Darien Answer Book
Darien Answer Book: Entertainment

Mar 11, 2008

Is there a movie theater in town?

The Darien Playhouse (777-FILM-976) is at 1077 Boston Post Road. There are also theaters in New Canaan, Norwalk, and Stamford.

A listing of what’s playing at area theaters appears in the Arts & Leisure section of The Darien Times. For the most up-to-date listings, check our Web site: acorn-online.com/news/publish/arts.shtml.

Are there any film programs?

The Darien Library offers a Monday Matinee Film Series, a Foreign Film Series, a Summer Film Series, and a Friday Film Series. There are also films for children during school breaks. For details, call 655-1234 or visit online at darienlibrary.org/connections/events.

The Darien Senior Center shows a variety of movies each week, including a travel film on Wednesdays. Call 655-1705.

Is there a video rental store?

The Roxy, 340 Heights Road (655-1757) not only has video rentals but also does video transfers and offers VCR rental and repair.

Is there an amateur theatrical company?

The Darien Players, based at the Darien Arts Center, presents four major plays each year. On occasion, original plays by local writers are introduced at the Darien Arts Center’s Weatherstone Studio through the Actors/Playwrights Workshops.

The Players welcomes those interested, with or without experience, to participate in the many on-stage and off-stage roles available. For information, call the arts center at 655-8683 or Ron Heinbauch at 655-0538. You may visit online at arts.darien.org/players/playersMain.php.

Is there a theater group?

The Darien Community Association’s Theater Group attends Broadway show matinees three times a year. The group travels to New York City on luxury buses, stopping at the Metropolitan Museum and Rockefeller Center before lunch and the theater. For information, call 655-9050.

Where can I take music lessons?

The Darien Music Center (655-8683), 2 Renshsaw Road, offers one-on-one instruction in classical and contemporary guitar, piano, saxophone, flute, clarinet, voice and violin. Group workshops are also offered.

Piano and guitar lessons for ages 6 and up are available through Darien Parks and Recreation. Call 656-7325.

Giuliano’s Music Center, 351 Boston Post Road, (656-2155/gmusiccenter.com) offers lessons for all instruments and voice, for all ages. There is a summer program for children.

Is there a local singing group?

The Choraliers is a show chorus sponsored by the Darien Arts Center. The repertoire, performed under professional direction, includes American standards, show tunes, jazz ballads, and pop songs. Shows are presented cabaret style. For information on joining the group, call the arts center at 655-5414. You may visit online at arts.darien.org/choraliers/choraliersMain.php.

The Blue Notes is a women’s singing group under the Darien Community Association umbrella. The group sings in four-part harmony with instrumental accompaniment. Call 655-9050. For information about auditioning, call Beth Schwartz at 966-7326 or e-mail blue.notes.darien@gmail.com.

The Park Street Singers is a women’s choral group. Rehearsals are held every Monday afternoon at the Congregational Church in New Canaan, October to December, and then again January to June. Two programs are prepared each year, a spring-fall program and a holiday program, which are performed at nursing homes, senior centers, etc. No auditions are required. For information, call Alice Schweitzer at 655-7275.

The Fairfield County Chorale rehearses Monday evenings at 7:30, in the concert hall at Norwalk City Hall. Auditions are in early September and after any rehearsal; call 254-1333. Visit online at fairfieldcountychorale.org.

The Stamford Chorale rehearses every Tuesday, 7:15 p.m., at Sterling Glen in Stamford. Auditions are not required. Visit online at stamfordchorale.com.

There are many other singing groups in the area. Check Arts and Leisure’s Trying Out section for audition or membership notices.

Are there any local orchestras?

Although there are none in Darien, four orchestras are nearby: Greenwich Symphony Orchestra (869-2664/greenwichsym.org), Stamford Symphony Orchestra (325-1407/stamfordsymphony.org), Norwalk Symphony (847-8844/norwalksymphony.org), and Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (438-3889/ridgefieldsymphony.org). There is also the Norwalk Youth Symphony Orchestra (866-4100/norwalkyouthsymphony.org). Concert details appear in The Darien Times Arts and Leisure section.

Where can I go to hear jazz?

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 Inn Late Jazz is offered on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 10:30.

Where can I go to hear folk music?

The Good Folk Coffeehouse is nearby at Rowayton United Methodist Church. For information on monthly performances, visit goodfolkcoffeehouse.com or call 864-4450. The church is at Rowayton Avenue and Pennoyer Street in Rowayton.

Where can I go for cabaret-style entertainment?

Each season, the Darien Arts Center produces several cabaret evenings at its Weatherstone Studio behind town hall. The events, which feature talent from here and other areas, include popular music, dancing, and comedy shows. For details, call 655-8683 or visit arts.darien.org.

Many other clubs are listed in the Arts and Leisure section of The Darien Times each week.

Where can I go dancing?

The Cranbury Country Dancers participate in contras and English country dancing 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 on the second Saturday of the month (except August) at Round Hill Community House in Greenwich. The basics are taught and there is a live band and caller. For information, call 381-9509.

The Palms in Stamford (961-9770/palmsnightclub.com) offers West Coast Swing on Mondays, salsa lessons and dancing on Fridays, and rumba dancing on Saturdays.

Rhythm in Norwalk offers the Hustle — lessons and dance party — on Tuesday evenings and West Coast Swing on Wednesdays. Check swingshoes.net for details.

You can also check The Times Arts & Leisure section for new listings.

Are there any art or antiques shows in town?

The annual Darien Antiques Show, sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Darien, is held each February or March. For information, check online at darienantiqueshow.org or call 655-0491.

A fixture for more than 40 years, the Darien Art Show takes place the first week in June at the Weatherstone Studio behind town hall. It opens with a gala reception the first Friday evening. The show features watercolors, oils, mixed media, photography and sculpture with prizes from local merchants. Artists of any age are invited to enter. Call 655-8683.

The Darien Historical Society presents its annual Antiques al Fresco show the second Saturday of September at the Bates-Scofield Museum/Library. Call 655-9233.

There is a Spring Children’s Art Exhibit presented each May by the Darien Community Association at the Darien Library.

You can often find art on exhibit at town hall or the Darien Library throughout the year.

Are there any art galleries?

A Custom Frame Shop at Noroton Gallery (655-9687/acustomframeshop.com), 1977 Post Road, Darien, displays the work of a number of artists.

The Geary Gallery (655-6633/gearygallery.com), 576 Boston Post Road, maintains a changing exhibition schedule.

Are there any museums in town?

The Bates-Scofield House is a restored classic New England saltbox, circa 1736, owned by the Darien Historical Society. The house was built around a massive central chimney, large fireplace, and beehive oven. It features 18th and 19th-century regional furniture. Tours are offered Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 4, although it is a good idea to phone ahead.

The house also contains a resource library, art galleries, and gift shop. Outside, the Darien Garden Club maintains an 18th-century style herb garden.

The house is at 45 Old Kings Highway North. For information, call 655-9233, or visit historical.darien.org.

Where can I get a guide to interesting places to go?

The Darien Times publishes a guide called 100 Things to Do, which lists activities and places to visit within about an hour from Darien. Call 438-6544 for information about getting a copy or view it online at acorn-online.com/news/publish/100things.shtml.

Visitors or those new to the area may call the Coastal Fairfield County Convention & Visitor Bureau in Norwalk for tourism information or special events. Call 853-7770 or visit online at visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

Are there special events in town?

There are many including the Darien Antiques Show in March (655-0491), Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Outing in May (655-3600), the Darien Memorial Day Parade (655-4156), the Beach Party & Family Fun Day (655-3600) and Darien Art Show (655-8683) in June, the July Sidewalk Sale Days (655-3600), the Darien Historical Society’s Antiques al Fresco the second Saturday of each September (655-9233), and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting the Sunday after Thanksgiving (655-3600).

For other events, check The Times or its Web site darientimes.com, or the Darien Community Calendar maintained at darien.org and darienct.gov.

Can I rent a hall for a party or reception?

Meadowlands, The Darien Community Association House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, may be rented for group meetings, receptions, parties and weddings. Encompassing almost eight acres, Meadowlands includes a bird sanctuary and formal garden. For information, call the rental office at 655-1054.

Is there a planetarium nearby?

The Discovery Museum (372-3521/discoverymuseum.org) at 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, has a planetarium show that changes seasonally, with presentations on most afternoons. The museum also has science and art exhibits.

The observatory at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Scofieldtown Road is open Friday nights. Visit stamfordmuseum.org for best moon viewing nights. The planetarium in the museum offers shows on Sundays. Call 322-1646 for information.

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 information, call 852-0700 or visit maritimeaquarium.org.