BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Westport Journal - ECPv6.16.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Westport Journal X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://westportjournal.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Westport Journal REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251020T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251020T203000 DTSTAMP:20260619T202118 CREATED:20250926T135343Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250926T135343Z UID:10000139-1760986800-1760992200@westportjournal.com SUMMARY:StoryFest 2025 Presents: 10th Anniversary Celebration of Year of Yes with Award-Winning Producer and Best-Selling Author Shonda Rhimes DESCRIPTION:SOLD OUT\n\n\nEvent Details\nStoryFest 2025\, The Westport Library’s eighth annual literary festival\, will wrap up in style this year with a special appearance by award-winning producer and Shondaland visionary Shonda Rhimes\, who will be on hand to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her New York Times best-selling memoir\, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out\, Stand in the Sun\, and Be Your Own Person.\n\n\nWhat happens when one of the most powerful voices in television decides to say YES to everything for a year? For Shonda Rhimes — the creative force behind Grey’s Anatomy\, Scandal\, Bridgerton\, and more — it sparked a transformation that changed her life forever.\n\n\nNow\, after saying YES for a decade\, Shonda offers an expanded edition of her New York Times bestselling memoir YEAR OF YES with never-before-told stories\, and brand-new reflections on growth\, courage\, and the magic that happens when you step into the unknown.\n\n \n\n\nIn this anniversary event\, Shonda will take the stage with Craig Melvin to share new moments that shaped her\, the fears she conquered\, and the unexpected joy of embracing life with an open mind. Come ready to laugh\, reflect\, and maybe even walk away a little braver–and a little more ready to say YES yourself.\n\n\n***\n\n\nTickets are $30 and include a signed copy of the 10th-anniversary hardcover edition of Year of Yes\, which features updates and exclusive new chapters. It is the same price for one seat and a copy of the book or two seats and a book.\n\n\nThis event is presented by the Library in partnership with RJ Julia Booksellers of Madison\, Connecticut.\n\n\nStoryFest marks a return trip to the Library for Rhimes\, who served as the BOOKED for the evening honoree in 2022. She also held a special screening of her critically revered documentary Black Barbie last year and served as the guest of honor for Westport’s 19th annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration\, held at the Library in January of this year.\n\n\nAbout StoryFest & StoryFest 2025\nStoryFest 2025 runs October 13 to October 20\, with individual evening events on Monday\, October 13\, and Friday\, October 17\, and the talk with Rhimes on Monday\, October 20. Saturday\, October 18\, will feature a series of events and panels starting at 10 am and going until 6 pm.\n\n\nNow in its eighth year\, StoryFest is the largest annual literary festival in Connecticut and one of the biggest in the Northeast. It is a celebration of the story in all its forms and storytellers from across all media\, each year drawing scores of authors and hundreds of readers\, writers\, and fans.\n\n\nPast participants include National Book Award finalist Jason Reynolds; Goosebumps author R.L. Stine; acclaimed essayist and memoirist Roxane Gay\, New York Times best-selling authors Michael Lewis\, Mitch Albom\, Claire Messud\, Angie Kim\, Stephen Graham Jones\, and Caroline Kepnes; young adult superstars Nic Stone\, Tiffany Jackson\, and L.L. McKinney; Emmy Award winner Sheila Nevins; best-selling memoirist Isaac Fitzgerald; Kirkus Prize recipient Saeed Jones; and Pinkalicious author/illustrator Victoria Kann.\n\n\nAbout Year of Yes\nIn this 10th Anniversary Edition\, Shonda Rhimes\, executive producer of Grey’s Anatomy\, Scandal\, Bridgerton\, Queen Charlotte\, and more\, not only revisits her galvanizing New York Times best-seller but gives readers an extraordinary cache of brand new stories that showcase the continuing power that saying YES has had on her life.\n\n\nIn Shonda’s own words: “This book is the same as before\, but it also is not. It is brand new. It has changed. Transformed. Evolved. Grown. Just like me.”\n\n\nIn 2015\, Rhimes\, the trailblazing creative force behind some of television’s most beloved series\, took on a challenge that would change her life forever. She decided to say yes to everything for a year\, and the results were exhilarating. Hailed as “honest\, raw\, and revelatory” (The Washington Post) and “as fun to read as Rhimes’s TV series are to watch” (Los Angeles Times)\, Year of Yes quickly became a New York Times best-seller\, captivating readers everywhere and inspiring them to undertake their own YES journeys.\n\n\nIn this celebratory and expanded anniversary edition\, you’ll find more wildly candid and transformational chapters that reveal how the mega-talented Shonda\, once a self-described introvert\, achieved badassery worthy of a Shondaland character — and how you can\, too.\n\n\nAbout the Author\nRhimes is an award-winning television creator\, producer\, and author. She is the first woman to create three television dramas — Grey’s Anatomy\, Private Practice\, and Scandal — that achieved the 100-episode milestone.\n\n\nIn 2017\, Rhimes shifted the entertainment industry’s business model by leaving network television for an exclusive Netflix partnership. Bridgerton\, her first Netflix series\, became a worldwide franchise with seasons holding three of Netflix’s Top 10 English-language spots. She also created Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story\, Inventing Anna\, and executive produced The Residence and the documentaries Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker and Black Barbie.\n\n\nIn addition\, she founded The Rhimes Foundation supporting arts\, education\, and activism\, and serves on boards including the American Film Institute\, Debbie Allen Dance Academy\, Dartmouth College\, Lincoln Center\, and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Rhimes also serves on special committees for the USC Film Council and Obama Foundation.\n\n\nA three-time Time 100 honoree\, Rhimes has been appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire as well as inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.\n\n\nAbout the Moderator\nCraig Melvin is the co-anchor on NBC News’ “TODAY\,” a co-host of the “3rd Hour of TODAY” and a host of syndicated “Dateline NBC” broadcasts. Melvin has covered a wide range of news events\, including several Republican and Democratic National Conventions and three Presidential Inaugurations. His coverage of politics has included notable interviews with former President Bill Clinton\, then-Vice President Joe Biden\, former Ambassador Nikki Haley\, and former Secretaries of State John Kerry\, Mike Pompeo and Condoleezza Rice. In addition\, he has also covered five Olympic Games and six Super Bowls. Prior to joining NBC News and MSNBC in July 2011\, Melvin was a weekend anchor for WRC\, NBC’s owned-and-operated station in Washington\, DC. Before that\, Melvin earned acclaim as an evening news anchor at WIS in Columbia\, South Carolina\, which is also his hometown.\n\n\nMelvin is the author of two books: Pops: Learning to Be a Son and a Father and the children’s book I’m Proud of You.\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Add as a preferred\n source on Google URL:https://westportjournal.com/events/storyfest-2025-presents-10th-anniversary-celebration-of-year-of-yes-with-award-winning-producer-and-best-selling-author-shonda-rhimes/ LOCATION:The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://westportjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/StoryFest25_Shonda-03-cOs5z2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251018T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251018T170000 DTSTAMP:20260619T202118 CREATED:20250926T135336Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250926T135336Z UID:10000133-1760781600-1760806800@westportjournal.com SUMMARY:StoryFest Saturday 2025: Panel Discussions\, Book Signings\, Author Talks\, and More! DESCRIPTION:StoryFest’s busiest day features a full slate of panel discussions\, book signings\, and more\, featuring more than 30 authors across genres!\n\n\nClick here to see the full list of events\, authors\, and more for StoryFest 2025!\n\n\nHere’s a full breakdown of StoryFest’s biggest day:\n\n\nSpooky Stories in the Cobblestone Barn (for kids)\n10 am – 12 pm: At the Westport Museum for History & Culture\n\n \n\n\nStoryFest is everywhere on Saturday morning\, starting at the Westport Museum for History & Culture!\n\n\nStory Fest Saturday morning kicks off with spooky storytelling for the whole family at the Westport Museum for History & Culture! Get in the Halloween spirit with award-winning and best-selling authors Lorien Lawrence\, Cody Daigle-Orians\, and more\, plus a special appearance by Washington Irving himself!\n\n\n10 am: Lorien Lawrence\n10:30 am: Cody Daigle-Orians\n11 am: TBA\n11:30 am: Step into the shadows of legend as the ghost of Washington Irving himself rises to recount his chilling tale\, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Gather in the museum’s historic barn\, where flickering lantern light set the perfect stage for the Headless Horseman to ride again. This special performance features an abbreviated\, family-friendly reading of Irving’s classic ghost story: brought to life in a way that will thrill audiences of all ages!\n\n\nPanel Discussions and Author Signings\n11 am – 5 pm: In the Library’s Trefz Forum\n\n\n11 am: Writing the Self and Others: Turning Lived Experience into Art\nHow do writers transform personal history\, their own and others\, into compelling stories? Explore how writers mine the truth and histories of their own lives and the lives of others to create stories as bold as life itself. With Nabil Ayers\, Cody Daigle-Orians\, Mariah Fredericks\, Koren Shadmi\, and Bonnie Tsui. Moderator: Sonya Huber.\n\n\n12 pm: Nevertheless\, She Persisted: Writing Strong Women\nFrom trailblazers to everyday heroines\, literature has long offered a space to reimagine women’s roles and voices. In this discussion\, authors explore the craft of writing complex female characters who reflect resilience\, vulnerability\, and the full range of human experience. With Sharbari Ahmed\, Christina Baker Kline\, Anne Burt\, Kirsten Miller\, and Sarah Stewart Taylor. Moderator: Brigitte Dale.\n\n\n1 pm: Coming of Age: Writing Youth\, Identity\, and the Search for Belonging\nStories of youth are stories of transformation. Hear how children’s and YA writers explore the heartbreak\, hopes\, hilarities\, and horrors of growing up. With Charlie Jane Anders\, Derrick Barnes\, Lorien Lawrence\, and Hailey Piper. Moderator: Charnaie Gordon.\n\n\n2 pm: Fiction Without Borders: Storytelling Beyond Limits\nWhat happens when writers cross boundaries — cultural\, structural\, or imaginative. This panel explores fiction that resists categorization\, expands perspectives\, and reminds us of the limitless power of storytelling. With Martin Cahill\, Jordan Castro\, Gabi Coatsworth\, Nalini Jones\, Joan Silber\, and Cadwell Turnbull. Moderator: Heather Frimmer.\n\n\n3 pm: Becky Spratford Presents: ‘Why I Love Horror’\nLibrarian and horror expert and critic Becky Siegel Spratford gathers some of the most celebrated contemporary horror writers to discuss why they love the genre. With Clay Chapman\, Hailey Piper\, and EC Hanson.\n\n\n4 pm: Ellen Datlow Presents: Night and Day\nHorror’s preeminent editor and StoryFest favorite Ellen Datlow sits down with writers from her new anthology\, Night and Day\, with one side featuring stories about what haunts the night while the other side showcases the terrors that can exist in the light of day. With Brian Evenson\, Rachel Harrison\, and Josh Malerman.\n\n\nWorking on Both Sides of the Page: Live Minorities in Publishing Podcast Recording\n2-3 pm: In Brooks Place at The Westport Library\n\n\nWelcome to another live MiP recording at StoryFest with The Westport Library! Publishing professionals and dynamic authors Lauren Morrow (Little Movements) and Amber Oliver (When the Music Hits) join host Jennifer Baker for a fun and engaging conversation about their electrifying debut novels — both of which reflect characters experiencing the darker side of ambition — as well as the realities of balancing a writing life while working full-time in the publishing industry. Can having a front-row seat to how the proverbial sausage is made impact the process or better prepare one for publication? How does the work we do inform our artistry and vice versa? How do we make time for our art amidst demanding full-time jobs? And what advice has helped to navigate the terrain?\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Add as a preferred\n source on Google URL:https://westportjournal.com/events/storyfest-saturday-2025-panel-discussions-book-signings-author-talks-and-more/ LOCATION:The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://westportjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/StoryFest25_2160x1320-1-jnZdI5.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251015T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251015T200000 DTSTAMP:20260619T202118 CREATED:20250926T135314Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250926T135314Z UID:10000120-1760551200-1760558400@westportjournal.com SUMMARY:Artist Reception: ‘Every Picture Tells a Story': Photographs from the Westport Public Art Collections DESCRIPTION:Join us on Wednesday\, October 15\, for our artist conversation with curator Arthur Nager\, whose exhibit\, Every Picture Tells a Story\, will be on display in the Sheffer Gallery from October 8 through December 15. There will be a reception from 6 to 7 pm\, followed by an artist talk with Nager from 7 to 8 pm.\n\n\nArtist Statement\nEvery Picture tells a Story includes photographs from The Westport Public Art Collections selected to coordinate with StoryFest 2025 and to highlight the work of the many creative photographers represented in the collection. Curator and photographer Arthur Nager worked with Carole Erger-Fass\, exhibit curator of The Westport Library\, and members of the Westport Public Art Collections to identify photographs that demonstrated diverse creative and technological approaches to the medium. The work on display includes portraits\, landscape studies\, historical\, documentary\, and abstract imagery in black and white and color.\n\n\nThe exhibit features internationally renowned photographers Philippe Halsman\, Alfred Eisenstaedt\, Eliot Porter\, and Lucia Nebel White; along with wonderful creative imagery from Westport photographers including Larry Silver and David Kalman\, who focused on the town and region; photojournalists Spencer Platt and Lynsey Addario\, among others.\n\n\nNager will also be leading a three-part Verso University workshop\, Visual Storytelling: Develop Your Photographic Vision\, in conjunction with his exhibit and with StoryFest 2025.\n\n \n\n\n***\n\n\nFor more about the Library art exhibits\, visit the Art at the Library page.\n\n\n \n\n\nMiggs Burroughs Healing Power of Art\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Add as a preferred\n source on Google URL:https://westportjournal.com/events/artist-reception-every-picture-tells-a-story-photographs-from-the-westport-public-art-collections/ LOCATION:The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westportjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WestPAC-Forum-Screen-copy-2MNwmd.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251004T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251004T140000 DTSTAMP:20260619T202118 CREATED:20250926T135059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250926T135110Z UID:10000058-1759575600-1759586400@westportjournal.com SUMMARY:Westport Volunteer Fair 2025 DESCRIPTION:Westport’s nonprofit organizations come to the Library’s Trefz Forum to promote volunteerism in our community.\n\n\nBring your enthusiasm to share your time and talent for many worthy community causes! There will be an opportunity to speak with key staff and to sign up for volunteer opportunities for teens and adults.\n\n\n\nHigh School Volunteering\nLocal Information\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Add as a preferred\n source on Google URL:https://westportjournal.com/events/westport-volunteer-fair-2025/ LOCATION:The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://westportjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Volunteer-Header-NvJMSY.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251004T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251004T130000 DTSTAMP:20260619T202118 CREATED:20250926T135056Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250926T135110Z UID:10000057-1759575600-1759582800@westportjournal.com SUMMARY:Verso Studios and Verso University Present: Music Production 101 Series for High School Students DESCRIPTION:Course Dates: Saturdays\, October 4\, 11\, 18 & 25\n\n\nEvent Details\nCalling all high school students with a passion for music! Whether you’re just getting started or have some experience with beat-making or recording\, this Music Production 101 Series is for you.\n\n\nWhy You Should Sign Up\nDesigned specifically for beginners and taught by industry professionals\, this four-week informational course (running October 4-25) will guide you through the entire pre-production process — giving you an understanding of the fundamentals of music production from recording\, to mixing\, to learning the basics of mastering and creating your own beat. (See below for the full curriculum.)\n\n\nThis is a hands-on\, creative program open to students in and outside Westport. Over the four weeks\, you’ll explore popular software like Ableton and FL Studio\, experiment with song structure\, collaborate with peers\, and leave with a more comprehensive understanding of the music production process from start to finish.\n\n \n\n\nNo prior training needed — just bring your interest\, creativity\, and a laptop!\n\n\nRegistering registers you for all four classes in the series. If you cannot make a class\, please email jconnon@westportlibrary.org.\n\n\nMusic Production 101 is presented by The Gerber Foundation.\n\n\nInstructor Bios\nKenneth “Kenny O” Ortiz is an American Grammy-nominated record executive\, A&R manager\, and consultant. As the CEO of World Trade Entertainment\, Ortiz has led efforts that have resulted in 175 million records sold\, and he has been instrumental in the careers and successes of Pharrell Williams and The Neptunes\, Rodney Jerkins\, SWV (“Human Nature Remix” and “Downtown”)\, Ne-Yo\, Jazmine Sullivan\, Missy Elliott\, and Timbaland.\n\n\nKenny’s innovative A&R and promotion skills through the 1980s\, 90s\, 2000s\, and 2010s have been instrumental in bringing numerous musical artists and figures across multiple genres to multi-platinum sales and legendary status\, including but not limited to Mellow Man Ace (the first Spanish rapper ever signed to a major label and the first to go platinum launching 1980’s House Music)\, Pharrell Williams\, The Neptunes\, SWV\, Destiny’s Child\, The Luniz\, MC Hammer\, Brian McKnight\, Martha Wash\, Anita Baker\, Tracy Chapman\, Keith Sweat\, BeBe Winans\, CeCe Winans\, Ryan Toby of City High\, Mantronix\, Simply Red\, The Cure\, and Ten Thousand Maniacs.\n\n\nBorn and raised in Bridgeport\, Nate Barnes is a Grammy-nominated musician\, producer\, and educator with more than 30 years experience. Nate developed a love of music from a very young age\, which led him to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston\, earning a dual BA in Professional Music and Music Business Management. Nate has played with artists such as John Mayer\, George Duke\, and Stevie Wonder and has also performed alongside George Clinton\, Judy Collins\, Joe Sample\, and many others. He was also a subject in the book\, Teens with Physical Disabilities\, written by Glenn Cheney and went on to be honored on behalf of the State of Connecticut by the Music and Arts Center for Humanity with the 2009 Pat Hart Award\, recognizing outstanding commitment to the arts. Nate was later awarded the Keys to the City of Bridgeport for his dedicated service to the young people in his community\, and November 12\, 2011\, was declared Nate Barnes Day by the City of Bridgeport.\n\n\nIn 2015\, Nate was appointed by Governor Dan Malloy to the State Rehab Council\, an agency charged with crafting policies and reviewing state budgets to advocate on behalf of blind people.  Currently\, he is an Accessibility Ambassador for music technology giant Native Instruments and\, in 2020\, joined the Advisory Board for the Connecticut affiliate of Young Audiences Arts for Learning and has since been certified with their Culturally Responsive Teaching Through the Arts program. He also holds the ‘Kingian Non-Violence Teaching Artist’ certification from the Connecticut Office of the Arts.\n\n\nHosea Dorvil\, a violinist and music producer\, inspires students with his relaxed\, relatable teaching style. After interning with Universal Sounds\, he now blends classical and contemporary techniques as a Teaching Artist.\n\n\nAbout Verso University\nVerso University is The Westport Library’s lifelong learning and education initiative. It functions as a year-round series of high-level classes\, workshops\, and lectures designed to further education and learning — and above all\, learning for a lifetime.\n\n\nOfferings run the gamut of educational opportunities to take your learning to the next level\, ranging from one-time lectures to ongoing courses to classes that meet weekly or perhaps monthly. And they will cover a wide variety of topics\, with classes and courses to appeal to all ages and interests\, from our younger patrons to our most experienced.\n\n\nEach semester\, we’ll be offering classes tailored to your interests\, responding to what our community wants to deliver programs that will resonate.\n\n\nVerso University programs are made possible by the generous support of the Nancy J. Beard Lifelong Learning and Education Fund.\n\n\n🎶 4-Day Pre-Production Course Curriculum\nSession 1: Foundations of Music Production & Producer Role\n\n\nMorning – Welcome & Orientation\n• Instructor Introductions\n• Icebreaker: “Our Stories” – share background\, musical inspirations\n• Group Q&A: Past experience with music/production\n\n\nLate Morning – Understanding the Industry & Your Role\n• Discussion: “What is Music Production?”\n• The Role of a Producer (creative director\, problem solver\, team leader)\n• Types of producers (beatmaker\, recording engineer\, executive\, etc.)\n\n\nAfternoon – Tools of the Trade: Software & Hardware\n• Overview of Software: DAWs (Ableton Live\, FL Studio\, Logic Pro\, etc.)\n• Overview of Hardware: Audio interfaces\, MIDI controllers\, microphones\n• Plugin types: Instruments vs Effects\n• Brief intro to Outboard Gear (compressors\, preamps\, EQs)\n\n\nAssignment:\n• Install a DAW (if not already done)\n• Watch 1-2 YouTube tutorials on your DAW’s layout\n\n\nDay 2: Composition & Structure\n\n\nMorning – Song Structure Basics\n• Common song forms: AABA\, Verse–Chorus–Bridge\n• Analyze 2 popular tracks: structure\, dynamics\, energy flow\n• Discuss: Why structure matters for producers\n\n\nLate Morning – Programming & Sound Selection\n• What is programming? (Drum patterns\, sequencing\, MIDI)\n• Intro to rhythm and groove\n• Sound Selection: Choosing the right drum kits\, synths\, samples\n\n\nAfternoon – Songwriting & Collaboration\n• The producer’s role in songwriting\n• Melody\, harmony\, and lyrics basics\n• Writing with vs writing for an artist\n\n\nExercise:\n• Create a basic 8-bar loop with kick\, snare\, hi-hats\, bass\, and chords\n• Optional: add a simple vocal hook or melody\n\n\nDay 3: Recording & Mixing Basics\n\n\nMorning – Tracking (Recording Elements)\n• What is “tracking”?\n• Setting up for vocals or instruments\n• Tips for clean takes & working with artists\n\n\nLate Morning – Mixing Overview\n• Why the mix matters\n• Rough mix vs Pro mix: listen to examples\n• What makes a “good” mix? (balance\, clarity\, space)\n\n\nAfternoon – Basic Mixing Breakdown\n• Signal flow: understanding channels\, buses\, inserts\n• Basic FX: EQ\, compression\, reverb\, delay\n• Gain staging & levels\n• Practice: balance a rough mix in your DAW\n\n\nAssignment:\n• Mix your 8-bar loop from Day 2 (balance levels\, EQ\, light compression)\n\n\nDay 4: Advanced Concepts & Mastering Overview\n\n\nMorning – Critical Listening & Sound Choices\n• Compare multiple versions of the same song\n• Listen to isolated stems: how each part contributes\n• The power of subtractive arrangement\n\n\nLate Morning – Creative Tools & Advanced Production Concepts\n• Explore automation\, modulation\, sound design\n• Using reference tracks\n• Plugin deep dive: compression types\, saturation\, stereo widening\n\n\nAfternoon – Mastering Explained\n• What mastering is (and isn’t)\n• Tools: Limiters\, stereo imaging\, loudness targets (LUFS)\n• When to master yourself vs send to a pro\n\n\nFinal Wrap-Up:\n• Group Discussion: What did you learn?\n• Show-and-Tell: Share your 8-bar loop + mix\n• Guidance on next steps (learning paths\, communities\, practice routines)\n\n\nBONUS: Daily Homework Prompts\n\n\n• Session 1: Write about your favorite producer and why\n• Session 2: Deconstruct a song’s structure and sounds\n• Session 3: Rebalance your mix after resting your ears\n• Session 4: Try mastering your loop or apply a mastering plugin chain\n\n\n\nMusic\nSound Design \n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Add as a preferred\n source on Google URL:https://westportjournal.com/events/verso-studios-and-verso-university-present-music-production-101-series-for-high-school-students/ LOCATION:The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://westportjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Music-Production-101-for-High-School-Students-nYH3x6.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250928T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250928T150000 DTSTAMP:20260619T202118 CREATED:20250926T134958Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250926T135002Z UID:10000037-1759068000-1759071600@westportjournal.com SUMMARY:Sunday Concert: Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival With the New Haven Chinese Cultural Cooperative DESCRIPTION:In the spirit of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival\, a traditional Chinese holiday\, the New Haven Chinese Cultural Cooperative (NHCCC) is sharing music about the harvest moon and nostalgia\, all played on traditional Chinese instruments. This concert is open to all ages — bring the whole family!\n\n\nFor lovers of literature\, members of NHCCC will also present a bilingual poetry recitation about the season of fall\, accompanied by the guzheng\, a 21-string Chinese zither.  NHCCC members will act as your storytelling guides\, with their personal stories and interesting facts about their instruments\, making their sounds and music accessible for all to enjoy.  To quote one of its fans\, “NHCCC is at its heart — the bond between art\, people\, and [their] connection to one another.”\n\n\nThe New Haven Chinese Cultural Cooperative is a non-profit Chinese music ensemble dedicated to fostering cultural awareness in communities across Connecticut. Led by Dr. Chia-Yu Joy Lu\, ethnomusicologist\, erhu artist\, and director of Smith College Chinese Music Ensemble and Wesleyan University’s Chinese Music Ensemble\, the group comprises members from diverse backgrounds and ages\, all sharing a passion for expressing their voices\, expertise\, and stories through the performance of traditional Chinese and Taiwanese music. Since its establishment\, NHCCC has performed and presented at numerous events\, organizations\, and schools\, with unique programming that integrates traditional music and culture of China and Taiwan.\n\n\nCommunity Partner: AAPI Westport \n\n \n\n\n***\n\n\nThe Library is pleased to be able to offer free programs and events through the generous donations of patrons like you. Please consider giving to the Library so that we can continue to offer events like this one. Your donation is tax deductible. Donate Now!\n\n\n\n\n\nMid-Autumn Festival\n\n\nHealing Power of Music\n\n\nAsianPacific American Heritage Month\n\n\n \n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Add as a preferred\n source on Google URL:https://westportjournal.com/events/sunday-concert-celebrate-the-mid-autumn-festival-with-the-new-haven-chinese-cultural-cooperative/ LOCATION:The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://westportjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NHCCC-6I9mjF.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR