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TO EDITORS: IF YOU USE THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE CONSIDER RUNNING IT UNDER THE FOLLOWING BYLINE. THE WRITER IS A JOURNALISM STUDENT AT HOUSATONIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE. NO COMPENSATION IS EXPECTED.

FIRST ANNUAL ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL AT SEASIDE PARK

By Mike Russo

BRIDGEPORT – In a celebration of diversity and culture, The Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust is sponsoring the first annual Bridgeport Art and Music Festival at the Seaside Park band shell on Saturday, August 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The all day event will include performances from local musical groups, art exhibits, and food.

The Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust is a community development organization whose mission is to sponsor programs that improve the life of the people of Bridgeport. The organization assists in financing first time homeowners and develops various neighborhood improvement projects.

“We wanted to put on an event that would showcase Bridgeport talent,” said Ann Robinson, Executive Director of the Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust. “We thought this would be a great way to expose that talent,” she continued.

Featured musicians scheduled to perform will be the Reggae group, The Mutti Lewis Experience, Norwalk-based R&B artist Omar, female R&B singer Rain from Stamford, and blues artist, The Guy. Music and Arts for Humanity from Bridgeport will be providing the sound system.

 “Bridgeport is diverse city with all different cultures,” said Jeff Baldwin, concert promoter and co-coordinator of the event. “ We are trying to get a diverse stage of artists to please everyone and have a fun filled day.”

Part of the celebration will include a taste of Bridgeport featuring a variety of ethnic and American foods. Among the vendors at the festival is the Soul 2 Soul restaurant. The Jesus Saves Ministry will be selling hot dogs and hamburgers.

Other food vendors will be selling fish and chips, seafood, tropical ices, Spanish ice cream and Jamaican patties. Scott Varieties from Waterbury will be giving out free sno-cones to the first 100 people attending the festival.  

Mona Jackson, event coordinator and CEO of Mona Jackson Productions said, “This is something new happening in Bridgeport. Hopefully this will be a jump start for art and music events that can happen annually.”

Jackson also commended the efforts of Bridgeport City Hall in the planning and assistance for the event. “Ruben Felipe, Deborah Caviness, and Mayor John Fabrizi gave me a lot of support in this endeavor,” she said. Jackson is already planning the festival for next year.

There will also be an opportunity for people to donate non –perishable food items to support the homeless shelters and food banks of Bridgeport.  The rain date for the festival is August 27. For more information about the festival or to participate please call Mona Jackson at 435-3991.

Housatonic Community College’s Community Outreach Partnership Program (COPC) is supporting the event with in-kind assistance, Jackson said.

Mike Russo of Monroe is a journalism intern at Housatonic Community College