Newtowners Are Pouring It On To Make

Ives Concert Park’s 2011 Season Percolate

By John Voket

DANBURY — Ives Concert Park may be located in Danbury, but from the venue’s Executive Director’s desk to its production office, and from the sponsor of its fine arts and family series of summer events to the person overseeing improvements to the grounds and gardens that will welcome thousands of audience members this summer, Newtown will be well represented as the popular regional entertainment venue readies to launch what many believe will be the Ives’ most ambitious season to date.

Let’s do a headcount.

Ives Concert Park Executive Director Phyllis Cortese is joined by fellow resident Robert Connor, who is heading into his 15th year as the venue’s director of operations. His crew, which includes various staffers, security and roadies, employs another dozen Newtown neighbors among its ranks.

The venue’s bookkeeping and accounting functions are headed up by Newtown resident Sophia Vournazos, while another resident, Claudia Coopersmith, is helping oversee the latest round of landscaping and planting at the site, which is adjacent to Western CT State University’s Westside Campus.

Newtown Savings Bank is sponsoring the park’s Fine Arts & Family Series of entertainment, which will include a first-ever showcase of Newtown’s Flagpole Radio Cafe, and a “Connecticut’s Best” concert series headlined by Newtown-based country act Goldrush and local entertainer Jim Allyn.

Keith Mahler, whose Premier Concerts is promoting the Union Savings Bank Summer Concert Series, said he is “thrilled to be involved with the Ives,” and that part of what helps make his job a bit easier is working with Ms Cortese and Mr Connor.

“I think the world of Phyllis,” Mr Mahler told The Newtown Bee this week as he readies for shows by Peter Frampton, Earth, Wind & Fire, Steely Dan, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Guster, The J Geils Band featuring Peter Wolf, The Beach Boys and ZZ Top.

“Bob Connor is also a top-notch production manager,” Mr Mahler said. “This is stacking up to be by far the best season the Ives has ever had.”

From his seat as CEO of Newtown Savings Bank, President John Trentacosta said he is pleased that the bank can not only serve the region with financial services, but entertainment as well.

“The Ives Concert Park contributes greatly to the quality of life in this region,” Mr Trentacosta said, “and we are excited to come on board as sponsor of the Fine Arts & Family Series.”

Tanya Wulff Truax, VP of Marketing & Public Relations at Newtown Savings Bank, added that the Ives provides another venue for a regional audience to sample the talent that has been packing the Edmond Town Hall’s Alexandria Room and theater for two seasons for presentations of Flagpole Radio Café, a variety show that also features a number of Newtown based talent in both music and theater along with guest artists for each presentation.

“One of the goals of our sponsorship was to bring the popular and talented Flagpole Radio Café players to the Ives,” she said. “With Peter Yarrow and his daughter Bethany as guest artists, the August 19 show is not to be missed.”  

The NSB Arts & Family series will also include a production of Seussical, the Musical; a one-night show by Ives Pops Orchestra; a salute to Irving Berlin called I Love A Piano; a 30th anniversary celebration of Connecticut Ballet; a re-creation of the popular Gong Show; and a day-long tribute and commemoration of the 9/11 tragedy that will include the Newtown-based Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard Honor Guard on September 11.

The series is in final talks to include an evening with Broadway star Linda Eder as well.

Grounded Improvements

Around the grounds, Ms Coopersmith has been snipping, pruning and helping direct planting and other beatification efforts as a longtime supporter and volunteer at the Ives for many years. This year she is bringing on the talents of Mark Fancher of Shakespeare’s Garden at Burr Farms in Brookfield.

During a recent visit by The Bee, the pair were scoping out a location for a new fountain that will be seen by every patron entering the site, on the location of a garden that was originally established more than two decades ago by the original Burr Farm operators.

“It’s been about 30 years since I discovered this beautiful venue,” Ms Coopersmith said. “And every year we try and do something special to make it even more welcoming. This year I’m so excited that Mark and his brother Steven from Burr Farms will be working with us.”

Mr Connor, who oversees every facet of the venue and its productions, leans on more than a dozen staff and many volunteers from Newtown for everything from keeping the site picked up, to helping load-in and load-out the acts, to coordinating with vendors, artists, security and the promoters.

“I think this year will be better than ever,” Mr Connor said. “We’ve expanded the food court area, and for the first time we’ll be using electronic ticket scanning devices at the gate, which should speed up the lines getting in.”

Mr Connor and Ms Cortese remind patrons that this year, the Ives will strictly enforce a No Outside Beverage policy, and all bags and coolers will be checked. While the venue will still permit patrons to bring in food to enjoy, all beverages including beer, wine, soft drinks and water must be obtained from the vendors within Ives Concert Park.

The summer season opens this Monday, June 27, with a co-headlining show featuring Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Michael Franti & Spearhead. Bronze Radio Return will also be performing an opening set. This performance, among others this season, offers a family four-pack of lawn tickets for $104 plus facilities charges, and reserved seats starting at just $34 before surcharges.

To learn more about the full Union Savings bank Summer Concert Series and to obtain tickets, go to www.PremierConcerts.com. And for all the information, directions and policies for all Ives Concert Park shows and activities, go to www.IvesConcertPark.com. Tickets for all shows are also available by calling 203-837-TIXX (8499).