NEXT MONTH!
Bridgeport Art Trail Nov. 8-11, 2018!
Celebrate a decade of arts and culture in this city.
Stay tuned for announcements on events and developments as we start our countdown to the main event.
Newbies can check out 2017 BAT highlights here.
MONGERS MARKET FEATURED IN CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE
Mongers Market Aims to Salvage People’s Love for ‘All Things Old’
“ART TO GO” BILLBOARD PROJECT: OCTOBER – RICK SHAEFER
CALL FOR BRIDGEPORT ART:
“ART TO-GO” Billboard on I-95
ART TO-GO, on I-95 Digital Billboard is a collaboration with the city of Bridgeport to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Bridgeport Art Trail by monthly showcasing a local artist.
Executive Director Suzanne Kachmar thanks the city for this partnership and says, ““ The arts and culture are a natural resource of humanity that needs to be protected, just as we protect forests, air and water supplies. Artists and cultural traditions demonstrate how resilience can be transformed into beauty, solve problems, pass down heritage and build community. Bridgeport artists epitomize this. They are a cultural resource from diverse backgrounds, specializing in a variety of artforms. This billboard project reflects the creativity and potential that is rejuvenating Bridgeport.
ART TO-GO billboard graphic design is contributed by Hatch 130. City Lights is a grateful recipient of the Hatch Initiative.
CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS FOR PECHAKUCHA BRIDGEPORT
NOVEMBER 11TH
BRIDGEPORT ART TRAIL
PECHAKUCHA-CALL for artists, storytellers, anyone… with a story or project they would like to share with the public in a fun, comfortable atmosphere.
Registration required, deadline October 10, 2018, presentation workshop Saturday, October 6 at the Barnum Museum, 820 Main St. Downtown Bridgeport, CT. 06604.
Bridgeport Art Trail artists will be among the presenters at this Sunday Nov. 11, 2018 evening gathering serving also as an interactive closing party of the Bridgeport Art Trail, celebrating the art of conversation and community.
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 1000 participating cities.
If you would like to present, please fill out a proposal here: http://bit.ly/BPT-PKN-proposal3
To help potential speakers with the process of understanding what a Pechakucha is and how to create the slides and presentation there will be one workshop at the Barnum Museum on Saturday, Oct. 6th at 2:00. You can find the registration on our FaceBook page: http://bit.ly/FB-Pechakucha-Bridgeport . If you have any questions email PKBridgeport@gmail.com or call City Lights Gallery (203) 334-7748.
Pecha Kucha 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 a total time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. This licensed format keeps presentations focused and fast-paced.
Bijou Doors open at 6 pm. $1 contribution goes to the international PechaKucha.org
OCTOBER EVENTS PART 12018
VISUAL ARTS – NEW EXHIBITS/EVENTS
Migrant’s Alphabet Exhibit
Opening Reception: Oct. 4, 5:30-8:30pm
City Lights Gallery, Bridgeport
On View: 10/4/18 – 10/18/18
DESCRIPTION
Drawing/Painting from Life
Tuesday, October 9th & 30th, 6-9 PM
City Lights Gallery
Free Demo: The A to Z of Acrylics by Golden Artist Colors
Saturday, October 20, 2018, 2-4 PM
Artists & Craftsman Bridgeport
1001 Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06604
DESCRIPTION
FREE Educational lecture from Golden Artist Colors
The A-to-Z of Acrylics.
Come join author/artist Patti Mollica in a fun 2 hour informative lecture on acrylic Paints, Gels, Mediums and more!
Advanced registration required with a $5 refundable deposit to receive free paint and product samples.
Night At The Museum: Bringing Art To Life
October 25, 2018, 7PM – 10PM
Burt Chernow Galleries
Housatonic Museum of Art
DESCRIPTION
The collection at Housatonic Museum of Art will set the scene for a sophisticated and challenging scavenger hunt in the stunning and newly designed Housatonic Community College. Using your wits and keen tracking skills, pit yourself against other players for a unique and professionally crafted scavenger hunt.
While hunting, enjoy decadent desserts and smart cocktails at our Sips and Sweets Faire with fun activities, live music and a fabulous silent auction.
Join in the excitement as the Housatonic Museum of Art brings the ART to LIFE in this thrilling scavenger hunt and fundraising event.
Advanced Tickets Available
PETER KONSTERLIE: A Retrospective Art Exhibition
Opening Reception: November 10th, 2018, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Panel Art Discussion: Thursday, November 8th, 4:30 – 5:30 PM
Johnas Ruta (curator), Joe Provey, and Cynthia Anderson
Exhibition: November 10th, 2018- January 5th, 2019
Curated by Johnes Ruta
University of Bridgeport’s Schelfhaudt Gallery
84 Iranistan Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604
DESCRIPTION
This exhibition celebrates the life and works of Peter Konsterlie, the Gallery Director of the Schelfhaudt Gallery for 5 years and a well-loved Professor of Art History at U.B. for the past 15 years. Peter passed away suddenly at age 55, on August 13, 2018. He received his BA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. As Director of the University’s Schelfhaudt Gallery, he produced exemplary exhibitions for the school and broader community. His dedication and inspiration within the Shintaro Akatsu School of Design at the University of Bridgeport will be deeply missed.
Peter was a prolific and passionate visual artist. He brought a unique perspective to his paintings integrating several visual styles from pop art to abstract expressionism. His drips of paint combined with spray paint formed patterns, becoming a structure on the canvas for his metaphysical themed Abstracts.
Peter Konsterlie had several solo and group exhibitions in the United States and abroad, most notably The Aldrich Contemporary Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Art, The Plains Art Museum, Carnegie Mellon, Washington D.C., Sarah Bowen Gallery in Williamsburg, NY, Housatonic Museum, Claire Oliver Gallery, N.Y, and most recently at the Drawing Center Viewing Program in New York City. Konsterlie’s work has been purchased and leased for feature film productions, and television productions such as the Blue Bloods with Tom Selleck, and on the ABC news program 20/20 with John Stossel.
Funds are being raised towards an endowment in his name to support the Schelfhaudt Gallery. Donations may be made via https://give.bridgeport.edu/ or (203)576-4542.
Please visit http://www.backward.us/pk/index.htm to see more of Peter Konsterlie’s work.
Please come and bring friends and family. All are welcome! Complimentary refreshments will be served for your enjoyment. The reception is free and open to the public.
The exhibition continues through January 5, 2019.
Peter Konsterlie – A HOME IN THE WOODS acrylic on canvas on board 48w x 48h inches 2004 (Photo Credit: Johnes Ruta, 2018)
ON VIEW
Figurative & Landscape Art with Herm Freeman & Ben Casiano
Thursday, September 27th, 2018, 6:00-8:00 pm
Klein Mezzanine Gallery
The Klein
DESCRIPTION
Figurative & Landscapes with Herm Freeman & Ben Casiano
Free Admission/Open Bar
Exhibit Opening Reception: Afrika360
Saturday, September 29
8 PM – 11 PM
Blends Gallery
1163 Main Street
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604
DESCRIPTION
“AFRIKA360: The Journey” is a collection of new work by painter, poet, performer Iyaba Ibo Mandingo. the exhibit will include paintings, sculptures and a live performance piece by Iyaba as he takes us along on his journey home to Afrika after 400 years.
The Discovery Museum
Exhibits On View
DESCRIPTION
PLASTIC PRIMA VERA BY DANIEL LANZILOTTA
Daniel Lanzilotta’s artistic mission is to bring greater significance to the seemingly insignificant. Daniel calls himself a “plastician,” working with plastic waste, detritus, rubbish, fragments of litter, trash, flotsam, and jetsam. He works predominantly with plastic ocean debris. He has collected a majority of his debris from the Atlantic Ocean along Southwestern France and northern Spain, as well as the Bronx River, Orchard Beach, other sites in the Bronx, and along Coastal Connecticut’s Long Island Sound.
Daniel uses his art to engage his viewers to ponder their consumer habits contributing to plastic debris affecting our shared environments. Daniel’s mission is to help people and communities to shift in baby steps to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Daniel’s work is inspired and influenced by Gestalt Philosophy, specifically Kurt Koffka’s principle posit, “The whole is other than the sum of its parts.” Daniel’s “whole” invites the viewer to find increased value and richness in the common and mundane. The world has become plasticized. He rescues this debris from landfills, oceans, beaches and other waterways. He recoups wasted, discarded materials. Daniel repurposes insignificant items and gives them a new purpose. Significance. Beauty. A new vision.
Daniel Lanzilotta was born and raised in the Bronx. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. He is a Bronx 200 artist. His work has been shown in Europe, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California. Daniel is also a classically trained chef and has a culinary arts degree from The New York Restaurant School. He currently owns and operates Leap Foods, a private dinner party and events service.
LOST IN LEARNING: THE ART OF DISCOVERY BY EVA KOLEVA TIMOTHY
Eva Timothy has been fascinated by history for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Europe, she was continually surrounded by the stories of the great explorers, artists, and inventors.
Her own learning journey has taken her from the University of Utah where she received a B.A. in Communications – emphasis on film and photography to a certification program at The Oxford School of Photography and a Licentiateship Certification from the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain.
Eva believes that the art’s purpose is to empower us in looking beyond the dulling distractions and to focus on our noblest aspirations in life.
In the Lost in Learning project, Eva explores learning through the photographer’s lens where unique angles, the play of light versus shadow, and an intense focus all combine to tell an unforgettable tale.
For Eva, learning is the never-ending voyage. It draws us throughout our lives to pursue our potential and in the process to come to a better understanding of those who have so brilliantly blazed the trail before us.
SUNSET SCIENCE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL FLORIO
Connecticut native Michael Florio has a huge passion for photography, art, science, and technology. His love of these subjects has brought him through a rabbit hole of wonder and amazement. His desire to share the incredible aspects of our universe with others is captured through a dynamic study of sunsets and the fascinating reasons why we experience the glorious colors in a twilight sky.
He wishes to reignite the imagination in adults and inspire young people, whether it is through the art of photography, exploring the cosmos through a telescope, or creating an at-home science project.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Downtown Brideport Farmer’s Market
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
McLevy Green
DESCRIPTION
The Downtown Bridgeport Farmer’s Market is held every Thursday on McLevy Green from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In addition to fresh veggies and delicious lunch options, join for live music and art demonstrations!
2nd Annual Wine at The Klein
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Doors open at 6:30pm for appetizers;
Wine tasting is from 7:00pm-8:30pm
The Klein Memorial Auditorium
DESCRIPTION
Calling all wine lovers! Sample 30+ distinctive wines from local liquor distributors. Proceeds benefit future programs at The Klein & Klein Theatre Arts, our arts education program for Bridgeport youth. Light refreshments will be served and Klein Dance Company will make a special appearance!
The Klein is a 501c3 nonprofit organization – $25 of your contribution is tax deductible.
Organized by Super Saver Spirits in the Shelton Square shopping center
2018 Harvest Hootenanny
Call for Vendors!
Saturday, October 27th, 1-5 PM
Black Rock Farmers Market
481 Brewster St, Bridgeport, CT 06605
DESCRIPTION
Who’s ready to hoot and holler?! The 2018 Harvest Hootenanny to benefit the Black Rock Farmers Market is back in action!
Vendors can apply here: http://blackrockfarmersmarket.com/hootenanny/
Get your tickets to cut the line: http://blackrockfarmersmarket.com/hootenanny/
HCC STEAMfest
Wednesday, November 7
Thursday, November 8
Housatonic Community College
Beacon Hall Events Center
YOU ARE INVITED! Join us at ‘STEAMfest 2018’ in the Beacon Hall Events Center, Wednesday, November 7 and Thursday, November 8, for career planning, employer panelists, student poster presentations, food and more! Mark your calendar today!
LIVE CONCERTS & FILM
WPKN Music on Film Series
Woodstock: Three Days of Peace & Music
The Bijou Theatre
Friday, October 19, 2018
Doors: 6:00 pm / Show: 7:00 pm
DESCRIPTION
The three-day Woodstock music festival in 1969 was the pivotal event of the 1960s peace movement, and this landmark concert film is the definitive record of that milestone of rock & roll history. It’s more than a chronicle of the hippie movement, however; this is a film of genuine historical and social importance, capturing the spirit of America in transition, when the Vietnam War was at its peak and antiwar protest was fully expressed through the liberating music of the time.
With a brilliant crew at his disposal (including a young editor named Martin Scorsese), director Michael Wadleigh worked with over 300 hours of footage to create his original 225-minute director’s cut, which was cut by 40 minutes for the film’s release in 1970. Eight previously edited segments were restored in 1994, and the original director’s cut of Woodstock is now the version most commonly available on videotape and DVD.
The film deservedly won the Academy Award for Best Documentary, and it’s still a stunning achievement. Abundant footage taken among the massive crowd (“half a million strong”) expresses the human heart of the event, from skinny-dipping hippies to accidental overdoses, to unpredictable weather, midconcert childbirth, and the thoughtful (or just plain rambling) reflections of the festive participants. Then, of course, there is the music–a nonstop parade of rock & roll from the greatest performers of the period, including Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Canned Heat, The Who, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Ten Years After, Sly & The Family Stone, Santana, and many more. Watching this ambitious film, as the saying goes, is the next best thing to being there–it’s a time-travel journey to that once-in-a-lifetime event. –Jeff Shannon
Film Short – Ain’t Playin Wit Ya
Bijou Theatre
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm
DESCRIPTION
Official premiere of the short film “Ain’t Playin Wit Ya” and “The Great” EP listening party.
Film was written by recording artist Chaz-O and directed by Edwin Escobar
Music by DJ Ryda!
Appetizers served – Cash Bar – Free Raffle
Admission: $5.00
WPKN’s Music on Film Series at the Bijou
Fall 2018 Schedule
Frank Vignola’s Hot Jazz Guitar Trio
The Hot Club of Black Rock
Friday, October 5, 2018, Doors: 7:00 pm/Show: 8:00 pm
Bijou Theatre
DESCRIPTION
FRANK VIGNOLA’S HOT JAZZ GUITAR TRIO
Frank Vignola is one of the most extraordinary guitarists performing before the public today. His stunning virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Emmanuel, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, who named Vignola to his “Five Most Admired Guitarists List” for the Wall Street Journal. Vignola’s jaw dropping technique explains why the New York Times deemed him “one of the brightest stars of the guitar”.
Often featured on National Public Radio, Frank Vignola has also become a familiar figure on Public Television, featured previously on three popular shows, including the heavily programmed Tommy Emmanuel and Friends and his own PBS special, “Four Generations of Guitar” produced by Peter Berkow.
THE HOT CLUB OF BLACK ROCK
Paying homage to Django Reinhardt. The Hot Club of Black Rock plays hot swing, or jazz manouche, the kind of jazz that was popular in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s. Think the Moulin Rouge, or a cafe at four in the morning.
Livingston Taylor
Rebecca Loebe
Thursday, October 18, 2018, Doors: 7:00 pm/Show: 8:00 pm
Bijou Theatre
DESCRIPTION
Livingston Taylor picked up his first guitar at the age of 13, which began a 50-year career that has encompassed performance, songwriting, and teaching. Born in Boston and raised in North Carolina, Livingston is the fourth child in a very musical family that includes Alex, James, Kate, and Hugh. Livingston recorded his first record at the age of 18 and has continued to create well crafted, introspective, and original songs that have earned him listeners worldwide.
From top-40 hits “I Will Be in Love with You” and “I’ll Come Running,” to “I Can Dream of You” and “Boatman,” the last two recorded by his brother James, Livingston’s creative output has continued unabated. His musical knowledge has inspired a varied repertoire, and he is equally at home with a range of musical genres—folk, pop, gospel, jazz—and from upbeat storytelling and touching ballads to full orchestra performances.
Livingston is a full professor at Berklee College of Music, where he has taught a Stage Performance course since 1989. He teaches young artists invaluable lessons learned over the course of an extensive career on the road; the course is consistently voted the most popular at the College. His high-selling book, Stage Performance, released in 2011 offers those lessons to anyone who is interested in elevating their presentation standards to professional standards.
Livingston’s 50th year of making music was celebrated by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, both declaring January 18, 2017 “Livingston Taylor Day”.
Jonathan Edwards
Friday, October 26, 2018, Doors: 7:00 pm/Show: 8:00 pm
Bijou Theatre
DESCRIPTION
Warm as summer sunshine, real as the truth, intimate as a long overdue visit between old friends … such is a Jonathan Edwards concert. Four decades into a stellar career of uncompromising musical integrity, the man simply delivers, night after night – songs of passion, songs of insight, songs of humor, all rendered in that pure and powerful tenor which, like fine wine, has only grown sweeter with age
These days Jonathan is likely to be found on the road. I’ve been…doing what I do best, which is playing live in front of people. I’ve been concentrating on that and loving it,” he says.
Jonathan maintains that it is the feedback he receives after his shows that keeps him going. “It is really gratifying to hear [someone say], ‘Your stuff has meant a lot to me over the years.’”
The “stuff” he’s referring to is a highly respected repertoire that includes such classics as “Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboy,” “Sometimes,” “One Day Closer,” “Don’t Cry Blue,” “Emma,” “Everybody Knows Her,” “Athens County,” and everyone’s favorite ode to putting a good buzz on, “Shanty.” And then, of course, there’s the anthemic “Sunshine (Go Away Today),” that fierce proclamation of protest and independence that resonated with thousands and thousands of frustrated and angry young men and women when it was first released in 1971. Almost 40 years later, at show after show, the song continues to be embraced by faithful followers and new fans alike.
David Bromberg Quintet
Sunday, October 28, 2018, Doors: 6:00 pm/Show: 7:00 pm
Bijou Theatre
DESCRIPTION
For Americana godfather David Bromberg, it all began with the blues.
His incredible journey spans five-and-a-half decades, and includes – but is not limited to – adventures with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jerry Garcia, and music and life lessons from seminal blues guitarist Reverend Gary Davis, who claimed the young Bromberg as a son. A musician’s musician, Bromberg’s mastery of several stringed instruments (guitar, fiddle, Dobro, mandolin), and multiple styles is legendary, leading Dr. John to declare him an American icon. In producing John Hartford’s hugely influential Aereo-Plain LP, Bromberg even co-invented a genre: Newgrass.
Add in a period of self-imposed exile from his passion (1980-2002), during which he became a renowned violin expert, and Wilmington, Delaware’s cultural ambassador; top that off with a triumphant return to music-making, and you have an amazing tale leading back to one place: the blues.
PERFORMING ARTS AND THEATRE
Children’s Theatre: Little Witches
October 6 – October 28
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
DESCRIPTION
Just in time for Halloween, this spellbinding new musical is sure to answer the question: are you a good witch or a bad witch? When three teenage witch sisters are ready to grow up and fly their own brooms, they learn that there is more to being a witch than spells, potions, and Halloween mischief.
Our Children’s Theatre shows approximately run 75-80 minutes with a 10-minute intermission.
Legally Blonde – The Musical
September 21 – October 14
Downtown Cabaret Theatre
DESCRIPTION
A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde follows the transformation of Elle Woods, as life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams in this action-packed show, exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances.
ARTS & CULTURE NEWS
BRIDGEPORT ARTIST FEATURED IN CONNECTICUT POST
“Adger Cowans’ archive captures over 50 years of the famous and the natural world”
Peter Konsterlie Memorial Fund – Schelfhaudt Gallery
We are saddened by the loss of Bridgeport artist Peter Konsterlie. In addition to his independent work as an artist, Peter was the Gallery Director of the Schelfhaudt Gallery at University of Bridgeport and Professor at University of Bridgeport’s Shintaro Akatsu School of Design. There will be a celebration of Peter’s life and retrospective of his work at his beloved Schelfhaudt gallery in the fall.
To memorialize Peter there is a fundraiser to create an endowment in his name that will support the continued work of the gallery. If you would like to contribute, the website is https://give.bridgeport.edu/. Under designation a dropdown bar select the Peter Konsterlie Memorial Fund.
