Category: Arts & Leisure - Page 227

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Main Street Bobby Q’s Finale

Terrapin, a Grateful Dead tribute band, and mainstay at Bobby Q’s restaurant on Westport’s Main Street, plays for the last time tonight before the restaurant closes at the end of the month. The restaurant has been home to music on Main Street since its 2004 opening. According to band members Terrapin will be the first act to play when Bobby Q’s opens in its new location at 11 Merwin St. in Norwalk this summer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Matthew Mandell for WestportNow.com

Thursday, March 10th, 2016

Getting Ready for Ann Chernow Exhibit

Westport Arts Center Visual Arts Manager Jill Sarver today oversees the installation of the Center’s latest exhibition, “Noir; Ann Chernow.” It features paintings, drawings, lithographs, and etchings by Westport artist Ann Chernow, inspired by American Noir filmmaking. Many works were recently completed and have never before been seen by the public. The opening reception will take place Friday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibition runs through April 23. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Marina White for WestportNow.com

Wednesday, March 9th, 2016

Susan Granger at the Movies: ‘Zootopia,’ ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon:…’ ‘Gods of Egypt’

By Susan Granger

Special to WestportNow

Is it too early for a 2017 Academy Awards prediction? “Zootopia” will not only be nominated and, unless Pixar tops it in the next few months, the Mouse House will win Oscar gold for Best Animated Feature.

In this modern metropolis, anthropomorphic mammals have evolved beyond their primitive predator/prey status, each species living peacefully within its own appropriate habitat, like Sahara Square, Tundratown, Rain Forest and Little Rodentia.

Plucky Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) is an idealistic rabbit who is not content to work on her family’s carrot farm with her 225 siblings. When a bullying fox bothers her classmates, she shows an early aptitude for conflict management, becoming the first bunny to enroll in the Police Academy.

Despite graduating at the top of her class, Bogo (voiced by Idris Elba), her gruff Cape buffalo boss, makes tiny Judy a lowly meter-maid while larger, more experienced officers investigate an intriguing case involving 14 missing mammals.

Tuesday, March 8th, 2016

Sell Out Crowd for David Bowie Tribute

Westporters Jane Green and Fiona Garland tonight thank the sell out crowd at the Westport Country Playhouse tribute they organized to David Bowie. The event featured a number of musicians who have played with, among others, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, James Brown, Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, and Carole King. Proceeds go to Keep a Child Alive, Bowie’s charity of choice. The English singer, songwriter and musician, who also worked as an actor and record producer, died Jan. 10 at age 69. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Bowie Fun

Part of the sell out crowd tonight at the Westport Country Playhouse tribute to the late English musician David Bowie. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Gallery: David Bowie Playhouse Tribute

Scenes from tonight’s David Bowie tribute at the Westport Country Playhouse. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Remembering Howard Munce, 100

By James Lomuscio

UPDATE (adds memorial service) Howard Munce, the Westport artist whose career as illustrator, art director, teacher, sculptor and author spanned generations earning him the sobriquet “dean of Westport artists,” died Saturday, March 5 at his Rockyfield Road home, his daughter, Mary Bewster said. He had turned 100 in November.

Howard Munce viewing his work “The Empty Stall” (acrylic on board) on display at the Westport Arts Center in 2011. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

A Westport resident since 1935, Munce’s tall, thin, spry, and until recently energetic presence ubiquitous in town arts circles appeared ageless. More than an elder statesman, he seemed a living link to the community’s vibrant, creative identity in the latter part of the 20th century.

It was an era of illustrated magazine covers, billboards and Dashing Dans to Madison Avenue agencies where art directors held clout. Munce was one of them, rising to creative director at Young & Rubicam, where he met and soon married his wife Geraldine, in 1950.

“I don’t know of anybody else who’s alive today who could speak of the arts history of this town,” said filmmaker Martin West, whose 2009 town documentary “Years in the Making” showcased 50 town artists.

Monday, March 7th, 2016

Howard Munce, 100, Dean of Westport Artists

UPDATE Westport artist Howard Munce died Saturday at his Westport home at age 100, said his daughter, Mary Brewster, of Redding. Known as the dean of Westport artists, Munce had a long career as an advertising agency art director, graphic designer, illustrator, cartoonist, author and well known art teacher. He is pictured in 2008 when he was grand marshal of the Westport Memorial Day parade. See obituary here. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ted Horowitz for WestportNow.com

Gallery: Howard Munce 1915-2016

Scenes from the life of Westport artist Howard Munce, who died Saturday at the age of 100. Dave Matlow, Larry Untermeyer, Phyllis Groner, Lynn U. Miller, Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com and contributed photos

Sunday, March 6th, 2016

La Voz de Tres at Arts Center

The jazz ensemble La Voz de Tres performed today at the Westport Arts Center. Brian Torff, jazz curator of the Center, said of the group: “Vocalist Natalia Bernal is an exceptional artist, a vocalist of depth and great musicality. In tandem with her partners, guitarist Jason Ennis and keyboardist Mike Eckroth, they make a sound that is intimate, warm and melodic.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com