PLAN ON IT
Best of the arts in the weeks ahead
BETHEL Comedy
Bethel Comedy Night, Daily Fare, 13 Durant Ave. April 30, 7-10 p.m. Live stand-up comedy in the parking lot of Bethel Train Station and Daily Fare. Doors open at 7 p.m., showtime is 8 p.m. $20 per person. Mask wearing and social distancing are required. Bring your own lawn chairs or other seating in order to properly socially distance six feet apart from other parties. No tickets sold at the door. Rain date: May 2, 7 p.m. fairfieldafterdark.com
BRIDGEPORT Comedy
Taylor Tomlinson, Bridgeport Stress Factory Comedy Club, 167 State St. April 29, 7:30 p.m., April 30, 7 & 9 p.m., May 1, 7 & 9:30 p.m. $180-$60. Shows will follow all State guidelines for reopening. bridgeport.stressfactory.com
Music
Benny Mikula, Black Rock Social House, 2895 Fairfield Ave. April 29, 6 p.m.; Alligator, May 1, 6 p.m.; Sunday Jazz Brunch with New Haven Jazz Underground, May 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. fairfieldafterdark.com
Visual Arts
Arcade Mall, City Lights Gallery, and Ursa Gallery. City Lights and Ursa Gallery offer companion exhibits: City Lights exhibit, “Pandemic Art;” and “Here Comes the Sun” at Ursa Gallery. Art galleries open until 7 p.m. citylightsgallery.org, bridgeport-art-trail.org
“Photorealism: Fixing the Fleeting Moment,” Housatonic Museum of Art on the Housatonic Community College Campus, 900 Lafayette Blvd. New exhibit on view through Dec. 2021; “The Roots of Abstraction,” exhibit on view through Aug. 31, 2021. An appointment to visit the museum is necessary, and visitors must be prepared to comply with social distancing rules and wear protective face masks. Housatonic Museum of Art will also make the exhibit available as a slideshow, virtual tour and as a print-on-demand catalog. 203332-5052, housatonicmuseum.org
DANBURY Stage
WCSU Dept. of Theatre Arts Spring Virtual Production Series: “SWEAT” by Lynn Nottage, streaming April 29 & May 8; Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” streaming April 30 & May 9; “The Covid Decameron,” streaming May 1 & May 6; “Hedda Freeman-A Contemporary Adaptation of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler,” streaming May 2 & May 7. Tickets for each performance are $10, or $30 for access to one performance of all four shows. A ticket to each performance date will allow the purchaser to access the show over the course of 24 hours that day. Tickets available at wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com
Visual Arts
“Abstractions: Shadows & Runes” photos by Joy Bush, Gallery at Still River Editions, 128 E Liberty St. Through May 28. Viewing inperson and virtually. Regular gallery hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Open to 1 or 2 visitors from the same household at one time, masks required. 203-791-1474, stillrivereditions.com
DARIEN Visual Arts
“Nature. Emotion. Connection. Community” works by Meredith Mulhearn, Geary Gallery, 576 Boston Post Road. May 1-29. In-person exhibit. Gallery hours: Wed-Sat 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 203-655-6633, gearygallery.com
FAIRFIELD Visual Arts
“Unique Expressions” group exhibit featuring paintings by artists, Gaby Collins-Fernandez, Gary Petersen, Kelsey Shwetz, and Yorgos Stamkopoulos, Hollis Taggart Gallery, 330 Pequot Ave. Through May 8. Masks required and all COVID protocols followed. Gallery hours: Wed-Sat 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.-2 p.m. info@hollistaggart.com, 212-628-4000.
“Outside” show by Art/Place members, Fairfield Theater Company building, 70 Sanford St. On view in the gallery daily 11 a.m.-5 p.m. until futher notice. 203-3191404
“By Design: Theater and Fashion in the Photography of Lalla Essaydi” art exhibit featuring photos by Lalla Essaydi, 3-D virtual tour and audio guide, presented by Fairfield University Art Museum’s Walsh Gallery in the Quick Center for the Performing Arts, on view through the museum’s website, through May 21. thequicklive.com fairfield.edu/museum
GREENWICH Films
Focus on French Cinema, the annual Francophone film festival presented by the Alliance Française of Greenwich, will screen 10 premiere films in French with English subtitles, through April 30. FFC will feature the Cinema of Belgium. Visit website for schedule of films and tickets. focusonfrenchcinema.com
Visual arts
Exhibit of Paintings by Suellen Frick Lash, Greenwich Hospital Garden Cafe, 5 Perryridge Road. Through June 30, 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. daily. All works can be purchased by contacting the Greenwich Art society, Mon-Fri 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 203-629-1533 or e-mail admin@greenwichartsociety.org
“Greenwich Gardens & Landscapes, Past & Present,” Greenwich Historical Society, 47 Strickland Road. Through Sept. 5. Spring Exhibit features rarely seen architectural and landscape drawings and photos of some of Greenwich’s finest gardens designed by pioneers of American landscaped design. Member preview days: April 29, 30. Open to the public May 1. Admission to the Galleries is advanced online ticket reservation only. Masks required. 203-8696899, greenwichhistory.org
MILFORD Music
Live Music: Acoustic Mafia, Milford Sports Pub & Grill, 290 Old Gate Lane. April 29, 7-10 p.m.; The Cold Ones, April 30, 8 p.m. 203252-2550. fairfieldafterdark.com
Milford Performance Center Drive-In Live Concert Series: Christine Ohlman & Liberty DeVitto-The Queen Meets the King, Connecticut Post Mall Sears Front Lot, May 1, 7 p.m. $95-$55. Tickets are based on a per car basis with up to 4 people in a car. Food trucks. Keeping each car socially distant will allow for up to 4 people to sit outside the car with a barrier of a car and distance between vehicles for a safe and enjoyable concert experience. Backup FM transmission. 203-723-3672. Tickets at milfordperformancecenter.org.
NEW CANAAN Visual Arts
“Sagerman and Clement: HighPerformance Color” paintings by Robert Sagerman and sculpture by John Clement, Heather Gaudio Fine Art, 66 Elm St. Through May 1. 203-801-9590, rachael@heathergaudiofineart.com. heathergaudiofineart.com
“David Hartt: A Colored Garden,” The Glass House. Exhibit on view through Nov. 15. theglasshouse.org
“Spectrum Contemporary Art Exhibit Ode to Color,” through May 15. “Through Our Eyes IX New Canaan High School Art Exhibit,” Carriage Barn Arts Center, 681 South Ave. Exhibit will also feature a juried selection of work by NCHS Alumni. In gallery & virtually online. Gallery hours: Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m. Admission is free. Masks required. 203-5943638, carriagebarn.org
NEW MILFORD Visual Arts
“Still Life and Landscapes” by Susan Grisell, Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio, 11 Railroad St. May 1-30. Gallery hours: Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m. gallery25ct.com
NORWALK Music
Norwalk Symphony Orchestra offers Streamed Spring Chamber Music Concerts: “Woodwinds & Brass,” May 21, 7 p.m. $20 per household, $5 students. Tickets at norwalksymphony.org/buy-online
Outdoors
Saturday Sunset Cruises, Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 N Water St. Departure times: May 1, 8 & 15, 6:30 p.m. and then May 22July 31, 7 p.m. $31.50, $26.50 Aquarium members. COVID precautions include reduced capacity, physical distancing and required face masks. Food and drink may be brought aboard in a small bag or soft-sided cooler, and must be consumed on the outdoor decks. Advance reservations required. 203-852-0700, ext. 2206 or maritimeaquarium.org
Stage
The Elm Shakespeare Teen Troupe Presents William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” Edgerton Park, 75 Cliff St. April 30, 6 p.m.; April 31 & May 1, 4 p.m. Tickets are a $5 donation to the program. elmshakespeare.org/teen-troupe.
“TRU,” Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, 509 Westport Ave. Through May 9. Showtimes: Fri 8 p.m.; Sat 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun 2 p.m. Performances in-theatre and live stream. $70-$39 for in-person tickets that can only be purchased by calling the MTC Box Office at 203-454-3883. Live-stream tickets $28 and may be purchased online at musictheatreofct.com. e-mail: admin@musictheatreofct.com
Visual Arts
“A Slug’s Life: Facing the Climate Endgame,” Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St. Through June 13. Exhibit features forms and adaptations of animals from ocean reefs, discover the important warnings they can tell us about climate change. The exhibit blends live marine animals with sculptures of a type of sea slug called nudibranchs by New Haven artist Gar Waterman, plus photos by divers from around the world. Limited guest capacity, masks required, ticket sales online with timed entries. $26.95, $24.95 age 65+, $19.95 ages 3-12. Free with admission. 203-852-0700, maritimeaquarium.org
“Health, Healing & Addiction in 19th Century America,” LockwoodMathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave. Through Oct. 17. “Socially Distant Art: Creativity in Lockdown,” Through Aug. 29, and will be held in the Billiards Room. For more information on schedules, tour tickets and programs visit lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, 203-838-9799.
“Abstraction,” Rowayton Arts Center, 145 Rowayton Ave. Through
May 15. Gallery hours: Tue-Fri noon-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-1 p.m.rowaytonarts.org
RIDGEFIELD Comedy
A Night of Comedy with Jessica Kirson and Christine O’Leary & Her All-Stars, Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge. May 1, 4:30 p.m. Opening acts are Playhouse comedy students, Bill Greene and Allison Stockel. Live show takes place outdoors under a tent next to the Playhouse. $38 In-person and virtual. 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org
Music
Live Music with Mark Bridgman, Sarah’s Wine Bar, 20 West Lane. April 30, 7 p.m. fairfieldafterdark.com
The Badass & The Beautiful-Ms. Lisa Fischer with Taylor Eigsti, Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge. May 2, 4 p.m. $42. Socially distanced, limited capacity performance. Face masks required at all times. Live stream tickets also available. Tickets at ridgefieldplayhouse.org, or visit or call the box office. 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org
Visual Arts
Music Inspired by Art: Harpist Wendy Kerner, Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum Gallery, 258 Main St. May 2, 1-3 p.m. $12. Inspired by Tim Prentice’s kinetic sculptures, harpist Wendy Kerner will perform pieces by composers including Alan Hovhaness, Philip Glass, Brandee Younger, and Edward Thompson. Timed-entry tickets or reservations required. aldrichart.org
“After the Mobile,” a two-part solo exhibit by artist Tim Prentice that features twenty indoor works, five outdoor works, and a video portrait of the artist, presented both in the Museum’s galleries and Sculpture Garden. The indoor exhibit on view through Oct. 4, and the outdoor installation on view from Sept. 19, 2021-April 24, 2022. “Frank Stella's Stars, A Survey,” on view in the Sculpture Garden and in the galleries, through May 9. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St. aldrichart.org
STAMFORD Films
Avon Theatre, 272 Bedford St. In-Person screenings: “Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street,” April 29, 7 p.m. $14.50, $9 Avon members. Open seven days a week, screening new releases with safety protocols in place. Tickets and schedule at avontheatre.org
Visual Arts
“Artistic Celebration of Motherhood,” virtual exhibit offered online by Stamford Art Association, May 1-31. Opening: May 1, 4 p.m. on Zoom. stamfordartassociation.org
“Vivian & Stanley Reed Marine Show,” online exhibit offered by Stamford Art Association Townhouse Gallery, June 12-July 17. Opening: June 12, 4 p.m. Now accepting artists submissions. Deadline is May 16. Entries through bit.ly/3uQrWZS. Artists acceptance will be posted by May 27 on the SAA's website. 203-325-1139, stamfordartassociation.org
“The Artistry of Fans Exhibit” and “Stamford's Toy Chest Exhibit,” Stamford History Center, 1508 High Ridge Road. Duel exhibits on view through June 1. For visiting hours visit stamfordhistory.org, 203-329-1183.
STATEWIDE
Inside or Out: The Connecticut Art Trail, April 29-Labor Day. The Connecticut Art Trail, a nationally recognized partnership between world-class museums and historic sites, is celebrating the re-opening of Connecticut and the re-opening of nearly all of the member sites. $25 Art Passport provides access and admission to all of participating art centers to enjoy great exhibits and events. Learn how you can follow the Trail and purchase you Passport at ctarttrail.org/artpassport
STRATFORD
Music
Live Music with Sal Grillo, Station House Wine Bar & Grill, 2520 Main St. April 29, 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Danny Trzcinski, April 30, 7 p.m. Mask required. 203-377-1648, stationhousewinebar.com
WESTPORT Music
Outdoor Concert: Matt Nakoa, MoCA Westport, 19 Newtown Tpke. April 30, 7 p.m. $50, $42.50 seniors, students. Rain date: May 1, 7 p.m. 203-572-2720, mocawestport.org
Stage
Westport Country Playhouse announces an all-virtual 2021 Season, featuring a new comedy and a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama, two archival productions recorded in HD video, and four Script in Hand playreadings. The all-virtual season will open in June. Script in Hand playreadings begin in April, and continues in June, Oct. & Dec. For information and to purchase tickets to the virtual season, visit westportplayhouse.org, leave a message on the box office voicemail at 203-227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org
“Rent Control,” virtual Script in Hand playreading written and performed by Evan Zes, hosted by Westport Country Playhouse, available on-demand through May 2. Virtual tickets are $20 individual, $40 pair, $80 household streaming experience. Each purchase entitles the ticket buyer to one individual link. Tickets at westportplayhouse.org, leave a message on the box office voicemail at 203227-4177, or e-mail at boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org
Visual Arts
Westport Woman’s Club hosts its annual Art Show, Westport Woman’s Club, 44 Imperial Ave. May 22 & 23, 2-6 p.m. both days. Indoors at the Clubhouse. Masks required and attendance limited. westportwomansclub.org.
Watercolor paintings by artist Katherine Ross, Westport Book Shop’s Drew Friedman Art Place, 23 Jesup Road. The exhibit is open to the public through April, during the Book Shop’s business hours: Tue-Fri 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun noon-5 p.m. Closed Mon.
“Smash” Exhibit devoted exclusively to the videos of contemporary artist Marilyn Minter, MoCA Westport, 19 Newtown Tpke. Through June 13. $10, $5 students/ educators, seniors (60+), free children 12 & under, Military Personnel and Healthcare Providers with ID. 203-572-2720, mocawestport.org
WILTON
Music
International Jazz Day: Hot & Cool Jazz Concert with Pianist Taylor Eigsti, virtual concert hosted by Wilton Library on Zoom, April 30, 7-8:30 p.m. Non-refundable $20 fee per “ticket” (the Zoom invitation link) when registering. Visit website for details on the concert and to register. wiltonlibrary.org 203-762-3950.
Visual Arts
Wilton Historical Society’s online show, “Citizens at Last: Hannah Ambler, Grace Schenck and the Vote”on-line exhibit runs through Sept. 21, 2021.
Art in the Barn exhibit, “Adaptation: Artists Respond to Change,” browngrotta arts, 276 Ridgefield Road. May 8-16. Opening: May 8, 1-6 p.m. Exhibit hours: May 9-16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Advanced time reservations are mandatory. To ensure the well-being of all visitors and staff, there will be a maximum capacity of 15 visitors per time slot. Surfaces will be disinfected between reservations. Masks required. browngrotta.com.