Arts and culture in Stamford, Connecticut

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Avon Theatre on Bedford Street StamfordCTAvonTheatre08042007.JPG
Avon Theatre on Bedford Street

In 2017, the City of Stamford established the Stamford Arts and Culture Commission to help bolster arts and tourism in the city. [1]

Contents

Theatre and film

Stamford Theatre, about 1919 PostcardStamfordCTStamfordTheatre1919.jpg
Stamford Theatre, about 1919

Prior to its demolition due to a devastating fire, Stamford's town hall included a theater on the third floor beginning in the 1870s. Edwin Booth, a Cos Cob, Connecticut resident, is said to have acted in that theater. Tragicaly, the nearby Grand Opera House, which stood on the site of the Palace Theatre, burned down as well.

The Alhambra Theatre was on what is currently called Washington Boulevard, which later sprang up and was in operation as early as 1909. It provided "High-Class Vaudeville", namely due to its lack of profanity. In 1914, Emily Wakeman Hartley founded the Stamford Theatre at the corner of what is now Atlantic Street and Tresser Boulevard. Wakeman became manager of the theater, which hosted many famous performers of the day. Most notably in 1924, Humphrey Bogart acted in a supporting role in the comedy, Fool's Gold. In 1927, Bela Lugosi starred in Dracula: The Vampire Play four years before he played the same role in the film. George Gershwin's first Broadway show, La La Lucille played in the theater in 1919, and in 1921, the Al Jolson-produced play, Lei Aloha opened at the theater, six years before Jolson's debut in The Jazz Singer. In 1928, the theater advertised a Sunday performance of the "World's Greatest Pianist", Sergei Rachmaninoff, calling him simply "Rachmaninoff". [2]

Current theatre and film venues

Music and dance

Distinctive architecture

Science and nature

In the 20th century, particularly after World War II, educational institutions were founded in the city or expanded in a range of areas.

Bendel Mansion at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center Stamford Museum & Nature Center Bendel Mansion.jpg
Bendel Mansion at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center
The nature center's farm includes llamas, pigs, and sheep. In early 2007, more than seven lambs were born at the farm, as well as some piglets. The sheep are mixtures of Jacob, Dorset, and Black Welsh Mountain sheep breeds. [10]

Visual arts

Stamford has opportunities to see art by both local artists and national and international ones.

Examples of two of the painted electrical boxes. ConnecticutElecBox1.jpg
Examples of two of the painted electrical boxes.

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References

  1. "Arts and Culture Commission | Stamford CT". www.stamfordct.gov. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  2. Parry, Wynne, "Vaudeville and Beyond: Before the heyday of movies and television, stages offered a cavalcade of acts", article, The Advocate of Stamford, Connecticut, December 24, 2007, pp 1, A4, Norwalk and Stamford editions
  3. Dunlap, David W. (1997-01-05). "Stamford Reinvents Its Downtown Once Again". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  4. League, The Broadway. "Voices in the Dark – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  5. League, The Broadway. "More to Love – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  6. "Urban Renewal | F. D. Rich Company". fdrich.com. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  7. Fenwick, Alexandria, "Centennial Milestone: St. Mary Roman Catholic Church marks 100 years of faith, tradition, fond memories," article in The Advocate of Stamford, Saturday, August 12, 2006, page A12
  8. Currimbhoy, Nayana (2000). A Glowing Glass Cone Becomes a Landmark in Stamford, Conn. Vol. 188. Architectural Record. p. 186.
  9. Trümpler, Stefan (1997). Brian Clarke Linda McCartney Collaborations. Romont: Musée Suisse du Vitrail. ISBN   3-7165-1086-6.
  10. Damast, Alison, "Are EWE my mother? Lambs are first to spring arrival", article in The Advocate of Stamford (Stamford and Norwalk editions), page 1
  11. "Visit a Stamford Home built in 1699". stamfordhistory.org. Retrieved 2018-10-05.