Happy birthday to hospital’s own piano man
Scene… Educator Benjamin Schwartz, who teaches middle school English at King School in Stamford, competed in “Jeopardy’s Teachers Tournament” on Friday night, winning $22,001 and a spot in the semifinals, which continue Monday. The tournament, which features 15 educators vying for a grand prize of $100,000, runs through May 17. Contestants had to pass a 50-question/50category test as well as play in a mock round to be chosen for the show. Schwartz, who also works at the nonprofit REACH Prep, is a graduate of Brown University and Columbia University.
On display… C. Parker Gallery on Greenwich Avenue is hosting an exhibit called “Good Times, Big Hair,” featuring the 1980s rock photography of Mark “Weissguy” Weiss. The show opens on Thursday, May 16, in the gallery at 409 Greenwich Ave. Fox 5 New York anchor and silkscreen artist Steve Lacy will guest-host the event, which will feature his one of a kind screen-printed canvas works of Weiss’ images. Weiss is known for his iconic images of rock legends, including Bruce Springsteen, Debbie Harry, Freddie Mercury, Jon Bon Jovi, Gene Simmons and Lynyrd Skynyrd, who is headlining this year’s Greenwich Town Party. Weiss shot the cover photo for the band’s “Lyve from Steel Town” album and directed their “Travelin’ Man” video. The show will be on display through June 3. For more info, go to www.cparkergallery.com or call 203-661-0205.
Out there… Bridgeport Bishop Frank Caggiano will officiate at the dedication and blessing of the Peggy O’Malley Performing Arts Center at the Villa Maria School in Stamford on Friday, May 17. The event will honor benefactors Tom and Mary Alice O’Malley of Greenwich. It will feature a presentation by the students, followed by the blessing and dedication, concluding with a luncheon in the convent. Also, the Sisters of Heart of Mary Convent and their associates, together with Monsignor Kevin Royal and the parishioners in Holy Spirit Parish, will celebrate the 125th anniversary at the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 19, followed by a brunch in the parish center. The celebration will focus on the congregation and all the sisters who were principals and teachers at Holy Spirit School. For more info, call Sister Carol Ann at 203-3220902. To benefit… The Emily Catherine Fedorko Foundation will host a celebration called “Good Chimes” from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Arch Street Teen Center in Greenwich. The event will celebrate the debut of the boating safety education center and the “Emily’s Chimes” restoration project of the historic chimes and tower at Greenwich Point. “Howard Stern Show” producer and foundation board member Gary Dell’Abate will serve as master of ceremonies. There will also be food dished up by OntheMarc catering, specialty cocktails poured by Tito’s Homemade Vodka, along with live music by Fairfield County’s blues band The Skunk Rockets and a live auction. Patrons are asked to don casual attire with a splash of blue in honor of Emily. For tickets ($250 per person), go to www.emsway.org.
Out there… The 12th annual BackCountry Jazz benefit concert takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at Burning Tree Country Club, with cocktails, dinner and a concert with Bennie Wallace, the organization’s founder and renowned tenor saxophonist. Wallace will perform with Grammywinning pianist Peter Martin, drummer Herlin Riley, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, trombonist Corey Wilcox and vocalist Charenée Wade. Since its start in 2007, BackCountry Jazz has provided concerts for over 18,000 students and tuition-free programs, including the Summer Music Camp and an afterschool music program for Bridgeport students. For tickets and more, info go to backcountryjazz.org or call Jeanette Wallace at 203561-3111.
Happy birthday ... Greenwich resident, artist, author and Greenwich Hospital’s piano aficionado Joe “Butch” DeLuca, celebrated 90 extraordinary years on Friday.
And that’s all for now. Later…