BPT Art Trail News – April 2017 – Part 2

 

 

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IN THIS ISSUE

APRIL NEWS

Spring is in full swing in the City of Bridgeport!

In this issue, learn more City Lights Gallery’s 13th anniversary events and new location, celebrate Earth Day at the “My Park City” exhibit opening reception Thursday, April 20th, and save the date for upcoming open studios.

Plus, enjoy the nice weather at COLORBLENDS Artist Open House & Spring Garden, Paint Night at Brewport, and new shows at both the Downtown Cabaret and Bijou Theatres.

We’re happy to feature our April Artist of the Month Iyaba Ibo Mandingo. Iyaba most recently participated in the “How We See You” exhibit at City Light’s Gallery and “Obsidian Colored Glasses” at Read’s Ground Floor Gallery. His show, unFramed, made it’s off-Broadway debut this month.

Link to additional information on any event by clicking the accompanying image.

-The BPT Art Trail Team

Visit the Bridgeport Art Trail Website to Read More

NEWS

CITY LIGHTS CELEBRATED ITS 13th ANNIVERSARY with a ribbon cutting at our new home! We join fellow community-based arts organizations, the Downtown Cabaret Theatre and New England Ballet Company… establishing the location as a DOWNTOWN ARTS ANCHOR!!!

ART ON VIEW:
Executive Director presents a sampling of works she calls “My Favorite Things'” a combination of works from the City Lights permanent collection and her own personal collection.

Thank you to CT POST for covering the move! Read more…

APRIL ARTIST OF THE MONTH
IYABA IBO MANDINGO

I am a multi-disciplined Artist from the Griot tradition, my objective is to use the material be it paint, ink, “garbage” found objects, words, acting, singing to tell the story of us…

“I began writing unFRAMED 15 years ago. As a multi-disciplined artist , I use paint, poetry, song and acting to tell the journey of my life as a boy in the Caribbean to a manhood in America.” – Iyaba Ibo Mandingo

VIEW IYABA’S FULL PROFILE HERE

APRIL EVENTS

EarthFest April 20, 2017
The Read’s Building Celebrates Earth Day Through the Arts!
“My Park City” Opening Reception
Thursday, April 20th, 5-10PM
Read’s Ground Floor Gallery
1042 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604

Join us for the opening reception of “My Park City”, an exhibit featuring artwork inspired by the natural beauty in Bridgeport, CT. In addition to original works by area artists, Maggie Daly Arts Cooperative (MDAC) artists will unveil a special installation.

Sponsored in part by Bridgeport’s Artists & Craftsman Supply
Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
Suggested donation $5

EarthFest 2017 Events

From 12-2PM The Maggie Daly Arts Cooperative (MDAC) will be hosting an Earth Day Open House. All are invited to enjoy:
Recyclable Arts & Crafts
• Opening of Re-imagined: A Kennedy Center Exhibit
• Tai Chi with Jonathan Davis (aka Brother Ya Ya)
• Sneak peek of My Park City exhibit in the Read’s Ground Floor
Gallery (tables will be available in the gallery for a brown bag luncheon)

More information about EarthFest is available at www.mdac-kc.org

CONCERT: Puerto Rican Song Book
Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 8PM
The Bijou Theatre

The Greater Bridgeport Latino Network presents Rick Reyes and the sensational Campo de Humo to share the sounds of traditional Puerto Rican music — from plena to salsa. You won’t be able to see anything like this anywhere!

Doors open at 7:00pm, Show starts at 8:00pm
All Seats Tickets:$25

Mark your calendar- the Artist Open House & Spring Garden Celebration will be Saturday, April 22, 10am- 6pm.

The pop-up gallery features local artists :Christopher Harley, Distort, Jahmane West, Liz Squillace, Lizzy Rockwell, Loren Constantini, Looketha, Michael J Clocks and Ruben Marroquin.

Refreshments will be served. There will be plenty of street parking at the House, 893 Clinton Avenue, located in the beautiful Stratfield Historic District of Bridgeport, CT.

LIVE THEATRE: The Downtown Cabaret Theatre

Cinderella
April 15 – May 21
A poor maid, a handsome prince, an evil stepmother, and a very special glass slipper.  These are the makings of this timeless fairy tale. When Cinderella’s stepmother forbids her from attending the Prince’s party, she enlists the magic of some unlikely visitors to help her meet her Prince Charming.  Join us as we celebrate this classic story and see what happens when the clock strikes midnight and the magic disappears.
Our Children’s Theatre shows approximately run 75-80 minutes with a 10-minute intermission.

In The Heights
April 28 – May 21
From the creators of the Broadway phenomenon HAMILTON, the multi-Tony Award-winning IN THE HEIGHTS tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. IN THE HEIGHTS, the winner of the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations is great for the whole family.

FILM: “Movies at the Bijou” film series
April 27th: The Goonies
Bijou Theatre
http://www.bijoutheatre.org/

COMING IN MAY

SAVE THE DATE!  FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2017
Open House/Fundraiser at City Lights Downtown Arts Center
265 Golden Hill St. Bridgeport CT

Celebrate City Lights by attending this special benefit.

The evening begins at 5:30 with wine, beer and beverages and appetizers in the new home of City Lights at 265 Golden Hill Street. At 7 PM you will go downstairs to the Downtown Cabaret Theatre to see the show “In the Heights.” BYOB food and drink to enjoy during the show. During intermission, dessert and coffee will be provided by City Lights.

Tickets begin at $75 each, $150 pp for Patron Tickets which include VIP seating and $250 for Benefactor Tickets which includes best seating and name in special program. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

For tickets, Private Message any of the event hosts or go to the http://www.citylightsgallery.org/?page_id=44 to pay for tickets online.

The Writer’s Group gathers again on Saturday, May 6th and 13th from 2~4pm!

Admission is Free! TELL A FRIEND!

This is a time and space for writing and sharing, It is not an open mic.
Sharing and feedback are optional but encouraged. Bring your pen, pad and an open mind. Please share this invite with your friends as all are welcome to attend.

The group is guided and created by Shanna Melton of Poetic Soul Arts and sponsored by City Lights Gallery.

Join The Writer’s Group ~ Bridgeport Facebook page for updates and inspiration between groups. It is also a great way to stay connected with other members. Click the link and join the party!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/764374100315624/

SPECIAL EVENT: Open Studios and Exhibition Opening
Saturday, May 13th, 2-5pm
NEST Arts Factory

May 2017
Open StudiosDon’t miss the final Open Studios of the season at the NEST! Saturday, May 13 from 2-5 pm – it’s the perfect place to find the perfect gift for mom for Mother’s Day and the perfect place to spend time with your mother. Come for poetry at 1 pm and stay to visit the studios and artists starting at 2 pm!

Saturday, May 13, 2017
2-5 pm 
     Open Studios
Visit the artists of the NEST, explore the studios, learn about new techniques and processes. The perfect afternoon to spend with mom for Mother’s Day and the perfect place to find her a gift!  

2-5 pm      Opening Reception: Inwood Artists 
The Inwood Artists exhibit in the NEST Passageway Gallery. Join us for a reception and view the exhibition.

ART WORKSHOPS:  Workshops at The Nest Arts Factory
Spring 2017
Full calendar available here.

ON VIEW

VISUAL ART: Art Faculty Exhibition 2017

APRIL 6 through April 25, 2017

Art Faculty Exhibition 2017

An exhibition featuring art faculty from HCC and the University of Bridgeport.

The Burt Chernow Galleries

This event is free and all are invited to attend.

LET’S GET SOCIAL

Announcing the Bridgeport Art Trail Facebook Submission form. This form allows Bridgeport artists, arts organizations, event attendees, and those involved in related programming to share content to be considered for our Facebook page. Some examples include information on upcoming events, news, photos of projects you’re currently working on, photos of you at arts events, related articles and advice, etc.

SUBMIT TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE HERE