Jun 12, 2007
Weston Answer Book: Entertainment
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Where is the nearest movie theater?
Unfortunately, if you want to see a movie in a theater you’re going to have to take a little ride. The closest theater is the
Crown 4 (761-0767), 21 River Road in Wilton. There are several theaters in Norwalk and Fairfield. To the north, there’s
Loew’s (796-7777) in Danbury and
Bethel Cinema (778-2100). The
Ridgefield Playhouse (438-5795) sometimes offers special movie showings. Check the Arts & Leisure section of The Weston Forum for listings.
Where can I borrow a movie?
The only place in town to borrow a DVD or videocassette is the Weston Public Library.
Where can one take music lessons?
The Weston Music Center and School of the Performing Arts offers private instruction in piano, jazz piano, voice, violin, viola, cello, woodwinds, guitar (classical and rock) and electric bass. Group and private instruction is also available in piano and musical composition and theory. The school is at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 285 Lyons Plain Road. The phone number is 227-1425; the Web site is www.westonmusiccenter.org.
What is the Weston Commission for the Arts?
The Weston Commission for the Arts is a municipally funded branch of the town government whose mission is to provide cultural events in Weston. All events are free and open to the public. The appointed commission members, up to 12 in number, represent the visual and performing arts. Monthly meetings, which are open to the public, are held on the second Tuesday. The commission chairman is Christine Lomuscio. She can be reached at 454-4774.
Are there any local orchestras?
Although there are none in Weston, there are a number of orchestras nearby, including:
Greenwich Symphony Orchestra (869-2664),
Stamford Symphony Orchestra (325-1407),
Norwalk Symphony, and
Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.
The
Norwalk Symphony (866-2455) plays at the Norwalk Concert Hall at the Norwalk Town Hall, also home of the
Norwalk Youth Symphony (866-4100).
The
Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (438-3889) offers an ambitious series of concerts each year. It is also the home of the
Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Details of concerts by these and other orchestras appear in the Arts & Leisure section of The Weston Forum.
How about local bands?
The
Westport Community Band is directed by Westonite Sal LaRusso, who also happens to be the director of the Weston High School band. The Westport Community Band, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization affiliated with Westport Continuing Education. The approximately 65 members are from all over Fairfield County, and some travel from New York state as well. It performs a wide variety of music, including concert band compositions, show tunes, marches, a little pop, and some classical.
In addition to providing its members with an opportunity to continue their involvement with music, the Community Band has a strong commitment to performing at community events in the area, such as appearances at the Levitt Pavilion, the annual Veterans Day observance at the Westport Town Hall, the Memorial Day parade, the Breast Cancer Observance evening, the Weston Family Fourth, and musical visits to local nursing homes.
The Community Band also sponsors an annual Play with the Community Band project, where band members mentor area middle school musicians and then perform in concert together.
Auditions are not required to join the band, but members must be able to read and play music at a level compatible with the band’s repertoire. For information on how to join, call Charles Hertz, 323-6333 or Patty Gelineau (688-2434), or visit www.westportcommunityband.com.
Is there a concert series?
Norfield Congregational Church presents a concert series, “Music for a Sunday Afternoon,” on selected Sundays at 4 in the Parish Hall. The concerts are open to the public, and a suggested donation of $15 is requested at the door. For information, call the church office at 227-7886, visit online at www.norfield.org, or keep an eye on The Weston Forum.
Are there any singing groups I can join?
The Weston Summer Chorus is a summer singing opportunity open to all without audition. Rehearsals are each Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. starting at the end of June. A registration fee of $30 is requested to defray costs. To register, e-mail ellen@norfield.org, or call 227-7886, ext. 14.
Where can I go out dancing or hear live music?
The closest place for dancing is the Georgetown Saloon; the dance floor is small and the music varies. Bands play Friday and Saturday night starting at 9:15. The Saloon (as it is called by regulars) publishes a calendar of upcoming bands and events; call 544-8003.
How about other types of dancing?
Fairwest Swing offers
Saturday Night Swing Dances at the Norfield Grange, 12 Goodhill Road. A complementary one-hour Savoy swing dance with an introductory lesson with Bill “Stretch” Gore is followed by three hours of dancing and refreshments. It’s very beginner-friendly — no prior experience or partner is required. For dates and details, contact Mr. Gore at stretch@fairwestswing or 522-5341 or visit www.fairwestswing.com.
The
Cranbury English Country Dances and Contras meet on the first and third Friday of the month (except July and August), at the Cranbury Community Chapel in Norwalk. All dances are taught and partners are not necessary. For details, call 226-6681 or 373-9320.
For American contra dancing, there are the
Round Hill Country Dances (www.roundhill.net) on the second Saturday of the month (except August) at Round Hill Community House in Greenwich. The basics are taught at 7:30 p.m., and there is a live band and caller. For information, call 914-244-7248.
The
Amateur Ballroom Society sponsors dance parties and workshops in ballroom, Latin, and swing at Dance Dimensions in Norwalk. For a schedule, call 847-9108.
You can also check The Forum Arts & Leisure section for new listings.
Are there any places to hear jazz?
The
Silvermine Art Guild (966-9700) offers a Sunday afternoon jazz series.
Silvermine Tavern (847-4558), 194 Perry Avenue, Norwalk, serves up Dixieland jazz with its buffet on Thursdays from 6 to 9:30. A program called Live Inn Late Jazz is offered on Fridays from 9 to 11:30.
For more listings, check the Arts & Leisure section of The Forum.
What artists groups are in the area?
The
Ridgefield Guild of Artists puts on several shows of its members’ works during the year. The guild offers beginner to advanced classes; ongoing portrait groups and live model sessions are offered through the year. One need not be a Ridgefielder to join the guild; members come from many area towns. For more information on shows and classes, call 438-8863.
The
Silvermine Guild of Artists promotes art through exhibitions, classes and special events. Art instruction is offered to young people and adults in a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. Summer art camps are also offered. Although membership is by invitation only to artists, the arts center includes many non-artists who volunteer to promote and present special programs. The arts center is at 1037 Silvermine Road, New Canaan. Call 966-9700 or visit www.silvermineart.org.
What museums are in town?
The Coley Homestead is maintained by the Weston Historical Society as an example of a prosperous working farm of the 19th and early 20th Century. It is at 104 Weston Road. Also on Weston Road is the Barn Museum, open periodically or by appointment for groups. It houses a valued collection of early farm tools, furnishings, papers, clothing, and records. For information, visit www.westonhistoricalsociety.org.
Is there a planetarium nearby?
Two observatories are open to amateur stargazers. The
Discovery Museum at 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, has a planetarium show that changes seasonally, with presentations offered most afternoons. Call 203-372-3521 or go to www.discoverymuseum.org.
The observatory at the
Stamford Museum and Nature Center (203-322-1646) on Scofieldtown Road is open Friday nights from 8 to 10 (8:30 to 10:30 in summer), weather permitting. The planetarium in the main museum building offers shows on Sundays at 3. For details and best moon-viewing nights, visit www.stamfordmuseum.org.
What does the Maritime Aquarium offer?
The Maritime Aquarium on North Water Street in South Norwalk has a variety of aquatic exhibits from harbor seals to sharks. Permanent exhibits feature a habitat for river otters and a “pet a live shark’’ display.
Next door to the aquarium is an IMAX theater. Visitors may buy a ticket to either or gain admission to both the aquarium and the theater with a combination ticket. For more information, call 852-0700 or visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.
Is there a guide to interesting places to go?
Each spring, The Weston Forum publishes a guide called
100 Things to Do, which lists activities and places to visit within about an hour or so from Weston.
For a copy, send $2.50 to cover postage and handling to 100 Things to Do or 100 Things for Kids, Box 1019, Ridgefield, CT 06877 or stop by The Forum office at 766 Danbury Road (Route 7) in Wilton. (Call 761-0530 first to make sure someone is in the office.)
Visitors or people new to the area may call
The Coastal Fairfield County Tourism Convention and Visitor Bureau in Norwalk for tourism information; the agency publishes seasonal calendars of events in the area. Call 800-866-7925 or visit www.coastalct.com for more information.
Are there any special events in town?
Almost everyone in Weston, it seems, loves a party. Check The Weston Forum for dates and times of this year’s events. Some of the most popular follow.
The
Rites of Spring annual outdoor dance festival, sponsored by the Commission for the Arts, will takes place every May at the Weston Town Hall Green.
The
Memorial Day Parade is one of the biggest events in town. It is organized by the Weston Volunteer Fire Department in conjunction with the Weston Committee for Veterans Affairs, with ceremonies and festivities at the Norfield Fire Station at at Norfield Church.
There is also a
Memorial Day Fair held over the three-day weekend at Hurlbutt Elementary School.
More than 100 years old, the
Norfield Fair is held in late spring/early summer at Norfield Congregational Church. It features antiques, art, books, games, a country kitchen, crafts, dinner, garden shop, live auction, and music.
The Parks and Recreation Department hosts a
4th of July celebration at the field at Weston Middle School, featuring fireworks, food, and live music. Unlike many other towns, Weston always holds its fireworks on July 4, regardless of what day of the week it fall on.
Each fall for the last 100 years, Emmanuel Episcopal Church has hosted the
Emmanuel Country Fair, featuring books, a tag sale, a plant sale, food, live entertainment, a baking contest, arts and crafts, games, antiques, and a hay ride.
The
Weston Ragamuffin Fair and Parade brings out all the little ghosts and goblins in town around Halloween. It is sponsored by the Weston Women’s League to raise money for UNICEF.
First Night Westport/Weston is a community- wide, alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration. Last year there were nearly 50 events and performances for children, teens and adults. The celebration begins in the afternoon in downtown Westport and ends with fireworks over The Sound at midnight. For information, visit www.firstnightww.com.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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