Archive for the ‘Movies’ Category

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

Friday, February 22, 2013 by:Christina Hennessy
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The Harlem Globetrotters will be dribbling, dunking and causing mayhem up and down the court when the team comes to the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport Friday night. The team is currently on a four-month North American tour that asks the fans to make the rules.

After 87 years, they gang remains as spry and fleet of foot as ever. They go up against the Washington Generals at 7 p.m. Just be prepared that at any moment you may become part of the action.

From basketball to blooms, this upcoming weekend and the days ahead feature diverse programs and activities to keep all ages entertained.

The Connecticut Flower and Garden Show brings spring’s colors and scents to Hartford, while bluegrass will be in the air when Del McCoury and Sam Bush visit Norwalk. Local musicians will come together to raise funds for Newtown. And the Rennie Harris Puremovement dancers will bring a dynamic performance to Fairfield.

Comics from throughout New England will be trying to rise to the top of the ranks at Mohegan Sun.  Lewis Black promises to bring the rant when he performs in Stamford. And, Linda Belt brings her humor to a spirited lunch.

Music, as always, will sound from across the area. The Nutopians will be in Bridgeport as will Kung Fu, Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang. Gunsmoke, The Grapes and Mars Project are in Stamford.  Meanwhile Stamford’s Richard “Cookie” Thomas will be in Westport. John Corbett will be in Fairfield. John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey perform in Purchase, N.Y. The Pears come to Pawling, N.Y. And, Fairfield’s Brian Dolzani travels to Pound Ridge, N.Y.

Maroon 5 and Chubby Checker perform two separate nights at Mohegan Sun. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals will be at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y., this weekend. Tickets remain for the Sunday show (Bridgeport-based The Stepkids are the opening band.)

Gospelfest takes place in Fairfield and the Walkingwood Mandolin Quartet performs in Milford. Connecticut Master Chorale will have a concert this weekend in Newtown.

Western Connecticut State University hosts the final film in its African Film Festival, while the New Canaan Library screens “Searching for Sugarman.” The Avon Theater in Stamford will host an Oscar night on Sunday, as will Milford’s Center for the Arts and the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook..

For kids, “Freckleface Strawberry the Musical,” plays at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport, and the Fairy Wedding Tea event at the Barnum Museum celebrates the 150th anniversary of Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren’s wedding. And, in Trumbull, a Purim Carnival is set to go on Sunday.

Several art exhibitions have opened or are currently in their run. “Aesthetic Expressions” is now on view in Danbury. New exhibits open at Silvermine Arts Center.

On stage, “The Curse of the Starving Class,” continues its run in New Haven (see the trailer below). The Ridgefield Playhouse hosts an evening with Stephen Sondheim. “In The Heights” is featured at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. “Adrift in Macao” will be staged in New Milford. An interactive murder event is revealed in Stamford (there is one in Southbury, too.). And the Town Players of New Canaan bring a story about love and golf to the stage.

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

Friday, February 15, 2013 by:Christina Hennessy
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Cathy Rigby reprises her role as Peter Pan for a production that arrives at the Palace Theater in Waterbury this weekend. At 60, Rigby is still up for the demands of playing the part of a boy who is loath to grow up. With some preparation, she told my colleague Joe Meyers that she is well prepared to add on even more performances to the more than 3,000 she has already logged as James Barrie’s classic character. Shows will run through Sunday.

It is a varied weekend when it comes to entertainment, from a gathering of outdoor enthusiasts to those who like a good yarn. Events continue through the weekend to honor the holiday of love. A new art exhibit in Stamford will honor the spectacle and beauty of the night sky. A Redding artist’s cardboard creation will get another look in another medium. An author brings a tale of corruption to the Ferguson. Images of varied landscapes will be on view in Danbury. And some “Stars With Their Cars” will open in Newtown.

As always, music fans have myriad events to attend. There will be a musical adventure at Yale, the arrival of 3 Doors Down and Daughtry in Uncasville, Stefon Harris and Blackout to Fairfield,  Donna Ullsse and the Poor Mountain Boys to Mamaroneck, N.Y., piano virtuoso George Li in Stamford, the dual piano performance of Igor Lovchinsky and Jonathan Coombs, the Blues Brothers Revue in Ridgefield and plenty of acts throughout the clubs of Fairfield County.

Oscar fans have multiple opportunities to check out some of the movies that are up for honors, with series set in Bridgeport, Stamford and Trumbull.

On stage, “The Kid Who Would Be Pope,” arrives at Curtain Call in Stamford. “In The Heights” continues in Elmsford, N.Y. “Curse of the Starving Class” plays at Long Wharf Theatre. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” adds dates in Stamford. “Big River” courses through Shelton. And “Rabbit Hole” plays out in Westport.

Of course, there is plenty of snow to keep avid sledders busy, too.

Until next time …

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

Friday, February 1, 2013 by:Christina Hennessy
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Undoubtedly, there will be Super Bowl fans among the Souper Bowl fans at the fifth annual Chowdafest at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard, but one not need be a fan of the big game to come out for a tasty competition. Organizers are hoping to draw the crowds on Sunday, which will not only determine the day’s top soups, but also raise funds to benefit the Connecticut Food Bank.

You can get a look here at participating restaurants and the kind of frothy goodness you will find (such as chicken Marsala soup, Sengalese peanut soup and oyster pork belly chowder). May the best soup win!

If chocolate is your thing, Sunday is the day for the 20th annual Chocolate Lovers’ Expo in Soutbury. Bring those appetites, since vendors will be sampling items.

There is plenty more to this weekend, however, beginning with today’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of Grand Central Terminal. If you have not already made it in to New York City, there are plenty of activities planned during the day to honor this busy transportation hub. If you want to mark another anniversary, you can make your way to the Stamford Center for the Arts Palace Theatre where Paco Pena and his flamenco dancers and musicians will help the Namaskaar Foundation celebrate a quarter century.

As with every weekend, music fans have plenty to choose from, including a performance by Sixpence None the Richer in Fairfield, the Blue Oyster Cult in Ridgefield, Stephanie Blythe at the Quick Center, The Temptations and the Four Tops in Stamford, Mystic Bowie, Lindsey Stirling, School of Rock, The Zamboinis, Darik and the Funbags, Bfunked, The Bernadettes, Ryan Monbleau, the U.S. Coast Guard Band, Fairfield County Children’s Choir, and Brother Sun and Sister Sun. Concerts also continue to benefit victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy.

There is no lack of movies, from the 007 Red Carpet Festival at the Avon Theatre in Stamford or “Body of War” at the Ridgefield Playhouse. On stage, you can catch some “Ancestral Voices” at the Music Theatre of Connecticut in Westport or “The Addams Family” in New Haven. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opens in Stamford. Some community productions get under way as well, including “The Yellow Dress” in Wilton, “Big River” in Shelton, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” in Milford and “Rabbit Hole” in Westport.

Dave Kane aims to make audiences chuckle in Danbury, while Margaret Cho arrives at Foxwoods. Connecticut-based Treehouse Comedy also has a full lineup in multiple venues this weekend. You will not go wanting for comics.

You also can check out the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut’s first visual art show of the year or have a “Brush with Magic” in Fairfield.

This weekend also marks the “Take Your Child to the Library Day,” with various towns and cities, such as Bridgeport, Norwalk, Greenwich, Stamford and New Canaan planning special events. “The Tortoise and the Hare” will be performed in Fairfield. And a “Look and See” program will be held next week as part of the “Chinasaurs” exhibition now open at the Bruce Museum.

You also may want to sharpen some pencils (or tuck a pen into your pocket if you are that good) and high-tail it over to the Westport Library. The 14th annual Crossword Puzzle Contest gets under way Saturday.

1-2-3 Hut! Until next time ….

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

Friday, January 25, 2013 by:Christina Hennessy
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The area will soon be filled with singers, musicians, actors, authors, artists and other performers, ready to provide an eclectic mix of entertainment. It begins tonight with several musical performances, including the Pink Floyd tribute band The Machine, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, Michael Dunham Trio, What Up Funk Band, Dylan Connor and the Epic Poets, The Fred Eaglesmith Traveling Steam Show, Groove Time, City Express Band, Marilyn Manson and others.

On Saturday, the music continues with Greenwich Symphony, Bang on a Can All-Stars, Chris Trapper, Great American Ghost, Tom Crowley and the Speakers, Aaron Lewis, a Johnny Mercer tribute, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Lita Ford, Jeremy Denk, Kashmir, Wynton Marsalis and a Hot & Cool jazz session.

On Sunday, one can check out Kate Liu, Christine Ebersole, the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut, Tokyo String Quartet and others. And, one can see the intersection of jazz and art during a special performance at the Old Town Hall Museum (175 Atlantic St.) in Stamford, Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m.

There are some tasty treats in store as well, including a “Chocolate World Expo” in Norwalk on Sunday. The 10th annual Winefest will take place in Uncasville.

On stage, “Next to Normal” comes to Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport. “Almost Maine” visits for a spell in Hartford. The Clockwork Repertory Theatre takes on a murder-mystery. And next Wednesday, stage fans can get a behind-the-scenes view of Broadway with the one-night only screening of “One Night Stand: Creating a Play in a Day.”

Author Fran Lebowitz will come to share her view of things during an evening at Fairfield University on Monday. A celebration of the lunar new year will kick off on Sunday. Graveyard shift tours are set at the Mark Twain House. The artist William Wegman will show work in Westport inspired by his travels (see right). Bruce Museum’s Chinasaurs opens this weekend. And “Texas Chainsaw” fans will be gathering in Norwalk.

Kids may want to check out “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” at the Emelin Theatre. “Yo Gabba Gabba Live” comes to Port Chester, N.Y. Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk hosts a night for “The Lorax.” Trumbull Library will host a concert for the whole family. “Fancy Nancy” comes to Westport and the “Jungle Book” will be in Waterbury. Several night hikes also are planned in Ansonia and New Canaan.

There’s plenty to do, as always. Plan ahead, get started early and enjoy!

Until next time …

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

Friday, January 18, 2013 by:Christina Hennessy
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For some people, the upcoming weekend will actually stretch to three as the nation celebrates and honors civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. Several area organizations will be commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 21) with special events. (Or, you can be inspired by video above to donate some time and talent to your community.) In Greenwich, Flying Ship Productions will present “Rosa’s Ride” at the Bruce Museum’s family day celebration on Monday. In Fairfield, the Fairfield Museum will be offering a weekend of activities for all ages. The Westport Historical Society will honor King’s life through art. And, at the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven, the focus is on the environment and social issues on Sunday and Monday.

Area venues also will be filled with the sound of music this weekend. Gin Blossoms will be in Fairfield. Blood, Sweat and Tears are performing in Ridgefield. The “Rod Stewart Experience,” (Look out ladies!) comes to Bridgeport. Guster, Morrissey and Dwight Yoakam will be playing separate nights at the Capitol. Bowzer will be bringing his doo wop pary to Mohegan Sun — the same venue that will welcome the Blue Oyster Cult. Jazz fans have multiple opportunities to catch a performance with events taking place in Derby, and New Canaan. Music events will also honor MLK, including those in New Haven and Hartford.

Performers will be lending their talents for events planned to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy. Sacred Heart University will present an evening of performing arts on Saturday. In Ridgefield, musical all-stars also will converge for a special two-day concert.

Fans of the Roaring 20s, have multiple events to choose from as the Westport READS celebration delves deeper into F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” Lectures, music performances and film events are planned throughout the celebration, which ends Feb. 2.

Are you looking to laugh this weekend. Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling will likely be able to help in that department. He boasted to a colleague that knows more jokes than anyone else in the world, including a million dirty ones. He probably won’t have time to get through all of them, though he is scheduled to make two appearances in the state.

Film buffs have their pick this weekend, including “The Last Ride,” which is about country music star Hank Williams. Area libraries have a solid schedule of documentaries and feature films. And Norwalk’s IMAX theater brings animals of the deep and far-off lands to the screen. Fans of dance and art would do well to make their way to the Silvermine Arts Center where an innovative program mixes art, dance and technology to intriguing effect.

Kids may want to check out Elmo, who will be bringing along some superheroes when he visits the state. The “Ice Age” exhibition has its final weekend at the Katonah Museum of Art. Time also is running out to see the Lego exhibit at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center. Or, you can “step into art” in Norwalk.

On stage, one can find mystery, comedy, opera, a musical and a world premiere, as well as an ode to “Great American Love Songs.” Next week, you can find a break in the day to enjoy some lunch and theater. And, a community theater group hopes to drum up interest and support during staged readings this weekend.

There are plenty of opportunities to appreciate some art, as well. The lost world of Russian can be found in Greenwich. New members get a showing in Stamford. And, later in the week, “Your Content Will Return Shortly” comes to Franklin Street Works. Norwalk’s “Festival of Lighthouses” also will be dimming soon, as will “A Persistent Passion: The Art of Lora Eberly Ballou,” which runs through Jan. 31 in Stamford. That is the city one can find the work of some special artists, too.

There’s too much to do in just one weekend, but I hope you make some time to explore and discover.

Until next time …

Oscar-nominated “Beasts” gives Wesleyan a feather in its cap

Thursday, January 10, 2013 by:Christina Hennessy
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Connecticut’s Wesleyan University must be feeling some pride today.

A trio of graduates, Benh Zeitlin, Michael Gottwald and Dan Janvey, are behind the independent film “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” It is one of nine films that has earned an Academy Award nomination for best picture. It was among the nominees announced Thursday, which also included “Lincoln,” “Amour,” “Argo,” “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “Django Unchained,” “Les Miserables,” “Life of Pi,” “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”

Zeitlin is also up against Steven Spielberg (“Lincoln”), Ang Lee (“Life of Pi”), David O. Russell (“Silver Linings Playbook”) and Michael Haneke (“Amour”) in the directing category. Nine-year old Quvenzhane Wallis, who plays the young lead in the movie, was nominated for best actress.

You can see how they do when the 85th annual awards ceremony is broadcast live on ABC on Sunday, Feb. 24.

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

Friday, December 28, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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This time around you may want to take the weekend to rest up for the all the fun to be had with the arrival of the new year early next week.. A variety of First Night celebrations afford families a way to celebrate together, during the day and into the evening. However, venues and organizations large and small have a full roster of events planned, from musical performers to staged events and galas and balls across the state. Check out the many activities to determine the place you want to be when 2013 arrives.

For those looking to get a head start, Arlen Roth will be in the area to show off his expertise with the guitar. The Steve Miller Band is coming to Port Chester, N.Y. The Sublime tribute band Badfish will be at Toad’s Place. The Backstreet Boys will be at Foxwoods. And, Coldplay arrives in Uncasville.

Brad Trackman will bring comedy to the final days of 2012 in Bridgeport and Joe Devito, who grew up in New Milford, comes to Mohegan Sun. Meanwhile, “Shrek — The Musical” brings with it a diminutive lead. And, Santa’s helpers take a dive for the holidays in Mystic. The Russian culture is explored at Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, while the Paper Bag Players come to the Emelin Theatre.

You can ring in the new year with some art, whether it is the work of Falls Village artist Robert Cronin, the final days of “A Good Light” exhibition in Greenwich or the fine art of children’s books. Or, make a trip to Westport to see the works at the Arts Center and the library.

Disney brings its “Worlds of Fantasy” to the Webster Bank Arena beginning Wednesday, Jan. 2.

Until next time …

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

Thursday, December 13, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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Fairfield playwright Joe Landry’s take on Frank Capra’s classic 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life” brings the action to a radio station, where a group of performers come together to present the popular story.  In Landry’s take, the audience not only gets to enjoy the story itself, but also the story of the performers telling the story. (You can see the film at the Bridgeport Library on Monday.)

Landry’s adaptation, which plays in Westport, on Saturday, has made its way across the country, with 100 theaters having staged it last year and 150 planning to stage it this year. The local production will serve as a benefit for the Music Theatre of Connecticut.

Other musical events are planned to celebrate the holidays, including a community carol sing-along in Bridgeport, a benefit concert in Danbury, a Hanukkah concert, a show by Debbie Gravitte, a candlelight concert in New Canaan, Marion Meadows (who grew up in Stamford) Jazz Christmas show, and an appearance by the Turtle Island Quartet, which will be celebrating the season’s celebrations, as well as the winter solstice.

Other musical acts are set to perform in the area, as well, including hip-hop producer Tony Simon (who is known as Blockhead), Eric Hutchinson, The Rascals (who will reunite for these performances), Abbamania, The Declassfied, the Celtic Tenors, John Fullbright and Chris Botti.

If you still want a taste of the holidays, you can enjoy a holiday open house at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum or visit a “B-Merry Holiday mARkeT” in Bridgeport. There also are a number of places Santa will be stopping by to make a visit and reconnect with the younger set. Two area dance companies will be putting on their productions of Nutcracker this weekend. “Scenes from the Nutcracker” will be playing in Darien. Dreidel games will be taking place at Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk. And, a laser jam show is scheduled to give some pop to the season’s songs. And, you can get a look at some tasty gingerbread houses in Stamford and Westport. And, you can see trains in various forms in Stamford, Fairfield, Danbury and Wilton.

Art can be found throughout the area from community self-portraits and studio-inspired pieces in Greenwich to an opening reception at the Silo Gallery in New Milford. Ongoing art exhibitions can be found in New Canaan; Katonah, N.Y.; Stamford; and Wilton. And a new production of “Sunday in the Park with George” opens in New Haven.

Until next time …

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