Banding Together For

Fire Relief Concert

RIDGEFIELD — When fire demolished the 100-year-old Bissell building on Main Street in Ridgefield two weeks ago, taking with it four homes and two businesses, it didn’t take long for residents create to their neighbors.

The Main Street Fire Relief Concert, featuring talent ranging from a Tony Award-winner to musicians who have played at Gail’s Station (one of the businesses lost in the first, will take place on Thursday, June 23, beginning at 7 pm, at The Ridgefield Playhouse, at 80 East Ridge Avenue.

The concert will benefit both the businesses and residential tenants of the buildings who lost so much. All of the proceeds will go directly to The Main Street Fire Fund, which is being organized through Ridgefield Town Hall.

The concert, which will be hosted by Morton Dean and Ira Joe Fisher, will feature performances by Kevin Briody, Mr Fisher, Dave Goldenberg, Marc Huberman, Chris Pike, The Retrotones and Tony Award-winner Debbie Gravitte. More talent may be added prior to the performance date.

Others who want to help have donated items to be auctioned off in between the performances, including photography by John Martin, whose work was displayed at Gail’s Station House; a signed picture of New York Yankee Derek Jeter, tickets to Stafford Speedway, and tickets to see the Broadway show Wicked, along with a signed CD from its composer Stephen Schwartz, who wanted to perform in the benefit but will be out of town at that time.

Tickets to the event will be $250 for Gold Seating, $150 for Silver Seating, $75 for the remaining orchestra seats and $30 for mezzanine and balcony seats. Checks should be made out to The Ridgefield Fire Fund and can be obtained by calling 203-431-2700.

Tickets are being sold at Ridgefield Town Hall, located at 400 Main Street (Route 35); tickets are not available at the Playhouse box office.