Remember the ’80′s? Our hair was big, Madonna was a fashion icon, and MTV still had VJs. This summer, the Decade of Excess will return to Fairfield County as some of our favorite rockers reclaim center stage: supergroup Foreigner headlines the Levitt Pavillion’s summer gala, Alive at Five brings glam-rocker Brett Michaels and the smooth sounds of Michael McDonald to Stamford, and the Go Go’s have the beat at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Rude-boy Brit rockers The English Beat and The Specials rock the Fairfield Theater Company and the Ives Concert Park respectively.
Foreigner’s fist-pumping ballads will ignite hundreds of Bic lighters (or perhaps iPhone photo-flashes – this is, after all, 2013) at the Levitt Pavilion’s annual fundraising event. This year, the gala will be held at Staples High School Field House as the Pavillion is getting a makeover. General admission tickets $$70-95)gets you a seat at the show, but real rockers will pony-up for the VIP Acoustic Experience that includes a private three-song acoustic set followed by a meet and greet with the band, a signed collectors set CD, a chance to win a Les Paul guitar signed by Foreigner, reserved seating at the concert, plus transportation to the Gala Cocktail Party. An experience that could only be described as “Totally awesome!”
Stamford returns to the 80′s with former Poison front-man Brett Michaels on July 25, as part of the Alive at Five music series. Leading the glam-rock pack, Poison soared to the top of the charts with their hit, “Every Rose Has A Thorn,” selling more than 15 million records in the United States alone. Those born after 1995 would remember Michaels from his VH1 show, Rock of Love or, more recently, from his stint on Celebrity Apprentice 3. Michaels will perform songs from all three decades of his career.
Later this summer (August 15), the smoother side of the 80′s emerges as singer/songwriter Michael McDonald brings is soulful baritone to Stamford’s Alive at Five stage. McDonald has collected five Grammy Awards for his work with classic rock bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers.
One of our favorite girl-power groups of the 80′s, The Go Go’s, makes a rare appearance at the Ridgefield Playhouse on June 20. Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock and Jane Wiedlin are hitting the Playhouse stage for a great night of hit Go Go’s songs – mega hits “We Got The Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation,” “Head Over Heels,” “Turn to You,” and so many more.
The Specials brought the jazzed up sounds of British Ska to the States – on July 16, the rude boys will bring their checkerboard shoes and pork-pie hats to the Ives Concert Park. Across the county, another popular 80′s Ska band, The English Beat will perform at the Fairfield Theater Company in Fairfield on July 13.
What are you waiting for? Don’t you want to relive your youth? RUSH to order your tickets now (no, Rush is not playing now…but they played in Bridgeport in April!).
