Around Town

Letter: Library Thanks Community for Successful Speakeasy, One Book New Canaan

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On Wednesday evening March 25, New Canaan Library wrapped up its month-long One Book New Canaan exploration of Bill Bryson’s One Summer: America, 1927 with a wildly successful Speakeasy event. Thanks to an enthusiastic community, and the goodwill of so many New Canaan merchants, the Library was able to create a spirited and fun evening for all who attended. With many guests arriving in authentic 1920s style, the Adrian Lamb Room was transformed into a true, Prohibition era Speakeasy complete with jazz piano and delicious samplings and tastings from our supporting local merchants and vendors. New Canaan Library gratefully acknowledges the participation and donations of New Canaan businesses and Chamber members: ONE HOPE Wine, Carpe Diem, Charter Oak Brewing Company, Fjord Fish Market, Forever Sweet Bakery, J. Hilbrun Men’s Clothiers, Little’s Specialty Foods, New Canaan Wine Merchants, New Canaan Olive Oil, Sorelle Gallery, South End, Venture Photography, Walter Stewart’s Market and Stewarts Spirits. The Library also deeply appreciates the support of Karl Chevrolet, National Charity League, PJ Marcella and Susan Freedgood and always, the membership of New Canaan Library.

Around Town

SLIDESHOW: Guys, Dolls Celebrate Roaring ’20s at New Canaan Library’s Speakeasy

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Dozens of residents donned flapper dresses, boater hats and other 1920s-era garb Wednesday evening as part of New Canaan Library’s “speakeasy” in the Lamb Room. The latest in a series of One Book New Canaan events that will culminate Saturday with “The Murder and Booze Cabaret” at Powerhouse Theater, the speakeasy featured a live piano player, silent films on the screen up front and local merchants—many of them also getting into the spirit by donning Roaring Twenties costumes—lining the edges of the party, offering drinks and food to the guys and dolls who dropped in. “We are thrilled to have such a good turnout tonight at our speakeasy,” Community Engagement Coordinator said. “We’re especially pleased that all of the participants are either New Canaan residents, businesses or members of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce. I think everybody is having a great time.”

It looked like it—see photo gallery above.

Around Town

UPDATE: With Foul Weather Coming, Library’s Speakeasy Rescheduled for March 25

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UPDATE 10:30 a.m. Wednesday: New Canaan Library has rescheduled Thursday’s planned speakeasy due to the snow and sleet that’s expected to hit the town and region overnight. The new date is Wednesday, March 25, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Original Article

New Canaan businesses are gearing up for the kickoff event for this year’s One Book New Canaan initiative: the speakeasy at New Canaan Library, set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday (register here). Conceived in the spirit of the library’s chosen book for this year—Bill Bryson’s nonfiction “One Summer: America 1927,” which spotlights Prohibition, as well as Charles Lindbergh’s virgin flight across the Atlantic, Babe Ruth’s 60-home run season and other cultural milestones—the speakeasy features all local businesses, library officials say. That’s an important part of this event and the larger initiative, since One Book New Canaan “is a community read,” said Community Engagement Library Jocelyn Glatthorn. “I wanted to showcase our New Canaan businesses and all the participants in this event are local businesses and institutions,” she said.

Business

New Canaan Restaurants Prep for Al Fresco Dining Season

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Despite rainy days forecast for the week ahead, New Canaan received true, prolonged tastes of spring with picture-perfect weather the past two weekends. With Spring at long last arrived in earnest, local restaurateurs such as Henry Rosenbaum of Boulevard 18 began preparation for the resulting demand for outdoor dining. “We are thrilled,” Rosenbaum said on a recent evening at Boulevard 18, also a top-5 most romantic New Canaan restaurants selection. “We had people out on Friday and Saturday night on the patio, which was the sign for spring.”

In addition to the idyllic al fresco dining on Main Street at Boulevard 18, New Canaan’s “Restaurant Row” has several options, including Cava, Tequila Mockingbird and the soon-to-be-reopened Farmer’s Table where chef Robert Ubaldo and partner Lucia Leone are working nonstop to get the former Bistro Bonne Nuit space ready for business. NewCanaanite.com received an impromptu peek at the new Farmer’s Table space, which will feature an open kitchen and rustic design in addition to the sidewalk patio.