New Canaan Library invites the community to a free music and dance party under the stars, Saturday, May 25, on the Library Green. Guests can celebrate the start of the Memorial Day weekend with a special evening of live music and dance lessons with two incredible sets of artists. Beginning at 6 pm, and running until 10 pm, the event will feature Latin music including samba and more with the Brasilian Vibes band featuring renowned vibraphonist, Arthur Lipner, followed by the exciting, Hartford-based Latin Heartbeat Orchestra. Before each performance, the crowd will be treated to a half-hour of expert dance instruction to tune up their samba/salsa skills led by a team of six dance professionals including Ted Thomas and Frances Ortiz of New Canaan’s own New England Dance Academy.
“Think of it as New Canaan’s answer to Midsummer Night Swing at Lincoln Center or the Dance Party at Bryant Park,” noted Ellen Sullivan Crovatto, VP Philanthropy and External Affairs. “This inaugural event officially launches the start of exciting new events and programs on the Library Green. We hope people love it and that this will become an annual event that will showcase musicians and dancers across a wide range of genres and styles.”
This free public event is intended for adults; registration is required and will be limited to 350 people. Registration must be made online at newcanaanlibrary.org/groove. When registration is confirmed, registrants will be directed with a confirming email when to pick up an entry bracelet from the Library the week of May 20th. Bracelets will be required for entry to this event.
Guests may bring their own picnics, and all are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for any dance breaks between sets, as seating will be very limited.
Special takeout dinner boxes will be available for purchase in advance from The Farmer’s Grind café at the Library. Pickup will be at the Library starting at 6 pm on the night of the event. All dinner orders must be placed by May 17. Visit https://the-farmers-grind.square.site/ for more information and to order.
Groove on the Green is a “Carry In + Carry Out” event in line with the Library’s sustainability aims. Compostable trash bags will be provided to guests upon entry. Attendees are encouraged to “Carry In” any seating, blankets, and food items to enjoy on the Library Green and use the compostable trash bags provided to “Carry Out” to dispose of at home.
Leading corporate sponsorship support has been graciously provided by Karl Chevrolet and Walter Stewart’s.
“What a fun night in New Canaan! We are pleased to support this creative event and we look forward to enjoying the Library Green this season!” says Doug Stewart of Walter Stewart’s.
“Karl Chevrolet is honored and excited to partner with our friends at New Canaan Library to sponsor the very first large event to be held on the all-new Library green,” says Steve Karl. “We can’t imagine a better way to kick off the summer season here in New Canaan than hosting a big dance party on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. We think the event will appeal to everyone, and hopefully we can all learn a few new dance moves in the process!”
