Mark Twain Library Hosts Interview with Noted Photographer; Hosted by Bill McBrayer of Westport’s Concept One Communications
Press ReleaseSean Pomposello cut his teeth as a street photographer and playwright in New York City where he worked for more than three decades capturing stolen moments of everyday people on the streets of New York in images and on the stage. That came to a full stop when the pandemic hit and he found himself quarantined in a much different visual environment amid the rolling hills of Redding, CT, where he lives with his family. He’ll tell fellow Redding resident, adman and local musician Bill McBrayer about his transformation from shooting busy street scenes to capturing the quiet of country roads in a virtual interview at the Mark Twain Library, Thursday, April 22nd @ 7:30pm.
The program will examine the role of personal narrative in photography as Pomposello shares his images and his story about how the COVID-19 pandemic served to inform the body of his work to include the wooded wonders of his mystical hometown.
“The past year has impacted everyone in so many different ways,” said Mark Twain Library Adult Program Coordinator Elaine Sanders, “We are thrilled to be able to shine the light on Pomposello’s work and address how photography can be used as a tool for personal and professional expression.”
Pomposello’s specialty is catching candid glimpses of the everyday people he encounters which then serve as a character development tool for his dramatic work, which has been recognized by theatres and festivals around the country. His photographs have been featured in a number of publications including Huffington Post, Digital Photography Review and the street photography documentary Everybody Street. A member of the international photography collective, Noise, his work has also toured in galleries across the globe.
Living in Redding for two decades inspired Bill McBrayer’s love for open spaces and nature's wild beauty. Bill is an award-winning writer and creative director, whose work for his Westport-based agency, Concept One, includes a PR Week Campaign of the Year and Adweek's Top Brand Moment of the Year (note: they were different years). He has only missed one Redding Run for The Cows and regularly performs locally as the vocal half of The Resounders.
Register online at www.marktwainlibrary.org, or call 203-938-2545 for information.
Westport Women’s Club Announces May Art Show
Piece by Kerry LongPress ReleaseThe Westport Woman’s Club will host its annual Art Show on Saturday, May 22 and Sunday, May 23 (2:00 pm - 6:00 pm both days, indoors at the clubhouse) at 44 Imperial Ave, Westport, CT. Admission to the Westport Woman’s Club Art Show is free and open to the public; masks will be required and attendance will be limited. This event will follow all protocols mandated by CT and the town of Westport.
Curated by Westport Artist Miggs Burroughs, this popular show features a variety of local artists and their works available for purchase. Event Co-Chairs Jo Fuchs Luscombe and Leah Scherzer share that participating artists are donating a portion of their art sales to fund the club’s community service grants, scholarships and programs.
The roster of WWC Art Show 2021 artists, whose works will be available for purchase, include: Nina Bentley, Amy Bock, Trace Burroughs, Susan Fehlinger, Judith Orseck Katz, Tom Kretsch, Susan Leggitt, Kerry Long, Michael Ledner, Carole McClintock, Bernard Perry, Jon Puzzuoli, Katherine Ross and Jo Titsworth. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for Art Show purchases, as well as charitable donations to the Westport Woman’s Club.
The Westport Woman’s Club thanks its generous sponsors for the 2021 Art Show which include The Drew Friedman Community Art Center, as well as New York artist JoMarie Dilorio who is donating an original piece of art, “Sunflowers Basking”, that will be given via a drawing to an Art Show attendee.
For more information on the Westport Woman’s Club Community Service outreach, please visit “Community Services” on www.westportwomansclub.org.
Drive-In Concert Tickets Go On Sale Monday at 10:00 AM
The Dark Desert Eagles BandThe Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce and Westport Library are pleased to announce the next weekend of Drive-in Concerts. Dark Desert Eagles, will perform the music of America's greatest rock act, the Eagles, on Friday and Saturday night May 14 and 15.
The nationally touring act is staying close to home during the pandemic and will play Westport for two nights bringing a phenomenal recreation of the Eagles, including Joe Walsh music to the drive-in. These are not to be missed concerts.
"If you love the Eagles, you will truly enjoy this show," said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director and president of the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce. "There are cover bands, and then there are truly tributes and this band will meet every expectation.
“It will be ‘One of These Nights" remarked Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. “Time to ‘Take it Easy’ at a Supper & Soul concert at the drive-in! I can’t wait!”
Tickets for each show are $150 per car (5 person max). Tickets for both shows will go on sale on Monday April 12th at 10am. www.westportwestonchamber.com/supper
The rain date for either show is Sunday May 16th.
The sponsor of the event is Franny's of Westport.
Please support local businesses by getting takeout and bringing it to the show.
It is unknown where things will be in terms of the pandemic come the fall. The Chamber, Library and Town will assess the situation as it relates to outdoor concerts. Hopefully things will have returned to normal and Supper & Soul will once again be held in the Library’s Trefz Forum
Westport is Remarkable Once Again as Drive-in Movies Return for the 2021 Season
James and Jack Fenn enjoyed the Remarkable Theater's season opening last night with their father Noah. The boys, wrapped in sleeping bags in the tailgate of their car, enjoyed National Lampoon's Vacation. Westport is Remarkable once again as the silver screen was constructed and sound tests were completed at nearly 1:00 AM Thursday morning in preparation for yesterday’s opening night.
Previews before last night’s 2021 debut. The Remarkable Theater, a non-profit organization run by volunteers, began last year as a way to bring movies back to Westport. However amidst the pandemic, the big screen and staff accomplished much more than showing a movie - they brought a community together in a year when it was so far apart.
With social distancing and safety guidelines in place, the pop-up drive-in movie theater has quickly become a part of the Westport community and became an event that many wanted to keep as tradition, even when movie theaters opened again for customers.
The Remarkable Theater’s mission is to “Build a culturally rich, community focused movie theater to provide purposeful employment to individuals with disabilities.”
Projectionist Daniel Meeson assures the show goes on for viewers at the Remarkable Theater’s opening night. He works from the back of a small box truck, with all equipment being tested until nearly 1:00 AM Thursday morning. Mission accomplished.
While driving into the Imperial Avenue parking lot, guests become part of the remarkable community of staff and fellow guests. The reflective vest-wearing staff guide your car into the lot and answer any questions you may have, or just to say hi. As the engines turn off, neighbors and friends enjoy each other’s company from a distance while lawn chairs and rollable tables are set up for dinner and drinks.
Through the appreciation from the staff members and the honking of the horns in celebration - this is no ordinary movie experience, and it’s one that’s here to stay.
The Remarkable Theater tickets can be purchased here on their website.
Movies include classics such as Jaws or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, or Minari - a movie still in theaters that was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, and won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.
A young viewer enjoys the movie from the trunk of their family’s car. Upcoming Movie Schedule:
Today: Ratatouille (7:30 PM)
Tomorrow, April 10th: When Harry Met Sally (7:30 PM)
Tuesday, April 13th: Minari (7:30 PM)