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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T160000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20260313T143043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T153117Z
UID:2972-1774792800-1774800000@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest 2026 Film Screening: 'Grateful Dead: Dead Ahead'
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER to attend\n\n\n\nBACK TO LINEUP\n\n\n\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nVersoFest 2026 winds down with a true classic concert film. Recorded October 30 and 31\, 1980 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City\, Dead Ahead showcases the recently reformed Grateful Dead lineup in acoustic and electric splendor. \n\n\n\nAbout VersoFest 2026\n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. \n\n\n\nThis year’s festival\, our fifth\, is shaping up to be the best yet\, headlined by a February 27 kickoff concert by rising rock band The Thing\, our March 6 VersoFest storytellers evening with Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs\, the March 26 Verso Visionary conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco\, and a special March 27 Friday night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist\, producer\, composer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean. \n\n\n\nVersoFest 2026 weekend guests include actress\, author\, and performer Gina Gershon; David J (Bauhaus\, Love and Rockets); Adria Petty on the legacy of her dad\, Tom Petty\, and the legendary Heartbreakers; a VersoFest author talk with Claire Dederer on her book\, Monster; a conversation with renowned music promoter Peter Shapiro (Capitol Theare\, Brooklyn Bowl); an appearance by the African dance and music troupe Cumbe Dance; and an interactive art installation exhibited by award-winning\, video-based artist Holly Danger. \n\n\n\nVisit our VersoFest website to see the lineup and schedule for 2026 (with announcements on all guests coming throughout January and into February).
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-2026-film-screening-grateful-dead-dead-ahead/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T133000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20260121T151143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T155045Z
UID:2500-1774785600-1774791000@versofest.org
SUMMARY:Verso Visionary: Renowned Music Entrepreneur Peter Shapiro\, in Conversation with Relix Editor Dean Budnick
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER to attend\n\n\n\nBACK TO LINEUP\n\n\n\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nPeter Shapiro\, who has owned and operated venerated concert venues like Brooklyn Bowl and The Capitol Theatre and has produced a wide array of lauded music festivals\, will join VersoFest 2026 alongside rock author\, writer\, and documentarian Dean Budnick. \n\n\n\nTogether\, the two music industry veterans will be discussing the legacy of the Grateful Dead and the development of the jam band scene over the decades. \n\n\n\nWhy You Should Come\n\n\n\nJam bands are among the most successful in the modern music industry\, with a dedicated and intensely loyal fan base. And few have greater insight into the legacy of jam bands than Shapiro and Budnick. \n\n\n\nShapiro produced Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead and founded Lockn’\, a four-day Virginia-based festival that has featured jam band legends like Bob Weir\, Phil Lesh\, Widespread Panic\, and Tedeschi Trucks Band. Budnick\, meantime\, is the author of seven books\, many on the music industry\, and has written for Billboard\, Variety\, and The Hollywood Reporter. \n\n\n\nTogether\, they are the publisher and editor-in-chief of Relix\, a print and online publication that focuses on the live music scene. \n\n\n\nAbout Peter Shapiro\n\n\n\nIndependent music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro continues to explore a range of passion projects. He has owned and operated celebrated venues Brooklyn Bowl (NYC\, Las Vegas\, Nashville\, Philadelphia)\, The Capitol Theatre\, Bearsville Theater\, and Wetlands Preserve. Shapiro has also partnered with the family of Jerry Garcia on Garcia’s music clubs\, which are currently open in Chicago and Port Chester\, N.Y. In 2015\, he produced Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead\, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara\, California\, and Chicago’s Soldier Field. Shapiro founded Lockn’\, a four-day music and camping festival held in Nelson County\, Virginia\, as well as Jazz & Colors\, an experiential music event held in Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. \n\n\n\nIn addition\, Shapiro originated the Rock and Roll Playhouse\, developing the family concert series into a weekly national concert series that takes place in more than 25 markets across the U.S. In 2024\, he produced the Soulshine Benefit at Madison Square Garden\, raising money for hurricane relief in the Southeast. His other endeavors include the IMAX concert films U2 3D and All Access\, the Jammys awards show\, the Green Apple Earth Day Festival\, and Easy Rider Live. Billboard has selected him multiple times for its Power 100 List of Most Influential People in the Music Business. \n\n\n\nShapiro serves as publisher of Relix magazine and sits on the board of a number of civic and charitable organizations\, including New York Public Radio\, City Parks Foundation\, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s nominating committee. \n\n\n\nAbout Dean Budnick\n\n\n\nDean Budnick has written seven books\, including Ticket Masters: The Rise of the Concert Industry and How the Public Got Scalped. He is the co-author of Blues Traveler frontman John Popper’s memoir\, Suck & Blow: And Other Stories I’m Not Supposed to Tell. Budnick is the editor-in-chief of Relix and has reported on the live entertainment industry for Billboard\, Variety\, and The Hollywood Reporter. \n\n\n\nBudnick directed the documentary Wetlands Preserved: The Story of An Activist Rock Club\, which opened nationally before airing on the Sundance Channel. He also is the creator and host of the Long May They Run podcast\, which reached #1 on the Apple Music Podcast charts. \n\n\n\nAbout VersoFest\n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. VersoFest includes conversations where experts share their perspective and vision. Intimate workshops provide creators the opportunity to deconstruct\, improve\, and hone their craft. Performances entertain and inspire. \n\n\n\nThis year’s festival\, our fifth\, is shaping up to be the best yet\, headlined by a February 27 kickoff concert by rising rock band The Thing\, our March 26 Verso Visionary conversation with folk-rock legend Ani DiFranco\, and a special March 27 Friday night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist\, producer\, composer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean. Our weekend guests include actress\, author\, and performer Gina Gershon; David J (Bauhaus\, Love and Rockets); Adria Petty on the legacy of her dad\, Tom Petty\, and the legendary Heartbreakers; a VersoFest author talk with Claire Dederer on her book\, Monster; a conversation with renowned music promoter Peter Shapiro (Capitol Theare\, Brooklyn Bowl); an appearance by the African dance and music troupe Cumbe Dance; an interactive art installation exhibited by award-winning\, video-based artist Holly Danger; and a screening of the film Baristas vs. Billionaires\, directed by Academy Award nominee Mark Mori. \n\n\n\nPast VersoFest guests include hip hop legend Chuck D; established hit-makers the Wallflowers\, Spin Doctors\, and the Smithereens; up-and-coming bands Sunflower Bean and the Lemon Twigs; the Roots lead emcee Black Thought; hardcore punk pioneer Henry Rollins; rockers Lez Zeppelin; famed producers Steve Lillywhite (U2\, Dave Matthews Band) and Tony Visconti (David Bowie\, T. Rex); Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler; the Doors drummer John Densmore; Cramps drummer Miriam Linna; Alice Cooper Group bassist Dennis Dunaway; hip-hop originators Tony Crush and Grand Wizzard Theodore; David Letterman music director Paul Shaffer; SNL Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman; and a wide array of authors\, photographers\, artists\, and thought leaders. \n\n\n\nVisit our VersoFest website to see the lineup and schedule for 2026 (with announcements on all guests coming throughout January and into February).
URL:https://versofest.org/event/verso-visionary-renowned-music-entrepreneur-peter-shapiro-in-conversation-with-relix-editor-dean-budnick/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Music & Film,Verso Studios
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Peter-Shapiro-Dean-Budnick-2160x1320-1-Jm80GB.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T120000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20260309T204535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T012257Z
UID:2894-1774780200-1774785600@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest'26 Panel Discussion: Coffee with the C-Suite: Creators\, Technologists\, and Music’s AI Frontier
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER to attend\n\n\n\nBACK TO LINEUP\n\n\n\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nCoffee and pastries will be served at 10 am\, courtesy of VersoFest 2026 partners COBS Bread and The Y’s Men of Westport/Weston. \n\n\n\nArtificial intelligence is reshaping how music is created\, distributed\, licensed\, and monetized — but who benefits\, who owns what\, and what comes next? \n\n\n\nIn this candid\, executive-level conversation\, leaders from across music tech\, rights investment\, AI creation tools\, and licensing platforms unpack the seismic shifts redefining the industry. \n\n\n\nSpeakers include Paul Sinclair\, chief music officer at Suno; Daniel Rowland\, vice president of strategy and partnerships at LANDR; Danny Newcomb\, CEO and co-founder of Incantio; and Sam Hendel\, managing partner at Chord Music Partners and Dundee Partners. Music industry veteran Dick Wingate will moderate the morning’s panel. \n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered. This year’s festival includes a kickoff storytellers with Susanna Hoffs (March 6)\, a conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco (March 26)\, a concert performance by Wyclef Jean (March 27)\, a VersoFest book talk with celebrated actress/performer Gina Gershon (March 28)\, and much\, much more. \n\n\n\nWhy You Should Come\n\n\n\nFrom generative AI to licensing infrastructure and creator empowerment\, this conversation will offer an insider’s look at where innovation is accelerating\, the challenges ahead and how today’s decisions will define tomorrow’s music economy. \n\n\n\nAbout the Speakers\n\n\n\n\n\nPaul Sinclair\, Chief Music Officer\, Suno  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPaul Sinclair is a veteran music industry executive\, serving as Suno’s first Chief Music Officer\, bringing more than two decades of experience from senior leadership roles at Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group\, where he led digital strategy\, innovation\, and artist development. In his new role\, he guides how Suno’s AI-powered tools are integrated into songwriting and artist workflows and works to strengthen relationships with artists\, rights holders\, and the broader music industry. Sinclair has worked closely with major artists including Bruno Mars\, Coldplay\, Ed Sheeran\, Charli XCX\, Lin-Manuel Miranda\, Janelle Monáe\, and Kelly Clarkson over the course of his career\, helping bridge traditional and emerging music technologies. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDaniel Rowland\, Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships\, LANDR \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDaniel Rowland is an eclectic Los Angeles–based music producer\, audio engineer\, tech executive\, and educator\, currently serving as Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships at LANDR and co-founder of Audiotool\, while also teaching music tech at Middle Tennessee State University. He’s played a key role growing LANDR’s creator tools\, AI mastering engine\, and partnerships ecosystem to 7 million users. As a creative professional he produced the music for the Oscar-winning Pixar film Piper and has mixed and mastered multiplatinum/Grammy-nominated work for artists including Nine Inch Nails\, Seal\, Jhene Aiko\, Gwen Stefani\, Burna Boy\, Nina Simone\, and Flo Rida\, as well as on dozens of major franchise soundtracks from Star Wars to Marvel and John Wick. He’s also been recognized as one of the top mastering engineers globally\, speaks frequently on music technology and AI\, and is a voting member of the Recording Academy (the Grammys). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDanny Newcomb\, CEO and Co-Founder\, Incantio \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDanny Newcomb is a Seattle-based music industry veteran and entrepreneur with more than 35 years of experience as a songwriter\, performer\, and recording artist. His career has included collaborations with Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready in The Rockfords\, a songwriting deal with Warner Chappell Music\, and a recording artist contract with Lava Records. He is now the founder and CEO of Incantio\, an AI-driven platform designed to transform how independent music is discovered and licensed for film\, television\, advertising\, and digital media. By partnering with organizations such as American Association of Independent Music and platforms like DISCO\, Newcomb is building a new infrastructure that allows independent artists to directly access global licensing opportunities. He is a passionate advocate for independent creators owning and monetizing their work — and believes technology will unlock a new era where independent music powers the soundtrack of modern media. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSam Hendel\, Managing Partner\, Chord Music Partners and Dundee Partners \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSam Hendel is the Managing Partner of Chord Music Partners and Dundee Partners. He founded Chord in 2021 as a joint venture with Universal Music Group\, which serves as Universal’s global catalogue acquisition vehicle. Today\, Chord is one of the largest independent music rights platforms in the world\, with a growing portfolio of more than 65\,000 works spanning both legacy and contemporary artists\, including The Weeknd\, Fleetwood Mac\, David Guetta\, OneRepublic\, John Legend\, Diplo/Major Lazer\, ZZ Top\, and Morgan Wallen. The platform combines institutional capital with UMG’s unmatched global infrastructure\, giving it unique access to premium deal flow\, world-class active management\, and long-term alignment with artists and rights holders. In addition to Chord\, Hendel and his family have invested in media and cultural enterprises such as Knitting Factory Entertainment\, Partisan Records\, and Kino Lorber. He also founded JKBX (“Jukebox”) in 2022\, a platform that allows catalogue owners and artists to democratize music royalties by offering shares of royalty streams as regulated securities to retail investors. Hendel’s career began in investment management\, where he spent 20 years as president and portfolio manager of Easterly Investment Partners\, specializing in merger arbitrage and event-driven strategies. He is also the co-founder of Dataminr\, the world’s leading real-time AI company for event and risk detection\, now valued at over $4 billion. \n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Moderator\n\n\n\n\n\nDick Wingate\, Music Industry Veteran \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDick Wingate is a veteran American music industry and digital entertainment executive with more than 40 years of experience spanning major label A&R\, marketing\, and pioneering work in digital music distribution and interactive technology. He is principal of DEV Advisors\, a consulting firm advising tech companies\, content owners\, and artists. He has negotiated milestones such as the first digital download distribution licenses with major and independent labels while serving as SVP of Content Development at Liquid Audio and the earliest mobile music apps while Chief Content Officer at Nellymoser. Earlier in his career Wingate held senior roles at Columbia Records\, Epic\, PolyGram\, Arista\, and BMG\, helping develop and market artists including Bruce Springsteen\, Elvis Costello\, Aimee Mann\, Peter Tosh\, Eddy Grant\, Pink Floyd\, Sarah McLachlan\, and more\, and he has been featured and quoted widely in outlets like The New York Times and Billboard. Wingate also holds lifetime membership in NARAS (the Grammys) and has long been recognized as a trailblazer at the intersection of music\, technology\, and industry innovation. \n\n\n\n\n\nAbout VersoFest\n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. \n\n\n\nThis year’s festival\, our fifth\, is shaping up to be the best yet\, headlined by a February 27 kickoff concert by rising rock band The Thing\, the March 6 VersoFest storytellers evening with Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs\, the March 26 Verso Visionary conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco\, and a special March 27 Friday night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist\, producer\, composer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean. \n\n\n\nVersoFest 2026 weekend guests include actress\, author\, and performer Gina Gershon; David J (Bauhaus\, Love and Rockets); Adria Petty on the legacy of her dad\, Tom Petty\, and the legendary Heartbreakers; a VersoFest author talk with Claire Dederer on her book\, Monster; a conversation with renowned music promoter Peter Shapiro (Capitol Theare\, Brooklyn Bowl); an appearance by the African dance and music troupe Cumbe Dance; and an interactive art installation exhibited by award-winning\, video-based artist Holly Danger. \n\n\n\nVisit our VersoFest website to see the lineup and schedule for 2026.
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest26-panel-discussion-coffee-with-the-c-suite-creators-technologists-and-musics-ai-frontier/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CSuite.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T210000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20260128T154723Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T154946Z
UID:2549-1774726200-1774731600@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest Storytellers: Alt-Rock Legend David J\, in Verse\, Conversation\, and Song
DESCRIPTION:tickets – $35\n\n\n\nBack to lineup\n\n\n\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nMusician\, writer\, playwright\, poet\, visual artist\, and alt-rock legend David J (Bauhaus\, Love and Rockets) closes VersoFest Saturday with a special storytellers event. \n\n\n\nDavid will read selections from his new poetry book\, Rhapsody\, Threnody & Prayer\, accompanied by original pre-recorded music. The reading will be followed by an interview featuring celebrated author Douglas Rushkoff and will conclude with a short set of acoustic songs. \n\n\n\nSigned copies of David’s latest volume\, Rhapsody\, Threnody & Prayer\, will be available for sale on-site. \n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered. This year’s festival includes a kickoff storytellers with Susanna Hoffs (March 6)\, a conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco (March 26)\, a concert performance by Wyclef Jean (March 27)\, a VersoFest book talk with celebrated actress/performer Gina Gershon (March 28)\, and much\, much more. \n\n\n\nWhy You Should Come\n\n\n\nDavid J is one of the seminal figures of the alt-rock movement\, and this is your opportunity to see him in an intimate venue\, as one of just 450 attendees in the Library’s unique Trefz Forum space. \n\n\n\nAn artist of every measure\, David spearheaded the post-punk alternative music scene of the early 1980s with Bauhaus\, and he followed that up with the hugely successful Love and Rockets\, whose hit single\, “So Alive\,” was a top three U.S. single\, and 11 remarkable solo albums. \n\n\n\nHe has also written a memoir\, Who Killed Mister Moonlight?\, which was published to critical acclaim\, as well as a spoken word with music album\, The Mother Tree\, which is accompanied by a book of poetry\, Rhapsody\, Threnody & Prayer. \n\n\n\nOn Saturday at VersoFest\, he’ll feature all his many talents in a can’t-miss evening. \n\n\n\nAbout David J\n\n\n\nDavid J is a founder member of the highly influential and revered Bauhaus\, which put out a string of innovative albums and singles in the 1980s\, including the gothic rock anthem “Bela Lugosi’s Dead\,” featuring the lyrics of David J. \n\n\n\nIn 1983\, David regrouped with two of his former Bauhaus bandmates\, Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins\, to form Love and Rockets\, whose immensely successful tenure includes a million-selling album and sold-out stadium tours. \n\n\n\nIn his varied career\, David has collaborated with many other artists of note\, including painter and poet Rene Halkett; novelists Alan Moore\, Jeremy Reed\, and Hubert Selby Jr.; and a vast array of musicians such as T Bone Burnett\, Frank Black (Pixies)\, Robyn Hitchcock\, Wayne Kramer (MC5)\, Amanda Palmer\, Jane’s Addiction\, The Dandy Warhols\, and many more. \n\n\n\nHis new collaborative project is Night Crickets\, with multi-instrumentalist Darwin Meiners and Victor DeLorenzo of the Violent Femmes. \n\n\n\nAbout Douglas Rushkoff\n\n\n\nNamed one of the “world’s ten most influential intellectuals” by MIT\, Douglas Rushkoff is an author and documentarian who studies human autonomy in a digital age. Rushkoff coined such concepts as “viral media\,” “screenagers\,” and “social currency\,” and his 20 books include the just-published Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires\, as well as the recent Team Human\, based on his podcast\, and the best-sellers Present Shock\, Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus\, Program or Be Programmed\, Life Inc\, and Media Virus. He also made the PBS Frontline documentaries Generation Like\, The Persuaders\, and Merchants of Cool. \n\n\n\nRushkoff’s book Coercion won the Marshall McLuhan Award\, and the Media Ecology Association honored him with the first Neil Postman Award for Career Achievement in Public Intellectual Activity. \n\n\n\nAbout VersoFest\n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. \n\n\n\nThis year’s festival\, our fifth\, is shaping up to be the best yet\, headlined by a February 27 kickoff concert by rising rock band The Thing\, our March 6 VersoFest storytellers evening with Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs\, the March 26 Verso Visionary conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco\, and a special March 27 Friday night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist\, producer\, composer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean. \n\n\n\nVersoFest 2026 weekend guests include actress\, author\, and performer Gina Gershon; David J (Bauhaus\, Love and Rockets); Adria Petty on the legacy of her dad\, Tom Petty\, and the legendary Heartbreakers; a VersoFest author talk with Claire Dederer on her book\, Monster; a conversation with renowned music promoter Peter Shapiro (Capitol Theare\, Brooklyn Bowl); an appearance by the African dance and music troupe Cumbe Dance; and an interactive art installation exhibited by award-winning\, video-based artist Holly Danger. \n\n\n\nVisit our VersoFest website to see the lineup and schedule for 2026 (with announcements on all guests coming throughout January and into February). \n\n\n\nRefund Policy\n\n\n\nPrograms\, prices\, and dates are subject to change. Tickets are transferable. There are no refunds unless The Westport Library cancels an event. If you are unable to use your tickets\, please notify us more than three hours prior to the start of the event; in that case\, the cost of the tickets can be considered a tax-deductible contribution supporting the Library. In the case of a postponed or rescheduled event\, the Library is not obligated to offer refunds if the event is rescheduled within 12 months of the original date. No cash refunds.
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-storytellers-alt-rock-legend-david-j-in-verse-conversation-and-song/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/David-J.-2160x1320-1-HrC4dB.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T163000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20260203T153332Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T154233Z
UID:2631-1774710000-1774715400@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest Visionary: Adria Petty\, on the Legacy of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
DESCRIPTION:REGISTER to attend\n\n\n\nBack To Lineup\n\n\n\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nAdria Petty\, the daughter of Tom Petty and acclaimed producer and music video director\, will be on hand in the Trefz Forum as part of the burgeoning Saturday lineup for VersoFest 2026\, The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival powered by Verso Studios\, the media arm of the Library. \n\n\n\nAdria Petty\, who works as a managing partner at the Tom Petty estate\, will discuss the legacy of her father and his band\, The Heartbreakers\, in conversation with music industry pioneer Sam Hendel. \n\n\n\nThis year’s fifth annual VersoFest includes a kickoff storytellers event with Susanna Hoffs (March 6)\, a conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco (March 26)\, a concert performance by Wyclef Jean (March 27)\, a VersoFest book talk with celebrated actress/performer Gina Gershon (March 28)\, a conversation and acoustic performance by alt-rock legend David J (March 28)\, and much\, much more. \n\n\n\nWhy You Should Come\n\n\n\nTom Petty is one of the most beloved musicians of the past 50 years\, with a string of hits and best-selling albums from the mid-1970s until his death in 2017. \n\n\n\nAs a daughter\, filmmaker\, and director of music videos for some of the world’s biggest artists\, Adria Petty can speak to the enduring legacy of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers like no other — and this is your opportunity to see her in an intimate venue\, as one of just 450 attendees in the Library’s unique Trefz Forum space. \n\n\n\n“I am a true lover of people\, characters\, culture\, and personality\,” Adria said. “As a child\, I spent a lot of my time traveling with my family surrounded by musicians and artistic people of all kinds. I believe it is on those musical tours that the allure of production and the alchemy of great artistic people collaborating with a great crew got me inspired to become a director.” \n\n\n\nAbout Adria Petty\n\n\n\nAdria Petty is a director\, producer\, and creative director. She currently works as a managing partner at the Tom Petty estate with her family and the remaining members of Tom’s band and operations team\, preserving their archive of 40 years of American music. \n\n\n\nAs a director\, Adria has directed many videos for top recording artists including Beyonce\, Coldplay\, and Rihanna. She has also done commercial spots for iconic brands such as Lancôme\, Alexander McQueen\, Target\, Converse\, Hershey’s\, McDonald’s\, and many more. \n\n\n\nAbout Sam Hendel\n\n\n\nSam Hendel is the managing partner of Chord Music Partners and Dundee Partners. He founded Chord in 2021\, a joint venture with Universal Music Group\, which serves as Universal’s global catalogue acquisition vehicle. Today\, Chord is one of the largest independent music rights platforms in the world\, with a growing portfolio of more than 65\,000 works that includes The Weeknd\, Fleetwood Mac\, David Guetta\, OneRepublic\, John Legend\, Diplo/Major Lazer\, ZZ Top\, and Morgan Wallen. \n\n\n\nPrior to working in the music industry\, Sam co-founded Dataminr\, the world’s leading real-time AI company valued at more than $4 billion\, and spent 20 years in investment management. \n\n\n\nAbout VersoFest\n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. \n\n\n\nThis year’s festival\, our fifth\, is shaping up to be the best yet\, headlined by a February 27 kickoff concert by rising rock band The Thing\, our March 6 VersoFest storytellers evening with Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs\, the March 26 Verso Visionary conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco\, and a special March 27 Friday night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist\, producer\, composer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean. \n\n\n\nVersoFest 2026 weekend guests include actress\, author\, and performer Gina Gershon; David J (Bauhaus\, Love and Rockets); Adria Petty on the legacy of her dad\, Tom Petty\, and the legendary Heartbreakers; a VersoFest author talk with Claire Dederer on her book\, Monster; a conversation with renowned music promoter Peter Shapiro (Capitol Theare\, Brooklyn Bowl); an appearance by the African dance and music troupe Cumbe Dance; and an interactive art installation exhibited by award-winning\, video-based artist Holly Danger. \n\n\n\nVisit our VersoFest website to see the lineup and schedule for 2026 (with announcements on all guests coming throughout January and into February).
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-visionary-adria-petty-on-the-legacy-of-tom-petty-the-heartbreakers/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Adria-Petty-2160x1320-1-NGXFVc.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T150000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20260219T163932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T171721Z
UID:2774-1774702800-1774710000@versofest.org
SUMMARY:Verso University Presents: Closing the Deal: How to Get Bigger Gigs with Matt Starr
DESCRIPTION:Tickets – $5\n\n\n\nBack to lineup\n\n\n\n\nWorkshop Details\n\n\n\nSaturday\, March 28\, 2026\, 1-3 pm (Board Room) \n\n\n\nLearn the secrets to how professionals get those next level opportunities and build sustainable careers as professional musicians. In this interactive VersoFest workshop\, you’ll learn how to meet the right people\, set your rate\, get over your discomfort\, and get into action! \n\n\n\nAbout the Instructor\n\n\n\nMatt Starr is a career coach and professional musician. He has toured and recorded with members of KISS\, Guns N’ Roses\, Foreigner\, Bon Jovi\, and others. As a music career coach\, Matt has spoken to audiences around the world at music schools and conferences. \n\n\n\nAbout VersoFest 2026\n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. \n\n\n\nThis year’s festival\, our fifth\, is shaping up to be the best yet\, headlined by a February 27 kickoff concert by rising rock band The Thing\, our March 6 VersoFest storytellers evening with Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs\, the March 26 Verso Visionary conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco\, and a special March 27 Friday night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist\, producer\, composer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean. \n\n\n\nVersoFest 2026 weekend guests include actress\, author\, and performer Gina Gershon; David J (Bauhaus\, Love and Rockets); Adria Petty on the legacy of her dad\, Tom Petty\, and the legendary Heartbreakers; a VersoFest author talk with Claire Dederer on her book\, Monster; a conversation with renowned music promoter Peter Shapiro (Capitol Theare\, Brooklyn Bowl); an appearance by the African dance and music troupe Cumbe Dance; and an interactive art installation exhibited by award-winning\, video-based artist Holly Danger. \n\n\n\nVisit our VersoFest website to see the lineup and schedule for 2026 (with announcements on all guests coming throughout January and into February). \n\n\n\nImportant Information About Verso University Classes\n\n\n\n\nClasses are usually structured as a consecutive series.\n\n\n\nClass size is often limited.\n\n\n\nEach series has a one-time fee registration fee covering all classes in the series.\n\n\n\nRegistration is mandatory.\n\n\n\nThe Westport Library wants to ensure that all interested students are able to participate in Verso University courses. If the registration fee is a barrier to entry for you\, please contact JConnon@westportlibrary.org.\n\n\n\n\nVerso University is the Library’s lifelong learning and education initiative\, serving up year-round offerings of classes\, workshops\, and lectures designed to further education and learning. Offerings run the gamut of educational opportunities\, ranging from one-time lectures to ongoing courses to classes that meet weekly or perhaps monthly. \n\n\n\nVerso University programs are made possible by the generous support of the Nancy J. Beard Lifelong Learning and Education Fund.
URL:https://versofest.org/event/verso-university-presents-closing-the-deal-how-to-get-bigger-gigs-with-matt-starr/
LOCATION:The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso University
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/matt-starr-zbiS0J.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T143000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20260213T172636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260213T174326Z
UID:2750-1774702800-1774708200@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest Author Talk: Claire Dederer on ‘Monsters\,’ a Look at What to Do with Great Art by Bad People
DESCRIPTION:tickets – FREE\n\n\n\nBack To Lineup\n\n\n\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nBest-selling memoirist\, essayist\, and critic Claire Dederer takes the VersoFest Saturday stage\, in conversation with acclaimed journalist Hilarie M. Sheets. Dederer’s books include the national best-seller Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma\, the critically acclaimed Love and Trouble: A Midlife Reckoning\, and The New York Times best-seller Poser: My Life in Twenty-three Yoga Poses. \n\n\n\nMonsters: A Fan’s Dilemma is Dederer’s recent nonfiction book investigating good art made by bad people. A hybrid of essay\, criticism\, and memoir\, Monsters is based on her globally viral 2017 essay for the Paris Review\, “What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?” \n\n\n\nCopies of Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma will be available for sale on-site. \n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered. This year’s festival includes a kickoff storytellers with Susanna Hoffs (March 6)\, a conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco (March 26)\, a concert performance by Wyclef Jean (March 27)\, a VersoFest book talk with celebrated actress/performer Gina Gershon (March 28)\, and much\, much more. \n\n\n\nWhy You Should Come\n\n\n\nIf you’ve ever loved a song\, admired a painting\, or been moved by a film — only to discover its creator did something terrible — you know the uncomfortable tension Dederer explores in her latest work. \n\n\n\nAt VersoFest 2026\, in our unique Trefz Forum space\, you’ll have the rare opportunity to hear one of our most incisive cultural critics grapple with some of the pressing questions of our time: Can we separate art from artist? Should we? \n\n\n\nAbout Claire Dederer\n\n\n\nClaire Dederer is a memoirist\, essayist\, and critic. Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma (Knopf\, 2023) was named a New York Times Notable Book and a best book of 2023 by The Washington Post\, The New Yorker\, Elle\, Esquire\, Oprah Daily\, and many other outlets. \n\n\n\nDederer is a longtime contributor to The New York Times. Her essays\, criticism\, and reviews have also appeared in The Paris Review\, The Atlantic\, The Nation\, New York Magazine\, and many other publications. She began her career as the chief film critic for Seattle Weekly. \n\n\n\nDederer is the recipient of a Hedgebrook residency and a Lannan Foundation residency. She lives in Seattle. \n\n\n\nAbout Hilarie M. Sheets \n\n\n\nHilarie M. Sheets is a New York-based journalist and art critic\, with a particular interest in public art and the stories of underrepresented artists. She covers the art world regularly for The New York Times and is a contributing editor to Galerie magazine. Her work also appears in The Art Newspaper\, Elle Décor\, and Cultured\, among other publications. \n\n\n\nAbout VersoFest\n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. \n\n\n\nThis year’s festival\, our fifth\, is shaping up to be the best yet\, headlined by a February 27 kickoff concert by rising rock band The Thing\, our March 6 VersoFest storytellers evening with Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs\, the March 26 Verso Visionary conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco\, and a special March 27 Friday night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist\, producer\, composer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean. \n\n\n\nVersoFest 2026 weekend guests include actress\, author\, and performer Gina Gershon; David J (Bauhaus\, Love and Rockets); Adria Petty on the legacy of her dad\, Tom Petty\, and the legendary Heartbreakers; a VersoFest author talk with Claire Dederer on her book\, Monster; a conversation with renowned music promoter Peter Shapiro (Capitol Theare\, Brooklyn Bowl); an appearance by the African dance and music troupe Cumbe Dance; and an interactive art installation exhibited by award-winning\, video-based artist Holly Danger. \n\n\n\nVisit our VersoFest website to see the lineup and schedule for 2026 (with announcements on all guests coming throughout January and into February).
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-author-talk-claire-dederer-on-monsters-a-look-at-what-to-do-with-great-art-by-bad-people/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Authors & Books,Music & Film,Verso Studios
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Claire-Dederer-2160x1320-1-GUahfk.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260328T113000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20260130T141056Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T154128Z
UID:2565-1774692000-1774697400@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest’26 Presents: Cumbe Dance Congolese Dance and Drum Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Register to attend\n\n\n\nRegister to attend\n\n\n\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nKick off a busy weekend of VersoFest 2026 events by getting your body moving and those waistlines rolling to the dynamic sounds of the Ngoma Drum with Master Artist Andoche Loubaki in a lively and colorful Traditional Congolese Dance and Drum workshop. \n\n\n\nThis special VersoFest event is presented by Brooklyn-based Cumbe Dance. \n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered. This year’s festival includes a kickoff storytellers with Susanna Hoffs (March 6)\, a conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco (March 26)\, a concert performance by Wyclef Jean (March 27)\, a VersoFest book talk with celebrated actress/performer Gina Gershon (March 28)\, a conversation and acoustic performance by alt-rock legend David J (March 28)\, and much\, much more. \n\n\n\nWhy You Should Come\n\n\n\nThis engaging\, high-energy workshop promises to be fun for the whole family. You will be introduced to the sacred dances and celebratory rhythms of Congo. Enjoy! \n\n\n\nAbout Cumbe Dance\n\n\n\nCumbe is the home for African and Diaspora dance and music. Through its donation-based dance and music classes along with cultural programs\, Cumbe Dance invites everyone to feel the joy and vitality of rhythms rooted in Africa. Cumbe’s mission is to make African-rooted dance and education accessible to everyone\, regardless of economic background. \n\n\n\nAbout VersoFest\n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. \n\n\n\nThis year’s festival\, our fifth\, is shaping up to be the best yet\, headlined by a February 27 kickoff concert by rising rock band The Thing\, our March 6 VersoFest storytellers evening with Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs\, the March 26 Verso Visionary conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco\, and a special March 27 Friday night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist\, producer\, composer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean. \n\n\n\nVersoFest 2026 weekend guests include actress\, author\, and performer Gina Gershon; David J (Bauhaus\, Love and Rockets); Adria Petty on the legacy of her dad\, Tom Petty\, and the legendary Heartbreakers; a VersoFest author talk with Claire Dederer on her book\, Monster; a conversation with renowned music promoter Peter Shapiro (Capitol Theare\, Brooklyn Bowl); an appearance by the African dance and music troupe Cumbe Dance; and an interactive art installation exhibited by award-winning\, video-based artist Holly Danger. \n\n\n\nVisit our VersoFest website to see the lineup and schedule for 2026 (with announcements on all guests coming throughout January and into February).
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest26-presents-cumbe-dance-congolese-dance-and-drum-workshop/
LOCATION:CT
CATEGORIES:Adults,Children,Music & Film,Teens
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Cumbe-Dance-2160x1320-1-VWE9La.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T220000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20251103T180507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T235920Z
UID:2228-1772222400-1772229600@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest 2026 Kickoff Concert: The Thing
DESCRIPTION:Get tickets\n\n\n\nBack To LIneup\n\n\n\n\nEvent Details\n\n\n\nThe Westport Library is getting an early jump on the 2026 edition of VersoFest\, our annual festival celebrating music\, media\, and creativity. \n\n\n\nThe Thing\, the rising rock band out of New York City with roots in Connecticut\, will be performing the 2026 VersoFest Kickoff Concert. Presales for the concert will begin Tuesday\, November 4\, 2025\, with the general on-sale on Friday\, November 7. \n\n\n\nLocal rockers Fever Dream will open the show. \n\n\n\nWhy You Should Come\n\n\n\nThe Thing is a New York band\, sure\, but it’s also an ethos. A return to rock & roll’s roots — to garage bands toiling between the family minivans\, to groups like the Beatles and their unique alchemy\, to tape machines and live band recordings instead of slick studios and myriad songwriters. “We’ve kind of adapted the ethos of: with restriction comes creativity — old becomes new. And throughout every part of the process that remains true\,” says guitarist/vocalist Jack Bradley. \n\n\n\nNever is that more apparent than on their self-titled third record\, which came out August 2025. A rough and tumble suite of 12 songs that nods to everyone from The Kinks to The White Stripes\, The Thing sounds like old New York revivicated and remixed. “It showcases all of us\, all of our different personalities\,” says bassist/vocalist Zane Acord. “In The Thing\, we’re a collective band. We hang our hats on being a true band — where we all have the spotlight. I think that gives us a different edge.” That album follows 2023’s debut\, Here’s the Thing\, and The Things Is\, which dropped the following year. \n\n\n\nPlease note: This event is designated as ‘standing room only\,’ however\, if accessible seating is required\, please contact Robin Powell (rpowell@westportlibrary.org) directly to inquire about available options in a nearby accessible location. Only handheld bags permitted. \n\n\n\nAbout The Thing\n\n\n\nThe four members of The Thing came from intersecting backgrounds\, lending to their rock-and-roll-as-melting-pot vibe. Acord grew up with a drummer dad who hipped him to bands like Led Zeppelin and Grand Funk Railroad; he met guitarist/vocals Michael Carter — an avid Beatles fan — in middle school. The duo went on to collect Bradley in high school\, an aspiring producer with a studio in his basement and a yen for psych rock. Jazz drummer Lucas Ebeling linked up with the band when everyone found their way to New York in 2022. They’ve since played more than 300 shows across the world. \n\n\n\nAbout Fever Dream\n\n\n\nFever Dream is a group of five friends from the Westport/Weston area who love playing music. They play covers of some of their favorite classic/alternative rock and grunge songs and ahs written a number of original songs they’ll be releasing soon. Fever Dream’s members consist of Seamus Brannigan (drums and vocals)\, Griffin Delmhorst (guitar\, keys\, and vocals)\, Ari Sklar (guitar and vocals)\, Harry Shultz (lead guitar)\, and Ezra Schwartz (bass guitar).   \n\n\n\nAbout VersoFest\n\n\n\nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. VersoFest includes conversations where experts share their perspective and vision. Intimate workshops provide creators the opportunity to deconstruct\, improve\, and hone their craft. Performances entertain and inspire. \n\n\n\nThis is the fifth year for VersoFest\, which takes place at Verso Studios at The Westport Library\, a media resource and production hub that serves as an empowered cultural and learning center. A library branch of the 21st century\, Verso Studios provides programming and commercial services as well as educational and content creation opportunities. \n\n\n\nPast VersoFest guests include hip hop legend Chuck D; established hit-makers the Wallflowers\, Spin Doctors\, and the Smithereens; up-and-coming bands Sunflower Bean and the Lemon Twigs; the Roots lead emcee Black Thought; hardcore punk pioneer Henry Rollins; rockers Lez Zeppelin; famed producers Steve Lillywhite (U2\, Dave Matthews Band) and Tony Visconti (David Bowie\, T. Rex); Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler; the Doors drummer John Densmore; Cramps drummer Miriam Linna; Alice Cooper Group bassist Dennis Dunaway; hip-hop originators Tony Crush and Grand Wizzard Theodore; David Letterman music director Paul Shaffer; SNL Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman; and a wide array of authors\, photographers\, artists\, and thought leaders. \n\n\n\nClick here to learn more. \n\n\n\nRefund Policy\n\n\n\nPrograms\, prices\, and dates are subject to change. Tickets are transferrable. There are no refunds unless The Westport Library cancels an event. If you are unable to use your tickets\, please notify us more than three hours prior to the start of the event; in that case\, the cost of the tickets can be considered a tax-deductible contribution supporting the Library. In the case of a postponed or rescheduled event\, the Library is not obligated to offer refunds if the event is rescheduled within 12 months of the original date. No cash refunds.
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-2026-kickoff-concert-the-thing/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/the-thing-2160x1320-1-ZKPyhO.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250418T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250418T220000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20250204T155952Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260103T104510Z
UID:1566-1745001000-1745013600@versofest.org
SUMMARY:Gang of Four: The Long Goodbye Tour Kickoff at The Westport Library
DESCRIPTION:Buy Tickets: $55 \nGang of Four\, the pioneering band that served as one of the forerunners of the post-punk movement\, mixing outspoken political messages with intense\, percussive live sets\, will kick off its farewell tour in The Westport Library’s Trefz Forum. \nTickets for the concert\, an extension of VersoFest 2025\, are $55 and on sale now. \nTim “Journeys by DJ” Fielding\, the founder of Brainiak Records and producer for legendary works by DJs including John Digweed\, Paul Oakenfold\, Farley & Heller\, Coldcut\, and Gilles Peterson\, will spin tracks before the show starting when doors open at 6:30 pm. Gang of Four will take the stage at 8 pm. \nNo bags will be permitted\, aside from purses\, clutches\, and small handheld bags. All seats are standing room only; accommodations available upon request. \n“The Long Goodbye” tour will feature two sets: The band will play all of its seminal first album\, Entertainment!\, track by track\, followed by a second set of “Best of the Rest\,” favorites to ranging from “To Hell With Poverty!” to “I Love a Man in a Uniform.” \nIn addition to the concert\, singer Jon King will be on hand in the Trefz Forum during the day for an author talk and conversation with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris Frantz (Talking Heads\, Tom Tom Club) about his new book\, To Hell with Poverty!: A Class Act: Inside the Gang of Four\, which is publishing April 1. Click here to purchase tickets for that event. \nGang of Four formed in Leeds\, England\, in 1976\, led at the time by King\, bassist Dave Allen\, drummer Hugo Burnham\, and guitarist Andy Gill. The band pioneered a style of music that inverted punk’s blunt and explosive energies — favoring tense rhythms\, percussive guitars\, and lyrics that traded in Marxist theory and situationism. \nThe original lineup released two landmark albums\, Entertainment! (1979) and Solid Gold (1981). A third\, Songs of the Free (1982)\, was recorded with bassist Sara Lee replacing Allen. After Songs of the Free\, Burnham departed and Gill and King continued on\, releasing Hard in 1983. \nThe band broke up following Hard\, with the original quartet reforming in 2004 for tour dates and the release of their fifth album — and first in two decades — Return the Gift\, in 2005. \nGill’s untimely death in 2020 led many to re-examine the group’s catalog\, putting Gang of Four back in the spotlight to widespread acclaim. Entertainment! was ranked as the fifth best punk album of all time by Rolling Stone in 2016\, Pitchfork placed it as the eighth best album of the 1970s in their 2004 assessment\, and Pop Matters deemed it the “best post-punk album ever!” in 2020. \nIn 2021\, the band teamed up with indie label giants Matador to release a deluxe\, Grammy-nominated boxset Gang of Four 77-81\, a comprehensive and detailed history of the band’s music\, politics\, and influence over the period. \nGang of Four “The Long Goodbye” 2025 Tour Lineup \nHugo Burnham – drums\nGail Greenwood – bass\nJon King – vocals\nTed Leo – guitar \nFind tour dates and remaining tickets at: bnds.us/3ji4gc \nAbout Tim “Journeys by DJ” Fielding \nA graduate of the Balearic school of DJing\, Tim “Journeys by DJ” Fielding is one of the key figures behind two of London’s most storied clubs: The Brain and The End. The founder of Brainiak Records (which released the world’s first album of live electronica bands\, Live at the Brain) and of seminal imprint Journeys by DJ (the first legit series of DJ-mix CDs)\, Fielding produced legendary works by DJs including John Digweed\, Paul Oakenfold\, Farley & Heller\, Coldcut\, and Gilles Peterson\, reflecting his own eclectic taste and broad range in music. \nIn 2000\, Fielding left London for New York City\, where he spins regularly at clubs and events produced by subcultural communities like Disorient\, Kostume Kult\, and Mirage Garage. Transitioning from Nu Disco into soulful Tech House\, Fielding’s style goes down equally well with 1990s Progressive House cats\, fans of 70s Funk\, and Burners into their bumpin’ beats. He plays rootsy music for people that like to dance. \n“I tend to play the smaller rooms\,” said Fielding\, “but they are usually packed with smiling faces\, and people who are seriously getting down.” \n*** \nWith your registration/ticket purchase\, the bearer is entitled to one Complimentary Margarita\, Paloma\, or Aguafresca at Don Memo\, Westport. Please show your registration upon arrival. Thank you. \n \nFreegal Music\nHistory of Music
URL:https://versofest.org/event/gang-of-four-the-long-goodbye-tour-kickoff-at-the-westport-library/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Gang-of-Four-2160x1320-1-TsOj4f.tmp_.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250418T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250418T143000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20250204T163836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250206T155751Z
UID:1571-1744981200-1744986600@versofest.org
SUMMARY:Gang of Four Vocalist Jon King on His New Book\, ‘To Hell With Poverty! A Class Act: Inside the Gang of Four\,’ in Conversation with Chris Frantz
DESCRIPTION:Ticket + Book: $30 \nThe Westport Library is thrilled to welcome Gang of Four vocalist and founding member Jon King to talk about his brand new memoir\, To Hell with Poverty! A Class Act: Inside the Gang of Four\, live in the Trefz Forum. King will be in conversation with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris Frantz\, drummer for Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. \nPlease Note: King will sign purchased copies of To Hell with Poverty! and one additional piece of memorabilia for ticket holders. Each $30 ticket includes a seat in the forum and a copy of To Hell with Poverty! \nThe book talk comes in advance of Gang of Four’s special concert event Friday night\, which will kick off the band’s farewell tour. Click here to purchase tickets for the concert event. \nTo Hell with Poverty! is a poignant and dramatic memoir from King\, the lead singer and songwriter of the legendary British underground band Gang of Four. It documents King’s story from a South London slum and impoverished working-class background to international success as core musician\, lyricist\, writer\, and producer in the legendary post-punk/funk band Gang of Four. \nThe reader is taken on an episodic and kaleidoscopic journey full of adventures from childhood to the end of Gang of Four’s “golden period” in 1984. Thrown off the hit British TV show Top of the Pops; beaten by police at an anti-Nazi rally; being at the heart of the UK postpunk movement in the 1970s; fraternizing with Hells Angels and other “undesirables”; supported by bands like R.E.M. and playing with the likes of the Police and Talking Heads — King’s times with Gang of Four are rich with stories. \nGang of Four’s Entertainment! LP is consistently ranked as one of the greatest debut albums of all time and continues to inspire new generations of musicians today. The band has influenced numerous bands\, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and INXS\, to 2024-era hip-hop giants Run the Jewels\, whose hit song “The Ground Below” is built on samples from the Gang of Four’s song “Ether.” Gang of Four have been championed by the likes of Flea\, Sofia Coppola\, Massive Attack\, Damien Hirst\, Greil Marcus\, and many more. \n*** \nFrantz is a musician\, producer\, songwriter\, and founding member of Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. A frequent guest of the Library and the host of the Library series Chris Frantz Presents\, he also hosts the radio show Chris Frantz the Talking Head on WPKN 89.5 FM in Bridgeport. His recent memoir\, Remain In Love\, chronicles his artistic and musical journey\, from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to his time as the drummer for Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. \n*** \nWith your registration/ticket purchase\, the bearer is entitled to one Complimentary Margarita\, Paloma\, or Aguafresca at Don Memo\, Westport. Please show your registration upon arrival. Thank you.
URL:https://versofest.org/event/gang-of-four-vocalist-jon-king-on-his-new-book-to-hell-with-poverty-a-class-act-inside-the-gang-of-four-in-conversation-with-chris-frantz/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Authors & Books,Music & Film,Verso Studios
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250406T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250406T130000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20250131T172339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250612T164506Z
UID:1526-1743937200-1743944400@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest 2025 Oral History Podcast: TELEVISION ROCKS! With Paul Shaffer & Christine Ohlman
DESCRIPTION:Buy Tickets: $25 \nSponsored by the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston \nCoffee and Donuts: 11 am | Program: 11:30 am \nThe television’s on\, it’s late night\, and there’s music. Johnny Carson and Doc Severinsen’s era is over. David Letterman is the new\, fresh face at NBC\, and inside 30 Rock\, Paul Shaffer is conjuring an enduring late-night template in song. \nStraight out of years on the bandstand at Saturday Night Live in that very same building\, and together with Steve Jordan\, Will Lee\, and the late Hiram Bullock\, beginning in 1982 Shaffer will join his 1950s/1960s transistor radio memories with ours\, celebrating the fabulous moments and fabulous tunes that reminded us on Letterman — every night — that the River of Popular Song is deep and wide … lifting\, connecting\, delighting\, and inspiring us. \nShaffer’s place in pop culture as a music historian par excellence made him the natural choice to helm the house band for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions beginning in 1986\, and The Maestro has continued — to this day — that ongoing love affair with the chords\, the backbeat\, the melody\, the HEART of what makes a great song\, well\, great! \nOn April 6\, as part of The Westport Library’s four-day celebration of music\, media\, and creativity\, the 2025 VersoFest Oral History Project (recorded and archived for podcast) will join Shaffer with The Beehive Queen\, Christine Ohlman — herself a veteran of that same SNL Band — to talk about the journey that brought him from a small town in Canada at the very northernmost tip of Highway 61 to sail that River of Song along with The World’s Most Dangerous Band\, and his — and our — wonderful place in that musical history\, then and now. \nP.S.: There’ll be a piano onstage\, and there WILL be music! \n*** \nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. VersoFest includes conversations where experts share their perspective and vision. Intimate workshops provide creators the opportunity to deconstruct\, improve\, and hone their craft. Performances entertain and inspire. \nClick here to learn more about this year’s festival. \n*** \nWith your registration/ticket purchase\, the bearer is entitled to one Complimentary Margarita\, Paloma\, or Aguafresca at Don Memo\, Westport. Please show your registration upon arrival. Thank you. \n\nFreegal Music\nHistory of Music
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-2025-oral-history-podcast-television-rocks-with-paul-shaffer-christine-ohlman/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Paul-Shaffer-with-Christine-Ohlman-2160x1320-lo-CoPZlT.tmp_.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250405T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250405T210000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20250131T172155Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250306T223727Z
UID:1520-1743879600-1743886800@versofest.org
SUMMARY:Verso Visionary: Hardcore Punk Legend Henry Rollins in Conversation with Nabil Ayers
DESCRIPTION:Buy Tickets: $35 \nHenry Rollins — musician\, spoken word artist\, and one of the forerunners of the hardcore punk scene — will be the Verso Visionary conversation during Saturday night of VersoFest 2025\, in conversation with fellow author and musician Nabil Ayers. \nRollins has held many titles in the past 45 years: singer\, writer\, spoken word artist\, actor\, producer\, radio host\, and outspoken frontman for Black Flag and the Rollins Band. After achieving international renown with the seminal punk band Black Flag in the early 1980s\, Rollins established his own record label and publishing company\, 2.13.61\, through which he released an array of books and his acclaimed spoken word albums. \nThroughout his career\, Rollins has offered an intimate look into his complex mind. His writing spans more than 25 titles\, including Get in the Van\, his memoir composed of journal entries from his time with Black Flag; the cathartic and brutally honest Solipsist; the raw psyche of Sic; his Black Coffee Blues trilogy\, which serves as a cross between poetry anthology\, memoir\, and travel diary; and many more. \nRollins also has hosted a number of radio shows\, including the weekly show he currently hosts on L.A.’s renowned NPR affiliate KCRW. He has also appeared as an actor in TV and movies\, including a recurring role in Sons of Anarchy\, and has been a columnist and essayist for Stereophile\, Rolling Stone Australia\, and LA Weekly. \n*** \nNo stranger to the inner workings of the music industry\, Ayers comes from a background of recording and touring globally as a drummer in several bands. He has held the position of president of record label Beggars Group US since 2022. \nAyers also hosts Identified\, a podcast about exploring family dynamics\, and has contributed to the New York Times\, The Guardian\, and GQ on topics of family\, race\, and music. In 2022\, he published his memoir My Life in the Sunshine\, which explores his journey to connect with his father\, jazz musician Roy Ayers. \n*** \nVersoFest 2025 is The Westport Library’s four-day music and media festival and conference taking place Thursday\, April 3\, through Sunday\, April 6. VersoFest provides a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge\, including panels where experts share their perspective and vision\, intimate workshops that provide creators the opportunity to deconstruct\, improve\, and hone their craft; and performances that entertain and inspire. \nPast VersoFest guests include hip hop legend Chuck D\, established hit-makers Spin Doctors and the Smithereens\, up-and-coming bands Sunflower Bean and the Lemon Twigs\, rockers Lez Zeppelin\, famed producers Steve Lillywhite (U2\, Dave Matthews Band) and Tony Visconti (David Bowie\, T. Rex)\, Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler\, the Doors drummer John Densmore\, Cramps drummer Miriam Linna\, Alice Cooper Group bassist Dennis Dunaway\, hip hop originators Tony Crush and Grand Wizzard Theodore\, Manic Panic’s Tish and Snooky\, and a wide array of authors\, photographers\, artists\, and thought leaders. \n*** \nWith your registration/ticket purchase\, the bearer is entitled to one Complimentary Margarita\, Paloma\, or Aguafresca at Don Memo\, Westport. Please show your registration upon arrival. Thank you. \n\nFreegal Music\nHistory of Music
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-visionary-2025-hardcore-punk-legend-henry-rollins-in-conversation-with-nabil-ayers/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250405T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250405T173000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20250320T142855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250320T142856Z
UID:2006-1743868800-1743874200@versofest.org
SUMMARY:Verso Visionary: Black Thought\, Lead Emcee of The Roots\, in Conversation with June Archer
DESCRIPTION:Register Here: FREE \nBlack Thought\, lead emcee and founding member of The Roots\, will headline Saturday afternoon at VersoFest 2025 alongside music industry executive\, entrepreneur\, and community leader June Archer. \nThe event is free to attend. Copies of Black Thought’s 2023 memoir\, The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are\, will be for sale\, with the author signing copies after the talk.   \nCrowned by HYPEBEAST as “one of the best lyricists in hip-hop history\,” critically acclaimed musician Tariq Trotter\, popularly known as Black Thought\, has led a diverse creative career not only as a musician\, actor\, writer\, and producer — but also as one of the most prolific\, innovative\, and powerful voices in hip hop. \nBlack Thought founded The Roots in 1987 alongside fellow hip-hop legend Questlove. From humble beginnings performing on Philadelphia street corners\, to more than two decades of commercial success before expanding their reach in 2009 as the house band for both Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and later The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon\, The Roots’ eclectic\, jazz-infused sound has transcended genres\, with Black Thought’s influence and musical mastery rendering the group a hip-hop cornerstone. \nIn all\, The Roots have produced 11 studio albums\, including their debut\, Organix (1993); the breakthrough Things Fall Apart (1999); the hard-hitting Game Theory (2006); the optimistic How I Got Over (2010); and countless more that have earned critical acclaim. \nBeyond collaborations with Eminem\, John Legend\, J Dilla\, Big Pun\, Linkin Park\, Logic\, and Fall Out Boy\, Black Thought also co-produced the multi-platinum\, Grammy Award-winning original Broadway cast recording of Hamilton. He has also succeeded in in film and television\, with work on projects such as HBO’s The Deuce and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Golden Globe-nominated Tick\, Tick… Boom! — as well as live theater\, in his roles as main composer and lyricist of the 2022 off-Broadway production Black No More\, which he also starred in. \nAfter getting his start in the music industry in 1995 as a member of the Elektra Records recording group Room Service\, Archer transitioned into the business side of the industry. His accolades include gold and platinum plaques for his work on albums by Jay-Z\, 50 Cent\, Mario\, Omarion\, Beyonce\, and more. A two-time Grammy and Soul Train Award nominee\, Archer also previously served eight years on the Grammy Committee. \nIn addition to his current role as CEO of The Eleven28 Entertainment Group\, Archer spearheaded the documentary Stepping Into the Shade — screened at The Westport Library in June 2024 — and he hosts the The Winner’s Circle podcast for rapper 50 Cent’s ‘This is 50’ platform. Archer is the founder of The June Archer School of Arts\, The Archer Foundation\, The 100 Men and Women of Color Black Tie Gala & Awards\, The New England Music Seminar\, the Hot Chocolate Soul performance showcase\, and June Archer’s Celebration of Life AIDS/Breast Cancer Fundraiser. In 2013\, he also added published author to his list of distinctions\, with his children’s books\, Yes! You Can and Yes! Every Day Can Be a Good Day. \n*** \nVersoFest is four days of music\, media\, and creativity\, running this year from April 3 to April 6 — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. In addition to Black Thought\, this year’s guests include Patti Smith\, Henry Rollins\, and Paul Shaffer\, with a Friday evening concert by the Wallflowers\, the Saturday weekend kickoff event hosted by 5iveFingaz\, and an all-star panel discussion on the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run\, plus art exhibits and workshops. In addition\, VersoFest will host the kickoff event to legendary post-punk band Gang of Four’s farewell tour on April 18. \nPast VersoFest guests have bridged connections between genre and medium\, including hip hop legend Chuck D\, established hit-makers Spin Doctors and the Smithereens\, up-and-coming bands Sunflower Bean and the Lemon Twigs\, rockers Lez Zeppelin\, famed producers Steve Lillywhite (U2\, Dave Matthews Band) and Tony Visconti (David Bowie\, T. Rex)\, Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler\, the Doors drummer John Densmore\, Cramps drummer Miriam Linna\, Alice Cooper Group bassist Dennis Dunaway\, hip-hop originators Tony Crush and Grand Wizzard Theodore\, Manic Panic’s Tish and Snooky\, and a wide array of authors\, photographers\, artists\, and thought leaders. \nFor more\, visit VersoFest.org.
URL:https://versofest.org/event/verso-visionary-black-thought-lead-emcee-of-the-roots-in-conversation-with-june-archer/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Authors & Books,Music & Film,Verso Studios
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250405T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250405T143000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20250204T200500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260101T185910Z
UID:1593-1743858000-1743863400@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest 2025 Panel Discussion: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’ at 50
DESCRIPTION:Register Here: Free \nJoin us for a special VersoFest panel discussion celebrating the 50th anniversary of Born to Run\, Bruce Springsteen’s breakthrough 1975 album — a seminal work that is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock albums of the 20th century. \nThe discussion will be hosted by Arlen Schumer\, author\, pop culture historian\, and the art director of Thunder Road\, the first magazine dedicated to Springsteen’s life and music; and Dick Wingate\, former music industry senior executive and current Verso Studios advisory board member who\, while at Columbia Records\, product managed Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town. \nSchumer and Wingate will be joined by an all-star panel including: \n\nMike Appel\, Springsteen’s first manager and the co-producer of Born to Run \nMichael Pillot\, former Columbia Records promotions director\nRobert Santelli\, executive director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music\nKenneth Womack\, music historian and co-author of 2024 Rutgers University Press book\, Bruce Songs\n\n*** \nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival\, where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. VersoFest includes panels where experts share their perspective and vision; intimate workshops provide creators the opportunity to deconstruct\, improve\, and hone their craft; performances entertain and inspire. \nAmong the guests scheduled for this year’s festival include Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and National Book Award winner Patti Smith\, legendary Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins\, David Letterman music director Paul Shaffer\, and author Andrea Warner\, plus an art exhibit\, a gospel revival\, and much more. \nLearn all about the festival and who will be appearing at VersoFest.org. \n*** \nWith your registration/ticket purchase\, the bearer is entitled to one Complimentary Margarita\, Paloma\, or Aguafresca at Don Memo\, Westport. Please show your registration upon arrival. Thank you. \n  \n\nFreegal Music\nHistory of Music
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-2025-panel-discussion-bruce-springsteens-born-to-run-at-50/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250404T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250404T220000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20250214T142754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250318T210417Z
UID:1713-1743793200-1743804000@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest 2025 Concert Event: The Wallflowers\, LIVE at The Westport Library
DESCRIPTION:Buy Tickets!: $100 \nThe Wallflowers\, who rose to fame behind their iconic 1996 album Bringing Down the Horse and who have continued to thrive as one of rock’s most dynamic and purposeful bands in the three decades since\, will be the headlining act for the VersoFest 2025 concert event. \nDoors open at 7 pm (no bags allowed; standing room only*; no refunds). The Wallflowers take the stage at 8:30 pm. \nFor the past 30 years\, the band has stood as a unit dedicated to and continually honing a sound that meshes timeless songwriting and storytelling with a hard-hitting and decidedly modern musical attack. That signature style has been present through the decades\, baked into the grooves of smash hits like “One Headlight\,” “Three Marlenas\,” and “6th Avenue Heartache” from Bringing Down the Horse — as well as a continued outstanding body of work present on standout albums like Breach (2000)\, Rebel\, Sweetheart (2005)\, and Glad All Over (2012). \nIn recent years\, Jakob Dylan — the Wallflowers’ founding singer\, songwriter\, and guitarist — has stepped outside the band\, first with a pair of acoustic\, rootsy records\, 2008’s Seeing Things and 2010’s Women + Country\, and then with the 2018 film Echo in the Canyon and the accompanying soundtrack\, which saw Dylan collaborate with a host of artists classic and contemporary\, from Neil Young and Eric Clapton to Beck and Fiona Apple. \nDylan returned to the Wallflowers in 2021 with the release of Exit Wounds\, the first collection of new Wallflowers material since Glad All Over\, and the band continues to play widely and to ardent crowds. In addition to their stop at the Library\, the band will tour this spring and summer tour across the U.S. and Canada\, with stops in Arkansas\, California\, Minnesota\, New York\, Oklahoma\, Texas\, and much more. \n*This event is designated as ‘standing room only\,’ however\, if accessible seating is required\, please contact Robin Powell (rpowell@westportlibrary.org) directly to inquire about available options in a nearby accessible location. \n*** \nVersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media festival — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. This year’s festival runs April 3 to April 6. \nIn addition to the Wallflowers\, featured guests include Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and National Book Award winner Patti Smith\, hardcore punk pioneer Henry Rollins\, and longtime David Letterman music director Paul Shaffer. There will also be a symposium celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run\, special exhibits by local graffiti artist 5iveFingaz\, a weekend kickoff celebration\, and a gospel revival\, plus workshops and more. \nPrevious bands to play at VersoFest include established acts the Smithereens and Spin Doctors\, rising artists Sunflower Bean and the Lemon Twigs\, and local products Lez Zeppelin.
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-2025-concert-event-the-wallflowers-live-at-the-westport-library/
LOCATION:The Trefz Forum\, The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Music & Film,Verso Studios
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://versofest.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/The-Wallflowers-2160x1320-1-QlOwLd.tmp_.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250403T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250403T210000
DTSTAMP:20260419T055103
CREATED:20250211T035921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250318T185558Z
UID:1659-1743706800-1743714000@versofest.org
SUMMARY:VersoFest Visionary: Musician\, Artist\, and Icon Patti Smith\, in Conversation with Alisyn Camerota
DESCRIPTION:Buy Tickets: $45 \nVersoFest 2025 is kicking off with a legend of music and letters. \nPatti Smith\, the acclaimed singer/songwriter\, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee\, and National Book Award winner\, will open The Westport Library’s fourth annual music and media festival on April 3. \nDoors open at 6:15 pm. The talk begins at 7 pm. \nSmith is revered for her work as a performer and songwriter — her 1975 album Horses has been hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the top 100 albums of all time. Her 2010 volume\, Just Kids\, won the National Book Award for nonfiction. She is also the author of New York Times best-sellers M Train and Year of the Monkey and works of poetry including Auguries of Innocence. \nAt VersoFest\, Smith will discuss her latest volume\, A Book of Days\, with award-winning journalist and rock and roll memoirist Alisyn Camerota. Inspired by Smith’s wildly popular Instagram account\, the New York Times best-selling photo book A Book of Days catalogs 365 images taking the reader through a single year of Smith’s life. \nTickets for this event include a seat in the Trefz Forum for her talk as well as a copy of A Book of Days. \n*** \nAlisyn Camerota is an award-winning journalist and author. She spent 10 years anchoring various programs on CNN\, everything from the network’s morning show\, New Day\, to primetime specials. Before CNN\, Camerota was an anchor and correspondent at FOX\, best known as part of the FOX+Friends franchise. In her three decades in journalism\, Camerota covered major stories nationally and internationally\, earning two Emmy Awards for her breaking news coverage of the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and the on-air arrest of Roger Stone. She also received the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for her breaking news coverage of Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico\, and a DuPont-Columbia Award for coverage of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. \nCamerota’s debut novel\, Amanda Wakes Up\, was selected by National Public Radio as one of the best books of 2017\, and by Oprah Magazine as “a must read.” Her recent memoir Combat Love instantly became an Amazon best-seller. She is on the national advisory council of The News Literacy Project\, which works to teach middle and high school students how to spot misinformation\, as well as the importance of freedom of the press. \n*** \nVersoFest is four days of music\, media\, and creativity\, running next year from April 3 to April 6 — a forum for media creators\, artists\, and fans to converge. VersoFest includes conversations where experts share their perspective and vision; intimate workshops provide creators the opportunity to deconstruct\, improve\, and hone their craft; performances entertain and inspire. \nPast VersoFest guests include hip hop legend Chuck D\, established hit-makers Spin Doctors and the Smithereens\, up-and-coming bands Sunflower Bean and the Lemon Twigs\, rockers Lez Zeppelin\, famed producers Steve Lillywhite (U2\, Dave Matthews Band) and Tony Visconti (David Bowie\, T. Rex)\, Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler\, the Doors drummer John Densmore\, Cramps drummer Miriam Linna\, Alice Cooper Group bassist Dennis Dunaway\, hip hop originators Tony Crush and Grand Wizzard Theodore\, Manic Panic’s Tish and Snooky\, and a wide array of authors\, photographers\, artists\, and thought leaders. \n\nPatti Smith\nFreegal Music
URL:https://versofest.org/event/versofest-visionary-musician-artist-and-icon-patti-smith/
LOCATION:The Westport Library\, 20 Jesup Road\, Westport\, CT\, 06880\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adults,Authors & Books,Music & Film,The Arts & Exhibits,Verso Studios
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