Westport Journal

Elena Moon Park: Children’s Series - FREE SHOW
2026-07-15 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
ELENA MOON PARK CELEBRATES THE MAGIC OF EVERYDAY LIFE ON NOTHING IS ORDINARY – A GLOBALLY INSPIRED ALL AGES ALBUM OUT MAY 29, 2026
Musician and cultural producer Elena Moon Park returns with Nothing Is Ordinary, a luminous new collection of songs that invites listeners of all ages to rediscover the wonder woven into everyday life.
Built around the idea that the world surrounding us is both ordinary and extraordinary at once, the album encourages a deeper kind of listening, one that embraces birdsong in the morning, the quiet glow of the moon in daylight, and the countless small stories unfolding around us at any given moment.
“When I sit with this idea, I find myself noticing more of both the grand and the mundane,” says Park. “I’m reminded that so much of my joy comes from listening closely, from paying attention to the world and the people around me. This collection of songs is dedicated to the idea that everything around us is magical, while also being oh-so common. And I realize that my greatest joy is in hearing and noticing everyone and everything, and listening for all the stories, large and small. Everyone has a story to share. Find yours and sing it loud.”
Nothing Is Ordinary is Park’s third all ages album, and continues her singular approach to family music, one rooted in respect, curiosity, and artistic depth. The collection brings together reimagined folk and children’s songs from East and Southeast Asia alongside original compositions inspired in part by the artwork of longtime collaborator Kristiana Pärn.

Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
2026-07-15 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-16 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-17 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-07-18 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-07-19 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-22 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-22 19:00 - 21:00 and 5 more dates | Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
July 14 – August 1 – A masterfully twisted tale of deception and suspense. A murder. A mansion. A mysterious cast of suspects. And only one man can uncover the truth: Hercule Poirot. Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is more than just a mystery—it’s the gold standard of the genre, widely hailed as “the greatest whodunnit ever written.” In this new adaptation by Mark Shanahan, Dame Agatha’s twistiest tale is brought to the stage with all its cunning, charm, and chilling suspense.

The CORA Foundation Community Conversation with Ellen Harvey + Dan Woog
2026-07-16 17:30 - 19:30 | MoCA CT, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Join us for an evening inspired by Looking for History, MoCACT’s summer exhibition featuring Ellen Harvey’s The Disappointed Tourist. This special program brings the exhibition’s themes of memory, loss, and place into a local context, inviting audiences to reflect on the spaces that have shaped—and disappeared from—our shared landscape.
Moderated by journalist and 06880 founder Dan Woog, the conversation features an interview with artist Harvey alongside preservation advocate Ed Gerber (Historic New England). Together, they will explore the cultural and emotional significance of lost places, from global landmarks to beloved Westport institutions.
For the MoCACT Looking for History exhibition, Harvey has created four new paintings based on local submissions: The Remarkable Book Shop, Cedar Brook Cafe, Bloodroot, and Allen’s Clam House, which will serve as a starting point for a broader community dialogue.
The evening will also include brief presentations from selected community participants sharing their own “lost places,” adding personal perspective and storytelling to the discussion. As our Disappointed Tourist Guide, Woog will present the award selections. Categories include “Place You Thought Would Last Forever,” “What a Cool Hangout!” “Just One More Bite,” followed by an audience vote to crown one favorite missed location.

Amani Burnham: Debut Album Tour – FREE CONCERT
2026-07-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Amani Burnham – Debut Album Tour : FREE TICKET SHOW
THURSDAY, JULY 16 | 7:30PM SHOW / 6:30PM DOORS
Box office opens on-site 2-hours before show time; free tickets available on a first come basis, based on space and availability.
Amani Burnham – the 20-year-old blues-rock sensation and Connecticut-based artist who has captivated millions on social media with his raw talent and magnetic presence – is ready to take flight with Roots & Wings, his debut album on the acclaimed Blind Pig Records label. The 12-track collection showcases Amani’s remarkable guitar work—played uniquely with his right-hand thumb rather than a pick—alongside soulful vocals and introspective songwriting. From the turbo-charged instrumental “Fastlane” to the deeply personal title track reflecting on his Ethiopian roots, the album crackles with groovy blues-rock riffs, cosmic solos, and stinging vibrato. Recorded at the renowned Carriage House Studios with a classic power-trio setup, Roots & Wings honors the legacy of blues-rock giants while heralding a bold new voice for a new generation. Stay connected with Amani.
This concert was originally scheduled to take place on May 29. If you had already claimed a ticket, it will work for this new date! If you are unable to use your free tickets at this new date, please let us know at boxofficelevittpavilion[at]gmail.com – and be sure to check out other Amani tour dates!
“Meet Amani Burnham, the budding blues-rock hero blending fingerstyle technique with SRV tone. Burnham is blowing minds with his fretwork.” – Guitar World (APRIL, 2026)
“A spectacular new blues guitar force.” —Blues Chronicles
“With Roots and Wings Amani Burnham blazes his own trail, following closely in the lights of guitarists like Hendrix and Stevie Vaughan, but brings is own fierce styles of towering rhythms and blistering leads on his songs.” — Living Blues
20 year-old Connecticut-based Amani Burnham will be releasing his debut album Roots & Wings (Blind Pig Records) on May 29! Experience his Levitt Pavilion debut – the first free show of the 2026 Season – and clock your bragging rights now!
Seventy years after its initial recording, blues-rock artist Amani Burnham posted a video of himself playing Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man.” It was surreal to see a 19-year-old on Instagram wielding a white Fender Stratocaster with such dexterous ferocity and sensual charisma.
In his hands, the Willie Dixon blues standard sounded sexy and dangerous again. At the time, Amani hadn’t been playing guitar for very long, and the post was simply a natural extension of his love for blues-rock. Yet his fluid soloing and electrifying showmanship captured the imagination of blues fans and seasoned professional musicians alike, inadvertently heralding the arrival of a new blues dynamo.
Today, Amani is stepping out from behind the screen with his debut album, Roots & Wings, coming soon on Blind Pig Records. The 12-track collection showcases Amani’s remarkable guitar work—played uniquely with his right-hand thumb rather than a pick—alongside soulful vocals and introspective songwriting. From the turbo-charged instrumental “Fastlane” to the deeply personal title track reflecting on his Ethiopian roots, the album crackles with groovy blues-rock riffs, cosmic solos, and stinging vibrato. Recorded at the renowned Carriage House Studios with a classic power-trio setup, Roots & Wings honors the legacy of blues-rock giants while heralding a bold new voice for a new generation.​
Since starting on social media in late 2023, Amani has amassed more than 240,000 followers and nearly 30 million cumulative views on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. “Blues, like nature, has to keep evolving,” Amani says. “You can trace heavy metal, prog rock, grunge, everything, back to it. I want to be a part of that evolution.”​
The Levitt Pavilion 2026 Season includes over 50 shows presented free-of-charge (free-ticket shows) – as well as our Stars on Tour paid-ticket series and Gala – to fill your spring, summer and fall with music, performing arts and more. SIGN UP FOR OUR ENEWS TO STAY TUNED!
Support free access to the arts! Get your 2026 Membership now! Members also enjoy access to a member reserve of free tickets (based on limited supplies) to free shows throughout the Season *plus* enjoy exclusive member discounts on paid-ticket shows throughout the season!*
TERMS: Claiming a ticket or being a guest at the venue is an agreement to comply with all of the venue’s discretionary rules and safety protocols which are subject to change at any time. Please read all info at Levittpavilion.com before claiming ticket(s). Note: Policies vary from show to show; please read guidelines specific to the show you are planning to attend.
July 16, 2026 | 7:30 pm

DOGS IN A PILE - Summer Tour
2026-07-17 18:00 - 21:30 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Something organic has been blooming from Asbury Park, New Jersey, and is now making its way around the world. Dogs In A Pile, a band of five twenty somethings with old souls and limitless chops, is waking people up to the timeless and ineffable joys of psychedelic-tinged jazz-funk rock n’ roll.
This is one of the busiest touring bands of today, averaging 130 live shows per year since 2022. The road has become their creative engine, generating a rapidly growing catalog of original tunes. Distroid, the band’s newest album, is a 10-song collection featuring long-awaited studio versions of some of the Dogs’ most beloved repertoire.
Dogs In A Pile is guitarist Jimmy Law, guitarist Brian Murray, keyboardist Jeremy Kaplan, bassist Sam Lucid, and drummer Joe Babick. In addition, the Dogs In A Pile community includes the Dog Pound, the group’s extended family of fans across the country.
Besides being a lyric from the Grateful Dead song, “He’s Gone,” the name “Dogs In A Pile” is an apt description of the five-piece band’s stylistic breadth. The sonic image it conjures is a heap of storyteller Americana, bluegrass, jazz improvisation, eccentric instrumental excursions, pop-rock sophistication, and deep-pocket grooves, ranging from funk to Latin to reggae and beyond.
Distroid features material that has already become staples of the band’s live show. These studio renditions have afforded the group a chance to present the compositions just how they envision them. Distroid offers a cross-section of the Dogs In A Pile essence, tight and tuneful four-minute funk and jazz informed psych-rock songs, and then sprawling 15-minute compositions with intricate unison lines, agile genre-jumping, and dazzling improvisation.
To purchase tickets to this event, and for more event information, visit www.levittpavilion.com, The Levitt Pavilion Season includes paid-ticket programming alongside the over 50 shows presented free-of-charge each year.

Art Adventures! – Saturday Drop-In Art Class for Kids
2026-07-18 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-25 12:00 - 13:30 | MoCA CT, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Your child can join us every Saturday for a relaxed and inspiring drop-in art class at the museum! Whether your child is an experienced artist or just looking to have fun, our multi-media classes offer a creative space to explore new techniques and expression through art. Each session is designed to be fun, interactive, and hands-on, with a focus on encouraging your child’s unique artistic voice.
Each class will feature a new theme or project, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and collage so they can come back week after week to try something fresh and create their own masterpieces.
Materials are provided. Come create, connect, and have fun with art!

"Peter Pan" Script in Hand Jr. Playreading
2026-07-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Westport Country Playhouse’s junior version of its popular Script in Hand playreading series will present the swashbuckling, magical adventure of “Peter Pan,” written by J. M. Barrie and adapted by Brian Feehan, on Saturday, July 18, at 2 p.m. The Script in Hand Jr. staged reading will be in the Lucille Lortel White Barn Center, adjacent to the Playhouse. Director is Stacie Morgain Lewis, actress, singer, songwriter, teacher, and mom.
A family-friendly event, this timeless story of imagination, bravery, and the wonder of never growing up will whisk the audience to Neverland alongside Peter, Wendy, Tinker Bell, and the infamous Captain Hook.
Script In Hand Junior: Peter Pan

HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS – THE BOB SEGER EXPERIENCE
2026-07-18 19:00 - 22:00 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
SATURDAY, JULY 18 * 7PM SHOW / 6PM DOORS
Take advantage of Early Bird tickets while supplies last PURCHASE TICKETS
Enjoy exclusive member discounts to this and upcoming shows!* Get your 2026 Membership now!
PREMIUM LAWN Section GA (closest to stage):
Premium viewing area *and * dedicated cc bar exclusively for all premium ticket holders.
Early Bird: $50 / Member $45
Advance: $55 / Member $49.50
DAY OF SHOW: $60
LAWN Section GA:
Ticket holders in this section will be able to enjoy the bar located on the terrace.
Early Bird $25 / Member $22.50
Advance GA: $30 / Member $22.50
DAY OF SHOW: $35
A $4 Facility Fee is added to all non-member tickets.
Hollywood Nights – The Bob Seger Experience is the ultimate tribute to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. They are a 9-piece band based in New Jersey who continues to strive to recreate everything about Bob Seger and his music down to the core. They pride themselves on carrying on the legacy of Bob Seger’s unforgettable high-energy shows, roaring raspy vocals, and the groundwork Bob has laid over the past 30 years. Hollywood Nights shares the belief that only Bob and his fans have come to know, learn, and love: Represent the voice of every fan, his or her values, working-class background, and the love of rock ‘n‘ roll. If you are a true fan of Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, you won’t want to miss Hollywood Nights
General admission, standing room, within each section. No chair zones in effect in both sections. Rain or Shine. All Sales Final. No outside food or drink is permitted at this event. No coolers. An onsite refreshment bar will be open. Bring photo ID to verify 21+ for any alcohol purchase. Food trucks will be on site.
Proceeds from our Stars-on-Tour events help underwrite our free programming. The Levitt Pavilion is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Our 2026 Season will include over 50 shows presented free-of-charge.
Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates about our Season and added shows.
*All member discounts and privileges based on limited supplies and event-specific terms.
* ALL SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. More show FAQ: LevittPavilion.com
July 18, 2026 | 7:00pm

MT Jones – FREE CONCERT
2026-07-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Gathering inspiration from ’60s and ’70s soul greats across the Atlantic to modern R&B and jazz, MT Jones evokes a sound that is both contemporary and timeless. His deeply soulful vocals transport you straight back to a smoke-filled speakeasy that somehow still feels fresh and innovative.
Between stints working on music regularly in Liverpool & London, Jones has travelled the world as a musician & penned songs for other artists, making a name for himself as a gifted and prolific songwriter. But lockdown gave him the time and space to put his talent under his own name. His debut single, “I Won’t Ever Say Goodbye,” was a soulful, heart-on-sleeve ballad that marked the start of big things and he has followed it with a series of singles that have grabbed widespread attention and half a million monthly listeners on Spotify, especially after BBC introducing multiple spins on 1xtra, where MT was a ‘Step up’ artist.
Now he releases “Joy,” his debut album, in March of 2026, using it as a launchpad for an extended time on the road, where audiences will get a chance to vibe with his substantial talents in a live setting.

Comedy Night #2 - FREE SHOW
2026-07-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
John Tobin Presents! delivers a slate of their funniest stand-up comedians for another free night of side-splitting laughs under the stars!

Mega Ran: Children’s Series – FREE SHOW
2026-07-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Mega Ran is proof that Hip Hop can go anywhere! A former middle school teacher turned Grammy-nominated rapper for Best Children’s Album, Mega Ran’s educational and empowering Hip Hop tracks like “You’re Enough” and “Get Your Wiggle On” will have you giggling and bobbing your head to the beat. Besides being a Billboard chart-topping children’s artist and foster father, gamers may recognize Mega Ran’s music from major video games like Mortal Kombat 11 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.

Bruce S. Kershner Art Gallery Reception: "Fused"
2026-07-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Fairfield Public Library, 165 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, Connecticut, 06824, United States
The public is invited to attend the opening reception for Fused, an exhibit of encaustic art by Nash Hyon, Deb Kouzoukian, Bonnie Michell, and Phyllis Ruffer in the Bruce S. Kershner Art Gallery at Main Library. The reception will be held from 5:30-7:30pm, and the artists will speak at 6:00pm. Light refreshments will be served.
Fused will be on display during regular Main Library hours from July 11 through September 5, 2026.

Architectural Elegy: A Mourning Ritual for Lost Spaces
2026-07-23 18:00 - 19:00 | MoCA CT, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
In response to The Disappointed Tourist, Ellen Harvey’s on-going project of painting lost places, Dannielle Tegeder of Hilma’s Ghost will lead a meditative ceremony with Ellen Harvey honoring demolished and disappearing buildings through collective remembrance. Participants will create ephemeral memorials by drawing or writing about a place they miss and sharing brief stories of places that shaped their lives. Drawing inspiration from Harvey’s practice of preserving the overlooked, participants will honor our forgotten spaces through a knotting ritual creating a temporary community to support each other in our grief. The ritual closes with a moment of silence for the places and structures that once held our histories.
Duration: 60 minutes | All materials provided | Participants are invited to dress in mourning or black (not required) | All are welcome

Surfing for Daisy – FREE CONCERT
2026-07-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Surfing for Daisy started on a porch in Asbury Park, NJ between new and old friends. Their sound is rooted in Alternative Folk Rock with hints of Psychedelia, but truly holds no bounds. The band has quickly caught fire, Playing the Sea. Hear. Now festival in September of 2025 in front of thousands. The momentum continued when they sold out The Stone Pony in November for the release of their brand new single “Psychic,” the first glimpse of their much anticipated sophomore album.

LaMP ft. Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger & Ray Paczkowski – FREE CONCERT
2026-07-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
On a magical night at Nectar’s in Burlington, Vermont in December of 2018, three musical masters—Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger and Ray Paczkowski—came together with alchemical synthesis, and created a fresh, so-tight-it’s-free sound, permeated with technical prowess and a deep-pocket punch. The packed house fortunate enough to be in attendance that night witnessed the birth of something very special. The following spring, the trio took the name LaMP by combining the first letters of each members’ surname, and reconvened back in Vermont at Sugarhouse Soundworks for an intense recording session with sound engineer Roger Stauss laying down tracks that would become their eponymous debut EP.
Metzger, described by The Village Voice as “…an ace guitarist of a thousand styles,” and a full-time member of the beloved Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, tested the decades-strong synergy between Lawton and Paczkowski forged from their time playing with Trey Anastasio Band and their duo project Soule Monde. It resulted in seven tracks crackling with energy and soul. The melodic and harmonic interplay between Paczkowski’s swirling organ and clavinet dancing with Metzger’s acrobatic melodies on telecaster, driven by Lawton’s unflappable backbeat, produced a record that will stand the test of time. Ever since—as the three members busy schedules have allowed—LaMP has prioritized bringing the music to the people with shows across the East Coast. As word has spread and the crowds have grown with each subsequent tour, it’s become clear that LaMP will be a musical force to be reckoned with for the foreseeable future.

Desert Highway: A Tribute to The Eagles – FREE CONCERT
2026-07-25 19:30 - 21:30 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
FREE TICKET SHOW | SATURDAY, JULY 25 | 7:30PM SHOW / 6:30PM DOORS
Free tickets may be reserved in advance via Reserve Levittpavilion.com
Member access to free tickets online: Active now
Public access to free tickets online begins Monday, July 6 at 10AM ET
Since its formation, Desert Highway has been captivating and entertaining major audiences. Their critically acclaimed performances are a nonstop journey through numerous radio hits, top ten singles and favorite solo works of The Eagles. Musically and visually, Desert Highway presents a unique edge in performing The Eagles’ varied music catalogue.
Desert Highway is a passionate group of nine talented professionals, who are studio and concert tour veterans with major recording artists. The band performs live the rich vocal harmonies and intricate guitar styles, without the aid of added pre-recorded tracks and with the addition of a full horn section for this Levitt Pavilion performance.
The Eagles are arguably the quintessential American band. They combine influences of both rock and country music into a unique sound that provided the soundtrack to a generation. Since the 1970’s, they have sold more than 120 million albums, earning five U.S. number one singles and six Grammy awards. From the country inspired, ‘Take It Easy’, to the soaring guitar rock anthem, ‘Hotel California’. The list goes on and on, with hits such as ‘Life In The Fast Lane’, ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’, ‘Heartache Tonight’ and ‘Desperado’.
Desert Highway channels the music of this legendary band, and continues to win over both long time and new found fans of all generations.
The Levitt Pavilion 2026 Season includes over 50 shows presented free-of-charge (free-ticket shows) – as well as our Stars on Tour paid-ticket series and Gala – to fill your spring, summer and fall with music, performing arts and more. SIGN UP FOR OUR ENEWS TO STAY TUNED!
Support free access to the arts! Get your 2026 Membership now! Members also enjoy access to a member reserve of free tickets (based on limited supplies) to free shows throughout the Season *plus* enjoy exclusive member discounts on paid-ticket shows throughout the season!*
Reminders: Free tickets are also issued via the Box Office which opens 2-hours before show time on show days (based on available supplies). If all available public-facing free tickets are distributed in advance, season members receive priority access to a limited supply of free tickets (this “member reserve” of free tickets is based on limited supplies, while supplies last).
TERMS: Claiming a ticket or being a guest at the venue is an agreement to comply with all of the venue’s discretionary rules and safety protocols which are subject to change at any time. Please read all info at Levittpavilion.com before claiming ticket(s). Note: Policies vary from show to show; please read guidelines specific to the show you are planning to attend.
July 25, 2026 | 7:30 pm

Lulada Club: NYC’s All Women Salsa Orchestra – FREE CONCERT
2026-07-26 19:00 - 21:30 | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, 40 Jesup Road, Westport, Connecticut, 06880, United States
Free show: Sunday, July 26 | 6pm doors, 7pm salsa lesson, 730 concert + dance party
SPONSOR: LEIFER PROPERTIES
Reserve free tickets in advance via Levittpavilion.com
Free tickets also distributed at Box office; free tickets available on a first come basis, based on space and availability. Box Office opens on-site 2-hours before show time.
Experience the captivating rhythms of Lulada Club, an electrifying all-women salsa band setting the New York City music scene ablaze. Through meticulous curation, vocalist and director Andrea Chavarro has assembled a cohort of accomplished and brilliant New York-based musicians, each with unique merits. Infused with an irresistible blend of vibrancy and skill, these remarkable women command the stage, welcoming salserxs of all levels and ages.
Drawing inspiration from her Cali, Colombia heritage—the global epicenter of salsa—Andrea embarked on a mission to address the void of female ensembles within the live music scene in New York City. This ambition led to the creation of Lulada Club in 2022. Renowned for their masterful interpretations of vintage tropical rhythms encompassing salsa, bolero, and cha-cha-cha, the powerhouse band pays homage to the icons while offering a fresh perspective through their original tunes.
The Levitt Pavilion 2026 Season includes over 50 shows presented free-of-charge (free-ticket shows) – as well as our Stars on Tour paid-ticket series and Gala – to fill your spring, summer and fall with music, performing arts and more. SIGN UP FOR OUR ENEWS TO STAY TUNED!
Support free access to the arts! Get your 2026 Membership now! Members also enjoy access to a member reserve of free tickets (based on limited supplies) to free shows throughout the Season *plus* enjoy exclusive member discounts on paid-ticket shows throughout the season!*
TERMS: Claiming a ticket or being a guest at the venue is an agreement to comply with all of the venue’s discretionary rules and safety protocols which are subject to change at any time. Please read all info at Levittpavilion.com before claiming ticket(s). Note: Policies vary from show to show; please read guidelines specific to the show you are planning to attend.
July 26, 2026 | 7:00 pm
