<p>Westport, CT - Once again, MoCA CT will bring rising stars in the piano world to Westport, CT to compete over the course of two days in one of America’s most celebrated cultural events, the 2024 Heida Hermanns Piano Competition. The final round of the competition will take place from November 22-23, 2024.</p><p>This year’s three international finalists, Zehao ‘Nick’ Bai, Carter Johnson and Yongqiu Liu, were selected through an extensive application process where video submissions of their individual performances were chosen from over seventy competitors. The three will be the first ones to premiere a new commissioned work by internationally heralded composer Lowell Liebermann.</p><p>Kristen Young, Director of Performing Arts, stated, "We are thrilled to announce the addition of a newly commissioned work by renowned composer Lowell Liebermann to this year's Heida Hermanns International Music Competition. As we continue to celebrate and elevate the talent of young pianists, this exciting new piece adds an extraordinary dimension to the competition. Liebermann's composition, which reflects his unique voice and innovative style, will challenge and inspire our participants, giving them the rare opportunity to perform a world-premiere work. The Heida Competition has always been about pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, and this collaboration with one of America's leading composers is a testament to</p><p>our commitment to nurturing the next generation of pianists while expanding the repertoire for the piano."</p><p>Judges for the final in-person competition include Chairman of the Jury pianist Frederic Chiu of Beechwood Arts &amp; Innovation, a previously Heida winner himself, Inna Faliks, one of the most communicative and poetic artists of her generation, and ; and critically acclaimed pianist Miki Aoki. Video audition jurists included past Heida alumni Wenjie Lyu, Julia Siciliano, and Alexei Tartakovsky.</p><p>Event Schedule &amp; Special Highlights:</p><p>Friday, November 22</p><p>6:00 PM – 6:45 PM: Welcome Reception with Hors d’oeuvres</p><p>Begin the evening mingling with fellow enthusiasts and perhaps catch a glimpse of our esteemed jury and finalists.</p><p>7:00 PM – 9:45 PM: Finalists' Performances</p><p>Experience the exceptional talent of our three finalists. Witness the future of classical music as they showcase their technical mastery and artistic expression.</p><p>7:00 PM – 7:45 PM: Performance by Zehao ‘Nick’ Bai 8:00 PM – 8:45 PM: Performance by Carter Johnson 9:00 PM – 9:45 PM: Performance by Yongqiu Liu</p><p>Saturday, November 23</p><p>5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Mini Recital and Book Talk by Inna Faliks</p><p>Join Heida Final Round Judge Inna Faliks for an intimate recital and insightful discussion about her new memoir, Weight in the Fingertips. Gain personal insights into her journey from Soviet Ukraine to the world stage, and how her experiences have shaped her illustrious career.</p><p>6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Hors d’oeuvres and Cocktails</p><p>Enjoy delightful food and drinks while engaging in conversations with fellow guests, the jury, and the finalists. It's a perfect opportunity to share your passion for music with other like-minded people.</p><p>7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Judges' Performance and Awards Announcement</p><p>Be captivated by exclusive performances from our prestigious jury members:</p><ul><li>Frederic Chiu</li><li>Miki Aoki</li><li>Inna Faliks</li><li>Julia Siciliano</li><li>Alexei Tartakovsky</li></ul><p>Conclude the evening with the exciting Awards Announcement, where we celebrate the achievements of our finalists and crown the winner of the 2024 Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The winner receives a cash prize of $10,000, and each of the other finalists will receive a prize of $2,500, generously donated by Norman and Suzanne Sorensen.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Prior winners include celebrated pianists who have gone on to perform in the world’s most important halls, such as Spencer Myer, Frederic Chiu, Josh Wright, Timur Mustikimov, and Yue Chu.</span></p><p>Tickets can be purchased for individual events or as a two-day package. Tickets include hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://news.hamlethub.com/fairfield-connecticut/stories/theheida.mocact.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">theheida.mocact.org</a><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">&nbsp;</span>or call<a href="https://news.hamlethub.com/fairfield-connecticut/stories/203.222.7070" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">&nbsp;</a><a href="203.222.7070" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">203.222.7070</a>&nbsp;to learn more</p><p>and purchase tickets.</p>

<p>Westport, CT - Books may be the mainstay, but The Westport Library also carries a wide array of media offerings. From DVDs and Blu-rays, to board games, electronics, and other useful equipment, the Library is committed to expanding its diverse media catalog — and now even offers vinyl records and video games!</p><p>The vinyl collection is on display in the Hub near the Reference desk. Vinyl records can be taken out for 10 days, with an allowance of three records to be taken out at a time.&nbsp;</p><p>Currently, the vinyl collection includes classics like Bob Dylan’s&nbsp;<em>Blonde on Blonde</em>&nbsp;and Pink Floyd’s&nbsp;<em>Dark Side of the Moon</em>, as well as newer releases like Hozier’s&nbsp;<em>Unreal Unearth</em>&nbsp;and Beyonce’s&nbsp;<em>Renaissance.&nbsp;</em>With 100 records across nine genres — rock, pop, R&amp;B, hip hop, jazz, folk, blues, country, and even local artists, including&nbsp;<a href="https://versorecords.westportlibrary.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><em>Verso Records: Volume One</em></a>, a limited press compilation of emerging Connecticut and tri-state area artists recorded in the Library’s own Verso Studios — the collection offers something for everyone.&nbsp;</p><p>For more information on vinyl records, check out the Library’s&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/CollectingVinyl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Collecting Vinyl Resource Guide</a>.</p><p>For the audiophiles and media preservationists, your favorite album can be paired with one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://catalog.westportlibrary.org/polaris/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&amp;pos=25&amp;cn=604351" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Crosley Cruiser Turntables</a>&nbsp;available in the Library of Things, and you’ve got everything you need for a listening party.</p><p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/LOT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Library of Things</a>&nbsp;has much to offer in the media realm, including two Nintendo Switch consoles — and now Switch games are available for borrowing as well, making The Westport Library your one-stop shop for gaming.</p><p>The collection of games is on display by the Patron Services desk. Games can be taken out for one week; holds and renewals are not available at this time.</p><p>If interest grows, so will the Library’s collection. There are currently 50 games available, including fan favorites like&nbsp;<em>Mario Party, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, Animal Crossing: New Horizons,</em>&nbsp;and many more.They're going fast, so grab your must-plays — and your favorite albums — before they're gone!</p><p>Library of Things:&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/LOT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/LOT</a></p>

<p>Westport Country Playhouse has named new members to its Theatre Council, an advocacy group supporting the artistic and&nbsp;community-building mission of the historic theatre, now in its 93rd&nbsp;year.</p><p>The Theatre Council of Westport Country Playhouse is a group of volunteer leaders from Fairfield County and beyond. Members serve as theatre ambassadors through the promotion of and advocacy for the Playhouse’s artistic integrity, expansion of new patronage, and cultivation of a diverse and inclusive environment across its audiences and programming. The Council was initially formed in 2020, but became inactive during the global pandemic.&nbsp;It recently has been revived, under the guidance of Ben Frimmer, Playhouse trustee.</p><p>“I am so excited to bring the Theatre Council back to the Playhouse,” said Frimmer. “The Theatre Council is an incredible ‘friendraising’ group that raises awareness of who&nbsp;we are and what we do. Our tremendous team of volunteers spend their time planning exciting, new events for our members and friends and also increase our audiences by bringing&nbsp;new people into our theatre community.”</p><p>Frimmer<strong>&nbsp;</strong>is a producer, director, and theatre arts educator with over 60 productions and 30 years of experience. He is the director of Coleytown Company and holds a BFA in acting from Ithaca College and an MA in educational theatre from NYU. He serves as deputy chief of Weston EMS and is a Connecticut State EMS instructor.&nbsp;</p><p>Theatre Council members are educators, artists, community organizers, and other individuals who believe theatre, and the Playhouse&nbsp;specifically, to be a vital cultural institution in Connecticut and the performing arts at large. Participants are selected by application, adjudicated by members of the Playhouse board of trustees.</p><p>Westport Country Playhouse Theatre Council members are:</p><p><strong>Ari Benmosche</strong>&nbsp;is the owner of Westport-based JACA Management and serves as president of JACA Entertainment Corp., overseeing the operation of a historic, single-screen movie and vaudeville theatre in Suffern, NY. Benmosche is currently serving as an elected official on the Representative Town Meeting for District 8 in Westport.</p><p><strong>Carin Freidag</strong>&nbsp;holds a BA in theatre. Although she went on to a career in the corporate world, she has been involved voluntarily in local theatre as a performer and serving on the board of the Wilton Playshop for many years. Freidag was an original member of a previous iteration of the Westport Country Playhouse Theatre Council in 2020.</p><p><strong>Ivy Kramer-Gosseen</strong>&nbsp;is a senior account executive at Winston Staffing in NYC. She holds a BA in both psychology and sociology from the University of Wisconsin and an MSW from NYU. She is currently on the executive board of AWARE-CT and the Federation of Greater Fairfield County. She was formerly president of Hadassah of Westport.</p><p><strong>Jeff Gurner&nbsp;</strong>has made a career in the arts for three decades, working as an actor, director, producer, musician, writer, and educator. He has performed on and off Broadway, regionally, on national and international tours, and in television series, and is an award-winning audiobook narrator. His theatre production company is Tequila Talking Theatrical.</p><p><strong>Kerri Joller</strong>&nbsp;is an HR leader and executive coach with over 15 years of experience working with high-growth organizations in NYC. She graduated from The University of Delaware with a BA in business marketing and is a Certified Professional CoActive Coach (CPCC). As a youngster, she volunteered at the Playhouse as an usher with her grandmother.</p><p><strong>Diana Mashia</strong>&nbsp;has spent her career at the intersection of finance, strategy, research, and social impact. She manages operations and marketing for Mastercard Community Pass. She a holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a B.A. from Barnard College in art history and economics.</p><p><strong>Carolina Mata</strong>&nbsp;has led communication and stakeholder experience functions at organizations including IBM, Xerox, Pitney Bowes, Whirlpool, and Activision Blizzard,&nbsp;building campaigns and messages that resonate, engage, and inspire. She holds a BA degree in journalism from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame.</p><p><strong>Rachel Rosado Murray</strong>&nbsp;is an entertainment attorney and performer. She received a BFA in acting from the University of Connecticut, where she was a three-time recipient of the UConn Fine Arts Talent Scholarship. She earned a J.D., cum laude, from New York Law School. Her extensive on-stage experience includes the outdoor symphonic drama, “The Lost Colony.”</p><p><strong>Rabbi Zachary A. Plesent</strong>&nbsp;serves as the associate rabbi at Temple Israel in Westport, and is an alumnus of Indiana University. Theatre has long been a love of his, and his rabbinic studies in New York allowed him to be a frequent theatregoer during his time at seminary.</p><p><strong>Sara Robbin</strong>&nbsp;is a graduate of Cornell University and Emory Law School. After practicing law for many years at both a large NYC law firm and in-house at the 9/11 Memorial &amp; Museum, she found her true passion as a legal writing professor at Fordham Law School. She now has her own company assisting students with college and graduate school admittance essays.</p><p><strong>Elizabeth Salem</strong>&nbsp;graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in music. She performed professionally on the New York stage, television, and in independent films, and co-founded a non-profit theater company. She owns Salem Productions, a production and investment company primarily focused on developing original work in NYC and London.</p><p><strong>Meredith Walker</strong>&nbsp;is a seasoned theatre educator with over 15 years of experience in the field. She holds a BA in theatre studies from the University of Connecticut and an MA in theatre education from Emerson College. Currently, she serves as the director of admissions for the Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts, a new two-year college conservatory program.</p><p><strong>Claire Wilkes</strong>&nbsp;began her career in non-profit theatre administration with the Women’s Project, now the WP Theatre. As an actor, she appeared in multiple productions with The Westside Repertory and Third Eye Repertory. She is a proud alumna of Barnard College, and TRU’s Producer Development and Mentorship Program.</p><p>Westport Country Playhouse 2024 Programming and Season Sponsor is Barbara Streicker. Media sponsors are Moffly Media and WSHU Public Radio. Westport Country Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.</p><p>A complete schedule of Playhouse events is available at <a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC Buzz Weekend Beginning November 15-17</strong></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/fantastic-stories-meet-wondrous-visions-art-exhibition---opening-reception" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Opening Reception of</strong>&nbsp;<strong>"Fantastic Stories Meet Wondrous Visions" Art Exhibition</strong></a></p><p><strong>Wilton Library</strong></p><p>Friday Nov 15, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm</p><p>Fourteen area artists from Wilson Avenue Loft Artists will bring holiday spirit to Wilton Library's November-December art exhibition "Amazing Stories and Wondrous Visions." Wilson Avenue Loft Artists (WALA), founded in 2007, is located on the border of Norwalk and Rowayton and provides studio spaces for artists working in a variety of media, including painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture, and photography. WALA's goal is to provide a supportive environment for making artwork and connections to the arts community, especially during their annual Open Studio Weekend.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/holiday-marketplace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Holiday Marketplace</strong></a></p><p><strong>MoCA CT</strong></p><p>Friday Nov 15, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm</p><p>Shop a curated selection of local artisans, offering unique, items perfect for everyone on your list. Plus, your $10 ticket includes admission to MoCA CT’s current exhibitions, blending holiday shopping with a cultural experience.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/elf-the-musical-fddd5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>ELF the Musical</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts</strong></p><p>Friday Nov 15, 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>ELF The Musical is the hilarious modern Christmas classic about Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This must-see Broadway holiday production is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/historic-homes-tour-colonial-wilton" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Historic Homes Tour: Colonial Wilton</strong>!</a></p><p><strong>Wilton Historical Society</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 16, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm</p><p>Settlers arrived in Wilton in the 17th-century, with a written account of the area around 1640. From wilderness, to parish, to official town in 1802…Homes that were built by these founding Wilton families continue to beautify the landscape today, including great examples of the Saltbox, Georgian, and Federal styles.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/open-day-at-new-pond-farm-education-center" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Open Day</strong></a></p><p><strong>New Pond Farm Education Center</strong>!</p><p>Saturday Nov 16, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm</p><p>Stop by to learn more about our stunning landscape, the diverse habitats, our fascinating history, the varied wildlife, the multitude of educational opportunities, in addition to our warm and welcoming staff. Meet our new calves, piglets, and other barnyard residents, tour our Woodland Indian encampment, explore our trails, visit with our delightful program animals, and enjoy a delicious farm treat!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-space-we-exist-in-curated-by-larry-ossei-mensah-15c05" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>"The Space We Exist In" curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah</strong></a></p><p><strong>Heather Gaudio Fine Art</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 16, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm</p><p>Heather Gaudio Fine Art is pleased to present The Space We Exist In, a ground-breaking exhibition curated by the renowned Ghanaian-American art curator Larry Ossei-Mensah. This is the first time the gallery invites a guest curator to organize an exhibition. The group show will open on November 16th and will run through January 18th, 2025. The public is invited to attend an opening reception and curator talk on Saturday, November 16, 4-6pm.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/easton-arts-council---juried-photography-exhibition-reception" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Easton Arts Council Juried Photography Exhibition Reception</strong></a></p><p><strong>Easton Public Library</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 16, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>The juror, Johnes Ruta will present two first place winners with $100 for our Easton and General categories.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/norwalk-symphony-and-violins-of-hope---november-16-2024" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Norwalk Symphony and Violins of Hope</strong></a></p><p><strong>Norwalk Concert Hall</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 16, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>Members of the Norwalk Symphony are honored to be included in a concert featuring string instruments rescued after the Holocaust. The concert will take place on November 16, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Norwalk Concert Hall and will include explanations and demonstrations of these historic instruments by docents and the luthiers.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/pride-of-new-york-playing-the-annual-gregg-and-clare-burnett-memorial-concert" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Pride of New York playing the Annual Gregg and Clare Burnett Memorial Concert</strong></a></p><p><strong>Gaelic-American Club</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 16, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>A not-to-be-missed evening of traditional Irish music by some of the best-known musicians this side of the Atlantic-- Joanie Madden, Brian Conway , Billy McComiskey and Brendon Dolan. An opportunity to hear these multiple award-winning traditional musicians who have performed around the world and have many, many recordings and honors among them. Sponsored by the Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society and the Gaelic-American Club of Fairfield.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/a-celebration-of-the-music-of-rev-ed-thompson-by-nyc-s-choral-chameleon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>A Celebration of the Music of Rev. Ed Thompson by NYC's Choral Chameleon</strong></a></p><p><strong>The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 16, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm</p><p>The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport (“UU Westport”) invites the community to join in celebrating their Minister of Music, the Rev. Dr. Edward Thompson, who is retiring from UU Westport after more than 46 years. Dr. Thompson who has led the congregation’s renowned choral music program, is also a prolific composer and his works will be performed by NYC’s Choral Chameleon Ensemble. 7:30 PM on Saturday, November 16. Ample parking is available and the building is wheelchair accessible.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/arttalk-by-artist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>ArtTalk</strong></a></p><p><strong>Artworks Gallery on the Green</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 16, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm</p><p>Full Circle- Showing 5 years of work by Gloria Santoyo Ruenitz. A Mixed Media artist working primarily on encaustic paint. Her work is abstract and narrative. Each layer tells a story.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/pre-holiday-stamford-history-center-tag-sale-weekend-04cb6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Pre-Holiday Tag Sale</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford History Center</strong></p><p>Saturday Nov 16, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm</p><p>SHC Fall Tag Sale Fundraiser returns November 16th from 9am - 3pm with an Encore Day on November 17th. This is your opportunity to find treasures and gifts large and small! Antiques, furniture, art, books, jewelry and more. We recommend arriving early for the best selection. All proceeds benefit Stamford History Center.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-greenwich-art-society-is-offering-drawing-painting-for-the-serious-young-artist-9a613" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Drawing &amp; Painting for the Serious Young Artist</strong></a></p><p><strong>The Greenwich Art Society</strong></p><p>Sunday Nov 17, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm,</p><p>This four-week workshop is for students who want to improve their drawing skills and transition into painting. Drawing fundamentals such as composition, light and shadow, negative space and mark making will be covered. Painting in black and white will lead to painting in the gray scale. We will touch on color theory and paint with acrylics for the last class.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/norwalk-symphony-violins-of-hope-for-kids-families" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Norwalk Symphony &amp; Violins of Hope for Kids &amp; Families</strong></a></p><p><strong>Discovery Science Museum &amp; Planetarium</strong></p><p>Sunday Nov 17, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Norwalk Symphony has partnered with members of the Holocaust Resource Center to share music and information about the Holocaust with children and families.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/weston-stories-local-lore-storytelling-event" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Weston Stories &amp; Local Lore Storytelling Event</strong></a></p><p><strong>Weston History &amp; Culture Center</strong></p><p>Sunday Nov 17, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Celebrate Tellebration! Do you love sharing family history with others? Love local lore and want to tell some tall tales? Are you a long-time Weston or Fairfield County resident who has interesting stories to tell? Then join the Weston History &amp; Culture Center and storyteller, Arnie Pritchard of The Connecticut Storytelling Center on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 2pm at the Weston History &amp; Culture Center for the “Weston Stories and Local Lore Storytelling Event”. It’s an interactive afternoon of storytelling in celebration of Tellebration – a storytelling phenomenon, made up of dozens of storytelling happenings all over the world.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/gallery-exhibition-opening-reception" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Gallery Exhibition Opening Reception</strong></a></p><p><strong>Center for Contemporary Printmaking</strong></p><p>Sunday Nov 17, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm</p><p>Be among the first to see the prints included in the new exhibitions. Meet some of the artists in our member community. Gather with other print enthusiasts as you enjoy light appetizers and beverages.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/sunday-soundscapes-trio-ondata---beethoven-haydn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Sunday Soundscapes: Trio Ondata - Beethoven-Haydn</strong></a></p><p><strong>Weston Public Library</strong></p><p>Sunday Nov 17, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm</p><p>Trio Ondata is a New Haven-based ensemble consisting of violinist Michael Ferri, cellist Miriam Liske-</p><p>Doorandish and pianist Anthony Ratinov. Formed at the Yale School of Music in 2022, this bold and exploratory ensemble swiftly garnered attention on the national stage, winning the Silver Medal and the inaugural Horszowski Trio Prize at the 2022 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. In the same year they won the Yale School of Music Chamber Music Competition, and in 2023 they received both the Gold Medal and the Audience Choice Awards at the Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the FCBUZZ EVENTS page at<a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a>&nbsp;Sign up for the Cultural Alliance eBuzz to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p>

<p><strong>Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand&nbsp;Reading of New Play&nbsp;“A Danger to Yourself and Others”&nbsp;on Monday, November 18</strong></p><p><strong>The reading of this humorous crime caper offers a fast-paced but heartfelt take on living with anxiety in the modern age.</strong></p><p>Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand playreading of “A Danger to Yourself and Others,” a new play that takes a humorous look at what it’s like navigating life with anxiety, on Monday, November 18, at 7 p.m.&nbsp;Written by Colette Mazunik and directed by Brendon Fox, the play is the winner of Gulfshore Playhouse’s New Works Festival, Naples, Florida.</p><p>“Colette Mazunik’s ‘A Danger to Yourself and Others’ is a fast-paced, wry, and wonderfully witty tale of romance, trust, mental health, deception... and identity theft!,” said Mark Shanahan, Playhouse artistic director and curator of the Script in Hand playreading series. “Mazunik leads us through a labyrinthine maze of wild secrets and unexpected plot twists, all while keeping the story rich with heart and humor.”</p><p>Shanahan added, “It’s always a joy when we can feature a vibrant new work in our Script in Hand series. Under Brendon Fox’s expert direction and featuring an extraordinary cast, this promises to be a memorable night at the Playhouse as we help launch this exciting new play.”</p><p>“A Danger to Yourself and Others” takes place the week before&nbsp;Thanksgiving. Eddie, anxious and in debt, tries to rob a gas station. Instead, he falls for the station clerk, bungles a burglary, gets caught with a weapon, evades hospitalization, flees from the police, and has his library card revoked. The play is a farcical look at what it’s like navigating life with anxiety, never knowing if the gnawing feeling in your gut is a dose of good, old-fashioned intuition…or irrational fear. The play was developed in the DCPA Theatre Company's Playwrights’ Group, Denver.</p><p>The cast includes&nbsp;<strong>Heather Botts&nbsp;</strong>as Leah (Broadway: “Dr. Zhivago,” Lincoln Center Theater’s “My Fair Lady”; National Tour: LCT’s “The King and I” as Anna; TV: “This Is Us”; Regional Theatre: “The Secret Garden,” “The Light in the Piazza,” “South Pacific”;&nbsp;<strong>Derrick Cobey&nbsp;</strong>as Charlie (Westport Country Playhouse: Script in Hand playreadings “Satchel Paige and The Kansas City Swing,” “Ripcord”; Broadway: “Kiss Me Kate” second revival, Kander and Ebb’s “The Scottsboro Boys”; Off-Broadway: “The Tin Pan Alley Rag, “Ragtime”);&nbsp;<strong>Téa Guarino</strong>&nbsp;as Shelby/Trina (BFA in acting from Rutgers University; credits include the New York premiere of “Good Bones” at The Public Theater, “A Hundred Words for Snow” with Connecticut Repertory Theatre; Television: “Law &amp; Order: SVU”).</p><p><strong>Stephanie Machado</strong>&nbsp;as Mara (“Gods Untitled” - Playwrights Horizons, New Works Lab;&nbsp;“An Enemy of the People,” “Indecent,” “Assassins” - Yale Repertory Theatre”; MFA Yale School of Drama, BFA SMU<span style="color: windowtext;">;&nbsp;</span><strong>Brian Owen</strong>&nbsp;as Eddie (Westport Country Playhouse’s “Camelot”; “Sesame Street,” “That Parenting Musical,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Dog Man: The Musical,” “Chains,” “Baskerville,” “The 39 Steps,” “Cabaret,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”; @difficultlemondesigns);&nbsp;<strong>Rhonda Ross</strong>&nbsp;as Dr. Woodle&nbsp;(Westport Country Playhouse: Playhouse Radio Theater’s “Special Delivery,” Script in Hand playreading of “The Outsider,” former Playhouse intern; singer/songwriter and Emmy-nominated actress; daytime television’s “Another World” as Toni Burrell).</p><p><strong>Faith Sandberg</strong>&nbsp;will read stage directions (Stage: “Fun Home,” “Peter &amp; The Starcatcher,” “Mamma Mia”; originated roles of Terri in new musical “The Good Girl,” Sophie in an adaptation of “Tom Jones,” Kitty in season one of HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”);&nbsp;<strong>Christine Lemme&nbsp;</strong>is stage manager (Broadway: “Reasons to Be Pretty,” “Swan Lake”; Off-Broadway: Irish Rep, Lincoln Center Theater; National Tours: “The Vagina Monologues,” “Chess,” “Company”).</p><p>Playwright&nbsp;<strong>Colette Mazunik</strong>&nbsp;is a writer and educator living in Denver. Her plays include “Hellfire &amp; Ham” (commissioned by Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company), “A Danger to Yourself and</p><p>Others” (winner of the Gulfshore Playhouse New Works Festival), and “Ravening” (published in&nbsp;<em>Stage It and Stream It</em>&nbsp;by Applause Theatre and Cinema books). Short films include “Thanksgiving Dinner” and “Match.” Her short films have been official selections for the Madrid International (Best Story nominee) and the Bermuda International Film Festivals, among others. Her short play “The Matthew Portraits” was a finalist in the Samuel French OOB Festival. This year her work will be featured in The Best Women’s Stage Monologues 2024. She was an inaugural Playwright Fellow at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and has partnered with aerospace engineering scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder to write about near-earth space debris. As a teacher, she loves to create safe spaces for students to hone their skills and shape their unique and diverse stories. MFA in playwriting from the Actors Studio Drama School at New School University. Member, Dramatists Guild.</p><p>Director&nbsp;<strong>Brendon Fox</strong>&nbsp;is the artistic director of Peterborough Players in New Hampshire, as well as a director, teacher, author, producer whose work has been seen from Los Angeles to Prague. He has worked internationally at several theaters and training programs. His article “Directing Two Crucial Moments in ‘Long Day’s Journey into Night’” appeared in the&nbsp;<em>Eugene O’Neill Review</em>. Directing credits include: “The Winter’s Tale,” “Henry Six Part Three,” “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at Prague Shakespeare Company; “Twelfth Night” at Hanover Repertory (MA); “Judith” at Urbanite Theatre (World Premiere) (FL); “A Hundred Words for Snow” at Connecticut Rep (US Premiere); “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at Colorado Shakespeare Festival; “Long Day’s Journey into Night” at American Stage (FL); “Baskerville” at Long Wharf Theatre (CT) and a co-production of Cleveland Playhouse / Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (OH); “Angels in America” (Parts One and Two) at PlayMakers Repertory Company (NC); “Opus” at Portland Center Stage (OR); “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” at Houston Shakespeare Festival; “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and “Much Ado About Nothing” at Old Globe Theatre (CA). Fox has helped incubate new work at Gulfcoast Playhouse’s New Play Festival in Florida, JAW in Portland, New Harmony Project in Indiana, and the Asolo New Play Festival. He has taught at programs such as Juilliard, USD / Old Globe, UNCo, FSU / Asolo Rep, and others. Member, SDC.<a href="http://www.foxdirector.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> www.foxdirector.com.</a></p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">Tickets are $30; limited availability. Running time is two hours with one intermission. Age recommendation is age 14 and up.</span></p><p><span style="color: windowtext;">For full details, visit:&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/a-danger-to-yourself-and-others/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/a-danger-to-yourself-and-others/</a></p>

<p><strong>Westport Country Playhouse Presents “Alan Cumming &amp; Ari Shapiro: Och &amp; Oy! A Considered Cabaret” on November 22</strong></p><p>Westport Country Playhouse will present Alan Cumming (“Cabaret,” “The Good Wife”) and Ari Shapiro (NPR’s “All Things Considered,” “Pink Martini”) with tunes and tall tales in “Och &amp; Oy! A Considered Cabaret,” on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. The event is sold out.</p><p>The show’s main title “Och &amp; Oy!” plays on Cumming’s Scottish and Shapiro’s Jewish backgrounds. The subtitle, “A Considered Cabaret,” nods to Shapiro being known for “All Things Considered” and Cumming for the musical “Cabaret.” Their show combines the best bits of public radio with the best bits of a musical, where they have deep, thought-provoking conversations and also entertaining, perhaps slightly bawdy, musical numbers. What comes together is an old-fashioned cabaret that offers a mix of songs, Q&amp;A, and personal storytelling – which both men have been doing in various ways for decades.</p><p>Cumming said, “I’ve got to know Ari over the last few years, both socially and when he interviewed me for a couple of events. The last time was an evening in D.C., and by the end of it I realized our chemistry and the unusual combo of us, as well as the fact that Ari has an amazing voice, would make for a really great cabaret show.&nbsp;And kapow!&nbsp;We’re doing it!&nbsp;What I love most is it’s fresh and ever-changing.”</p><p>Shapiro added, “When Alan first suggested that we create a show together, I didn’t quite believe him.&nbsp;Then as we started to dig in to this collaboration, I realized how much our professional lives actually complement each other.&nbsp;We’re both storytellers who try to help audiences better understand themselves and the world around them. This show lets us explore those shared ideals on stage together, through stories and songs.”</p><p>Performer bios are on their websites:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.alancumming.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">http://www.alancumming.com</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://arishapiro.work/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://arishapiro.work/</a>&nbsp;Musical direction is by Henry Koperski.</p><p>Tickets are $110, $115, $125. The event is sold out. Running time is 90 minutes; no intermission. For full details, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/och-and-oy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/och-and-oy/</a></p><p><br></p>