News

  • Reasons to get excited Reasons to get excited

    Jul 08, 2008 9:00 AM - The Day Originally published July 8, 2008

    Many good people care deeply about New London and are poised to move city ahead. The very special event held last week at the Garde Arts Center provided an overriding impression - New London is a city on the move. Full Story

  • Pre:View New London at the Garde Arts Center

    Jun 25, 2008 9:00 AM - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2008 Media Contact: Steve Sigel, 860-444-4410 Penny Parkesian, 860-444-2489

    (NEW LONDON, CT) The Garde Arts Center will host PRE:VIEW NEW LONDON, a civic gathering of New London's organizations and businesses, on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 5:30 PM, free to the general public, at the Garde Theater, 325 State Street in New London. Full Story

  • New London's New Direction

    Jun 20, 2008 9:00 AM - Editorial, The Day Originally published June 20, 2008

    There's more sizzle in downtown New London and it's not just the weather that is heating up. In recent weeks, at least six new businesses have opened, and several others are at various stages in their downtown development plans. The city's Storefront Initiative has also perked up some of the empty and dilapidated Bank and State street storefront windows, making the central business district more attractive.

    And there's more good news. City boosters are planning the first annual "Preview New London," which will bring together representatives of the city's cultural, economic, education, civic, business and government operations to share ideas and plans and see if as a group they can nudge New London toward the vibrant, urban, historic small-business district that many believe it can be. Full Story

  • Nina Simone's Daughter Launches First Album Nina Simone's Daughter Launches First Album

    Jun 11, 2008 9:00 AM - Motif Magazine Originally published June 11, 2008

    In her mother's footsteps. Simone, daughter of the legendary Nina Simone, performs songs from her first full-length album in New London, Conn., this June. The show, taking place at the Garde Arts Center June 19 and 20 at 8 p.m., features songs from the album Simone on Simone, which the artist says is a tribute to her world-famous mother. Full Story

  • Musta Got Lost? Musta Got Lost?

    Apr 24, 2008 9:00 AM - Rick Koster, The Day Originally published April 24, 2008

    Angel might be the centerfold, but '30s-era jazz guitarist Charlie Christian would certainly be the cover image of any musical encyclopedia as envisioned by J. Geils.

    As titular head of the multi-platinum, Boston-based J. Geils Band, the guitarist Geils spent years playing the rock 'n' roll stage fueled by such hits as “Freeze Frame,” “Love Stinks,” “Give It To Me,” “(Ain't Nothin' But A) House Party” and, yes, the MTV-happy “Centerfold.” Full Story

  • Old Friends Old Friends

    Apr 24, 2008 9:00 AM - Kathleen Edgecomb, The Day Originally published April 24, 2008

    The City of New London and the U.S. Coast Guard are celebrating a 218-year-old relationship Saturday and Sunday with concerts, parades, boat tours and lunch with a cadet.

    At 10:30 a.m., Sat., cadets, other Coast Guard units and a variety of community-based organizations will parade down Bank Street to the Parade and then up State Street.

    At 2 p.m., the Coast Guard Band will perform a free concert at the Garde Arts Center. Full Story

  • Making Headlines with Magic of Show Biz Making Headlines with Magic of Show Biz

    Apr 18, 2008 9:00 AM - Kristina Dorsey, The Day - originally published April 18, 2008

    Some might call it magic. Others, a publicity stunt. Either way, it's 100 percent showbiz.

    There's nothing like a big ol' Event with a capital E to ramp up interest in an upcoming show, and even in absentia, magician Mike Super created a scene at high noon Thursday at the Garde Arts Center. A crane hoisted a newspaper vendor box 40 feet up onto the roof above the theatre marquee.

    Inside the box is Super's prediction of what the lead headline will be in The Day on May 10, when he is set to perform at the Garde. Full Story

  • Ready for the Big Time - Connecticut Lyric Opera Ready for the Big Time - Connecticut Lyric Opera

    Apr 14, 2008 10:31 AM - Kathleen Edgecomb, The Day Originally published April 14, 2008

    John Waller knew the Connecticut Lyric Opera — a grassroots company he created five years ago with three others with the goal of making opera more accessible — was on its way when the group opened an office in January in downtown New London.

    During Christmas break from his job at Ortronics in New London, where he is Web application developer, Waller helped repair drywall and paint.

    “It was a great moment when we moved the filing cabinet from my basement to the office,'' he says. Full Story

  • The Guard at the Garde The Guard at the Garde

    Apr 08, 2008 6:16 PM - NEW LONDON—As part of the festivities for “The U.S. Coast Guard and New London: Celebrating 218 Years Together,” the U.S. Coast Guard Band presents a free performance at the Garde Arts Center in downtown New London on Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. Full Story

  • Movin' Out is Moving to the Garde Movin' Out is Moving to the Garde

    Mar 26, 2008 10:36 AM - Sharma Howard, Norwich Bulletin Originally published March 26, 2008

    The psychological ravages of war furrowed into the American culture after the Vietnam War; grief, guilt, anger and rampant drug use all trailed the pert, post-war idealism of World War II.

    When one listens, that’s what rock legend Billy Joel reflected in his hit songs, which attracted Twyla Tharp, a choreographer known for fusing classical sensibility with other dance genres for layered, electrically charged movement. In 2002, she debuted a new type of musical to narrate Joel’s work. “Movin’ Out,” will come to the Garde Arts Center Saturday and Sunday. Full Story

  • Life should be more like Hairspray Life should be more like Hairspray

    Mar 13, 2008 10:42 AM - Marshall Williams, Westerly Sun Originally published March 13, 2008

    If life were everything it could be, it would be more like "Hairspray," said the critics when this cheerfully demented musical opened six years ago in New York and London. Based on the cheerfully demented film by the cheerfully demented John Waters, "Hairspray" finds moral strength among cross-dressing parents and image-conscious fat teenagers who somehow know how to do the right thing when hefty push comes to triple-step shove. Full Story

  • Artistic Justice Served Artistic Justice Served

    Jan 17, 2008 11:07 AM - Eric Danton, Hartford Courant Originally published January 17, 2008

    There's nothing allegorical about the title of Bettye LaVette's latest album, The Scene of the Crime.

    It's a cold case now, and some of the principles have since died, but she is certainly the victim of a musical felony committed some 35 years ago. Full Story

  • Evita Is Stunning as Garde's Latest Flame Evita Is Stunning as Garde's Latest Flame

    Jan 12, 2008 11:42 AM - Kristina Dorsey, The Day Originally published January 12, 2008

    It's amazing how fresh, three decades later, Evita can still feel. The Troika production that started a two-day stand Friday at the Garde Arts Center shined up and showed off the musical's considerable merits. The songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice still exhibit a complexity and emotionalism that critics often accuse Webber's creations of lacking. The staging was inventive, creatively conveying the story's epic sweep. Full Story

  • Evita Comes to the Garde Stage This Weekend

    Jan 10, 2008 2:41 PM - Tim Malcolm, Norwich Bulletin Originally published January 10, 2008

    The sweeping story of the rise of Eva Peron is coming to New London with the Garde Arts Center’s production of “Evita” Friday and Saturday.

    Peron became Argentina’s most celebrated heroine, a woman who rose quickly to prominence alongside husband, Argentinian President Juan Peron. Her story was immortalized in 1977, when Andrew Lloyd Weber, popularly known as the king of the musical, developed a concept album, then a musical, about her life. Full Story

  • gardearts.org Adds Online Giving to Patron Internet Options

    Dec 28, 2007 9:25 AM - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 28, 2007
    Media Contact:
    Amy Moum, 860-444-4406;
    amy@gardearts.org

    (New London, CT) The Garde Arts Center, Southeastern Connecticut’s non-profit regional performing arts center in downtown New London, is now offering an on-line giving program on its website www.gardearts.org. Full Story

  • Evita Ushers in 2008 at the Garde in Legendary Style

    Dec 13, 2007 4:15 PM - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2007
    Media Contact:
    Amy Moum, 860-444-4406;
    amy@gardearts.org

    (New London, CT) The Citizens Bank Broadway Series returns for 2008 with EVITA, the compelling story of Eva “Evita” Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. A dynamic, larger-than-life persona, Evita captivated a nation by championing the working class. The epic story of her rise and fall will come to the Garde Arts Center on January 11 & 12, 2008, Friday at 8:00pm and Saturday at 3:00 and 8:00 pm. Full Story

  • Staples & LaVette an Evening of Blues, Gospel, R&B

    Dec 12, 2007 4:22 PM - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2007
    Media Contact:
    Amy Moum, 860-444-4406;
    amy@gardearts.org

    (New London, CT) Soul and gospel legend MAVIS STAPLES joins with blues diva BETTYE LaVETTE for an extraordinary evening with two of the most recognizable voices of this century on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 8:00 pm in an event co-presented with Kitchings Productions and sponsored by ShopRite of Norwich and New London. Full Story

  • Pizzarelli Makes the Classics Current

    Dec 08, 2007 4:13 PM - Chuck Obuchowski, Hartford Courant Originally published December 8, 2007

    John Pizzarelli delivered compelling renditions of nearly 20 standard pop songs at the Garde Arts Center in New London Thursday. The jazz scene is currently flooded with vocalists who draw upon the Great American songbook for inspiration, but Pizzarelli is one of very few who consistently communicate the magic of these pieces to 21st century audiences.

    As he demonstrated repeatedly at the Garde, Pizzarelli has mastered the art of inhabiting a song's lyrics. He made Nat "King" Cole's "I'm an Errand Boy for Rhythm" a robust personal proclamation. During "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," he portrayed an abandoned lover with equal conviction. Full Story

  • Dynamic Duo

    Dec 06, 2007 4:00 PM - Rick Koster, The Day Originally published December 6, 2007

    Of late, the Garde Arts Center in New London has been running a sort of “two for one coupon,” if you will, for some pretty spectacular evenings of music.

    There was the astounding Sam Bush/Joe Bonamassa bill, the Ruthie Foster and Madeleine Peyroux show, and also the Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby tandem. And folks are already looking ahead to February for the stunning pairing of the subdudes and BeauSoleil.

    In the meantime, tonight, add to this impressive Gardean trend a show featuring jazzers Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli. Full Story

  • Rise in Inflation

    Dec 06, 2007 3:48 PM - Kathleen Edgecomb, The Day Originally published December 6, 2007

    The Fred Garbo Inflatable Theater is just a lot of hot air. Well, helium actually.

    The show features larger-than-life blocks that bounce around and cylinders that slither across the stage. Humans appear from colorful changelings that gather throughout the theater.

    Fred Garbo and Daielma Santos bring their inflatable inventions of ripstop nylon and whimsical shapes to the Garde Arts Center Saturday. It's been described as “graceful ballet meets vaudevillian slapstick.”

    Members of the theater have been on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” appeared on stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and have received audience adulation in Chile, Japan, Ireland and Brazil. Full Story

  • Pizzarelli and Monheit Perform in New London

    Dec 06, 2007 3:41 PM - Owen McNally, Hartford Courant Originally published December 6, 2007

    John Pizzarelli and Jane Monheit, two top contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook, are featured on a strong double-bill tonight at 8 at New London's Garde Arts Center.

    Pizzarelli, a triple-threat performer as vocalist, guitarist and amusing, between-songs raconteur, will dip into selections from his latest CD, Dear Mr. Sinatra (Telarc International).

    Monheit, a dazzling diva who's much at home with both jazz and cabaret material, will, more than likely, serve up samplers from her recent album, Surrender (Concord). Full Story

  • Rhapsody in Blue

    Nov 15, 2007 1:57 PM - Rick Koster, The Day Originally published November 15, 2007

    The obvious question, when considering a bill that includes both mandolin bluegrass virtuoso Sam Bush and blues guitar wizard Joe Bonamassa, is: Please, God, will they jam together?

    This becomes even more tantalizing — yes, that's drool oozing out of the computer keyboard — when Bush and Bonamassa come to our part of the world. And, indeed, Bush and Bonamassa perform Sunday at the Garde Arts Center in New London. Full Story

  • Clowns and More Clowns

    Nov 05, 2007 11:34 AM - Kathleen Edgecomb, The Day Originally published October 25, 2007

    The Russian American Kids Circus will swing onto the Garde Arts Center stage on Saturday, performing acrobatics, synchronized unicycling, tightrope walking, juggling, aerial feats and balancing acts.

    Before they take to the stage, though, roving jugglers and clowns on unicycles will prime theatergoers with gravity-defying feats.

    Six clowns from ARTFARM, a non-profit, professional theater troupe based in Middletown that focuses its clowning on making the planet a better place, will mingle for an hour before the 4 p.m. show. Full Story

  • Make Merry

    Nov 01, 2007 11:31 AM - Kathleen Edgecomb, The Day Originally published November 1, 2007

    I've known a few widows in my lifetime, and nary a one was merry.

    But Paris in the early 20th century apparently was the place to be if your late husband left you a few million francs. There were parties and great ball gowns, and suitors vying for your attention. It was enough to make any widow merry.

    So it goes in Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow, which the Garde Arts Center is presenting at 8 p.m. Saturday. The opera, which features soloists from the Prague State Opera, will be performed by the Czech Opera Prague in German with English subtitles. Full Story

  • Dead On

    Oct 26, 2007 11:40 AM - Rick Koster, The Day Originally published October 26, 2007

    It's not exactly how Ben Affleck and Matt Damon got started. Or, for that matter, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Instead, G. Randyl Johnson was selling mortgages. Gordon Videll, an attorney, attended the closings of some of those transactions as part of his job. They became friends who would occasionally meet for a beer at Hanafin's Public House — conveniently located downstairs from Videll's downtown New London office — to discuss all matter of odd topics.

    One day, Johnson, who lives in Groton, broached a subject he'd read about: diamonds being created as memorials from the carbon in the ashes of cremated loved ones. And he said to Videll, “You know what would make a great horror movie? What if the diamonds talked to you through the spirits of their dead people?”

    Videll, a New London resident, wasn't particularly interested in horror movies, but the core idea of the actual ashes-to-gems process intrigued him as the basis of a film plot. Full Story

  • Bruce and Ricky's Excellent Musical Adventure

    Oct 26, 2007 9:07 AM - Rick Koster, The Day Originally published October 25, 2007

    It's been years since Bruce Hornsby hit with “The Way It Is” — anyone even remember that his band was called The Range? Since then, he's been the ultimate musical chameleon, trying different styles and genres and playing with all sorts of musicians. (And, yes,that includes stints with the Grateful Dead, who, now that I think about it, are even more chameleon-y.)

    What shines through all this is: A) Hornsby's virtuosity and B) his musical thirst for new adventure. Full Story

  • Television and radio legends' love story unfolds at Garde

    Sep 14, 2007 1:25 PM - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2007
    Media Contact:
    Amy Moum, 860-444-4406;
    amy@gardearts.org

    (New London) SAY GOODNIGHT, GRACIE: The Life, Love and Laughter of George Burns and Gracie Allen comes to the Garde Arts Center on Friday, September 28, 2007 at 8:00 pm to tell the tender and funny love story of America’s most famous radio couple. Full Story

  • Garde Arts Among Local Recipients of State Culture Awards

    Apr 22, 2007 1:21 AM - By AMY LAWSON
    Norwich Bulletin

    The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism announced Wednesday several Eastern Connecticut cultural organizations are among the recipients of the group's Arts Endowment Fund Awards. Full Story

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Garde Arts Center
325 State Street
New London, CT 06320
Tickets 860-444-7373
info@gardearts.org