Archive for the ‘Comedy’ Category

Out and about: Things to see and places to be this weekend

Friday, October 19, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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Movie and television star, singer and dancer Jane Powell is expected to be in Ridgefield on Sunday to share some behind-the-scenes tales about the 1951 film classic, “Royal Wedding,” (see a clip above) which teamed her with Fred Astaire. In a recent article, Powell gave a taste of what one can expect during the screening and question-and-answer session, sharing some tidbits about filming and her experiences as a contract player at MGM. You can get information on movie times and tickets by visiting the Ridgefield Playhouse’s website.

Not a movie fan? There’s plenty of music to keep you entertained. Alanis Morissette is coming to Waterbury in support of her latest album, “Havoc and Bright Lights.” Mavis Staples will be in Mamaroneck, N.Y.. And a multicultural mix of performers will be serving up some “Pipescreams” on Sunday in Bridgeport. Tower of Power will be in Bridgeport, as well.

A tribute to Bobby Darin launches in Elmsford, N.Y. A New Haven venue will revisit 1940s swing and big band sounds. You can see the Psychedelic Furs, the Lemonheads with Juliana Hatfield and Counting Crows in Port Chester, N.Y., and the Silversun Pickups in Hartford. Glen Campbell, Huey Lewis & The News and Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson will all be in the state this weekend.

Classical fans have a number of options, including a visit by the American String Quartet, The Sebastian Players, pianists Andrews Russo and Frederic Chiu, and Musicians from Marlboro.

Those who like to mix their automotive passion with pastries are in luck. Burundi will be sharing its drummers with audiences in Stamford. Appraisers will be helping out with a weekend of value in Norwalk. The tale of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland will be told through music and movement. The dance-illusionist group Momix will appear in Washington. Dancers will bring Dracula to life in Waterbury. And, the harvest will be celebrated with some brews, some seasonal views and fall activities, thanks to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. And art and music will mix in Danbury.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth promises to come in “Fully Charged” when it arrives in Bridgeport. The trains will whistle in Danbury to bring passengers to fields of pumpkins. Meanwhile, those with a green thumb can pick up some tips in Newtown. History and art merge this time around in Newtown.

Some staged productions are set to entertain audiences across the area. In Westport, one can see “Next to Normal” and “A Raisin in the Sun.” “Wait Until Dark,” continues in Stamford. In New Haven, the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” will be staged. You can see “The Little Dog That Laughed” in Norwalk.

Ghost hunters are coming to Torrington, while Lorraine Warren will be in New Haven. Howl-O-Ween is coming to Bridgeport. Fall arts and crafts are coming to Newtown. And, one of my favorite comedians, Chris Elliott, will be in Madison next week.

Until next time …

Out and about: Things to see and places to be this weekend

Friday, October 12, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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Below: Chile’s Inti-Illimani celebrates its 45th anniversary with a performance  on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts in Fairfield, Conn. Contributed photo

This weekend, you have a chance to celebrate the music and longevity of a group that has succeeded in staying together and creating powerful music in the face of political opposition. Chile’s Inti-Illimani, a folk ensemble that was founded in 1967, is on a world tour, La Maquina del Tiempo (Time Machine) which brings it to Fairfield University’s Quick Center on Saturday, Oct. 13. In addition to the music, which will include works throughout the band’s four decades, there will be a pre-concert talk.

The weekend offers up even more opportunities for music fans. Joss Stone will be coming to New Haven. Enter the Cypher, John Torres and The Leighton Brothers will be in Bridgeport. The Highland Rovers will be in Norwalk. Sonny Crow Hawkins will be in Stamford. Christine Ebersole will be in Ridgefield. The Good News Choir and the Chris Coogan Quartet will be in Westport. Patty Larkin will be in Pawling, N.Y. Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors will be in Port Chester, N.Y., And, the Sierra Hull Band will be in Piermont, N.Y.

Wait! There’s more music. Pianist Angela Cheng will help the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra kick off its new season. Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will be in Elmsford, N.Y. There will be an AcquAria Concert in Mystic. Mates of State will be in Uncasville, along with Tower of Power. Buskin and Batteau will be in Westport. BackCountry Jazz helps to launch the Louis Armstrong month at Greenwich Library with a talk and an all-star concert. There will be a gospel music showcase in Bridgeport at the Olivet Congregational Church. Peter McGuinness will be singing the songs of Chet Baker in Westport. The Yale Jazz Ensemble will perform in New Haven. Classical guitarist Peter Griggs will perform in Shelton. And, The Declassified make their Purchase debut this weekend. Some high-definition live opera can be heard, as well.

Fans (girls only, that is) of Giuliana Rancic will want to make their way to the Palace Theatre in Stamford. Meanwhile, you can catch a “Gentleman’s Guide” in Hartford. Families and children are not to be left out, thanks to the Greenwich Historical Society. And everyone can do their part for the Worldwide Photo Walk. History buffs, meanwhile, may want to find a seat on a couple of buses in Norwalk. The Yankee Fair will kick off in Brookfield.

There’s plenty of stage offerings, too, including Weekend One-Acts at Darien Library, which will feature “The Rats” by Agatha Christie and “Trifles” by Susan Glaspell (see photo at right). “Wait Until Dark” is opening in Stamford.

Go ahead and laugh this weekend, with, not at, hopefully, Martin Short in Hartford, Angel Salazar in Trumbull and Uncasville and a a bunch of improv performers in Ridgefield.

Children can be part of a feeding frenzy in Fairfield, find out how one goes about becoming a pirate, make a scarecrow and attend a pumpkin festival.

It’s time to plan and go have some fun. Until next time …

Out and about: Things to see and places to be this weekend

Friday, October 5, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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I can remember gazing upon the cover of Blondie’s 1978 album “Parallel Lines,” like it was yesterday, as they say. In reality, I was in the latter years of my first decade of life and couldn’t get enough of the black-and-white vertical stripes and slick looking band, fronted by a pretty woman in a white dress and two-toned hair. At the time, I did not realize the album represented the moment the band catapulted out of the New York City 1970s punk rock scene, or that Deborah Harry was on her way to becoming a punk icon.

All I know is it takes only a few notes of “Heart of Glass” and I’m back to my living room, circa 1978-80, watching that LP spin around the turntable.

I suspect there will be quite a few people like me, as well as those who are older and far younger, who will come out to see Blondie when the band swings through our area. For the past month or so, three of its original members — Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke — have been on tour with Devo, hitting venues across the country. On Sunday, it will just be Blondie, with three new members) that takes the stage at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y.

As Burke noted in an interview recently:

We had good songs and a good image, but it is the music that has endured.

In addition to Blondie, there will be several other musical acts performing across the area. Celebrated cabaret singer Marilyn Maye will be in Stamford on Friday. It is the same evening of the LAMP Festival with Mates of State in New Haven and Mary Wilson‘s appearance at Sacred Heart University’s Edgerton Center. Bill Payne of Little Feat will be in Fairfield. Heart will be at Foxwoods. Get the Led Out: The American Led Zeppelin is coming to Ridgefield, which is where Todd Rundgren will be on Tuesday. Morrissey is at Waterbury’s Palace Theater and the Parris Island Marine Corps Band will be at the Klein Memorial. The Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport also has a packed lineup. Rush will be in Bridgeport next week.

Classical fans can check out the Chamber Players of the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in New Haven and Shelton, the Stamford Symphony and Music on the Hill Chamber Chorus will be in Westport. You can catch a mariachi band in Norwalk, too.

There are several stage productions that hope to make their mark this weekend, too, including a musical comedy spoof of Agatha Christie whodunits, “Something’s Afoot” at the Goodspeed Opera House, “The Little Dog Laughed” in New Haven, “Jersey Boys” in New Haven, and “Glengarry Glen Ross” in Fairfield.

Those with a rich appetite, musical and otherwise, are encouraged to come and enjoy the Food and Wine Festival in Greenwich. There will be a beer tasting in Mystic and a BrewFest in Uncasville.

Chazz Palminteri is coming to Ridgefield with a film and some answers, while the classic “Lawrence of Arabia,” will be screened at a number of theaters in the area.

Animals will be celebrated at PAWS in the Park. Arts will be celebrated at the Bruce Museum’s Outdoor Arts Festival. Cars will be celebrated at the New Fairfield Lions’ car show. Play will be celebrated in Norwalk. And art will be celebrated with openings throughout the weekend. There’s the Affordable Art Exhibition in Danbury and “Geometrics in Space” in Stamford.

You have no excuse to say there’s nothing to do this weekend. Your real problem will be cramming it all in.

Good luck. Until next time …

http://fairfieldtheatre.org/

Out and about: Things to see and places to be this weekend

Friday, September 28, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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You still have time to get yourself ready and get a ticket so that before the night is over you may have a chance to hear “Galway Girl” or “Seven Drunken Nights” as brought to you by Celtic Thunder. This Irish/Scottish music troupe is making a stop in Wallingford as part of its 63-city North American tour. Be prepared for a mix of historic tunes and pop classics.

Other musicians planning performances in the state this weekend, and beyond, are Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo; the Guastavino Trio, Gary DeCarlo and his band Heat; Yoon Kwon, Joel Noyes and Milan Milisavljevic of the Met Opera Orchestra; Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jen Chapin Trio and Brian Vander Ark; Big Sean; Glen and Grant-Lee Phillips; pianist Yue Chu; Lions Gate Trio; Tokyo String Quartet; New Orleans’ Hot B Brass Band; and Richard Elliot with David Benoit Trio. There also will be an afternoon of poetry and jazz at the Sherman Playhouse. And, the Trumbull High School Golden Eagles hosts its 30th annual Marching Band Fall Classic.

Some funny guys will be performing, too, including Adam Carolla and Rich Little (see video below). Meanwhile, the theme of “mom” is evident in the appearances of Andrea Mezvinsky-Kolb (“America’s Funniest Mom”), and Margaret Cho, who is in the state as part of her Mother Tour.

The fairs and festivals continue, such as the Durham Fair, the Big E, the Armonk (N.Y.) Outdoor Art Show, a carnival to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, the Japanese Culture Festival and the New Canaan Nature Center will be celebrating the harvest.

For kiddies and families, there are many activities happening during the weekend, including the Teddy Bear Clinic at Greenwich Hospital, Children’s Day at the Little Red School House and Scout Day and Sunday Explorers in Stamford. You can also can team a day of talk with some taste. John Barricelli, owner of SoNo Baking Comany, will be speaking at the Norwalk Public Library next week.

You can catch all manner of art this weekend. In Danbury, an exhibition of photographs is running in conjunction with the Farmers’ Market. In Greenwich, the Bruce Museum is celebrating “Museum Day Live!” and the “Face & Figure: The Sculpture of Gaston Lachaise.” And it is the first weekend of “A Persistent Passion: The Art of Lora Eberly Ballou, 1870-1976″ in Stamford. The Stratford Center for the Arts is putting on an Arts Open House at the American Shakespeare Festival theater.

Theater opportunities and events abound. “The Goodbye Girl,” “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” “The Retreat From Moscow” and “Carousel” are in their final weekends. Meanwhile, “Satchmo at the Waldorf,” opens next week at the Long Wharf Theatre.

And if you still haven’t found something that strikes your fancy, we are getting into fall foliage season in Connecticut. And, the state has made it easy to see where you should visit if you want to take a leisurely drive.

Until next time …

Web-based network spotlights #freeart project in show finale

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 by:Scott Gargan
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Pictured: Entertainment group NPeaches, which is based in Stamford.

NPeaches, the online entertainment group based in Stamford, has aired the season finale of its artist interview program, “Corrugated Universe.”

In the sixth and final episode, the group continues its profile of Connecticut-based contemporary artist Ted Mikulski, who spends 10 days in New York City handing out 1,000-plus pieces of free “gallery quality” art to pedestrians on the sidewalk (see the videos below).

Previous episodes of “Corrugated Universe” have featured Aaron Eisenberg and Alex Forstenhausler, creators of the web series, “Your Dad’s Friends”; Stamford artist Renee Kahn; and Caitlin Yates, creator of the graphic novel, “Inferno.”

“It’s been an amazing season with a lot of fantastic artists, both in front of and behind the camera,” Sarah Fabian, the show’s director and producer, said. “We’re currently in the early stages of the next season and we’re really excited for the next line up!”

In addition to “Corrugated Universe,” NPeaches produces two others programs — “Don’t Mind The Maggots” and “Ronaldo Tours” — and is currently working on their first feature-length film, “Charlie Christ: The Gospel According To Fools.”

‘Daily Show’ correspondent John Oliver to perform in New Haven

Wednesday, September 5, 2012 by:Scott Gargan
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Just two weeks after Election Day, “Daily Show” correspondent John Oliver is set to appear in Connecticut.

Oliver, who is known for his bitingly sarcastic remarks on American politics and society, will perform at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven on Friday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m.

Tickets, which cost $32.50, go on sale Friday, Sept. 7 at 9:30 a.m. via Shuber Theatre and Live Nation, or by calling 800-228-6622.

Oliver has been a writer and correspondent on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” since 2006. Two years later, he starred in his own one hour stand up special, “Terrifying Times,” and appeared in the Mike Myers’ movie “The Love Guru.”

Currently, Oliver appearing in a recurring role in the NBC series “Community” and his own series for Comedy Central, “John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show.”

Since it will be just after Election Day, Oliver is bound to include the topic in his conversation. Check out his coverage of the Republican National Convention, below:

www.thedailyshow.com

Out and about: Things to see and places to be this weekend

Friday, August 24, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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One of Connecticut’s own will be showcasing her talent at Cafe Nine in New Haven Friday night, Aug. 24. Debbie Davies, an accomplished blues guitarist, will begin her set at 9 p.m., which will likely include some of the material from her latest album, “After the Fall.” It is a good chance to catch the artist nearer to home, since she is more often on the road. (You can check out one of her more recent performances in the above video.)

But she is not the only musical act making notes this weekend. Christina Perri (known to many “Twilight” fans) will be in Hartford on Saturday performing with Jason Mraz, the a cappella group Straight No Chaser will perform the same day at the Ives Concert Park in Danbury. Frankie Valli will be in Westport on Friday. a whole bunch of bands will be at the Summer Slam Fest II at Toad’s Place on Friday. Blues Traveler will be in Bridgeport on Friday. Duran Duran will take that night to entertain crowds at Foxwoods. And the Wanted with Carly Rae Jepson are at Mohegan Sun.

Have some laughs at the Warner Theatre in Torrington when Paula Poundstone performs Saturday. Mike Hanley is appearing at Foxwoods. Johnny Rizzo will be among the comics at Mohegan Sun on Saturday.

Some special events are planned throughout the region, as well, including the sand sculpture competition in Milford, the “Big Flea” in Stamford, a free day for visitors to the Peabody Museum in New Haven and the biennial Garden Study Weekend in Washington. You can dance in Bridgeport, Danbury and Norwalk, go out for a Marine Life Study Cruise in Norwalk, go for a farewell to summer night hike in New Canaan, or go for a sail in the waters off Stamford.

On stage, the world premiere of the comedy “Harbor” docks at Westport Country Playhouse early next week. In the world of art, there are openings in New Canaan, Stamford and Wilton.

Whatever you do, enjoy one of last weekends of this waning summer season.

Until next time …

As a teaser for Christina Perri fan’s here’s the video of the 2010 single “Distance,” performed by Perri and Jason Mraz.

Out and about: Things to see and places to be this weekend

Thursday, August 2, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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There will be art and music, food and fun, puppets to handle and hopefully some sun. The SoNo Arts Celebration returns for its 37th year this weekend, taking over the streets of downtown South Norwalk. About 150 juried artists are expected to make the scene, along with a roster of local, regional and international music acts. Spectators can get in on the fun by joining Sunday’s Puppet Parade, and kids can express their creativity throughout the weekend. (You can see one of the bands expected to perform, Doctor Doom Orchestra, in above video)

The celebration is just one of many things to do this weekend (and beyond).

There will be music: OAR in Hartford, Foreigner in Stamford, Pete Herger Band, Full Moon Fever and Larry Ayce Band in Danbury,  “Echoes of Sinatra” in Ridgefield, Back to the Garden 1969 in Norwalk,, Melissa Green & Friends in Stratford, the B-52s in Bridgeport, Sea Rhapsody in Stamford, Joe Cocker and Huey Lewis and the News in Mashantucket, and Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio in Katonah, N.Y. You also can check out some music at the summer block party planned for tonight in Hartford.

You can check out some movies, too. “Isn’t It Delicious?” will be screened in Fairfield on Monday, enjoy one of the installments of the City Canvasses Project in Bridgeport,  take a trip in a World War II-era B-17, look for antique treasures in Ridgefield, take in a staging of “Bye Bye Birdie,” see some opera in Clinton, or watch as a city “rises” in Stamford.

What’s a summer weekend without some festivals. In Milford, many people will be coming together for Walnut Beach Day on Sunday. Craft fans likely will make their way to the Trumbull Summer Craft Festival on Saturday. The Italian Festival kicks off in Ansonia. In Easton and Orange, fire company’s are getting in on the fun. In Stratford, there will be plenty to do at Festival Stratford! In Danbury, you can check out the Ecuadorian Festival.

The kids are not forgotten this weekend, with such events such as Ocean Science and Technology Day in Mystic, Nature-Palooza in New Canaan, a flurry of programs at the Westport Public Library and a performance by Chris Rowlands at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and many others.

So get out there and enjoy it.

Until next time …

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