Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut honors Pizzeria Lauretano at "Business Supports the Arts" awards breakfast on Thursday, October 16 at Matrix Corporate Center
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut's "Business Supports the Arts" awards breakfast is a must on everyone's calendar. This year, the 8th annual BSA awards breakfast takes place on Thursday, October 16th, 7:30am to 9:00am, at Matrix Corporate Center, 39 Old Ridgebury Road in Danbury. The Cultural Alliance's highly anticipated and premiere fundraising event serves to recognize outstanding support by business leaders and extraordinary volunteers as well as to increase visibility for arts and culture in Western Connecticut. This year's honorees, nominated by their peers, are the Fairfield County Community Foundation (BSA Award), Bethel's Pizzeria Lauretano (Arts in the Community Award) and Wayne J. Leiss, long-time volunteer at the Ridgefield Theater Barn (Heart of the Arts Award).
Each year, live entertainment, original artwork, speakers and more than 350 attendees, who represent a cross section of artists, business and community leaders, connect at the "Business Supports the Arts" awards breakfast. The fundraiser brings in substantial support of the Cultural Alliance's mission: To market the region; to encourage place-making; and to provide unique opportunities and resources to the "cultural creatives" it serves.
Lew Wallace, President of the Cultural Alliance's Board of Directors, notes, "These exemplary honorees - Fairfield County Community Foundation, Pizzeria Lauretano, and Wayne J. Leiss - represent a real, impactful, and immeasurable currency within our cultural arena. The Cultural Alliance is pleased to add them to our growing 'Business Supports the Arts' family. We thank them for their passion, effort, and unwavering support."
Tickets to the event may be purchased by visiting http://bit.ly/Zh9CdF
FAIRFIELD COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The recipient of the top honor of the day, The BSA Award, Fairfield County Community Foundation's core values include supporting arts and culture organizations at the center of community vitality. The Foundation understands that the arts serve as a place for coming together for conversation and dialogue. They spur economic and community development, provide a platform for under-represented and aspiring artists, and enrich the education and experiences of young people. Support is given to organizations valued by their community, as demonstrated by membership, volunteer effort, attendance, fundraising, and sustained earned revenue. $827,531.00 were awarded to arts organizations throughout Western Connecticut for FY2014. (www.fccfoundation.org)
Bethel's Pizzeria Lauretano, the Arts in the Community awardee, is a casual Italian bistro that, since 2006, has attracted a passionate listening audience for its popular Sunday jazz series. The owner and chef, Michael Lauretano regularly welcomes audiences from throughout Fairfield County and as far away as Hartford and New York City. In the past the restaurant has presented such internationally known acts as Houston Person; Bill Crow; Marvin Stamm; Julius Pastorius (Jaco's son); Marshall McDonald of the Count Basie Orchestra; Eddie Bert; Roger Ball, a founding member of the Average White Band; and many regional artists like Arthur Lipner. Lauretano also works closely with WCSU and hosts many performing WestConn teachers, alumni, and students, including Dave Scott, Andrew Beals, and Jamie Begian. (pizzerialauretano.com)
WAYNE J. LEISS
Wayne J. Leiss, Heart of the Arts honoree, was born one year before the founding of the Ridgefield Theater Barn. In 1991 he decided to audition for a role in Annie Get Your Gun; he not only got the part, but ended up becoming a member of the Board of Directors. He has remained on the Board since then with the exception of 3 years when the pressures of his job limited his work with the Barn to volunteering to help with ‘house’, set, and ‘door’ activities. Wayne ran the Barn's highly successful auction several years ago and played a key role in Murder Mystery dinners. He may have been part of the kitchen crew, cooking or serving dinner to guests; and then again, he may have been a suspect in a murder plot. In his 23-year tenure with the Ridgefield Theater Barn, Wayne has served on the Board of Directors in every position except Secretary, serving as President for the 1999-2000 season and again for the past 11 seasons. Transitioning to a professionally managed community theater, the Ridgefield Theater Barn is thrilled to provide Wayne the opportunity to step down as President of the Board and take over as Executive Director. (ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org)