Mardi Gras Celebration Rocks Black Rock

Mardi Gras Celebration 
Rocks Black Rock

By Mike Lauterborn

(for HamletHub.com/Fairfield)

2/19/12

Black Rock, CT – Black Rock gave New Orleans a run for its money Saturday, Feb. 18, when it pulled it out all the stops to celebrate Mardi Gras. The fun began midday and built in intensity and numbers as day turned to night and the hours pushed past midnight.

Concentrated on Fairfield Avenue among three main venues – Acoustic Café, Neutral Ground and Lulu’s – the event attracted hundreds of revelers who turned up in festive garb with an aim to “laissez les bon temps roulez”. Each venue had been renamed for the occasion and offered a distinctive push.

Acoustic Café was dubbed Rue Bourbon Stage and featured seven acts over an 11-hour period, from Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps to I Anbassa. Beads were draped over the backs of chairs, a merchandise table pitched masks, hats and “Got Beads” t-shirts, and the bar promoted a number of drink and food specials: Hurricanes, Bourbon Street Banger shots and Mac ‘n Cheese.

Next door, Lulu’s – Rue Decatur Stage – gave visitors the opportunity to be photographed in costume in front of a New Orleans street scene backdrop, courtesy of Racheal Jankelson. Beads lay on tables for the picking and eight performers, from Ada Pasternak to TC & the Speakers, graced a space at the back of the venue.

Across the street, Neutral Ground a.k.a. Rue Canal Stage promoted Voodoo Rum Punch and a Saranac Beer special, wherein people could purchase a logo’d glass for $6 and fill it up at a discount. The special, actually, was offered across all of the sites, as Saranac was a major event sponsor. Another highlight here was facepainting – done quickly but elaborately. Performers at this stage ranged from HOE to Nigel Hall (of the Royal Family) and The AB featuring members of the Sam Kininger Band.

In the middle of it all, curbside, was Marty McCarthy and his Fire Engine Pizza Company, serving up slices from his trusty converted fire engine.

All of the festivities were coordinated by BlackRock Rocks, holed up in a space one floor up from Home on the Range. There, Melissa Bernstein and her mom Adele accommodated performers and press with trays of food and coordinated event scheduling and staffers.

Kids Drop In for Fairfield Woods Lego Relaxation

Kids Drop In for Fairfield Woods Lego Relaxation

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

2/17/12

Fairfield, CT – What do you get when you cross two dozen kids with more than two thousand Legos? Friday fun at Fairfield Woods Library.

At its regular end-of-week Drop-In session, the facility let area kids – ages 5 to 8 -- loose on its Lego collection and encouraged them to build creations that would then be displayed in the Children’s area of the library.

“Children create whatever they like with our Legos, all of which were donated by local families and individuals,” said Cheryl Delvecchio, the Branch Children’s Librarian. “We want the session to be a relaxing fun Friday afternoon, wherein kids can be with their friends. I give each participant a big plastic cup to scoop up Legos, then they can go back and forth. We display their creations for a week, then the finished pieces are broken up and returned to the play room.”

Delvecchio said that kids often collaborate on projects and that Lego books and magazines are also provided to help spur ideas.

There was no lack of chatter in the small meeting room where the event was held, and much rustling of Legos as kids dug through large bins on long tables at opposite ends of the space. 

CT Audubon’s Adirondack Night: Flannel, Chili and Fowl

CT Audubon’s Adirondack Night: Flannel, Chili and Fowl

By Mike Lauterborn

(for HamletHub.com/Fairfield)

2/17/12

Fairfield, CT – About 100 locals swapped black ties and formal wear for their best flannels and jeans to attend an annual fundraiser saturated with references to simple, nature-enhanced mountain life.

Adirondack Night, held Thursday evening, Feb. 16, at Connecticut Audubon Society’s 2328 Burr Street property, featured a silent auction, folk band and fare like chili, wild Alaskan salmon and cheese and cracker platters. The Center’s naturalists were also on hand to introduce guests to a pair of resident barn owls, Milton and Millie.

Items included in the auction were bird-themed and whimsical, including a “Basket of Bird Booze” featuring brands like Wild Turkey, Grey Goose and The Famous Grouse. Other pieces included limited edition artwork, a special home-prepared chef’s dinner and a coffee set with bird-adorned cups. Bidding was feverish, with attendees not only eager to take home favored items but to support the Center and its programming – the prime purpose of the fundraiser.

A few guests were tempted to two-step as Matt Miklus and band One Way Track laid down a folksy soundtrack, providing an authentic backdrop to an already rustic cabin-like setting. Candles, bird paintings and bird statuettes helped complete the picture. 

Fairfield University Students Celebrate Brazilian Carnival

Fairfield University Students Celebrate Brazilian Carnival

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield Citizen News)

2/16/12

Fairfield, CT – Fairfield University students donned masks and beads to show their unity -- and their moves -- at a campus-based celebration of Brazilian Carnival Thursday night.

Held on the lower level of the Barone Center at the 1073 North Benson Road university site, the free event drew about three dozen people, who enjoyed dancing and a variety of traditional Brazilian finger foods. The night was organized by the Office of Student Diversity Programs and the school’s programs in Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

Leading the gathering in dancing was Brazilian Portuguese Instructor Jordano Quaglia. With almost limitless energy, he shuffled and dropped and wiggled to the beats, while the audience followed suit. Fellow event organizer Chyristie Cruz, assistant director of Student Diversity Programs, eyed the scene, toes tapping in place.

Hanging all around the space were decorative streamers imitating the yellow, green and blue colors of the Brazilian flag. Balloons added to the effect, transforming what is normally a plain, academic campus thoroughfare into a samba dance party.

Darien Social Club: Comfortable Setting, Thoughtful Fare

Darien Social Club: 
Comfortable Setting, Thoughtful Fare

By Mike Lauterborn

(for Fairfield HamletHub)

2/15/12

Darien, CT – Looking to explore the restaurant landscape beyond Fairfield’s borders? Consider a visit to Darien Social Club, opened just two weeks ago at 10 Center Street, Darien. Taking a few cues from speakeasy clubs, the new eatery offers a comfortable atmosphere, tasty libations and small plates and pizza to please the palate.

There are two main sections in the restaurant’s footprint: a bar area and a dining space. The bar area, with a long marble counter and over a dozen tables, is an afterwork destination. Its brick walls, wood floors and mix of Edison lights and contemporary spots make it inviting. The drink list makes it even more so.

Beer connoisseurs have a choice of 31 different brands on tap, ranging from pilsners to pints and weizen glasses. One might try a flight, starting with a Radenberger Pilsner and Brooklyn Brown Ale and progressing to a Lagunitas IPA and Ommegang Abbey Ale. Cocktails are of an old-fashioned ilk that have been refreshed and updated. For example, the DSC’s idea of a Manhattan is white whiskey and maraschino cherries. Wines, whenever possible, are organic sustainable and carefully chosen to complement fare. Some excellent selections include Millbrandt Chardonnay from eastern Washington, Bigvine pinot noir and Hobo Zinfandel.

Comfort and warmth extends to the dining area, where visitors can enjoy what Executive Chef Nick Bilello calls American comfort food. Snacks and small plates, ranging from $6 to $15 are popular, as are sandwiches ($10 - $14) and pizza ($11 - $14). A tasty pizza choice is one made with wild forest mushrooms and Bridges Abbey cheese, sourced in Connecticut. Green house salads, farmstead cheeses from Vermont and entrees like wood oven roasted chicken and beef short ribs (ranging $19 - $30) round out the menu.

Other hearty menu favorites include scallops with bacon jam, shrimp and grits with crispy polenta cake, pork sliders, Swedish meatballs with foie gras gravy and wild salmon with Swiss chard.

For dessert, try house-made cookies with shots of granola milk or a vanilla pot de crème.