Donovan Frankenreiter, surfer-singer/songwriter, will cool it down at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Wednesday, August 6

"To me the most beautiful thing about this record is it really reflects who I am today," says singer/songwriter Donovan Frankenreiter. Start Livin' means stop worrying about where you've been, where you're going -- just start embracing what you have around you. Start loving what you have right now." A good philosophy of life. Summer is a great time to bring this popular surfer-turned-musician back to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Wednesday, August 6, at 8 p.m., for an evening of his signature laid-back sound and his latest release, Start Livin'. It's his fifth full-length effort of folk-infused songs that sweetly reflect the simplicity of the music, which is the follow-up to 2010's Glow. With its smooth showcasing of Frankenreiter's rich, honey-thick vocals and masterful guitar work, Start Livin' bears all the intimacy of an impromptu back-porch performance and the tenderness of a treasured love letter. Special guest is Tom Curren, a drummer/guitarist who is also a singer/surfer.

For Frankenreiter, the essence of Start Livin' is most fully captured in its album-opening title track. Accented by handclaps and stick-in-your-head harmonies, "Start Livin'" is a feel-good, up-tempo call to "celebrate tonight".

It's not surprising that a pro surfer/singer is being underwritten by The Ridgefield Bicycle Company, a local sports shop with some high-energy patrons. This event is part of the Doyle Coffin Architecture Singer/Songwriter and Xfinity Rock Series. Added value for ticket holders: Bissell House (378 Main St., Ridgefield) is offering a free glass of house wine or draught beer with dinner the night of this show when tickets/stubs are presented. In the lobby before the show and during intermission, concertgoers will learn how Love Hope Strength (LHS) saves lives, one concert at a time. LHS turns concerts into lifesaving events through their "Get on the List" campaign that places fans on the national marrow donor registry. At last year's Donovan Frankenreiter concert, a match was found, and eight matches have been uncovered over the course of the last few years at Donovan's concerts alone. Love Hope Strength has found 1,017 matches for patients who have attended rock concerts, which makes both the artists and fans feel good.

For tickets ($37 orches., $28 mezz.), all or visit the box office at 203-438-5795, or order tickets online atridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.