Just wishing our Stamford Downtown community and all that come here to live, work, shop, dine, learn, and enjoy all the downtown has to offer, a very happy, healthy, and safe holiday season! See you in January!
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Farewell Kevin
Kevin; one of our own, is moving on. All of us at the DSSD would like to wish him good luck in all future aspirations. We will surely miss you!!! See you at the parade next year!!!
Transportation Center Display
In an effort to welcome commuters to all Stamford Downtown has to offer, we have recently installed Stamford Downtown information display cases at the Stamford Transportation Center. Throughout the year we will be offering free Stamford Downtown information for commuters available at your fingertips right at the station!
Pick up an annual Stamford Downtown Directory, which includes all Downtown restaurants, retail and services. In addition, you can pick up the latest copy of the Stamford Downtown Dining Guide, which includes listings of all Stamford Downtown restaurants, cuisine served, price range and location on an easy-to-read map. Future information will include the upcoming Art in Public Places, Alive@Five Concert series, and the UBS Parade Spectacular—just to name a few. Display cases are located on the lower level, next to the cash machines and on the upper level just left of the ticket booth.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Risky Rappel
Are you a Larry Hoff fan? Well, you are in luck. He will be making his descent from One Landmark Square on Friday, December 5th. You can catch his death defying rappel on CW11 (Channel 11 News) or come watch it LIVE!
It's always a thrill. Such a brave one he is.
And, don't forget to come downtown to see Santa rappel at the Heights and Lights event happening on Sunday, December 7. All the fun starts at 4:30. See below for more details.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanks for the giving....
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Parade is coming!!!
in Stamford Downtown.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
ZOOperstars, Tiffany Giardina and Tommy John join UBS Parade Spectacular
The ZOOperstars from "America's Got Talent," teen pop star Tiffany Giardina and baseball great and Bridgeport Bluefish will join your your favorite balloon characters, marching bands and floats for this year's UBS Parade Spectacular.
And last, but not least - former Yankee baseball great and current Bridgeport Bluefish manager Tommy John will be the Parade's Grand Marshal. Discover more about our special guest at www.tommyjohn.com
For more information visit www.stamford-downtown.com or keep visiting the Stamford Downtown Events Blog!!!
UBS PARADE SPECTACULAR - NOVEMBER 23 AT 12 NOON!!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Volunteering at the Parade Spectacular
Last year was my first year experiencing the energy of the UBS Parade Spectacular in Stamford Downtown and I could not believe excitement of everyone involved. We all know the Parade stars the 25 helium balloons, the specially designed floats, the marching bands and the dancers, however, the real stars of the Parade are the volunteers. It takes over 1000 volunteers to help put on this spectacular Parade and we thank them all. If you haven't had the opportunity to volunteer I would jump to it. Not only are you part of an amazing event that captivates the children and even puts smiles on the faces of the parents - you will have the time of your life. Our volunteers return each year because they truly enjoy the experience and want to be first on the list to be there. We offer volunteer positions for balloon handlers, clowns and route marshals and we train everyone. Contact the DSSD now for more information. Mark your calendars UBS PARADE SPECTACULAR, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 AT NOON. Watch the balloons inflate the night before - Saturday, November 22 from 3 to 6.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Candy store treat
Have you ever been to Schakolad? It's a quaint little chocolate store at 172 Bedford Street. Yesterday, they celebrated their 5th anniversary here in Stamford. They were offering up a glorious day of chocolate, fun, discounts and prizes to help them celebrate. And being the party girl that I am, I ventured over there after work with some of my colleagues to join in on the fun. As we arrived, a huge three-tiered flowing chocolate fountain greeted us, along with chocolate-dipped champagne glasses, and mouth-watering fresh truffles. I couldn't resist plunging a nearby pretzel stick right through the flowing chocolate. Yum, yum, yum. It was so delicious. This was my first "fountain" experience; I've always thought that having a chocolate fountain would be tons of fun. And yes, it was. I lingered over it for a few more goodies.
But I truly came with a purpose; finding a dark chocolate treat for my hubby. I was celebrating my own anniversary today, and was hoping to put a smile on my "better half" with a unique chocolate lollipop treat. (I found a chocolate race car--how cute!)
It was a glorious day of chocolate, fun, and discounts and prizes. For a quick moment, I felt like a kid in a candy store.
Friday, September 26, 2008
What are you doing in Stamford Downtown?
The summer is now over in Stamford Downtown. The summer events have passed, the restaurant patios are slowly coming off the streets and the weather is getting a bit chilly. So what are you doing now? Stamford Downtown offers over 80 great place to eat whether your going out for nice dinner, stopping in for a quick sandwich or slice or you're going to grab a drink at a sport's bar. For entertainment you have three movie theatres with 3600 seats combined, two NEW comedy clubs, dance clubs throughout and the Stamford Center for the Arts' events plus much more! So...what are you doing? Share your fun!
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Treehouse Comedy Club Opens This SATURDAY!
Rich Vos - A regular on Opie & Anthony, NBC TV's Last Comic Standing Finalist and series regular also featured on TWO Comedy Central Presents Rich Vos Comedy Specials, Tough Crowds with Colin Quinn, The Dave Chappelle Show and Premium Blend. A regular on The View, and seen on NBC's Friday Night, HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo & BET'S Comic View. Not the smartest man in the business, but certainly one of the funniest.
Bonnie McFarlane as featured on her own Comedy Central Presents Bonnie McFarlane, HBO One Night Stand, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing Finalist, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and The Opie and Anthony Show.
Upcoming Shows:
Jim Norton from Opie & Anthony, my personal favorite comes to Stamford for two shows October 3 and 4. In A RARE CLUB APPEARANCE Opie and Anthony Sidekick and the star of "Down and Dirty" with Jim Norton airing on HBO Jim Norton from his own HBO ONE hour special "Monster Rain" a regular on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Lucky Louie on HBO and Tough Crowds. Seen on Letterman, his own HBO One Night Stand, Last Comic Standing, Last Call with Carson Daly, Comedy Central Presents and Comedy Central's Bob Saget Roast, along with numerous MTV and VH-1 appearances
Saturday, November 8th Treehouse Comedy Productions Presents
In a Special Celebrity Comedy Event Gilbert Gottfried as seen in the movies "Beverly Hills Cop II," "Problem Child" 1,2 & 3, "Look Who's Talking II" , The Aristocrats and Aladdin. A regular on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Howard Stern Show.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Milkshake my Sunday
I had the best milkshake this past weekend....
Sure, I could be talking about a dance move, since I got this yummy milkshake at this past weekend's Art Crafts and Blues Festival on Bedford Street in Stamford Downtown. Nope. I got it at Lucky's, one of the funnest places on Bedford Street, where you can get the best milkshakes. If you haven't tried their special shake, you must give it a run for the calorie. The blues music made me move and groove to work off those extra pounds, so no biggie.
Saturday night's festival was different from Sunday afternoon--it was so romantic. I had never been to the festival at night, and it was quite delightful. The music, by Levon Helm, superb. Really mellow blues. All the booths had out their best work. I enjoyed the glass blown guy. His work was amazing. Each booth had their own little light, which gave the street fair a welcome glow. I was surprised to see the French (Farmers) Market there, but it was a nice to see all the veggies still abundant in color. I wandered for a few hours, buying here and there, before my kids had enough and wanted to leave.
It was calm, yet festive: It is what I would imagine a small town would run to be neighborly. I had a great time, as did my family unit.
The Laughs Start Here in Stamford Downtown
Two New Comedy Clubs Opening in Stamford Downtown in September
Catch A Rising Star and The Treehouse Comedy Club
Catch A Rising Star Opening Gala - Friday, September 19th
Two Shows: 7:30 & 9:30pm
The Opening Gala kicks off with Comic Legend Robert Klein and Connecticut's own Andrew Kennedy. Two shows 7:30 & 9:30
For Tickets and Information please call 203-977-1230
www.catcharisingstar.com
Catch A Rising Star at the Stamford Marriott
243 Tresser Boulevard - Stamford, CT 06901
*Reservations Required*
SOMETHING FUNNY IS HAPPENING IN STAMFORD!
The Treehouse Comedy Club at Hibernian Hall
186 Greyrock Place in Stamford
Opening Night Saturday September 27th
starring two hilarious headliners
Rich Vos and Bonnie McFarlane
Visit www.TreehouseComedy.com for more information.
Here is the rest.
My thoughts on the talent!
Catch A Rising Star Opening Gala - Friday, September 19th
Robertt Klein is a comic legend becoming legendary through his Watergate scandal routines and it one of the first observational comics. He was also one of the first with a comedy special on HBO. Hilarious guy.
Andrew Kennedy, born in Bogota, Colombia. Half Colombian, half British and fully bi-lingual in Spanish, Andrew spent most of his childhood in South America, the Caribbean and the Far East. Having his family come to America only to settle down in New Canaan Connecticut, is probably the reason he became a comedian...I saw him early this year and he's a great performer with some great stories to hear.
Upcoming Schedule:
Andrew Kennedy - September 20. Missed him on Friday, check him out on Saturday!
Stamford's own Dan Levy Fri.-Sat. Sept. 26-27 @ 7:30 & 9:30pm - selling out fast - check it out!
The Treehouse Comedy Club, September 27:
Rich Vos - A regular on Opie & Anthony, NBC TV's Last Comic Standing Finalist and series regular also featured on TWO Comedy Central Presents Rich Vos Comedy Specials, Tough Crowds with Colin Quinn, The Dave Chappelle Show and Premium Blend. A regular on The View, and seen on NBC's Friday Night, HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime at the Apollo & BET'S Comic View. Not the smartest man in the business, but certainly one of the funniest.
Bonnie McFarlane as featured on her own Comedy Central Presents Bonnie McFarlane, HBO One Night Stand, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Last Comic Standing Finalist, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and The Opie and Anthony Show.
Upcoming Shows:
Jim Norton from Opie & Anthony, my personal favorite comes to Stamford for two shows October 3 and 4. In A RARE CLUB APPEARANCE Opie and Anthony Sidekick and the star of "Down and Dirty" with Jim Norton airing on HBO Jim Norton from his own HBO ONE hour special "Monster Rain" a regular on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Lucky Louie on HBO and Tough Crowds. Seen on Letterman, his own HBO One Night Stand, Last Comic Standing, Last Call with Carson Daly, Comedy Central Presents and Comedy Central's Bob Saget Roast, along with numerous MTV and VH-1 appearances
Saturday, November 8th Treehouse Comedy Productions Presents
In a Special Celebrity Comedy Event Gilbert Gottfried as seen in the movies "Beverly Hills Cop II," "Problem Child" 1,2 & 3, "Look Who's Talking II" , The Aristocrats and Aladdin. A regular on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Howard Stern Show.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Levon Helm Headlines Arts, Crafts & Blues
Arts, Crafts & Blues on Bedford
September 13 and 14, 2008
Stamford Downtown
Starring The Levon Helm Band
Levon Helm, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, drummer and actor, has enjoyed a versatile career that spans almost five decades. As a member of The Band, he recorded two of the most acclaimed albums of the late ’60s including songs, The Weight and Up on Cripple Creek. www.levonhelm.com
Arts, Crafts & Blues on Bedford on the Heineken Stage is a weekend event featuring over 100 craft and artisan boutiques on Bedford Street in Stamford Downtown, which will be closed to traffic on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 & 14.“Sophisticated, chic and energetic set in a lovely urban environment. For those who appreciate fine arts, good food and music.” ACF News, June-July 2007. Don’t miss the Imagination Station with “hands on” activities for kids presented by the Stamford Museum and Nature Center including farm animals and face painting.
Craft booths open Saturday 12pm-9pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm
Saturday, September 13 - Blues with The Levon Helm Band
2:00 Doug Wahlberg Band www.dougwahlbergband.com
3:30 Chris Berardo & The DesBerardos www.desberardo.com
5:00 The Lustre Kings www.lustrekings.com
6:30 The Levon Helm Band www.levonhelm.com
Sunday, September 14 – Sunday with a Touch of Jazz, presented by J.P. Morgan Chase
1:00 T.B.D.
1:30 Ralph Lalama Quartet www.ralphlalama.com
3:30 The Galvanized Jazz Band www.galvanizedjazz.com
Arts, Crafts & Blues on Bedford on the Heineken Stage is presented by Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford and is sponsored by Shock Electric, Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, Agora Spa, Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, The Advocate, Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Crystal Rock, 95.9 The Fox, 96.7 The Coast, WSTC/WNLK radio stations, Fairfield County Weekly, Event Management Inc., Simply Signs and Happyhaha Studio Photography.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
"Through the Eyes of Vincent Rodriguez" Reception, August 21
On Thursday, August 21 the Sundance Cafe will host "Through the Eyes of Vincent Rodriguez" a photo exhibit and reception from 5pm - 6pm. Vincent's photographs are also on exhibit on Bedford Street in Stamford Downtown with other photographs in conjunction with Stamford Downtown's Art in Public Places.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Chez Jean Pierre- oui,oui
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Boyz II Men FREE Concert - August 7th at 5PM
Boyz II Men sponsored by Frank Mercede & Sons
Philadelphia’s own Boyz II Men recorded five Number One Pop hits and twelve Top Ten R&B singles, sold over 60 million records worldwide, and earned a host of awards including four Grammy Awards between 1992 and 1997. “I’ll Make Love To You,” “On Bended Knee” and their most successful “End of the Road” rank among their greatest hits. http://www.boyziimen.com/
Omar Wilson and The Press Project set to open Alive @ Five's season finale!
OMAR WILSON
Norwalk’s own three time Amateur Night at the Apollo winner Omar Wilson delivers his message of struggle and survival with powerful melodies and his soulful voice. Omar is releasing his EP in July and is currently recording with platinum producers Mike City and Punch among others. The EP leans more in the direction of soul but definitely keeps it’s foundation deeply routed in Hip Hop. Omar can also be heard on the upcoming Serious Jones release singing multiple hooks.
THE PRESS PROJECT
Blending hip-hop, soul, jazz and funk with an eclectic and poignant tongue twisting lyrical style, the seven members of The Press Project circulate massive amounts of physical and musical energy in a supercharged live performance spectacle.
thepressproject.com
Alive @ Five is presented by RBS on the Heineken Stage in partnership with Stamford Town Center, Columbia Crest and BevMax. This week's concert is sponsored by Frank Mercede & Son and Stamford Sports & Spine. The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford. Additional sponsors include The Advocate/Greenwich Time, Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, Columbus Park Merchants, Crystal Rock, Fairfield County Weekly, Frank Mercede & Sons, Happyhaha Studio, Keep Stamford Beautiful, LoveSac, Mill River Collaborative, New York Sports Clubs, Optimum, Royal Restrooms, Simply Signs, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Florist, Stamford Sports & Spine, State Farm Insurance-George Boyce, The Switch, Teddy’s Transportation System, Inc., UConn Stamford, Woodloch Pines and 95.9 The Fox, 96.7 The Coast, , Star 99.9 and WSTC/WNLK radio stations.
Sponsored by Columbus Park Area Merchants: Black Bear Saloon, Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Café, Columbus Park Trattoria, Curley’s Diner, Fin II Japenese Restaurant, Garden Catering, Hula Hanks Island Grille & Bar, Kujaku Japanese Restaurant, Market, SBC Restaurant & Brewery, The Palms, The Thirsty Turtle Stamford, Tiernan’s Bar & Restaurant, Twenty of Stamford and Zody Café.
NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO ENTER CONCERT AREA
AFTER 9PM OR AT VENUE CAPACITY
BY ORDER OF CITY OF STAMFORD POLICE DEPTARTMENT
Concert Area will be expanded to Atlantic Street at Main/Bank.
Lower Summer will be closed to traffic between 5PM and 6PM
based on traffic department assessments.
ALIVE @ FIVE Concert Series on August 7 will be held in Columbus Park RAIN OR SHINE
COOLERS ARE PROHIBITED IN THE CONCERT AREA. PLEASE LEAVE THEM AT HOME!
Friday, August 1, 2008
An Alive @ Five Thanks!
Thanks to all of the Alive @ Five fans (and Southside Johnny and Billy Vera fans) for coming out these last two weeks and proving that Alive @ Five is a fun, exciting and safe place to see a FREE concert in Columbus Park. We like to see the restaurants and bars booming and everyone enjoying the music. We also appreciate everyone for helping out with the new procedures. We'll see you at Boyz II Men Thursday, August 7th!! Come early!!
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Trivia Is Great If 'Njoyed -- (TIGIN)
Tigín Irish Pub and Restaurant, inspired by the environment of the Irish cottage, Tigín (meaning small cottage), is the perfect place to find comfort. And yes, I did. The Pub has this great following on Tuesday nights. And, at first I didn't believe the hype, but it was really true. I finally got out to enjoy a night of Tigin Trivia this past Tuesday night, and I have to say it has been the hightlight of my week. There is an outside patio where you can take in the crowd of passerbys, or you can venture indoors. It looks small, but it's not. It is quite a unique indoor space. At each turn there is what seems little hiding spaces. I know this because I was trying to find my friend. And although the place was packed, inside and out, it was still comfortable. The temperature was warmer than I would have prefered, but cozy--sorta like a hug. Nothing a nice cold beer couldn't cure. One things for sure, the trivia game was blast! When you first walk in you notice most people are huddled over their pieces of paper (the trivia) and writing feverishly. As the announcer would call out the questions, we would scramble to come up with the correct answer. I tried to cheat, but was unsuccessful. I was surprised at the large crowd. So many people. They needed a speaker system to announce the answers over the crowd (which is not loud because they are all concentrating on the answers). I met up with one friend, who knew a few other friends, and we grouped up to create a "winning" trivia team. I am not really a trivia expert, so I didn't really contribute too much to my group of eight, but we did pretty well overall, taking 5th place. Yippee.
Tigin is the hippest place to be--it's the central place on Tuesday night for sure. The atmosphere is warm and it's fun and exciting; can't wait to do it again.
Monday, July 28, 2008
FREE Concert - Billy Vera - Thursday July 31
Billy Vera performs live Thursday, July 31 at Alive @ Five!!! Sponsored by Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa and Hilton Stamford.
Billy Vera & the Beaters were the quintessential L.A. band. Billy Vera has been writing hit songs since the ’60s including “I Really Got The Feeling” for Dolly Parton. His biggest success came when the now classic love song “At This Moment” played as the romantic backdrop on the ’80s sitcom “Family Ties.” Billy is hailed as one of America’s greatest musicians. Billy Vera's Knight Riders band were arguably among the most talented and popular rock'n'roll bands through the 1960's. They played to packed houses in Stamford Downtown at the Stagecoach and the former Ramada inn. "Returning to Stamford is a true homecoming for me," says Vera. "Stamford holds a special place in the memories of my early musical career." www.billyvera.com Two other amazing bands will open for Billy Vera!
Sera Buras
As a singer, songwriter and musician, the creative edge of Sera Buras points to this young artist’s deep roots and colorful background in the American South. The pianist/vocalist is influenced by Al Green, Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye. www.seraburas.net
Vivacity
A popular band in Fairfield County, Vivacity is a band with a catchy rock sound and flowing lyrics. These lifelong friends and band mates have burst out of the garage and on to the local music scene. www.myspace.com/vivacityct
Alive @ Five is presented by RBS on the Heineken Stage in partnership with Stamford Town Center, Columbia Crest and BevMax. This week's concert is sponsored by Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, smartwater, vitaminwater and vitaminenergy. The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford. Additional sponsors include The Advocate/Greenwich Time, Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, Columbus Park Merchants, Crystal Rock, Fairfield County Weekly, Frank Mercede & Sons, Happyhaha Studio, Keep Stamford Beautiful, LoveSac, Mill River Collaborative, New York Sports Clubs, Optimum, Royal Restrooms, Simply Signs, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Sports & Spine, State Farm Insurance-George Boyce, The Switch, Teddy’s Transportation System, Inc., UConn Stamford, Woodloch Pines and 95.9 The Fox, 96.7 The Coast, , Star 99.9 and WSTC/WNLK radio stations. Sponsored by Columbus Park Area Merchants: Black Bear Saloon, Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Café, Columbus Park Trattoria, Curley’s Diner, Fin II Japenese Restaurant, Garden Catering, Hula Hanks Island Grille & Bar, Kujaku Japanese Restaurant, Market, SBC Restaurant & Brewery, The Palms, The Thirsty Turtle Stamford, Tiernan’s Bar & Restaurant, Twenty of Stamford and Zody Café.
ALIVE @ FIVE Concert Series on Thursday, July 31 and August 7 will be held in Columbus Park RAIN OR SHINE
NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO ENTER CONCERT AREA AFTER 9PM OR AT VENUE CAPACITY BY ORDER OF CITY OF STAMFORD POLICE DEPTARTMENT
COOLERS ARE PROHIBITED IN THE CONCERT AREA. PLEASE LEAVE THEM AT HOME!
FREE Concert - Bowzer's Rock 'N' Roll Party!
July 30: BOWZER’S ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PARTY
Don’t miss Bowzer's Rock 'n' Roll Party starring Bowzer and The Stingrays, Jay Siegel and The Tokens, with Special Guest Lynn DiMenna. Jon Bauman’s portrayal of "Bowzer," leader of "Sha Na Na" for fourteen years, was so a hilarious, gangly greaser who actually stalked the streets of Brooklyn when he wasn't appearing with the group. “Bowzer” has resurfaced as one of the most multi-dimensional performers in show business today, with his Rock ‘n’ Roll Party. www.bowzerparty.com
GATEWAY ANTIQUE AUTO SHOW
Come dressed in your best 50’s Outfit and win prizes!
Please bring a donation of canned food for the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County
Pops in the Park, presented Seaboard Properties and HSBC on the Heineken Stage, is a three week long series this July in Columbus Park at 6:30 pm.
RAIN VENUE, Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St. Stamford
VENUE DECISION WILL BE MADE AT 12 NOON on Wednesday, July 30
Please check www.stamford-downtown.com or call 203-348-5285
Pops in the Park is presented by Seaboard Properties and HSBC on the Heineken Stage. The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford. Additional sponsors include The Advocate, Crystal Rock, Fairfield County Weekly, Happyhaha Studio, Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Keep Stamford Beautiful, Shock Electric, Simply Signs, Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa and WSTC/WNLK radio stations.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Barbara Cook takes the Pops Stage 7/23
Pops in the Park, presented Seaboard Properties and HSBC on the Heineken Stage, is a three week long series this July in Columbus Park at 6:30 pm.
July 23: BARBARA COOK
Barbara Cook's silvery soprano, purity of tone, and warm presence have delighted audiences around the world for more than 50 years. Recently, Miss Cook performed at two sold-out concerts with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center. www.barbaracook.com
BARBARA COOK IS A MUSICAL THEATER PHENOMENON
Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press
RAIN VENUE, Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St. Stamford
VENUE DECISION WILL BE MADE AT 12 NOON on Wednesday, July 23
Please check www.stamford-downtown.com or call 203-348-5285
Palace Theatre doors open at 5:30PM, Limited seating, first come, first serve
July 30:BOWZER’S ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PARTY
Don’t miss Bowzer's Rock 'n' Roll Party starring Bowzer and The Stingrays, Jay Siegel and The Tokens, with Special Guest Lynn DiMenna. Jon Bauman’s portrayal of "Bowzer", leader of "Sha Na Na" for fourteen years, was so a hilarious, gangly greaser who actually stalked the streets of Brooklyn when he wasn't appearing with the group. “Bowzer” has resurfaced as one of the most multi-dimensional performers in show business today, with his Rock ‘n’ Roll Party. www.bowzerparty.com
GATEWAY ANTIQUE AUTO SHOW
Come dressed in your best 50’s Outfit and win prizes!
Please bring a donation of canned food for the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County
Pops in the Park is presented by Seaboard Properties and HSBC on the Heineken Stage. The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford. Additional sponsors include The Advocate, Crystal Rock, Fairfield County Weekly, Happyhaha Studio, Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Keep Stamford Beautiful, Shock Electric, Simply Signs, Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa and WSTC/WNLK radio stations. Pops in the park is a three week series. For more information on each evening please email Annette Einhorn at annette@stamford-downtown.com or call 203-348-5285.
ALIVE @ FIVE Concert Series on Thursday, July 24, July 31 and August 7 will be held in Columbus Park RAIN OR SHINE
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Art in Public Places at UConn Stamford
When walking around Stamford Downtown this summer we have all seen or been fooled by the lifelike sculptures throughout the Downtown. The Hitchhiker on Tresser, the kissing sailor in front of the Ferguson Library and the gentleman taking a nap in his chair make this year's Art in Public Place one of the best. However, most people haven't seen the real gems of this exhibit. The University of Connecticut Stamford Campus has gladly opened their doors and park to J. Seward Johnson's "Beyond the Frame" Series. In the UConn Stamford Campus Gallery and park you will find sculptures inspired by Monet paintings and inside the Gallery large, interactive dioramas (seen above). Visit the gallery soon with your family, friends or even by yourself!!
UConn Art Gallery Viewing Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:30AM to 7PM
Friday - 8:30AM to 5PM
Saturday - 10AM to 4PM
FREE Concert - Eve 6 Headlines Alive @ Five
Blues Traveler kicked off the season right followed by great performances by Blind Melon and Gato Barbieri. Eve 6 (sponsored by The Switch) headlines the fourth week Alive @ Five in Columbus Park - Stamford Downtown. Eve 6 burst onto the scene as teenagers in 1998 with their certified platinum self-titled debut and hit single “Inside Out.” The band followed up that success with their sophomore release in 2000 with another smash hit “Here’s To The Night.” The band returns to the musical world after a 3 year hiatus with a tour and album to come. www.eve6.com
*Eve 6 is sponsored by The Switch!
Two other amazing bands will open for EVE 6!
Article A
Dedicated rockers, Article A made a big splash with their debut album “Stay Now,” in early 2008. Hailing from North Jersey, the band has grown from hometown favorites to a true touring band. Their unique blend of power-pop and alternative rock has garnered interest in the industry since their inception in 2000.
www.articlea.com
The Crash Moderns
With a sound that is often compared to the classic styles of timeless pop bands like The Cars, Elvis Costello and Cheap Trick, The Crash Moderns have music fans everywhere buzzing about their infectious melodies and undeniable hooks that will stick in your head for days. www.thecrashmoderns.com
Alive @ Five is presented by RBS on the Heineken Stage in partnership with Stamford Town Center, Columbia Crest and BevMax. The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford. Additional sponsors include The Advocate/Greenwich Time, Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, Columbus Park Merchants, Crystal Rock, Fairfield County Weekly, Frank Mercede & Sons, Happyhaha Studio, Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Keep Stamford Beautiful, LoveSac, Mill River Collaborative, New York Sports Clubs, Optimum, Royal Restrooms, Simply Signs, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, Stamford Sports & Spine, State Farm Insurance-George Boyce, The Switch, Teddy’s Transportation System, Inc., UConn Stamford, Woodloch Pines and 95.9 The Fox, 96.7 The Coast, , Star 99.9 and WSTC/WNLK radio stations.
Sponsored by Columbus Park Area Merchants: Black Bear Saloon, Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Café, Columbus Park Trattoria, Curley’s Diner, Fin II Japanese Restaurant, Garden Catering, Hula Hanks Island Grille & Bar, Kujaku Japanese Restaurant, Market, SBC Restaurant & Brewery, The Palms, The Thirsty Turtle Stamford, Tiernan’s Bar & Restaurant, Twenty of Stamford, Zody Café
COOLERS ARE PROHIBITED IN THE CONCERT AREA. PLEASE LEAVE THEM AT HOME!
www.stamford-downtown.com
Visit the Alive @ Five MySpace Page myspace.com/alivefive
and the BLOG http://stamforddowntownevents.blogspot.com/
ALIVE @ FIVE CONTINUES ALL SUMMER ...
July 24 -
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes sponsored by Woodloch Pines
Christopher Robin Band
Soulstream
July 31 -
Billy Vera sponsored by Stamford Marriott & Hilton Stamford
Sera Buras
Vivacity
August 7 –
Boyz II Men sponsored by Frank Mercede & Sons
Omar Wilson sponsored by Stamford Sports & Spine
The Press Project
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
POPS IN THE PARK begins: WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2008
BEGINS TONIGHT, JULY 16, 2008-- A three week series!
Pops in the Park, presented Seaboard Properties and HSBC on the Heineken Stage, is a three week long series this July in Columbus Park at 6:30 pm.
July 16: MEMBERS OF THE STAMFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA with Maestro Eckart Preu present Pops in Outer Space
The Symphony will fly with Superman, cross Moon River, and travel the universe with light hearted music from Star Wars and Superman. Celestial tunes by Glenn Miller, Henry Mancini, and Cole Porter round out the program. www.stamfordsymphony.org
July 23: BARBARA COOK
"Broadway's favorite ingénue,” Barbara Cook is a silvery soprano with her purity of tone and warm presence she has delighted audiences around the world for more than 50 years. Recently, Miss Cook performed at two sold-out concerts with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center. www.barbaracook.com
July 30:BOWZER’S ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PARTY
Don’t miss Bowzer's Rock 'n' Roll Party starring Bowzer and The Stingrays, Jay Siegel and The Tokens, with Special Guest Lynn DiMenna. Jon Bauman’s portrayal of "Bowzer", leader of "Sha Na Na" for fourteen years, was so a hilarious, gangly greaser who actually stalked the streets of Brooklyn when he wasn't appearing with the group. “Bowzer” has resurfaced as one of the most multi-dimensional performers in show business today, with his Rock ‘n’ Roll Party. www.bowzerparty.com
GATEWAY ANTIQUE AUTO SHOW
Come dressed in your best 50’s Outfit and win prizes!
Please bring a donation of canned food for the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County
Pops in the Park is presented by Seaboard Properties and HSBC on the Heineken Stage. The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford. Additional sponsors include The Advocate, Crystal Rock, Fairfield County Weekly, Happyhaha Studio, Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Keep Stamford Beautiful, Shock Electric, Simply Signs, Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa and 95.9 The Fox, 96.7 The Coast, Star 99.9 and WSTC/WNLK radio stations.
Pops in the park is a three week series. For more information on each evening please email Annette Einhorn at annette@stamford-downtown.com or call 203-348-5285.
Monday, July 14, 2008
"Chinese food is chinese food", my husband told me. But, high-end chinese food is what I think of when someone mentions PF Changs. It happens to be one of the last places that I hadn't tried at the "new" mall of restaurants at STC.
My husband and I had planned a nice dinner at PF Changs for last Friday night. I wasn't suprised, but it was quite packed with hungry people around 6pm. I am glad we had reservations, cause there were at least 3 other couples (not with reservations) hanging around with table buzzers in their hands. The waiter wanted to seat us at the front booth, but if you're like me, I'm not crazy when hungry people are waiting for a table and are within my view. I have a hard time putting up with my little bichon giving me puppy dog eyes when she is hungry, let alone a party of six. It is a very open space with booths lining the walls. Anyhow, we were redirected to a mid-room table. This enabled us to fully experience PF Changs. It was packed. It was noisy. In addition, there was soft music being drowned out from all the table chatter. (yet, it was nice to reconnect with it in the WC)
Our waitress was a cutie--and I think the only Asian in the whole place. We ordered the Crab Wontons (yes, I am still on my search for the best crab in Stamford) and seared Tuna for apps. Both okay, one much healthier. Which the nice waitress pointed out. You could guess which one...
Our main dish was a safe one--Cantonese Beef Chow Fun and an order of Chinese Eggplant accompanied by brown rice. One beefy, the other sweet. Both were healthy portions, and quite tasty. However, it wasn't the "high-end" I was hoping for. It was just okay; no big woop. (Later, I was told that I didn't order the right dishes, WHATEVER.)
I couldn't eat it all, so I wrapped what was left to go. The typical take home white chinese food containers were cute:Without the metal handle--easy to microwave!!! They perform the task of sliding your leftover goodies into the container with precision, and bag it right at the table. And weird as it may seem, they 3-fold the paper bag in a way I've never seen, but liked, and hope to replicate one day on a future lunch bag.
I don't know if I will go back soon, but I would go back.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
FREE Concert Tonight - Gato Barbieri!
ALIVE @ FIVE - FREE CONCERT
TONIGHT THURSDAY - July 10, 2008
Columbus Park, Stamford Downtown
Concerts begin at 5PM
STARRING: Gato Barbieri
Argentine jazz tenor saxophonist and composer Gato Barbieri rose to fame during the free jazz movement in the ‘60s and from his Latin jazz recordings in the ‘70s. His score for Bernardo Bertolucci’s film Last Tango in Paris earned him a Grammy Award. It is legend that more babies have been born as a direct result of his song “Europa” than any other single song in history. www.gatobarbierinewsletter.com Two other amazing bands will open for Gato Barbieri!
COSMIC JIBAROS - Sponsored by George Boyce, State Farm Insurance
Emphasizing on structured songs that build to pulsing, sweaty heights, the skilled musicians of Cosmic Jibaros draw from diverse backgrounds. The band has redefined the Latin rock band, building from Latin and Caribbean rhythms, adding funked up guitars and accordion flourishes to achieve a sound both cross-cultural and highly danceable. www.thecosmicjibaros.com
SummerLost
Expanding on modified classic jazz tunes, SummerLost produces a one of a kind sound. The band’s unique twist on timeless songs fuses swing, blues, rock, funk and hip-hop into a style of their own. www.summerlost.com
Alive @ Five is presented by RBS on the Heineken Stage in partnership with Stamford Town Center, Columbia Crest and BevMax. The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford. Additional sponsors include The Advocate/Greenwich Time, Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, Columbus Park Merchants, Crystal Rock, Fairfield County Weekly, Frank Mercede & Sons, Happyhaha Studio, Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Keep Stamford Beautiful, LoveSac, Mill River Collaborative, New York Sports Clubs, Optimum, Royal Restrooms, Simply Signs, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, Stamford Sports & Spine, State Farm Insurance-George Boyce, The Switch, Teddy’s Transportation System, Inc., UConn Stamford, Woodloch Pines and 95.9 The Fox, 96.7 The Coast, , Star 99.9 and WSTC/WNLK radio stations.
Sponsored by Columbus Park Area Merchants: Black Bear Saloon, Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Café, Columbus Park Trattoria, Curley’s Diner, Fin II Japenese Restaurant, Garden Catering, Hula Hanks Island Grille & Bar, Kujaku Japanese Restaurant, Market, SBC Restaurant & Brewery, The Palms, The Thirsty Turtle Stamford, Tiernan’s Bar & Restaurant, Twenty of Stamford, Zody Café
COOLERS ARE PROHIBITED IN THE CONCERT AREA. PLEASE LEAVE THEM HOME!
Alive @ 5 is a seven week series. For more information on each concert evening please visit www.stamford-downtown.com or call Annette Einhorn at 203-348-5285 or email annette@stamford-downtown.com.
www.stamford-downtown.com
Visit the Alive @ Five MySpace Page myspace.com/alivefive
and the BLOG http://stamforddowntownevents.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Alive @ Five Shirts for Sale!
Buy the limited edition 2008 Alive @ Five T-Shirt now! Available in black only the shirt features the Alive @ Five logo on the front and the complete lineup on the back. Shirts are $20 each which includes shipping and handling. 2008 Alive @ Five T-Shirts are available in sizes Men - Small, Medium, Large, XL and XXL Women - Small, Medium and XL. To order send a check payable to "DSSD" - 5 Landmark Square, Ste. 110, Stamford, CT 06901 or visit the office. For any questions please email events@stamford-downtown.com or call 203-348-5285. Shirts are also available at the show. Offer is for a limited time as supplies last (and they are running out!)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Blind Melon Rocks Alive @ Five
Blind Melon rocked the second week of Alive @ Five in Stamford Downtown pumping out old classics "No Rain" and "Change" with some new material from their new album "For My Friends." SHIROCK and Morningside also played to the thousands of fans in the packed Columbus Park. Post your comments now. Alive @ Five is presented by RBS on the Heineken Stage in partnership with Stamford Town Center, Columbia Crest and BevMax. The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford. Additional sponsors include The Advocate/Greenwich Time, Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, Columbus Park Merchants, Crystal Rock, Fairfield County Weekly, Frank Mercede & Sons, Happyhaha Studio, Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Keep Stamford Beautiful, LoveSac, Mill River Collaborative, New York Sports Clubs, Optimum, Royal Restrooms, Simply Signs, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, Stamford Sports & Spine, State Farm Insurance-George Boyce, The Switch, Teddy’s Transportation System, Inc., UConn Stamford, Woodloch Pines and 95.9 The Fox, 96.7 The Coast, , Star 99.9 and WSTC/WNLK radio stations.
Sponsored by Columbus Park Area Merchants: Black Bear Saloon, Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Café, Columbus Park Trattoria, Curley’s Diner, Fin II, Garden Catering, Hula Hanks Island Grille & Bar, Kujaku Japanese Restaurant, Market, SBC Restaurant & Brewery, The Palms, The Thirsty Turtle Stamford, Tiernan’s Bar & Restaurant, Twenty of Stamford, Zody Café
Alive @ 5 is a seven week series. For more information on each concert evening please visit www.stamford-downtown.com or call Annette Einhorn at 203-348-5285 or email annette@stamford-downtown.com.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Last Thursday Blues Traveler kicked off the Alive @ Five FREE Concert Summer Series with a BANG and this week continues with the return of BLIND MELON.
Blind Melon - Sponsored by New York Sports Clubs
In 1992 “No Rain” became a smash hit and Blind Melon became one of rock’s feel-good overnight success stories. The success translated into album sales as well as a memorable appearance at Woodstock ’94. “Soup,” one of the decade’s most underrated rock gems, was released in 1995. After a decade apart the band stumbled across Blind Melon fan/singer, Travis Warren, headed a sold out club tour and released “For My Friends” in April. www.myspace.com/blindmelon
Middle Slot: SHIROCK Sponsored by Optimum
Opening: Morningside
SHIROCK - Sponsored by Optimum
SHIROCK is a young band with a big sound, many big ideas and plays emotionally charged powerful music with thought provoking and earnest lyrics. Although from Nashville, their sound is reminiscent of U2 with an additional female vocalist. www.shirock.net
AND
Morningside - Soon after a few friends got together to sing Neil Young tunes and share their own acoustic originals, Morningside was created. The Connecticut based band describes themselves as “Indie-Americana with some noise thrown in for good measure.” www.morningside-music.com
Alive @ Five is presented by RBS on the Heineken Stage in partnership with Stamford Town Center, Columbia Crest and BevMax. The event is produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District and the City of Stamford. Additional sponsors include The Advocate/Greenwich Time, Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, Columbus Park Merchants, Crystal Rock, Fairfield County Weekly, Frank Mercede & Sons, Happyhaha Studio, Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, Keep Stamford Beautiful, LoveSac, Mill River Collaborative, New York Sports Clubs, Optimum, Royal Restrooms, Simply Signs, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa, Stamford Sports & Spine, State Farm Insurance-George Boyce, The Switch, Teddy’s Transportation System, Inc., UConn Stamford, Woodloch Pines and 95.9 The Fox, 96.7 The Coast, , Star 99.9 and WSTC/WNLK radio stations.
Sponsored by Columbus Park Area Merchants: Black Bear Saloon, Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery Café, Columbus Park Trattoria, Curley’s Diner, Fin II, Garden Catering, Hula Hanks Island Grille & Bar, Kujaku Japanese Restaurant, Market, SBC Restaurant & Brewery, The Palms, The Thirsty Turtle Stamford, Tiernan’s Bar & Restaurant, Twenty of Stamford, Zody Café
Alive @ 5 is a seven week series. For more information on each concert evening please visit www.stamford-downtown.com or call Annette Einhorn at 203-348-5285 or email annette@stamford-downtown.com.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Calling all Marilyn Monroe Look-alikes!!
DSSD Marilyn Monroe Look-Alike Contest
June 10, 2008 at the Avon Theatre
272 Bedford Street , Stamford, CT 06901
Deadline to Submit June 4, 2008
For Rules and Regulations click here or please visit www.stamford-downtown.com, email events@stamford-downtown.com or call 203-348-5285.
A Grand prize and runner-up will be awarded with cash prizes
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Sculpture Installation Begins Downtown
As you look around DowntownThe fifty-three sculptures are positioned in their new place of residence for the summer of 2008 – Stamford Downtown, University of Connecticut Stamford and Stamford Town Center. These sculptures are part of the DSSD’s outdoor summer sculpture exhibit, ENCORE! J. Seward Johnson, A Sculpture Exhibit, which is presented by Stamford Special Services District in partnership with The Sculpture Foundation, National Realty & Development Corp. and Apollo Real Estate Advisors will feature 53 sculptures on loan to the City of Stamford by The Sculpture Foundation.
Photo by Vincent Rodriguez The extraordinary collection of J. Seward Johnson’s works with its whimsical and realistic life-sized characters (and a monumental 25 foot edition of A Turn of the Century) will grace our downtown. Sculptures will be chosen from three of Johnson’s major series: “Celebrating the Familiar,” “Icons Revisited” and “Beyond the Frame.” The “Beyond the Frame” series, Johnson’s sculptures depicting impressionist art, will be on display in the galleries of the University of Connecticut in Stamford Downtown.
Installation began yesterday, Wednesday, May 28 from 5 am to 11 am. It took the city traffic division team, a CRANE, two fork-lifts and a loader truck to install them. Their installation is an event in itself and has drawn crowds with very curious onlookers as each piece is hoisted from the holding area and transported via an open-air truck to its location amid ongoing activity.
On June 9, the DSSD will host an opening reception for ENCORE!, the official kickoff celebration and viewing for sponsors and the public at the Stamford Marriott. A special event this year will showcase one of J. Seward Johnson’s pieces coming to Stamford, Forever Marilyn. On June 10, Stamford Downtown will conduct a Marilyn Monroe Look-alike Contest at the Avon Theatre including an airing of Some Like It Hot.
For more information about ENCORE!, Art in Public Places 2008, call 203-348-5285 or visit www.stamford-downtown.com.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A "Jazzy" July
Friday, May 2, 2008
Alive @ Five MySpace Keeps Growing
myspace.com/alivefive
The Alive @ Five MySpace page was launched to promote the FREE concert series, interact with fans and to reach out to an untapped audience. Our MySpace page features the schedule, links to our other websites and a list of growing friends including Stamford residents, music lovers across the country and bands from around the world. Most importantly our MySpace page reaches that audience whom are hearing about the concert series for the first time and now express interest. Similar to other websites our page began small in February 2007 with a couple of friends and visitors. In mid-December we had 186 friends and 762 profile views. In the last couple of months the website has received a lot of attention and now has over 1000 friends and is approaching 10,000 profile views, averaging around 200 profile views a day. The goal is to utilize the MySpace Alive @ Five page in two ways. The first is to further widen the talent margin of all the bands submitting to perform at the concert series, therefore increasing the attendance to the shows. The second is to educate our friends on the series to ensure they come to Stamford Downtown and return again and again.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Pansies are a Plus
The calendar is telling me that spring is here, but lately, it's been an up and down see-saw of weather offerings. It was so nice to finally have a pleasant day, so Monday I took a stroll through Veteran's Park on my lunch break. As I looked for a bench to relax on, I noticed a few ladies dangerously perched on the median in the middle of Atlantic Street. Yikes, what are they thinking? Well, it seems that every year, without much fanfare, the "Pansy Planting Crew" appears. The are called the Downtown Streetscape Volunteers, and they are quite busy this time of year. This season, they filled the Atlantic Street planters with beautiful yellow pansies, as well as the main library and many other downtown planters with the same. Seeing the new growth reminded me that summer is not too far away. (What a great feeling!) Pictured left: Lenore DiPalma and Betty Roberts
So, as you happen to walk along downtown, take a look and notice the kind work these volunteers have accomplished. Not only do they dig in the dirt, but they dangerously perch along a busy roadway to ensure that beauty of a pansy is shared with Stamford Downtown.
Friday, April 4, 2008
UConn Stamford Celebrates 10 Years!
STAMFORD — It's been a decade since the local branch of the University of Connecticut moved from its original campus on Scofieldtown Road to its current location in the downtown area.
Since the university moved to the old Bloomingdale's building on Broad Street, the downtown has changed considerably. Donald Trump is building Trump Parc across the street, Target looms over the campus, and the current associate vice provost of the campus, Michael Ego, is hoping to partner with private developers who might be willing to offer his students housing.
TO READ ENTIRE ARTICLE CLICK HERE http://www.thestamfordtimes.com/stamford_templates/stamford_story/314697590247700.php
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Avon Theatre proudly presents
AN EVENING WITH JAMES IVORY
Special screening of
MR. & MRS. BRIDGE
Followed by a Q&A with Mr. Ivory
Tuesday, May 6 – 7:30pm
Carte Blanche Members – FREE / Members $15 / Nonmembers - $25
Tickets go on sale for members only on April 1,
and for nonmembers on April 8.
Tickets can be purchased at the Avon box office during showtimes
(203-967-3660, x3), or call our administrative offices
(203-661-0321) during daytime hours.
FILM SYNOPSIS: Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward give "the performances of their careers" (Judith Crist) in Merchant Ivory's adaptation of Evan S. Connell's two novels Mrs. Bridge and Mr. Bridge, artfully combined into one screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Walter and India Bridge (Newman and Woodward) are a Midwestern American couple struggling to keep up with the changing world around them in 1930s America. Mr. Bridge, a stout-hearted, staunch paterfamilias, quietly lords over his children -- Ruth (Kyra Sedgwick), Carolyn (Margaret Welsh), and Douglas (Robert Sean Leonard) -- and his wife, who is warm and kind but lacks the independence to forge an identity apart from her husband. As the music, the mores, and the politics of Kansas City are transformed in front of them, Mr. and Mrs. Bridge attempt to keep up with the drama of a changing society within their own family: Ruth wants to go to New York and become an actress; Carolyn is determined to marry a man whom her father deems unsuitable; Douglas is embarrassed by his mother's attentions and rebukes her attempts at intimacy. Shot on location in Kansas City and in Paris (in this film, Merchant Ivory add the Louvre to their peerless list of shooting sites), the film was powerfully received at the box office and was greeted with rave reviews. The New York Times wrote that Newman and Woodward's roles were "the most adventurous and stringent of their careers." Woodward received an Oscar nod and the New York Society of Film Critics Award for her performance: her Mrs. Bridge is like an American Mrs. Dalloway, all warm smiles on her daily errands but seeped with a depth of feeling that her husband forever fails to understand. The filmmakers were similarly lauded for a breakthrough in their first film with a Midwestern American theme: "With the quiet assurance of a perfect work of art," one critic wrote, "Mr. and Mrs. Bridge sweeps all other contenders off the screen to become the best movie of the year."
ABOUT JAMES IVORY: One of the legendary directors of contemporary American cinema, James Ivory was born in Berkeley, California and educated at the University of Oregon, where he majored in Architecture and Fine Arts. His first film, which he wrote, photographed and produced, was Venice: Theme and Variations, a half-hour documentary made as a thesis film for a degree in cinema from the University of Southern California. Ivory's evocation of the city was named by The New York Times in 1957 as one of the ten best non-theatrical films of the year. In 1961, Ivory teamed up with Ismail Merchant to form Merchant Ivory Productions. Their first theatrical feature was The Householder, based on an early novel by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who also wrote the script. The seventeen theatrical films that Ivory has made for Merchant Ivory Productions include the classic Shakespeare Wallah, and more recent films such as the two Henry James productions, The Europeans, and The Bostonians, Heat And Dust, A Room With A View, Maurice, Slaves of New York, Howard’s End, Remains Of The Day, Jefferson In Paris, Surviving Picasso and The White Countess.
See you at the Avon!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Lewis Black at Palace Theatre
Lewis Black this week at the SCA's Palace Theatre
Lewis is one of the most prolific and popular performers working today. He executes a brilliant trifecta as stand-up comedian, actor and author.
A passionate performer who is more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon, he's perfected expressing what the rest of us cannot say in polite company. For a MATURE AUDIENCE ONLY
Lewis’ live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for his audience. Lewis yells so they don’t have to. A passionate performer who is more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon, he's perfected expressing what the rest of us cannot say in polite company. Lewis is the rare comic who can cause an audience to laugh themselves into incontinence while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world. How can you not love a man who says, "Republicans are a party with bad ideas and Democrats are a party with no ideas." Will Rogers would have been proud.
http://www.lewisblack.com/
Tickets: $45-$50-$55
Palace Theatre
Friday, March 21, 2008
CALLING ALL SHUTTER BUGS!! PHOTO EXHIBIT Submission
Stamford Downtown Presents ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
in Partnership with National Realty & Development Corp. &
Apollo Real Estate Advisors
Encore! The Works of J. Seward Johnson
The Stamford Downtown Special Services District is accepting submissions from photographers who wish to participate in this summer's public art exhibit ENCORE! The juried photographs will be exhibited in Downtown retail storefront windows. ENCORE! is open to all amateur and professional photographers. Photographers are invited to submit 11'' x 14'' photographs by Friday, April 25. The photographer must agree to donate the photo for sale with the proceeds benefiting local charities.
For rules and an application, click the links below!
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2008
Click here to view some of the J. Seward Johnson's Sculptures coming to Stamford Downtown in June!
Photography Exhibit Application
Monday, March 17, 2008
Broadway Kitchens & Baths of CT
Opens on lower Summer Street in Stamford Downtown
Just across Summer Street from Burlington Coat Factory is a brand new retailer, Broadway Kitchens & Baths of Ct., located at 388 Summer Street. The attractive showroom carries a large variety of kitchen and bathroom products and is the exclusive distributor of Kohler Kitchens cabinets in the New York Metropolitan area. “We design, measure and install kitchens and bathrooms everyday. Our customers appreciate that we are ‘one stop shopping’ since we take care of all aspects of the kitchen or bath project” states Jeff Chinman, V.P. of Broadway Kitchens & Baths of CT.
Broadway Kitchens & Baths’ flagship store, located at 819 Broadway (12th street) in Manhattan, was opened in 1995. In 2001, to meet their N.J. customers’ needs, a second showroom was opened in Englewood, New Jersey. Following this trend, the owners of Broadway Kitchens & Baths decided to follow their clients to Connecticut, looking to open their 3rd store. Jeff Chinman, explains “I am excited to open this new store and be a part of the retail revitalization of Stamford”. Their focus hasn’t changed in the 12 years, says Jeff: you want to redo your kitchen or bath, where do you start? …Broadway Kitchens & Baths.
Broadway Kitchens & Baths of Connecticut
388 Summer Street
Stamford, CT 06901
Call 203-327-8800
http://www.broadwaykitchens.com/
Friday, March 14, 2008
St. Patrick's Weekend
Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance
Two performances ONLY
Friday, March 14 (2008) at 8pm
Saturday, March 15 at 8pm
This international Irish dancing phenomenon has performed to sold-out houses in more than 45 countries. Audiences have an opportunity to experience this extravaganza that has helped catapult Irish dancing into the global spotlight and created a new wave of Celtic dance mania.
Tickets: $39-$45-$48
Palace Theatre
61 Atlantic Street
Stamford, Connecticut
203-325-4466
http://www.stamfordcenterforthearts.org/
Stamford's St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Ancient Order of the Hibernians, an Irish-Catholic social group, organized the 13th annual parade. The parade begins at noon Saturday at Summer and Broad streets. The 80 marching units scheduled to take part will parade left on Bedford Street, left on North Street then left on Summer Street and back to the intersection with Broad Street, where the reviewing stand will be set up. Former Advocate sports editor, Bob Kennedy, is this year's Grand Marshall. Enjoy!!!
186 Greyrock Place
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 323-2608
http://www.ctaoh.com/
St. Patrick's Day!!! Monday, March 17th
Visit many of our wonderful Downtown establishments including Tigin Irish Pub and Tiernan's Bar & Restaurant to celebrate responsibly the Luck of the Irish!!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Great Dames, Great Cause
I stopped by the LAA (Loft Artists Association), at the end of Canal Street, this past weekend to see the Great Dames sculpture and painting exhibit. The artists are now in their new space after being displaced by the Yale and Towne fire awhile back. Sales of the art will go to Sexual Assault Crisis and Education Center, and some had been sold (showing the blue dot) when I got there! The "fat cells" were a hoot. It was a fun afternoon, however, we didn't spend that much time in the gallery. The art was pretty unique and we loved the big lofty space. I was told that you can sometimes get a peak of an artist at work in their private spacing surrounding the gallery. I arrived too late, and was not that lucky. Maybe next time.
See below article for more information:
This was an article printed in the Stamford Times on Thursday, March 13, 2008:
'Great Dames' of Stamford share their artwork
By TAMELA J. RITTER
Stamford Times Correspondent
STAMFORD — On Friday March 7 at 6 p.m. the Loft Artist Association will be opening their studio doors for the reception of their show, "Great Dames IV" with part of the proceeds from the sales of the artists' works going to Sexual Assault Crisis and Education Center.
The event, celebrating Women's History Month, will feature works by more than 30 LAA female associate and studio members in its new building at 845 Canal St., Stamford.
The creator of the show, Dana Scinto of Bridgeport, came up with the idea four years ago when the LAA regularly hung art at the Palace Theatre and Rich Forum, and she needed to come up with something for their March showing.
"It was such a beautiful show with a huge turnout and a great start — (it was) as if the bar had been set and (we had set) a goal to surpass every year" said Scinto. " I think we've done that each year since."
Scinto, an artist herself, has been with the LAA since 2001 and in 2005 became its president. She is an industrial artist with an engineering background who, "likes to experiment with weird material," she said.
She started by replicating pictures, but said she found them flat and wanted to create depth and a box like effect.
"I wanted to create hanging sculptures," she said.
So she began experimenting with epoxy and polymers to create a three dimensional surface.
"Someone should be able to stand in front of it and always have something new to see," said Scinto.
For the Great Dames show, she has created a piece called "Adipose," and it is a layered piece of epoxy with glow in the dark handmade bits that resembles what she perceives fat cells under a microscope looks like.
"I wanted to show how beautiful fat cells can be," said Scinto.
Friend of Scinto and past president of LAA, Lina Morielli of Stamford says the work she is showing in honor of Great Dames is a personal memory piece titled "I Think of Thee" dedicated to her mother.
"It is a reflection on the passage of time," said Morielli.
Morielli, who got a name for herself working with metal, has changed her medium in recent years and said she feels as if she has made a full circle as an artist.
"I was a designer and editor of craft magazines and as a kid, did lots of mixed media," said Morielli.
She now works with collage, gluing and pasting as a way to tell her stories. "I have created a language that allows me to express what I need to say freely, bringing together materials that carry their own messages with imagery that expresses and reveals our common spirit."
Another artist who will be telling a personal story with her art is Margaret Tsirantonakis of Stamford, who also has been experimenting with a new medium. Spending a long time painting what has influenced her work, her Greek heritage, she is now getting back to the basics.
"I have been spending time getting back to the discipline of drawing with simple lines and splashes of color," said Tsirantonakis.
For the last year, she has been focusing on drawing from life and particularly the female face, whether her own or others. The piece she will be presenting at the showing is a portrait of her mother, "Katina."
Experimentation seems to be the running theme in this year's show, as Cici Artist of Stamford also likes to play with her art, moving from watercolor, ink smudges to metal works like copper, painted aluminum, steel and, when she can afford it, bronze.
"I like to play with a little of everything, well, because I can," said Artist.
It is that ability to do what she wanted, when she wanted that brought her to the LAA, where she is one of the newer members.
"When I turned 50 three years ago, I realized, my kids' college was paid for, and I just walked away from the office and devoted myself to art," said Artist.
From sculpture, ceramics to graphite and acrylics, these artistic talents will be on display to the public in support of another South Side organization, the Sexual Assault Crisis and Education Center.
"We feel very strongly that art has a very significant role in the healing process for those individuals we work with at the center," said Cathy Malloy, the center's executive director and wife of Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, "and that freedom of expression through art can be incredibly liberating."
Great Dames IV is showing March 7-30 at the Loft Artist Association, 845 Canal St. Stamford. Gallery Hours are Friday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. For more information: www.loftartists.com
The Avon Theatre Event Tonight
And here is the rest of it.The Avon Theatre & Just Books present
PICTURES AT A REVOLUTION:Five Movies and the Birth of a New Hollywood
Join author Mark Harris for a discussion and book signing of his latest work,followed by a special screening of THE GRADUATE
THURSDAY, MARCH 13 - 7:00 PM
Carte Blanche Members - FREE / Members - $6 / Students/Seniors - $7 / Nonmembers - $10
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: For fifteen years, Mark Harris worked as a writer and editor covering movies, television and books for Entertainment Weekly, where he now writes the back page column “Final Cut.” He has written about pop culture for several other magazines as well. A graduate of Yale University, he lives in New York City with his husband, Tony Kushner.
ABOUT THE BOOK: By the time of the Oscar ceremonies in 1968, the film industry had changed forever. The five movies nominated for Best Picture in 1967—Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Graduate, In the Heat of the Night, Doctor Doolittle and Bonnie and Clyde—transformed American moviemaking and symbolized a shift from Old Hollywood to New Hollywood. In PICTURES AT A REVOLUTION: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood, Mark Harris, columnist for Entertainment Weekly, follows the progress of these five movies from their origination to the creative process to the drama and conflict on set and shares not only an inside look at a crucial time in film history, but a new perspective on the cultural revolution of the 1960s.
Movies were re-inventing themselves for a new, and more demanding audience in the mid 1960s, shattering old taboos, and upending the Hollywood studio system. The violence of Bonnie and Clyde shocked old-guard reviewers and catapulted Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway into counterculture stardom. The astonishing success of The Graduate launched Mike Nichols’, Dustin Hoffman’s, and Simon and Garfunkel’s careers. In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner signified the changing status of race in our country and changed Sidney Poitier’s career forever while Doctor Doolittle’s nomination represented the corruption of the nominating process and a big-budget disaster.
Mark Harris reveals the thousands of decisions and risks and compromises that go into every movie as well as the economic realities, directorial ambition, vanity, and competitiveness in Hollywood . With unprecedented access to the actors, directors, screenwriters, producers, and executives whose movies defined the era, as well as a wealth of previously unexplored archival material, Harris delivers a never-before-seen account of the formation of the movies that revolutionized Hollywood .The portraits of these now famous figures at pivotal moments in their careers puts readers in the middle of the drama and conflict of a key moment in the entertainment industry. PICTURES AT A REVOLUTION is a revealing and entertaining narrative history of a true cultural watershed.
Avon Theatre
272 Bedford Street
Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: (203) 967-3660
www.avontheater.org
Friday, March 7, 2008
Connecticut Cigar Company
If you enjoy cigars and good company, you need to check out the newly opened Connecticut Cigar Company, located at 43 Bank Street adjacent to Duo, Plateau and g/r/a/n/d restaurants. At this new trendy spot, you are welcome to experience the “lost art” of fresh hand rolled cigars, surrounded by premium name brands such as: Padrone, Fuentes & Rocky Patel and accompanied by fine cigar accessories.
Upon entering 43 Bank Street, you’ll see the Cigar “Roller” in the front window who is available for private parties, corporate events, weddings and golf outings.
Once inside you will catch a glimpse of an attractive lounge in the rear of the store. Memberships are available. The stylish modern lounge offers wide screen televisions, internet access and comfortable leather chairs. This upscale cigar emporium is the perfect complement to Stamford Downtown’s trendy restaurant scene as the owners note “we were looking for a location to attract an aficionado clientele and Bank Street was the perfect fit”.
Connecticut Cigar Company, 43 Bank Street, Stamford Ct. 06901
HOURS: Monday 5PM to 11PM
Tuesday thru Saturday, 11 AM to 11 PM
Sunday – by Reservation Only
For more information call 203-425-9668
Or
www.ctcigarco.com
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Breakfast is Served! in Stamford Downtown
No longer known only for its “classic” burgers . . . Lucky’s now serves breakfast from 8am to noon, seven days a week. This 1950’s style “malt shop” is now a popular spot to enjoy breakfast classics such as fresh Belgian Waffles, French Toast and the old short stack pancakes all served with powdered sugar and plenty of syrup. For the more health conscious eater Egg Whites only or Spinach & Feta Cheese omelets are available.
Stamford Downtown actually offers quite a few wonderful breakfast venues. So venture out one of these cold winter mornings and enjoy a warm breakfast at one of the following breakfast hot spots: Sundance Café, Blue Rooster Café, napa & co., Starbucks Coffee, Cosi, Curley’s Diner, Katie’s Gourmet, Sandwich Maestro, Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s, Landmark Square Café, Twenty of Stamford and Jenna Marie’s Deli.
Go visit and share your thoughts!
Friday, February 29, 2008
An Outstanding "Taste of Stamford"
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