Welcome

Downtown Bridgeport welcomes a new restaurant to its expanding list of culinary delights. A Taste of Seafood is no stranger to city life. This family owned restaurant hales from Harlem bringing their fryolators and fried fish secrets to 29 Markle Court, right next door to City Lights Gallery. Famous for their heaping fish sandwich, ultra orange mac and cheese and oversized chicken wings, A Taste of Seafood is sure to have crowds lining up for more. Be sure to add this new restaurant to the growing list of Downtown Bridgeport's culinary destinations.

Bijou Square back on Track

Phil Kuchma, President of Kuchma Corporation, stood among city and state housing officials at the July 8th celebration marking the construction re-start at Bijou Square. The project, which started more than 2 years ago, had fallen victim to the failing economy. As the market took its turn and funding dried up, the mixed-use construction project sat untouched. Kuchma remained steadfast to the project working diligently to secure it's future. With a crew of more than 60 workers on site, the signs of progress are evident as the 5-story building now showcases windows and a detailed brick façade.

Mayor Finch, CHFA President Tim Bannon, HUD New England Regional Administrator Richard Walega and members of Bridgeport's Downtown Community were on hand to acknowledge Kuchma and celebrate the resurrection of his vision. Located at the corner of Fairfield Ave and Lafayette Boulevard, the project will serve as home to 84 residential units along with ground-floor retail space.

Farmer's Market

Vine ripe tomatoes, firm fresh zucchini, plump juicy berries, and savory just-picked herbs-- enough to make your mouth water! That's just a few of the locally grown items featured at the Downtown Special Services District 2nd annual Farmer's Market.

Now heading into it's 3rd week, a variety of Connecticut agricultural businesses bring their wares to sell on the Baldwin Plaza each Tuesday from 11am to 6pm. From fresh fruit and vegetables, to a variety of herbs, plants and cut flowers, residents will be able to re-connect with the goodness of nature.

The weekly Farmer's Market is conveniently located at the Baldwin Plaza behind the Fairfield County Court house on the corner of Broad and Cannon.

Classic Car Show

Mark your calendar, Saturday, September 25th antique and classic cars return to Downtown Bridgeport. Join us from 11am to 4pm on McLevy Green to view antique and classic cars. $5.00 registration fee per vehicle. Trophies and cash prizes for exhibitors. Entertainment by Flashback.

For more information visit citylightsgallery.org.

Downtown Art Installation

The second installment of MainState Ventures Art Competition has been unveiled at the corner of Broad and State streets.

Using "Leaves of Grass' a poem by Walt Whitman, Bridgeport resident Gus Moran produced a painting based on Whitman's belief that "art had the power to unite the government and the people". A graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, Moran has also studied at Paier College of Art in Hamden, Silvermine College, and throughout Europe and North Africa.

Designed to showcase the creative talents of Bridgeport artists, 6 finalists were chosen to display their work for a 2 month period, in this year-long, rotating exhibit. Brandon P. Hall, Principal at MainStateVenture, stated the juried exhibit will culminate in the selection of a Grand Prize winner and a People's Choice winner, with cash awards of $1000 and $250 respectively. Winners will be announced in February 2011.

See the complete image located across from the Burroughs-Saden library, on Broad Street between State and Cesar Batalle Way

On Stage

From a talented young singer/songwriter to a whole stage of dynamic young performers, the stars shine brightly at The Klein Memorial and the Downtown Cabaret.

Grammy winning singer and songwriter Colbie Caillat will take the stage at the Klein Memorial Auditorium on August 10th. The gifted performer who has collaborated with the likes of Jason Mraz and Taylor Swift, started singing at the age of 11 and spent her teen years focusing on song writing. Armed with her smoky voice and acoustic guitar, the California girl has charmed listeners with her wholesome, exuberant style. Additional shows coming to the Klein this season include the Fab Faux on September 11th, Ed Kowalczyk of Live on October 1st, and classic rock legends The Doobie Brothers on November 18th.

Get tickets online at theklein.org.

The Summer Arts program at the Downtown Cabaret, provides dedicated young performing artists the opportunity to work side by side with Cabaret staff in the professional theater. Throughout the 5-week program students are instructed in acting, improvisation, voice and dance. The culmination of their efforts comes to life with six performances of "Bye Bye Birdie" in four days. Don't miss your chance to see some of the areas finest young talent as they develop their stage presence.

Discover more at dtcab.com.

Call for Art

City Lights Gallery has an open call for "Kinetic Art" for a juried competition and parade. Kinetic Art by definition is art that implies energy or contains motion. Kinetic sculptures rely on movement created by wind, a motor or the viewer, where as drawings or paintings use a delicate balance of size and color to create a visual flux.

Artists considering submissions are asked to email jpeg images of their piece along with their last name, first name, and title of the piece. There is a $25 submission fee for the first entry, $10 for each subsequent entry. Entries must be received by Wednesday, September 1st and two cash prizes will be awarded. Complete submission details are available at City Lights Gallery.

Exhibiting artists will participate in the "Kinetic Art Parade" on Saturday, September 25th during the Classic/Custom Car & Bicylce show on McLevy Green.

Wine / Dine / Klein

If you‘ve got tickets to a show at The Klein, present them to one of these participating restaurants before or after the event to receive a FREE GLASS OF WINE with dinner. We’re betting you’ll find a whole lot more reasons to discover more of Downtown Bridgeport soon!

AMICI MIEI
BLUE MARTINI LOUNGE
CAFE ROMA
EPERNAY BISTRO
JOSEPH’S STEAKHOUSE
METRIC GRILL
PARK CITY GRILL
ROBERTO’S
TWO BOOTS

Open Call For Music

Downtown Special Services of Bridgeport is on the lookout for the newest and most adventurous new music in Bridgeport and beyond! We are seeking acoustic-type music on the quieter side to include vocals, classical, jazz, international or any combination of the aforementioned. Outdoor performances will be held in conjunction with the Downtown Farmer's Market at Baldwin Plaza, Tuesdays at noon beginning July 6th through October 26th. Performers are not paid, but are allowed to accept donations from the public. Please forward a demo CD (no scores) along with the name of the work, its instrumentation, the name of the performer(s) or group, address, phone number and email address.
PLEASE submit only if you are available to perform on any of these dates and time. Submissions will not be returned. If chosen to perform at the market, we will contact you.
Please send your submission to the following address:

Downtown Special Services District of Bridgeport
Open Call for Music
10 Middle Street / 14th Floor
Bridgeport, CT 06604