Every season is beautiful in Ridgefield, but this time of year is especially thrilling as the weather warms up, the trees and flowers bloom, and the streets of downtown Ridgefield come alive again with locals and visitors alike. This month, Ridgefield has no shortage of exciting arts and cultural events and family-friendly happenings around town. We invite you to stop by and enjoy everything Ridgefield has to offer!
Aldrich Undercover: A Secret Art Sale
May 6th – May 9th, 2021
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
For 2021, Aldrich Undercover has been re-envisioned as a virtual event. All works in the Secret Art Sale are priced at $350 and sold anonymously, the artists’ identities only revealed after purchase. Guests are encouraged to trust their instincts, follow their hearts, and make selections based on how the works move them.
Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root with Dirk Miller
Saturday, May 8th @ 7:30pm
Outside Tent at The Ridgefield Playhouse
Join us for an evening of music, outside under the tent next to The Playhouse, with Rusted Root front-man Michael Glabicki and longtime Rusted Root guitar player and background vocalist, Dirk Miller. Rusted Root is best known for their Platinum selling album, When I Woke, which produced the hit song “Send Me On My Way,” and launched the band into international stardom.
“Frank Stella’s Stars, A Survey” Exhibit
Through May 9th
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
Spanning more than sixty years, Frank Stella’s studio practice has pushed abstraction to the limits, investigating every category from painting and printmaking to sculpture and public art. Under the spotlight for the first time, this exhibition surveys Stella’s use of the star through twenty-five works that orbit the Museum, ranging from two-dimensional works of the 1960s to its most recent incarnation in sculptures, wall reliefs, and painted objects from the 2010s.
Run Like a Mother Virtual 5K
Sunday, May 9th
Hosted by Run Like a Mother®
Run Like a Mother®, a national 5K race series is teaming up with ZOOMA Women’s Race Series to host this year’s Run Like a Mother Virtual 5K. The run takes place on Mother’s Day Weekend and is focused on celebrating mothers across the nation. Though typically an in-person race, Run Like a Mother will be a virtual run in 2021. Race registration is open at www.runlikeamother.com.
Virtual Poetry: Odes to the Objects We Love
Tuesday, May 11th
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
A just-right pillow…a must-have mug…that pen you can’t write without – think of the everyday objects that add comfort and stability to your day. Now, gather four of your favorite things and join Aldrich Educator Barb Jennes to write a series of praise poems called odes. We’ll explore the unique essence of your objects, finding how they’re as rich in symbolism as the items included in the traveling exhibition known as the Aldrich Care Box. All ages welcome!
“Into The Woods” In Concert
May 12th – May 16th
ACT of Connecticut
ACT of Connecticut, in collaboration with Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, will present this spellbinding concert-production which brings a new and unique vision to a modern classic and will feature a powerhouse cast of Broadway talent, past ACT of CT stars, and a few fantastic local celebrities. Additionally, ACT of CT’s Annual Gala: Into The Woods Edition, will be held on Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 15th at 5pm. Sponsorships and tickets now available.
Seth Meyers
Sunday, May 16th
Outside Tent at The Ridgefield Playhouse
Join us for an evening with Seth Meyers! The Emmy Award-winning writer and host of “Late Night with Seth Meyers” returns after two sold out shows in 2019! Meyers began his TV career as a writer and cast member on “Saturday Night Live” for 13 seasons, hosting the show’s popular “Weekend Update” segment. In 2014 Meyers hosted the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards and was names one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people.
The Town Hall Women’s Portraits Project
Tuesday, May 18th
Hosted by Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center
Join the Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center for a conversation with artist Suzanne Benton, who produced the multi-artist installation in commemoration of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial, and Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi.
“Suburbs” – Meet the Playwrights
Thursday, May 20th
Thrown Stone Theatre Company, Co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Library and Ridgefield Magazine
Join us for this unique opportunity to hear from four of the most exciting dramatists in the American Theatre as they discuss their work, their process, and the identity of the suburbs, past, present, and future. “Meet the Playwrights” will be led by CT Office of the Arts Program Associate Kolton Harris, playwrights Tony Meneses, Phanésia Pharel, Catherine Yu, and director Kholoud Sawaf to talk about the three new plays that make up this unusual roving production.
Annual Juried Member Show
Opens May 22nd
Ridgefield Guild of Artists
Join the Ridgefield Guild of Artists for this annual member show and view Ridgefield’s local talent! The Juror, Paul Efstathiou, is the Director of Contemporary Art at Hollis Taggart Gallery in New York City and Connecticut. Efstathiou is a second-generation art dealer and independent curator, with 20 years of experience. Paul has developed a well-trained and prescient eye, making him a successful dealer and curator of contemporary art. He has worked closely with 40 emerging and contemporary artists to date.
2021 Great Expectations Virtual Gala
Saturday, May 22nd
Hosted by The Ridgefield Library
This year’s Gala will honor Eileen and Jay Walker with the Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award. The event is an extraordinary virtual Roaring 20s theme including a fun and engaging virtual pre-party, three-course elegant dinner by Sarah Bouissou, a wine selection by Ancona’s Wines and Liquors, a package of Roaring 20s themed table décor, Roaring 20s musical performances by the Ridgefield High School Jazz Combo and the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, an exclusive personal virtual tour of the Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination by Jay Walker, and more.
Old News is Good News Fundraiser
Sunday, May 30th
Hosted by the Ridgefield Historical Society
We hope you will join us on the holiday weekend! Take a night off from the grill and let us provide dinner and a movie. All you need to do is pick up your catered meal at the Scott House and sit back and enjoy the show. The event includes a 3-course dinner by Sarah Bouissou, a video intro featuring a welcome from our President and century-old newspaper readings from our archives, and the feature film: News of the World starring Tom Hanks. All proceeds support the Ridgefield Historical Society’s mission to preserve, interpret, and foster public knowledge of Ridgefield’s historical, cultural, and architectural history.
John BonSignore Exhibit
Through May 30th
RPAC Gallery
Featuring the sculpture of John BonSignore. The pieces that John creates are clean and uncomplicated. Working mainly with stainless steel and stone, John creates small, medium and large scale works of art.The process is the same throughout his work; to capture that singular core that makes any place, feeling or living thing what it is. John’s sculptures become the physical representations of the essence of the subject. This exhibition also features new works by our Resident Artists and runs through May 30, 2021.
Outdoor Guided Tours
All Month on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center
Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center is currently offering guided outdoor tours: A Short Walk Through Three Centuries and Gilberts at the Cannon Ball House. Trained docents will lead the tours and share some fascinating details about the lives of the past residents. Tours are suitable for all age groups, and each tour will last about 45 minutes. Tours are scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 2 p.m., and Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
For the latest events, be sure to visit the inRidgefield Events Calendar.
We’ll see you #inRidgefield!
