Entertainment
Purlieu 2012 Opening Reception TONIGHT at Rockwell Art and Framing
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- Category: Arts and Entertainment
- Last Updated on Thursday, 17 May 2012 11:20
- Written by Rockwell Art and Framing
Rockwell Art Galleries in Ridgefield gets local in “Purlieu 2012” featuring digital graphic artist Antonio Munoz, abstract painter Pamela Stoddart, three-dimensional photo collage artist Debra Schaffer, eclectic parts sculptor Lewis Schaffer, contemporary painter Karen Beck, and abstract painter Allison Meyler on May 17th- July 28th. The public is invited to an Opening Reception on Thursday, May 17th, from 5:30 to7:30 pm.
Antonio Munoz merges his passion for pattern and color with the boldness of iconographic silhouettes through his Textile and Graphic Design work. His dream is to contribute to a world of graphic allure and intensity.
Pamela Stoddart has lived in Ridgefield for 18 years, originally drawn to the artistic community in and around town. She joined the Guild of Artists as a board member and rekindled her love for painting focusing on abstracts. She is inspired daily by the world around her, seeing things literally and wanting to paint them abstractly.
Debra Schaffer makes art out of everyday experiences and portrays the mundane that is often overlooked, undervalued or taken for granted. Her subjects range from architectural objects, to streetscapes, and the hustle and bustle they emanate. Her completed works consist of a themed photo collage that has been carefully composed and layered into a three dimensional story told with a sculptor’s flair and a woman of great character.
Lewis Schaffer creates sculpture which expresses his experience building furniture, bicycles, decks, and bottle openers. His most recent collection features creative inventions from castoff parts of “trash” bikes in a variety of elegant whimsical forms. His avid cycling hobby with his family steered him in this direction.
Karen Beck has always embraced the art world throughout her career. She enhanced the corporate sector by curating, commissioning, exhibiting, and installing major artwork while continuing to paint and define her own art. “My brush moves to the movement and creation of the painting using the materials as my choreography to the composition. The study determines the tempo of brush movement and intensity of the colors. It is as if the movement comes through the artwork.”
Allison Meyler inspired by landscapes, both seen and imagined, and stirred by the lines of modern architecture, bridges, and barns, begins her artistic process with drawing tools on paper and continues her work in acrylic paints and inks. While initial sketches provide a starting “structure” for the work, the introduction of acrylics allows for the exploration of contrasting shapes and patterns. Alternating between these two mediums results in an abstract painting that has both purpose and movement and is expressed with fresh colors and gestural marks.
The event is free and open to the public.
Rockwell Art and Framing of Ridgefield is located at 470 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877. Phone 203-894-8000.
Newcomers Club Opens Its Annual Spring Gala to the Public This Saturday Night!
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- Category: Arts and Entertainment
- Last Updated on Thursday, 17 May 2012 09:41
- Written by Anne Kain
Come one, come all to the Newcomers Club of Ridgefield’s 7th annual Spring Gala this Saturday, May 19th from 7:30 - 11:00pm at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main Street, Ridgefield! The event will feature cocktails, hors d’ouevres, and a DJ. Proceeds will benefit The Ridgefield Public Library. “Come join us as we ‘Celebrate the Arts’ at the Aldrich!”, Newcomers Co-President Meredith Thrutchley said. “Photographer Nhu Bragg will be snapping photos, and there will be a surprise artist in attendance, too. So come have a drink and mingle, in support of a great cause!” In addition, a free docent-led tour of the current exhibits will be available. The event is open to all; non-members are welcome. Tickets are $45 per person and cocktail attire is suggested. RSVP to www.ridgefieldnewcomers.org.
The Newcomers Club is a non-profit group that has been welcoming new residents to Ridgefield since 1967 and provides year-round activities for families, singles, couples, and children. The Club is open to residents of Ridgefield who are new to the community, or who have recently had a life-changing event. For more information, visit www.ridgefieldnewcomers.org.
Multi-Platinum 4X Grammy® Award winner Pat Benatar with Neil Giraldo will rock The Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, June 7
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- Category: Arts and Entertainment
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 16:23
- Written by Susan Dumont Bangston
Pat Benatar was one of the first female rock singers to hit the airwaves back in 1979. Her voice is always strong and powerful, but what about that gorgeous guy playing lead guitar? Together, Pat Benatar and her husband Neil Giraldo will rock The Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, June 7, at 8 p.m. with their mega-hits including “Heartbreaker”, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, “Love Is A Battlefield”, “You’d Better Run” and “We Belong”. This event is part of the Guinness Black Lager Rock Series with media sponsor i95fm – the Home of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Pat Benatar is an iconic American rock singer and four-time Grammy® Award winner who was one of the most heavily played artists in the early days of MTV. Interestingly enough, her early musical training was strictly classical music and theater. She trained as a coloratura (soprano) and got a job as a singing waitress. Her big break came in 1975 at an amateur night comedy club in New York when she sang a rousing rendition of Judy Garland’s “Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody”, and the rest, as they say, is rock history. She won an unprecedented four consecutive Grammy® Awards for Best Female Rock Performance from 1980 to 1983 for songs from her album Crimes of Passion and was nominated eight out of ten times for a Grammy® for Best Female Rock Performance for “Invincible”, “Sex as a Weapon”, “All Fired Up” and “Let’s Stay Together”.
Neil Giraldo is not only an accomplished guitarist and songwriter but also a prolific producer. His credits include their Crimes of Passion album. It is said that Neil is the main reason Pat’s music sounds the way it does, both on recordings and live. It is also said that girls of all ages swoon when Neil Giraldo is in concert and most especially when he takes off his shirt to expose muscular arms, and that, like fine wine, he only gets better with age.
For tickets ($125 very limited number Gold Circle includes VIP Cocktail Party at 6:30 p.m. & preferred seating; $110 orches., $98 mezz.) and more information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call the box office (203) 438-5795, or buy tickets online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main St., Ridgefield, CT.
Ridgefield Weekend Happenings
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- Category: Arts and Entertainment
- Last Updated on Thursday, 17 May 2012 11:37
- Written by Kerry Anne Ducey
Thursday
- Workshop on FREE Grantseeker Resources at The Ridgefield Library
- Blue Barn Sale
- Flying Solo at Ridgefield Library
- Thirsty Thursdays at Ridgefield Bicycle Company
- Brad Garrett at The Ridgefield Playhouse
- Purlieu Opening Reception at Rockwell Art & Framing
Friday
Saturday
- Cinderella at The Ridgefield Playhouse
- Ronnie Spector at The Ridgefield Playhouse
- Newcomers of Ridgefield Spring Gala
Sunday
Sally Barris to Perform at the Ridgefield Library on Sunday
- Details
- Category: Arts and Entertainment
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 09:42
- Written by Ridgefield Library
On Sunday, May 20th, at 2:00 pm, in the Dayton Program Room of the Ridgefield Library, Sally Barris will be performing as part of Ridgefield Folk.
Barris is an A-list Nashville singer/songwriter who has had songs covered by such top-level artists as Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban. While her writing credits mightily impress, fans and peers are most captivated by her bright spirit and expressive mountain soprano. In the last 2 years, the Minnesota native has performed at Mountain Stage, New Bedford Summer Fest, and The Kerrville Folk Festival. She is also a member of the "The Waymores", with Don Henry and Tom Kimmel.
The concert is free thanks to the Friends of the Library. Tickets can be picked up the day of the show starting at 1:00 pm and doors open at 1:30 pm.
