<p><strong>Norwalk, CT&nbsp;</strong>– The Norwalk Art Space is proud to announce its upcoming exhibition, “SIGHT AND SOUND: Artists Consider Long Island Sound”, in the main gallery from June 12 through August 28, 2025. This dynamic exhibition features eleven contemporary artists whose work explores Long Island Sound’s beauty, history, and evolving environmental story—one of the region’s most vital yet often overlooked natural landscapes.</p><p>Designed by notable artist, writer, and curator Richard Klein, SIGHT AND SOUND invites audiences to delve into the Sound’s significance through diverse artistic perspectives, shedding light on its ecological resilience, rich cultural history, and striking natural beauty. In designing this exhibit, Klein remarked, “Over eight million people live in the watershed of Long Island Sound, yet for most of the adjacent population, the Sound has a certain invisibility. Other estuaries, for instance, Chesapeake Bay or Puget Sound, are revered and storied. Why has this expansive body of water boasting over 600 miles of coastline—failed to attain the same cultural mystique of its peers?”</p><p>Klein’s personal connection to the Sound deepened in September 2024, when he became the first artist-in-residence at Peck’s Ledge Lighthouse, an initiative sponsored by The Norwalk Art Space. His extended time at this historic beacon between Norwalk and Westport provided a unique vantage point from which to explore and study the Sound’s intricate relationship with its surrounding communities.</p><p>While the Sound has indeed drawn artists to its shores, most notably the art colonies founded in the late 19th century in Cos Cob and Lyme; a new generation of artists has focused on what former president of Yale College, Timothy Dwight, called “this fine piece of water.”</p><p>SIGHT AND SOUND brings together artists who engage with Long Island Sound through a variety of media, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and video. From traditional landscape depictions to contemporary conceptual interpretations, the exhibition showcases a breadth of artistic responses, offering visitors an immersive experience of the Sound’s complexities.</p><p><strong>Participating artists include:</strong></p><ul><li>Frances Ashforth (New Canaan, CT)</li><li>Christopher Baker (Brooklyn, NY)</li><li>Marion Belanger &amp; Martha Willet Lewis (Guildford &amp; New Haven, CT)</li><li>Christopher Coffin (Fairfield, CT)</li><li>Keneth Martin (Norwalk, CT)</li><li>Brechin Morgan (Milford, CT)</li><li>Constance Old (New Canaan, CT)</li><li>James Prosek (Easton, CT)</li><li>Duke Riley (Brooklyn, NY)</li><li>Alexis Rockman (Warren, CT)</li><li>Jeremy Slater (Brooklyn, NY)</li><li>Beth Stewart-Kelly (West Haven, CT)</li><li>Catherine Vanaria (New Fairfield, CT)</li></ul><p><strong>An opening reception will be held on June 12, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM</strong>, featuring remarks from curator Richard Klein and participating artists.Admission is free and open to the public.</p><p>For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://thenorwalkartspace.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);"><strong>thenorwalkartspace.org</strong></a></p><p><strong>About Richard Klein</strong></p>

<p>Norwalk, CT - The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.seaport.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(25, 106, 212);">Norwalk Seaport Association</a>&nbsp;invites you to an evening of exceptional craft beer, delicious food, and community engagement at Space Cat Brewery, located at 57 Chestnut Street in Norwalk. Mark your calendar for Monday, April 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and prepare to indulge in a night of small-batch brews, hard ciders, and chef-driven appetizers by&nbsp;<em>Ripkas Beach Café</em>. Each carefully crafted pairing is designed to enhance the experience and showcase the brewery’s creative touch. From robust IPAs to crisp lagers, Space Cat Brewery’s dedication to using the finest, sustainable ingredients will delight even the most refined beer enthusiasts.</p><p>This fundraiser supports the maintenance of Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Connecticut’s maritime treasure. At this relaxed yet engaging event, guests will hear about the Seaport Association’s exciting plans for 2025, including updates on cruise schedules, renovations to the Lighthouse, the Norwalk Oyster Festival, and new membership opportunities. It’s also a chance to learn about volunteering for an organization that has been preserving Norwalk’s maritime heritage since 1978.</p><p>Tickets are $35 per person and include two drink vouchers (wine, beer and hard cider) and appetizers. With only 100 tickets available, advance registration is required. Don’t miss your chance to support this meaningful cause while enjoying a memorable evening. Purchase your tickets online click&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/norwalk-seaport-associations-spring-kickoff-event-for-2025-on-april-7th-tickets-1253619011209?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(25, 106, 212);">here</a>&nbsp;or call the Seaport Office at 203-838-9444. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a fun, relaxed evening while supporting a worthy cause.</p><p>Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the upkeep of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse and its mission to preserve Connecticut’s maritime history. Join us to raise a glass to tradition, community, and the preservation of our shared heritage!</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>FC Buzz Weekend March 21-23</strong></p><p>HamletHub 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.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/all-in-this-together-highlights-from-our-printmaking-programs-f3bf7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>All In This Together: Highlights from our Printmaking Programs</strong></a></p><p><strong>Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk</strong></p><p>Friday Mar 21, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm</p><p>Over the past 12 months, the Center for Contemporary Printmaking has facilitated the printmaking projects of dozens of artists. We’ve hosted Artists-in-Residence, conducted collaboration and editioning services, offered workshops across a spectrum of printmaking processes, and mentored high school students through our Grace Ross Shanley Fellowship Program.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/colab-a-new-program-by-the-schubert-club-44dcc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>CoLab: A New Program By The Schubert Club</strong></a></p><p><strong>Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Weston</strong></p><p>Friday Mar 21, 2:00 pm - 2:00 pm</p><p>The Schubert Club introduces CoLab, a new pilot program where all ages and all stages come together to perform works from any genre of music: Parents with their children, grandparents with their grandchildren, friends with friends, teachers with students, all combinations or solo. No rules!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/hansel-and-gretel-22eab" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Hansel and Gretel</strong></a></p><p><strong>Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Bridgeport</strong></p><p>Saturday Mar 22, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm</p><p>Get ready to embark on a deliciously delightful adventure as we journey into the enchanted world of Hansel &amp; Gretel at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre! Join Hansel and Gretel, the brave brother and sister duo, as they venture into the mysterious woods and stumble upon a house made entirely of gingerbread—yes, you heard right, gingerbread! But beware, because lurking within is a tricky witch with a sweet tooth and a mischievous plan. Will Hansel &amp; Gretel outsmart the witch and find their way back home?</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/norwalk-symphony-s-music-for-all-ages" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Norwalk Symphony's "Music for All Ages"</strong></a></p><p><strong>Norwalk Concert Hall, Norwalk</strong></p><p>Sunday Mar 23, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm</p><p>Celebrate the winner of our 2025 Concerto Competition with the Norwalk Symphony. Also on the program are Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" narrated by TV News Host Craig Melvin, Gershwin's "American in Paris" and more!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/children-s-pillow-concert-featuring-the-haven-string-quartet" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Children’s Pillow Concert Featuring the Haven String Quartet</strong></a></p><p><strong>Suzuki Music Schools, Westport</strong></p><p>Sunday Mar 23, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm</p><p>The Pillow Concert Series features professional artists performing in an informal setting designed for the whole family. Children of all ages can bring a pillow and sit up close with the performers. Concerts are about 45 minutes long and suitable for children ages 4 and up.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/lila-downs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Lila Downs</strong></a></p><p><strong>Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Sunday Mar 23, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm</p><p>Iconic Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winning singer Lila Downs is one of the world’s most singular and powerful voices. Her compelling stage presence and poignant storytelling transcend all language barriers. Raised in Minnesota and Oaxaca, this global superstar’s exquisite artistry bridges traditions from across the Americas, with influences ranging from the folk and ranchera music of Mexico and South America to North American folk, jazz, blues, and hip-hop. In 2023, Downs released her 14th album, La Sánchez, influenced heavily by music from the north of Mexico.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the <a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a> page at <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a> Sign up for the <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a> to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p>NORWALK, Conn. — Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc. (<a href="http://www.smartkidswithld.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(9, 79, 207);">www.smartkidswithld.org</a>) announced today tickets are on sale for its annual benefit gala,&nbsp;<strong><em>Minds in Bloom: Cultivating Growth for Kids with Learning Differences</em></strong>. The event will be held at Darien’s Woodway Country Club, 540 Hoyt Street, on Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 pm. The organization will be celebrating 25 years of helping children with learning differences.&nbsp;Gala tickets are available at different levels: Advocate: $250 per person/$500 per couple; Benefactor: $500/$1000 per couple. Patron: $2,500 per table/10 guests. Tickets are available online here:&nbsp;<a href="https://smartkidswld.schoolauction.net/2025gala" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">https://smartkidswld.schoolauction.net/2025gala</a>. Customized sponsorships are offered at varied levels, ranging from $1,500 to $15,000 — for details, contact founder Jane Ross at (203) 216-3196. Dress is festive attire; all are welcome.&nbsp;</p><p>Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities is a Norwalk-based nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering parents of children with learning and attention differences. On April 10, Smart Kids will honor its Founder, Jane Ross, with the Community Service Award, and Jake Sussman, Founder and President, Superpower Mentors, with the Be The Difference Award. In addition, six local and long-distance students with learning differences will be recognized and awarded for their success and notable accomplishments. These recipients of the 2025 Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Awards will be announced at the Gala.&nbsp;</p><p>Jane Ross is the Founder and Executive Director of Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc., where she’s worked with distinguished experts and parents of children with learning disabilities since the organization’s launch in&nbsp;2000. Smart Kids’ mission is to help children with learning and attention differences reach their full potential, by educating and empowering parents to help them succeed. In her earlier career in publishing, Jane developed books for major publishers, established book-publishing program at Better Homes &amp; Gardens (Meredith Corporation), co-founded a small independent book publishing company, and served as a consultant in direct-marketing publishing. Her academic background includes an undergraduate degree from Harvard University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Policy from Columbia Business School.</p><p>“We look forward to a wonderfully festive evening, as we join friends and colleagues to celebrate 25 years. I’m thrilled to be honored as both Founder and&nbsp;this year’s Community Service honoree, along side our Be The Difference award honoree, Jake Sussman, in addition to the outstanding young people receiving the 2025 Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Awards. As always, our youth winners demonstrate the wonderful gifts and talents and the very promising future of young people with learning differences,” said Jane Ross, Founder and Executive Director of Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities.</p><p>Jake Sussman, Founder of Superpower Mentors, developed one of the world’s most effective online mentoring programs designed to empower youth and young adults with learning differences to confidently succeed in any environment. Jake has perfected his craft on how to best reach the “unreachable” through thousands of hours of personally mentoring neurodiverse youth around the world. His own experiences with learning differences have been his greatest advantage, as Jake utilizes his stories to bridge the gap between those who think differently and those who do not understand.</p><p>“I’m deeply honored to receive the Be the Difference Award from Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. As someone who once struggled to see my own potential, I know firsthand that the right mentorship can change everything. The world’s biggest problems will be solved by those who think differently, and I am committed to making sure every young person sees their differences as their greatest superpower,” said Jack Sussman, Founder, Superpower Mentors&nbsp;<strong><em>Minds in Bloom</em></strong>&nbsp;will feature a cocktail reception with music from Norwalk guitarist Glenn Roth,<span style="color: rgb(252, 75, 62);">&nbsp;</span>dinner, and silent and live auctions. Christopher Bogart, Ph.D., Executive Director of Sasco River Center (and former Smart Kids with LD Board President), will be the Master of Ceremonies and Sherry Truhlar of Red Apple Auctions will serve as Auctioneer. A few exciting auction items are: club seat tickets to a Yankees game (v. Red Sox or White Sox), 2 floor seat tickets to Billy Joel &amp; Stevie Nicks at Met Life Stadium, 2 orchestra tickets to&nbsp;<em>The Picture of Dorian Gray</em>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<em>Succession</em>&nbsp;star, Sarah Snook, plus lunch Din Tai Fung, and a fishing trip with Cap’n Steve Ehrens out of Fairfield Harbor, among other sought after items and experiences. A variety of gift cards to Fairfield and Westchester County restaurants will also be in play during the ever-popular, Live Auction Feeding Frenzy.</p><p>“Over the past 25 years, Jane has grown this organization into a beacon of hope for families navigating dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. Because of her vision, thousands of children have found a voice, parents have found guidance, and educators have found the tools to better support the students who need them most. Jane’s impact is immeasurable — she has changed the landscape for children who learn differently,” said Laura Heneghan, Smart Kids with LD Board Member&nbsp;</p><p>Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc. is a Norwalk-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fulfilling the potential of children with learning and attention challenges by educating, inspiring, and empowering their parents via its educational programs, award-winning website and blog and free e-newsletter. The organization also educates the public about these children’s gift and talents. Henry Winkler, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor, director and author, serves as the organization’s Honorary Chairman.&nbsp;</p><p>For more information regarding the April 10&nbsp;<strong><em>Minds in Bloom&nbsp;</em></strong>gala<strong>&nbsp;</strong>or Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities at large, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://smartkidswithld.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(9, 79, 207);">smartkidswithld.org</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Photo Caption: Norwalk’s Jane Ross and Westport’s Jake Sussman will be honored at the April 10 Minds in Bloom gala, celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. To purchase tickets, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://smartkidswld.schoolauction.net/2025gala" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://smartkidswld.schoolauction.net/2025gala</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></p>

<p>Supper club Josie &amp; Tony’s, the intimate semi-private dining destination known for its bold flavors and warm hospitality, is introducing a new way to dine: “Shut Up &amp; Eat.” Launching this month, the four-course, no-choice, family-style menu is priced at just $40 per person and is available Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings for full-table participation only. No substitutions. No special requests. And as owner Josh Mesnik puts it: “No whining, just eat.”</p><p>Mesnik, an award-winning sommelier and passionate advocate for making fine dining accessible, designed this experience to strip away decision fatigue while offering an affordable yet upscale culinary experience. “We’re taking the guesswork out of dining and bringing back the joy of sitting down to a thoughtfully prepared meal, just like at a big family table,” said Mesnik. He continued, “It’s about trust, community, and the simple pleasure of sharing great food without distractions.”</p><p>The rotating menu will highlight seasonal ingredients and showcase the creativity of the kitchen, ensuring each night is a unique and immersive dining experience.</p><p>Beyond its innovative approach to dining, Josie &amp; Tony’s is also deeply committed to supporting the local community. To kick off Pride Month, Mesnik is hosting a Broadway theme dinner party gala on May 29, with proceeds benefiting the Triangle Community Center in Norwalk, CT, which provides vital services and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.</p><p>Reservations for “Shut Up &amp; Eat” are now available for Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights, with limited seating to maintain the supper club’s intimate atmosphere.&nbsp;</p><p><em>Photo credit: Colin Clark</em></p>

<p>Immerse yourself and your whole family in an afternoon that&nbsp;celebrates favorite American Classics as well as other&nbsp;importantcomposers.</p><p>We are honored to have Craig Melvin, Anchor of NBC’s Today show and Westport resident, as our narrator for Copland’s&nbsp;<em>Lincoln Portrait</em>.&nbsp;Originally commissioned to be a&nbsp;musical portrait of an eminent American, Copland&nbsp;used material from speeches and letters of Lincoln, as well as original folk songs of the period, including "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camptown_Races" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Camptown Races</a>" and "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Springfield_Mountain" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">On Springfield Mountain</a>."</p><p>Normally found&nbsp;seated&nbsp;as our Principal Violist, Suzanne Corey-Sahlin guest conducts Rossini’s&nbsp;<em>Barber of Seville Overture.&nbsp;</em>Suzannewon this dream role through an auction item from our 85thAnniversary Soiree.</p><p>The concert&nbsp;also&nbsp;features&nbsp;15-year-old&nbsp;pianist Lina Elwood, winner of our&nbsp;13th&nbsp;Annual&nbsp;Concerto Competition.&nbsp;With&nbsp;the&nbsp;full&nbsp;orchestra&nbsp;backing her,&nbsp;she will&nbsp;perform the&nbsp;piece&nbsp;that won her top honors,&nbsp;the first movement of&nbsp;Rachmaninoff’s&nbsp;<em>Piano Concerto #2.</em></p><p>William Grant Still&nbsp;was&nbsp;known as the&nbsp;“Dean of Afro-American composers.”&nbsp;As is the tradition with&nbsp;our&nbsp;March concerts,&nbsp;studentsfrom the Norwalk Youth Symphony’s Principal Orchestra will play&nbsp;the&nbsp;2nd&nbsp;Movement, “<em>Sorrow,</em>”&nbsp;side-by-side with our Norwalk Symphony musicians&nbsp;from&nbsp;Still’s&nbsp;<em>Afro-American Symphony</em>.</p><p>Going out on a high note,&nbsp;<em>American&nbsp;in&nbsp;Paris</em>&nbsp;by George Gershwin concludes&nbsp;the performance&nbsp;– complete with the taxi horns!&nbsp;&nbsp;You have a rare treat to see Music Director and Conductor Jonathan Yates utilize his talents as a concert pianist in this piece!</p><p>One performance&nbsp;only&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Norwalk Concert Hall,&nbsp;125 East Avenue. Individual tickets, which range from $10 for students&nbsp;and&nbsp;children,&nbsp;and&nbsp;$25,&nbsp;$40,&nbsp;and $60 for&nbsp;adults, can be purchased online at the Symphony’s website&nbsp;<a href="http://www.norwalksymphony.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">www.norwalksymphony.org</a>,&nbsp;by calling the&nbsp;Symphony&nbsp;office at 203 956-6771, or at the door.</p>