What's Up This Weekend: Blessing of the Bikes in Norwalk, Salon Benefit in Darien

Whether you're in search of something fun to do with the kids or you have a babysitter and are planning a night out, look no further because Patch editors have picked a variety of events taking place today and tomorrow to help you make the most of your weekend. Click on the headline of each for more information.

Where: Byrd's Books, 213 Greenwood Ave., 2nd Floor

When: Friday, April 5, 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Description: The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut presents Chautauqua, Vermont, and Harlem, a collection of oil paintings consisting of places that deal with location and color. The collection may be viewed during normal business hours.

Brookfield Film Festival

Where: 45 Main St., Newtown (Edmond Town Hall Theatre)

When: Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 6 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m.

Cost: $15

Description: “Shorts and to the Point,” an exciting program of award-winning short films from around the world, presented by the Brookfield Arts Commission. New location: Alexandra Room, Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. Wine-bar and Music.

Brookfield: Nick Parrott and Ali Ryerson Jazz Concert

Where: Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Road, Brookfield

When: Sunday, April 7, 3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Description: Nicki Parrott (bass & vocals), Ali Ryerson (flutes) and John DiMartino (keyboard) will perform as part of the Afternoons at the Arbor Concert Series. Follow the link above for more on the performers.

Danbury: Family Pancake Breakfast

The Mill Ridge Family Resource Center will be having a pancake breakfast at Applebees, 57 Federal Road, on April 7th from 8am-10am.  This is a fundraising event to help support the cost of family events and summer programs. Tickets must be purchased before the event.  Please contact Jennifer at the Mill Ridge Family Resource Center (203) 790-2896.  Thank you for your support of the Mill Ridge Primary School.

Danbury: Youth Volunteer Corps of Western CT Food Drive

The Youth Volunteer Corps of Western CT is holding a food drive in Danbury as part of their 'What Will You Bring to the Table' project. This food drive will benefit the local Salvation Army Food Pantry. The food drive takes place at the A & P Super Foodmart, 1 Padanaram Rd, Danbury, CT.

Darien Lions Basketball Shoot-Out

Where: Darien YMCA 2420 Post Rd., Darien

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 6

Cost: Free (but get sponsors)

The Darien Lions Club is holding a Basketball Shoot-Out to benefit the Darien Special Olympics Team and Darien Lions Foundation. Sign up to participate at www.darienctlionsclub.org. Participants will set a goal of how many baskets they can score in a two minute time period and ask donors to donate per basket. All donations accepted.

Darien: Treat Yourself Sunday at Stefanou Salon & Spa: It All Goes to Charity

When: Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 7

Where: Andrew Stefanou Salon and Spa 25 Old Kings Hwy N, Darien

Cost: Differs for various services

Andrew Stefanou Salon & Spa is sponsoring a Day of Services to benefit the Center for Children's Advocacy. All proceeds will be donated to the Center for Children's Advocacy to provide legal protection for children who have been abused or neglected.

Darien: Shakespeare on the Sound Gala Fundraiser

Where: Wee Burn Country Club 410 Hollow Tree Ridge Rd, Darien

When: 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6

Cost: $175 per person

Description: The Shakespeare on the Sound Gala Fundraiser April 6 supports the theater's 18th annual production, "As You Like It," in Rowayton's Pinkney Park June 13-30, and a range of educational activities. The benefit is billed as "A Magical Evening in the Forest of Arden" and features coacktails, live and silent auctions, dinner and dancing to the music of the five-piece band "Short Bus" based in Greenwich. One of the orginal musical productions created by Brian Feinstein for the play is to be premiered that evening by the cast.

Darien: Maxim Pakhomov Piano Concert

Where: First Congregational Church of Darien 14 Brookside Rd, Darien

When: 7 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6

Cost: Free, but a goodwill offering will benefit Star, Inc., a not–for-profit organization serving individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities, and providing support services to their families.

Description: Maxim Pakhomov, pianist, will perform works of Bach-Busoni, Mendelssohn & Chopin  at First Congregational Church of Darien.

Fairfield: Fashion Ladies' Night Out

Where: Our Lady of the Assumption School, 605 Stratfield Rd

When: 7 p.m., Friday, April 5

Cost: $25

Description: Annual Fashion Show to benefit the students at Assumption Catholic School.  Spring fashion trends by Apricot Lane modeled by the Sacred Heart University Fashion Club.

Fairfield: Bone Marrow Drive

Where: Roger Ludlowe Middle School, 689 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield, CT

When: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, April 6

Cost: Free 

Description: If you are between the ages of 18 to 44, stop by RLMS on Saturday and register to become a potential donor.

Monroe: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Where: Masuk High School, 1014 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe 

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday (April 4-6) at 7:30 p.m.

Cost: Admission is $12 at the door and $10 for students/seniors.

Description: Masuk students will perform in a fun/clever spin on the show as it is set in the 1970s disco era at the famous Studio 54.

New Canaan: "Club Outback" Gala

When: Saturday, April 6, 2013, 7 p.m.

Where: Outback Teen Center, New Canaan

Cost: $100

Description: With this year’s jazz theme, the Outback will be converted into “Club Outback,” open for one night featuring a live jazz performance, a bourbon tasting, Louisiana inspired cocktails and Cajun and Creole delights. There will be a live and silent auction. Proceeds from this event go directly to the Outback to provide programs and events for teens and the community.

Norwalk: Vasudo Plays Live

Where: 93 North Main St.

When: Friday, April 5, 9 p.m.

Cost: Free

Description: Join the boys of Vasudofor their Spring Tour kick-off show at O'Neill's Pub.

Norwalk: Blessing of the Bikes

Where: St Paul's On The Green, 60 East Ave.

When: Saturday, April 6, 1:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Description: Start your 2013 motorcycle riding season with an offering of God's blessing at the first ever St. Paul's on the Green Bike Blessing. All are welcome.

Norwalk: Bottle Signing & Meet and Greet with Dan Aykroyd

Where: Total Wine & More, 380 Main Ave.

When: Saturday, April 6, 6 p.m.

Cost: Free to attend

Description:  Actor, musician, writer and now distiller Dan Aykroyd will visit Total Wine & More to autograph bottles of his Crystal Head vodka, after purchase.

Orange: New Haven Mineral Club Show 

Where: Amity Regional Middle School, Orange Campus, 100 Ohman Ave.

When: Saturday and Sunday, April 6 and 7, 9:30 a.m.

Cost: $5

Description: Vendors sell minerals, gems, jewelry and fossils. Door prizes are given out and demonstrations take place.

Ridgefield: Broadway Backstage!

When: Friday, April 5, 8 p.m.

Where: The Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield

Cost: $75

Description: Some of Broadway's veterans will belt out a few tunes from the musicals which made them famous!  From “how I got my big break” to“on-stage blunders” the performers share their stories of performing on Broadway and on tour including backstage gossip and more!

Ridgefield: Rusted Root

When: Sunday, April 7, 8 p.m.

Where: The Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield

Cost: $42

Description: Hear Pittsburgh’s Rusted Root, which celebrates their 20th anniversary this year. Formed in the early 90’s by singer/guitarist Michael Glabicki, Rusted Root’s worldly style quickly charmed fans of roots music and world rock. To date they have released 7 albums and sold over 3 million records worldwide.

Trumbull: The Friends of the Trumbull Library April Book Nook Sale

Where: The Trumbull Library, 33 Quality St, Trumbull, CT | Get Directions » 

When: Saturday, April 6, 2013, 9 a.m.

Cost: By the Book

Description: The Friends of the Trumbull Library will hold a Book Nook Sale April 6th at the library. A great selection of fiction , fabulous children's books and media. A select group,of non-fiction offered at half-price.

Donations Welcome.

Weston: Brownie Troop 50979 Collects for Wildlife in Crisis

Where: Weston Intermediate School, 95 School Rd.

When: During the entire month of April 

Description: Wildlife in Crisis is located in Weston and rehabilitates injured animals. Donated items can be dropped of in bins located in the lobby of Weston Intermediate School, Hurlbutt Elementary School, at the Weston Library, and Peter's Market. Items needed include Duracell Batteries, Clorox Clean-up, Tide Detergent (HE), Cheerios, and unsalted peanuts.

Weston: Joy of the Silent Film

Where: Weston Public Library, 56 Norfield Road

When: Sunday, April 7, 3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Description: Join artist-in-residence at Norfield Church, David Connell, for a special program on the silent film "Seven Chances." David will play the music for "Seven Chances" on the Library's beautiful Steinway piano.

Wilton: Capitol Steps

Where: Wilton High School, 395 Danbury Road

When: Friday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $30

Description:  The Wilton League of Women Voters is bringing the Capitol Steps to Wilton. For those of you not familiar with the Capitol Steps, they are masters of musical political parody with the motto “We put the MOCK in Democracy.”  They are equal opportunity offenders, so you will laugh until you cry no matter what your personal political views. See the Wilton League of Women Voters blog for more information.

Woodbridge: Sweeney Todd Performances

Where: Amity Regional High School, 25 Newton Rd.

When: Friday, April 5, 7:30 p.m. (Click the above headline for more dates)

Cost: $17

Description: The award-winning Amity Theater Department presents the hit Steven Sondheim musical. When the unjustly imprisoned Sweeney Todd returns to London, he vows revenge upon those who framed him. Working as a barber and joining forces with Mrs. Lovett, they both serve their customers in wicked ways.

Woodbury: Reception to Welcome Newest Artists

Where: The Fine Line Art Gallery, 319 Main St. South

When: Saturday, April 6, Noon

Cost: Free

Description: Fine Line Art Gallery will host an open house reception to welcome three new award-winning resident artists: Carole Moore, Sandra Karakoosh and Liz Monahan. Their latest paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel will be on exhibit, and refreshments will be served from noon to 4 p.m.