By Liz Leamy
Last Saturday, the spirit of New Orleans descended upon the town as more than 8,000 revelers came together at the 2023 Greenwich Town Party held at the picturesque waterfront Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in order to kick off the summer season in golden style.
This celebrated annual event, that has been held since 2011 and has featured a such iconic musicians and bands as Billy Joel, the Eagles, Earth, Wind and Fire, Eric Clapton, Santana, the Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Steely Dan over the years, was an unforgettable experience with a spirited New Orleans theme that revolved around the blues and jazz culture of this storied ‘Queen of the South’ American locale.
“One of the things I wanted to do was to bring the New Orleans culture in the sense of community because it’s a lot more than music that we’re listening to. The culture of New Orleans is over 200 years old and in terms of music culture, it’s a bouillabaisse,” said Ray Dalio of Greenwich, founder of Bridgewater Associates, the largest hedge fund in the world who is CIO Mentor and Member of the Bridgewater Board and the Greenwich Town Party figurehead who formulated this event more than a decade ago. “This whole thing’s about community. The people who work here, the volunteers and everybody who’s here, it’s all so wonderful.”
In seeing all the people at this event who were laughing, chatting and catching up with one another while enjoying the amazing lineup of musicians such as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band featuring Wyclef Jean, Ivan Neville, Cyril Neville, Irma Thomas and Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’ Andrews, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Revivalists and others, including Harry Connick Jr., who made an unexpected guest appearance at the end of the night, this was a remarkable experience on all fronts.
“It has been a truly magical experience here today,” said Scot Weicker, the esteemed head of SBWEvents Group, the event planning and management company based in Old Greenwich that has been responsible for organizing and implementing the Greenwich Town Party since 2011. “Music is something that brings people together and this is a celebration of what that is all about.”
In addition to the main acts, there were also other musicians and artists, some who are locally based, who performed in memorable fashion.
This faction included the Greenwich High School Jazz Ensemble, Brunswick Music Improv Group, Drew Angus, Pete Francis, Herman & Company, Bennie Rose and Kings Highway, among others.
Collectively, these musical artists transmitted the powerful spirit of the New Orleans jazz and blues experience while at the same time, drawing the individuals there together who came from from in and around the area in celebration of this dynamic culture.
Perhaps more than anything, this year’s event vividly captured the golden spirit of the town.
“We’re so fortunate to have this event here. It’s a wonderful town with an incredible community of people and I consider myself fortunate to be part of it all,” said Weicker, who lives in Greenwich with his wife, Lisa, and is son of Lowell P. Weicker, the former U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator and 85th Governor of the State of Connecticut.
Weicker, meanwhile, credited all of the individuals and organizations who help make this event happen, including its dedicated and loyal faction of attendees, sponsors, vendors, artists, neighbor supporters, first responders, non-profit organizations, businesses and so many others who have helped make it such a successful venture every year.
“So many people help make this event happen,” said Weicker. “It’s a village that really makes it work like it all does.”
Weicker cited the Herculean role Ray Dalio has played and continues to play in regard to the success and execution of the Greenwich Town Party since it first began up through to the present.
“Ray Dalio is the one who is responsible for this event and he is why we’re all here,” said Weicker. “He loves music and is so committed to sharing his love of music with the community and so many others through the Greenwich Town Party every year.”
A memorable day for everyone involved
This music festival, held on a glorious sunny Saturday that morphed into a breezy warm-weather evening, lived up to its theme of ‘Laissez le bons temps rouler’ (a French saying that means ‘let the good times roll’) in every way, especially considering all the offerings and activities there.
In addition to the talented litany of musical artists, there were more than a dozen food vendors on hand including the Tomatillo Taco Joint based in Cos Cob, Longford’s Ice Cream headquartered in Stamford along with others who had continuous lines of customers throughout the event.
“This has been a great event, as it always is. Everyone is having a good time and we’ve been busier than ever,” said Ralph Pietrafesa, President and Director of Sales at Longford’s Ice Cream, a vendor who has been part of the Greenwich Town Party since 2013. “We love being here and it’s an event we look forward to every year.”
Near the food vendors, there was a children’s activity area with bouncy houses and face painting, among other things, all of which were a huge hit with the young crowd.
“The kids are having a ball,” said Pietrafesa. “This event captures the personality and spirit of the town like no other.”
By the entry gate, meanwhile, there was a faction of first responders that included members of the Greenwich Fire Department and Greenwich Emergency Medical Service organizations as well.
“It’s been awesome to be here,” said Lieutenant Michael Varanelli of the Greenwich Fire Department. “It’s great to be out here and with the community and be out in the public eye.”
Varanelli also said the New Orleans jazz and blues theme added to the whole excitement and energy of the event.
“The New Orleans theme is really cool,” said Varanelli. “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves after a long couple of hard years, which is nice.”
Meanwhile, a roped-off area near the center stage field featuring a showcase of representatives from various local businesses and non-profit organizations was another hotspot.
This contingent included Abilis, the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, the Metro New York North Chapter of American Red Cross and Junior League of Greenwich, among other groups.
“It’s been a great day here,” said Amy Montimurro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Abilis, a nonprofit organization based in Greenwich that provides services and support to individuals with special needs and their families from birth through the life span. “We’ve seen a lot of people we know and everyone is really enjoying themselves. People want to get involved and be part of the organization, which has been terrific. We want people to know we’re here and that is the most important thing.”
For Montimurro, the Greenwich Town Party represents so much of what the community stands for and is all about.
“This is a celebration of a great community that supports and has supported one another for years,” said Montimurro, whose organization has been serving the special needs community in lower Fairfield County for more than 70 years and has been participating in the Greenwich Town Party since the event’s commencement back in 2011.
Others agreed, including Frank D’Agostino, whose popular Greenwich Town Party merchandise tent he has run with his wife, Silvani, for more than a dozen years, was teeming with customers perusing and purchasing its collectible items all throughout the event.
“It’s been a fantastic day. Everyone here seems to be having a great time and embracing the whole New Orleans jazz and blues theme and we’re loving it,” said D’Agostino, who, with his wife Silvani, runs Party Planners, which provides the collectible merchandise for the Greenwich Town Party every year that are all famously emblazed with the event’s classic logo and lineup of artists. “The vibe here is very dynamic. The weather is beautiful and there’s a lot of excitement in the air. It’s just been great to be here.”
According to D’Agostino, whose merchandise also included thermal water bottles, beach towels and other fun things, the hoodies, towels and baseball caps were the biggest-selling items at this year’s event.
By all accounts, this year’s Greenwich Town Party was a true community experience on all fronts.
“This is a celebration of Greenwich and of its surrounding community,” said Monica Di Costanzo of Stamford, who was at the party with her friend, Kathleen Fillion of Stamford, a stylist and makeup artist at Salon Greenwich on Greenwich Avenue. “It’s so good to be out and about with so many people who are enjoying the music, activities, food and other things here. Everyone’s having a great time and it’s a terrific way for everyone to come together.”
Others agreed.
“Everyone is smiling and having a good time,” said Yuki Ikeda, Program Director of the Old Greenwich-Riverside Community Center (OGRCC), who was at the event with Suzanne Wind, OGRCC Marketing Director who were both providing information on this town-based organization that offers recreational, athletic, educational and social programs to individuals. “It’s a place where everyone comes together and it’s been a lot of fun being here.”