Dreaming of spring?
We have an exciting calendar to help get you through these last winter weeks.
Full art class calendar, new exhibitions including hand-beaded works at City Lights, and NEST Arts Factory Open Studios. Plus, a powerful evening on March 28th to help end gun violence in Bridgeport
We’re happy to announce Jane Davila is our “Art-to-Go” Billboard and Artist of the Month for February 2019!
“I love the energy leading up to and during the Art Trail weekend! I’m always so excited for visitors to our studios and the different venues around the city to discover what an arts and cultural treasure Bridgeport is. There is a gritty, scrappy vibrancy, an “aliveness” to this place, that isn’t found everywhere. I love hearing the wonder in the voices of first time visitors that didn’t realize how truly wonderful, inspiring, creative, and diverse we are.”
Jane Davila
Read her full Artist of the Month feature here
VIEW OUR CLASS CALENDAR HERE
Visit our class calendar full details on upcoming art classes including quilting, figure drawing, creative writing workshops, dance, and more!
UPCOMING CLASSES
Beading Workshop at City Lights Gallery
Beginning Drawing for Youth
Dance Classes at Academy of New England Ballet Company
Free Creative Writing Workshop
Folkloric Fusion Bellydance with Joy Herbst
Quilting with Denyse Schmidt – Improv Stripes: Angles and the Grid
March 2019 CURRENT EVENTS – PART 1
VISUAL ARTS – NEW EXHIBITS/EVENTS
Exhibit: Re-Education of Smedley Butler by Scott Schuldt
On View February 28- April 6, 2019
City Lights Gallery
Opening Reception and Artist Talk
Thursday, March 14, 2019
5:30-8:30 PM, Artist Talk at 7:30PM
DESCRIPTION
DON’T MISS this astonishing exhibit, “The Re-Education of Smedley Butler and other Stories; Drawings, Beadwork Paintings, and Other Marvels by Scott Schuldt, February 28- April 6, 2019, at City Lights Gallery, 265 Golden Hill St. Bridgeport, CT 06604 www.citylightsgallery.org
Scott will present an artist’s talk at the reception on Thursday March 14, 2019. The free reception is open to the community running 5:30-8:30 pm with an artist’s talk at 7:30 pm. Scott’s artist’s talk will seem more like tales told around a campfire, but he says they are all “nonfiction.”
The beaded embroidery has the mesmerizing effect like the elaborate fineness of the book of Kell’s contrasted by the slap-in-your-face content and imagery of tragic American recent history of the military-industrial complex and other big business meldings with U.S. government.
SCOTT SCHULDT, ABOUT “THE RE-EDUCATION OF SMEDLEY BUTLER”
Smedley Butler served in nearly everyone of the “banana war” conflicts between 1900 and 1930. He went from being a Quaker enlistee to retiring as a General and becoming a whistleblower revealing the dirty tricks he did in support of US foreign policy and became an outspoken critic of US economic policies and especially those that required use of the US military in order to succeed. He is the last American to have been awarded two Congressional Medals of Honor.
FROM SMEDLEY BUTLER:
“I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a highclass muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.”
– Smedley Butler, 1935
NEST Arts Factory Spring Open Studios
Saturday, March 9 from 2-5 pm
Nest Arts Factory
DESCRIPTION
The artists of the NEST open their studios to the public on Saturday, March 9, from 2-5 pm. Visit the artists and see lots of new and exciting artworks in the studios, the gallery, and all of the hallways! There will be art, art supplies, decorative items, and furniture for sale at excellent prices. It’s the perfect time to start shopping for mother’s day, father’s day, spring and summer weddings, and more!
NEST Associate Member Exhibit
The Associate Members of the NEST Arts Factory are exhibiting new works in the NEST Gallery in a wide variety of media. Associate Members are showing work in oil, watercolor, pastels, acrylic, printmaking, mixed media, and many other techniques. More info about Saturday’s events can be found at www.nestartsfactory.com/events
Call for Artists and Musicians for SavorCity
SAVOR CITY is a monthly tour of Bridgeport restaurants, food, art and music, showcasing the cultural delights of Connecticut’s most diverse city.
Organized by a coalition of organizations and agencies, including Rick Reyes Productions, Capital for Change, NEST Arts Factory, the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, and others, SavorCity features monthly visits to neighborhood restaurants where guests can experience the authentic local cuisine of Bridgeport’s many neighborhoods as well as local musicians and artists working in a variety of genres and media.
MUSICIANS: Would you like to make some money playing a fun gig in a local restaurant? Tell us a little about yourself! What genre of music do you play? Have you had experience playing in a restaurant setting before? Please provide a link to a website, SoundCloud or iTunes so we can hear your music.
ARTISTS: If you would like to have a show of your work at one of the upcoming SavorCity events, please tell us about yourself! What type of artwork you make? What is your website or social media address where we can see your art? Typically between 4-7 artworks are hung for the event. All sales are handled directly by the artist and there is no commission taken.
Artists and Musicians need to live or work in Bridgeport to be considered. Please see the application on the website at: https://www.savorcitybpt.com/apply or email savorcitybpt@gmail.com
City Lights 15th Anniversary Party/Motown Revue by Band Central
Friday, April 12, 2019 at 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
City Lights Gallery
15 YEARS!!!! Wow, Times flies when you are serving the community through art… OK yes, having fun too!
CELEBRATE WITH CITY LIGHTS ON APRIL 12, 2019
at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. Band Central creates the party atmosphere with fabulous Magic of Motown Revue. The Cabaret Theatre is located just downstairs from City Lights Gallery at 265 Golden Hill St. Downtown Bridgeport CT 06604 203.334.7748.
Thank you to Rob Fried and BAND CENTRAL for partnering with us on the music enrichment programs and sponsoring the Motown Revue for our 15th anniversary party. The high energy ensemble of outstanding Band Central musicians will surely create a fabulous party atmosphere.
This charity concert supports City Light’s outreach programs.Click here to see outreach programs
AFFORDABLE TICKET PRICES AT 2 LEVELS:
$25 admission for the BYOB Motown Revue at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre.
$50 admission includes a pre-show reception at City Lights gallery, along with the performance at the Cabaret Theatre.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Putting a Face to History: Forensic Facial Reconstruction of the Barnum Museum’s Mummy
Friday, March 8, 2019
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Barnum Museum
JOIN US on Friday, March 8th, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a momentous day in the Barnum Museum’s history when we will see the reconstructed face of an Egyptian woman who lived in ancient times, and was mummified at the time of her death, approximately 4000 years ago. Many people in the community will remember that the unwrapped mummy and coffin were on display at the Barnum Museum for decades. Utilizing advanced science and technology it was determined the remains were female, a woman about 30 years of age.
This special live-streamed program will be held in our People’s United Bank Gallery and can also be viewed via Facebook.
PechaKucha Night – Bridgeport, Vol. 4: Transformations
Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 6 PM
The Barnum Museum
DESCRIPTION
Come cheer on your artist friends, tell your story, chit chat…PechaKucha Night Bridgeport presents Volume 4: Transformations on Thursday, March 21; 6 pm to 9 pm. Want to be a presenter? Fill out a proposal here: http://bit.ly/BPT-PKN-proposal4.
The theme of TRANSFORMATIONS will honor both the first day of spring, the work of the InfoBridgeport, launching their “Colorful Bridgeport campaign, and the potential impact of the PechaKucha stories. This is a free event (donations accepted) and the doors open at 6. Food will be lovingly prepared and sold by A Pinch of Salt Chef Raquel Rivera-Pablo.
PechaKucha Night Bridgeport brings people together from diverse backgrounds to listen to great personal stories and learn from each other in a casual and authentic atmosphere. PechaKucha means “chit-chat” in Japanese. Speakers present their stories accompanied by 20 slides, shown for 20 seconds each, resulting in a total time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. This licensed format keeps presentations focused and fast-paced.
PechaKucha Nights are organized by local community members and described as “live events with real people telling real stories.” Talks are uploaded to an international website including 1,000 participating cities.
A FUNDRAISER FOR THE BARNUM MUSEUM
David Ferrari Presents
Extreme Magic with Illusionist Eric Wilzig
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Doors: 6:00 pm / Show: 7:00 pm
With over 2,500 national and international performances to date —— including appearances on NBC’s hit TV show “America’s Got Talent,” sold-out shows at The Tropicana and Caesars Hotel & Casino, headline acts in Times Square, Europe, Canada and the Caribbean —— Eric is considered the hottest rising star in the magic industry.
Known during his childhood as the “little entertainer,” Eric’s fascination with the art of magic began at five years old with a coin trick his father had brought home. Fast forward to age 10, when Eric received a standing-ovation for his magic act from a packed house onboard Royal Caribbean’s “The Explorer of the Seas” cruise ship. It was at that point that Eric realized magic wasn’t going to just be his hobby, but his life!
At age 12, The Extreme Magic Of Eric was born with Eric creating the name, the tone, the presentation and make-up of this award-winning show. Learning directly from David Copperfield, Criss Angel, and other masters of illusion in Las Vegas, Eric has continuously reshaped and modernized his performance to become a world-wide wonder receiving rave reviews wherever he goes. Combining an explosive mix of large cutting-edge illusions, mind-blowing daring escapes, outrageous stunts, customized lighting, and special effects, The Extreme Magic of Eric is truly a one-of-a-kind traveling illusion show!
Aim Higher Together Bridgeport
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Blends Gallery
An evening to raise funds and awareness around a collaborate art activism initiative in Bridgeport to help bring an end to gun violence in the city. Live art from local artists, silent auction, youth artists and leaders will gather for the celebration!
Buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aim-higher-together-bridgeport-tickets-56643747975
PERFORMING ARTS AND THEATRE
Princess and the Frog – Children’s Theatre
February 23 – March 31
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
DESCRIPTION
When a young princess is unable to find a suitable prince, she turns to a very unlikely friend to help her. Little does she know that the secret to her happiness is right under her nose in this brand new musical that shows sometimes true love can be found in the least likely of places.
Our Children’s Theatre shows approximately run 75-80 minutes with a 10-minute intermission.
Sister Act
March 15 – April 07
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
DESCRIPTION
Sister Act is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet. When disco diva, Deloris Van Cartier, witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in a the assumed safety of a convent. Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with the uptight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community. Filled with powerful gospel music (by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken) and a truly moving story, this uplifting musical is reason to REJOICE!
LIVE MUSIC & CONCERTS
The Bouchard Bros – Blue Oyster Cult Founding Members
Friday, March 8, 2019
Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm
Blue Öyster Cult’s longest lasting and most commercially successful lineup included founding members Joe and Albert Bouchard. The original band recorded for Columbia Records in the 1970s and 1980s, and has nine gold and two platinum records to their credit. The Bouchard Bros are multi-instrumentalists who also compose, producer & engineer. This show is a close-up look at two creative brothers whose music has lasted over the decades. The show also features Joan Levy Hepburn on guitar and vocals.
Elton John* by Captain Fantastic
March, 9, 2019
Shows: 5:00 pm / 8:15 pm
DESCRIPTION
Take a journey with the Rocketman. Captain Fantastic, the premier Elton John Tribute Show, will dazzle you with an amazing musical extravaganza! “You’re gonna hear electric music, solid walls of sound”, as Captain Fantastic and the Rocketband perform stunning recreations of your favorite Elton John hits from the 70’s. Captain Fantastic will amaze you with costumes that go from bizarre to breathtaking, and his amazing 5-foot baby grand piano will shower you with lights, smoke, lasers, and a few surprises. You may think you’ve gone down the Yellow Brick Road!
Melissa Etheridge Tribute – Little Secret
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm
“Little Secret brings together the talent and chemistry of the four members of Connecticut’s powerhouse rock and roll cover band, Highfield, as a force majeure tribute to one of the most powerful singer/songwriter artists of our time: Melissa Etheridge.
Etheridge’s career started with a slingshot debut album, going double platinum and earning her first Grammy. She continued to deliver her music to the world, while countless hits and awards illuminated the path of this icon as she cemented her place among the greatest music legends of our generation. Little Secret is proud to honor that legacy with all the passion and power, groove and energy, soul and dynamics that earned Melissa her legion of fans around the world.
In addition to some of the most beloved Etheridge songs, Little Secret also pays tribute to those that influenced and helped her forge her own style. Janis Joplin, Heart, Led Zeppelin, Pat Benetar and others have helped shape the sound and feel of her music, just as they do a Little Secret performance.”
Greater Bridgeport Symphony 2018-19: A Season in Space
Moonstruck
Saturday, Mar 16, 2019, 8:00PM
The Klein
Spring is here — and so is Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring! Johann Strauss’s Beautiful Blue Danube leads off this concert, and the Fairfield County Children’s Choir will join us for Vivaldi’s beautiful Gloria. Special guest Keir Dullea, star of 2001: A Space Odyssey will join us to introduce The Beautiful Blue Danube (a piece forever linked with the film) and a special arrangement of the 1962 sci-fi rock classic Telstar.
