Concerts Under the Stars

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Concerts Under the Stars
The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts will celebrate its 35th birthday this summer and once again over 50 nights of FREE entertainment will be offered, with a different format each evening to suit all ages and tastes.  The celebratory season will begin with a special family performance on Sunday, June 22, at 7pm, with the award-winning Russian American Kids Circus, sponsored by Melissa & Doug.  

You're invited to bring picnics, blankets and beach chairs to enhance the Pavilion experience.  Selected performances, including the Wednesday Night Children's Series, have rain locations.  
Sunday – Jazz & Big Band (7pm)
Monday – Outdoor Movies for Teens (8:30pm)
Tuesday – Potpourri (8pm)
Wednesday – Children's Shows (7pm)
Thursday - Classical & Cabaret (8pm)
Friday - Party Bands (8pm)
Saturday – Blues/Folk/Rock (8pm)

There are two ticketed events planned to help underwrite the 57 free performances.  Five-time Grammy Award-winner, Michael McDonald, the unforgettable voice of the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan Band member, will perform on Thursday, July 31.  Tickets for the concert, sponsored by Tiffany & Co., are $70 for general admission and $95 for preferred seating.  Benefactor tickets begin at $285 and include the pre-show Cocktail Party and Buffet Dinner, priority seating at the concert, and a Post Party.  Chairs are provided for everyone.

The second special event to benefit the Pavilion will be the Dave Mason Band on Saturday, August 23, sponsored by Commerce Bank.  General admission tickets are $50; Benefactor tickets are $125 and include a pre-concert Cocktail Party and preferred seating.  

The proceeds from the two fundraising events will help to underwrite the 57 nights of FREE entertainment.  Tickets may be charged online: levittpavilion.com or by phone:  (203) 226-7600.  Tickets are also available at the Pavilion office, 260 South Compo Road.  A limited number of tickets may be available at the Pavilion gate prior to the concerts.  

For information, concert and weather updates, visit the Pavilion's website: levittpavilion.com or call the Concert Hot Line: (203) 221-2153.


2008 SUMMER CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Sunday, June 22, 7pm
Opening Night: Russian American Kids Circus
This blend of circus arts, theater, dance, music and comedy gives birth to an entirely new genre of entertainment experience. Sponsor: Melissa & Doug®

Mondays, June 23
No Performance

Tuesday, June 24, 8pm
The Merwin Mountain Band
They perform with spot-on harmonies and finely crafted melody lines that raise every song to new levels of enjoyment.  X

Wednesday, June 25, 7pm*
The Hall Family
Everyone's favorite musical group returns for the 17th year.  S  
*Pre-show festivities begin at 6:30.  
Sponsor: Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation

Thursday, June 26, 8pm
Westport Community Band
Our town's own talented musicians continue a proud Pavilion tradition.  S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Friday, June 27, 8pm
New York City Swing
The charismatic group has performed at Inaugural Balls, Grammy parties and on Network TV.  S    
Dance lesson 7:15.
Sponsor: Weston Capital Management LLC

Saturday, June 28, 8pm
Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
"Imbued with the mystical stirrings and idealism of the 60's" – NY Times.  X
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Tuesday, July 8, 8pm
Moxie
New arrangements of great popular swing tunes showcase three-part vocal harmony and jazz rhythm section.  S
Sponsor: CT Commision on Culture & Tourism

Wednesday, July 9, 7pm
SteveSongs
Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner!  The LA Times applauds Steve's "gentle humor and creative songs." S
Sponsor: Westport Young Woman's League

Thursday, July 10, 8pm
A Klezmer Bash!
Flute, fiddle and special friends join together for a vibrant
evening of traditional song and dance.   S

Friday, July 11, 8pm
Eight to the Bar
New England's premier swing group and "Best Dance Band 2007" – Connecticut Magazine.  S
Dance lesson 7:15.
Sponsor: Weston Capital Management LLC

Saturday, July 12, 8pm
Aztec Two-Step
Dazzling acoustic guitars and inspiring harmonies - "James Taylor meets Simon & Garfunkel" – Boston Globe.  S
Sponsor: Evi Allen Special Program Fund

Sunday, July 13, 7pm
Navy Band Newport
This 16-piece military band returns with music from the big band era to the present.  S  
Host: VFW Post 399

Monday, July 14
No Performance

Tuesday July 15, 8pm
Treehouse Comedy Club I
Sit down for stand-ups as 3 comic cut-ups deliver a night of laughs (PG-13).  S  
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Wednesday, July 16, 7pm
Bounce, Ooo La La & Daniel
A smorgasbord of juggling, unicycling, music, mime and silly tricks.  S
Sponsor: Westport Young Woman's League

Thursday, July 17, 8pm
Westchester Chordsmen
50-person barbershop chorus plus doo-wop, gospel, contemporary and Broadway show tunes.  S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Friday, July 18, 7:15pm*
Irish House Party
A grand tradition: The Gaelic-American Glee Club, bagpipes, step-dancers and guest stars.  S  
*Note early start time.

Saturday, July 19, 8pm
VooDoo Carnival
A classic rock and blues band, voted "Best of the Gold Coast CT" by Moffly Magazines.  X
Sponsor: Downtown Merchants Association

Sunday, July 20, 7pm
Bob Lasprogato & Uptown Jazz
For listening or dancing, smooth sounds for a hot summer night.  S
Sponsor: Connecticut Light & Power

Monday, July 21
No Performance

Tuesday, July 22, 8pm
Atwater-Donnelly Band
A unique and thrilling blend of traditional American and Celtic folk music and dance.  S  

Wednesday, July 23, 7pm
Jon Gailmor
The award-winning folk-singer is "Better than Bob Dylan, because I can understand what he is saying" – Silas, Age 5, Newtown, CT.  S
Sponsor: Westport Young Woman's League

Thursday, July 24, 8pm
Joe Carter Brazilian Jazz Quintet
Brazilian jazz, refined and elegant is the intense underlying pulse of these internationally acclaimed artists.  S

Friday, July 25, 8pm
DNR
Fairfield County's all-physician rock'n'roll band plays an excellent mix of danceable music.  S  
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Saturday, July 26, 8pm
Heather Hardy & the Lil'Mama Band
Her beautiful voice and 5-string electric violin become one with the music; blues influenced by jazz and rock.  S
Sponsor: JRS Financial Services, LLC

Sunday, July 27, 7pm
Mikata Salsa
Music and dance from West Africa to the Caribbean and Brazil" – NY Times.  S  
Dance lesson 6:15.  
Sponsor: Weston Capital Management LLC & CT Commission on Culture & Tourism

Monday, July 28, 9pm
No Performance

Tuesday, July 29, 8pm
Abaca Duo
"Their blend of classical and popular music is a model of professionalism, superb artistry and excellent taste" - Newport Music Festival.  S

Wednesday, July 30, 7pm
Hot Peas 'N Butter
Featured on Nickelodeon and Sirius Satellite Radio's Kids Stuff, this unique musical group is simply irresistible!  S
Sponsor: Melissa & Doug®

Thursday, July 31, 9pm
An Evening with Michael McDonald
The legendary rock star in a special ticketed performance to benefit the Pavilion.  Charge tickets online: levittpavilion.com or call: 226-7600.  
Sponsor: Tiffany & Co.

Friday, August 1, 8pm
Scratch
A wide selection of dynamic rock'n'roll songs – current hits to old favorites.  X
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Saturday, August 2, 8pm
Old School Music's Female Vocal Review
Geared for listening; enjoy a supper club vibe and a variety of top talent in one action-packed show.  S  
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Sunday, August 3, 7pm
John Jorgenson Quintet
"The astonishing guitarist conducts a master class in gypsy jazz" – Washington Post.  S  
Sponsor: Shepard Insurance Group

Monday, August 4, 8:30pm
Juno (PG 13)
An Oscar winning comedy-drama about an unconventional 16-year old and her unplanned pregnancy.  T  
Sponsor: Westport Youth Commission/Toquet Hall

Tuesday, August 5, 8pm
Treehouse Comedy Club II
3 more comedians and an encore laugh night (PG-13).  S
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Wednesday, August 6, 7pm
Milkshake
Great rock music for kids (and parents); influenced by Lennon-McCartney to the White Stripes.  S  
Sponsor: Melissa & Doug®

Thursday, August 7, 8pm
Rob Carlson & Modern Man
Bridging the gap between the 3 Tenors and the 3 Stooges, this trio never met a punch-line they did not like.  S

Friday, August 8, 8pm
Mill River Band
Experience a unique blend of acoustic rock, country blues and western swing.  X    
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Saturday, August 9, 8pm
Mary Lamont Band
"The Queen of Long Island Country…she will knock you off your seat" - Newsday.  S    
Dance lesson 7:15.  
Sponsor: Weston Capital Management LLC

Sunday, August 10, 7pm
Lao Tizer Band
Fresh from the City of Angels, Tizer is a torchbearer for a new generation of contemporary jazz.  S
Sponsor: Country Living Associates

Monday, August 11, 8:30pm
Across the Universe (PG 13)
Set in the Vietnam area, this Academy-Award nominated film pairs original music with over 30 Beatles hits.  T
Sponsor: Westport Youth Commission/Toquet Hall

Tuesday, August 12, 8pm
Doc Wallace Trio
The first American band to tour the former Soviet Union plays a dazzling mix of jazz, blues, rock'n'roll and Cajun.  S

Wednesday, August 13, 7pm
Papillion
An engaging and energetic celebration of Cajun, Zydeco and Mardi Gras music.  Some pirate songs for good measure!  S
Sponsor: Melissa & Doug®

Thursday, August 14, 8pm
Power of Love
Not one or two, but three divas and an evening of love songs – from folk to opera to standards and show tunes.  S
 
Friday, August 15, 8pm
Early Clover
A charismatic singer and stirring renditions of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Sam Cooke classics.  S
Sponsor: Evi Allen Special Program Fund

Saturday, August 16, 8pm
The Blues Busters
They rock - a serious jam band using the soul of the blues as a vehicle.  American music!  X
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Sunday, August 17, 7pm
Chris Coogan Jazz Quintet
Live and swinging with classics like Little Liza Jane, Norwegian Wood, and Georgia, as well as new originals.  S
Sponsor: Evi Allen Special Program Fund

Monday, August 18, 8:30pm
Cloverfield (PG 13)
In this horror film, 5 young adults document a monster-attack in NYC with a hand-held camera.  T
Sponsor: Westport Youth Commission/Toquet Hall

Tuesday, August 19, 8pm
Connecticut Ballet
Beautifully trained dancers in a program of classical and contemporary ballet.  S  
Sponsor: CT Commission on Culture & Tourism

Wednesday, August 20, 7pm
Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Voted Best Kids Band 2008 by Time Out NY Kids!  S
Sponsor: Melissa & Doug®

Thursday, August 21, 8pm
Jodi Keogan & Company
The joyous ensemble performs everyone's favorite arias and show tunes.  S  

Friday, August 22, 8pm
Celebration
One of the metropolitan area's premier party bands, they play with energy, elegance and style.  X
Sponsor: Parks & Recreation

Saturday, August 23, 8pm
Dave Mason Band
The rock'n'roll Hall of Famer in a special performance to benefit the Pavilion.  Charge tickets online: levittpavilion.com or call: 226-7600.  
Sponsor: Commerce Bank

Sunday, August 24, 7pm
Fairfield Counts
Enjoy swing and the big band sound with these popular area favorites.    Please bring canned goods for the Woman's Club Food Closet.  S      
Sponsor: Westport Rotary

Monday, August 25, 8:30pm
The Office (PG 13)
Enjoy a marathon of the first 2 seasons of this Emmy Award-winning comedy sitcom starring Steve Carell.  T
Sponsor: Westport Youth Commission/Toquet Hall

Rain Location & General Information
Rain Location codes: "S" for Saugatuck School, 170 Riverside Avenue, "T" for Toquet Hall, 58 Post Road East, or "X" for No Rain Location.

For updates, visit  levittpavilion.com or call the Concert Hot Line: 203.221-2153. Programs, artists and schedule subject to change.
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updated 4 years ago