Connecticut Travel

The Fairfield Museum and History Center, located on 370 Beach Road in Fairfield is hosting two special shows through September 18 and both relate to the rich cultural heritage of Connecticut.

The first special exhibition is called, “Connecticut, 1940: Farms, Factories and the Photographs of Jack Delano”. In 1940 and ‘41, photographer Jack Delano (1914–1997) documented farm and city life in Connecticut for the Farm Security Administration. In rare early color photographs as well as black-and-white images, Delano captured views of Connecticut as it recovered from the Great Depression, showing views of farmers, factory workers, and commuters. Born in Ukraine, Delano emigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1923 and studied art and music at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. A musician and composer as well as a photographer, Delano traveled throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico as a FSA photographer before serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he settled with his wife Irene in Puerto Rico, where he lived for the rest of his life.

The second exhibition is fun for the whole family and is called “Fabulous Animals” that showcases the illustrated world of Robert Lawson who had a long and distinguished career as an artist and children’s book illustrator and author from 1892-1957. Perhaps best known for illustrations of The Story of Ferdinand and Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Lawson is the only artist and author to have won both the Caldecott and the Newbery Awards. A resident of Westport, Connecticut, Lawson and his wife Marie, also an illustrator, lived at Rabbit Hill, pictured in Robert Lawson’s book Rabbit Hill (1945). The exhibition features a range of Lawson’s original drawings and paintings. Sponsored by CT Humanities; special thanks to Maureen Aron and the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Visitors to the Fairfield Museum and History Center will also view an ongoing exhibition called “Creating Community: Exploring 375 Years of Our Past” . This hands-on exhibition invites visitors to explore the history of Fairfield and its region over the past four centuries. Look inside a Native American wigwam, climb into an American Revolution fort, decipher a spy code, and look through the windows of a trolley. Young and old alike will enjoy learning how people worked, lived, and built communities over time by exploring original objects, individual stories, and engaging activities.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Paris had been known as the City of Light long before the widespread use of gaslight and electricity. The name arose during the Enlightenment, when philosophers made Paris a center of ideas and of metaphorical illumination. By the mid-nineteenth century, the epithet became associated with the city’s adoption of artificial lighting: in the 1840s and 1850s, gas lamps were first widely installed, while electric versions began to proliferate by the end of the 1870s. Even as rivals, including Berlin, London, New York, and Chicago, increased the quantity of light in their rapidly electrified cities, Paris managed to maintain its reputation because of the beauty of its illuminations. Light remained and remains to this day a key signature of the French capital.

Electric Paris at the Bruce Museum on One Museum Dr. in Greenwich Connecticut is the first exhibition to explore the ways in which artists responded to older oil and gas lamps and the newer electric lighting that began to supplant them around the turn of the twentieth century. While artificially illuminated public spaces and private interiors appear frequently in works of art and popular depictions of contemporary life during this period, the different types of lighting that animate such spaces – and their distinctive visual properties – have not been considered in detail.

Approximately 50 works – paintings, drawings, prints, and photographs – by such artists as Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Pierre Bonnard, Édouard Vuillard, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Jean Béraud, James Tissot, Charles Marville, Childe Hassam, Charles Courtney Curran, Alfred Maurer, and Maurice Prendergast, among others, will be on view.

Each of the exhibition’s four sections – Nocturnes, Lamplit Interiors, Street Light, In and Out of the Spotlight – reveals the prominent role of artificial illumination in the art of the period and in the making and transformation of modern Paris. Whether nostalgic renderings of gaslit boulevards, starkly illuminated dance halls, or abstracted prisms of electric streetlamps, the works of art on view suggest the diverse ways in which Parisians experienced the city as it transitioned from old to new technologies.

On view and opening on the same day as Electric Paris, the science galleries will sizzle with excitement with a show called Electricity. The show, developed by the Franklin Institute, brings the science and history of electricity to life through engaging, hands-on interactives. Visitors will learn the fundamental principles behind electricity such as magnetic fields, electric charges and battery technology.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Come mingle with a mix of live entertainment, special retail, fashion, and art in downtown Kent Saturday, August 20th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM as we celebrate the Kent Arts Night. Running in conjunction with Kent Presents, the Kent Arts Night includes over 30 participating stores, galleries, and restaurants on and near Main Street. The streets will be illuminated, music will fill the air, and a selection of delicious dishes will be available by local chefs throughout the evening.

Local establishments will stay open later than usual to highlight the best and brightest of downtown Kent. Certain shops and retail outlets will be offering open invites to visitors with refreshments and special items to peruse. Galleries will be showcasing artists from all over the world, while the Kent Memorial Library (32 North Main St) has an opening reception planned for Rex Brasher’s bird portraits.

History buffs can explore the Kent Historical Society’s postcard exhibit “Greetings from Kent,” showcasing the local landscape as seen through the lens of postcard photographers (12 Maple St).

Visitors can enjoy live music at FIVE separate venues: Kent Town Center, the Kent Village Barns, W. David Herman Gallery (23 Kent Green Blvd.), Richard Lindsey Bookseller (15 North Main St.) and at the Fife ‘n Drum Restaurant (53 North Main St). There will be string ensembles and bluegrass, so be prepared for some lovely tunes.

Improv enthusiasts can come check out The 17 Debacles, an improve troupe from The Brookfield Theater of Arts, performing at 6:00 PM on the porch of Kent Station Pharmacy (38 North Main Street).

Additional performances include Kent Cabaret’s show tunes selection, also at Kent Station Pharmacy, as well as Smiles at Sunset’s performance of a modern dance piece at 7:15 PM on the Golden Falcon lot on Main Street.

And make sure to stop into participating local restaurants as they prepare special menus and dishes for the event. And if you didn’t catch this part before, here’s a quick reminder: Kent Arts Night is free and open to everyone, so there’s no need to buy tickets or anything like that. Just show up at downtown Kent on Saturday night for all the activities and enjoy a perfect summer’s eve.

For a complete list of events please visit www.kentct.com. For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

The overwhelming life and times of a popular television weatherman Barry ZeVan are revealed in his new book, My Life Among the Giants, A Memoir: Thank you, Jerry Stiller …for urging me to write this book on Sunday, July 17 at The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport beginning at 2 p.m. Attend this special presentation and learn about his life growing up in Pittsburgh PA and New York City as a child actor and singer on stage and national television. ZeVan was also the highest-rated television personality in the Twin Cities, Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas where he lived, worked and had significant friendships with hundreds of celebrities. ZeVan, known as the “Peek-a-Boo” weatherman, was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame on September 29, 2013. ZeVan’s new book will be for sale for $15.95 each following the talk.

This book is the result of encouragement from Barry’s longtime friend, actor/comedian Jerry Stiller, to recount the very rich experiences of his life. As Jerry Stiller wrote to Barry: “You’re an express train that hasn’t reached its destination . . . you should be more recognized.”

“What I’ve written involves a lifetime of being welcomed into the lives of dozens of the world’s most powerful individuals, with vivid memories of how they were as people,” ZeVan said.

The high praise for an unordinary, unpredictable autobiography comes from others:

“Barry ZeVan, the Weatherman, is the person we watched as a television personality with personality,” expressed Walter F. Mondale, former U.S. Vice President, Ambassador to Japan and United States Senator. “His autobiography tells us there was far more to his life in addition to television weather forecasts and broadcasting. His life story is a compelling read with constant surprises on almost every page. I heartily recommend it to anyone who thinks they know about survival.”

“How can Barry ZeVan know so many famous people? Beats me, but he does and the stories he tells about them make fascinating reading,” explained Sam Donaldson, former ABC-TV White House correspondent, ABC-TV News Anchor, co-host of This Week and Prime Time, Live.

“Barry ZeVan’s memoir is a must-read chronicle of the highest highs and the lowest lows the veteran television personality and producer has experienced, often in the company of the world’s most celebrated personalities,” commented the Rudy Maxa, PBS/American Public Television hostof Smart Travels With Rudy Maxa. “It’s a tale of bright success fraught with darkness, but always filled with hope. Want to know the price and the joys of celebrity? Read this book,” concluded Maxa.

“Barry’s book is one of the most interesting I have ever read,” relayed J.B. “Buck” MacDonald, environmental activist, philanthropist and author of Ark. “He is a natural writer and has made even the most mundane details interesting, spending just the right amount of time on each of his stories and characters. I don’t know many celebrities, so what was particularly interesting for me was to read how ordinary/nice so many of them are and that they’re not ten feet tall. This could only be brought out through Barry’s own personal relations with them. Wonderful job! And yes, I would advise people to buy the book.”

“I recently finished reading that wonderful and amazing book. It was a fun read,” said Donnette Hilton, former Executive Assistant to former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz (R), Minnesota.

Gerald Isaac “Jerry” Stiller (born June 8, 1927) is an American comedian and actor. He is perhaps best known for playing Frank Costanza on the NBC comedy series Seinfeld and Arthur Spooner on the CBS comedy series The King of Queens. He spent many years in the comedy team Stiller and Meara with his late wife, Anne Meara. They are the parents of actor Ben Stiller, with whom Stiller co-starred in the films Zoolander, Heavyweights, Hot Pursuit, and The Heartbreak Kid.

The biography and memoir was published by 4 Square Books, copies of the book and personal autographs will be available for $15.95 following the presentation and on Amazon.com or the Amazom.co.uk websites. Visit http://www.barnum-museum.org for details about this and other events.

Barry ZeVan was born on August 5, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a television and film voice-over and on-camera actor, he’s known for The Best of Hollywood (1998), Hiding Victoria (2006), Horror Incorporated (2002) and A Serious Man (2012). ZeVan was formerly known as Barry ZeVan the weatherman on KSTP-TV Channel 5 in Minneapolis/St. Paul during the 1970s and later on WJLA-TV Channel 7 in Washington, D.C. during the 1970s.

What: My Life Among The Giants, A Memoir, presentation by Barry ZeVan, The Weatherman

When: Sunday, July 17, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Where: The Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT For more information call 203-331-1104 ext. 100 or visit http://www.barnum-museum.org

Cost: A recommended donation for the event is $5 and as always admission is free for Museum members. This program is not recommended for young children.

The Barnum Museum, conceived and built by P.T. Barnum, has proudly served Bridgeport and Connecticut since 1893. The ornate landmark building at 820 Main Street is owned by the City of Bridgeport and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum’s mission is to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence through instructive entertainment. A portion of the museum’s collection, including carriages and furniture belonging to P.T. Barnum and General Tom Thumb is on view in the People’s United Bank Gallery located behind the historic building. Hours are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional program hours as advertised.

On September 10 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the Hollister House Garden is hosting a weekend Symposium called “A Passion for Gardens” at the Heritage Inn in Southbury as well as on the grounds of the Hollister House Gardens.
There will be five expert speakers that will be moderated by garden designer and preservation specialist Bill Noble.

The speakers include:

Arne Maynard, celebrated English garden designer, will share his secrets on the creation of his gardens, unique and rich in detail with a particular sense of harmony and belonging, as he introduces his latest book, The Gardens of Arne Maynard.

David Culp, noted plantsman, author, and creator of the gardens at Brandywine Cottage, will tell us what’s new, unusual, and steadfast in the world of perennial plants in the “Best of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”

Page Dickey, beloved garden writer and passionate gardener, will describe how we can enjoy drifts and pools of flowers that give our gardens unexpected charm in “Self-Seeding in the Garden.”

Quill Teal-Sullivan, preservation professional and garden manager, will speak on “Courage, Vision and Manure” and bringing back the beautiful and historically rich gardens of Helena Rutherford Ely at Meadowburn Farm.

Andy Brand and Christopher Koppel of Broken Arrow Nursery will engage in a friendly yet competitive debate as they present and compare a wide range of plants native to both Japan and America in “East vs West.”

The day concludes with cocktails and early buying at the Sale of Rare and Unusual Plants at Hollister House Garden in Washington, CT. from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission to the Symposium is: $180 for members of Hollister House Garden and/or the Garden Conservancy, $180 for general admissions purchased by July 15 and $195 for general admissions after July 15. The Cocktail Party and early buying event is open to symposium participants as well as to the general public not attending the symposium.

Admission to Cocktails and Early Buying is included in the registration fee for symposium participants. Admission (Cocktails and Early Buying only) is $40 for Hollister House and Garden Conservancy membersand $45 for general admissions.

On Sept. 11 there is a Rare Plant Sale open to the public from 10 am t0 4 pm and admission is $10.

To register for this event visit http://www.hollisterhousegarden.org/events/garden-study-weekend

Did you know that an average of 20,000 hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures migrate over the Audubon Greenwich Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch every fall? On August 28 Ryan MacLean, the “hawk-counter” of Audubon Greenwich located on 13 Riversville Road in Greenwich is kicking off another hawk-watching season. From 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., bird lovers of all ages are welcome to come to the Greenwich Audubon to learn how the staff of the Audubon identifies and tallies raptors at Audubon Greenwich and other hawk watches across the country.

The session will begin with a presentation in Kiernan Hall at the Kimberlin Nature Education Center building. Following this informative session, participants will go on a short walk to Hawk Watch lawn where they will learn how to use binoculars and, with some luck, see a few raptors up close. Make sure to bring your own binoculars; and, if you don’t have a pair, remember to make arrangements to borrow one of the Audubon’s loaner pairs. Picnic refreshments will be served on the lawn afterward. All ages are welcome and the cost to participate is $5 per person. Please RSVP to Gigi Lombardi at glombardi@audubon.org or 203-930-1351.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com