Stories
<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Some performances entertain. Others move you. And then there are those rare, transformative works that stay with you long after the final curtain falls. </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Few Words: A Dance Cycle</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> is one of those productions. For one week only, from March 26–30, A.C.T. of CT invites audiences to experience a breathtaking, emotional journey told not through dialogue, but through the language of movement and music.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Conceived and directed by A.C.T. of CT’s visionary Artistic Director, Daniel C. Levine, </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Few Words: A Dance Cycle</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> is unlike anything the theater has produced before. Inspired by the evocative compositions of A.C.T.’s Resident Music Supervisor, Bryan Perri, this original work explores the depths of human connection, resilience, and love—without a single spoken word.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Levine, deeply moved by Perri’s newly released album </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Few Words</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, saw in its melodies the potential for something greater—stories yearning to be told through dance. And so, he created a piece that captures moments of joy, heartbreak, and understanding in their purest form. Collaborating with four renowned choreographers—Jennifer Archibald, Sara Brians, Ellenore Scott, and Maleek Washington—Levine brought to life four distinct yet thematically intertwined narratives, each revealing the power of communication beyond language.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The stories unfold like vignettes, each one a testament to the human experience:</span></p><ul><li><em style="background-color: transparent;">The Legend of the Nun of Monna Tessa</em><span style="background-color: transparent;"> (choreographed by Sara Brians) – A poignant love story set in Tuscany, where devotion transcends time and fate.</span></li><li><em style="background-color: transparent;">Jane Goodall & David Greybeard: A Landmark Encounter</em><span style="background-color: transparent;"> (choreographed by Jennifer Archibald) – The groundbreaking connection between a scientist and a chimpanzee that forever changed our understanding of communication and empathy.</span></li><li><em style="background-color: transparent;">Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell</em><span style="background-color: transparent;"> (choreographed by Maleek Washington) – A deeply emotional exploration of love, identity, and the silence imposed by policy.</span></li><li><em style="background-color: transparent;">The Story of Marta C. González: The Prima Ballerina with Alzheimer’s Disease</em><span style="background-color: transparent;"> (choreographed by Ellenore Scott) – A stirring tribute to the enduring power of memory, music, and dance.</span></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With a full orchestra of 13 musicians performing live on stage, their presence subtly woven into the visual tapestry of the production, the result is a symbiotic masterpiece—music and movement intertwined in perfect harmony. The musicians appear behind the dancers, bathed in a soft, flickering glow, creating a sense of intimacy that amplifies the emotional resonance of each performance.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Levine’s passion for dance and storytelling stems from his own Broadway career and a lifelong admiration for dancers—the unsung heroes of the stage. “Dancers are the hardest-working, most collaborative artists out there,” Levine shares. “They create magic with their bodies, expressing emotions words cannot. That’s what drew me in—the idea of telling stories with few words, using only our bodies, our energy, our intention.”</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What makes </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Few Words: A Dance Cycle</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> so profoundly moving is its ability to speak directly to the heart. Whether it’s the tender love story unfolding in a Tuscan monastery, the silent plea for acceptance and identity, the undeniable connection between human and animal, or the prima ballerina awakened by music, each piece resonates on a level that words could never reach.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A.C.T. of CT is known for its Broadway-caliber productions, and </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Few Words</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> is no exception. But this piece is also a bold step forward—proof that theater can evolve, challenge, and inspire in new ways. The overwhelming response has led to an additional performance on Sunday, March 30, at 7 PM, giving more audiences the chance to witness this extraordinary work.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As the lights dim and the first notes of Perri’s score fill the theater, prepare to be transported. This is more than a performance—it’s an experience, a journey, a revelation. For ninety minutes, words become unnecessary. The language of music and movement takes over, and in that shared silence, we understand everything.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Don’t miss your chance to witness </span><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Few Words: A Dance Cycle</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">—a groundbreaking work that proves the most profound stories are sometimes told without words at all.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Purchase tickets </span><a href="https://ci.ovationtix.com/36285/production/1200842" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://ci.ovationtix.com/36285/production/1200842</a></p>
<h2><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Local Business Champion: </strong><a href="https://www.gotoyoungs.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Young’s of Ridgefield.</strong></a></h2><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dan Rella and Chris Couri share the Young's story with HamletHub.</strong></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How and where did Young’s begin?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The original Young’s Feed Store opened in 1948 on Catoonah Street (where Colonial Cleaners is currently located) and supplied several types of animal feed to local farmers. The store was a mainstay of the community. In 1978, John Couri, a successful businessman and entrepreneur, purchased Young’s. John had settled in Ridgefield a few years earlier after marrying Elaine Conklin, a local girl with deep family roots in town. </span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How has the business evolved over the years?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">After Couri took over the business, he expanded it into a Feed & Garden store, selling plants, soil and mulch in addition to animal feed and hay. In 1982, they expanded again, opening a power equipment showroom at 99 Danbury Road (where Young’s is currently located). </span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In 1981, Couri hired Dan Rella to be manager of both the feed store and the power equipment store. In 1984, Young’s Feed & Garden left Catoonah Street and merged with the power equipment operation at the larger location on Danbury Road. There they continued to sell feed and garden supplies alongside John Deere tractors and other equipment. In 1990, an equipment rental arm of the business was added. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Young’s expanded again and became a full-service residential landscaping contractor in 1995. Arnie Nielsen joined the team in 1998, the same year that Chris Couri graduated from Babson College. Chris took the reins of Young’s in 2001 and, with Dan Rella, expanded the business to include estate management and commercial landscaping. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In 2010, Young’s was forced to close the Feed & Garden retail store as well as the rental equipment business when John Deere pulled their licensing rights and big-box stores started taking over the garden supply market. Never ones to be discouraged, Young’s pivoted and started selling and installing fences alongside their landscaping services. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Since then, Young’s has grown into a full-service fence and landscape business, employing more than 35 employees. The company has been named a “Top Workplace in Fairfield County” by Hearst Media Group in 2023 and 2024. It is a true family environment, with some team members working at Young’s for more than 25 years. Dan Rella and Chris Couri still lead the team today. </span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Do you support any local nonprofits or collaborate with fellow small businesses?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Young’s love to support our local nonprofits in any way that we can. In the past few years, we have had the pleasure of supporting Founders Hall, The Ridgefield Theatre Barn, The Lounsbury House, Leir Retreat Center, The Ridgefield Library, The Ridgefield Garden Club, Jesse Lee Church Pumpkin Patch, SPHERE and many of the local PTA’s, sports teams and Scout troops.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Learn more about Young’s by visiting their website </span><a href="https://www.gotoyoungs.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.gotoyoungs.com/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Follow along on social media @</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/youngsofridgefield/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">youngsofridgefield</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Young’s is located at 99 Danbury Road in Ridgefield. </span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p>
<p>The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum will host its largest annual fundraiser, Aldrich Gala in the Garden, on Saturday, April 26, at 6 PM in the Museum’s newly renovated Sculpture Garden. This year’s event honors Governor Ned Lamont and the State of Connecticut, along with artist Maren Hassinger. The Gala raises crucial support for The Aldrich’s mission of presenting and commissioning the work of emerging and underrecognized artists.</p><p>For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit <a href="https://thealdrich.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://thealdrich.org/</a>.</p><p>This year’s Gala will be the first held in the Museum’s Sculpture Garden following its recent revitalization. The evening will feature cocktails at the Museum, followed by dinner, a live auction, and a special performance. Actress and singer Renée Elise Goldsberry and actor/production designer Christopher and Sherman Meloni will serve as honorary co-chairs.</p><p>This year, The Aldrich celebrates Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and the State of Connecticut in recognition of their recent support for the Museum’s Sculpture Garden renovation project. Governor Lamont has been an ardent supporter of the arts, working to secure funding for arts organizations across Connecticut and recognizing the importance of these institutions in connecting communities and supporting tourism. Under his leadership, Connecticut has prioritized funding for the Connecticut Office of the Arts and established the state’s cultural district designation, which was awarded to Ridgefield in 2021.</p><p>The Museum will also honor artist Maren Hassinger, whose work is currently on view in the Sculpture Garden as part of the exhibition <em>A Garden of Promise and Dissent</em>. Hassinger’s five-decade career spans sculpture, film, dance, performance, and public art, exploring the relationship between the natural world and industrial materials. Her work is included in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Hirshhorn Museum (Washington, D.C.), the Museum of Modern Art (New York), and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, among others.</p><p><em>Photo: Claudio Papapietro</em></p>
<p><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Editor's note: the image you see here, courtesy of A.C.T. of CT is from the theater's powerful production: Few Words, A Dance Cycle</em></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Friday, March 28</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/empower--elevate-mastering-business-balance-and-brilliance" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Ridgefield Chamber’s Women’s Forum</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/rockin-for-connor-at-ridgefield-theater-barn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Rockin’ for Connor at Ridgefield Theater Barn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.actofct.org/few-words-a-dance-cycle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Few Words - A Dance Cycle at A.C.T. of CT</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, March 29</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/the-doo-wop-project" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">The Doo Wop Project at The Ridgefield Playhouse</a></p><p><a href="https://www.actofct.org/few-words-a-dance-cycle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Few Words - A Dance Cycle at A.C.T. of CT</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/danbury-hat-tricks-present-karen-connor-runs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Hat Tricks Present: Karen Connors Runs</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, March 30</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/author-talk-with-janet-ettele---how-joyous-effort-works" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Author Talk with Janet Ettele at Ridgefield Library</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/sunday-afternoon-tour-at-the-aldrich-1743028150733" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Sunday Afternoon Tour at The Aldrich</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hamlethub.com/ridgefield-connecticut/al-di-meola" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Al Di Meola at Ridgefield Playhouse</a></p><p><a href="https://www.actofct.org/few-words-a-dance-cycle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Few Words - A Dance Cycle at A.C.T. of CT</a></p><p><br></p>
<p>Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center’s (KTM&HC) Revolutionary Perspectives series continues this April - National Fair Housing Month - with a free film screening and panel discussion about the historical context and present-day impacts of Connecticut's housing crisis. Join us in KTM&HC’s Garden House on Thursday, April 24 at 6:30pm! </p><p>The evening begins with a screening of CT Public's <em>Fighting for Home: How Housing Policy Keeps Connecticut Segregated</em>. The hour-long special, which originally aired in June 2024, explores how the legacy of exclusionary zoning and redlining imposed a painful divide we see today in our state’s current housing crisis. From CT Public: "Our towns and cities are segregated by race and class because of systemic barriers that have persisted over time. Witness the struggle and determination of those fighting for change."</p><p>The film will be followed by a dynamic conversation between Melissa Kaplan-Macey, the chief initiative officer for the Centers for Housing Opportunity at the Housing Collective, and Rashida Rattray-Reid, education and outreach coordinator at the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. </p><p>KTM&HC's Revolutionary Perspectives series celebrates innovative approaches to how we discover, interpret, and share American history, with an emphasis on themes of memory and identity. The series is supported by a grant from the Wadsworth R. Lewis Fund. Thank you!</p><p>For more information, go to <a href="http://www.keelertavernmuseum.org/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.keelertavernmuseum.org/events</a>. Parking is available onsite at 152 Main Street, Ridgefield. </p>
<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Here…at The Marketplace at Copps Hill: </span><a href="https://www.atableus.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">À Table</a></h2><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">À Table (pronounced Ah TAH-bluh) means “come to the table.”</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">À Table is prepared foods, imported French goods, homemade pastries and desserts, fresh baked sourdough, homemade pastas, sauces, dressings, chef-driven frozen dinners, homemade sausages, and then some.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Our hope is that we can make it easier to come to their table by just coming here and picking it up. Everything has heat and serve directions and you can have a beautiful meal in 10 minutes that’s fresh,” Chefs Sarah and Bernard say.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For more details, visit –</span><a href="http://www.atableus.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> www.atableus.com</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> or call: (203) 438-8282</span></p>
<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Golf Performance Center To Host Demo Day On April 12</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Golf enthusiasts are invited to experience the latest in golf technology at The Golf Performance Center’s Demo Day on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m (please arrive 15 minutes early to warm up!)</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This event is open to the public and includes lunch, providing a great opportunity for golfers to test new equipment and connect with industry experts. </span>Reservations required, visit <a href="https://thegolfperformancecenter.com/demo-day" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://thegolfperformancecenter.com/demo-day/</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Attendees will have the chance to try out the newest gear from top vendors, with additional demo days planned throughout the year. Those who register with each vendor can take advantage of hands-on testing and explore the latest advancements in golf equipment.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As an added bonus, all registered participants will receive 10% off their entire purchase and be automatically entered into a raffle to win a Scotty Cameron putter, with the drawing set to take place in August.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For those looking to fine-tune their game, a premium club fitting session is available for $175 per hour, which includes a dozen golf balls of their choice.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Reservations are required to attend. To secure a spot, visit </span><a href="https://thegolfperformancecenter.com/demo-day/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://thegolfperformancecenter.com/demo-day/</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> For more information, call (203) 694-0091 or email </span><a href="mailto:customclubs@thegolfperformancecenter.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">customclubs@thegolfperformancecenter.com</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(122, 122, 122);"> </span></p>