Giving Power

left: The Flinn Gallery, located in the Greenwich Library, features rotating art exhibits. right: The Eagles perform at Greenwich Town Party.

from May through November which explores local historical sites with walking tours, a scavenger hunt and more. Returning this year are Concerts on the Great Lawn on alternating Thursdays from June through early September, and Tavern Garden Markets on alternating Wednesdays from May 4 through November 2. At the foot of Put’s Hill on the Post Road, history buffs can visit KNAPP TAVERN/PUTNAM COTTAGE, a structure dating from the 1600s that housed General Israel Putnam, and the spot where the general hosted George Washington and his entourage for lunch. By-appointment tours are guided by the local chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

The performing arts are also integral to local cultural life. The GREENWICH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, founded in 1940, has been conducting a search for a new musical director after David Gilbert, who held the post for 45 years, retired in 2020. Each concert has featured one of five accomplished finalists to fulfill this role, and a new director will be named in the spring. THE CHAMBER PLAYERS OF THE GREENWICH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA now in its 50th season, hosts concerts at the Round Hill Community Church, the Greenwich Arts Council and Greenwich Historical Society. GREENWICH CHORAL SOCIETY will celebrate its centennial in 2024. The 2021-22 season kicked off with a holiday performance at Greenwich High School, with two more concerts early this year and a new season in the fall. Other choral ensembles include the GRACE NOTES, an a cappella women’s singing group, as well as opportunities for men who sing: MELODY MEN, sponsored by the Greenwich Retired Men’s Association, and the CHOIR OF MEN AND BOYS, one of eight choirs at Christ Church. THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR offers singing programs for primary grade and middle to high school students.

Just over the border in Stamford are two community theater companies: CURTAIN CALL, which performs Kinky Boots at the Kweskin Theatre in June, and CONNECTICUT PLAYMAKERS, which will stage The Fantasticks at the Powerhouse at Waveny Park in New Canaan in September. And watch as the GREENWICH THEATRE COMPANY, a recently formed group, develops its program of productions and community education. The BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREENWICH also has a theater program and holds regular productions in town.

The GREENWICH LIBRARY—reimagined, renovated and reopened in 2021—has a vast and technically state-of-the art main library building on West Putnam Avenue, with two branches, the Byram Shubert and Cos Cob Libraries, and its independent affiliate, the PERROT MEMORIAL LIBRARY in Old Greenwich. Author talks, lectures, workshops, exhibits and concerts are part of its comprehensive schedule of 1,800 programs geared to a wide range of interests and age groups.

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above: To support the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, the benefit committee planned an island-themed event called “Moonlit in Mykonos.”

GIVING POWER

Supporting local nonprofits is a cause for celebration

Even two years of pandemic restrictions did not prevent Greenwich residents from supporting charities. With indoor functions ready to resume in 2022, organizers learned that flexibility can win the day: flexible scheduling and events outdoors, virtual and hybrid performances and celebrations, and other new ways to raise funds have kept the town’s organizations running. This year brings back some tried-and-true social events, stimulating the already formidable generosity of the town.

The GREENWICH HISTORICAL SOCIETY commemorates its 90th birthday with a gala scheduled for October 1. With new activities and a deep dive into town history called Discover Greenwich, and an enlarged and vibrant campus, there is much to celebrate.

As its new Eskew+Dumez+Ripple-designed addition is slated for a 2023 opening, the BRUCE MUSEUM will offer a variety of events to mark this upcoming milestone, in addition to the annual gala. This century-old jewel is getting a state-of-the art reimagining—funded by the generosity of Greenwich residents who appreciate this world-class cultural asset.

Although things looked less than promising last spring for the annual open-air GREENWICH TOWN PARTY, the much-anticipated event was moved to September. Partygoers rocked to the music of the Eagles and other performers. This year’s party, scheduled for May, features awardwinning “Piano Man” Billy Joel as headliner.

In addition to hosting the Red & White Ball in April, the AMERICAN RED CROSS opened the new Jill and John Coyle Blood Donor Center at its Field Point Road headquarters. The center includes eight permanent beds for the collection of whole blood—and in the

MELANI LUST

above:

Red Cross Red & White Ball Patron Party