Tom Hamilton's guiding creative principle is very simple: he doesn't like to repeat himself artistically.

For the Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter and guitarist, this mindset stems from a deep-seated motivation to keep pushing himself as an artist — to delve into different lyrical themes and musical detours, to explore potentially uncomfortable and unfamiliar emotional places. "That's a thrilling prospect," says Hamilton. "To find the deeper things inside and to open up those doors that I didn't even know were there."

As founding member of Brothers Past, American Babies, Joe Russo's Almost Dead, Ghost Light and Billy and The Kids, Hamilton has written/recorded roughly a dozen albums and EPs and shared the stage with everyone from John Mayer to Bob Weir to Billy Strings.

Hamilton's debut record as a solo artist will be released in late 2025.

https://ci.ovationtix.com/34174/performance/11664484

he City of Norwalk is launching a new monthly event, the SoNo Saturday Market, beginning this Saturday, June 28. Held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lawn at 50 Washington Street in South Norwalk, the market will take place on the last Saturday of each summer month through September.

The open-air market will highlight more than 40 local artisans, farmers, and small business owners, with 75% of vendors based in Norwalk. Participating businesses include Diana Margarette Bouquets, Grazing Charcuterie Bar, Hathor Hill Farms, Maple Bank Farm, My Kawaii Moon Notes Coffee Bar, and Seven16 Permanent Jewelry.

“Norwalk has such an amazing community of entrepreneurs and small businesses, and this market is all about bringing them together in one space to support our small businesses and local economy,” said Anna Breault, the city’s Business Development & Tourism Special Event Coordinator.

In addition to shopping, visitors can enjoy live music, a play area for children, bubbles, picnic blankets, and other family-friendly activities. The market is a rain-or-shine event.

“It’s a great way for families and friends to spend a Saturday morning — shop local, support Norwalk’s entrepreneurs, and stick around for a nice lunch or brunch at one of the many great restaurants in the area,” Breault said.

Free bike valet service will be provided by the Norwalk Bike/Walk Commission. Parking is available at the nearby Webster Street Municipal Parking Lot.

Future market dates include July 26, August 30, and September 27. For more information, visit visitnorwalk.org/upcoming-events/sono-saturday-market.

BUCKLE UP!!! The Moonrise Cartel at the Levitt — July 24th!

Full Band • Full Show • Free Tickets – Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, Westport

Folk Rock from Black Rock under the July night sky at this most beautiful venue!

We’re thrilled to be part of their free summer concert series — and while it’s free, ya gotta reserve your tickets!

https://ci.ovationtix.com/34174/performance/11659631?performanceId=11659631

Please share so we can show Westport how The Cartel rolls out!

P.S. Working on a new song called “July” —

Molly Rose Tuttle is an American vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, banjo player, recording artist, and teacher in the bluegrass tradition. She is noted for her flatpicking, clawhammer, and crosspicking guitar prowess. She has cited Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Alison Krauss and Hazel Dickens as role models.

Silvermine Guild’s SUMMER SALON

July 19- August 21

This is an exhibit of work by Silvermine Guild Artists . It is always a wonderful show featuring a broad range of styles and mediums with a wide range of price points , work that ranges from contemporary to traditional .

Erin Nazzaro’s painting “ Friendly Curiosity “ (36 x 36 ) .

Wilton Library's annual Summer Show art exhibition celebrates adult artists who live or work in Wilton, or have a connection to the town. This is the 79th year that the library will welcome local talent to display their works in this non-juried summer art exhibition. 

Opening Reception on Friday, July 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is free and open to the public. Exhibition runs through August 21. A majority of the works will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the library. 

Please join me for the opening of Cut it out! A Collage show this Thursday, July 17th at 6:30. 

Join us and special guest Curator Kimberly Henrickson, Director of the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, as she guides us through a fascinating collection of works by 8 talented local artists. This exhibition brilliantly explores how collage serves as a powerful means of artistic expression, pushing the boundaries of creativity through diverse materials and innovative techniques. 

To register click here

I look forward to seeing you all there! 

The Westport Book Shop is pleased to welcome local photographer and artist Marina Drasnin as the guest exhibitor for the month of July at the Book Shop’s Drew Friedman Art Place.

Marina will be exhibiting a deeply personal and evocative collection titled ad-DRESSING-ing life, featuring her hand-beaded and story-imbued miniature dresses. Each dress represents a meditation on love, loss, and memory, created during her husband’s five-year battle with illness.

Marina shares, “I began creating these dresses as a way to process our time together. Each bead became a meditation on the grace and courage I witnessed during his illness. Each dress became a reflection on love, loss, and the fragile beauty of life. They carry his memory forward—each one stitched with gratitude and powered by love.” Space is limited; please RSVP by calling 203-349-5141 or emailing RSVP@westportbooksaleventures.org.

Community Engagement #3: Registration for our third community engagement is now open!

The event will take place on Sunday, July 13, between 1:00pm and 4:00pm, at The Point at Norwalk Cove (also known as Cove Point in East Norwalk). This rain-or-shine event will be a major celebration, with activities for all ages! Join community organizations, including the Maritime Aquarium, Stepping Stones Children's Museum, the Norwalk Valley River Trail and others, to celebrate the unveiling of the latest vision for a publicly accessible park on Manresa Island.

We are looking forward to showcasing new design details and providing next-step updates that explain how we will use your feedback to help shape the final vision (to come in 2025). We will also be announcing the park's official name and exciting new branding. Speakers will include project team members from Manresa Island Corp, the nonprofit managing and funding Manresa Island Park and SCAPE, the landscape architecture firm leading the park’s design. Also on site will be representatives from architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group, engineering firm AKRF, and consultants eDesign Dynamics, Tighe and Bond, and Reach—all key members of the team bringing the park project to life. The presentation will take place twice during the event - at 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM - for your convenience.

At the event, attendees can learn more about the Manresa Island project by visiting information tables and participating in a walking map exercise, among other fun community-day activities, including getting temporary tattoos and having your face painted. Other highlights include a performance by Norwalk Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quintet and a puppet-making workshop with Stepping Stones.

We will have local food and beverages for purchase, offered by our amazing partners, including Bloom and Son’s Copps Island Oysters, as well as Space Cat. And friends and family are welcome to swim and play at the beach, with parental supervision. It is going to be an amazing day!

Come join us for our third Manresa Island Park Community Engagement event---let's connect, have fun, and strengthen our community together.

Plus, the first 250 attendees will receive a special bag with amazing park merchandise.You could be the first to receive official Manresa Island swag!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../community-engagement-3...

Art now on Exhibit at The Weston Library. Come join me and 55 other artists at the reception July 9 at 6pm- 8pm. Amazing show. Lots of local art and artists.

Jelly is a way-outside-the-box funk fusion jamband from CT - uniquely blending funk, rock, jazz-fusion and soul to deliver a deviously groovy dose of energetic vibes, crunchy riffs, powerful vocals, juicy hooks, hefty improvisation, and a deep pocket. No matter what your flavor, Jelly has something you just might love.

In addition to headlining throughout the Northeast, Jelly has appeared with notable acts such as Dopapod, Spafford, Fitz and the Tantrums, Ghost-Note, Steve Kimock and Friends, Hayley Jane, and Kendall Street Company, and has landed on the stages of events including Northlands Music Festival, Strangecreek, Wormtown, and more.

All tour dates can be found at www.jellytheband.com - dive in and join Jelly as they travel the universe forging new friendships and fanships at home and beyond!

@jellytheband

Star-Spangled Rooftop Party

Thursday, July 3 (rain date July 5) from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. at The SoNo Collection’s SoNo Garden, 100 N. Water St. Celebrate Independence Day in style with an evening of live music, family-friendly fun, local vendors, and rooftop views – all leading up to a spectacular fireworks show. Bring your friends; bring your family. Admission is free, and the memories will be unforgettable!

Big Signature is an amalgam of artists who respect one thing, “The Groove”

Questionably unrelated blood brothers John Avi Britto and Lucas Gould went into the lab when the world shut down and wrote music. The rest was recruiting. Bass driven Indie Funk and real feeling covers were born.Finish your celebrations on the fourth with Big Signature. They just have one request and one statement: “Bring yo self” .

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/O3Rh6wp8LmA

"Involved" is opening at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, and we would love for you to join us on Sunday, June 22 from 2 to 4 PM for the opening reception!

This global printmaking collaboration features 40 artists from Chile, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and the United States. Each artist adds a layer to the same print as it travels by mail across borders, resulting in vibrant, collaborative works that tell a powerful visual story. Every piece is paired with a written reflection from each artist that shares insight into their process.

The exhibition will be on view in the Lithography Studio Gallery from June 22 through August 24.

Celebrate creativity, community, and connection through this unique international project. Come see how artists become involved in one another’s work through shared imagination.

EXCITING NEWS!

The 2025 Norwalk Art Festival RETURNS to Mathews Park, in Norwalk, CT

Sat & Sun 10 - 5, located at 299 West Ave. Norwalk, Connecticut in affluent Fairfield County, a suburb of NYC next to Westchester County.

Hosted with the support of he Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk Art Center, Mathews Mansion Museum and The Norwalk Parks Department, this Art Festival will be a premier cultural event in the area. The artists will be the focus of this two-day festival located in a beautiful park setting nestled next to the Museums.

This juried fine art and fine craft festival will have performing artists as well as a tempting international food court. The event features a high quality arts experience for both the visitors as well as the artists. Applications are available at Gordonfinearts.org.

There is are many special events for children and adults through the weekend long event. Jerry's Artarama and the Norwalk Arts Commission host a free hands-on art experience at the Children's Art Workshop area.  There is a community mural project and plenty of art supplies to inspire artists of all ages. Bring your talents and enjoy.

The Norwalk Art Festival features the creative works of over 75 juried artists from local to national talent. They will exhibit a wide variety of media including, photography, drawing, ceramics, jewelry, painting, mixed media, printmaking, fiber, metal sculpture and glass.

All of the works exhibited are for sale and original artwork is made available in a wide variety of price ranges. There is something for every taste and budget at this beautiful annual arts event.

Come get inspired at the Norwalk Art Festival!

FREE Family-Friendly Culture.

Mini tours of the museum renovation, and live entertainment for the entire family

Parking is easy and located in the park or in the nearby commuter lot.. If you can, take an Uber or consider walking, biking or car pooling to help keep it GREEN!

Sue Brown Gordon, of Gordon Fine Arts, is the Festival Director of this event and brings over 30 years experience both as a Festival Director and a full time exhibiting artist. She is currently the Festival Director for the Bruce Museum shows in Greenwich, CT as well as the Westport Fine Arts Festival, Stamford Art Festival, Saratoga Arts Celebration and now in Lenox, Mass.. For more information visit Gordonfinearts.org or NorwalkArtFestival.org.  

There are also many Volunteer opportunities if you enjoy working with Artists and the community.

Sponsorship[ opportunities - Many options to exhibit or title.

Contact us at Suebg.art@gmail.com or call (518)852-6478

 info also available - NorwalkArtFestival.org

The @makemusicfairfield OFFICIAL LINEUP IS HERE!

We are SO excited for this year’s event!

Bring your friends, families, neighbors, colleagues and enjoy the BEST DAY OF THE YEAR – on the Solstice!

See you on SATURDAY, June 21 !

To learn more about Make Music Fairfield, check out our website at makemusicday.org/Fairfield ! Interested in being a volunteer? Send us an email at fairfield@makemusicday.org!

#MakeMusicDay #MakeMusicFairfield #MMD2025 #CTMusic #SupportLiveMusic

Norwalk-based artist Tara Blackwell brings bold, vibrant work to this year’s Juneteenth celebration.

Using vintage imagery with subversive wit and whimsy, Blackwell transforms familiar logos, packaging, and
cartoon characters into visual narratives that explore themes of perseverance and resilience. Her work
honors the spirit of Juneteenth by celebrating freedom as an ongoing, creative act of unapologetic joy and
resistance. She is joined by her teen daughter, emerging artist Lila Malone, whose contributions bring the
voice and vision of a younger generation. Malone adds a fresh perspective and intergenerational dialogue,
offering reflections on identity and hope.

Together, their work creates a powerful exchange between past and future, offering a vibrant reminder that
liberation is a legacy we inherit and a vision we continue to shape with each generation.

Join the artists for a special opening on June 19th from - 6 to 8 pm in the ARTWorks on the Green Gallery at St. Paul's.

Come check out our @5amartstudio, a beautiful community artist loft in Norwalk!

This is the beautiful space where I practice Reiki and Sound Baths. It’s also the working studio space and showroom for incredible local artists!

Food will be provided by @trulygreekct + the first guests will receive a FREE @5ivefingaz print!

Come shop, chat, listen to music, eat, and join our beautiful community!

See you there!

Performers

Headliners

Fogo Azul NYC

Jujube

Kandy Muse

Hosts

Bleach

Frankie Cyanide

Will Beauty

Music by

DJ Christie

Performances by

• Cuee

• Dom Parinyon

• Ethel De Luxe

• Haunting Titans

• Ken and The Plastics

• Midnight

• Mychael Jay

• PhoenixFIREDIVAA

• Professor M

• Quentin Marcus

• Ryder Die

• Sabrina La’Strain

• Sapphire Bills

• The Other Realm / Kenny Ward

• Tiki Malone

Parking

Parking at Veterans Memorial Park is reserved for handicap parking only (with permit). Without an accessibility parking permit tag, you will not be permitted to park on-site. 

General Admission Parking:

Shuttles: There will be free parking at Marvin Elementary School and Brien McMahon High School.

• Free Shuttles will run roughly every 30 minutes between each school and the park. Time may vary due to traffic and driver breaks.

• Parking is first come, first serve and lot fullness will not be monitored by TCC.

• The last shuttle will leave the park at 9pm, transportation after that is the responsibility of the guest.

• Pets are not allowed at the Park and will not be allowed on the Shuttle.

Paid Parking: The following lots are fee-based and within walking distance from Pride in the Park:

• The SoNo Collection Garage (20 minute walk; 100 N. Water St.)- Use promo code PRIDE2025 for flat rate $3 parking for the whole day!

• Maritime Garage (14 minute walk; 23 Marshall St.)

• Webster Street Municipal Parking Lot (16 minute walk; 55 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive)

Please be mindful of parking in lots reserved for business patrons. Please do not take up residential parking on streets near the park.

Public Transportation:

South Norwalk Train Station

• 1 mile away

• 20 minute walk

East Norwalk Train Station

• Less than 1 mile away

• 15 minute walk

Norwalk Transit Bus - Route 11

• Get off at stop 137 (Fort Point & Seaview Ave / Vet’s Park)

Wheels 2U Norwalk: Affordable ride sharing in Norwalk.

$2 a ride (1-2 people) or $6 per group (3-8 people)

How it works: Just download the app, setup your account, and schedule a ride. Catch a ride anywhere in our service area in Norwalk. Then get a ride back anytime during our hours of operation. Recommended for use with train stations! Operates Saturdays from 1pm to Midnight.

Guests are encouraged to utilize rideshares and carpools due to limited parking on site. Designated drop-off and pick-up spots for Uber and Lyft will be located on the first right inside the main parking entrance.

https://www.ctpridecenter.org/pride-in-the-park

It’s happening, sweet friends!!

Candy Connection’s Grand Opening is going down June 14th

Come celebrate with us from 1–4 PM at 187 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich!

Vibes by DJ Mo @motivateu1

Beading fun with Jaime from @liverainbowfully

Face painting for all ages

Photo ops, exclusive treats & serious sugar rushes

Bring your sweet tooth, your besties, and your camera — we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Join us Thursday, June 12 | 6–8pm
for the FREE Opening Reception of
SIGHT AND SOUND: Artists Consider Long Island Sound

Celebrate the beauty, culture, and mystery of Long Island Sound through powerful works by contemporary artists.

The evening will feature:
 Opening remarks by curator Richard Klein and participating artists
 A moving poetry performance by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, inspired by the water
 A special tasting by Copps Island Oysters – a true local treat!

Come for the art, stay for the community, and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Sound.

The Norwalk Art Space | 455 West Ave, Norwalk, CT

 Free and open to all – no RSVP required!

Join us on Thursday, June 12 from 5-7pm in our Bendel Galleries for the Opening Reception of "Tools as Art: Work and Play."

Our summer exhibition celebrates the creative transformation of everyday hand tools and hardware into extraordinary works of art. Featuring 68 prints, paintings and works of sculpture from the Hechinger Collection, the exhibition explores three interrelated themes: tools as icons of labor, labor as a component of creativity, and creativity as a form of play.

Featured artists include Berenice Abbott, Georgia Deal, Jim Dine, Ke Francis, Jacob Lawrence, James Rosenquist, Claes Oldenburg, Richard Estes and Wayne Thiebaud.

Complimentary Wine Tasting by THE SMITH WINES. Ages 14+ only, please. Event is free with your RSVP at https://www.stamfordmuseum.org/tools

Exhibition on view thereafter from June 13 – September 8. Tools as Art: Work and Play is organized from the Hechinger Collection and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC.

Please join us for the Grand Opening Celebration ofOur Third Flagship Location In Norwalk, CT!

Indulge in an afternoon of exquisite jewelry, timeless designs, and sparkling surprises.

Indulge in an afternoon of exquisite jewelry, timeless designs, and sparkling surprises. Be among the first to discover the treasures awaiting you in our new vault. ✨

Your presence will make our celebrations more memorable! We can't wait to welcome you to HFV!

We are looking forward to seeing you!

The Waypointe First Annual Summer Festival on Saturday, June 7 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at 515 West Ave. This family-friendly event offers fun for all ages, including live music performances, cotton candy, snow cones, and offerings from Waypointe’s popular restaurants. Guests can also find carnival games, interactive entertainment, and other activities. For more information, visit https://www.thewaypointe.com.

Join us for a reception for The Artists Collective of Westport’s summer exhibit at The Westport Library, Interiors: A Look Inside, in the Sheffer Gallery and South Gallery, and as the Collective reveals its Piece by Piece installation in the Jesup Gallery.

For Interiors, each of the Artists Collective members were invited to display a work in the medium of their choice that explores what “interiors” means to them. Contributors this year include Bonnie Edelman, Lynn Carlson, Peggy Dembicer, and Ros Shaffer, as well as Norm Siegel, Suzanne Benton, Julie Leff, Diane Pollack, Miggs Burroughs, Kat Evans, Niki Ketchman, and more.

Piece by Piece is a 6-foot by 8-foot art installation composed of the work of 48 Artists Collective members. Each artist received a 12-inch by 12-inch blank panel along with a 12-inch square section randomly selected from a well-known modern painting. The artists created their individual piece, replicating a part of the larger painting in their own style, without knowing what the final painting will look like until it is revealed at the opening reception.

Each 12-inch by 12-inch “piece” of Piece by Piece will be available for purchase starting the night of the reception. Each square will be $100, with 50% of the proceeds supporting the Library’s art programs and 50% going to the artist.

The additional artworks on display in the Sheffer and South Galleries will also be available for purchase, with a percentage of the proceeds also going to benefit the Library’s art programming. Additional exhibit support is provided by The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.

The Artists Collective of Westport is a nonprofit organization composed of 150 local artists who have joined forces to discuss, create, and develop dynamic experiences for the Fairfield County community. The collective is open to all active artists in pursuit of expanding their careers and in developing a strong, diverse arts community.

Opening Reception for "Fiber Artists of Handweavers' Guild of Connecticut" Exhibition on Friday, June 6 at 6pm - featuring the work of more than 30 fiber artists.

"Fiber Artists of Handweavers' Guild of Connecticut" will be showcased in Wilton Library's June art exhibition. The Handweavers' Guild of Connecticut, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023, was started in 1948 by a small group of women and has grown to a membership of 270. The Guild invites handweavers, spinners, and other fiber artists from all levels of experience to exchange ideas and share knowledge, to encourage and educate, and to challenge their abilities in fiber art techniques. Anyone who is interested is invited to attend a Guild meeting and consider becoming a member. The Guild meets five times a year at the Congregational Church in South Glastonbury on the third Saturday of the month, bimonthly from September to May. 

Guild members reside all across the state of Connecticut, as well as in New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. More than 30 artists from the group will be exhibiting their works in an array of styles and fiber content. 

Opening Reception on Friday, June 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is free and open to the public. Exhibition runs through Saturday, July 5. A majority of the works will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the library.