Playhouse on the Green presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show by Richard O'Brien

Oct. 24 - Nov. 9

Classic kitschy sci-fi and a rock n' roll musical phenomenon.

Friday Oct. 24 at 8 p.m., Saturday Oct. 25 at 8 p.m., Saturday Oct. 25 at midnight, Thursday Oct. 30

at 8 p.m., Friday Oct. 31 at 8 p.m., Friday Oct. 31 at midnight, Saturday Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., Friday Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.,

Saturday Nov. 7 at midnight, Saturday Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.

Tickets $32.

Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St., Bridgeport. Free parking available.
Box office: 866-811-4111 or purchase online: www.playhouseonthegreen.org.

Thirty-six artists from fifteen different countries were selected to participate in this next outstanding biennial art exhibit Latin Views 2008, which opens on September 19, at 6:00 pm at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point Campus, located in the Branford House Mansion.   The Latin Views 2008 will be an extraordinary international celebration of art that will be sure to excite and entertain any art lover.  The exhibit will cover narrative, fantasy, myths, prophesies, spectacle, and the ambiguous territory between the real and unreal.  This exhibit is an invitation to the viewer to enter, explore, and immerse himself in the imaginary world of contemporary Latin artists, which is filled with emotions and imagery. The exhibition will occupy the entire gallery creating the ideal atmosphere to showcase these impressive works of art.   The Latins Views 2008 was curated by the directors and advisors of the LNVA jointly with The Griffis Art Center Board of Trustees and overseen by Julia Pavone, Director of The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art.  The artistic director of Latin Views 2008 is Sharon Griffis, who is also the Director of Griffis Art Center of New London CT and has extensive experience organizing exhibitions throughout Connecticut. Highlighted among the special events of this exhibition is a Panel Discussion organized by the LNVA that will be presented in association with The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at the Marine Science Building, University of Connecticut at Avery Point on the following day of the opening reception, September 20, 2008 at 1:30 pm. Since its inception in 2003, the Latin Views exhibits have greatly evolved and have become the leading medium offering international contemporary art to southeastern Connecticut.  The exhibit will run from September 19th to November 2nd, 2008.  The opening reception will be on Friday September 19th, from 6.00 to 8.00 pm and the panel discussion will be on September 20th at 1:30 pm.

Young guitar great, vocalist and entertainer Rick Derringer was just 16 when his band "The McCoys" recorded the No.1 hit "Hang On Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, knocking "Yesterday" by The Beatles out of the top spot.

"The McCoys" had enjoyed four years of successful touring, when Rick merged his talents with Johnny Winter in 1969 forming "Johnny Winter And" ("And" referring to "The McCoys"). Rick was the only producer of all goldand platinum Winter Brothers recordings. In '71 Rick was featured on three records, "Johnny Winter And", "Johnny Winter And-Live" and "Edgar Winter's White Trash". "And" featured the first version of Derringer's "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" which was also released as a single, then selected again for "And - Live". Eventually the busy Derringer joined Edgar's White Trash full-time and produced the gold LP, "Roadwork". Derringer's solo album, "All American Boy" was released in '73 with the now already popular "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo", this time as a'hit' single. Rick was writer/producer of Johnny Winter's "Still Alive and Well" album and player/producer of the hit album, "They Only Come Out At Night". The latter featured the No. 1,Grammy nominated monster hit, "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride". In 1976 Rick created the Derringer Band. During the latter half of the seventies Derringer released four albums, Derringer, Sweet Evil, If I Weren't So Romantic I'd Shoot You and Face To Face. In 1983 Rick returned to his solo career with the LP, "Good Dirty Fun." Throughout the 70's and 80's the popular Derringer appeared on numerous albums with artists Alice Cooper, Richie Havens, Todd Rundgren and Steely Dan. The list also includes Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisland, Kiss, Mason Ruffner and MadamX. In the mid-80's, Derringer discovered Weird Al Yancovic, producing music for Grammy-winning albums and videos. Derringer's productions of the Michael Jackson parodies, the No. 1 hit "Eat It," and "Who's Fat," have been Yancovic's most successful recordings. Rick was selected to be producer/writer/performer of the World Wrestling Federation LP's. Hulk Hogan's theme song, "I Am A Real American" was written and performed by Rick as a part of these projects. Derringer was once again sought after by Edgar Winter and in 1990, performed for the LP, "Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer Live in Japan". In the late 1990's many shows found Rick and Edgar on stage together and they joined together for an all-star re-union with the White Trash Horns at 1999'sMontreauxJazz Festival. Also in 1999 Rick then collaborated with Edgar as songwriter/guitarist on his "Winter Blues" CD. Through the 1990's Rick has recorded a string of highly acclaimed blues releases on Shrapnel Records Blues Bureau International including "Back To the Blues" in 1993 followed by "Electra Blues," "Blues Deluxe" and his 2000 release "Jackhammer Blues." Derringer's destined-to-be-classic "Tend the Fire" was released in Europe in 1996 to rave reviews and is eagerly expected by his loyal fans here in the US. The year 2001 was a busy year for Rick Derringer and his family 'The Derringers' Rick, Brenda, Lory and Marty. Rick's venture back into Rock and Roll with Superstars Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert produced a recording of intense synergy (DBA - Derringer, Bogert and Appice) with vocals, writing and instrumentals shared by all three.

Westport Arts Center presents:

Optomism

Sept. 26 - Nov. 30

An exhibition examining the role of art as a form of political activism. Open to the public.

Gallery Talkback: Wed, Nov. 12, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

WAC Main Gallery

For more information, contact WAC at 203-222-7070, www.westportartscenter.org, or visit the gallery, M-F 10-4; Sat/Sun 12-4 at 51 Riverside Ave., Westport.

The Merchants of Chester Present:

The Ninth Annual  Costume and Flashlight Parade, Pumpkin Festival and Costumed Art Gallery Opening, Friday, Oct. 31, 2008, 5 - 9 p.m. in Chester Center.

This year United Church of Christ Youth Group will be painting faces in Chester for donations for their mission trip to Kansas to help with tornado relief (www.chesterucc.org). Bring your costumed kids to have their faces painted in town at 5 Maple St. before the parade. Help us help our neighbors by purchasing your dinner on the street in Chester. Chester Food/Fuel Bank will be supplying food and beverages to purchase in town on Halloween Night.

Plenty of Halloween booty!

Come in costume to find your lighted jack-o-lanterns and visit dressed up merchants in their decorated stores and galleries. For more information, email chesterparade@yahoo.com

General Information: Leif Nilsson at 860-526-2077 or consult www.visitchester.com.

Now through Dec. 14 -

Holidaze: The Real Story of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas

Special exhibit at the Henry Whitfield State Museum

Learn why the Puritans did not celebrate Christmas, the myths behind the First Thanksgiving, and how All Hallow's Eve became a night of costumes and candy. The exhibit is available for viewing during regular museum hours and is included with museum admission.

Woodbury painter Matt Wood returns to nature’s essence
in “Pentimento” exhibition at Good News Cafe & Gallery

Woodbury artist Matt Wood returns to the essence of the subjects he paints from the natural world in his new exhibition titled “Pentimento,” showing through Jan. 5, 2009, at the Good News Cafe and Gallery, 694 Main Street South, Woodbury.

A native of southern California, Wood began his artistic odyssey with painting studies at the University of Iowa influenced by the work of Mauricio Lasansky. Wood notes that his own Polish and Russian heritage, and his marriage to Polish native Joanna Czaderna, have established a natural affinity for Lasansky’s passionate approach to the creative process that seeks to use art as a means to raise personal awareness.

Good News Cafe & Gallery is open from 11:30 am to 10 pm daily; closed Tuesdays.
 

Artistry on the Shoreline Holiday Sale

October 20 - January 11, 2009

Visit our website at www.guilfordartcenter.org.

Stamford Theatre Works presents Defiance by John Patrick Shanley

Directed by Patricia R. Floyd

Jan. 28 - Feb. 15

Set in 1971 in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, two U.S. Marine officers, one black and one white, are on a collision course over power, responsibility, and an affair with an enlisted man's wife. Performances on Tuesdays though Saturdays at 8 p.m.; matinees Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.; first Sunday and first Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tickets $25 to $43.

Stamford Theatre Works, 200 Strawberry Hill Ave. (campus of Sacred Heart Academy), Stamford.
www.stamfordtheatreworks.org / Box office: 203-359-4414

Westport Arts Center presents:
Not All Rubber Ducks Look Alike

Thurs., Oct. 30 - Sunday, Nov. 30

Studio Party: Thurs., Oct. 30, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Studio Gallery

Lucy Sander Sceery's whimsical, charming take on rubber ducks.

Open to the public.

For more information, contact Westport Arts Center at 203-222-7070 or www.westportartscenter.org,
or visit the gallery M-F 10-4 and Sat-Sun 12-4 at 51 Riverside Ave., Westport.

October 7 - 25 and October 30 - November 1

Westport Country Playhouse stages "Of Mice and Men," a classic drama by John Steinbeck. Tony Award-winning designer Michael Yeargen will be scenic designer, with the legendary Jane Greenwood as costume designer. $30 - $65. For more information and tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or for out-of-town callers toll-free at 888-927-7529, or visit the box office at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, in Westport, CT. Information about the Playhouse is also available at www.westportplayhouse.org.