Community news: Fairfield fashion show to debut new collection

Free and open to the public, the expo will feature more than 60 exhibitors plus special activities for young and old. There will also be fitness demos, screenings and a chance to speak with business owners about how to stay fit and healthy. The event also features CPR and AED training, a prescription drug take-back, a comfort dog and a virtual reality dementia simulation. Children will be able to do the Shamrock Fun Run and crafts.

Parking for the event is free at the Kelley Center Parking Garage.

Event information is updated daily, so people should visit the Fairfield Chamber website and the Chamber’s Facebook event page, plus the town’s “Experience Fairfield” website for the most current exhibitor listings and activities. Volunteers are also needed throughout the day to meet and greet attendees.

For more information regarding this expo, directions to RecPlex and parking, please contact Michele@FairfieldCTChamber.com (203-255-1011) or go to the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce website: FairfieldCTChamber.com.     

Town seeks members for new arts commission

Fairfield is seeking qualified residents to serve on a new Fairfield Arts Commission that was recently adopted by the Representative Town Meeting.

The purpose of the Fairfield Arts Commission shall be to stimulate, foster, facilitate and encourage the development and appreciation of artistic and cultural activities within the town, including exploring the possibility of designating a “culture district.”

There will be nine members, who the Board of Selectmen will appoint. No more than five members can be registered with the same political party. The terms will have varying lengths to start ranging from one to three years. New members will then be appointed for three-year terms.

Members should include: local cultural council/arts council; cultural organizations such as historical society, museum, ethnic heritage organization; at least one artist who lives and/or works in the district; organizations that represent artists; for-profit creative business, such as a gallery or theater; and a local business and/or Chamber of Commerce.

Visit the town website to apply and for more information. 

Fairfield Library hosts fashion show

The Friends of Fairfield Public Library announced Fairfield-based fashion designer Jennifer Butler will debut her spring collection at the Fairfield Public Library’s Bruce S. Kershner Art Gallery at 3:30 p.m. on March 12.

The show is open to the public and all donations benefit the Fairfield Public Library’s programs and services. Light refreshments will be served. The Bruce S. Kershner Art Gallery is located in the library’s main location, 1080 Old Post Road in Fairfield.

Please register to attend.

Fairfield U. diversity lecture

The School of Education and Human Development will host Professor Zeus Leonardo to deliver a keynote for the annual Diversity Lecture Series. This event will be held at 5 p.m. on March 9 in the Oak Room in the Barone Campus Center.

It is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Leonardo’s conversation is titled “Understanding Anti-Blackness in Education Through the Work of Frantz Fanon and W.E.B. Du Bois.” Much of his work is interdisciplinary and draws insights from sociology, contemporary philosophy, and cultural studies.

Leonardo is a fellow of the American Educational Research Association and has received several awards, including the Derrick Bell Legacy Award from the Critical Race Studies in Education Association and the Scholars of Color Distinguished Career Contribution Award from AERA. He has authored or edited 10 books.

A panel discussion and question-and-answer session will follow his lecture.

Pequot Library March programs

Pequot Library kicked off the month with the first meeting of its new Teen Advisory Board which is open to students in sixth through 12th grade and meets at 4 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month. If interested, contact Manager of Youth and Teen Library Services, John Kofron at kofron@pequotlibrary.org or 203-259-0346 x117

On March 4 at 10:30 a.m., the Lenihan School of Dance will provide a tutorial on the fundamentals of Irish step dancing for ages 3 and above. Participants can try out their new dance moves at the Lenihan Irish Dance Performance at 10:30 a.m. on March 11.

At 6 p.m. on March 8, Greenwich-based author Timothy Cole will be at a Meet the Author event centered on his newest book “Murder This Close,” the second installment in the Gold Coast Mystery series, which follows retired CIA agent Dasha Petrov. 

There will be an in-person conversation about Founding Father and educator Noah Webster at 6:30 p.m. on March 9. 

Children’s author Jerry Pallotta visits the library on April 3, and they’re holding a workshop inspired by Pallotta’s Who Would Win? series on March 15 at 4:30 p.m. Children in second to fourth grade will research two animals to match against each other and then use the information they’ve gathered for their projects.

Historian Wes Haynes, executive director for the Merritt Parkway Conservancy, will join Pequot Library at 6 p.m. on March 15 for a talk commemorating the 134th anniversary of the Pequot Library’s founding and about the history of Connecticut’s public libraries. 

A spring Dungeons and Dragons campaign starts at 5:30 p.m. on March 16. It is open to students in grades six to 12 and will include pizza. This same age group is also invited to Take Over the Exhibition for April Fool’s Day at 4 p.m. on March 24 where each participant will learn about the current exhibit and then write their own fictional wall label for one of the items on display. 

Students in grades six to 12 are also invited to a workshop on architectural drawing led by Westport’s One River Art School, at 1:30 p.m. on March 25.

Robin Kall of Reading with Robin will host a conversation on March 21 with three bestselling authors: Lauren Willig, Heather Webb, and Sarah Penner. Tickets cost $75 for a VIP reception starting at 6 p.m., which includes priority seating, a meet and greet with the authors, light bites and wine, book signing, and a conversation with the authors. General Admission is $20 and covers the Meet the Authors program only. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit Operation Hope and Pequot Library.

All other March programs are free and open to the public.

Scholars Kyle Roberts and Laura Wasowicz will lead an online evening discussion at 5:30 p.m. on March 30 about the influence and impact of The New England Primer. 

Beach Bunny 5K road race

Registration is open for Fairfield Parks and Recreation Annual Beach Bunny 5K on April 8 at Jennings Beach.

It will include the timed 5K Run/Walk, an untimed one-mile Family “Bunny Hop,” food trucks, a DJ and two free children’s Easter egg scrambles.

Additional information can be found at fairfieldrecreation.com and registration is available online at runsignup.com/.

SHU theater seat campaign

The Sacred Heart University Community Theatre launched a new Take-A-Seat program that gives patrons an opportunity to purchase a seat plaque to honor a loved one, graduation year, or promote a business or organization.

Plaques will remain in place for two years. Prices range from $500 to $10,000.

The theater is also offering membership packages tailored to families, seniors, individuals and Sacred Heart alumni. They include priority ticket access for all live events, the ability to exchange tickets in case of a change of plans and free tickets to movies shown regularly at the theater. Prices range from $125 to $250.

Each seat plaque and membership purchased will help expand programming and support operations at SHU Community Theatre as it continues to grow into one of the premier performing arts facilities in the region.

To learn more or to purchase a membership, visit the SHU Community Theatre website.