Greater Bridgeport Pride Features Top Stars

Explore what’s happening this week in and around Fairfield County! Today kicks off a vibrant lineup of events including Pirates Day in Milford, the Little Poland Festival in New Britain, and Black Rock Day—plus several outdoor concert series launching for the season. Check out the full list below and start planning your week. And don’t forget: next weekend is shaping up to be a sweet one with Strawberry Festivals popping up across the region! This edition of “Things to Do” is proudly supported by SONO 1420 , America’s Maritime Distillery . Join them next Saturday for their 6th Anniversary Bash from 2–9 PM. For a more laid-back vibe, swing by on Friday nights for their ongoing Acoustic SONO Music Series —featuring great music, craft cocktails, and award-winning whiskey. Summer Concerts, Carnivals and Things to do from Sunday, June 8 – Saturday, June 14, 2025  Sunday, June 8 Bridgeport: Black Rock Day w/Simple Jim at Port 5(3pm) Fairfield: Fairfield's 9th Annual Car Show at Ludlowe High School(9:00am –3:00pm) Fairfield: Herman & Company at Sherman Green Gazebo (6:30-8 pm) Greenwich: Jumpin’ Jams at Tides + Tunes Summer Concerts(10:00 am) Greenwich: The Danned at Tides + Tunes Summer Concerts( 4:00 pm) Harwinton: Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire®(10:30am-6:00pm) Milford: 23rd Annual Pirate’s Day (8am – 2pm) Milford: New England Guitar Society at Firehouse Gallery (2pm) Mystic: Strawberry Festival At Olde Mistick Village(11:00am –6:00pm) Newtown/Sandy Hook: Valerie Rose at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards(2–5 PM) Newtown/Sandy Hook: Silent Disco Spring Party at Aquila's Nest Vineyards New Britain: Little Poland Festival (8:30am-7:00pm) Norwalk: Flag Day with the Fairfield Counts at Norwalk Green Summer Concerts(5:00 pm – 6:30 pm) Piermont, NY: Sunday Piano Brunch with Kevin Lovejoy at OTTO'S (12-3pm) Shelton: Canyon at Jones Winery( 2–4pm) Sherman: Unbroken Glass at Sherman Summer Concert Series(4:00pm – 7:00pm) Stamford: Comedians Salma Hindy, Erik Terrell, Derek Humphrey, DJ Collins at New York Comedy Club Stamford (7pm) Wilton: Georgetown Day(12:00pm –5:30pm) Monday, June 9 Stamford: Music and Variety Mic at New York Comedy Club Stamford (7:30 pm) Tuesday, June 10 Ridgefield: Cimarron 615 at Ballard Park (7 pm) Wednesday, June 11 Fairfield: Okkervil River & The Antlers in The Warehouse at FTC (8:00 pm) Piermont,NY : Retro Salsa with Pablo Mayor & Julio Salgado at OTTO'S (6-9 PM) Stamford: Roast Battle at New York Comedy Club Stamford (7pm) Thursday, June 12 Bridgeport: Ringo Starr at Hartford HealthCare Amp (7:30) Danbury: City Center Chow-Down 2025 – More Info (11:30 AM) Fairfield: Sachuest Beach at Sherman Green Gazebo (6:30-8 pm) Fairfield: Anna Moss W/ Kendra McKinley on StageOne at FTC (8:00 pm) Milford: Dance Party at Milford Arts Council with DynaMojo (7:30pm) Newtown: Michael Brandon at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards ( 5:30–8:30 PM) Piermont, NY: Jazz Thursday with Livia & Kevin Lovejoy at OTTO'S (6-9pm) Ridgefield: Amy Speace at Ballard Park (7 pm) Stamford: That's Fair Comedy at New York Comedy Club Stamford (7 pm) Westport: Bandits on the Run at Levitt Pavilion (7:30 pm) Friday, June 13 Bridgeport: Andy & Scott at Port 5 (5:30-8:30 pm) Brookfield: Bock & Blu LIVE at Brookfield's Concerts in the Park (6:30 pm) Branford: Branford Festival - More Info ( 5:00pm - 10:00pm) Fairfield: Ellis Island & Clear Blue Soul at The Warehouse in FTC (8:00 PM) Fairfield: Sand Jam Movie Night at Jennings Beach featuring Cinderella (8:45pm) Greenwich: Harf . at Tides + Tunes (4:00 pm) Litchfield: Scott Hopkins Band at Litchfield Summer Concert Series (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm) Milford: Rum Runners at Fowler Field's Fridays After Five Concerts (6 pm) Newtown/Sandy Hook: Round Two Acoustical Duo LIVE at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards (5:30 pm - 8:30 pm) Newtown: DRIVE-IN MOVIE – Friday the 13th (R) at Edmond Town Hall (9pm) Norwalk: Anthony Gadaleta LIVE at SONO 1420 (6:00 pm-9:00 pm) Piermont, NY: Billy Stritch at Otto’s (6-9 pm) Stamford: Beer Garden at Stamford Museum & Nature Center (6:30pm) Stamford: Comedian Matthew Broussard at New York Comedy Club Stamford (7-9:30 pm) Westport: Owen Daniel & The Breakers at Music on Church Lane (6:00pm – 9:00pm) Saturday, June 14 Branford: Branford Festival - More Info (8:00am-10:00pm) Bethany: CT Local Palooza - More Info (11:30am) Cheshire: Cheshire Strawberry Festival and Craft Fair - More Info (10;00am- 4:00pm) Croton-On-Hudson, NY: Hudson River Music Festival (10 am- 9pm) Danbury: 2025 Danbury Street Festival - More Info (12:00pm-6:00pm) Fairfield: Simple Jim at Sherman Green Gazebo (6:30-8 pm) Fairfield: Spafford at The Warehouse in FTC (7pm) Fairfield: Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams W/ Lilly Hiatt at StageOne in FTC (8pm) Harwinton: Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire® - More Info & Ticket (10:30am –6:00pm) Middlefield: Strawberry Festival at Lyman Orchards (10am –4:00pm) Monroe: Strawberry Festival at Monroe Congregational Church (10:00am –5:00pm) Newtown/Sandy Hook: Herman & Company at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards (2:30–5:30 PM) Newtown/Sandy Hook: Mom & Dad Prom DJ Bingo at Aquila's Nest Vineyards 6PM) Newtown: DRIVE-IN MOVIE – Friday the 13th (R) at Edmond Town Hall (9pm) Norwalk: Juneteenth Celebration at Norwalk Green Living ( 12:00pm – 4:00pm) Norwalk: SONO 1420 Anniversary Bash (2-9om) Croton-On-Hudson NY: Hudson River Music Festival - More Info (10:00am- 9:00pm) Orange: Strawberry Festival at Orange Congregational Church (9:00am-5:00pm) Stamford: Comedian Matthew Broussard at New York Comedy Club Stamford (7 pm-9 pm) Stamford: KIDZ BOP LIVE: Certified Bop Tour - The Palace Stamford Theatre! (1:00 pm & 6:00 pm) Weston: Adam Ezra Group at the Music in the Meadow concerts ( 6 pm) Westport: Steve Keith at Music on Church Lane (6:00pm – 9:00pm) Windsor: 43 Annual Strawbery Festival & Craft Fair - South Windsor (9:00am –5:00pm) Westport: Garth. at Levitt Pavilion (7:30 pm) Wilton: Jon DeLucia at Brubeck Room – Wilton Library (7-8:30pm)

Stamford Downtown is bringing back Arts & Crafts and our Farmers Market on Bedford next Saturday, June 14! Arts & Crafts on Bedford Stamford Downtown is hosting the first of two Arts & Crafts shows on Bedford Street next Saturday, June 14 from 10am to 6:30pm featuring juried artisans from throughout the Northeast who will display and sell juried works including Ceramics, Fiber Arts, Fine Art, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Photography, Wood and more. Bedford Street restaurants will be offering extended outdoor patio cafés. Arts & Crafts on Bedford will return on September 20. For more information including a list of vendors, please visit: https://stamford-downtown.com/event/arts-crafts-on-bedford/

Stamford Downtown Partners on SUMMER IN THE PARK for Summer 2025 Stamford Downtown is proud to partner with Mill River Park, Parachute Concerts, The Karp Family , and Hey Stamford! to present SUMMER IN PARK for Summer 2025. SUMMER IN THE PARK’ LAUNCHES IN MILL RIVER PARK Stamford Downtown Heats Up with Three Weeks of Music, Food & Entertainment this July A brand-new tradition kicks off this July as Summer in the Park makes its debut at Mill River Park in Stamford Downtown. Created in partnership with Mill River Park, Parachute Concerts, Stamford Downtown, The Karp Family , and Hey Stamford! , this inaugural three-week celebration will unite music lovers, foodies, and culture seekers for an unforgettable lineup of events— positioning Stamford as a must-visit destination for summer entertainment in the region . The series features headline performances by Busta Rhymes, Aly & AJ, Soulja Boy, Bow Wow , Fariana , and more—and culminates with the return of the beloved Hey Stamford! Food Festival , now celebrating its 8th year. Adding to the excitement, Summer Fun Fridays delivers Connecticut’s ultimate outdoor happy hour , featuring live tribute bands, themed bars, and rotating food vendors that bring a fresh energy to Mill River Park every Friday night. SUMMER FUN FRIDAYS Every Friday | 5 PM – 10 PM | Ages 21+ Connecticut’s premier outdoor happy hour, complete with live tribute bands, themed bars, and a rotating lineup of food vendors. Lineup: July 11: Raise Your Hands – A high-energy tribute to Bon Jovi July 18: Jammy Buffet – A tropical Jimmy Buffett-inspired experience July 25: Zac Brown Tribute Band – Country-rock hits under the stars HEADLINE CONCERT SERIES Live Music Under the Stars at Mill River Park | 5 PM – 10 PM Thursday, July 10: Busta Rhymes – Hip-hop icon delivers an explosive live show Saturday, July 12: Aly & AJ – Pop duo returns with fan-favorite hits and fresh new sounds Thursday, July 17: Bow Wow, Soulja Boy – A 2000s throwback party for the ages Saturday, July 19: Colombian Independence Day featuring authentic cuisine, dance troupes, and singer, rapper and songwriter Fariana . Thursday, July 24: Mariah the Scientist – Rising alt-R&B star brings soulful, emotional anthems HEY STAMFORD! FOOD FESTIVAL July 26 & 27 | All Ages | 1 PM - 9 PM Get ready to indulge in a true culinary adventure. The region’s top food trucks and restaurant vendors are rolling into Stamford for a weekend packed with flavor, fun, and non-stop bites . The signature food event of the summer returns for its 8th year, serving up a mouthwatering two-day experience featuring: Dozens of curated food vendors Live music performances Themed cocktail bars Interactive culinary experiences for all ages ADDITIONAL EVENTS AT A GLANCE Wednesday Night Beer Garden (with live DJ): July 16, 23, 30 & August 6 Jazz in the Park presented by The Karp Family and The Palace Theatre: Sunday, July 13 Fairfield County Dance Festival: Tuesday, July 15 JCC Summer Performance: Sunday, July 20 at 12:00 PM Connecticut Ballet Performance: Tuesday, July 22 TICKETS & INFORMATION For the full event lineup, ticket info, and latest updates, visit: www.SummerinthePark.com

Friday, June 27; Doors/DJ (Tim “Journeys by DJ” Fielding): 6 pm; Show: 7:30 pm Featuring Reggae Covers of Your Favorite Talking Heads Songs. From honoring the legendary Keith Richards in March, to breaking the record for World’s Loudest Library during four unforgettable days of VersoFest 2025 in April, The Westport Library has had a rockin’ spring season. Now, Verso Studios and DinkinEsh Presents are kicking off the summer with Mystic Bowie's Talking Dreads for a can’t-miss Reggae Dance Party on Friday, June 27. The show will take place in the Library’s Trefz Forum. Doors open at 6 pm, featuring a live DJ set from Tim “Journeys by DJ” Fielding to get the groove going. Mystic will take the stage at 7:30 pm. Tickets are priced at $37.50 and are available for purchase here . Prepare to hit the dance floor with classic Talking Heads songs reimagined through the pulse of roots reggae, ska, and lover’s rock. Not your typical cover band, Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads’ infectious island rhythms transform new wave anthems like “Psycho Killer” and “Burning Down the House” into funky Caribbean bangers — applauded by Chris Frantz, drummer for Talking Heads, as “a total home run!” Known as the “Head Dread” of the Talking Dreads, lead singer Mystic Bowie traces his passion for the Talking Heads back to his early days performing at hotels in Jamaica, when he heard “Wild Wild Life.” In 1996, he joined Tom Tom Club, the side project of Talking Heads’ founding members — and Fairfield County residents — Frantz and Tina Weymouth. For nearly 20 years, he performed alongside them on vocals, making an appearance on their 2000 album The Good, the Bad, and the Funky. Since debuting the Talking Dreads in 2015, Mystic has performed across North America, dazzling longtime Talking Heads fans and winning new ones along the way. “Talking Dreads is much more than a cover band,” Mystic said. “I am very much drawing on my own musical culture and history to make these amazing songs my own, while at the same time preserving the integrity of the Talking Heads songs. I’ve always felt that reggae’s dance-inspiring, feel-good vibe is universal, as are many of the band’s songs.” The Talking Dreads debut features an amazing lineup of legendary reggae figures, including singer Freddie McGregor, whose recording career dates back to his 1980 album Bobby Bobylon; ska guitar master Ernest Ranglin, who has worked with Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and Monty Alexander; singer and Soul Train Award nominee Tarrus Riley; and saxophonist Dean Fraser. The sole non-Jamaican featured in their debut ensemble is Cindy Wilson of the B-52s, harkening back to the new wave heyday in a dreamy, soulful rendition of “Heaven.” “Talking Dreads’ sound is tight,” applauded Frantz. “We had a blast the night of the show and we walked away with a definite bounce in our step.” In their first single off their 1979 album Fear of Music, “Life During Wartime,” the Talking Heads declared, “This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco” — but with Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads, it absolutely is. Starting that party will be ace DJ Tim “Journeys by DJ” Fielding, who opened for Gang of Four during VersoFest 2025. A graduate of the Balearic school of DJing, Fielding is one of the key figures behind two of London’s most storied clubs: The Brain and The End. The founder of Brainiak Records (which released the world’s first album of live electronica bands, Live at the Brain) and of seminal imprint Journeys by DJ (the first legit series of DJ-mix CDs), Fielding produced legendary works by DJs including John Digweed, Paul Oakenfold, Farley & Heller, Coldcut, and Gilles Peterson, reflecting his own eclectic taste and broad range in music. “I tend to play the smaller rooms,” said Fielding, “but they are usually packed with smiling faces, and people who are seriously getting down.” Event Information at a Glance Summer Reggae Party: Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads Friday, June 27 6 pm Trefz Forum, The Westport Library Story link: https://westportlibrary.org/mystic-bowie-talking-dreads-reggae-party/ Event link: https://westportlibrary.org/event/summer-reggae-dance-party-with-mystic-bowies-talking-dreads/ Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-reggae-dance-party-w-mystic-bowies-talking-dreads-tickets-1320172253749 *** About The Westport Library Founded in 1886, built in 1908, and transformed in 2019, The Westport Library is one of the most active and innovative public libraries in the nation, devoted to enriching the intellectual and creative lives of the community. Among its many highlights are a full collection of books for children, teens, and adults; an engaging and colorful Children’s Library; a MakerSpace; a Library of Things; a Seed Library; a robust café and store; and professional art installations that rotate throughout the year. The Westport Library is also home to Verso Studios, replete with an SSL hybrid analog sound studio and broadcast control suite featuring a state-of-the-art console and six robotic cameras, and the Trefz Forum, an open, flexible space that can accommodate up to 600 patrons and features an 18-foot video wall, 35-foot stage, state-of-the-art sound, and theatrical lighting. Situated in the heart of downtown Westport overlooking the scenic Saugatuck River, The Westport Library annually hosts StoryFest, the largest literary festival in Connecticut, and VersoFest, its multi-day music and media festival. Above all, the Library strives to serve the whole community as a vibrant gathering spot where people of all ages come to seek information, gain knowledge, exchange ideas, and share experiences. For more information, visit westportlibrary.org .

Reckson and the Cappelli Organization presents OINK! in Stamford Downtown , a whimsical outdoor sculpture exhibit will transform the downtown with colorfully decorated pigs this summer. Stamford Downtown has installed 26 fiberglass pigs, that have been originally designed and painted by 24 local and regional artists. The pigs will be on display for enjoyment of thousands of area residents and visitors through September 2025. OINK! in Stamford Downtown , is the 12th exhibit of its kind and the 32nd annual sculpture exhibit produced by the Stamford Downtown Special Service District, an organization responsible for managing and promoting Stamford Downtown as the region's destination for dining, entertainment, retail, housing and education. Stamford Downtown assembled some of the region’s most talented artists to create works of art. Each pig is sponsored by a business or organization. After the summer-long exhibit, the sculptures will be rounded up and refurbished for an auction. OINK! in Stamford Downtown builds on the enormous successes of past interactive exhibits, CowParade Stamford 2000, Art-O-Mobiles in 2001, Stamford Safari in 2003, It’s Reigning Cats & Dogs in 2010, Horsin’ Around Stamford Downtown in 2012, Street Seats in 2014, Dinosaurs Rule in 2015, Art Shapes in 2017, Space Invasion in 2019, the Piano Project in 2021 and Duck, Duck Goose in 2023. Those exhibits brought record-breaking tourism and spending dollars estimated in the hundreds of thousands to the Downtown. Spectators can download Otocast, a free smart phone app (and website) with a digital exhibit map, audio guide, photographs and artist commentary. https://app.otocast.com/guide/Stamford_Oink OINK! is produced by Stamford Downtown, presented by Reckson and the Cappelli Organization, and sponsored by: Block by Block, Cummings & Lockwood LLC, Eastern Land Management, George Comfort & Sons, Inc., M&T Bank, MarLo Associates, Inc., Pan Am Equities and supported by The City of Stamford, Hey Stamford!, Star 99.9, WEBE 108, WICC and Happyhaha Photography. More information including a map of locations can be found at: https://stamford-downtown.com/event/art-in-public-places/