MyTV9, Crystal Rock, Power Station Events.
Tickets: $68/$58/$48

Menopuase the Musical

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL
Tuesday, April 17- 7:30pm; Wednesday, April 18- 7:30pm
This hilarious celebration of women and “The Change” set to classic tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s, will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles along with hot flashes and night sweats!
Tickets: $49.50/$39.50/$28.50

AFTERWORK SMOOTH JAZZ AND R&B AFFAIR
Friday, April 20 – 5:30pm
Kick-off the weekend right with smooth vibes on a Friday night! ACTJamsProductions.com presents an intimate after-work event in the Palace Poli Club, featuring live performances by the Ron Howard Experience Band, Neo-Soul/R&B vocalist Jessica Carl, and R&B/Soul recording artist Lamone. Hors d’oeuvres and ACTJams drink specials will also be available.
Tickets: $20

C
Charlie Daniels

THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND
Saturday, April 21- 8pm
Known for his fiddle playing and rebel anthems, Charlie Daniels has been a true music icon for 50 years. His exhilarating mixture of rock, country, bluegrass, blues, and gospel has propelled such hits as “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” and “Long Haired Country Boy.” Local band Crosseyed Cat will perform as the opening act. Sponsored by Naugatuck Savings Bank, WTNH/MyTV9, and Darter Specialties.
Tickets: $55/$45/$35

PALACE THEATER MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Saturday, April 21- 10am
Rev up your bikes and join us for the Palace’s first-ever motorcycle ride. The 47-mile scenic ride will head North through the Litchfield Hills, loop through Woodbury and Middlebury, and end on East Main Street, where Frankie’s Hotdogs and a variety of other vendors will be on site to greet the riders. Proceeds benefit the Palace Annual Fund. Sponsored by Naugatuck Savings Bank, Frankie’s Hot Dogs, Haymond Law Firm, and Darter Specialties.
Tickets: $25 per rider/$15 per passenger

ARTFORMS GALLERY VIEWING
Saturday, April 28 – 4pm
Join the Palace Theater for a gallery viewing and cocktail reception at the Fine Line Art Gallery, 319 Main St. South in Woodbury. The exquisite showcase will highlight a variety of local artwork from 17, award-winning Connecticut artists and will feature an hors d’oeuvres and wine reception. Proceeds benefit the theater’s Annual Campaign.|
Tickets: $25

About the Palace Theater
The Palace’s primary purpose is to revitalize the Greater Waterbury community through the presentation of the performing arts and educational initiatives in collaboration with area cultural and educational institutions. Its mission is to preserve and operate the historic Palace Theater as a performing arts center and community gathering place that provides a focal point of cultural activity and educational outreach for diverse audiences. For more information, visit: http://www.palacetheaterct.org.

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Brass Valley: Made in America

The Sharon Historical Society located on 18 Main Street in Sharon CT in the historic Gay-Hoyt House is hosting the work of artist Emery Roth. The show will run through April 25. Roth’s work will be displayed in the Society’s Gallery that is open Wednesday-Friday, from 10 to 4 pm and by appointment.

Emery Roth is an accomplished photographer. This exhibit melds contemporary photography of the industry of Connecticut’s Naugatuck Valley, with text and objects from the museum’s collection that tell the stories of Sharon’s industrial past. The exhibit evolved as Mr. Roth began following the old railroad tracks through the Naugatuck Valley and photographing what was left of its industrial past.

In his photographs, he was searching for rust and a glimpse of another age. He admits that he never expected to find himself in a time warp, photographing where giant hydraulics are still hissing, steel clanking, hot, glowing metal flying through the air, where the steam still rises from old pickling vats, and men charge furnaces in buildings where the soot has had more than a hundred years to cake. He never dreamed such a place still existed and took the photographs to prove that it does still exist in Connecticut. This is a show about those places.

A highlight of this show is a guided walk through the exhibit by the photographer on Sunday April 1 at 3 pm. All are invited. For additional information, contact the Sharon Historical Society at 860-364-5688 or via email sharonhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com, or our website, www.sharonhist.org.

About the Sharon Historical Society

The Sharon Historical Society is a community museum dedicated to connecting people to the town of Sharon, its history, and its culture. Museum professionals are assisted by volunteers who care for more than 5,000 artifacts in their collection – cataloging, preserving and sharing Sharon past for the public. Tours of the Gay-Hoyt House are self-guided. Collections include American furniture from colonial to colonial revival; decorative arts, iron and iron-industry related artifacts, five portraits by folk artist Ammi Phillips, a library featuring a collection of CT history and decorative arts resources and archives/photo collection.

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The Great Egg Hunt & Spring Celebration New Canaan Nature Center March 30 & 31

The New Canaan Nature Center’s annual Egg Hunt is back again this year! On Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31 the Nature Center will host a series of egg hunts for small groups of children ages 2-10. The one-hour programs will take place at 2:30pm and 3:30pm on Friday and 11am, Noon, 1:30pm and 2:30pm on Saturday. The Nature Center is located on144 Oenoke Ridge in New Canaan (203-966-9577).

Each program will include a spring scavenger hunt to identify signs of spring as well as a chance to meet the baby chicks that just hatched at the Nature Center. Kids will learn all about the magic of eggs from NCNC naturalists and then hunt the grounds for hundreds of eggs filled with goodies. Representatives from Hop-Along-Hallow will also be at the Saturday events with their real bunny rabbits. Hop-Along-Hollow is dedicated to helping educate people on proper care of small pets and to create better living environments for rabbits and other small animals.

Volunteers from the class of 2014 National Charity League Canaan Parish collected candy donations from league members and stuffed 2,359 eggs that are used for these special egg hunts!

The programs will take place in rain or shine, with the egg hunt-taking place in the tropical greenhouse in the event of rain. These events do sell out and advance registration required: please call (203) 966-9577×20 or register online. The program is $10/child for members and $15/child for non-members.

The New Canaan Nature Center is an environmental education center and sanctuary dedicated to helping people of all ages better understand, appreciate and care for the world of nature. Visitors Center open: Monday – Saturday 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Grounds open dawn to dusk daily. www.newcanaannature.org.
For more information about Fairfield County visit: www.visitfairfieldct.com.

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Downtown Cabaret Theatre Presents GARY PUCKETT and The Union Gap March 31

Gary Puckkett

Gary Puckett and The Union Gap will take the stage of the Downtown Cabaret Theatre for two performances (5pm & 8pm) ONLY on Saturday, March 31 (2012). The Downtown Cabaret Theatre is at the located at 263 Golden Hill Street in downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Gary Puckett and The Union Gap is one of the most successful musical groups of the 1960s and over the years achieved worldwide prominence. With Gary’s powerful and unmistakable signature voice, the group garnered six consecutive Gold Records and Top 10 Billboard hits and sold more records in 1968 than any other recording act…including The Beatles. In addition, Gary is one of the few artists whose first five releases went gold…not even Elvis accomplished this.

Among the group’s hit singles are “Woman Woman,” “Young Girl,” “Lady Willpower,” “Over You,” “Don’t Give Into Him” and “The Girl Is a Woman Now,” among numerous others.

“Young Girl” was re-issued by popular demand in England where it reached #1 and achieved a Silver Record Award for the second time…a full six years after the song was initially released.

Gary Puckett performs at the Musicians Hall of Fame awards show at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tenn.

The group’s “Greatest Hits” album continues to be one of CBS Records’ best-selling “Collector’s Series” albums today.

Gary was a founding member of the incredibly successful “Happy Together” tour that played to sold-out performances in over 100 cities nationwide. Later, Gary was invited to tour with The Monkees on their national reunion tour, which established itself as the major box office success of the 1986 touring season.

In 1992, Gary went to Europe and recorded “In Europe,” which was released there almost immediately, but was not released in the US until 2001.

Gary Puckett and The Union Gap are schedule for two performances ONLY on Saturday, March 31 at 5pm and 8pm.

The Downtown Cabaret Theatre is located at 263 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Reserved tickets are $39-$49-$59-$69. Tickets can be reserved: By Phone: Box Office: 203.576.1636 In Person: at box office located 263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut Online at www.downtowncabaret.org


About Downtown Cabaret Theatre:

Box Office Hours: 11am to 5pm – Tuesdays thru Fridays. The Box Office is open 90 minutes prior to performance times
Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays – Closed

The Downtown Cabaret Theatre is a direct descendent of the Sacred Heart University Cabaret. After several successful seasons in an academic setting, the entire company, under the artistic direction of Claude McNeal, moved to its present home in 1975. Alexander Hawley, Samuel Hawley, Norwick Goodspeed, Mayor Nicholas Panuzio, Leete Doty, and other business and civic leaders believed that a professional theatre company in a resident home was essential to the development of the downtown area. As part of this move, the assembly room of the former YWCA was converted to a theatre, including the addition of a balcony and air conditioning.

Since the Theatre’s official opening with VAUDEVILLE TROUPE on February 27, 1976, over one million adults and children have enjoyed musical productions in the unique “Bring Your Own Picnic” cabaret atmosphere. It is now recognized as an important regional theatre and cultural resource.

Drawing upon both Connecticut and New York talent, the Downtown Cabaret has proven to be a marvelous opportunity for theatre professionals to showcase their talents and it has created a perfect environment for the seasoned and up-and-coming artist.

The Downtown Cabaret Theatre is incorporated as a not-for-profit tax-exempt regional theatre that offers year-round musical theatre and entertainment. As with all non-profit arts organizations, the Downtown Cabaret must rely on the support of the public and private sectors.

In 1995 the Cabaret underwent a $1.3 million renovation to the facility. Renovations included the construction of a fly house over the stage, the remodeling of the backstage bathrooms, lobby and house, as well as major upgrades to lighting, sound, and air conditioning equipment. These renovations were funded by a $900,000 grant from the State and a capital campaign the Theatre undertook. The newly renovated theatre now holds 290 people.

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Ride a Vintage Train to Visit the Easter Bunny !

The Danbury Railway Museum is planning to greet the Easter Bunny once again this spring. The Easter Bunny will make his home in a authentically restored train car where he will greet young and old alike on special weekends this April!

To reach the Easter Bunny you will first enter the historic Danbury Railroad Station where you will board a vintage train that will take you on a fun filled ride through the historic railyard to the Easter Bunny. The short train ride in a fully-restored 1953 New Haven RR Rail Diesel Car (Budd RDC), will take visitors past the fully operational turntable, over 70 vintage railroad cars and locomotives, and many unique pieces of railroad history, including a Boston & Maine steam locomotive built in 1907. Of special note is the museum’s beautifully restored circa-1910 Railway Post Office (RPO) car that will also be open.

The train ride will stop at the Easter Bunny’s special railroad car. Each child will receive a small gift from the Bunny making this a great time for memorable photos that will be cherished though out the years.

An extra treat for those visiting the Easter Bunny are the exhibits inside the restored 1903 Danbury Station that include a coloring station, temporary tattoos, Thomas® play table, and operating model train layouts. A fully-stocked gift shop will also be open.

This popular annual family event will take place on Sunday, March 25; Saturday & Sunday, March 31 & April 1; and Friday & Saturday, April 6 & 7. Museum hours are 10:00-4:30 on Friday and Saturday; noon-4:30 on Sunday. Reservations are suggested and may be made by visiting the museum’s Web site at www.danburyrail.org.

The Danbury Railway Museum is a non-profit organization, staffed solely by volunteers, and is dedicated to the preservation of, and education about, railroad history. The museum is located in the restored 1903 Danbury Station and rail yard at 120 White Street, Danbury, CT. For further information, visit the Web site at www.danburyrail.org, email info@danburyrail.org, or call the museum at 203-778-8337.

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