If you’re anything like me, you’ve been awaiting the opening of the United Theater in downtown Westerly with bated breath. I recently checked in with the group’s public relations manager Tony Nunes for an update on all the latest plans.If you’re unfamiliar with the theater’s long history, here’s a brief overview. Originally opened in 1926 as a vaudeville performance center, … [Read more...] about The Revival of the United Theater – A Brief History and the Latest Updates
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Happy and the Moonshine: The Back Story of a Local Musical Duo
“Johnny and the Moondogs” was one of the names the Beatles used when they were starting out in the music business. Today, we are delving into the backstory of Happy and the Moonshine, a talented local musical duo that someday might make Westerly almost as well-known as Liverpool, England. Hopefully, we can spread the word about this talented duo, and maybe someday we’ll be able … [Read more...] about Happy and the Moonshine: The Back Story of a Local Musical Duo
The Stonington Village Farmer’s Market at the Velvet Mill
Fresh seafood, produce, cheese, wine, breakfast sandwiches, coffee -- sounds like a gourmet grocery store, huh? If you guessed yes, then you would be wrong! This is the scene for the Stonington Village Farmer's market @ The Velvet Mill in Stonington. The mill hosts the farmers' market every Saturday from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. during the winter.As I walked around, I saw people … [Read more...] about The Stonington Village Farmer’s Market at the Velvet Mill
The Night Stevie Came to Town
On Thanksgiving night 1979, families all across Westerly gathered around the dinner table as they had many years before and would for many years to come. On this night, however, dedicated music fans excused themselves from the table and made their way down to the Knickerbocker where they congregated in the Cascade Room to hear a classic show by a local band, Roomful of … [Read more...] about The Night Stevie Came to Town
“Gallant and Meritorious Conduct in Action”
In September, Westerly and Pawcatuck took part in Bricks and Murals, a two-community event showcasing the town's history and culture. During the four-day festival, fifteen large murals were created. This is the first installment of our series about the history behind the murals, which will begin with the story of two prominent local Civil War veterans.On April 2, 1865, … [Read more...] about “Gallant and Meritorious Conduct in Action”
Next Stop: The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery @ the Westerly Train Station
Passengers stopping at the Westerly Train Station now have some really cool art to look at along their journey. The downtown Amtrak train station on Railroad Ave, which has been vacant for the past two years with no ticket attendant, has a new tenant: the Artists' Cooperative Gallery of Westerly. On Friday, August 3, the Artist Cooperative celebrated its recent move from 7 … [Read more...] about Next Stop: The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery @ the Westerly Train Station
Virtu Art Festival – Something for Everyone
The 22nd Annual Virtu Art Festival kicks off on Saturday, May 26 with 150 artists coming from nine states to display their art for admiration and purchase across the fourteen beautiful acres of Wilcox Park. The festival's name is Latin for "Love of Fine Arts," and will feature both performance and visual art in a wide variety of mediums.All items featured in the festival … [Read more...] about Virtu Art Festival – Something for Everyone
Betsie Withey: Painting with Thread, Material, and a Sewing Machine
What makes an artist an artist? Is it just the act of putting paint on a canvas, writing lyrics to a song, designing a building, or something more? You guessed it – it’s something more. But what? What is that “something more” that separates a true artist from everyone else who just dabbles in the arts?Well, it’s a few things. Raw, innate, God-given talent is part of the … [Read more...] about Betsie Withey: Painting with Thread, Material, and a Sewing Machine
Hoxie Gallery Presents “Eye of an Artist”
The beginning of a new year is a great time to adopt a new perspective on things. Westerly’s Hoxie Gallery exhibit for the month of January, entitled “Eye of an Artist," may be just what you need to inspire you and help get your 2018 off to a great start.Westerly artists, Elaine Chicoria and Heidi Cozzolino, are providing our community with a month-long exhibit of acrylic … [Read more...] about Hoxie Gallery Presents “Eye of an Artist”
The Bricks and Murals Festival Has Arrived!
The big week is finally here, the week of the Bricks and Murals festival here in downtown Westerly and Pawcatuck! The event kicked off on Wednesday evening with a reception for the visiting artists and community volunteers and will be followed by a food stroll and block party Thursday night, all along High Street.This festival has been years in the making but in these last … [Read more...] about The Bricks and Murals Festival Has Arrived!