Was Roy Lichtenstein a great artist, a thief, or both? Join us for the documentary screening of “WHAAM! BLAM! Roy Lichtenstein and the Art of Appropriation”, followed by a talkback with the film’s director, James Hussey, as well as producer/editor Tory shadow on 1/25 at 7pm.
Along with Andy Warhol, Lichtenstein created the Pop Art movement of the 1960s. His comic-based paintings reside in the greatest art galleries and can fetch more than $150 million. But some view this renowned artist as a plagiarist.
Register at the #linkinbio
StoryFest Sunday ends with a show-stopping performance by world-class guitar hero and Grammy-nominated songwriter Gary Lucas! With the film running on our giant videowall behind him, Gary will perform the entire score of the classic Spanish version of the Universal Dracula film live on stage. You can’t miss this one!
Bruce Springsteen calls him “phenomenal.” Lou Reed said he could watch him “play for hours.” And Jeff Buckley exclaimed, “magical guitarness.”
Join us Sunday October, 22, from 2 to 4 pm in the Trefz Forum at The Westport Library for Gary Lucas accompanying George Melford’s 1931 Spanish-Language Dracula film with a live acoustic and electric guitar score.
Register here: https://westportlibrary.org/event/storyfest-2023-gary-lucas-performs-dracula/
Our conversation with beloved @newhavenindy arts and culture writer, Karen Ponzio, is live for your enjoyment!
Tune in to this inspirational story of Ponzio’s dream second act as an arts reporter who magically falls down the rabbit hole of the New Haven music scene.
Learn more with our library’s own Connecticut’s Music Oral History podcast! Tune in on YouTube or all podcasting platforms via #linkinbio
#ctmusic #ctmusichistory #herstory #ctarts #ctculture #newhaven #newhavenindependent
Absolutely DO NOT MISS the return of Gees Records Legends Beats and Grooves Hip Hop 50th Anniversary on Sunday, 7/23, 3-6 pm, FREE with registration.
The panel discussion features The Original Jazzy Jay (Def Jam, Strong City Records), Cutmaster DJ Cool V (Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane) & Connecticut legends Doc. P. and DJ Slick Vic. DJ Performances include Philadelphia innovator DJ Cash Money (the first DJ inducted into the Technics/DMC DJ Hall), DJ Doodles & DJ Creative. Hosted by community organizer and DJ Terrible T. with Pzo P.
See and hear these pioneers in a space that champions the art of the DJ. Sets are projected on our 18-foot HD wall, with music bumping from our concert grade PA.
Register: https://westportlibrary.org/event/legends-beats-and-grooves-50th-anniversary-of-hip-hop-part-ii-featuring-the-original-jazzy-jay-cutmaster-cool-v-dj-cash-money-and-more/
#WestportLibrary #TrefzForum #VersoStudios
In gearing up for the return of a Legends Beats and Grooves 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop event on 7/23 (details forthcoming!), the Connecticut Music Oral History Podcast comes back with a deep dive conversation with hip hop artist and documentary filmmaker Jim Slice.
From growing up in and around the advent of hip hop culture, performing all over the globe with #NewHaven’s Stezo, and now documenting Connecticut’s Skinny Boys and the legend of 70s funk band, Skull Snaps; Jim Slice’s story is integral to the foundation and evolution of #hiphop. LISTEN UP!
Listen now: https://youtu.be/bn39OrrECag
#ctoralmusichistory #musichistory #hiphop #50thanniversaryofhiphop #cthiphop
Psychedelic Cinema Orchestra accompanies "South: Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition".
Next Sunday, 7/9, 2-4 pm, DON’T MISS a free and rare Westport performance/screening by the Psychedelic Cinema Orchestra as they live-score the 1919 expedition film “South: Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition" at The Westport Library.
Come cool off and blow your mind in the Trefz Forum as “Endurance” captures the incredible tale of how the ship got stuck and sank after the boat was crushed by the expanding ice. The crew spent two years living on the ice and ultimately made their way to the nearest land 800 miles away. Incredibly, every member of the expedition survived, and filmmaker Frank Hurley managed to save many of the stills and motion picture films he shot of the harrowing experience. Recently restored by the British Film Institute in beautiful 2K.
The Psychedelic Cinema Orchestra was founded in 2014 by Ken Winokur to accompany Ken Brown’s 1960’s super 8 films, compiled under the name Psychedelic Cinema. The group has performed in the U.S. with Brown’s film at prestigious venues such as the AFI Silver, ICA Boston, Cornell Cinema, Hamilton College, and many others.
Members include Winokur on drums and clarinet, Cul de Sac’s (!) Jonathan LaMaster on electric violin and guitar, and Russ Gershon on saxes, flute, and bass guitar.
RSVP: https://westportlibrary.org/event/live-psychedelic-cinema-orchestra-accompanies-film-screening-of-south-sir-ernest-shackleton-and-the-endurance-expedition/
💥 VersoFest 2023 Announcement Below 💥
Steve Lillywhite, the legendary producer whose credits include The Rolling Stones, The Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, U2, Psychadelic furs, XTC, Morrissey, The Pogues Dave Matthews Band, Guster, Phish, Killers, and many more, will share his perspective, wisdom, and advice in this VersoFest Keynote Conversation with local hero, Chris Frántz(Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club).
Join us on Saturday, April 1, 1PM at The Westport Library
Register via the link in bio for this FREE event at #versofest #versofest2023 @verso.studios #ctmusic #ctmusicscene #203music #stevelillywhite #davematthewsband #u2 #chrisfrantz #talkingheads #petergabriel #phish #therollingstones
💥The wait is over 💥
VersoFest 2023 is here, Thursday, March 30 – Sunday, April 2.
Four days of music, media, and creativity with performances, panels, workshops, and so much more.
From Sunflower Bean to The Smithereens, Alice Cooper costumes to evolving androgynous rock fashion, hip hop’s 50th anniversary to primitive garage rock — there's something for everyone.
Click for the VersoFest 2023 tickets, press releases, workshops & more : https://westportlibrary.org/versofest/
See you there and watch this space for all the exciting offerings!
#versofest2023 #versofest #versostudios #livemusicinct #ctlivemusic #ctmusic #ctmusicscene
MIGHTYMOONCHEW & Dooley O - "Sessions at Verso" - Just Bcuz
Dig the new Mightymoonchew & Dooley-O "Sessions at Verso" track and video for “Jus Bcuz.” Produced by hip hop icon Dooley-O and recorded/engineered by Verso Studios Audio Studios Manager, Travis Bell, at the The Westport Library. Experience the wild energy of these two creating something truly new.
“Jus Bcuz” is featured on “Verso Records, Volume One” the upcoming limited vinyl compilation dropping in May 2023 featuring local heroes like The Problem With Kids Today, Tiny Ocean, Alexandra Burnet , daniprobably, THE ZAMBONIS and many more. Preorder is available here: https://versorecords.bandcamp.com/
We had such a blast last weekend with Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez! Listen & watch the dance session we had at the The Westport Library on youtube: https://youtu.be/lVFoejNEr0I
This weekend is jammed full of music at The Westport Library 🎸🎤
Saturday night were kicking it off with Chris Frantz. The famed member of the Talking Heads and Tom-Tom-Club will reprise his emerging artists series with two Fairfield County acts: Residual Groove, a funk-fusion, improv-heavy dance band, and contemporary singer-songwriter Brian Dolzani.
The Chris Frantz Presents Emerging Musicians series at The Westport Library features up-and-coming regional, national, and international music, hand-picked by Frantz, with the goal of bringing new music to new ears and to be an incubator for rising talent.
The concert is a music collaboration and production by Verso Studios at The Westport Library and the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce.
🎟️ Tickets: https://westportlibrary.org/event/chris-frantz-presents-emerging-musicians-residual-groove-and-brian-dolzani/
Repost from @westportlibrary !
You think you loved StoryFest? Wait until you hear from our authors! Check out our 2022 recap video, complete with pictures from the event and feedback from the presenting panelists.
Repost from @westportlibrary
You think you loved StoryFest? Wait until you hear from our authors! Check out our 2022 recap video, complete with pictures from the event and feedback from the presenting panelists.
@mightymoonchew & @dooleyo on the Verso Records Volume One vinyl reference lacquer!
We’re expecting SPRING 2023 delivery of this limited press yellow-vinyl compilation of Connecticut and the tri-state area’s unsung heroes.
Continuing its legacy in cultural innovation, @westportlibrary has become the first public library ever to record, produce, and release a vinyl record.
PREORDER NOW, link in bio @bandcamp @gottagrooverecs
#versostudios #versorecords #ssl #vinyl #librariesthatrock #librariesofinstagram #westport #ctmusic #ctmusicscene
#versostudios is delighted to produce a mini-documentary about legendary raconteur, Atlantic Records confidante, and one-time Rolling Stones Records President, #earlmcgrath
This summer, the renowned record label @lightintheatticrecords is releasing the double album, “Earl’s Closet: The Lost Archive of Earl McGrath, 1970 to 1980.” A collection culled from the reel-to-reel tapes stored in Earl McGrath’s closet, the project was curated and conceptualized by Vanity Fair Special Correspondent, author (Sticky Fingers: The Life and Times of Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Magazine), and VersoFest ’22 speaker, @joehagantv
The album features rare, unreleased recordings from @davidjohansen.official , @hallandoatesofficial , The Jim Carroll Band, @delbertmcclinton and so much more.
This video, a first for Verso Studios, demonstrates its ability to provide first-rate promotional video services to musicians, labels, artists, authors and more. Contact Verso Studios today to find out more.
#lightintheatticrecords #atlanticrecords #rollingstonesrecords #mickjagger #joehagan
Our #versofest '22 talk with local Talking Head/Tom Tom Club legend @frantzchris and @wpkn89.5 General Manager @stevedico is LIVE via the link in our bio. The two discuss Chris's incredible life in the arts through the lens of his incredible memoir "Remain In Love." RISD, Tina, the Ramones, touring Europe- it’s all there at the click of a button.
#remaininlove #chrisfrantz #talkingheads #tomtomclub #geniusoflove #versostudios #wpkn
THANK YOU to the 1500+ people who attended the diverse array of performances, panels, and workshops that made VersoFest 2022 an inaugural success @westportlibrary !
#versofest #versostudios #westport #ctmusic #ctmusicscene #localmusic
SUNDAY! As local Westport reporter Dan Woog says it’s a SOUL EXTRAVAGANZA here at VersoFest on SUNDAY 4/10.
Use PROMOCODE WOOG for half-price, $15 Selwyn Birch/Drop Party tickets!
At 2PM We have the ever-fab Joshie Jo Armstread Music Oral History lead by CT’s Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman. Armstead, as a soul renaissance woman was a former Ikette (with Ike & Tina Turner—she appeared on the smash “I’m Blue"); recording artist (“I Feel An Urge Coming On”); label owner; hit songwriter for, among others, Ray Charles (“Let’s Go Get Stoned” and “I Don’t Need No Doctor” with Ashford & Simpson) Aretha Franklin (“Cry Like A Baby"), Syl Johnson (“Come On Sock It To Me”); Broadway collaborator (with Melvin Van Peebles) and so much more.
Grab a bite downtown and return at 7PM for blues powerhouse Selwyn Birchwood. Hailed by Rolling Stone as, "a remarkable, contemporary bluesman...a powerhouse young guitarist and soulful vocalist...a major player...highly recommended."
DON’T MISS IT!
