StartUp Westport — our public/private partnership for tech, innovation and entrepreneurship — has already hosted panels focused on women, minorities and youth.
Up next: sports.
With new technology, revenue streams and ways of connecting with fans, that business changes daily.
Discussing “game-changing” (pun intended?) innovations in data analytics, athletic performance breakthroughs, sponsorships and media — with both startups and industry giants — are NBC Sports president Rick Cordella, and New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer. Both are Westport residents.
Moderator Andrew Marchand — sports media columnist for The Athletic — is a 1991 Staples High School graduate.
He says, “This should be a fun and fascinating event. I’m looking forward to hearing where Rick and Rob think sports media and events are headed. There has been so much innovation, especially post the height of the pandemic. They both have been on the cutting edge.”
“Innovation in Sports” is April 30 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library). There will be time for questions and networking. Click here to register.
From left: Rick Cordella, Rob Simmelkjaer, Andrew Marchand.
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How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
If you’re the Staples High School Symphonic Band: Practice. Talent. Dedicated teachers.
And an invitation from the National Concerts Band & Orchestra Fest.
The local musicians left Westport yesterday, at 6:30 a.m. They had a clinic with former Columbia University Wind Ensemble director Jasmine Britt.
At 1:30, the musicians took the sage. They performed “Across the Great Plains,” “One Life Beautiful” and “First Suite in E Flat,” with Staples conductors Caitlin Serpliss and Kevin Mazzarella.
They audience included many parents, principal Stafford Thomas, townwide arts coordinator Steven Zimmerman, and the entire Staples music department staff. (Hat tip: John Nash)
Staples’ Symphonic Band, at Carnegie Hall. Conductor Kevin Mazzarella is at far left. (Photo/Skip Sinclair)
On stage (from left): Archie Kobetitsch, Samuel Zwick-Lavinsky, Grace Sinclair, Madeleine Enos. (Photo/Skip Sinclair)
From left: Staples principal Stafford Thomas, musician Lucas Gomez, Symphonic Band director Kevin Mazzarella. (Photo/Maggie Gomez)
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VersoFest — the Westport Library’s 4th annual 4-day music and media conference and festival — kicks off tomorrow.
The first event is a conversation with Rock & Roll Hall of Famer/National Book Award winner Patti Smith, with former CNN journalist (and Westport resident) Alisyn Camerota.
But there may be a bit of activity before the 7 p.m. start. EndJewHatred and The Lawfare Project — a national civil rights movement — plans a rally outside the Library.
A social media post says, “Why isn’t Patti Smith speaking up for Jewish women? It’s time to rally against (her) selective activism.”
Patti Smith
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For the 3rd year in a row, the Fortunoff family — including Scott and Laurie, and their sons Aaron (Staples High School sophomore) and Brett (Bedford Middle School 8th grader) — will host a cereal drive.
The goal is to fill the shelves of local food pantries, so everyone can start their day with breakfast.
This year, they’ve partnered with the new Cereal4All Club at Staples High.
There are several ways to help:
- Click and purchase from the Amazon wish list.
- Come to the drive this weekend (April 5 and 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stop & Shop).
- Venmo @lauriefortunoff; she will purchase cereal.
- Make a tax deductible donation at www.cereal4all.org.
Aaron and Brett Fortunoff, with plenty of cereal.
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There’s a special guest at CT Against Gun Violence’s annual spring benefit “Be the Hope” luncheon (May 15, 11:30 a.m., The Inn at Longshore).
Sandy Hook youth activist Matthew Holden will speak about his important work. Click here for tickets.
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Mannequin Pussy — the Philadelphia-based band that includes 2005 Staples High School graduate Marisa Dabice — was just featured on “Everybody’s Live,” John Mulaney’s new Netflix panel show.
The host introduced them enthusiastically: “You will hear music such that has never poured through your airwaves. That’s right. There are many milestones in human culture. There’s the invention of the printing press, the Armory Show Of 1913, and tonight we bring you the television debut of Mannequin Pussy. It’s the best. Mannequin Pussy plays loud rock music, and their name is fun to say.”
Click here for a full story. (Hat tip: Lisa Marriott)
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Today’s intriguingly framed “Westport … Naturally” photo shows an egret hunting for food, at the battom water run-off at Compo Beach Road.
(Photo/Matt Murray)
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And finally …
And finally … Marvin Gaye was born on this day in 1939. The multi-talented Motown artist was shot to death by his father one day short of his 45th birthday, on April 1, 1984.
(How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. How do you help “06880”? Donate, donate, donate. But hey, just do it once. Please click here. Thank you, thank you, thank you!)
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