Les Bon Temps Rouler at Pequot Library

Les Bon Temps Rouler at Pequot Library:

Cajun musician Papillion 

entertains families Friday night

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 8/1)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/30/11

Southport, CT – One of the most devastating hurricanes the United States has ever experienced led to his doing permanent annual gigs in the northeast and, on Friday, July 29, the performer was visiting the area again.

Papillion, billed as a Louisiana musician and storyteller, was the attraction at Pequot Library in Southport this past Friday evening when the institution presented a Cajun and Zydeco program on the great lawn. Several adults and their young children attended, sitting in chairs or blankets and enjoying a picnic dinner as they listened to the guitarist strum away and relate stories about his rich Bayou history.

Ironically, if it had not been for Hurricane Katrina’s unwelcome visit in August 2005, and the total interruption it caused in his capacity to earn an income in his home state of Louisiana, Papillion may not have come up to this area at all.

“It blew me up here,” the bearded, 40-ish looking Southerner said. “I had presented a workshop in the Ansonia area, in the spring before Katrina, and made good connections there. A few weeks after Katrina came through, the directors called me and offered assistance where they could. They flew me up and booked me at preschools, elementary schools and libraries, and that just lit the match in terms of my getting a foothold in the Northeast.”

Now the musician comes up three times a year for three weeks at a time. He stays in an apartment/guest room at the Julia Day Nursery School in Ansonia, which has been provided to him annually free of charge since Katrina.

Papillion said his Cajun music is very much about family and celebrating that experience. “I do stuff about life, values, matters of the heart, grandparents,” he said. “It’s for all ages – there are multi-levels in what I share. Kids rise up to sophisticated themes.”

Papillion explained that he was born and raised in French Louisiana, as were his parents, grandparents, etc., and that many of his song themes are built around his family history. “My way-back ancestors, whom we call ‘Acadie’, came from Canada – Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.”

Local audiences here in Connecticut have given Papillion a very warm welcome he said. “One of my best indicators is when I am playing Fais Dodo (the Cajun Dance) and see Connecticut mommas and papas and grandparents all dancing with their babies,” he added.

Children’s Librarian Susan Ei said the Cajun format fits well with library programming. “Our summer reading theme is ‘One World, Many Stories,’” she said. “There are many stories in our own country and the Cajun aspect is one of them.”

There was no question families were enjoying the presentation. Fairfield mom Erin Russell, with husband Bill (Pequot Library’s board president), four-year-old daughter Maggie and twin one-year-old sons Henry and Edward, said, “I can’t think of a better way of spending a Friday night than listening to Cajun music.”

For more information about the performer, visit www.papillion.com

Doobies Rock the Levitt with Some Funky Dixieland Jams

Doobies Rock the Levitt with Some Funky Dixieland Jams

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

7/28/11

Westport, CT – Four decades after forming the band in northern California, Tommy Johnston was still rocking as hard as ever. And sidekick Pat Simmons was right beside him, strumming his axe and launching himself through the air. As Johnston put it, they played “a little old stuff, a little new stuff and some in-between stuff” and had the crowd completely mobilized.

The Doobie Brothers rocked the Levitt Pavilion Thursday night as the star attraction of the organizing body’s Summer Gala, the most important annual fundraiser the Performing Arts group organizes, which helps fund the cost of offering over 50 free performances at the space each summer season. The evening began with a 7 p.m. reception, held under a large white tent on Jesup Green, for top supporters, donors and dignitaries, sponsored by Honda of Westport. The concert followed at 9 p.m., underwritten by Poland Spring, which provides major support for the entire year of programming.

The opening song was the classic “Jesus Is Just Alright (With Me)” and, at first, it seemed as if the crowd would be polite and sedate and remain seated in the many rows of white molded chairs that filled the pavilion field. But as the band launched into “Rockin’ Down the Highway”, audience members leapt to their feet and rushed the stagefront to begin shimmying and dancing. And as the Doobies fired up “Rock Me a Little While”, the group of dancers grew until the whole pit area was packed solid and sweat ran off the brows of concertgoers as they writhed in the humid night.

It was drummer John Hartman and lead vocalist/guitarist Johnston that planted the Doobie seed, forming a power trio called Pud, with bassist Greg Murphy, in 1969. They then teamed up with bass player Dave Shogren and guitarist Simmons, adopting the name Doobie Brothers in 1971. The origin of the name is attributed to a housemate, Keith Rosen, who noted the guys’ fondness for doobies (marijuana cigarettes). The group built a following in Northern California in and around San Jose, and with the Hells Angels. A first, self-titled album failed to make record charts but a second, in 1972, called “Toulouse Street”, gave life to “Listen to the Music” and “Jesus Is Just Alright”, which propelled the band into the spotlight.

Michael Hossack took over for Hartman on drums, Shogren was replaced by Tiran Porter and Bill Payne came in on keyboards. Their sound evolved into a blend of R&B, country, bluegrass, hard rock, roadhouse boogie, funk and rock & roll, which found its way into follow-up anthems “China Grove” and “Long Train Runnin’”, on their 1973 album “The Captain and Me”, and “Without You” on 1974’s “What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits.”

As Keith Knudsen replaced Hossack and Jeff Baxter joined as third lead guitarist, the Doobies-defining “Black Water” rolled off the band’s assembly line, forever embedding the line “I’d like to hear some funky Dixieland, pretty mama come and take me by the hand” into fans’ minds and driving multi-platinum sales for “Vices”.

In 1975, touring was taking a toll on the band and Michael McDonald was recruited from retired Steely Dan to step in for an ailing Johnston. McDonald’s voice became the Doobie’s new signature sound as evidenced on 1976’s “Takin’ It to the Streets” and 1978’s “What a Fool Believes”, written with Kenny Loggins and earning a grammy for Record of the Year.

The Doobies ultimately disbanded in 1981, but reformed in 1989 with a mix of old and new recruits, under the leadership of Johnston, Simmons and Hossack.

At the pre-concert reception, attended by some 150 people, which included Pavilion matriarch Mimi Levitt, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, Second Selectman Shelly Kassen and a Who’s Who of area glitterati, recollections about the Doobies were rife.

Aryn Quinn, who came up from Manhattan for the show, said, “The first song I ever heard is ‘Black Water’. I remember listening to it on a small sky-blue transistor radio in bed. I was a little kid in the ‘70s and Steely Dan and the Doobies were the first rock bands I heard. The Doobies are musicians and Southern kick-ass rockers. The total package.”

Westporter Anita Parry said, “I’m from Minnesota originally and the Doobies were very big there back then. We all lived on the water so the ‘Black Water’ song was a favorite. They played at the Minnesota State Fair.”

Hyleri Katzenberg, who was surrounded by friends and husband Mark of the Katzenberg Kafe chain, exclaimed, “I’m a total Doobies fan. I’m looking to catch the sweat towel. My 30^th high school reunion is this weekend and this is getting me in the vibe – it’s my kickoff to getting back to 18!”

Westporter John Stefani lived in Manila in the late 1970s and would often play a cassette tape of “The Best of the Doobie Brothers.” He said, “I would lay in bed, flipping my basketball against the ceiling, and wouldn’t stop until the entire tape was done.”

Providing an official town perspective, First Selectman Joseloff offered, “The Playhouse and the Pavilion are among the stars of Westport, particularly at nights like this that enable over 50 nights of free entertainment. The weather is cooperative… this is a fun night.”

Turnpike Shopping Center Opening Just Around the Corner

Turnpike Shopping Center Opening Just Around the Corner:

ShopRite to reopen Sept. 16; balance of complex by Oct. 1

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 7/29)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/29/11

Fairfield, CT – A tweak here, a tweak there, some paint here, some roof tiles there. Accent work is all that really remains to complete work on the Turnpike Shopping Center, the complex encompassing stores from 1901 to 2009 Black Rock Turnpike.

According to Larry Roberts, a managing partner at Turnpike Properties and an owner/partner of the complex, the ShopRite Supermarket half of the property is set for a Sept. 16 reopening while upgrades on the balance of the complex will be complex by the end of September.

Roberts, whose complex owner partners include Al and Ken Kleban, gave some background on the property, noting that the original lessee, going back to the mid-1970s, was First National, supermarket owners. “Then Shaw’s was assigned the lease, about 15 years ago, followed by Wakefern/ShopRite, in the summer of 2010.”

Roberts’ company (Roberts Associates) and Kleban Properties, met with Wakefern/ShopRite and extended the store’s lease. As part of the agreement, Roberts/Kleban agreed to upgrade ShopRite’s façade. “We don’t do anything part way,” said Roberts. “Upgrades include resurfacing sidewalks, new facades and decorative roofing. We also expanded Webster Bank’s space, adding a drive-thru. In all, the property encompasses 110,000 square feet.”

Roberts’ group has put $2 million into the upgrade, which is mostly exterior work, while ShopRite has put in an estimated $5 million, for interior renovations. Roberts said the renovation work has gone along very smoothly. “The town has been very cooperative and is pleased with the progress,” said Turnpike Properties’ Facilities Manager Jeff Campbell, who has been onsite overseeing contractor work. “The general public is also very complimentary. People ask us more than 10 times a day when we’re going to open.”

Campbell mentioned that among improvements was the addition of recess lights and post lamps that are LED controlled. “They will provide big energy economies, using just a quarter of the power used before.”

As contract work moves down the homestretch, the following retailers continue to be open and conduct business: Party City, G.Q. Shoe Repair, J. Albert Johnson Jewelers, Audiodesign, Super Cuts, Choice Pet Supply, Eastern Mountain Sports, Webster Bank, Soccer Post, Shelton-Saxe Aesthetics, China Wok, Rehab Associates, Pearl Vision Center, Superior Cleaners, Billy’s Bakery, United States Post Office, Salon V and Tek Kwon Do Academy.

As for ShopRite, interior updates are nearly complete and shelves are already being stocked with non-perishable food items.

For more details about the project, visit www.turnpikeproperties.net

View Finder: Go Team!

View Finder: Go Team!

FLHS cheerleaders wash cars to raise funds

By Mike Lauterborn

(Posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 7/28)

Fairfield, CT – Standing curbside on Reef Road near the fire station with two hand-written posterboard signs saying WE CLEAN CARS, Mary-Kate O’Brien and Taylor Van Fleet flagged down passing cars and steered them toward the back of the station. The sixteen-year-olds were representing the Fairfield Ludlowe High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad, the balance of which was in the parking lot behind the station, hoses in hand.

No, not fire hoses, but the garden variety, used for watering plants or, in this case, washing down cars. For a small fee, any motorist could get their car washed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, courtesy of the squad. All monies raised would help the team offset its expenses, including uniforms, music, choreography and travel.

While the girls sponged cars, scrubbed hubcaps and rinsed dirt off cars that came through, Coaches Jessica Young, 22, and Ashley Carolan, 21, looked on. Carolan mentioned that, in addition to this annual car wash effort, the team does a fundraiser at Stop & Shop in October, to benefit children with special needs involved in cheerleading.

The good intentions aside, it was clear the girls were having some good old soapy, sudsy, summer fun.

View Finder: Wayne from Maine

View Finder: Wayne from Maine

Kittery performer entertains moms & kids on Sherman Green

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 7/28)

Fairfield, CT – Wednesday July 27 marked the fourth of five scheduled Picnic Performances on downtown’s Sherman Green. Entertaining some 75 to 100 moms and children was Wayne from Maine, a duo from Kittery consisting of the Maine man himself and percussionist Jimmy James, known as the KoongaBoonga man.

As the audience, arranged on blankets and towels, looked on, the musical pair laid down “edu-tainment” designed to take listeners on an interactive musical journey to inspire the young and young-at-heart.

Sponsored by Trinity Church of Fairfield, the event also featured a face painting station, of which most children took advantage. Rainbows, sharks and other iconic symbols adorned cheeks and foreheads, lending a visual element to the audio experience.

East Coast United Breaks Out of the Box

East Coast United 
Breaks Out of the Box:

Joe Oppedisano committed to spotlighting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

By Mike Lauterborn

(posted to Fairfield.Patch.com 7/26)

© 2011. All Rights Reserved.

7/26/11

Fairfield, CT – “It’s live and real, hands-on, with students going through and performing the actual moves,” said Joe Oppedisano, speaking about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one of several action sports he teaches and offers through East Coast United, a fitness facility he opened at 1496 Post Road in Fairfield Center last May.

The 2,400-square-foot ground level space, which abuts Fairfield Center Jewelers, also features boxing, self-defense, ultimate fitness, cardio kickboxing, muay thai and personal training. On August 15, he will move into a new space at Fairfield’s Sportsplex.

Oppedisano was raised in Westport, where he attended Staples High School and captained both the wrestling and football teams. After achieving FCIAC honors in both sports, he went on to play collegiate football at Western Connecticut. The martial arts enthusiast has spent the last eight years focused on the study, training and competition of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has performed at the highest level at renown competitions like the Pan-American, Naga and BJJ World Championships.

At his Fairfield studio, which encompasses a 1,500-square-foot wall-to-wall mat, Oppedisano guides over 100 clients from all levels of experience on unique strength, technical and cardiovascular training exercises. Students come from all area towns, Trumbull through Norwalk.

Mornings, women participate in an Ultimate Fitness class. Fairfielder Ellen LoGuidice, who has taken the class for the past three months, said it’s very challenging and different than anything else she had ever tried. “In the past, I’ve done step classes and running. This routine changes all the time and intervals are timed. You’d never realize how hard it is to do a certain number of reps for one minute straight.”

Classmate and fellow Fairfielder Kelly Orsoni said her daughter, who is a college athlete, started going to ECU, at night, while Orsoni was going to a local gym. “She told me that what I’m getting is nothing compared to what Joe offers,” said Orsoni. “It’s very intense and he pushes you farther than you can imagine. Joe’s love for children is also incredible.”

Women’s Self-Defense classes meet midday and are led, in part, by Joe’s niece, Gabriella Oppedisano, 15, from Trumbull. She teaches kids ages 5 to 10. “They’re fun and eager to learn,” she said. “I’ve been doing this consistently for a year, and have learned a lot. I feel confident that I could successfully defend myself.”

Sarah Wojnarski, 29, of Fairfield, is just starting to gain that confidence. She began taking Jiu-Jitsu a month ago, though had worked out at ECU for a year prior. “I chose this gym environment over other area facilities like The Edge and Planet Fitness, which are more like social clubs,” she said. “This is a serious setting in which I can not only get a great workout but also learn a martial art and self-defense. I watch the news every night and there’s always some story about a lady getting attacked. I want to be prepared just in case. I want to feel empowered that I can defend myself.”

Wojnarski works out at ECU four days a week for an hour-and-a-half a day. The program is having an impact, she says. “My body is changing so rapidly in such a short period of time. I’m stronger, more toned and more flexible. Joe’s a great instructor. You can see he has a passion for this. Coming to this class, you feel you’re not lost in the crowd – he gives you personal attention and you get a feeling of belonging.”

Fairfielder Alex Leykikh, a state champion wrestler in high school, University of Virginia and Penn State collegiate wrestler, three-time Divison 1 national qualifier and ACC Big 10 champ, said Jiu-Jitsu is a natural evolution after wrestling. “It’s more fun and can be implemented in a real-life situation if ever needed,” he said. “There’s really nothing like it. It tests your will, mentally and physically. Joe’s extremely technical, which makes it very interesting.”

Coming off a soccer injury, Luis Gonzalez, 22, of Tuckahoe, NY, wanted an exercise program that wouldn’t put pressure on his knee and would keep him fit. “The more I learn about Jiu-Jitsu, the more I want to continue to explore.”

Gonzalez has now decided to start training for a Jiu-Jitsu competition next year. “I want to prove to myself what I’ve learned,” he said.

Oppedisano said most students come to him just wanting to feel more confident in themselves. “I have local moms and dads that have come here for specific guidance in defending themselves to protect their family in an emergency situation,” he said. “I’m big on using the body as a substitute for weights. In other words, we tone up just by working with each other and going through the motions.”

Overall, Oppedisano said Jiu-Jitsu grows every day. He competes all over the world every year so that he can be at competition-level readiness, always. “I tell parents all the time, I have the ability to make your child a champion.”

For more information about East Coast United, call 203-355-1871 or visit www.ecuffld.com

Sundays are Super at Mahackeno Outdoor Center

Sundays are Super at Mahackeno Outdoor Center

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Westport News)

7/24/11

Westport, CT – Happy squeals of kids splashing around in a pool, the drifting smell of burgers and hot dogs on a grill, and the thunk of arrows hitting a target. It was Summer Sunday once again at Mahackeno Outdoor Center and area families were taking full advantage, making the best of a sticky, humid afternoon.

This was the third Sunday of July the event had been scheduled and there would be just one more for the summer – July 31 – in a first-time program hosted by the Westport/Weston Family Y at the 37 Rices Lane facility. Families could engage in a wide range of activities including archery, horseshoes, canoeing, a playground, basketball and swimming, as well as enjoy a barbecue lunch. These Sunday events are free for Westport/Weston Y members and just $20 per family for non-members.

“The pool has always been open during the summer for members only, but just the pool,” explained Shelley Moll, Health & Wellness Director for the Y. “Now we have opened up more of the facilities for everyone’s usage.”

Enjoying the pool with her family in tow, Fairfielder Melissa Flanary said her son Sean, 7, goes to camp at Mahackeno and really wanted to show everyone what the facilities were like. “Today was a good opportunity to do that,” she said.

Melissa’s husband Mike was especially grateful to be in the pool, noting, “I was one of the unlucky commuters on the train Friday that broke down between Westport and Green’s Farms, five minutes from my stop. I was stuck on the train for an hour and a half and another hour waiting at the station for another train to take us out. It was torture, essentially being stuck in a metal box in the sun.”

Amanda Beall of Fairfield, whose daughter Lilly Chin is a Mahackeno summer camper as well, was loving the pool, too. “We don’t have other access to an outdoor pool,” she said. “It’s been so hot that this is a great way to cool off. It was this or the movie theater. This won out as it got started earlier and we can take greater advantage of the day.”

Scott Smith, the Y’s Communications Director, said the pool had become the more popular activity of all those offered because of the lasting heat spell. “The first couple of Summer Sundays, our archery, climbing wall and canoe station were mobbed with people as the temps were cooler and because the activities are not common to most people’s experience,” he said. “Now we’ve got this humid weather and everyone wants to stay in the pool. This is the only shaded public pool in town, so it’s a popular destination.”

Watching her son, Evan, 8, shoot arrows into a target in the Center’s archery area, Robyn Defonce of Fairfield remarked, “We did this last weekend and the kids had so much fun that we decided to come again. Twenty dollars is a great value for lunch, swimming and all the activities.”

Playing basketball with his six-year-old son Kyle, another Mahackeno summer camper, Weston resident Kevin Barry said, “We thought we’d enjoy the facilities together on a hot summer afternoon.”

Stepping from the pool to the grill, Jeannette Buchanan of Stamford, who was joined by her husband Jim and daughter Kianna, 9, said their friends had invited them along. “What a great way to spend time as a family – a family day in the woods.”

Sunday, July 31, 11am-4pm, is the last Summer Sunday of the year at Mahackeno Outdoor Center, 37 Rices Lane, Westport. For more information, email grush@WestportY.org, call 203-226-8981 or visit www.WestportY.org