ChirpCT

05/31/2026

On Thursday June 4, The Steel Wheels perform in Ballard Park at 7pm!

Long at home in the creative space between tradition and innovation, the band first formed in 2005, continues to move forward with insightful lyrics and an evolving sound. In 2017 the band added percussion to their strings bringing a new level of sonic depth to the group which today explores deeply rooted yet fresh folk rock sounds.

www.TheSteelWheels.com

Generously underwritten by the Leir Foundation

Home page of The Steel Wheels

05/30/2026

Tues. June 2: Eileen Ivers & The Brigideens

After setting the park virtually on fire last August, Grammy awarded, 9 time All Ireland Fiddle Champion, Eileen Ivers returns with her powerhouse band of musicians, highlighting the power and beauty of acoustic Celtic and Americana roots music.

https://www.eileenivers.com/

Underwritten with the generous support of Chris Pike, former owner of Ridgefield Music and one of CHIRP’s 2002 original underwriters.

05/27/2026

Join us Thursday May 28 at 7pm at Ballard Park
for Honey Island Swamp Band!

After continuing to impress wherever they perform, the band starts its May tour at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and is on the road till they join us for one of our season’s opening concerts. Formed in 2005 in San Francisco as New Orleans Katrina refugees the band has since produced 4 award winning albums. Their unique combination of blues, roots, country and soul has been described by No Depression as “Bayou Americana.”

www.honeyislandswampband.com

Underwritten with the support of the Wadsworth Lewis Fund

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

TONIGHT!

OUR FIRST CONCERT OF THE SEASON begins with the RHS Music Department featuring their Pops Concert Orchestra and Jazz Band.

Join us at Ballard Park at 6:30pm as the students proudly kick off this year’s CHIRP concert series with performances by two of its award-winning ensembles.

https://ridgefieldhsmusic.org/

Underwritten by CHIRP and Ridgefield Music Parents a 501(c)(3)

05/24/2026

Please cheer up, better weather will be here Tuesday for our first ChirpCT concert in the park; The Ridgefield High School Music dept presenting two of it wonderful bands. Starting time for this is at 6:30 pm unlike the remainder of the season when concerts start at 7. And Thurs. is promising to be equally dry when presents Honey Island Swamp Band, hailing from the bayou's of Louisiana.
If you're feeling like you need further cheering up today (rain really gets me down!) check out the remainder of Chirp's season this summer at RidgefieldHerald.com/culturalevents where you can find snippets of music from all the upcoming concerts. Pick out your favorites and star them on the calendar. We'll be hoping to see you in the park a lot this summer.😀🎸🪘🥁🎸

2026 CHIRP CONCERTS Celebrating 25 Years of CHIRPThank you for joining us! MAY Tues. May 26: Ridgefield High School Music Department Join us as the students proudly kick off this year’s CHIRP concert series with performances by two of its award-winning ensembles: the RHS Big Band and the RHS Pops ...

05/22/2026

A number of you have asked how to subscribe to our new local Ridgefield paper. Well the website at www.ridgefieldherald.com now has a link for you to do so. We hope that even though the first couple of issues will be distributed free and your credit card will not be charged until Sept. 1 for your subscription, that many of you will chose to support the Herald with your subscription so that it can continue to move forward with the confidence that you, our community, truly wants and feels the need for a truly local paper. The Ridgefield Herald is co-sponsoring ChirpCT this summer along with Ridgefield Parks and Recreation

MISSION STATEMENT The Ridgefield Herald has been established to serve Ridgefield with locally focused journalism that objectively and accurately covers all facets of life in our community. The Herald is committed to reporting on cultural events, town board and commission meetings, local sports, the....

05/19/2026

One week from today, the Ridgefield High School Music Department opens ChirpCT2026, 25th year anniversary season!! Unlike most of our concerts throughout the summer, starting time for opening night is 6:30. Time to get those coolers down from the top shelf and get your picnic gear ready to start another busy season. Thurs. we'll have the return of Honey Island Swamp Band from the Bayous of Louisiana and every Tues and Thurs. after that at 7p.m. you can count on music to fill the park through August 27th. We hope you'll find lots of opportunties to come out and join us and we'll pray hard for good weather. But regardless, the music will play on. you'll just have to check with us on concert afternoons as to where we'll be in the event we need to go indoors. We will post that info on both the Chirp and Herald pages by 4p.m. on the day in issue. So please, dust off those dancing shoes and get ready to jump up and shake.

05/16/2026

Friends, The Full schedule for ChirpCT
can now be found at www.Ridgefieldherald.com/culturalevents
We have a couple of "mystery dates" in there because of contract restrictions with certain artists, but otherwise it is all there, so come join us and if you haven't already please donate .www.chirpct.org/donate. We're praying for good weather and we hope to see you May 26 at 6:30 for the Ridgefield High School Music Departments lead off concert. Again see www.Ridgefieldherald.com/culturalevents

Send a message to learn more

05/15/2026

Friends, it looks like Spring has finally arrived and with it ChirpCT expects to have its full season posted tomorrow , May 16 on our co-sponsors website: www.ridgefieldherald.com/culturalevents.
But beyond Chirp, there's also an exciting day of music coming up in Ridgefield on Saturday. June 21 and I wanted to repost for you the Arts Council's announcement to be sure you see it:
Make Music Day Returns to Ridgefield on June 21

Ridgefield Arts Council will present its annual Make Music Day celebration on Saturday, June 21, inviting the community to experience a full day of free, live performances throughout town.

Now in its eighth year in Ridgefield, the event is part of a global music initiative that began in Paris in 1982 as Fête de la Musique. The concept is simple: musicians of all ages and skill levels perform in public spaces, creating a town-wide, accessible music experience.

Ridgefield has steadily grown its participation in the international event. In 2025, 17 local venues hosted more than 80 performances by over 100 musicians. Organizers expect expanded participation this year from both performers and venues.

Throughout the day on June 21, performances will take place across town at locations including Ballard Park, Ridgefield Library, Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center, First Congregational Church, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield Town Hall, and Copps Hill Commons, as well as local shops, restaurants, and residential porches.

Music styles will range from classical and jazz to folk, rock, and acoustic sets, with audiences encouraged to explore the town and discover performances along the way.

Bands affiliated with Sugar Hollow Tap Room, including Mojo, Sugar House, and Chowder, are expected to perform at Ballard Park, helping anchor the afternoon lineup.

Make Music Day is free and open to the public. Organizers continue to encourage musicians and venues to register and participate.

For more information, contact the Ridgefield Arts Council, Jennifer Dineen at [email protected] or visit www.makemusicday.org/ridgefield.