Bon Odori Festival, Havdalah at Compo Beach, & More Events This Weekend

Wondering what's going on this weekend? Here are some events happening in and around Westport to enjoy:

Friday, Aug. 16 

Family Campfire and Raptor Encounter at Earthplace: Join the staff at Earthplace for a summer campfire and a visit with our resident birds of prey. Proceeds from this event will go directly to support the animals that live at Earthplace. Naturalists will bring out all the birds they've been glove training.

DNR - Free Concert: The almost all-physician band plays an infectious mix of heart-stopping music: Rock, Motown, oldies, and contemporary. See them play at Levitt Pavilion Friday night.

Mickey Hart Band: The Fairfield Theatre Company presents Mickey Hart Band in Norwalk at the Concert Hall. Best known as a Rhythm Devil with The Grateful Dead, Mickey Hart’s music is the stuff of legend. 

Oyster Eve: Need a reason for a road trip? Head to Milford for "Oyster Eve," the night before Oysterfest. There will be bands, food, desserts -- and of course, oysters. Be sure to catch the main event Saturday (information below).

Saturday, Aug. 17

Kings Highway Elementary School Kindergarten Play Date: Is your child entering the Kings Highway School's kindergarten program this year? Take him or her to the play date Saturday to get to know future classmates.

Bon Odori - Free Festival: East meets West...port, when Bon Odori, Japan's biggest summer festival, presents its traditional pleasures in Jesup Green. This is a free event for all ages.

Shore Walk at Compo Beach with Earthplace: Come find crabs, mussels, grass shrimp and other critters with us at low tide! Learn how these invertebrate creatures are able to survive the challenging conditions where the land meets the shore exploring the intertidal area at Compo Cannons. 

Keegan & Avery's Lemonade STAND for Rett Syndrome: Keegan and Avery McMahan of Fairfield invite you (and hope that you'll come) to their lemonade stand fundraiser to help find a cure for Rett syndrome. Their big sister Keilly suffers from Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that mainly afflicts girls, robbing her of her ability to speak, have functional hand use, breathing abnormalities, seizures, or to be able to care for herself in any way. Stop by and support Keegan & Avery's efforts starting at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Havdalah at Compo Beach: The evening begins with some enjoyable socializing and ends with a meaningful service as the sun sets. Havdalah is the concluding celebration of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. The traditional symbols of wine, braided candle, and spice box will be used in a brief humanistic ceremony.

39th Annual Milford Oyster Festival: 200 crafters, rock wall, extreme bungee, amusement rides, Harbor Stage & Festival Car Show, Children's Stage, 20,000 oysters, 2 food courts, beer, wine, schooner cruises, canoe & kayak race & more. The fest takes place from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

PJ Pacifico - Free Concert: Reviewers compare him to Paul Simon and James Taylor, embracing his live performance and upbeat, radio-friendly songwriting. See PJ Pacifico at Levitt Pavilion Saturday.

Sunday, Aug. 18

Pop Shop Market at Yale: Another reason for a road trip this weekend... head to New Haven for the second rendition of the Pop Shop Market, which first popped up in Fairfield in June. 50-top curated vendors of antique and repurposed furniture, artwork, beauty products, jewelry and clothing by local artists, designers and merchants. In addition, there will be a mini famers market with food vendors selling produce, meats, fishes, dairy, baked goods and desserts. 

Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks: Vince has performed at the Smithsonian, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Jazz Festivals around the world. The band is a perennial favorite for black tie galas and private events. See the band Sunday at Levitt Pavilion.

The Royal Southern Brotherhood: The Royal Southern Brotherhood is a Southern rock, blues, R&B, and soul supergroup of sorts, with a pedigree that is pretty impressive. See them Sunday at the Fairfield Theatre Company.