Bridgeport Art Trail Set for Nov. 7-10

Bridgeport, CT - Artists welcome the public to the 11^th annual Bridgeport Art Trail. This city-wide arts venue open house weekend is schedule for Nov. 7-10. Discover Bridgeport art; tour artists’ studios; socialize with the creative community; enjoy music, food, and local brews; and satisfy your artistic palate. 

It’s art season in Bridgeport. City-wide preparations are in full swing for the annual Bridgeport Art Trail, now in its 11^th year. Along with artists welcoming the public into their studios, a cluster of Downtown storefronts windows will be activated with art installations. Performances and workshops take place all weekend long including storytelling and poetry writing, music video screenings, live music. The city-wide arts celebration begins Thursday 11/7 with a Downtown artists party attracting hundreds to the Reads ArtSpace, where guests will enjoy art, live music, lite bites and local brews. On Friday evening, there is another full evening of art, food, music and spoken word featuring SavorCity an artful gathering at a local restaurant, followed by a screening of music videos of Bridgeport musicians at the Bijou Theatre. Some videos were shot at Bridgeport landmark locations, including Caravan of Thieves in Mountain Grove Cemetery. The Bridgeport Symphony performs “The Lark Ascending” by Vaughan Williams, with artistic director Eric Jacobsen conducting. The performance takes place in the shuttered Palace Theatre. The sound and the visuals are exquisite.

Saturday and Sunday, it’s all about the artists’ studio spaces, followed by more celebrating. This year there is an art pARTy every night. After touring The NEST Arts Factory, American Fabrics Buildings I & II, Read’s ArtSpace, and 305 Knowlton St, swing back downtown on Saturday for the Pop of Color storefront window installations receptions… but pace yourself and get ready for “Bands at the Boathouse” at 305 Knowlton St. The spacious site will be activated with art and demos during the day and live music at night, featuring the popular bands MIKATA and Orquestra Afinke. Salsa lessons will be available. This concert benefit supports arts enrichment programs for youth in Bridgeport schools, with a suggested $5 admission.

All this art works up an appetite, so munch and mingle at the artists brunch at the NEST Arts Factory before you head out again. Be sure to check out the 2 American Fabrics buildings and pick up some vintage vinyl at the WPKN sale at “AmFab I”. 

The weekend celebration ends the way it began, with a pARTy, of storytelling, good food and drink at the Bijou Theatre. Presenters include; Miggs Burroughs, Morgan Ehst, Pam Einarsen, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Janet Luongo, Luciana McClure, Shanna Melton, Monique St. Paul, and Will Wang. Topics range from art, architecture, activism, mental health and immigration. There is so much more to list, like the annual art trail bike tour, a quilting bee, strolling musicians, Trombone Shorty at the Klein, Bridgeport public schoolteacher art exhibits, and dance workshops.

All the info will be uploaded by 10/24/19 to Bridgeport-art-trail.org Printed program guides will be available at participating locations. Along with the intention to promote the arts, organizers hope attendees will get an overview of the potential of Bridgeport’s creatives as community leaders, enriching the Park City.