Out and about July 26
If you haven’t already heard it, the music has begun at the Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport, a four-day festival that draws people from all over to Bridgeport’s Seaside Park. There will be more than 40 musical acts this year, playing on three different stages. Events geared for families are set for Sunday. And any day you go will provide you plenty of opportunities to soak in the seaside scene.
The Gathering of the Vibes may dominate the entertainment offerings this weekend, but there is still plenty to do all around the area. For instance, opera is set to soar in Stamford. Summer Stampede II comes to the Heirloom Arts Theatre. Chris Hicks of the Marshall Tucker Band and Chris Berardo and the DesBerardos will be in the area, in Stamford and New Haven. Duncan Sheik will get a nod of respect in Ridgefield, where Mary Chapin Carpenter and Marc Cohn are expected to perform.
There’s still more … Sonny Carroll Orchestra will be in Brookfield. Limelight-A Tribute to Rush will be presented in Danbury. Eight to the Bar will be in Milford. The next best thing to Neil Diamond comes to Norwalk. Trevor Babb and Poor Old Shine take the two ends of the day in Stamford. Old School Music’s The Back Up Band & Maydie Myles will be in Westport. Kansas performs in Yonkers. The Rolling Stones get a classical treatment in Simsbury. Jared Catey Trio will be in Bethel. Garrison Keillor and his “Prairie Home Companion” tour will stop in Danbury. Caramoor witll celebrate its 20th Jazz Festival.
If you seek music of another kind, you can hear the sounds of the evening during a “Things With Wings” walk in Stamford. Audubon Greenwich will be enjoying a honey harvest. Other outdoor events include Family Rambles in Hamden, an Open Garden Day in Fairfield, a family canoe program in Miflord and a chance to learn more about the uses of herbs.
In addition to the Vibes, there are other festivals out there this weekend. The fifth annual Connecticut Wine Festival is in Goshen, while Fish Tales, Tugs and Sails Children’s Festival will be in New London. The Old Lyme Midsummer Festival takes place Saturday.
For kids, the Valley Railroad’s Circus Train and Big Top Show comes to Essex. Or see another circus in Westport. “13 The Musical!” comes to the Bijou in Bridgeport.
See TV’s Melissa Joan Hart in a stage reading of “Any Wednesday” in Westport. Or, check out the new musical “LMNOP” in Chester. Connecticut Ballet will bring a caravan of dance to Danbury. For a change of pace, take part in a ghost tour at the Mark Twain House. Or eat some lobster in Milford.
If you want to appreciate some art, you can attend the openings of the summer exhibitions at the Silvermine Arts Center. Check out A Very Wild West Show in Norwalk. The outdoors come in for a show in Greenwich. Pop art, meanwhile, inspires a collection of work in Bridgeport.
Until next time …
