The 2014 Newtown Arts Festival officially kicks off the weekend of Sept. 5 with the opening night of the Town Players' "The Artificial Jungle." Saturday, Sept. 6 "The Newtown Collection," selections of art donated to Newtown from around the world, opens at the Municipal Center. S.H.O.P Artwalk steps off Sept. 6 with the Beatles' tribute band "Ticket to Ride" On the Green in Sandy Hook from 1-3 p.m. Performances of "The Artificial Jungle" will continue through Saturday, Sept. 27 and The Newtown Collection exhibit will remain open until Sunday, Sept. 21.
The Newtown Arts Festival, set for Sept. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on the grounds of Fairfield Hills, will also feature the second annual Rooster Ball dinner dance under the Entertainment Tent on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. Cocktails, dinner, and dancing to the music of Eugene Dobbs' Ultimate Nu Cullers band with catering by Gallucci's Catering of Danbury will highlight the event. Tickets are $75 per person and $560 per table and may be purchased at newtownartsfestival.com.
The two day festival will be full of non-stop performances, workshops, exhibitions, music and over 85 artists and craftspeople offering their works for sale. In addition, there are 15 food booths and the Wine and Beer Garden will be open from noon to 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate and are $5 per person free for children under 12.
"The Commission's purpose is to foster the arts in Newtown," said Laura Lerman, chairperson of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission. "This year, we reached out to a number of organizations around town to help us punctuate the breadth of and depth of cultural offerings which Newtown is fortunate to have," Lerman continued.
"Our goal this year was to involve as many groups as we could," noted Terry Sagedy, chairman of the Newtown Arts Festival. "After successfully expanding the event to eight days in 2013, the further expansion just seemed to take its natural course. I think what we have now is the beginning of September becoming the month of the arts in Newtown for years to come," Sagedy explained. "We welcome one and all to help us celebrate. Most of the events are free to the public with a few exceptions so we hope the festival will be highly accessible to all."
The month long celebration of the arts continues with the second annual Children's Art Party at NYA Sports and Fitness Center on Sunday, Sept. 7. Children and their families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of creative fun and performances
On Monday, Sept. 8, the Commission and the C.H. Booth Library will present "The 3 Wordsmiths." three Newtown writers and performers will be reading from their personal works in an evening of poems, essays and a one-man play performance. The event features award-wining author and poet Charles Rafferty; Barry Dougherty, author and head writer at the Friars Club in Manhattan; and Patrick Kearney, author, playwright and performance artist.
Thursday, Sept. 11 is the opening night of "Doubt" by John Patrick Shanley presented by Stray Kats Theatre Company and Third Eye Productions in their first collaboration. Set in 1964 "Doubt", explores the tensions between a Catholic School Principal and their parish priest when she questions his ambiguous relationship with a troubled student. The cast includes Newtown's Kate Katcher & Patrick Kearney appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association, Norwalk's Molly Garbe (AEA candidate) & Denise Johnson. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at Queen Street Gifts and Treats, 3 Queen Street, Newtown, or online at www.StrayKatsTheatreCompany.org..
On Thursday, Sept. 18, MINE ART! Gallery in Sandy Hook hosts 'Preparing for Art", a riposte to the recent institution, 'National Preparedness Month.' The space will host a conversation and question and answer with a panel of visual artists about how they ready their studio, and themselves, to do the work of making meaningful things.
Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon and Red House Painters, presented by Live at the Edmond Town Hall, will headline the eighth show in popular concert. one of the greatest songwriters to emerge from an exceptionally strong period for alternative music: the early '90s. Kozelek and his group, Red House Painters, crafted a singularly haunting body of work, unparalleled in its vulnerability and honesty. Organized by Newtown resident Hayden Bates, tickets are $25 and available at www.edmondtownhall.org/liveateth.
Closing the festival will be Mr. Smith Goes to Washington at 1 & 4 p.m. Dark Victory, at 7 p.m. on Sept. 21 at Edmond town hall. All tickets $2 at the door. The films continue the Celebration of the 75th anniversary of the golden year of films, presented by The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission. (http://www.newtownartscommission.org/)
Photo source: Newtown Cultural Arts Commission