BY RUDY MARCONI
Residents and visitors have long been drawn to Ridgefield”™s beauty as a source for artistic inspiration ”” particularly in the summer months. We continue that tradition with a wide array of vibrant cultural happenings this summer.
- Rudy Marconi
On Saturday, July 18, Ridgefield rewinds with a town-wide time warp back to the 1970s for our Super Seventies Summerfest. Classic cars, merchants and artisans will line the streets and the stage will be hopping as bands play the ”™70s greatest hits. There is fun for the whole family.
For more on Ridgefield”™s history, visit the Keeler Tavern Museum, once the summer home of the prominent Beaux Arts architect Cass Gilbert. For antiques lovers, the museum hosts its annual Antiques and Treasures sale Aug. 7-9. Hundreds of antiques are displayed in arranged rooms showcasing furniture, mirrors, paintings, glass, china, silver and other decorative accessories.
Take a stroll around former summer residence, Weir Farm National Historic Site. Painter Julian Alden Weir, pioneer of American Impressionism, transformed his retreat into a creative refuge for friends and fellow artists in the late 1880s ”” and his legacy of artistic expression continues today. Explore the newly renovated home and artist studios and discover your inner artist while sketching en plein air (art supplies are provided by the site).
Ready to embrace the lazy summer days? Visit the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum for “Sloth,” its contribution to the “Seven Deadly Sins,” the first programmatic collaboration of the seven Fairfield/Westchester Museum Alliance member institutions. Salute the idle days of summer with a tour of “Sloth” led by exhibition organizers, songs about laziness, family activities, food for purchase and other sinful and slothful surprises.
From there, take a stroll down Main Street and to the Watershed Gallery for a its “Cuts Both Ways” exhibit featuring two astounding paper-cut artists, then continue on to the Ridgefield Library for author talks, movies and music series.
I invite you to come enjoy these events and discover our cultural and historic treasures, shopping and culinary delights and exceptional arts and entertainment venues.
For more information on upcoming events, including those on this page, please visit destinationridgefield.com or ridgefieldartscouncil.org.
Rudy Marconi is first selectman of the town of Ridgefield, a member of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.
