weekend is loaded with all kinds of stuff: party, music, comedy with Damon Wayans Jr, art, venue touring, outdoor projection sites, belly dancing, films, and the incredible instrument builder Ken Butler, see video above, at The Bijou. The artist community has painted a creative map for Downtown Bridgeport and beyond.
Toss in the amphitheater, arena, Bijou, Downtown Cabaret, Stress Factory Comedy Club, Klein Memorial Auditorium and now a synergy is building with growing foot traffic and restaurants.
Check out weekend schedule. Support the artist community.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021
5:30 PM TO 9:30 PM, THE PARTY!
The Downtown Artists’ Party kicks off the Bridgeport Art Trail 2021! Meander and mingle, touring 9 venues. View art exhibits. Enjoy live music and outdoor projections of music videos and visual art. Live music from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at both Read’s ArtSpace #11 and the Arcade Mall #20. Two outdoor projection sites are on the corner of Broad Street and Cannon Street near the Arcade Mall #20 and at the corner of Main Street and Golden Hill Street near Berlinetta Brewing.
DON’T MISS ANY OF THE DOWNTOWN THURSDAY SITES, 4 EXHIBITS OPEN AND OUTDOOR PROJECTION ART ON 2 BUILDINGS:
is hosting an open house, as are lionheART #16 and Twig Lips #17.
The annual Artists Choose Artists exhibit opens at Read’s ArtSpace #11, with live music that features a fusion of jazz, Latin and African rhythms by old friends and Bridgeport legends Steve Clarke, Asher Delerme, James Moss, and Eddie Rivera. URSA Gallery #20D presents The Coral Reef Principle, an eco-art exhibit opening, featuring 50 artists from around the world. Shops will be open and there’s live music by Fuzz and Friends, all in the Arcade Mall #20. City Lights Gallery #21A hosts the opening reception for the exhibit It’s Complicated from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. And don’t forget to stop into City Lights Vintage #21B to check out an eclectic inventory of vintage apparel, furniture, housewares and collectibles. WPKN Radio #15 invites you to visit their new broadcasting studio on Bijou Square.
NBALAB #26 hosts an open house, and the Freeman Center #24 has the Black Life Matters Exhibit: How & Why We Fight exhibit on view. Damon Wayans Jr. is performing at the Stress Factory Comedy Club #13, and at the Bijou Theatre #14 the Golden Gays NYC perform a fun holiday musical adventure, Thank Yule for Being a Friend.
Post party at Berlinetta Brewing, 90 Golden Hill Street.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2021
12 PM TO 3 PM
It’s Complicated exhibit, and wax resist painting workshop, a hands-on activity for children.
12 PM TO 5 PM
Visit the Bridgeport History Center #9, to see Bridgeport postcards and photographs, featuring the postcard art of Steve Gerber, and items of interest from the collections.
Visit several exhibits at the Housatonic Museum of Art #7 and the It’s Complicated exhibit at City Lights Gallery #21A; plus City Lights Vintage #21B is having a Seasonal Sale.
Stop by the Arcade Mall for the Richual Boutique thrift shop #20H, and then the Freeman Center’s #24 open house, with Black Life Matters photography by Chefren Gray.
4 TO 6 PM
Bridgeport’s newest art studio building, Metro Art Studios #4, cuts the ribbon at their grand opening from 4 pm to 6 pm, plus there’s a preview of the Books on the Verge exhibit in their gallery.
SAVE THE DATE
Legacy of a Collector at Paier College #3, an extraordinary exhibit reception, Sunday, December 12, 2021, Bridgeport Art Trail fundraiser, Admission $50 To purchase tickets: bridgeport-art-trail.org/portfolio/contribute/
See more info at City Lights Gallery #21A. View select artworks from the extensive collection of Harry Laurie including Bansky, Andy Warhol, Christo, Alice Neel, Robert Rauschenberg, Shepard Fairey, and others while enjoying reception bites and drink and gypsy swing jazz by the Hot Club of Black Rock 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Damon Wayans Jr. performs at downtown’s Stress Factory Comedy Club #13, starting at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
8 PM
Enjoy Never Say No Improv’s, Love, Laugh & Lyrics at BPT Creates #20G, or the Shakira & Enrique Iglesias Tribute at Bijou Theatre #14.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021
8:00 AM TO 8:45 AM
Join the Urban Bike Tours group bright and early at City Lights Gallery #21A for the annual Bridgeport Art Trail bike tour. Meet up for coffee and a photo op between 8 am and 9 am at City Lights, then head out to enjoy the day on wheels.
10 AM TO 5 PM
Tour art studios city-wide, at 4 artists’ buildings for Open Studios at American Fabrics Arts #1, Metro Art Studios #4, NEST Arts Factory #30, and The Knowlton #28. American Fabrics Arts Building #1 has a number of events including Name Your Price, Wall of Art by Janine Brown, studio sales with Emily Larned, Ulla Surland, Linda Colletta, Holly Hawthorn, Roxy Savage, and others. The Wobbler is a sound-activated sculpture that makes Jell-O wiggle by Roxy Savage.
Showing at Metro Art Studios #4 and curated by Chris Perry, the Books on the Verge exhibit is a survey of book art made by 23 artists residing all over New England. Many of the works were created specifically for this exhibit. Some of the exhibiting artists will be speaking about their work throughout the day. And make sure to tour the three full floors of newly renovated artist studios to find some of your favorite Bridgeport artists.
ARTcade event #20A offers vintage & artisanal vendors and live music to shop by at the Arcade Mall #20. The Coral Reef Principle in an eco-art exhibit featuring work by 50 artists at URSA Gallery #20D. WPKN Radio #15 spins discs at their Vintage Vinyl sale at American Fabrics Arts Building #1.
12 PM TO 3 PM
has the It’s Complicated exhibit, and wax resist painting, a hands-on activity for children.
City Lights Vintage #21B holds their Seasonal Sale and a Sit and Sew.
The Freeman Center’s #24 open house from 11 am to 5 pm features Black Life Matters photography by Chefren Gray.
Make an appointment between 12 pm and 5 pm at the Bridgeport History Center #9 to view Bridgeport postcards and photographs, featuring the postcard art of Steve Gerber, and items of interest from the collections.
12 PM TO 6 PM
At Gallery 9104 #6 view the gallery and studio of Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, storyteller and master teacher specializing in paintings, drawings, sculpture, textile collage.
1 PM TO 3PM
See demos at the NEST Art Factory #30, including glass blowing, belly dancing, and puppet storytelling for children of all ages.
1:30 PM
For children of all ages and cultures, don’t miss Djeli Village, folkloric storytelling with puppets, by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo at 1:30 pm.
2:15 PM TO 3:15 P.M
Join the Viewers’ Talk at City Lights Gallery #21A. Curator Suzanne Kachmar and storyteller Nina Lesiga host a community conversation with viewers and visitors discussing what they see in the art on view. Art is interactive and viewers are encouraged to be actively involved in what the art is expressing, this breaks with the tradition of an artists’ talk, where the artists lead the conversation.
3 PM TO 4 PM
is screening short films, Curator’s Choice, from 3 pm to 4 pm at the NEST Arts Factory #30.
3:30 PM TO 5:30 PM
open house and presentation with artist/designer/entrepreneur Billi Kid. Learn about how NBALAB supports young entrepreneurs and see a variety of cutting-edge brand concepts and works by popular street artists.
4 PM TO 6 PM
P-ART-Y at the NEST Arts Factory #30. View a building full of art and enjoy live music by the Latin Americana ensemble with Rick Reyes, Dick Neal, and friends with reception bites and drinks.
6 PM TO 8 PM
, has special Bridgeport Art Trail hours from 6 pm to 8 pm for The Coral Reef Principle group exhibit, featuring art that addresses global climate change and associated economic and social justice issues.
7:30 TO ? PM
Damon Wayans Jr. performs at downtown’s Stress Factory Comedy Club #13, starting at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
At 8 pm enjoy a Chicago tribute show with Connecticut Transit Authority at the Bijou Theatre #14, Dragonfly Poetry Exchange Online Program #21A hosted by Shanna Melton, the Greater Bridgeport Symphony #29A at the Klein Auditorium #29, or BPT Creates’ #20G 8-year anniversary party.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2021
10 AM TO 5 PM
Tour art studios city-wide, at 4 artists’ buildings for Open Studios, American Fabrics Arts #1, Metro Art Studios #4, NEST Arts Factory #30, and The Knowlton #28 throw open their doors for the public.
Open just one day a week, Mongers Market #31 is a vast warehouse of vintage, antique, and artisanal vendors, including furniture, lighting, architectural elements, and clothing. Rummage through an extensive inventory of salvaged industrial and antique items.
Showing at Metro Art Studios #4 and curated by Chris Perry, the Books on the Verge exhibit is a survey of book art made by 23 artists residing all over New England. Many of the works were created specifically for this exhibit. Some of the exhibiting artists will be speaking about their work throughout the day. And make sure to tour the three full floors of newly renovated artist studios to find some of your favorite Bridgeport artists.
In addition to open studios, American Fabrics Arts Building #1 artists also have a number of studio sales, including Name Your Price, Wall of Art by Janine Brown and Emily Larned, Ulla Surland, Linda Colletta, Holly Hawthorn, and others.
The Wobbler installation by Roxy Savage at American Fabrics Arts Building #1. The Wobbler is a sound-activated sculpture that makes Jell-O wiggle. Roxanne’s studio sale includes art, art supplies, art books.
11 AM TO 3 PM
exhibits It’s Complicated and URSA Gallery #20D shows The Coral Reef Principle, an eco-art exhibit featuring 50 artists.
12 PM TO 3 PM
At noon at the Bijou Theatre #14 there’s Inheriting the Well a play reading by Lisa McCree, directed by Jan Mason.
City Lights Vintage #21B holds their Seasonal Sale.
Art for Everyone at The Knowlton #28 is a laser-guided live art experience, painters of all ages welcome.
12 PM TO 5 PM
spins discs at their Vintage Vinyl sale at American Fabrics Arts Building #1.
12 TO 6 PM
At Gallery 9104 #6 view the gallery and studio of Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, storyteller, artist and master teacher specializing in paintings, drawings, sculpture, textile collage.
1 PM TO 3 PM
Berlinetta Brewing Beer Brunch and Art, we figured it out, we found an art event that pleases everyone, art lovers and beer lovers. Breaking the wine and cheese reception model, Berlinetta Brewing and the Bridgeport Art Trail #21 host a Beer Brunch and Artist Talk with renowned artist Tom Sanford, whose painting at Berlinetta enshrines Cliff from Cheers a.k.a. Bridgeport’s John Ratzenberger as the Patron Saint of Beer, or at least Berlinetta’s awesome Czech-style Pilsner. Meet the artist, enjoy his sardonic humor and R. Crumb aesthetic while enjoying good beer and good food. Berlinetta is located at 90 Golden Hill Street.
3 PM TO 4 PM
is screening short films, Curator’s Choice, from 3 pm to 4 pm at the NEST Arts Factory #30.
5:30 PM TO 8:30 PM
Storytelling at the Bijou Theatre #14. Don’t miss this year’s version of PechaKucha storytelling. Catered food for sale will be available, by Chef Rachel.
8 PM TO 9:30 PM
The amazing Ken Butler closes the BAT weekend at the Bijou Theatre #14 with an astonishing musical performance on instruments he’s constructed from discarded objects. He has performed on TV and arts centers, including the Jay Leno show and Lincoln Center. The Village Voice calls Ken “a crazy instrument builder who can get virtuoso riffs from anything.”
So much talent in this city and awesome synergy from creatives and business owners. I’ve had the privilege of working with many whom will be highlighted. Share with friends, pick a day or two. Come out and enjoy. I also love how inclusive and city wide the event has grown and is a true representation of Bridgeport. Lennie, maybe you an create a space for people to share experiences of the BPT Art Trail for others to see and read.
I think the city should do more artwork on the underpasses in the port, maybe put a protective coating on them as well. Maybe having those tax breaks to entice artisans in the port could contribute to offsetting the cost the city gives them. JS
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