RIDGEFIELD 300: A CONCERT CELEBRATION

Ridgefield, Take a Bow!

On Saturday, September 20 at 7:00 pm, the spotlight will be focused on Ridgefield’s outstanding performing artists in a once-in-a-lifetime musical event, Ridgefield 300: A Concert Celebration. As a fitting finale to Ridgefield’s 300th Anniversary festivities, an All-Town Choir, All-Town Orchestra, The Ridgefield Dance Consortium and actors from The Ridgefield Theater Barn will take the stage to celebrate the town’s 300th anniversary and honor the rich cultural life that is Ridgefield’s.

Ira Joe Fisher, a Ridgefield resident and popular CBS broadcaster with more than 40 years experience, will serve as the Concert’s emcee. In addition to his nationally recognized television work, Mr. Fisher is an accomplished poet who gives voice and depth to small town America.

Ridgefield resident Ira Joe Fisher, CBS broadcaster with more than 40 years experience, will serve as the Concert’s emcee. In addition to his nationally recognized television work, Mr. Fisher is an accomplished poet who gives voice and depth to small town America.

William Joyner, a resident of Ridgefield, shown here in Carmen at Opera Carolina.

Celebs (who make Ridgefield their home) and who have graciously agreed to participate in this unique musical event in a unique way -- through the power of technology -- include internationally-acclaimed tenor Bill Joyner and songwriter/singer and Grammy-award winner Kevin Briody. Their performances will be pre-taped at The Ridgefield Playhouse, thanks to Executive Director Allison Stockel, for the audience to enjoy despite Mr. Joyner’s demanding travel schedule. The Retrotones, a Ridgefield-based doo-wop band with a passion for the roots of rock ‘n roll, will also perform in the Concert.

Kevin Briody, Ridgefield-based singer-songwriter whom the Boston Globe boasts “…is cut from the honest, artful cloth of the best Yankee ballad-writers”, will lend his talents to Ridgefield 300: A Concert Celebration.

Daniela Sikora of Flight of Fancy Events created the concept for Ridgefield 300: A Concert Celebration and is its Creative Director. Sherry Cox, an actor and dancer who has extensive experience in theater and performance and is the Theater Teacher at Ridgefield High School, along with James Robey, Director of The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and James Robey Dance Company, and Wayne Leiss, President of The Ridgefield Theater Barn, complete the creative team who are working behind the scenes to bring the production to life.

As Creative Director Daniela Sikora explains, “The strong sense of place and pride that is present in our town will resonate with the audience through a fully orchestrated version of the timeless “The Wizard of Oz” and Aaron Copland’s “The Promise of Living”. I am delighted to be working with the Creative Team along with Meg Stoop of The Adesso Choral Society and Edwin Taylor, Music Minister for the First Congregational Church, on other musical selections. Meg and Edwin will each conduct a choral number. This Concert represents an unprecedented opportunity for performers to work with a variety of high-level professionals. It also allows unaffiliated musicians to get to know the options for membership in one of Ridgefield’s many performing arts groups.”

James Robey, Director of The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance and the James Robey Dance Company

The Ridgefield Dance Consortium has been established to allow dancers from many of the town’s dance studios to perform together in the Concert. The Ridgefield Dance Consortium is being led by James Robey, who is also one of the choreographers for the show. Dance studios involved with the project are Hot Shoes Dance, Inc., Ridgefield Studio of Performing Arts and MacDonald- Pin Dancers, LLC, in addition to dancers from James Robey’s Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance/James Robey Dance Company.

The Ridgefield Chorale, Ridgefield’s own pops singing group that has been entertaining residents in Fairfield County and beyond for the past 32 years, is serving as anchor for the All-Town Choir. Email Shifee Losacco at slosacco@ridgefieldchorale.org, or call Michael Macri at 203-431-7700, to sing with the All-Town Choir. Many of Ridgefield’s Choir Directors have enthusiastically endorsed participation in Ridgefield 300: A Concert Celebration. Choirs involved to date include First Congregational Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, St. Elizabeth Seton, Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, Adesso Choral Society, Temple Shearith Israel Adult Choir and the Founders Hall Singers.

Mike McNamara, orchestra director for East Ridge and Scott’s Ridge Middle Schools, is organizing the All-Town Orchestra, and Petko Dimitrov, Conductor of the Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra, will be one of the Concert’s conductors. To find out about rehearsals for the All-Town Orchestra and all other information, please call Flight of Fancy Events at 800-279-8937.

Concert tickets are being sold at The Chamber of Commerce, 9 Bailey Ave., Ridgefield Music, 19 Governor St. and Neumann Real Estate, 395 Main St., Ridgefield, CT. All tickets are $25 general seating.

Ridgefield 300: A Concert Celebration is being produced for the town of Ridgefield’s 300th Anniversary Committee by Flight of Fancy Events, Inc., www.flightoffancyevents.com.

Ridgefield 300: A Concert Celebration

Saturday, September 20, 2008 7:00 p.m.
The Anne Richardson Auditorium, Ridgefield High School

You’ve Got to Be There!