Ansonia resident croons at Veterans Park

Marc Lanzieri of Ansonia, right, sings Sinatra tunes Wednesday night at Veterans Park in downtown Ansonia. He is being accompanied by guitarist Dave Damon of Stamford.

 Drummer Joe Sullivan of Derby does his thing as Lanzieri sings.

Milford resident Gary Ruggerio plays a clarinet solo. At right is Seymour resident Joe McWilliams on keyboard.

 

Audience members enjoying the show.

The summer concert series is sponsored by the Cultural Commission. Here chairperson Judy Nicolari dances with commission member Jimmy Little. 
Later in the show Little belted out The Temptations' Motown hit, "My Girl," to the delight of the crowd.

Next up will be a performance by The Bernadettes at 7 p.m. Aug. 20.

See you there!

Ansonia Cultural Commission to host Harvest Festival

Annual event slated Oct. 4

ANSONIA - It may still be summer, but plans are already in the works for the 11th Annual Harvest Festival to be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 4 along Main Street. Rain date is Oct. 11.

The Cultural Commission and the city are coordinating the event.

There will be new entertainment on two separate stages, and music will appeal to all age groups, said Cultural Commission Chairperson Judy Nicolari.

Other added features will be on various corners, featuring Mary Poppins and other characters, local magician  Brian Lizotte with tricks and balloon designs, and strolling musicians.

The Roaming Railroad will ride up and down Main Street all day offering rides at $3 per person.
Inflatable rides will also be featured along with many new vendors, new bands, dancers, and more.

There will be a variety of food booths, and city restaurants will be open throughout the day and evening.

A Polish band will entertain from noon-2 p.m. in the upper Main Street parking lot, so get ready to  polka. This band is new to the festival and is sure to be a lot of fun!

There also will be an antique and classic car show, as in previous years.

A schedule of all the events will be posted on the city's website, www.cityofansonia.com by mid-September.
Vendors are needed to completely fill Main Street and the applications can be found on the city's web site.
The price is $50 if paid by Sept. 15; $65 after that date.

This festival is being held in conjunction with the City of Ansonia's 125th celebration.
Questions? Call Judy Nicolari, 203-231-3603.

The Cultural Commission hopes to 'SEE YOU ON MAIN STREET.'

This is a press release from Judy Nicolari.

Downtown Derby to host street festival today

Looking up Elizabeth Street on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

The Derby Cultural Commission is holding the city's annual Derby Day festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today on the Green.


The rain or shine event will feature a variety of food, live music, arts and crafts vendors, children's games and fun for the whole family.


See you there!

Cultural Commission to host Derby Day June 14

Cyclists pedal from New Haven to Ansonia and back to honor inventor of bike

Annual festival celebrates Pierre Lallement

ANSONIA - Sunday was a day for bikes and old-fashioned family fun at the third annual Pierre Lallement Festival of Bikes on Main Street.

The city's Cultural Commission and Economic Development Commission co-sponsored the event.

Lallement, a Frenchman, was living in Ansonia in the 1860s when he received the patent for the pedal bicycle, precursor of the modern-day bike. 

Cyclists make their way down Main Street at about 11:57 a.m. 
  

Children and adults joined the cyclists at Webster Hose Memorial Park on the corner of Central and East Main streets for the last leg of the trip.

A sign created by Sixth Ward Alderman Patrick Henri with help from students at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School will be placed n a prominent spot at event this year as the city celebrates its 125th anniversary.

A stunt cyclist from "Dialed," a Pennsylvania-based team, wows the crowd ...

    ... as do his teammates.

 This cyclist appears to fly over the Ansonia 125 sign across from City Hall.

New Jersey-based stunt cyclist Chris Clark performs.

And explains to a rapt audience how he does his work.

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Even P.T. Barnum (a.k.a. Dexter Dean of Naugatuck) was on hand to greet the cyclists as they entered downtown.

 

102nd Army Band to perform in Ansonia

Summer concert series continues

ANSONIA - The 102^nd Army Band will be performing in the second summer concert sponsored by the Ansonia Cultural Commission from 7-9 p.m. July 24 at Veterans’ Park, Main Street. 
The park is adjacent to City Hall.
 

Veterans or currently active military personnel are invited to attend in uniform to participate in the presentation of colors prior to the concert.  
The 2^nd Company of the Connecticut Governor’s Horse Brigade will also be present to participate in the event.  
At 200 years old, it is the second oldest horse brigade in the country and was originally headquartered at the Ansonia Armory. 

The public is invited to attend this free patriotic evening of music, history, and reminiscing as we honor our military and thank them for their service to our country in protecting our freedom and keeping us safe.

Everyone is encouraged to bring chairs, friends, family, and snacks.


This information is taken from a press release from the Cultural Commission.

Soul Funk kicks off Ansonia concert series

   The Soul Funk Band performs Wednesday in downtown Ansonia.

 ANSONIA - Last evening my husband and I enjoyed the funky music performed by the talented Soul Funk Band. We saw them play last summer and knew we had to return.

It's the second year the Ansonia Cultural Commission is sponsoring the free summer concert series in Veterans Park next to City Hall. Happily the rain held off and everyone there seemed to have a great time dancing and singing along to a variety of songs.

Some scenes from the evening:

Cultural Commission member Jimmy Little and Commission Chairwoman Judy Nicolari get down to some funky music.

Lead vocalist Jonathan Perez sings to an audience member.

  Some audience members dancin' the night away.


Next up is the 102nd Army Band concert at 7 p.m. July 24.

See you there!

Soul Funk to kick off Ansonia concert series

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Cultural Commission will kick off its free summer concert series Wednesday with The Soul Funk Band at Veteran’s Memorial Park, Main Street (next to City Hall.)  

The performance will run from 7 to 9 p.m. 
Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and snacks. Oxford Country Creamery will be selling ice cream.  

Sounds like a great way to spend a summer evening! 

Ansonia to kick off concert series with The Soul Funk Band

     ANSONIA - The Ansonia Cultural Commission will kick off its free summer concert series July 10 with The Soul Funk Band at Veteran’s Memorial Park, Main Street (next to City Hall.)   

    
    All concerts are from 7-9 p.m. 

    Other concerts scheduled are:

    July 24: 102 Army Band  - all members of armed forces and their families (past and present ) are especially invited to share this special evening of patriotic music.

    August 7: Starving Artists, classic rock band from Seymour.

    August 21: Mark Lanzieri, a local favorite, specializing in Sinatra tunes.

    Something for everyone! You are invited to bring a chair and snacks. 

    Country Creamery of Oxford will be selling ice cream.

    Also, the Ansonia Library will be on site collecting used and new books to sell or supplement the library’s inventory.

    Rain date will be the following day.

This post is taken from a press release from the Ansonia Cultural Commission.

Ansonia Library group seeks book donations, members

ANSONIA - The Friends of the Ansonia Library are seeking donations of all book genres in reasonably good condition. 

Children's books and puzzles, CDs and DVDs are especially needed. 

 

Items may be brought to the Ansonia Library at 53 South Cliff St. 

Call Joyce Ceccarelli, Library Director, at 203-734-6275 or email joycec@biblio.org for information.

 

In addition, the Friends group will participate in the Ansonia Cultural Commission's Community Summer Concerts July 10 and 24, Aug. 7 and 21 at Veterans Park on Main Street, next to City Hall.

Concerts are 7 to  9 p.m.

 

Book donations will be accepted at all four events and Friends of the Ansonia Library membership forms also will be available. 

Please consider signing on as an active member to help in the planning of fund-raising events.

 

The library is a community treasure and it takes "a village" to keep it vibrant and healthy. Members will be on hand at the concerts to answer questions about becoming a volunteer for Friends.

 

 

This post is taken from a press release from Susan Olmsted, President, Friends of the Ansonia Library.

Ansonia to host 3rd annual bike rally to commemorate Lallement

Pierre Lallement

   ANSONIA - The Cultural Commission welcomes bike riders and their families May 5 to join in the third annual bicycle rally commemorating Pierre Lallement, the inventor of the bicycle, chairwoman Judy Nicolari said today.

    Lallement, a Frenchman, was living in Ansonia when he invented the pedal bicycle in 1865. His first trip pedaling his invention was from Ansonia to New Haven.

    Last year's rally was in June, but the Cultural Commission moved it to May because it is National Bike Month.

    Nicolari said, "Cyclists will have two options as to where they would like to join in the rally."   
    One is to start in New Haven at 10:15 a.m. at the corner of College and Chapel Streets, the site of their Pierre Lallement plaque on the Green. They can take the route with the New Haven riders.
    Registration will be held at the Cultural Commission booth at Webster Park for Valley riders.
    Nicolari said a rider release form will be available for anyone under 18 who wants to participate.
    Registration for riders leaving from New Haven will be held before 10 a.m. at the corner of College and Chapel Streets. the site of the Pierre Lallement plaque.

    A second option is for cyclists to be at Webster Park on Central Street (behind Big Y Supermarket) at 11 a.m. and proceed with the riders to East Main and Main Streets to Veterans Memorial Park next to City Hall.
    A kickoff ceremony and rally in honor of Lallement will be held in the park.
    Guest speakers will include:
    Mayor James Della Volpe; author David Herlihy, President of the Lallement Memorial Committee who wrote commentary for the book, “Pierre Lallement and His Bicycle;” Laura Burrone, committee member, New Haven International Festival of Arts and Ideas; and student Ryan Amato winner of last year’s essay contest, “The Ride of the Wooden Horse.”

    DJ Phyllis Kaplan will play songs including “Eye of The Tiger,” the theme from a “Rocky” movie to inspire cyclists as they arrive at Veterans Memorial Park.
    Nicolari said the commission will have snacks and drinks available for those cyclists participating in the ride.
    After the ceremony a “Festival of Bikes” sponsored by the Economic Development Commission will be held on Main Street. A list of festival activities will be announced.

Winners of Ansonia decorating contest: Part 2

On Friday I posted the overall city-wide winner of the "2012 Deck Your Halls and Yard Contest" judged by members of the Ansonia Cultural Commission and the Valley Arts Council.

The winning house at 191 Prospect St. is in the second ward.

Here are the winners from the other wards, listed in no particular order.
 
   

Ward 1: 12 West Brookside Ave.

Ward 5: 209 Wakelee Ave.

 

 Ward 6: 48 Highland Ave.

Ward 7: 7 Birchwood Road

Ward 4: 11 May St.

Ward 3: 158 Hodge Ave.

A big thank you to Seth Gibson for contributing the photos of the winners.

Winners of decorating contest announced in Ansonia

Firehouses also participated this year

Citywide winner: 191 Prospect St.

         

ANSONIA - The  Ansonia Cultural Commission and Valley Arts Council today announced the Ward and city-wide winners for the 2012 Deck your House and Yard Contest.

Mary Gibson, Cultural Commission vice-chair, said, "We congratulate each of the winners and all of the entrants. Judging was as difficult this year as last year since each entered home was decorated with such Christmas spirit. Having said that, it was the commission and arts council's pleasure to judge the houses."

The winners are:

Ward 1 - 12 West Brookside Ave.,  Fred Baker and Paula Abbati;

Ward 2 - 191 Prospect St.,  Ron and Carolyn Steeves;

Ward 3 - 158 Hodge Ave.,  John and Linda Gentile;

Ward 4 - 11 May St.,  Rob Librandi;

Ward 5 - 209 Wakelee Ave.,  John and MaryAnne Checkley;

Ward 6  - 48 Highland Ave., Bill Webster;

Ward 7 - 7 Birchwood Drive, Bob Meyernick.

The city-wide winner for "bragging rights" is in Ward 2, 191 Prospect St.
"We hope that each year the contest will grow larger and larger with more homes entering," Gibson said. "A red bow has been placed at each winning home."

Gibson said the first "Deck your Firehouse" Contest resulted in a tie for "bragging rights" between Charters Hose Company 4 and Hilltop Hose Company 5.

Charters Hose Company 5 firehouse, 4 Murray St.

Hilltop Hose Company 5 firehouse, 80 Pulaski Highway

Photos contributed by Seth Gibson

The public is invited to the Board of Aldermen meeting at 7 pm Jan. 8 at City Hall for the presentation of a small token of appreciation to the winners, Gibson said.

As an aside, I plan to take a drive around to see the creative decorating - especially since we don't have any decorations in front of our Ansonia home! 
But I suppose I still have time to get into the Yuletide spirit. 

Stay tuned for photos of the other winning decorations.

Ansonia boy receives early holiday gift

8th grader wins bike from stunt cyclist

I was happy to be behind-the-scenes recently with teachers and Ansonia Cultural Commission members at Ansonia Middle School to see eighth grader Jason Edwards get a cool surprise: a visit by professional stunt cyclist Chris Clark.

Clark, from Hoboken, N.J., performed at the Ansonia Harvest Festival in October. He had told spectators about a nationwide Facebook contest he was running, and Jason won.


The surprise continued when Clark presented Jason with a "lightly used" Giant STP mountain bike.

Jason is all smiles as Clark talks to him in the AMS gym about using the mountain bike.

Winning the expensive bike was indeed a lucky turn of events for Jason, since his own bike had been stolen earlier this year.

Congratulations again, Jason! Here's to lots of cycling fun.

Deck the halls and more for contest in Ansonia

ANSONIA - The Cultural Commission and the Valley Arts Council are hosting the second annual "Deck Your House & Yard Contest."

'Tis the season to deck those halls and trim those trees, and be sure to enter your masterfully decorated house and yard for a chance to win the "bragging rights" of your Ward or even the Grand Decor Award for the entire city.

Awards include gift cards from local vendors.

Entry deadline is Dec. 9. Judging will be held Dec. 14-17.

Winners will be announced in local media and on the city of Ansonia website. Entry forms are available for download on the city's website.

For information contact Cultural Commission member Mary Gibson at mcgii@att.net or at 203-734-2484.  

Derby to hold Christmas tree lighting Friday

    DERBY - The Cultural Commission will present the city’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. Friday on the Derby Green.
    There will be carolers and a visit from Santa Claus.
    Hot chocolate will be for sale. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for TEAM’s Toys For Kids drive and get a free hot chocolate.   

Harvest festival slated Saturday in Ansonia

Ansonia City Hall was all decked out for the downtown festival in October 2010.

Fingers crossed that the sun will be shining brightly on all the scarecrows and pumpkins and hay bales in Ansonia Saturday!

The ninth annual downtown festival, featuring food, fun, live music, dancing, classic cars, craft vendors, art, storytelling, children's activities, karate demonstrations, a pumpkin-decorating contest and more will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street. Admission is free.

Rain date is Oct. 13. Cultural Commission chairwoman Judy Nicolari said if the fest is postponed to Oct. 13 an announcement will be posted at 4 p.m. Friday at www.ansonia.com.

Let's hope for good weather!

Ansonia lists festival entertainment

       The eighth annual Ansonia Harvest Festival will be held 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Oct. 6 along Main Street, Ansonia. Here is the entertainment schedule as of today.

This information was provided by Judy Nicolari, Ansonia Cultural Commission chairwoman.

Concert postponed a day in Ansonia

ANSONIA - The possibility of rain tonight has postponed the Cultural Commission's third concert of the summer season until 6:30 p.m. Thursday,  chairwoman Judy Nicolari said this afternoon.
Local entertainer Mark Lanzieri will perform songs made popular by Frank Sinatra from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Veterans Memorial Park next to City Hall.
Free admission; bring lawn chairs and snacks. 

Ansonia getting ready for 9th annual Harvest Festival

Vendors sought for Oct. 6 event

ANSONIA - It may still be summer, but members of the Cultural Commission are busy preparing for an onslaught of scarecrows, pumpkins, hay bales, mums, and more on Main Street.

That's because the city's Harvest Festival is only a month away.
The ninth annual event will be held from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Oct. 6 along Main Street. Rain date is Oct. 13. 
There will be a lot of new arts and crafts vendors along with the "old reliables" who have participated since the festival began, Cultural Commission chairwoman Judy Nicolari said.

"This year we've added a new attraction featuring Chris Clark who will be showing  the audiences fantastic stunts on his bicycle," she said. "It's an act not to be missed."
The time and location for Clark's performance will be announced at a later date, Nicolari said.

A scarecrow-making contest will also be held. The contest is open to all who register their scarecrows with the Valley Arts Council at its booth, Nicolari said. Winners will be based on workmanship and skill effort.

There will be a pumpkin-carving contest held in the Ansonia school system. Participants are asked to bring their carved pumpkins to Veterans Park next to City Hall by 12:30 p.m. at the latest for judging by the Valley Arts Council.

There also will be music performances on two stages throughout the day.  Programs will be available at the festival listing the scheduled times for all the performances.

Car show, chalk art

A classic car show will take place on Bridge Street, and amusement rides will be set up behind the River Valley Baptist Church.
A free moon walk bounce for kids will be provided by TEAM, Inc. throughout the day.
A chalk drawing event, which was very popular last year, will again be held on Water Street. Chalk will be provided.

Anyone interested in signing up as a vendor may visit www.cityofansonia.com or contact Nicolari, 203-732-1040, or Cultural Commission member Mary Gibson, 203-734-2484.

The above is taken from a press release from Judy Nicolari.