Category: Entertainment

Parmalee, Lita Ford and Jump: America’s Van Halen Experience at the 48th Norwalk Oyster Festival September 11-13

The Norwalk Seaport Association has unveiled its 2026 entertainment lineup, running September 11 through September 13, 2026. The 48th annual three-day festival blends seaside charm with arena-level performances. The weekend kicks off Friday night with a jolt of rock history. At 8 p.m. on September 11, Lita Ford—the groundbreaking guitarist and former Runaways member—brings her unmistakable brand of glam metal to Norwalk. Known for hits like “Kiss Me Deadly” and the powerful duet “Close My Eyes Forever” with Ozzy Osbourne, Ford’s career spans decades, accolades, and a permanent place in rock’s cultural DNA. Her presence anchors opening night with grit, nostalgia, and undeniable star power.

Lita Ford brings glam metal to the Norwalk Oyster Festival

Taking over the Xfinity Main Stage on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., September 12, is multi-platinum country group Parmalee—a band that has steadily climbed from regional favorite to national powerhouse. With more than 1.6 billion on-demand streams and six No. 1 hits, Parmalee has helped redefine modern country music, threading together classic storytelling with a polished, crossover-ready sound. Expect a setlist stacked with fan favorites like “Carolina,” “Close Your Eyes,” and “Already Callin’ You Mine alongside newer chart-toppers including “Take My Name,” “Girl in Mine,” and “Cowgirl,” a track that recently made history as one of the longest-running No. 1 songs by a band on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in over a decade. Recent releases include the deeply personal “How Do I Let You Go” and their current single, “God Knew Better.”

Dance to the multi-platinum country group Parmalee

On Sunday, the festival shifts into high gear one last time as JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience closes out the weekend. Taking the Xfinity Main Stage at 4 p.m. on September 13, the band delivers a high-octane tribute to Van Halen’s David Lee Roth era—complete with faithful renditions, theatrical flair, and a setlist that dives beyond the biggest hits into deep-cut territory for true fans.

The high octane performance of JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience closes out the weekend

The Norwalk Oyster Festival is about much more than headlining performers; it’s an experience the whole family can enjoy. On Sunday, Kids Day makes it especially fun for families, with children 12 and under admitted free with a paying adult. Many of the festival’s shows are included with your ticket and scheduled throughout the day, so you can catch your favorites without missing a moment. And, if your family loves rides, an unlimited ride wristband is available on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As Norwalk Oyster Festival Chairman, Mike Reilly puts it, “The Norwalk Oyster Festival brings it all together – arena-sized live bands, a craft village, rides, great food, and family entertainment, all packed into one unforgettable three-day weekend.”

This year’s presenting sponsor, Mohegan Sun Online Casino, is once again raising the bar with a VIP experience, bringing a touch of resort-level service to the festival. “Our partnership with the Norwalk Seaport Association continues to be an amazing relationship for our business and our presence in the community,” said Colin Mulhern, Event Manager, Mohegan Sun Online Casino.

For tickets and full event details, visit https://www.seaport.org/norwalkoysterfestival_entertainment

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Free Events, Live Music, Local Flavor – Weekend in Norfolk (WIN) July 31- August 2, 2026

(WIN) celebrates its 11th year from Friday, July 31, through Sunday, August 2, with a three-day weekend of music, art, food, history, and outdoor activities. One of the weekend highlights is the expanded Sidewalk Sunday on August 2, from 12 PM to 4 PM on Station Place. With the street closed to traffic, it becomes a lively pedestrian space where visitors can shop handmade goods, meet local makers, and enjoy live music.

Garden lovers will find plenty to enjoy. Sunday’s garden tours open four exquisite private gardens, including Woodland Pathways and Feeding Body and Soul. Visitors can also explore
Norfolk’s community garden, learn composting tricks from master composter Doug Semmes, and pick up a free herb seedling, while supplies last. For treasure hunters, there is a town-wide tag sale, and for art lovers there are shows at the Art Barn and the Norfolk Library as well as an open artist studio.

Music fills the weekend, with many free performances. Friday opens with a concert on the Green and live music at Infinity Music Hall’s Bistro on all three days. Saturday features the free Emerging Artists concert at the Music Shed, and live performances on Robertson Plaza. On Sunday, enjoy another round of free concerts, plus a children’s concert and ice cream social at the Music Shed.

WIN also offers plenty of ways to get outdoors. Start Friday with a plant and bird walk at City Meadow, then choose from Saturday’s yoga on the Green or a guided gravel bike ride with the Rails to Trails Committee. On Sunday, enjoy lawn games and a bring-your-own picnic lunch at the award-winning Manor House Inn. Visitors can also explore Norfolk’s scenic trails or attend a free fly-fishing workshop at Wood Creek Pond. Families will find plenty to enjoy as well, including bubble art at the Botelle School and family-friendly activities hosted by the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department, featuring a bounce house and an obstacle course that introduces children to basic firefighting skills.

History and culture are also front and center. The Norfolk Historical Society’s exhibit brings the Revolutionary War era to life, while tours of local landmarks such as Battell Chapel and the Immaculate Conception Church show off exquisite stained-glass windows by Tiffany and others, and a tour of the Whitehouse offers a closer look at Norfolk’s rich past. At The Hub, Aton Forest is putting on an exhibit showing the history of the many conservation projects its founders undertook. And for something truly global, head to the Connecticut-Asia Cultural Center, which offers exhibits, complimentary Asian lunch boxes, Dragon Boat Racing, bonsai demonstrations, and tea ceremonies.

When it’s time to eat, Norfolk delivers. Local favorites like the Icebox Cafe, Berkshire Country Store, and Infinity Bistro are serving up delicious options and WIN specials, while food trucks and pop-up vendors add even more variety throughout the weekend. All offer take-out, and Mountain Spirit Liquor is offering its own WIN specials to go with your picnic. With most events free and everything close by, WIN makes it easy to explore at your own pace. Whether you come for the music, the art, the history, or simply the atmosphere, you’ll leave with more than a good weekend—you’ll leave with a sense of belonging. Explore the full, daily-updated schedule at Weekend in Norfolk and plan your perfect summer weekend. For more information https://weekendinnorfolk.org/

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Danbury Concert Association presents “Piano Four Hands” with Andrew Armstrong and Jeewon Park on Sunday, October 26 at 3 p.m.

The Danbury Concert Association (DCA) will present “Piano Four Hands” when two virtuosos, Andrew Armstrong and Jeewon Park, take to the keyboard together on Sunday, October 26 at 3 p.m. The second concert of the DCA’s 2025/26 series, featuring Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” Grieg’s “Four Norwegian Dances, op. 25,” and other works by Fauré, Mozart, and Schubert, will take place at the Visual & Performing Arts Center of Western Connecticut State University.

Single tickets are available at $25 from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dca-presents-andrew-armstrong-and-jeewon-park-piano-tickets-1757648858049?aff=ebdsoporgprofile. Subscriptions to the remaining three concerts of the 2025/26 series can be purchased on www.danburyconcert.org. Free admission for ages 18 and under, courtesy of the Danbury Cultural Commission, lets young music lovers experience a live concert – and even meet the performers in person at a meet-the-artists reception that’s open to all.

About the Performers
New Canaan native Andrew Armstrong has been praised for his passionate expression and dazzling technique, delighting audiences across Asia, Europe, Latin America, Canada, and the United States, appearing at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and other venues. He also serves as Artistic Director of several music series in South Carolina, New York City, and Worcester, MA.

Since her debut at age twelve with the Korean Symphony Orchestra, Jeewon Park has captivated audiences worldwide. Her playing has been described as “ravishing in execution, radiant in timbre,” exhibiting “ultimate grandeur and sheer delight,” with warm musicality and effortless virtuosity.

About the Visual & Performing Arts Center (VPAC)
The Veronica Hagman Concert Hall has been a premier performance venue since the VPAC opened on the university’s west side campus in 2014. The acoustics are excellent, and the vibe is at once casual and refined. With the hall’s open, in-the-round seating (for up to 350) each concertgoer can sit back and enjoy the artist-audience connection.

Upcoming Performances
The DCA’s series will continue with pianist Ilya Yakushev on March 22, 2026, and cellist Sophie Shao & Friends on June 7, 2026. Concerts are on Sundays at 3 p.m., and each is followed by a meet-the-artists reception. For details see www.danburyconcert.org.

About the Danbury Concert Association
The Danbury Concert Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, has a volunteer board that organizes its series. Kathryn Taylor Kloss, President, notes that “Community music began flourishing in the early days of the U.S.! In the 1930s, Danbury was fortunate to have a very active group (the Danbury Music Centre) which led to the creation of the DCA, devoted to presenting professional performances. Today, thanks to support from individual and corporate donors, and granting organizations like the Danbury Cultural Commission, we continue that mission, now in the beautiful concert hall on the WestConn campus. We invite everyone who wants to experience live music ‘where they live’ to come to our concerts.”

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