NEWS AND UPDATES
As the month comes to a close don’t forget to save the dates for exciting programming:
SAMESEX 2018 Call for Art: June 12th
All artists are invited to submit jpegs of their work for consideration by June 12, 2018. SameSex explores LGBT themes, same-sex attraction, related feelings and issues of 2018. Artists need not be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender to participate.
Make Music Day Bridgeport: June 21st
Over 250 free outdoor music making events will be held across the state as part of annual global celebration. Community partners City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail, the DSSD and WPKN radio, 89.5 fm are collaborating on this initiative of the CT Office on the Arts.
WPKN State of the Arts Interview with Suzanne Kachmar
WPKN’s State of the Arts show hosted by Richard Pheneger and Peggy Nelson interviews Suzanne Kachmar from Bridgeport’s CITY LIGHTS GALLERY
MAY EVENTS – PART 2
VISUAL ART – NEW EXHIBITS
Art That Makes the HeART Sing…
City Lights Gallery
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 31st, 5:30-8:30 pm
On View May 23-July 7, 2018
DESCRIPTION
The City Lights mission says. “We believe in the power of the arts to nurture, heal and inspire.”
Emotions and ideas can be expressed through various art forms. One type of art can inspire another.
It has been the intention of the City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail to celebrate and connect all the artforms.
“Art that Makes the HeART Sing.” Exhibit runs May 23- July 7, 2018 and was designed in anticipation of newest, upcoming City Lights endeavor, “Make Music Day-Bpt,” scheduled for June 21, offering an eclectic mix of opportunities to make and enjoy music.
Join us for an artists’ reception on Thursday May 31, 2018 from 5:30-8:30pm, free and open to the public. Exhibiting artists include: Dustin DeMilio, Allan Dudek, Lisi Orjuela, Billy Russomano, Joan Wheeler
Curator Suzanne K says, I realize there is a lot of pain, suffering, struggle and injustice happening around the world and in our country. The need to do good work and be vigilant is constant. The continual bombardment of these global stressors is fatiguing and desensitizing. This exhibit is planned to provide a respite from the assault of the ubiquitous presence of digital screens of the 21st century that continually emit content to stimulate, agitate, polarize, desensitize, and suspend us in a hyper-awareness of local to global conflict, struggle and tragedy- that feeds an addiction for the consumption of the latest breaking news and virtual reality. The intention of this exhibit is to be reminded of why we need to learn how to co-exist and work towards equity and harmony.
MAKE MUDSIC DAY-BPT, JUNE 21, 2018
City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail presents an eclectic mix of free-opportunities to make and enjoy music.
Thank you to our Make Music Day-Bpt sponsors: Bank of America, Kuchma Corporation and our community sponsors, WPKN radio and the Downtown Special Services District.
http://www.makemusicday.org/bridgeport/
Housatonic Community College Student Exhibit
Exhibit on View: May 3- May 24
The HCC Student Exhibit
Show ends; May 24
Faculty Exhibit
Exhibit begins June 1
Opening Reception: June 5 at 5:30
Call for Art: SAMESEX Art Exhibit
Deadline: June 12th
All artists are invited to submit jpegs of their work for consideration by June 12, 2018.
SameSex explores LGBT themes, same-sex attraction, related feelings and issues of 2018. Artists need not be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender to participate.
VISUAL ART – ON VIEW
No Vacancy – A 305 Artist Collective
Artists of 305 Knowlton
DESCRIPTION
The artists of 305 Knowlton Street’s first collective art show.
305 Knowlton is home to various artist studios and small businesses. Ranging from painters to writers to photographers and more, the building is filled with creatives minds and entrepreneurs.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Legacies of Slavery & Freedom: BPT’s Little Liberia Journey
Hosted by Bridgeport Arts and Cultural Council
May 18th, 7 PM – 9 PM
The Bijou Theatre
DESCRIPTION
Keith Stokes from the 1696 Heritage Group, a Little Liberia descendant, will present the 220 year story resulting from one of the most famous mass slave emancipation and reparation efforts in history.
Titled, “Legacies of Slavery & Freedom: Little Liberia Journey,” the presentation will highlight the scholarly research and documentation that also tells the story of the evolution of free African heritage communities during the late 18th and early 19th century in America including Philadelphia, New York City and Newport that directly feed into the Little Liberia neighborhood of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The presentation will include many images of Stokes family heirlooms from early Little Liberia between 1840 and 1900.
Keith Stokes will present the story of African heritage evolution from enslavement to freedom through the journey of his ancestors from West Africa, Jamaica to America, with a focus on those that settled in Little Liberia in the 1830’s.
He’ll present documentation that demonstrates that Little Liberia was part of an extensive network of free communities of color in early America that became flash-points for early African heritage places of worship, commerce and civic organizations.
Also he’ll speak to the many projects he has been involved in to research and interpret African heritage sites with examples from Newport, Bahamas, Barbados and most recently in Jamaica.
Tickets are $25 per person, and all ticket sales will go to support further non-profit cultural programming for the Mary & Eliza Freeman Center for History & Community and the Bridgeport Arts & Cultural Council (501C-3)
Barnum Museum
Connecticut Open House Day
Saturday, June 9, 2018
DESCRIPTION
The Connecticut Office of Tourism is sponsoring the 14th annual Connecticut Open House Day on Saturday, June 9th. The one-day statewide event is designed to showcase Connecticut’s diverse world of history, art, and tourism.
As part of the 2018 Connecticut Open House visit the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and get a free guided tour, along with free Barnum bookmarks and postcards.
Call for Performers: Make Music Bridgeport
Registration opens March 15, 2018
Save the Date: June 21st, 2018
DESCRIPTION
The CT Office on Culture has invited the city of Bridgeport to join the international Make Music Day by participating in CT’s first statewide Make Music Day celebration on June 21. An eclectic mix of free-opportunities to make and enjoy music are in formulation, including lunch-time music in public spaces like the Broad St steps, an open-mic evening at McLevy Green and live performances and interviews broadcasted from WPKN radio, 89.5 fm.
Community partners organizing the Make Music Bridgeport are City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail, the Downtown Special Services District, WPKN radio 89.5 fm.
Bridgeport is the home of a growing community of musicians and recording studios producing Reggae, Rap, Blues, Baroque, Bluegrass and more. Homegrown music events include PorchFest, the Black Rock Famer’s Market Hootenanny and Downtown Thursdays. Interested musicians please email clgallerybpt@gmail.com.
Mark your calendar for June 21. Check back to http://www.makemusicday.org/bridgeport/ as we grow our list of programs and performers which presently consists jazz, bluegrass and Afro-Caribbean drumming.
The Make Music Day celebration started in France 35 years ago and is growing into a popular global event. Learn More Here: http://www.makemusicday.org/
Harborview’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
Harborview Market
218 Harborview Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605
May 25th -27th
DESCRIPTION
What’s that saying? The days are long but the years are short? There was never a truer encapsulation of how we feel knowing that 25 unbelievable years have zipped by in the blink of an eye. We’ve had quite a few long days making Harborview what it is today, but as we reflect back on all the years, all the memories, all the friends and loved ones we’ve gained and lost over the years, we can’t help but be certain that it was all worth it.
Michele, Rick and the Torres family, along with all of our employees would love it if you would join us as we celebrate 25 wonderful years of Harborview. Because truthfully, we couldn’t have done it without you. Please note the schedule of events below:
FRIDAY // “Harborview: 25 Years of Coffee, Community, and Art”
Art Show with snacks, wine and beer. 6-8 PM // Live Jazz Trio
After Party at Walrus + Carpenter from 8:30-midnight with our son’s cover band, Father Panic
SATURDAY // Live music from 10-4. Symphonic Bodega from 11-1 Later in the evening come down to help Sam Goater paint a mural in the intersection of Harborview and Midland. Gonna be a lot of fun
SUNDAY // BLOCK PARTY!! 2-6. We will be closing down Harborview Avenue between Midland and Hanford. There will be Live Music, bouncy castle, corn hole, Pie Eating Contest, Hot Dogs and Hamburgers. Beer will be provided for interested adults however we are encouraging people to BYO, especially if you prefer wine!
SavorCity: Bereket Turkish Cuisine
May 23rd, 6-9 PM
2871 Fairfield Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06605
DESCRIPTION
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is joining a consortium of several Bridgeport groups to launch SavorCity, a monthly tour of Bridgeport restaurants, food, art and music, showcasing the cultural delights of Connecticut’s most diverse city.
Next stop is at Bereket Fairfield Cuisine, Black Rock, May 23, 6-9pm, serving “The most delicious Turkish I’ve ever had! Homemade, so flavorful and plentiful.” Paintings by Susan Taylor Murray will be displayed and Black Rock’s own Singer Songwriter, John Torres will be performing solo .
FILM
The Bijou Theatre proudly presents
a free screening to honor our fallen military heroes: Saving Private Ryan
Free Admission with Donation to the Memory Box Project
May 26, 2018, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm
This event is 17 and over
DESCRIPTION
Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan. Surrounded by the brutal realties of war, while searching for Ryan, each man embarks upon a personal journey and discovers their own strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and courage.
TO HONOR OUR FALLEN MILITARY HEROS, THE BIJOU THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENTS A SCREENING OF THIS ACADEMY AWARD WINNING FILM. Admission is free with your donation to THE MEMORY BOX PROJECT.
Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan. Surrounded by the brutal realties of war, while searching for Ryan, each man embarks upon a personal journey and discovers their own strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and courage.
THE MEMORY BOX PROJECT
The Memory Box Project is a non-profit organization that has received national recognition. The program was created to provide families with a designed keepsake box for the memories of their lost loved one.
The ultimate goal is to give one box to every family that has lost a loved one, KIA, in the wars of Iraq or Afghanistan.
All boxes are hand crafted by DB Custom Woodworking. They are produced using solid cherry wood with tongue and groove joinery, and pewter handles. The top is engraved with an American flag, an appropriate insignia, a fallen soldier silhouette and the words “All gave some, Some gave all”. The front is personalized with the Name, Rank, Branch of Service and the dates of birth and passing of the Fallen Soldier.
Over 1,000 requests have come in for Memory Boxes and fulfillment is strongly reliant on public and private donations.
PERFORMING ARTS & THEATRE
Sleeping Beauty
April 14 – May 20
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
DESCRIPTION
It’s not always easy being a princess, especially when a wicked witch places a spell on you. But all is not lost for Princess Adelaide as long as she has her three silly but good-natured fairy Godmothers by her side. But even the best intentions can’t always protect the princess, and when the spell comes true, only a very special prince can free her.
Our Children’s Theatre shows approximately run 75-80 minutes with a 10-minute intermission.
Director: Frank Root
Choreographer: Abby Root
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
April 27 – May 20
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
DESCRIPTION
Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three friends, Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship, and end up finding more than they ever could have ever dreamed of. With dazzling costumes and a hit parade of dance floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive”, “Hot Stuff,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “I Love The Nightlife,” this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of fabulous!
Director: Christy McIntosh-Newsom
Musical Director: Eli Newsom
Choreographer: Emily Frangipane
The Bijou Theatre Presents
Bon Jovi Tribute – 1 Wild Night
June 1, 2018
Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm
DESCRIPTION
1 WILD NIGHT, “the Official Band of Girls’ Night Out,” has been wowing Bon Jovi fans and building a loyal following in the New York Tri-State area since 2013. Featuring look- and sound-alike lead singer Alex Barbieri as “Jon Bon Jovi,” the band also includes pro musicians: keyboardist MJ, guitarist Marc Amendola, and drummer Rob Servedio. All four have decades of experience performing live at bars, clubs and theaters.
$20.00 – $35.00
The Hit Men: Legendary Rock Supergroup
June 2, 2018
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
DESCRIPTION
Back by Popular Demand…New Show! New Songs! New Backstage Stories! Legendary Performers with Frankie Valli, Carole King, Cat Stevens, Blood Sweat & Tears and many others from the royalty of rock!
The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were a magical era for songwriting, and during that period, artists like Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and other big name groups created unforgettable hits that have graced the airwaves and concert halls for generations and are woven into America’s consciousness. After decades behind the scenes, five of the greatest musicians who were instrumental in the success of these fabulous songs have reunited to form THE HIT MEN. Not Broadway actors, or a tribute band, these guys are the real hit-makers who traveled all over the world, creating music and memories— from Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, to the Sydney Opera House and the London Palladium. A group of amazing performers, superb musicians, superior vocalists, great arrangers and creative composers, THE HIT MEN are the hit-makers of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s – including performing and/or recording members of legendary bands and artists like Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, The Critters, Jim Croce, Cheap Trick, Blood Sweat & Tears, Sting, Cat Stevens, Elton John & Kiki Dee, Carly Simon, and more.
On the road touring as THE HIT MEN, this brotherhood of musicians relive the magic they created on world stages and in recording studios, bringing audiences a night of hit after hit, after hit — including everyone’s favorite Four Seasons songs like “Oh What a Night, ” “Who Loves You,” “Let’s Hang On,” and more great tunes made even more famous by Broadway’s Jersey Boys. And they also perform many other timeless hits that they helped make famous – including “Mony, Mony,” “Peace Train,” “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” “You’re So Vain,” “Don’t Stop Believing,” “The Loco-Motion,” and many more. During their performances, THE HIT MEN also share behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes from their days in recording studios and on the concert circuit; it’s an entertaining and informative look back through rock & roll history from the guys who lived and breathed the experience.
New England Ballet Company – Retrospective Renewal
Sunday, June 10, 2018, 5:00PM
The Klein
DESCRIPTION
New England Ballet Company has a rich and diverse repertory of ballets created and built over the past 27 years. With the recent water damage in January most of the scenery, backdrops, props, and costumes our full length productions of “Nutcracker” and “Romeo & Juliet” were damaged and/or destroyed. New England Ballet Company will take the stage at it’s home theatre The Klein to fund raise for the rebuilding of all that was lost. “Retrospective Renewal” will be a look back at 27 years of our Artistic Director Victor Trevino’s choreography with the purpose of looking forward to renewing and revitalizing the future of NEBC.
TICKETS: $35 & $25
