With Memorial Day Weekend now in the rearview mirror, summer in Fairfield County is officially in full swing—and there’s no better way to celebrate than by diving headfirst into the season’s vibrant lineup of concerts, festivals, carnivals, and more. This week, Fairfield After Dark is proud to shine a spotlight on our incredible sponsor: SONO 1420 America’s Maritime Distillery , located in the heart of South Norwalk at 19 Day Street. A Toast to Summer, Courtesy of SONO 1420 Known for their house-made spirits, small-batch cocktails, and the ever-growing buzz of their Acoustic SONO Music Series , SONO 1420 has become the heartbeat of SONO. For the past three months, their Friday night concerts have been a hotbed of local talent—featuring a non-stop lineup of incredible musicians that has lit up the block and packed the distillery with a community of music lovers. From indie acoustic sets to soulful blues and high-energy folk, each performance has been nothing short of stellar. But SONO 1420 isn’t just your Friday night go-to. Planning a birthday bash, corporate outing, or rehearsal dinner? This unique venue offers customizable event packages that include: Casual space for up to 100 guests Charcuterie options or BYO catering Distillery-crafted cocktails and Spacecat Brewery beers BYO wine options Optional private distillery tours and personalized bottle gifting Whether you're planning something intimate or epic, SONO 1420 has the style and spirit to make it unforgettable. So…Where’s the Fun Happening This Weekend? Ready to explore? Here’s your go-to guide for the best festivals, fairs, and concerts from Wednesday, May 28 through Sunday, June 1 —all happening in and around Fairfield County: WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 Piermont, NY : Charanga Duo at Otto’s (6–9pm) Stamford : Comedian Kevin Sullivan at NY Comedy Club (7pm) THURSDAY, MAY 29 Fairfield : ACE & Friends at Sherman Green Gazebo (6:30–8pm) Danbury : City Center Chow-Down 2025 (11:30am–1:30pm) Milford : Rock the Dock for Mental Health, Lisman Landing Marina (5:30–8pm) New Milford : 100 Proof + Henna By Elyse at Rock the Block (4–6pm) Newtown : JC Hill at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards (5:30–8:30pm) Piermont, NY : Jazz Night at Otto’s (6–9pm) Stamford : Comedians Matt Pavich, Liz Barrett, Jake Velazquez, Jared Harvin at New York Comedy Club Stamford (7pm) FRIDAY, MAY 30 Bridgeport : Elana Zabari LIVE at Port 5 (5–8:30pm) Danbury : Lebanese Mahrajan Festival, CityCenter (5–11pm) Newtown : Michael Malone at Aquila’s Nest (5:30–8:30pm) Newtown : Yappy Hour at Aquila’s Nest (6:30–8:30pm) Norwalk : Neil Currie – Acoustic SONO Music Series at SONO 1420 (6–9pm) Milford : School of Rock at Fowler Field (6pm) Shelton : Food Trucks on the River, Veteran’s Memorial Park (5–10pm) Stamford : That’s Fair Comedy at NY Comedy Club (9:30pm) SATURDAY, MAY 31 Danbury : Lebanese Mahrajan Festival continues (11am–11pm) Danbury : Roomful of Blues at The Palace Theatre (7:30pm) Fairfield : The Underdogs at Sherman Green Gazebo (6:30–8pm) Fairfield : Sugar Mountain at FTC’s StageOne (8pm) Harwinton : Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire (10:30am–6pm) Newtown : Iris Lies (2–5pm) & Pink Floyd Tribute Show (6–9pm) at Aquila’s Nest New London : Strawberry Festival & Craft Show at N. Stonington Fairground (11am–7pm) Shelton : Food Trucks on the River (11am–8pm) Stamford : Bark in the Park – Latham Park (11am–3pm) Stamford : Comedian Scott Thompson as Buddy Cole (7pm), plus Saturday Night Comedy (9:30pm) at NY Comedy Club Torrington : Strawberry Festival in Coe Memorial Park (10am–3pm) SUNDAY, JUNE 1 Bridgeport : Josh A at Port 5 (3pm) Fairfield : The Sun Kings at Sherman Green Gazebo (6:30–8pm) Harwinton : Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire (10:30am–6pm) Naugatuck : Duck Day & Festival, Maple Street (11am–4pm) Newtown : Filo Fox (1–4pm) & Albanian Night (5–9pm) at Aquila’s Nest New Canaan : New Canaan Dog Days at the Nature Center (11am–4pm) New London : Strawberry Festival & Craft Show continues (11am–7pm) New Milford : Pets in the Park, Pettibone Park (11am–4pm) Stamford : Sunday Night Comedy Showcase at NY Comedy Club (7pm) Wilton : Food Truck Festival at Wilton Historical Society (11am–4pm)

Kick off Memorial Day weekend with The Moonrise Cartel as they return to Park City Music Hall in Black Rock this Thursday, May 22 . With their newest single Set To Stun surpassing 100,000 streams on Spotify, this indie powerhouse is quickly rising through the ranks—and tickets for their shows sell fast. Led by the luminous vocals of Stephanie Harrison—often compared to Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris—the band delivers a mix of emotionally raw songwriting and sonic brilliance. Co-founder Al Pascarelli brings depth with his gravel-toned voice and heartfelt lyrics, while Sean O’Reilly’s piano adds both tenderness and thunder, channeling the spirit of Tori Amos and Bruce Hornsby. Benj LeFevre on bass and Steve Tobey on drums lock in a rhythm section that is as fluid as it is powerful, completing the group’s unmistakable sound. Known for drawing fellow musicians to their shows, The Moonrise Cartel's live performances are electric, authentic, and not to be missed. Having opened for legends like Buddy Guy and Sophie B. Hawkins, they're clearly headed for bigger stages. 🎟️ Don’t wait—this show will sell out.