Arts & Leisure
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Levitt Pavilion Announces Summer Schedule
Westport’s Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts will celebrate its 32nd summer of free entertainment under the stars beginning Sunday, June 26. 
The Beach Boys will perform in a benefit concert Friday, Aug. 5 at the Levitt Pavilion. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
The Beach Boys and Dave Mason will perform at separate ticketed events in August to raise funds for the Levitt, an announcement said.
The season will run through Sunday, Aug. 28, and offer more than 50 nights of free entertainment with a different format each evening to suit all ages and tastes.
The theme of each night: Sunday, Jazz and Big Band; Monday, mostly dark; Tuesday, Potpourri; Wednesday, Children’s Series; Thursday, Classical and Cabaret; Friday, Party Bands; Saturday, Blues/Folk/Rock.
The Beach Boys will perform a special concert on Friday, Aug. 5, and Dave Mason, a founding member of the rock Supergroup, Traffic, and 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, will perform on Friday, Aug. 12.
Sponsored by SAAB of Westport, the Beach Boys concert proceeds will help to underwrite the 52 free nights of entertainment. Tickets range from $50 to $250.
Mason will return with his new band for a performance to benefit the Pavilion’s Education and Outreach Programs. Admission is $25 and tickets.
The RiverSwing Dance Series, sponsored by Weston Capital Management LLC, will also return for dance aficionados this season.
While live music and dancing under the stars is a Pavilion tradition, now dance lessons and a dance floor will be in place for the four programs in this series ranging from American swing to Cuban salsa. Instruction begins 45 minutes prior to show time, organizers said.
The announcement said guests should bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets, or may enjoy refreshments at the Pavilion’s concession stand.
The Pavilion is located on Jesup Road in Westport’s center behind the Westport Public Library. There is ample free parking, with rain locations for the children’s series and selected performances.
For general information or for concert updates, call the concert hot line (203) 221-4422, or visit the Pavilion’s Web site,http://www.levittpavilion.com”> http://www.levittpavilion.com
The full calendar of events:
Sunday, June 26, 7 p.m.
Dynasty’s Caribbean Fiesta
Featuring island music, calypso, limbo dancers, stilt-walkers and
more. S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Monday, June 27, 7 p.m.
Dancing Thru the Decades
YMCA Award Winners perform tap, ballet, jazz and hip-hop. S
Tuesday, June 28, 8 p.m.
U. S. Navy Band
Salute the big-band era and beyond with this show-stopping 16-piece
military band. S
Host: VFW Post 399
Wednesday, June 29, 7 p.m.
The Hall Family
Everyone’s favorite musical group returns for the 14th year. Pre-show
festivities begin at 6:30. S
Sponsor: Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation
Thursday, June 30, 8 p.m.
The Two Tenors
Two celebrated voices and a program of Italian and Irish classical and
romantic favorites. S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Friday, July 1 - No Performance
Enjoy the P.A.L. Fireworks at Compo Beach
Saturday, July 2, 8 p.m.
The Crawdaddies
Cajun, zydeco, funk, swing, soul, reggae, roots, rock, and an
incomparable style of their own. S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Sunday, July 3, 7 p.m.
Rondi Charleston
Backed by an all-star quintet, her abundant talent and sumptuous voice
put an elegant new twist to jazz standards. S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Monday, July 4 - No Performance
Tuesday, July 5, 8 p.m.
Westport Community Band
Our town’s own talented musicians continue a proud Pavilion tradition.
S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Wednesday, July 6, 7 p.m.
Magic of Lynn
Lyn reappears to dazzle us with incredible eye-popping, jaw-dropping
magical tricks. S
Sponsor: Westport Young Woman’s League
Thursday, July 7, 8 p.m.
Mark Verselli, Comedian & Impressionist His comedy and singing voice
bring audiences to their feet coast to coast.
S
Sponsor: Parks and Recreation
Friday, July 8, 8 p.m.
Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys
These Cajun musicians create a unique genre of rock’n'roll known as
swamp pop. S
Sponsor: Evi Allen Special Program Fund
Saturday, July 9, 8 p.m.
Early Clover
A charismatic singer and stirring renditions of classics made famous
by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. S
Sponsor: Evi Allen Special Program Fund
Sunday, July 10, 7 p.m.
The Giacomo Gates Quartet
The smooth and smoky jazz of Gershwin, Porter and Ellington. S
Sponsor: Connecticut Light & Power Company
Monday, July 11 - No Performance
Tuesday, July 12, 8 p.m.
Golden Angels Jazz Band
Dixieland plus! Everyone’s favorites, from Jelly Roll Morton to Hoagy
Carmichael. X
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Wednesday, July 13, 7 p.m.
Jeffrey Friedberg & Bossy Frog Band
Fun, funky and hip, come dance and sing along! S
Sponsor: Westport Young Woman’s League’s. Bring goods for their Food
Drive to benefit local agencies.
Thursday, July 14, 8 p.m.
Moxie
New arrangements of great swing tunes showcase three-part vocal
harmony and jazz rhythm section. S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Friday, July 15, 8 p.m.
Mo’ Guajiro
Cuban salsa, deliciously brash and fun! Dance lesson 7:15. S
Sponsor: Weston Capital Management LLC
Saturday, July 16, 8 p.m.
Irish House Party
A grand tradition: The Gaelic-American Glee Club, house band,
step-dancers and guests. S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Sunday, July 17, 7 p.m.
Eight to the Bar
Swing, boogie-woogie and jump blues! S
Sponsor: Country Living Associates
Monday, July 18 - No Performance
Tuesday, July 19, 8 p.m.
Phil Rosenthal & Bluegrass Union
Five master musicians and some of the finest fiddling and harmony this
side of Grand Ole Opry! S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Wednesday, July 20, 7 p.m.
Circus Minimus
The one man circus-in-a-suitcase is a joyous celebration of the
imagination.
S
Thursday, July 21, 8 p.m.
Michael Coppola Trio
Memorable jazz sprinkled with classical favorites. X
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Friday, July 22, 8 p.m.
DNR
Fairfield County’s all-physician rock-n-roll band plays a most
excellent mix of danceable music. X
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Saturday, July 23, 8 p.m.
HooDoo Blues Band
The winners of the CT Blues Society Challenge are sure to bring the
house down. S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Sunday, July 24, 7 p.m.
Richard Thomas & Friends
A tribute to the greatest singers of our time: Nat King Cole, Lou
Rawls and Sinatra. X
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Monday, July 25 - No Performance
Tuesday, July 26, 8 p.m.
Comedy Club I
Sit down for stand-up as three comic cut-ups deliver a night of laughs.
Rated PG13. S
Wednesday, July 27, 7 p.m.
Mother Goose Jazz Band
A strikingly original, toe-tappin’, brassy introduction to jazz for kids.
S
Sponsor: Westport Young Woman’s League
Thursday, July 28, 8 p.m.
Armstrong Chamber Ensemble
A program of classical summer joys, sensitive artistry and astute
musicianship. S
Friday, July 29, 8 p.m.
Gunsmoke
Authentic western swing and honky-tonk from the tri-state area’s most
popular and awarded country band. Dance lesson 7:15. S
Sponsor: Weston Capital Management LLC
Saturday, July 30, 8 p.m.
3rd Degree
Rardi and friends return from paying their dues in NYC. Their
danceable rock and R&B covers have made this band a Pavilion legend.
S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Sunday, July 31, 7 p.m.
Vince Giordano & his Nighthawks
From Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator, the big band plays the swinging
jazz of the 20s and 30’s. S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Monday, Aug. 1 - No Performance
Tuesday, Aug. 2, 8 p.m.
102nd Army Concert Band
Thirty-five of our nation’s finest musicians and a program of
patriotic favorites. S
Host: VFW Post 399
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 7 p.m.
Trent Arterberry: Mime Out Loud
His blend of classic mime and music has been mesmerizing audiences
worldwide. S
Sponsor: Westport Young Woman’s League
Thursday, Aug. 4, 8 p.m.
Jodi Keogan & Friends
A light-hearted combination of opera, Broadway and cabaret. S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Friday, Aug. 5, 9 p.m.
THE BEACH BOYS
The legendary superstars in a special performance to benefit the Pavilion.
Charge tickets by phone: 226-7600.
Sponsor: SAAB of Westport
Saturday, Aug. 6, 8 p.m.
The Shrdlu Band
Danceable swing, Irish fiddle and steamy swamp music mixed in with
jazz, blues and rock standards spanning the decades. S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Sunday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m. Faker Five
For dancing, or simply listening! Tunes by Taj Mahal, Eric Clapton,
Maceo Parker, Santana and more. X
Sponsor: Downtown Merchant’s Association
Monday, Aug. 8 - No Performance
Tuesday, Aug. 9, 8 p.m.
The Denns
Serving up a tasty mixture of country, folk, blues and all that jazz!
S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m.
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion
The folk duo performs an entertaining mix of their own songs and those
of others. S
Thursday, Aug. 11, 8 p.m.
Chris Norman Ensemble
The music of Maritime Canada, Scotland and Ireland: “Chris is a flute
player of spectacular and imaginative virtuosity” - New Yorker Magazine.
S
Friday, Aug. 12, 8 p.m.
THE DAVE MASON BAND
The rock’n'roll Hall of Famer in a special performance to benefit the
Pavilion. Charge tickets by phone: 226-7600.
Sponsor: Ryan Beck & Co.
Saturday, Aug. 13, 8 p.m.
Ceili Rain
The music of this infectious Celtic flavored pop-rock band deserves to
be heard by the entire world. S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Sunday, Aug. 14, 7 p.m.
Richie Hart Quartet
Traditional jazz stylings by stellar guitarist Richie, Rick Petrone on
bass and Joe Corsello, drums. S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Monday, Aug. 15 - No Performance
Tuesday, Aug. 16, 8 p.m.
Comedy Club II
Three more comedians and an encore laugh night. Rated PG 13. S
Wednesday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m.
Grumbling Gryphons Children’s Theater “A magical weave of
storytelling, music, mythology and masks” - NY Times. Children’s
Workshop 6:00. S
Sponsor: Westport Young Woman’s League
Thursday, Aug. 18, 8 p.m.
West Point Jazz Knights
A bravura performance by the members of the U.S. Military Academy. S
Host: VFW Post 399
Friday, Aug. 19, 8 p.m.
Celebration
Get on your feet and dance to your favorite music from the past to the
present. Dance lesson 7:15 p.m. S
Sponsor: Weston Capital Management LLC
Saturday, Aug. 20, 8 p.m.
Banjo Dan & the Midnight Plowboys
The first American bluegrass band to tour the U.S.S.R. plays a
dazzling mix of Cajun, country, rock’n roll, jazz and blues. S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Sunday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m.
Roomful of Blues
Four Grammy Award nominations: “The hottest blues band around!” -
Count Basie. Dance lesson 6:15. S
Sponsor: Weston Capital Management LLC
Monday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.
Broadway Under the Stars
A cabaret featuring Music Theatre of Connecticut’s young stars of
tomorrow. S
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 8 p.m.
Connecticut Ballet
Beautifully trained dancers in a program of classical and contemporary
ballet. S
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
Dazzling Mills Family
National juggling and unicycle champions: “Hilarious and wonderful” -
NY Times. S
Sponsor: Westport Young Woman’s League
Thursday, Aug. 25, 8 p.m.
Mill River Band
Experience a special blend of acoustic rock, country blues and western
swing. X
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Friday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m.
The British Beat
Everything from the Beatles’ early days through Sargent Pepper,
Abbey
Road and beyond. S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Saturday, Aug. 27, 8 p.m.
Doc Wallace Trio
They take the rollicking music out of the tin-roofed pavilions and
rodeo grandstands of Texas and give it new life on NYC stages, and now
CT. S
Sponsor: Allied Domecq
Sunday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m.
The Fairfield Counts
Enjoy the big band sound and swing with these popular area favorites.
S Please bring canned goods for the Woman’s Club Food Closet.
Sponsor: Westport Rotary
Rain location codes:
S = Saugatuck Elementary School, 170 Riverside Avenue; X = No rain
location.
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Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport