HOME + DESIGN
DARCI HETHER’S CLEAN AND SERENE
DESIGNS STRIKE THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN LIVABLE LUXURY AND TIMELESS ELEGANCE
FOOD + BEVERAGE
TACOS, TEQUILA, AND TONS OF HEART: HOW ACAPULCO GRILL & BAR BECAME A GRASSROOTS SENSATION
Curating Spaces and Crafting Community in Ridgefield (Plus Exciting News about the Ridgefield Farmers Market!)
LIFE + CULTURE
HAILEY’S DAY OF KINDNESS: SPREADING LIGHT IN RIDGEFIELD AND BEYOND
Home. There’s so much contained within that small, four-letter word. Home is our anchor. Our foundation. Our launchpad. It’s where we begin and end each day. And while the particulars look different for each of us, the meaning and value it holds for everyone is undeniable.
Author Wendy Wunder said, “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.”
As we thought about home, we wanted to highlight what makes it special to our readers. It’s more than just the food and drinks, the design, or the aesthetic—it’s the people who bring it all to life.
We feel fortunate to have learned more about the businesses and individuals who help shape Ridgefield, and we hope this small glimpse into their lives and work fosters a sense of connection and belonging within our community. As you flip through the pages of this issue, we hope you’ll feel inspired and more deeply connected to the people around you—on your street, in your neighborhood, and most importantly, in your home.
Every month, we hear from readers who tell us they keep this magazine long after the month printed on the cover has passed. They hold onto it as coffee table art, a conversation piece, or even as an accessory in their home. We feel proud to create a resource that is valued in our community and strive every month to deliver the quality you expect.
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your home.
Happy March!
BRUCE BERNSTEIN, PUBLISHER
PUBLISHER
Bruce Bernstein | bruce.bernstein@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Katie Parry | katie.parry@citylifestyle.com
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Pam Antonacchio | pam.antonacchio@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jimmy ienner Jr., Kelsey Ann Rose, Ashley Hutchings
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
CTO Ajay Krishnan
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT Erika Smiley
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Clean and Stunningly Serene
The
Acapulco Grill & Bar
Serving Up Heart and Hospitality, the Martinez and Leal Families
Offer More Than Delicious Food
Spreading Light
Hailey’s Day of Kindness Transforms Loss into Legacy
Patina & Provisions
Corrin Arasa’s Journey from Furniture and Farmhouses to the Ridgefield Farmers Market
Corrin Arasa, master of ambiance, at home in her stunning kitchen. She reflects on her journey—from how antiquing sparked a successful business to how her events background inspired the founding of the Ridgefield Farmers Market.
Jimmy ienner Jr.
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
Blueprints & Denim Dreams, Housatonic Habitat’s Annual Night of Fundraising for Safe and Affordable Housing 1: Jill Rae, Christine McGovern, Lora Mazurak, Michelle Hogue, Dawn Corbo, Jennifer Howard, and Heather Bensko 2: Jill Rae and Raffaele Gallo 3: Jill Rae, John Gonski, and Heather Neumann Salaga 4: Danbury ReStore team photo 5: Host Tom Pesce and Raffaele Gallo energizing the crowd for the live auction! 6: Kristen Keil, the Housatonic Habitat Executive Director, with Gail Bedoukian, and Connecticut State Senator Julie Kushner 7: Mariah Murphy, Sarah Stabile-Motta, and Kristen Keil
Want
Christine Everett, founder and principal designer of Studio CME, creates vibrant, functional, and timeless interiors that reflect her clients’ unique aesthetics. With degrees in interior design and architecture, over 25 years of experience, and projects spanning NYC, Boston, and Connecticut, Christine brings expertise and passion to every endeavor. A licensed interior designer and member of the U.S. Green Building Council, she ensures designs seamlessly complement architecture while also embracing sustainability and individuality. Visit studio-cme.com to learn more.
Located in the heart of town, Le Beautique specializes in evening gowns, prom dresses, and mother-ofthe-bride gowns. Founded in 2016 by Ridgefield mom, Vee Dalipifor, Le Beautique offers unique, high-quality designs sourced from around the globe, including custom creations. Vee loves offering a carefully curated selection of gorgeous gowns, allowing residents to shop locally. With prom season in full bloom, Le Beautique is offering a 20% discount on prom dresses for Ridgefield residents. Follow on Instagram @lebeautiquee, 421 Main Street, 203-417-8097.
Scan to read more
Emmy-winning film editor Aaron Tompkins has crafted striking visuals for top global brands. Now, he’s bringing that expertise to real estate as founder of Place of Residence. Partnering with former Compass CMO Matt Spangler, Place of Residence offers more than premium listing visuals. The studio elevates agents’ brands through cinematic storytelling and strategic marketing. By crafting compelling experiences that captivate buyers and help sellers stand out, Place of Residence is redefining real estate media. For bookings, visit porstudio.com.
Photography by Adam Tompkins
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELSEY ANN ROSE
“I was notorious as a child,” Darci Hether begins, immediately dissolving into laughter. “My parents would come home, and I’d have rearranged the entire living room. But they didn’t mind—they were fine with it!”
Hether has a fantastic laugh, and she uses it generously. Her crisp white shirt, chic blonde pixie, and stylish hexagonal glasses perfectly embody her design philosophy: clean and serene.
“I’d do the same with my bedroom,” she continues. “They’d come home to find the furniture all flipped around. I was always changing something in the house—even my Barbie Dream House wasn’t safe!”
Originally from Alaska, Hether moved to Southern California for college, where a straightforward career path eluded her. She tried a variety of subjects each semester, hoping one would resonate. Then came a moment of revelation.
“I had a friend in design school and he came to my apartment to show me his first-semester project,” she recalls. “He was excited, but also nervous. I made so many suggestions, ‘What if you did this? Or moved that there? Have you thought about doing this?’ Finally he looked at me and said, ‘Why aren’t you doing this?’ To be honest, I didn’t know design was a profession. I thought it was something everyone knew how to do!”
The next semester, Hether enrolled in design classes—and she’s never looked back.
After graduating, Hether stayed in Southern California, settling in Newport Beach. While undeniably beautiful, the relentless sameness—of the weather, the landscape, the lifestyle (“Every day is like Groundhog Day!”)—eventually wore thin.
In 2002, Hether swapped the Golden State for the Big Apple, a move she approached with equal parts excitement and trepidation. The post-9/11 economy was shaky, and the city was unfamiliar, but she quickly landed a role as the sole staff designer at a prestigious architecture firm.
“I was the design department! They really helped launch my career,” she tells us. “I learned so much from them. I call it my alma mater because working there truly refined and elevated not only my design aesthetic, but also my obsessive attention to detail in ways that school never could.”
The firm started referring clients to Hether for smaller projects they couldn’t take on. After building a steady client base, she launched Darci Hether New York in 2007. Shortly after, she married her husband, and they welcomed their daughter. Now, nearly two decades on, her firm has grown to six employees operating in two locations: the flagship office on West 30th Street and a home office in Ridgefield.
Hether’s transition from coastal to city living, and eventually to country life, was both gradual and deliberate. A few years ago, while working with a client in Chappaqua, she became drawn to the idea of moving out of the city. The housing market was booming, with bidding wars leaving buyers frustrated—including Hether and her husband. After losing out on their dream home, they decided to pause their search—until her husband came across a property that seemed too good to be true.
“He showed me the listing, and I immediately thought: That house has been photoshopped! My second thought was: And anyway, where is Ridgefield, New York? ” Hether recalls. And now we’re both laughing.
Spoiler: the house was not photoshopped. And Ridgefield—a decidedly Connecticut town—proved an even more pleasant surprise. After touring the house, Hether, her husband, and their daughter, now a student at East Ridge Middle School, explored the town.
“We were all like, ‘Where have we just landed?’” Hether says. “My husband and I still drive around, trying to get lost
on roads we haven’t explored. Our heads are constantly on a swivel. And we’ve met the best people—I cannot get over the friendships we’ve formed. We couldn’t be happier!”
Since moving to Ridgefield, Hether has been expanding her client base in Fairfield County and building relationships with local trades and industry partners. She tells us of a serendipitous meeting with a fine painter at an event, only to discover the painter lived two miles up the road.
“She’s incredible,” Hether says. “She creates stunning faux finishes using a range of techniques. Right now, she’s working on an ombre gradation on the living room walls for a Greenwich project, and there’s almost movement. When sunlight streams in, there’s this gorgeous reflectivity—it’s truly beautiful.”
Hether’s design philosophy centers on creating fluid, transformative spaces that evolve with her clients’ lives. Her projects frequently involve whole-home designs, minimizing disruption while ensuring harmony throughout.
“Renovations or facelifts can be disruptive,” she says. “Our goal is to minimize that impact. But cohesion is CONTINUED >
key—once you change one thing, it’s a slippery slope. It’s like getting a fabulous new haircut and realizing your wardrobe doesn’t match!”
Hether’s sourcing process is highly curated, with most pieces coming from trade-only vendors or custom workrooms, whether the client is based in New York City, Florida, Colorado, or beyond. From bespoke lighting fixtures (“There’s a lighting designer in Colorado whose fixtures I am dying to use!”) to hand-selected fabrics and finishes, every detail is chosen to create a space that feels distinct and personal.
“We have a wide network of vendors,” Hether says. “We’re able to source pieces that are incredibly specific and thoughtful, opening our clients’ eyes to things they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.”
Hether’s designs meet clients where they are— and where they’re headed, striking a balance between livable luxury and timeless elegance. “We create spaces that make sense for who our clients are now and who they’re becoming,” she explains. From empty nesters redefining their homes to those seeking effortless sophistication, her thoughtful approach ensures each space feels personal and functional.
“I want anyone to feel like they can put their feet up on a chair, even if the chair is white!” she says with a smile. By incorporating unique materials, textures, and custom elements, Hether crafts spaces that truly wow—without sacrificing comfort.
Visit darcihether.com to learn more and follow along @darcihether
Celebrating 60 Years of Dance
Offering courses in:
Parent and Child Classes Age 1-3
Pre-Ballet Classes Age 3 and up
Ballet
Pointe
Contemporary
To register, or for more informationon current classes and our Summer Program, call 203.438.5597 or visit ridgefielddance.org.
Driving North on Route 7, you’ll pass a smattering of local businesses. There’s La Pietra, Venezia Marble, and Your Style Upholstery. Next comes Route 7 Mason Supply, Fox Hill Luxury Real Estate Services, and Shalom Barber. A Days Inn Motel soon appears—and in that motel lies a hidden gem: Acapulco Grill & Bar.
Over the years, this space has hosted a revolving door of cuisines. Last March, a Mexican restaurant—Acapulco Grill & Bar— opened. And in the fall, new management took the helm, breathing life into the location.
Nory Martinez, who’s spent 12 years in the restaurant industry, saw an opportunity. She shared the idea of taking over Acapulco with her family. Soon, five members of the Martinez and Leal families were on board: Nory’s sister Claudia tends the bar, her aunt Mely helps with food prep, nephews Nelson and Alex are the chefs, and brother-in-law Manuel helps with the business side.
“For me, a good restaurant is defined by two things: good service and good food,” Nory tells us, her smile radiating kindness. “I love greeting each guest with a warm welcome, making them feel like they’ve entered our home.”
It’s clear this sense of hospitality runs deep. Whether crafting delicious margaritas with fresh fruit, cooking mouthwatering meals from scratch, or creating a welcoming, homelike environment, all of the family members bring so much heart to Acapulco.
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASHLEY HUTCHINGS
“Many of our recipes remind us of our grandmothers’ cooking,” Nory shares. “We have so many cherished memories of them cooking for us with love and dedication. We want our customers to feel that same warmth, to enjoy food prepared the way we enjoyed it growing up.”
The first few months of managing the restaurant were challenging. Nory tells us they had so much food waste because of their commitment to serving only the freshest ingredients—and customers simply weren’t showing up. Except one Ridgefielder who was a repeat customer.
“From the first time I stepped into Acapulco, I knew Nory had something special,” Shannon Capocci tells us. “The food was some of the most delicious Mexican I’ve had in the area. Yet, more often than not, we found ourselves as the only diners there.”
Capocci took action, starting a grassroots social media campaign on various local Facebook groups.
“They have amazing food and incredible service,” Capocci goes on. “Nory has a wonderful way of making you feel like family every time you dine there. They care, they’re proud, and rightfully so. Acapulco deserves every chance at success!”
Capocci’s word-of-mouth efforts paid off, and Acapulco’s fate began shifting.
“I’ve had to hire extra help! It’s been incredible,” Nory shares, her eyes glistening.
Acapulco’s atmosphere—its traditional Mexican decorations, colorful tablecloths, and vibrant flowers—sets the stage for a homey experience. But the real star of the show is the food. From guacamole molcajete, to crisp tortilla chips, to their popular quesabirria tacos, everything is fresh and flavorful.
“We focus on traditional Mexican cuisine,” Nory explains. “When you come here, I want you to feel like you’re in our home, and our family is preparing your food with respect, with fresh ingredients, and above all, with love.”
Acapulco Grill & Bar is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. In addition to their regular menu, they offer lunch specials, happy hour specials, and kids’ and catering menus. With takeout via all major delivery apps, a bar area, and a private party room, Acapulco has something for everyone.
“The support we’ve received from the community has been overwhelming!” Nory tells us. “We feel so blessed and fortunate. We invite you to come visit us and be part of the Acapulco family!”
It was the week before Christmas 2019. Jill and Ryan Merolle were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their daughter—a longed-for rainbow baby after multiple miscarriages. On the morning of December 18, Jill visited her doctor for a routine checkup. Tragically, later that afternoon, she delivered their full-term baby girl, Hailey, who was stillborn.
“My husband and I started Hailey’s Day of Kindness on the first anniversary of her loss,” Jill shares. “We were inspired by another loss family who encouraged their community to spread kindness—an idea we embraced as a meaningful way to transform our grief into something positive while keeping Hailey’s memory alive.”
What began in 2020 as a small, heartfelt initiative has grown beyond their hometown of Cranford, New Jersey. Jill’s close friend from Marist College, Beth Graham, introduced Hailey’s Day of Kindness to her town of Rochester that year. Beth provided lunches for NICU nurses and made bracelets that said “Hope,” which she distributed to parents with babies in the NICU at Rochester Hospital.
Beth grew up in Ridgefield, and her mother, Kathy Graham, who has known Jill for many years, was deeply moved by
Jill and Ryan’s selflessness in the face of such profound heartache. Inspired by their generosity, Kathy brought Hailey’s Day of Kindness to Ridgefield.
As Vice President and Branch Manager at Fairfield County Bank, Kathy started there. She organized a drive to gather baby clothes and essentials for Birthright, a Danbury-based organization that supports pregnant women facing financial challenges. That first year, employees donated over 100 baby outfits, diapers, and other baby items, and the bank contributed $500 to help fund car seats.
“It has been incredibly uplifting,” Kathy tells us. “And so this year I thought, why not make Hailey’s Day of Kindness a town-wide event?”
Kathy approached First Selectman Rudy Marconi, who enthusiastically supported the idea, as did the nonprofit Compassionate Ridgefield. With the bank’s assistance, banners promoting Hailey’s Day of Kindness were printed, one of which Mr. Marconi displayed outside his office at Town Hall.
The Ridgefield community wholeheartedly embraced the initiative. Organizations and individuals alike came together, planning acts of kindness—some requiring donations or
purchases, while others were cost-free—that brought joy and support to countless people in our community and beyond. A sampling of Ridgefield’s acts of kindness on December 18:
• Born to Thrive: donated all funds raised on that day to the NICU at Danbury Hospital.
• Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield: created over 200 holiday cards for seniors at Ridgefield Station.
• Fairfield County Bank: for the fourth consecutive year, employees donated baby items to the nonprofit Birthright. The bank also donated $500 for car seats.
• HamletHub: published articles to raise awareness in the community for Hailey’s Day of Kindness.
• The Iris Fund: directed all donations from December 18 toward their Valentine’s Day bouquet distribution for mothers and families in local hospitals.
• Jesse Lee Church: organized shoebox donations and delivered them that day.
• K indness over Muscular Dystrophy : the Curran boys stacked wood for their grandfather.
• L ion’s Heart Teen Volunteers and Leaders : decorated bags for Meals on Wheels.
• National Charity League, Nutmeg Chapter: mother-daughter teams created handmade bookmarks with messages of hope for Founders Hall members and baked treats for Laurel Ridge residents.
• SOAR Together and East Ridge Middle School Student Council: delivered flowers to those spending the holidays alone.
• Ridgefield Chorale: donated $10,165 from their concert funds to Ability Beyond.
• Ridgefield Father’s Club: donated to Ridgefield Social Services emergency fund.
• Ridgefield Social Services: hand-delivered close to 130 gifts to seniors, including gift cards to Marshalls and Stop and Shop and shoeboxes filled with stocking stuffers from Jesse Lee.
CONTINUED >
• The Rotary Club of Ridgefield: stocked the pantry at Ballard Green.
• RVNAhealth: staff participated in a food and toiletries drive to assist vulnerable patients in their Chronic Care program.
• Ruby’s Pantries and Scott’s Ridge Middle School Student Council: organized their largest food drive to date, collecting 690 items for Ruby’s Pantries.
• Jillian Fernandez: created the Hailey’s Day of Kindness banners that were displayed on Town Hall and at Fairfield County Bank.
• Mia Gregory: donated to a local food pantry with her coworker, Patrick.
• Noah Chu: made appreciation cards for his teacher, bus driver, mail carrier, and favorite store owners—Deborah at Deborah Ann’s and Ann Lathrop at The Toy Chest.
• Peyton Lecher: wore a “kindness” bracelet she made and worked with students to create blankets for hospitalized children.
“Ridgefield is a compassionate town, and this highlights how much we care about others,” Kathy shares, reflecting on the overwhelming response to Hailey’s Day of Kindness. “I really admire people who, despite difficult circumstances, choose to do something positive and help others.”
December 18, falling as it does in the midst of the bustling holiday season, serves as a powerful reminder to slow down and focus on what truly matters: compassion, generosity, and community. What began as a tribute to one family’s profound loss has blossomed into a celebration of hope and kindness.
“Hailey’s Day of Kindness has truly grown beyond our expectations, touching the lives of countless people, including many we’ve never met,” Jill says.
Even in the face of tragedy, Hailey’s Day of Kindness proves that light can emerge from the darkest of times. Join the initiative this December 18, 2025, and help spread kindness, one small act at a time.
ARTICLE BY KATIE PARRY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIMMY IENNER JR.
Corrin Arasa’s Journey from Furniture and Farmhouses to the Ridgefield Farmers Market
Corrin Arasa is many things. She is a professional scene setter with extraordinary attention to detail, a creative collector of beautiful and interesting things, a savvy entrepreneur who’s started several successful businesses.
She is also a fantastic hostess.
One bitterly cold afternoon, we joined Arasa in her impeccably curated home to chat about her journey—from staging celebrities’ apartments to founding the Ridgefield Farmers Market. The atmosphere was incredibly cozy: a fire crackled, music floated throughout the house, and the air carried the scent of a luxurious candle.
Elevating our tête-à-tête to simply beyond , chocolate chip cookies baked in the oven. (“Oh, they’re vegan cookies from Ross Bread—my son’s favorite!” Arasa shares). Here she is, in her element, crafting a remarkable experience with the effortless grace of a master of ambiance.
“My background is in brand marketing,” Arasa begins. “I worked with luxury and lifestyle brands on both the tech and event sides, producing events for the Grammys, the Olympics, Sundance Film Festival. We created immersive experiences and leveraged socials to help brands connect with consumers.”
Arasa’s watershed moment happened during a high-stakes event in Times Square. Deadlines loomed, and Arasa’s client was CONTINUED >
fixated on having the perfect chairs as the focal point. Despite scouring her usual resources, Arasa couldn’t find anything suitable.
“Then I realized—I had the perfect chairs at home!” she recalls.
At the time, Arasa, her husband Casey, and their children Devin and Kaia, were splitting their time between New York City and their second home in the Hudson Valley. There, Arasa spent weekends treasure hunting at yard sales, flea markets, and antique stores, amassing a stunning collection of unique furniture for their antique farmhouse.
“For that event, being able to turn to my own collection was transformative,” Arasa tells us. It merged her expertise in event production with her passion for all things vintage—and in the process, highlighted a significant gap in the furniture rental market.
“There weren’t many places to rent unique, soulful furniture for large-scale events or shoots,” Arasa explains. “So I didn’t hesitate, I stopped what I was doing and launched Patina.”
Patina Rentals (rentpatina.com) lovingly celebrates the beauty that comes with age—a nod to the rich texture that certain materials develop over time. Since its founding, Patina has redefined event design, carving out a niche with its curated inventory of vintage, artisan-made, and custom-designed pieces.
“When you walk into a space that resonates with you, it’s visceral—you feel it, you sense the energy,” Arasa explains. “Whether it’s the scent of a candle or sitting in a vintage chair. That creates a memory. So taking that soulful, authentic feeling that you get in a home or a hotel and creating an event around it is really rewarding.”
When the Arasas left the city, they first landed in Pound Ridge. In 2022, they became Ridgefielders, purchasing a historic 1785 home on Blackman Road, near The Hickories—where Arasa had been a CSA member even before becoming a local. Two years ago, the Arasas found their forever home: a beautiful Victorian on West Lane, dating to 1850.
“Whether I’m designing events, my home, commercial spaces, or collaborating with stagers,” Arasa shares, “I approach each project thoughtfully. It has to feel authentic, soulful, and unique.”
Arasa’s home has soul in spades. It blends a myriad of textures and colors, effortlessly combining antique treasures with bespoke creations. A self-proclaimed “space creator,” Arasa’s talent for design shines throughout.
“For me, homes tell a story,” Arasa says. “As stewards, we interpret a home’s history to create a space that reflects our lives. Home isn’t just about design or aesthetics—it’s about the energy we want to cultivate. We’re always playing games—it’s fun, it’s comfortable, but we like things that have patina,” she adds. “We’re drawn to older homes—they have character and soul.”
Interestingly, both of Arasa’s Ridgefield homes have a farming heritage—first The Blackman Farm and, on West Lane, one of the town’s original farms. Given her deep appreciation for farm-fresh food and her love of historic farmhouses, it’s no surprise that Arasa was inspired to establish a farmers market in town.
“Our town is flanked by two badass, female farmers,” she tells us, referring to Whitney Freeman at Henny Penny Farm and Dina Brewster at The Hickories.
CONTINUED >
“It’s so rare to live somewhere with access to organic, farm-fresh food. And Ridgefield has this amazing sense of community that made starting a farmers market a really easy notion to conceive.”
On Saturday, July 15, 2023, Arasa’s vision came to life on Jesse Lee Commons, with over a dozen vendors selling everything from dahlias to croissants to fresh fish. More than a place to pick up local provisions, the farmers market is an event for the entire family. There is live music, a kids’ tent featuring a different craft each week, and Lauren Chiarello offers Mindful Movement, a free 30-minute class where participants can connect with themselves, each other, and Mother Nature.
Together with Assistant Director Leah Schmiedel, Arasa has created something extraordinary, turning summer Saturdays into vibrant community gatherings. Ridgefield’s overwhelming support has fueled exciting growth and we are thrilled to announce that, starting on June 21, the market is moving to a weekly format! It will run every Saturday through October 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (If you’re feeling philanthropic, visit ridgefieldfarmersmarket.org to volunteer! There are lots of opportunities to help.)
For Arasa, home is more than the walls we live within—it’s about community and connection. Her passion for thoughtful design extends seamlessly to the Ridgefield Farmers Market. By mentoring small businesses, supporting female entrepreneurs, and fostering connections between people and the spaces they inhabit, Arasa has woven her spirit into the fabric of our town.
“Ridgefielders are so giving, so kind, so community-forward,” Arasa reflects. “It feels good to be here. It feels like home.”
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
MARCH 13TH
Architectural Gems with Ridgefield Historical Society
Lounsbury House | 6:30 PM
Discover Ridgefield’s Architectural Gems! Join us for a special program co-sponsored with the Ridgefield Historical Society, featuring architectural historian Phillip Esser. Explore 20 of Ridgefield’s finest buildings from the Historical Society’s recent survey—buildings that retain extraordinary period integrity. These will be explored within the social and cultural environment in which they were created. Tickets available for purchase at ridgefieldhistoricalsociety.org.
MARCH 16TH
“A Year with Frog and Toad”
Ridgefield Playhouse | 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM
This whimsical show follows two great friends the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in the spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org for tickets.
MARCH 19TH
Bonsai Tree Workshop in the Backspace by Bonsai Bar
Nod Hill Brewery | 6:30 PM
Grab your friends, grab a drink and come make tiny trees! Head to Nod Hill Brewery and join Bonsai Bar in bringing the art of bonsai out of the gardens and into the streets. Instructors will introduce core concepts and guide your experience as you pot, prune, and design your own Dwarf Jade bonsai tree. $75, tickets available at bonsaibar.com.
CONTINUED
MARCH 22ND
Spring Awakening Workshop
Grow Wellness | 5:00 PM
Harness the power of the Spring Equinox during this fun and uplifting workshop. Ignite your intentions and embrace new beginnings through creative journaling and self reflection. Set your creative mind free by making your very own intention candle. Finish with a feel good yoga flow. Herbal teas and fruit water will be provided. $60 for non-members, $45 for members. Visit growwellnesstherapy.com.
MARCH 23RD
Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center’s Garden House | 3:00 PM
Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center’s Revolutionary Perspectives series continues with an in-person talk by author and historian R. Isabela Morales. Who gets to live the American Dream? Morales delves into this question with a discussion of her award-winning book Happy Dreams of Liberty: An American Family in Slavery and Freedom, a multi-generational history of the Townsend family. Free!
MARCH 26TH
A.C.T. of CT | 7:00 PM
This world premiere new work, told entirely through dance and movement, delves into the profound themes of the human spirit overcoming obstacles and challenges. Featuring original music composed by A.C.T. of CT’s Resident Music Supervisor Bryan Perri, the production is directed by A.C.T.’s Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine, with Dance Supervision by acclaimed choreographer Sara Brians. Visit actofct.org for tickets.
