Bridgeport Art Trail Newsletter 

Bridgeport's February arts calendar recognizes

Black History month and Black artists

"Absorption and Reflection" Exhibit

Opens Thursday, February 17 | 3:00pm-5:30pm

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Artist/guest curator Larry Morse, "We are that which we absorb and reflect."

About the Exhibit

Figure painting, abstract painting, photography, poetry and performance Larry Morse painter/guest curator with Adger Cowans, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo on Sunday 2/20/22.


Artists’ reception at City Lights 3-5:30 pm

Poetry/Performance at the Bijou Theatre 6-8:30 pm



Larry Morse painter/guest curator with Adger Cowans, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo.

"Black on Black" by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo

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"unFramed"

Autobiographical Solo Performance

Sunday, February 20 | Doors at 5:30pm

| Show at 6:00pm

Autobiographical solo performance

by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo at the Bijou Theatre


A line-up of regional poets begins an evening of culturally rich poetry and performance. Written and performed by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, his popular "unFramed” is a moving journey through a series of memories and events in the life of a Black male artist/poet, who emigrated at 9 yrs old from Antigua to Connecticut. Through storytelling and painting, he literally paints a picture of his life while on stage. The arc of his memories and experiences connect to recent history and the current zeitgeist of social reckoning.


To learn more about the Bijou theatre go to https://www.bijoutheatrect.net/


“We are that which we absorb and reflect,” according to Larry Morse artist/guest curator at City Lights Gallery.



To learn more about the art and the artists in Absorption and Reflection exhibit,

https://www.citylightsgallery.org/absorption-and-reflection/

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Bridgeport Art Trail artists talk about February projects, exhibits, spoken word, film and performance on the State of the Arts broadcast with Richard Pheneger and Peggy Nelson. Guest include Elisha Brockenberry from the NEST Arts Factory. Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Larry Morse discuss their art and the exhibit Absorption and Reflection at City Lights, and unFramed at the Bijou Theatre.


Ina Andersen talks about the latest Emerging Voices Productions, “Fifth Black History Annual Kuumba” (Leaving our communities more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited them.) The guest moderator is Suzanne Kachmar of City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail.

International Pechakucha Day

February 19, 2022

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Bridgeport Storytelling Goes Around the World!


You are invited to join a free 24 hour special global visual storytelling event on Sat, Feb 19th at 1 PM. Seven Bridgeport PechaKucha presenters will share personal stories on the theme "Love and Optimism" as a part of International PechaKucha Day. Listen to the presentations on a Zoom webinar (live stream.)

PechaKucha is a form of visual storytelling where each teller presents their story to a set of timed images. PechaKucha translates to “chit chat” in Japanese. It was established by Klein Dytham Architecture in Tokyo. The event is held in 1275 cities around the world and BRIDGEPORT is one of them! Bridgeport PechaKucha is organized by the Barnum Museum, Downtown Special Services and City Lights Gallery.


To access the International PechaKucha Day event, please visit 

https://www.pechakucha.com/internationalpk

Click on the "Join the Livestream" button 


To learn more about Bridgeport PechaKucha, please visit

https://www.pechakucha.com/cities/bridgeport

The NEST Arts Factory Black Story Month Gallery Opening

Friday, February 11, 2022 | 6:00-8:00pm

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Rescheduled from last week!

Join us in celebration of who we are and all that we've done. on view is a collaborative gallery featuring artwork by Jean Benoit, Elisha Brockenberry, Trey Thomas, Gus Bradford, Sharon Smalls, Warren Bryant, and Nicole Grant-Paul. Performing a live jazz set is a three-piece ensemble, composed of Ashley Hines(sax), Vinton Hines(drums) and Conway Campbell Jr.(bass)


Live screen printing will also be occurring, with select Afrofuturistic graphics available to print. Please feel free to bring a garment to print on. Limited shirts available. Catered by Donna Brockenberry.

Month-long events include Fri film screenings and a workshop "Garments as Vessels" led by Elisha Brockenberry.

See full schedule here.

lionheART Gallery All Ages Art Show

Opening Saturday, February 12

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Interested in volunteering with lionheART Bridgeport? Email [email protected] or call/text 203-581-0150.


If you want to help keep lionheART Bridgeport up and running you can donate to our GoFundMe campaign here! 


Open Call for Artists 

If you or someone you know would like to be part of a lionheART Bridgeport group show in 2022, please email [email protected] a link to your website, social media account, or images or 5-7 recent works.


Reader's Block Book Club

Sunday, February 20

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Bridgeport-based author and book store owner, T. Ashley Mabins is hosting a monthly book club event!


About "Falling" by T.J. Newman. You just boarded a flight to New York. There are one hundred and forty three other passengers onboard. What you don’t know is that thirty minutes before the flight your pilot’s family was kidnapped. For his family to live, everyone on your plane must die. The only way the family will survive is if the pilot follows his orders and crashes the plane. Enjoy the flight.

Book Club signup here. 

Sound on Sound Music Festival


Coming in September

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A new music festival is coming to Bridgeport on September 24th - 25th with Stevie Nicks and Dave Matthews Band headlining!


It will take place in Seaside Park and is expected to have around 35,000 attendees each day.


Sound on Sound is organized, in part, by Founders Entertainment, the company responsible for the Governor's Ball in New York City.


Read the Connecticut Post article:

https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Sound-on-the-Sound-to-return-live-music-16673563.php  

SAVE THE DATE

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BAT Story Exchange

Thursday, March 3 | 7:00pm

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Next Meeting: Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 at 7 PM.


To recognize the art of storytelling, City Lights Gallery sponsors a once-monthly story gathering for adults on Zoom.


The emphasis is personal stories to share the human experience. Participants with fictional or historical stories are welcome too! We encourage professional tellers, amateurs, and listeners to join us. During the exchange, participants share a story, a part of a story, a story idea, or attend just to listen. 


Test out a piece, receive help developing it if you wish, and listen to the stories of others. Discover what makes a story compelling.


Zoom Registration Link here.


For more information, about the Storytelling Exchange please contact City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail [email protected]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS 

The Shops at Yale and Whitney-Audubon Retail

Call for Artists and Musicians

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The Shops at Yale and the Whitney-Audubon Retail & Arts District invite local visual artists and musicians of all skill levels to submit their information for participation in free contests as well as paid opportunities for events and activations in downtown New Haven. We invite all New Haven, local and regional artists and musicians - independent, student, rising, amateur and professional to consider participating.


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbYjO4ndsdxrp8ObTBiSAGQ5fuxPHmoQFxClJe51IeNThOBg/viewform

Bridgeport Film Fest:

Call for Submissions

Seeking short films, docs, music videos,

short screenplays, web series, and more!

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We are excited to announce that our submissions for the 2nd Annual Bridgeport Film Fest are now open until April 8, 2022!

Lastly, we are also excited to share we are coming back in July 2022 with even more films, special events, workshops, and panels! Feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions!

Link to Submit Instagram

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Free Paint / Open Gallery


Sundays 2-6pm


Come view the current show and/or make your own small painting.



All materials provided!

The Writer's Group

Saturday, February 12 | 2:00pm

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Tuesday Night Open Sketch

Starting March 1 | 6:30pm

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Figure Drawing Open Sketch begins in March 2022 at the NEST Arts Factory


Figure drawing resumes at the NEST on the 1st and 2nd Tuesday of the month, starting March 1, 2022. Bring your own drawing materials. $15 model fee.


Please RSVP to [email protected]

This is an open sketch studio workshop moderated by Ellie Mesa, sponsored by City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail.

City Lights & Company is a nonprofit organization

that serves the community through art.

Please click here to support free arts enrichment programs for youth and the community.


City Lights Vintage

Create your own style,

find that unique gift.

265 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport CT

Shop hrs: Th-Sat 12-5 pm, or by appointment

[email protected]

Check us out on Facebook


FEBRUARY PART 1- EVENTS CALENDAR 

Mike Vecchione-The Stress Factory

Thursday, February 10th - Sunday, February 12th

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Stand up Comedy

16 yrs old + | Tickets $20

https://bridgeport.stressfactory.com/shows/164992


Mike Vecchione has appeared on Comedy Centrals Live ar]t Gotham, Comedy Centrals Fresh Face Debates and the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Mike headlines across the USA and is based in NYC.


Masks are required at all times in the club, except when seated at your table.

"Rapunzel" Live

The Downtown Cabaret

Wednesday, February 12th - Sunday, March 20th | Various Times

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Tickets: $26



A new “twist” on the classic tale about the girl with the long golden hair. When the young Rapunzel has been locked in a tower by a wicked enchantress, it takes a handsome young hero to help her escape, and that’s just the beginning of the story!


Audience members 12 years old and older must present proof of being fully vaccinated OR show a negative COVID test result 48 hours prior. Home COVID tests are not accepted. Children under 12 years old are NOT required to show a negative COVID test. Everyone must wear a mask


Per our updated COVID policies and procedures, tables of 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8. are sold by the entire table. Please check our website in the event of an emergency cancellation. 

More info

Fairfield County Children’s Choir “Back to Broadway”

The Klein Memorial Auditorium

Saturday, February 12th | Various Times

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Celebrating the musicals “Mamma Mia and “Wicked”


Each performance has a different cast performing the same music. Concerts run 45 min and tickets are good for all three in-person concerts or the live stream of the performance.



Face masks are required for all attending.

More info

Second Saturday of Soul

Bpt Creates

Saturday, February 12th | 9:00pm-1:00am

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Live DJ Event celebrating Soul music!

DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST film screening

The NEST Arts Factory

Friday, February 18th | 6:00pm

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FREE | $5 suggested donation


In this film, Julie Dash evokes the details of a persisting African culture and the tensions between tradition and assimilation. Cinematography by Arthur Jafa.


Join us at the Nest Arts Factory in studio 6 for an evening of observance, followed by a discussion! 


Please send an RSVP email to [email protected] entailing the number of people in your party. Refreshments will be available for sale.

Earthquake

The Stress Factory

Friday, February 18th - Sunday, February 20th | Various Times

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Stand up Comedy

16 yrs old | Tickets $30

https://bridgeport.stressfactory.com/events/49679


Earthquake is a comedian, actor, voice artist and a radio personality. He earned a strong fan base by programming BET, HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime and more.



Masks are required at all times in the club, except when seated at your table.


Who's Bad: MJ Tribute Show

Park City Music Hall

Saturday, February 19th | Doors: 8:00pm \ Show: 9:00pm

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Tickets $31

https://parkcitymusichall.com/event/whos-bad-the-ultimate-michael-jackson-experience/


The longest-running Michael Jackson tribute band has ignited crowds in every continent.


This show is 21+

Proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result within 72 hours, or a rapid test from the day of show. We comply with all local, state and federal ordinances and mandates when applicable. 


Papadosio

Park City Music Hall

Sunday, February 20th | Doors: 7:00pm \ Show: 9:00pm

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VIP Package available | $30-$80 

This show is 21+



Tickets 

https://parkcitymusichall.com/event/papadosio/


Characterized as a dynamic progressive rock band, Papadosio creates the sound of new-age technology merging with mesmerizing instrumentation.



Proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result within 72 hours, or a rapid test from the day of show. We comply with all local, state and federal ordinances and mandates when applicable.


Masterclass Workshop: Training Animals for Film

The Klein Memorial Auditorium

Monday, February 21st | 6:00 pm

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Free Admission; no registration required

In-person and live-streamed option


Event link

https://www.theklein.org/buy-tickets/upcoming-events/feb-21-kta-master-class-ryan-peterson-and-christine-pitcairn/

Master Class Workshop - Training Animals for film and Industry


Ryan Peterson and Christine Pitcairn of LTD Animals.

LTD Animals provides trained horses and livestock for stage appearances and events.

Black History Month "Kuumba"

ZOOM

Thursday, February 24th | 6:30 pm

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Black History “Kuumba” - Leaving our communities more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited them


Emerging Voices Productions presents a night of music, spoken word, black history quiz and prizes. Rev Ina Alisa Anderson will host.


About Emerging voices Productions https://www.emergingvoicesproduction.com/

City Lights/Bpt Art Trail | bridgeport-art-trail.org

Thank you to our sponsors

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