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Dec 11, 2024

MICHELIN Guide Ceremony Awards First New 3 Starred Restaurant in 12 Years

Last night I had the esteemed pleasure of attending the second annual MICHELIN Guide Ceremony in New York City. Among the attendees that I was able to chat with were Jean Georges, Eric Ripert, and Thomas Keller.Applause thundered from the crowd as Jungsik New York was awarded its third MICHELIN Star, upping from its two in previous years. Not only do they have the distinction of being the first Korean restaurant to receive 3 stars, but they are also the first New York restaurant to be awarded 3 stars in 12 years time. César, Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare, and Sushi Sho were each awarded two Stars. New York’s One White Street received a MICHELIN Green Star."We are thrilled to welcome a new three-star restaurant, Jungsik New York to the esteemed MICHELIN Star family," said Gwendal Poullennec, the International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “The originality and impeccable presentation at Jungsik New York created a distinct experience for our Inspectors collectively,” Poullennec said. “These new restaurants joining the MICHELIN Star family showcase some of the best talent across the culinary world, while bringing about each Chef’s unique flavor and individuality.”Here are the new MICHELIN Starred restaurants, with Inspector notes from each:Three MICHELIN StarsJungsik New York (Korean cuisine)Cool and polished, this dining room bears that perfectly downtown nexus of low-key yet elegant; with its dark and light color scheme and intimate proportions. Chef/owner Mr. Yim Jung Sik and Executive Chef Daeik Kim's Korean meal starts like many do, with an array of banchan; however, the presentation here is unlike any other; and it's just that creativity that makes dining here so distinctive. From there, the tasting menu unfolds to reveal delights such as slivers of raw striped jack with white kimchi and chilled fish bone broth; gorgeously crisped octopus with gochujang aioli; and dry-aged Arctic char in a pool of kimchi and red curry sauce. This is cooking that is highly original, impeccably executed, and enormously satisfying; a meal that makes you involuntarily nod to yourself while you’re eating.Two MICHELIN StarsCésar (Contemporary cuisine)César Ramirez is one of the few chefs who, night after night, has the difficult task of meeting his own singular standards of high-wire precision. His new downtown restaurant brings a sleek, minimal look to a century-old address. As might be expected, world-class seafood plays a large role in his tasting menu which features such delights as a morsel of blackthroat seaperch from Chiba, crudo of fluke from Jeju Island, and langoustine from Norway dressed with caviar and smoked trout. A masterful hand with sauces and a sense for harmonious, exacting combinations demonstrate both creativity and maturity. An eager service team oversees the spacious room where counter and table seating alike offer a prime vantage point for watching this kinetic kitchen.Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare (Contemporary cuisine)This famed address hidden in the back corner of a Hell’s Kitchen grocery store has entered a new era under Chefs Max Natmessnig and Marco Prins. The room is a box of luxury and sparkles as bright as ever under the spotlights, with most guests seated at a glossy walnut counter that wraps around a brigade of cooks who have nowhere to hide. The team works quickly, sending out a volley of delicate tarts and bites that showcase skill and refinement. Highlights include sea scallop in a lush brown butter sauce, turbot with firefly squid and herb-oil swirled buttermilk, and buri tartare with smoky creme fraiche and finger lime.Sushi Sho (Japanese/Sushi cuisine)In the shadow of the New York Public Library, Chef Keiji Nakazawa exemplifies mastery of the highest order. An omakase like no other, the progression ebbs and flows with a dazzling variety of fish, shellfish, vegetables, and more—all aged, fermented, and pickled for weeks, months, and sometimes years. Rice is treated with reverence; seasoned to suit and complement the range of fish. The setting is its own marvel and features a spacious, eight-seat Hinoki counter flanked by towering ice boxes fronted with carved wood doors, while all around, the kitchen and service teams work in perfect tandem. In total, the pace, breadth, and persistence of excellence that unfolds here will impress even the most experienced sushi enthusiasts.One MICHELIN StarBar Miller (Japanese/Sushi cuisine)This diminutive spot with a sprinkling of seats steers clear of the familiar minimalist design, favoring bold colors and eye-catching details. Chef Jeff Miller delivers an omakase that is a showpiece of sustainable sourcing, much of it local—even the rice is sourced from New York state. Their personality is evident in dishes such as daikon vichyssoise with wakame butter-braised greens and gently poached salmon. Dry-aged fluke topped with apple ice in a sweet soy sauce holds its own, while the duo of uni and the mellow, dry-aged mackerel with yuzu kosho are two standouts from the nigiri course. Desserts, like the amazake and the corn gelato with caviar, round out the singular experience.Café Boulud (French cuisine)A new and improved Café Boulud has been beautifully reborn on the storied corner of 63rd street and Park Avenue with Chef Daniel Boulud and Executive Chef Romain Paumier at the helm. Enjoy this unique prix fixe menu which highlights four inspirations: classic French cuisine; "La Saison", vegetarian farmers&#39; market dishes; "Le Voyage" offering an international focus. Choose one style of menu or handpick for a multicourse meal that is on-point with sharp execution and a soigné presentation. The array of impressive cooking here includes the likes of the signature black sea bass wrapped in crispy potatoes and sauced with a red wine reduction; seared scallops with Champagne beurre blanc; or lobster ravioli dressed with a vivid lobster bisque as well as preserved lemon curd.Corima (Mexican cuisine)On the edge of Chinatown, Chef Fidel Caballero is not holding anything back. Whether you sit at the kitchen counter for the ambitious tasting menu or order à la carte in the boisterous dining room, the cooking is a singularly original and bold celebration of Mexican cuisine. If anything, there must be an order of sourdough tortillas somewhere on the table. Made with Sonoran wheat and chicken fat, these delicate, perfectly griddled discs served with recado negro butter will lock in a return visit. Better yet, this won’t be the only course worth returning for. The likes of lobster nicuatole, black cod with salsa Veracruzana, and sweetbreads with bitter almond foam make for lasting impressions.La Bastide by Andrea Calstier (French cuisine)Head to this modern farmhouse in Westchester where a soothing design perfectly complements sweeping views of the pastoral landscape. Husband and wife duo Chef Andrea Calstier and General Manager Elena Oliver are at ease in their intimate dining room, a space fit with only a few tables and perfectly calibrated for the tasting to come. The menu draws on their upbringing in the south of France. A simple-sounding salad is so much more with grilled gem lettuce paired with poached celtuce, cured egg yolk, and an olive oil sabayon. Squab with rosemary and fig leaf is as accomplished as grilled black sea bass with artichokes and razor clams. Dessert is a particular strength, and the combination of chocolate with goat cheese is a thrilling finale.Joo Ok (Korean cuisine)This Seoul transplant has an unusual entrance—via freight elevator up 16 floors—but the elegant space is instantly inviting. Echoing a traditional Korean home, guests are welcomed with savory crackers and drinks before being escorted to the dining room, where a minimalist design is juxtaposed with views of the Manhattan skyline. Joo Ok delivers a Korean tasting menu that is rooted in tradition but presented through a modern lens. Dishes are stunning, as in the jat jeup chae - tender lobster and Korean pear tucked inside salted cucumber slices. Makgeolli bread topped with freshwater eel is a dramatic single bite, but their signature deul gi reum with diced geoduck, spotted shrimp, and a whole quail egg in house-pressed perilla seed oil is equally memorable.Nōksu (Contemporary/Korean cuisine)Eating underground in the subway system may not sound appealing, but that hasn't stopped Chef Dae Kim. In the heart of Koreatown at Herald Square behind a code-locked door, find a black marble counter that stretches the length of the room. Every chef is armed with tweezers to manage and primp gorgeous dishes that are largely contemporary in their design. Seafood is a serious focus with the likes of crab, fluke, clams, and mackerel. The restaurant’s signature is obvious once you spot the squab dry aging in a fridge. Against the backdrop of 80s hits playing overhead, a chef holds the bird up and repeatedly ladles hot oil over it in the style of Peking duck. It’s a defining reminder that in New York City, anything can happen anywhere.Shota Omakase (Japanese/Sushi cuisine)Far from the subway stop on a quiet street in Williamsburg, find this welcoming omakase counter hidden away near Domino Park. Chef Cheng Lin sets the tone as a friendly, relaxed guide for the night’s proceedings. And whereas some chefs practically take vows of silence with regards to sourcing and technique, he is quick to share where in Japan the fish is from, why he uses Inochi-no Ichi rice, and what it took to find his special aged soys and vinegars. His intentionality delivers in the form of excellent, seasonal product and a fine-tuned parade of nigiri, for which the rice is refreshed repeatedly. Prepared dishes like binchotan-seared sawara with citrus sauce, shiso, and nori or even a restorative cup of dashi with mushrooms also show distinction.YingTao (Contemporary/Chinese cuisine)Owner Bolun Yao's beloved grandmother serves as both the namesake and culinary inspiration for this stylish Hell's Kitchen hideaway, an unassumingly ambitious project that aims to reinterpret Chinese cuisine through the lens of Western fine dining. Chef Jakub Baster lends his experienced hand to the effort, composing elegant dishes that blend a wide array of Chinese flavors and ingredients with elements of French technique and a contemporary style. The results are simultaneously inventive and familiar. Flavors tend toward subtlety, with careful attention paid to textures, as in a silky soy milk custard matched with celery root, and savory, mildly spiced doubanjiang, or rich crab noodles with egg yolk and smoked tobiko. To finish, a reimagining of nian gao (sweet rice cake) is sure to delight.MICHELIN Green StarOne White Street (Contemporary cuisine)Chef Austin Johnson operates a truly “farm to table” restaurant by working closely with their partner farm in the Hudson Valley, Rigor Hill Farm. Rigor Hill Farm supplies the restaurant with as much seasonal produce as possible. A supportive ecosystem of relationships allows the farm to practice progressively sustainable farming techniques and build an organization that is able to invest in and support the lives of its farmers, in addition to the restaurant’s Tribeca community. Rigor Hill takes pride in cultivating a system of growing food that can be as good at producing flavorful, nutrient-dense food as it is at ameliorating its impact on a changing climate.

Dec 09, 2024

New Music Venue in South Norwalk Taps into Local Music and Hospitality Scene

December 9, 2024, South Norwalk, CT — AGW SONO Partners’ flourishing South Norwalk portfolio recently welcomed the opening of a one-of-a-kind venue, further solidifying the area’s reputation as a vibrant hub for dining, entertainment, retail, and lifestyle. Music & Industry, an original concept by restaurateur Jody Pennette, opened at 136 Washington St. on November 15th. Inspired by the legendary live music venues of NYC’s Village neighborhoods, Music & Industry offers a modern take on those intimate spaces where up-and-coming musicians chased their dreams of being discovered.This distinctive venue blends the vibe of a dive bar with the sophistication of a French brasserie. True to Pennette’s innovative style, the concept delivers an eclectic dining and entertainment experience. The kitchen, helmed by the accomplished Chef Jacob Rait II—whose credentials include The Chelsea in Fairfield, Cask Republic in Stamford, and Mezon Tapas Bar & Restaurant in Danbury—serves a menu ranging from elevated French classics (osetra caviar, moules frites, Provençal onion tart, and duck cassoulet) to reimagined favorites (French onion dip with chips, disco poutine, and a Maison smash burger). Creative cocktails pay homage to rock classics with names like Love Me Tender, Smoke on the Water, Hemingway’s Death in the Afternoon, and Kiss and Fly.The design aesthetic of Music & Industry evokes a playful French bistro. The dining room features dark wood furnishings, a zinc countertop bar illuminated by globe light fixtures, and walls adorned with photos of rock legends and vintage music venue posters.Pennette has prioritized creating a space that celebrates musical talent, equipping the venue with a stage and sound system designed to provide the ultimate experience for performers and audiences alike. Bands take the stage nightly, ensuring a dynamic entertainment lineup. The venue’s General Manager, Tor Newcomer, brings his experience as both a musician and seasoned restaurant industry professional to the role.“Music & Industry is where our fellow music and hospitality industry friends can come jam, end their shift or gig with a cocktail and bite to eat, unwind from the night, and feel that they have a place that speaks to them,” says Pennette, a musician himself. “This is a place that will resonate with anyone who craves great food and entertainment within a community-focused atmosphere.”

Dec 05, 2024

FC Buzz Weekend in Fairfield County: Nutcracker, Holiday Market Market an dMore!

FC BUZZ Weekend December 6-8HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/irving-berlin-s-white-christmas-the-musical-41670" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical</a>Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) MainStageFriday Dec 6, 8:00 pm - 10:30 pmFairfield County’s award-winning professional theatre company continues its 38th season with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical. Based on the timeless and beloved film, this heartwarming musical adaptation promises to delight audiences of all ages with its uplifting story and classic songs. The production runs from December 6th through the 22nd with performances on Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. White Christmas will also have two Thursday performances on December 12th and 19th at 7pm.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/a-stacked-workshop-paint-to-promo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">A STACKED Workshop: Paint To Promo</a>The Norwalk Art SpaceSaturday Dec 7, 11:00 am - 2:00 pmPersonal branding as an artist can be overwhelming. Artists’ statements, photographing your work, and managing a social media presence are just a few responsibilities outside of making good art. Learn thoughtful ways to market your work better and boost your self-promotion with helpful tips and resources for artists.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/artist-talk-extra-extra" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Artist Talk Exhibit Extra Extra</a>Flinn GallerySaturday Dec 7, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pmCreating a kind of psychology of visual experience, Palma Blank, Stephen Maine and Doreen McCarthy employ a variety of juxtapositions in their work. By questioning notions of both depth and flatness, illusion and objecthood, or gravitational force and weight, the viewer can connect imaginatively and physically with the artworks presented in Extra Extra.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/abiodun-oyewole---founder-of-the-last-poets" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Abiodun Oyewole – Founder of The Last Poets</a>Burroughs-Saden LibrarySaturday Dec 7, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pmMr. Oyewole is a founding member of the American musical spieling group, The Last Poets – originally formed a poetry reading in honor of Malcom X. The group’s message, deeply rooted in Black Nationalism, became well recognized in African American society and part of the Black Arts Movement. The Last Poets along with the artist Gil Scott-Heron are credited as having had a profound effect on the development of hip-hop music. Their spoken word albums preceded politically laced Rhythm and Blues projects, such as Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, and foreshadowed the work of hard-hitting rap groups like Public Enemy and Dead Prez.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/holiday-special-with-kristen-young-violin-and-joe-bush-piano" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Holiday Special with Kristen Young and Joe Bush</a>MoCA CTSaturday Dec 7, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pmJoin Kristen Young, violin and Joe Bush, piano for a festive holiday concert that beautifully blends classical masterpieces with your favorite holiday pop tunes! They will perform innovative arrangements that challenge traditional boundaries, creating a refreshing take on seasonal favorites. From the intricate harmonies of classical pieces to the lively rhythms of contemporary hits, this concert promises a captivating blend of sound that will resonate with all.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/hot-cool-jazz-the-jerry-bergonzi-alan-bartus-duo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Hot & Cool Jazz: The Jerry Bergonzi / Alan Bartus Duo</a>Wilton LibrarySaturday Dec 7, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pmWilton Library is proud to present the Jerry Bergonzi / Alan Bartus Duo with Jerry Bergonzi on sax and Alan Bartus on piano. This duo will present their original music along with American Songbook jazz standards. The collaboration between the artists began in Europe, where they performed several tours across different countries. Their unique sound creates a shapable musical process with a message whose goal is to deliver it to the listener. Each artist is given space both as a composer and as an interpreter in this duo format.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/hip-hop-nutcracker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Hip Hop Nutcracker</a>Stamford Center for the ArtsSaturday Dec 7, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pmJust like the original, Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season. Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story from traditional 19th century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City. Through the modern, self-expressive gaze of hip hop culture, the dynamic performers of The Hip Hop Nutcracker celebrate the magic of the entire holiday season on the most inclusive holiday of them all – New Year’s Eve, a time for new beginnings.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/buffalo-rose-at-voices-cafe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Buffalo Rose</a>Voices CafeSaturday Dec 7, 8:00 pm - 10:30 pmBuffalo Rose is a charismatic six-piece modern folk/indie band from Pittsburgh, PA. They take the singer-songwriter tradition to a new level by crafting original songs which are emotive, meticulously arranged, and inspired by a world of idiosyncratic influences that never let a dull or predictable moment creep in. John Platt, of WFUV, founding of New Folk Initiative, gives a clue of what is in store: “Their sound is intoxicating - the combination of their tight string band rhythm and their supple harmonies.”<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/holiday-market-at-metro-art-studios" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Holiday Market</a>Metro Art StudiosSunday Dec 8, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pmJoin the artists of Metro Art Studios and guest artists for a unique holiday shopping experience on Sunday, December 8, from 12 to 4 PM. Visit three floors of studios and find affordable art, jewelry, home decor, stationery, holiday decorations, fashion, and so much more for everyone on your list. Handmade and handcrafted gifts are the best! Background Coffee is serving coffee and tea with proceeds going to childhood cancer research. Our gallery and gift shop will also be open. Visit<a href="https://www.metroartstudios.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.metroartstudios.org/</a> for more information or call 203-450-6720. Free parking on site. ADA accessible.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/an-afternoon-of-opera-with-stefano-russo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">An Afternoon of Opera with Stefano Russo</a>Fairfield Public LibrarySunday Dec 8, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pmMr. Russo will perform songs of the season, accompanied by pianist Jacob Wang , followed by selections from Puccini , in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Italian composer's death. There will then be a reading from Mr. Russo's latest book of poetry, Beyond the Chains of the Mind, and one final aria performed by Mr. Russo to conclude the program. Autographed books will be available for purchase.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/holiday-concert-with-whim-n-rhythm-yale-s-a-cappella-group-at-the-carriage-barn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Holiday Concert with Whim n' Rhythm, Yale's A Cappella Group</a>Carriage Barn Arts CenterSunday Dec 8, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pmEnjoy a stunning performance by Yale’s celebrated A Capella group Whim n Rhythm, accompanied by a wine tasting with Gratsi Wines & Red Grape. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Carriage Barn and personalize an ornament to take home! Whim n Rythm’s repertoire includes well loved holiday classics and spans genres ranging from jazz standards to soulful ballads to pop and rock classics. Songs may include fan favorites by Fleetwood Mac and Madonna, old classics from the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, and upbeat contemporary numbers by Beyonce and Chappell Roan.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/norwalk-symphony-s-joys-of-the-season-holiday-pops" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Norwalk Symphony's Joys of the Season "Holiday Pops"</a>Norwalk Concert HallSunday Dec 8, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pmDon’t miss this event joined by soloists, musicians from the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts and dancers from the New England Academy of Dance! And a visit from a jolly elf!<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/postmodern-jukebox" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Postmodern Jukebox</a>Stamford Center for the ArtsSunday Dec 8, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pmEven in our futuristic age of AI chatbots and virtual realities, there is still nothing in the world that compares with the thrill of hearing classic genres of music, performed live by a group of exceptional singers and musicians that have truly mastered the ability to move an audience.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/fairfield-county-children-s-choir-winter-concert" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Fairfield County Children's Choir Winter Concert</a>Klein Memorial AuditoriumSunday Dec 8, 3:00 pm - 4:30 pmThe renowned Fairfield County Children’s Choir will kick off its 30th Anniversary Season with a “Best of the FCCC Winter Concert” on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 P.M. at The Klein Memorial in Bridgeport. Join us for a celebration of the holiday season that honors our legacy and supports our mission to provide all children the opportunity to participate in a musical experience that is challenging, rewarding, and enjoyable!

Dec 03, 2024

See Candace Bushnell's One Woman Show in Fairfield this Thursday!

An Interview with the creator of Sex and the City, Candace BushnellOn a rainy, not-so-cold day in Manhattan last week, I had the esteemed pleasure of interviewing one of New York City’s most iconic writers, Candace Bushnell. Bushnell became famous for detailing the realities of the treacherous dating scene in the city and now. Wanting to shield her Connecticut-residing parents from details of her sexcapades, she created an alter ego, Carrie Bradshaw. Bushnell still remains one of the most talked about characters in modern times. This Thursday, December 5th, Bushnell is leaving the city and returning to her home of Connecticut for one night only with her one-woman show "True Tales Of Sex, Success, and Sex and the City” at <a href="http://fairfieldtheatre.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fairfield Theatre Company</a> (FTC) at 8 p.m. The show combines glamour, wit, and the no-holds-barred storytelling Bushnell is famous for. Detailing her life in New York City, from her early days spent at Studio 54 to creating Sex and the City and beyond, you can expect to hear about Bushnell’s wild nights out in Manhattan as well as her personal struggles and triumphs. Chatting with Bushnell over Zoom felt like I was talking to a much cooler older sister freely dispensing wise advice. “Be your own Mr. Big,” is her message to young women. “Make the money. That's really the most important thing. We've been telling women forever that they're going to get their happiness from a relationship and having children, and that's not really true. I think that one gets one's happiness from being self-actualized and having some control over your own life.”When I asked a follow-up question about Mr. Big, she was quick to clear up any misconceptions. “There are a lot of parallels between my life and Carrie's life up to a certain point, but, no, I didn't end up with a shoe closet like Carrie Bradshaw's and I didn't marry my Mr. Big”. She may not have Carrie’s shoe closet, but Bushnell doesn’t share CB’s culinary ineptness “I can cook. I’ve made a whole Thanksgiving dinner. Long way come from sardines and crackers,” she said, as she was won to eat this girl dinner meal, especially during her early column days. “Although,” thinking for a moment. “I eat those all the time too.” Dedicated readers may be aware of her tinned fish dinners, but even a casual fan is aware that Bushnell knows fashion, and it is still a prominent part of her life. “There are lots more designers around now. It feels like than there were 25 years ago. So fashion is huge. Fashion's really exploded. I love Sylvia Tcherassi, and I wear PatBo on stage.” While many things have changed since SATC first aired, the societal stigmas associated with “still” being single have pretty much stayed the same, worsening still with the “childless cat lady trope”. “Those kinds of attitudes are really a problem, and they're very worrisome to me,” she said, but there was hope to her message. “Single women are supposedly the happiest group of women. I think that says a lot right there.”When I mentioned that I started rewatching Sex and the City before I knew I was going to interview her, and couldn’t stop watching, we had a laugh about how addictive it is for her as well. “[I tell myself] I cannot spend four hours watching Sex and the City. [It’s] a daily battle for me too.”The show first premiered (unsurprisingly) in the City at a Broadway theater. Bushnell also performed the show at the Carlyle in London before taking it back stateside this month with shows in New Jersey and Connecticut. How does Bushnell feel about returning to her home state? “Oh, it's great,” she said. “I had a house in Connecticut for a long time, which was fantastic. I love Connecticut. I still miss it. Wonder if I should go back.” What else can you expect from the show? “We do play a little game: real or not real?” Bushnell said. “There is some audience participation. Because there are a lot of things that happened in my real life that happened on the show, but they're better or worse. It's a great girls' night out, and people have a great time. And they find the show very inspirational, So I'm really looking forward to performing it in Fairfield.”  So, in the words of the OG CB herself, “Grab your Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte, and join the original Carrie Bradshaw for a Girls' Night Out you won’t forget.” Tickets are available <a href="http://fairfieldtheatre.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(16, 60, 192);">fairfieldtheatre.org</a> as well as limited VIP packages which include a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Candace Bushnell.   About Candace BushnellCandace Bushnell is an internationally acclaimed, best-selling author best known for creating Sex and the City, the groundbreaking series that redefined women's relationships with love, friendship, and sexuality. Her work has resonated with millions, inspiring both the bestselling novel and the hit HBO series, as well as The Lipstick Jungle and a host of other books, plays, and television projects.Bushnell’s unique voice and sharp insights have made her one of the most influential and recognizable writers of our time. In this exclusive one-woman show, she brings her story to life in a way only she can—mixing laughter, nostalgia, and wisdom in equal measure.About Fairfield Theatre Company: The Fairfield Theatre Company is a nonprofit center for the arts and culture located in the heart of downtown Fairfield, Connecticut. We bring together a community of musicians, actors, artists, writers, fans, and supporters who are dedicated to the simple premise that the broadest spectrum of live entertainment and cultural exchange is essential to the vitality of our society. We endeavor to strengthen our community and nurture, enrich, and enlighten the lives of those we touch. Our hope is to make our world a better place one great performance at a time.For more information on upcoming events, programs, and performances, visit Fairfield Theatre Company’s website (<a href="http://www.fairfieldtheatre.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(16, 60, 192);">www.fairfieldtheatre.org</a>).

Dec 02, 2024

Harbor Seal Adoption Kits Available at The Maritime Aquarium

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is offering symbolic harbor seal adoption kits through Dec. 31 — a unique and meaningful holiday gift idea!Each adoption kit includes:<ul><li>A 10” harbor seal plush</li><li>A certificate of adoption</li><li>A fact sheet about harbor seals</li><li>Two tickets to the Aquarium’s 4D theater</li></ul>“This is the perfect gift for the holiday season,” said Danielle Tranzillo, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer. “Not only will it bring joy to the children in your life, but it will also help us advance conservation efforts in Long Island Sound, provide educational experiences for all ages, and care for our resident animals – including harbor seals Sono, Gracie, Feisty, Leila, and Rasal.”Harbor seals, which inhabit Long Island Sound, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, enacted in 1972 to safeguard marine species from human impact.The adoption kit is available for $99 and can be purchased online. Kits can be mailed or picked up at the Aquarium.For more details or to symbolically adopt a harbor seal, visit <a href="http://www.maritimeaquarium.org/holiday-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.maritimeaquarium.org/holiday-guide</a>.

Dec 02, 2024

Fairfield Avenue Bridge in Norwalk Reopens Ahead of Schedule, Under Budget

Governor Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today announced that the Fairfield Avenue Bridge, which crosses over Interstate 95 in Norwalk, has reopened ahead of schedule and under budget.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ys3S_gBpLfE?showinfo=0"></iframe> The new bridge, which replaces a bridge that was heavily damaged by a fiery motor vehicle collision in May and subsequently needed to be demolished, was rebuilt within seven months thanks to the quick and effective efforts of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), Yonkers Contracting Company, several other state agencies, and a team of dedicated subcontractors from across Connecticut.The initial timeline for the reconstruction project aimed for completion by spring 2025, but because of around-the-clock collaboration and hard work of construction crews, the new bridge has been fully restored and is now open to traffic. In addition to the early completion, the total cost of the project was lower than initially anticipated. Originally projected to cost roughly $20 million, the overall bridge replacement and demolition was completed for $16.8 million.Immediately following the motor vehicle collision in May that resulted in the original bridge being destroyed, Governor Lamont <a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-gurliid-tlluktyukd-u/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);">declared a state of emergency</a> and sought the support of federal emergency relief funds. In the following days, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) <a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-gurliid-tlluktyukd-o/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);">released $3 million in “quick release” emergency relief funds</a> for CTDOT to help cover demolition and repair costs. The federal government is expected to cover 80% of the costs for the entire project.To watch a timelapse video filmed between July and November of the crews building the new bridge, <a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-gurliid-tlluktyukd-b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);">click here</a>.

Dec 01, 2024

Red Cross Helps Family After Fire on N Bridge Street, Norwalk.

The American Red Cross is helping one family – two adults after a fire today on N Bridge Street, Norwalk. The Red Cross provided assistance to meet the family's immediate needs. Responders included: Cheryl Engels, Jay Kuczenski and Alexis Zysek.The Red Cross also provided a recovery envelope containing information helpful to families recovering from a fire, including tips on cleanup; notification of important contacts; dealing with damaged items and more. The Red Cross is also providing comfort kits containing personal care items such as deodorant, toothbrushes, shaving supplies and other items a resident might need when suddenly displaced from their home by a fire.Those affected will connect with Red Cross caseworkers in the coming days to work on a longer-term recovery plan. The Red Cross is able to provide assistance through the generosity of our donors and commitment of our volunteers.