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May 03, 2024

Update on Repair to Interstate 95 in Norwalk: Goal is to Re-open Highway Monday

Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today provided an update regarding the ongoing demolition of the Fairfield Avenue Bridge over Interstate 95 in Norwalk, which is necessary due to the major motor vehicle collision that occurred in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 2.Work to remove the damaged structure began at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 3, and crews will continue working on this around the clock through the weekend. Once the bridge is removed, sections of I-95 will be milled and paved in both directions in the area.All lanes of I-95 northbound and southbound in Norwalk will remain closed until further notice. I-95 northbound is closed to all traffic at exit 14 and I-95 southbound is closed to all traffic at exit 15. Travelers are urged to avoid the area and use public transportation services. Commercial vehicles should use I-84 as an alternate route through Connecticut.The goal is to have the highway reopened by the morning rush hour commute on Monday, May 6.“I am strongly urging all drivers – whether you’re in a passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle – to completely avoid I-95 this weekend,” Governor Lamont said. “Additional traffic is only going to make things harder for everyone. Please use public transportation if you need to move through the area. Heroic local and state first responders got the crash cleared and the fire under control yesterday, and now the amazing team with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, as well as our contractor teams, are going to be working all weekend under immense pressure to get the highway reopened. I appreciate their hard work and dedication to the people of Connecticut.”“We are going to be working 24/7 throughout the weekend,” Commissioner Eucalitto said. “Thank you to the Connecticut Department of Transportation and contractor staff who are going to be working around the clock to get I-95 reopened by Monday morning. We appreciate the partnership with state and local police who are helping direct traffic and keep motorists safe. Special thanks to Federal Highway Administration and FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt for the continuous support.”At the request of Governor Lamont and Commissioner Eucalitto, Metro-North Railroad has agreed to provide additional weekend service and increased capacity on trains along the New Haven Line. Full schedules and details can be found at <a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-glhdhtl-tlluktttuu-u/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);">new.mta.info</a>. (To read the press release from Metro-North, <a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-glhdhtl-tlluktttuu-o/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);">click here</a>.)Following the <a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-glhdhtl-tlluktttuu-b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);">emergency declaration</a> signed by Governor Lamont on Thursday, May 2, the State of Connecticut today submitted a letter of intent to the Federal Highway Administration to pursue emergency relief funds. As part of the request, the Connecticut Department of Transportation is requesting an expedited release of $3 million to assist with the initial response.Drivers are asked to remain patient and follow all posted signage. The public can visit <a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-glhdhtl-tlluktttuu-q/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);">CTroads.org</a> for the latest update through the weekend and view the live traffic cameras in the area.The following photographs were taken on the afternoon of Friday, May 3. They are courtesy of the Connecticut Department of Transportation:

May 03, 2024

FC Buzz Weekend: RBG and Artisan Market and Seeking Home in Westport

FC BUZZWeekend Beginning MAY 3, 2024MAY 3 - MAY 5HamletHub 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/all-things-equal---the-life-trials-of-ruth-bader-ginsburg-4180e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">All Things Equal – The Life & Trials Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>Westport Country PlayhouseFriday, May 3, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pmDirected by Laley LipardIn this one-woman play starring Michelle Azar, Court Justice “RBG” welcomes a friend of the family to her cozy chambers to convey, over the course of ninety fascinating and often funny minutes, a sense of her life and its many trials. <a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/duets-chucho-valdes-dianne-reeves-joe-lovano" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Duets: Chucho Valdés, Dianne Reeves, Joe Lovano</a>Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield UniversityFriday, May 3, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pmSince 2021, these three legends, with a combined 12 Grammy Awards between them, have been creating rare and magical evenings filled with their original takes on jazz standards. The evening features one of the most influential figures in modern Afro-Cuban jazz, the 82-year-old pianist Chucho Valdés, sharing the stage with preeminent jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves and celebrated saxophonist Joe Lovano. <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/discourse-art-across-generations-and-continents/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Discourse: Art Across Generations and Continents</a>browngrotta arts GallerySaturday, May 4 to May 12, 10:00 am - 6:00 pmIn "Discourse: Art Across Generations and Continents," the gallery will assemble an eclectic group of works that celebrate this diversity. Included will be works from fiber art’s origins 60 years ago, current mixed media works and sculpture, and pieces created in the decades between — spurring a dialogue across generations and across continents.  <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/frog-frolic-family-festival-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Frog Frolic Family Festival</a>Redding Community CenterSaturday, May 4, 10:00 am - 4:00 pmA special day for the whole community, where folks of all ages can come together to enjoy live music, food trucks, play games, craft, and spend time with friends! For 2+ decades, The Frolic has kicked off Spring while generating necessary funds for our one-of-a-kind library – don’t miss it!<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-upscale-garage-sale-at-the-artisan-marketplace-spring-edition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">The Upscale Garage Sale at the Artisan Marketplace: Spring Edition</a>MoCA WestportSaturday, May 4, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pmThis exclusive collaboration between MoCA Westport and Designport promises an unparalleled fusion of creativity, community, and curated craftsmanship.<a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/jane-s-walk-bridgeport-2024" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Jane's Walk Bridgeport 2024</a>Bridgeport Downtown Special ServicesSaturday, May 4, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pmExplore the unique story of how we see, interact with, and feel about Downtown Bridgeport on foot, on film, and collaborative discussion. <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/traveling-shoes-at-by-francis-pressley-reception-may-4th/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">“Traveling Shoes”: Art by Francis Pressley</a>City Lights GallerySaturday, May 4, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pmMeet the artist and poet Francis Pressley at City Lights Gallery! View a series of large-scale portraits of prominent artists and important world leaders, interpreted through the heart, mind, and hand of Francis Pressley. Also on view are Bridgeport-based portraits and scenes, along with paintings of his beloved dogs.<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/derby-day-celebration-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Derby Day Celebration</a>Pequot LibrarySaturday, May 4, 4:00 pm - 9:00 pmA Fundraiser for Pequot Library, experience the excitement of the Kentucky Derby at Pequot Library! Take a stroll around the Great Lawn to view the festive hats, attire, and decorated tailgates. Bid on Silent Auction items and get your Derby Dollars so that you can enter to win raffle items, take home a bottle of bourbon from the Bourbon Wall, choose your winning horse and take home the top prize in the 50/50 raffle, and new this year: be the first in New England to experience the mobile driving range Dryvebox. Prizes will be awarded for closest to the pin, and the Best Hat, Best Dressed, and Best Tailgates will take home trophies as well. Visit our website for more details!<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/jesse-terry-sam-robbins-at-voices-cafe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Jesse Terry & Sam Robbins</a>Voices CafeSaturday, May 4, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pmJesse Terry, a full-time touring artist for well over a decade and Wilton CT native, promises a touching performance that will resonate deeply in the hearts of audiences.<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/pin-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Pin Ups</a>art/place gallerySunday, May 5, 12:00 am - 12:00 amThe public is invited to attend the reception at Art/Place Gallery of this All-Member show of unframed work. <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/finely-tuned-paintings-by-marlene-siff-reception-and-artist-talk-with-miggs-burroughs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Finely Tuned: Paintings by Marlene Siff, with a Reception and Artist Talk with Miggs Burroughs</a>Westport LibrarySunday, May 5, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pmTimed to coincide with VersoFest 2024, each of the five large dimensional works in "Finely Tuned, Paintings by Marlene Siff" — Fanfare, Crescendo, Legato, Elegy, and Fugue — is named for, and linked to, a specific expression found in music. Visitors to the gallery can scan a QR code next to each piece and listen to the musical selections that the artist used as inspiration.<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/ridgefield-guild-of-artists-14th-juried-member-show-walk-and-talk-sunday-may-5-from-2-to-4pm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">14th Juried Member Show Walk and Talk</a>Ridgefield Guild of Artists’Sunday, May 5, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pmCome hear four of our artists speak about their inspirations, origins, and where they hope to go. Our speakers are: Claudio DaNapoli, Eddie Hall, Nancy Lazar, Clarice Shirvell.<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/fairfield-county-childrens-choir-presents-why-we-sing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Fairfield County Children’s Choir with Why We Sing</a>The KleinSunday, May 5, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pmFCCC's 29th annual spring concert features 300 choristers performing a wide variety of selections which celebrate the joy of singing, such as "How Can I Keep from Singing?", "Lift Every Voice and Sing", "I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says 'Sing'", "When Children Sing", "Where the Music Comes From", and "Music Down in My Soul".<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/sunday-soundscapes-baroque-virtuosity-trio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Sunday Soundscapes: Baroque Virtuosity Trio</a>Weston Public LibrarySunday, May 5, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pmThe Baroque Virtuosity Trio takes us on a journey back to an elegant time when music was made with harpsichords, lutes, and viols. <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/connecticuts-own-music-with-oboe-and-piano-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Connecticut’s Own: Music with Oboe and Piano</a>Wilton LibrarySunday, May 5, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmAnother Sunday afternoon of chamber music in the Connecticut's Own series. Wilton residents Ralph Kirmser (oboe) and Kyong Hee Cho (piano) will perform pieces by Robert Schumann, Pierre Sancan, and Frederic Chopin.<a href="https://uuwestport.org/ministers-greeting/upcoming-services/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">“Seeking Home”</a>UU WestportSunday, May 5, 10:00 pmAn original composition for two guitars, drum, voice & Native American flute “Seeking Home” was created to acknowledge and raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Men, and Youth (MMIW) occurring throughout the US and Canada. All donations will go to “Medicine Wheel Ride” – an Indigenous MMIW advocacy non-profit organization.See these and discover hundreds more events on the FCBUZZ EVENTS page at<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> https://culturalalliancefc.org</a>. Sign up for the Cultural Alliance eBuzz to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.

May 02, 2024

Westport Police Continue to See Stolen Vehicle Activity

The Westport Police Department wants to again bring attention to the stolen vehicle activity that is occurring throughout town. Over the last several weeks, there has been an increase in stolen vehicle attempts, stolen vehicles, and car break-ins. The cars that were stolen or illegally entered had been left unlocked. One recent incident involved five masked individuals that were observed entering a garage and attempting to steal the vehicle inside. The group came to the area in a car which had been stolen from another jurisdiction.  These crimes are being actively investigated by the detective bureau with assistance from the Bridgeport Regional Auto Theft Task Force of which Westport Police is a member.   In an effort to combat this uptick the police department will be increasing patrols.There are a number of preventative measures that should be taken to avoid becoming a victim. Everyone in the community should always lock their vehicles and homes. Make sure to double check before going to bed. Additionally, keep exterior light on and if available utilize surveillance and/or alarm systems. Most importantly, call the police immediately to report any suspicious activity. The department strongly advises against confronting any of these suspects if you observe them on your property. There have been a number of incidents throughout the state where these individuals have resorted to violence when confronted.

May 02, 2024

Lift Wellness Westport To Celebrate Grand Opening

Westport, CT – Lift Wellness, a leader in comprehensive mental health and eating disorder treatment, will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its opening of Mental Health and Eating Disorder Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Treatment for Teens and Adults, at their 8 Myrtle Ave, Westport, CT campus, on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 11:00AM to 1:00PM EST. Town and state leadership will be in attendance. Psychotherapist Mary Dobson, LMFT, CEDS, Founder and CEO of Lift Wellness, says: “We are incredibly proud to showcase our program expansions to the community, particularly during May, mental health awareness month. Lift has long been known for best-in-class patient care, and this same standard of excellence is now accessible through concentrated, structured day treatment programs that work with insurance. Our mission is rooted in providing integrative and comprehensive behavioral health care, and we‘ve fought hard to achieve status as a state-approved facility where children, adolescents and adults alike can receive individualized psychological, psychiatric and dietary care under one roof, avoiding the devastation and trauma of inpatient visits and residential treatment programs. Our expert-only team and personalized treatment model will be life-saving for so many in this community. We have finally created a program that we as practitioners would feel comfortable sending our own loved ones for care.” In November, Ms. Dobson, a tenured program founder and lifelong CT resident, announced her company‘s hard-won certificate of need to provide higher levels of care that would keep area residents from having to enter into residential or inpatient treatment services for mental health diagnoses and eating disorders. Dobson is the first female healthcare provider under 50 to launch such services in the state. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin in front of the historic building where Lift resides, formerly a 1700s schoolhouse for boys, which Dobson has lovingly restored. Guests will be welcomed inside and to the back patio to enjoy food, drink, remarks, and facility tours promptly after the cutting. Guests will also be treated to swag, desserts, and Q&A with the clinical leadership team. About Lift WellnessLift is a comprehensive outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization behavioral health group on a mission to lift up children, teens, adults and families through the superior provision of integrative medical, psychiatric, dietary, testing, and counseling services. Utilizing our founder-innovated bio-psycho-social model of treatment, Prescription for Wellness ™, LIFT therapists seek to enhance patients’ complete health picture, and commit to improving personal psychology and whole-health as well as strengthening and shoring up the health and functionality of family systems, workspaces, and communities.

May 01, 2024

Westport Country Playhouse 2024-25 season is rooted in transformation

Westport Country Playhouse Announces 2024-25 Theatre Season with Slate of Comedies from Autumn through Spring The historic theater’s “Season of Laughter” is “rooted in transformation” as is the new vision for Playhouse programming. Westport Country Playhouse announces its upcoming 94th theater season, from October 2024 through April 2025, featuring three Playhouse-produced plays, each running three weeks, and two shorter-run productions, including a holiday offering and a musical revue. “Welcome back to a season of fully produced theatre at the Playhouse!,” said Mark Shanahan, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. “I’ve been thinking a lot about our loyal audience lately! As I’ve scoured my bookshelf, lined with favorite plays, I’ve been asking: What stories do we want to tell at the Playhouse at this time? What would our community want to see on stage? What kinds of plays will bring us together? “With these questions in mind, I’m proud to present ‘A Season of Laughter,’” Shanahan continued. “I’ve put together a slate of comedies, chosen specifically to energize our community with a welcoming sense of warmth, joy, and humor. From family friendly plays to old-fashioned romps, to biting and topical humor, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.” Shanahan added, “Just as the Playhouse continues to undergo a transformation into a year-round venue for our homemade productions and special presented events, our season of plays is rooted in the very idea of transformation, too. It’s my hope that every trip to the Playhouse will feel like a fresh, new experience, and one that will keep your spirits lifted long after the curtain falls.” Opening the 2024-25 season will be “The 39 Steps,” a fast-paced frenzy of espionage and murderous mayhem, playing from October 22 through November 9. Unflappable hero Richard Hannay goes on the run from dangerous spies and femme fatales in an adventure that mixes Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film with a juicy spy novel, and a dash of Monty Python. This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs as a talented cast of four portrays over 150 zany characters in a riotous homage to the “Master of Suspense.” The family friendly work is produced by arrangement with Firery Angel Limited, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan, from the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited, and based on a concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. <a href="http://www.concordtheatricals.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">www.concordtheatricals.com</a>. “Native Gardens,” an outrageous comedy by popular modern playwright Karen Zacarías, will run February 18 through March 8. Bad behavior reigns as two sets of well-intentioned neighbors become feuding enemies in a backyard battle for the ages. When expectant parents Tania and Pablo Del Valle move in next door to longtime suburbanites Virginia and Frank Butley, a little dispute over their yard’s property line spirals into an epic, flower-flinging war over taste, culture, class, personal identity…and gardening. Can these couples ever learn to love their neighbor and mend the fences that separate them? Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. <a href="http://www.concordtheatricals.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">www.concordtheatricals.com</a>. “Theatre People,” a throwback to the classic screwball comedies of yesteryear by Connecticut-born playwright Paul Slade Smith, adapted from Ferenc Molnár’s “Play at the Castle,” will be staged March 25 through April 12. It’s 1948, and the brightest names on Broadway have descended upon a glamorous Newport mansion for a weekend of romance, chaos, and more than a few misunderstandings. An unforgettable cast of characters, populated by a pair of scheming playwrights, a couple of misbehaving actors, a star-struck young author, and a disgruntled housekeeper, offer a love letter to the theatre and all the people who make it. A hit in last year’s Script In Hand playreading series, “Theatre People” will now receive a full production on the Playhouse stage. Presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, a division of Broadway Licensing Global. Two shorter-run productions, or ‘add-ons’, will round out the season. “A Sherlock Carol,” a family friendly holiday show by Mark Shanahan, will be back by popular demand after a sold-out run in December 2023. Part mystery, part ghost-story, the play is based on a Sherlock Holmes tale by Sir Arthur Conan and “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, playing December 17 through 22. “Broadway Scores at the Playhouse,” a concert of songs from the Golden Age as well as recent musicals, will feature new arrangements created for a powerhouse band of musicians and distinct interpretations performed by a cast of Playhouse favorites and Broadway veterans, running January 23 through 26. Season ticket packages for all three longer-run productions start at $68. Prices vary according to performance day/time and seating location. Additional charge for the optional, shorter-run shows. Season tickets are now on sale for current subscribers only. Renewals on or before Friday, May 31, 2024, will include a guest pass for one 2024-2025 season production to share with a friend, along with the benefits of retaining priority seats, substantial savings over single ticket prices, flexible ticket exchanges, discounts at selected restaurant partners, and more. Playhouse Encore Club members and donors may purchase season ticket packages starting Tuesday, May 14; season tickets available to the general public Saturday, June 8. Single tickets will be on sale Tuesday, June 25. For complete 2024-25 season details, visit:  <a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/2024-2025-season/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/2024-2025-season/</a>

May 01, 2024

Westport Farmers’ Market Unveils Exciting New Season on Opening Day, May 9

Westport, CT— Westport Farmers' Market is thrilled to announce the kickoff of its highly anticipated summer season, promising exciting new offerings and programming to delight visitors of all ages.Beginning on Thursday, May 9 and continuing every Thursday through November 14, the market will highlight an abundance of locally farmed food, community engagement initiatives and entertainment to make this season truly unforgettable.A number of new vendors will be at the market this year, including Cato Corner Farm—a beacon of artisanal excellence, renowned for its extraordinary dairy products. Food enthusiasts can look forward to a wider selection of lunch options, and vendors will be unveiling new products, adding even more excitement and variety to the market experience. From fresh produce to artisanal food, there's something for everyone to discover and enjoy.To add a refreshing twist to the festivities, opening day attendees can join in a celebratory kombucha toast at noon. Savor the tangy goodness of Cross Culture Kombucha while celebrating the spirit of community and sustainability WFM is known for.For young market goers, this year’s Get Growing program offers an all-star lineup of activities aimed at nurturing a love for local food and nature in our youngest market attendees. And to enhance the vibrant atmosphere, Park City Presents will organize live music throughout the season, setting the perfect backdrop for a day of shopping and local fun.In line with its commitment to environmental responsibility, Westport Farmers' Market will implement stricter guidelines this year aimed at reducing plastic usage and as they get closer to a waste-free model. WFM is proud to announce that the market will also ONLY host farmers and products exclusively from Connecticut-based businesses. "We're thrilled to kick off another fantastic season at the Westport Farmers' Market," said Lori Cochran-Dougall, executive director. "With our exciting lineup of vendors, programming, and sustainability initiatives, we're committed to providing our community with a vibrant and enriching market experience that celebrates local agriculture, promotes sustainability, and fosters community connections."For more information and updates, please visit <a href="http://westportfarmersmarket.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">westportfarmersmarket.com</a> and follow @westportfarmersmarket on social media.

May 01, 2024

The Music of Bali with Gamelan Galak Tika at Westport Library, May 4

Westport, CT - Get away from the everyday with an afternoon of music and dance from Bali, Indonesia, performed by Gamelan Galak Tika.On Saturday, May 4, starting at 3 pm in the Library’s Trefz Forum, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elektrogamelan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Gamelan Galak Tika</a> returns to Westport with original compositions by Gusti Komin, who has been hailed as one of the leading composers, performers, and teachers of Balinese music of his generation.Galak Tika has been at the forefront of innovative, cross-cultural music for Balinese gamelan — the instrument and music of Indonesia — since 1993. Founded at MIT by Evan Ziporyn, Desak Madé Suarti Laksmi, and I Nyoman Catra, Galak Tika is currently directed by Komin, drawing its membership from across the Boston community as well as MIT students and staff. The name “Galak Tika” is Bahasa Kawi (classical Javanese, a dialect of Sanskrit) for “intense togetherness.”The group has performed at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, BAM, Boston Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, several Bang on a Can Marathons, Southern Exposure, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Zankel Hall, the Boston Museum of Science, and the Kripalu Yoga Institute, along with many east coast universities. In 2005, Galak Tika performed at the Bali International Arts Festival and in numerous villages around the island. Watch a performance of the group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MITMusicandTheater/videos/global-music-mit-rambax-and-gamelan-galak-tika/194902566188311/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">here</a>.Originally from the village of Pengosekan, Bali, <a href="https://mta.mit.edu/person/gusti-komin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Gusti Komin Darta</a> first studied with his father, renowned musician Gusti Ketut Kerta, and began performing professionally for shadow puppet plays (wayang) at the age of 9. As a teenager, he enrolled at the prestigious national arts conservatory, now known as the Indonesian Institute for the Arts. Widely acknowledged as master of gendér wayang, a style of gamelan music played in Bali, Komin is one of its foremost contemporary composers blending traditional and modern gamelan music in imaginative ways. An exacting teacher and rebellious spirit, Komin writes music that explodes conventions and pushes limitations of even the strongest performers.This concert is made possible by the generosity of the <a href="https://www.maurerfamilyfoundation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Maurer Family Foundation</a>.Learn more: <a href="https://westportlibrary.org/event/the-music-of-bali/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.org/event/the-music-of-bali/</a>