DERBY — Mayor Joseph DiMartino and the City of Derby cordially invite the public to celebrate the city’s birthday during the “350th Anniversary Celebration Weekend,” scheduled for May 30 through June 1 on the Derby Green (update: rain or shine).
Derby was named a township on May 13, 1675.
The weekend events are being planned by volunteer members of the Derby 350 Anniversary Committee. Please click this link to follow their updates on Facebook.
The Derby Green is on Elizabeth Street, surrounded by historic churches and the Sterling Opera House, the first building in Connecticut to be placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
There will be food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, vendors, tours of the Sterling Opera House (on Saturday) and displays of Derby history, such as a trolley car that once transported people to and from Ansonia.
THE HOURS
Friday, May 30
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 31
12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, June 1
12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On each of the three days, people are invited to check out the vendors such as the Derby Historical Society, Derby Public Library, Derby Neck Library, and many others. People can also grab a snack at a food truck, or check out some of the nearby restaurants, including Twisted Vine and Fuego.
Live music will be the climax each night of Derby’s 350 Celebration Weekend.
LIVE MUSIC EACH NIGHT
Then, at 8:30 p.m. Friday (May 30), “The Lead Singers of Classic Rock” will take the stage on the Derby Green. The band has two legendary front men: Jason Scheff, formerly of “Chicago,” and Tommy DeCarlo, lead singer of “Boston.”
Scheff fronted and played bass guitar in “Chicago” from 1985 until 2016, including the band’s 1986 hit, “Will You Still Love Me?” which reached no. 2 on U.S. adult contemporary chart and no. 3 on Billboard’s “Hot 100.” The hit single was from “Chicago 18,” the first album with Scheff as lead singer, and the band’s first album without former lead singer Peter Cetera.
Here’s Scheff singing the aforementioned smash hit “Will You Still Love Me?” The post continues after the video.
DeCarlo, by the way, was a huge fan of iconic 70s rock band “Boston” while growing up in North Carolina. He joined the band in 2008, after the tragic death of former lead singer Brad Delp.
The band got into contact with DeCarlo after DeCarlo posted songs on MySpace. He was working in Home Depot at the time. The rest is history.
Here he is singing “More Than A Feeling:”
On Saturday (May 31) at 8:30 p.m., “Fleetwood Heart” will perform live. They are a New England-based tribute band to Fleetwood Mac and Heart. Click here for the band’s website. The six-member band is fronted by Heather Anne, who performs Stevie Nicks’ vocals, and Hermine Basso, who performs Ann Wilson’s songs. The Derby 350 Weekend Celebration is the first stop on a tour of New England that will keep them busy until September.
On Sunday (June 1) at 7 p.m., “Forjoury,” (as in “Forgery”) will perform live. They’re a band that pays tribute to “Foreignor” and “Journey.” They’re billed as a “musical extravaganza like no other.” Here’s them singing “Anyway You Want It,” a Journey staple:
EVER BEEN IN THE OPERA HOUSE?
Members of The Sterling Opera House Commission recently announced Mayor Joseph DiMartino gave them permission to host tours of The Sterling Opera House during the weekend celebration.
Click here for a separate story.
The tours are scheduled to be conducted by Derby’s Markanthony Izzo, who has been memorializing the opera house for decades through his photography.
The Sterling Opera House Commission is a volunteer group looking to renovate the interior of the historic building, where everyone from Red Skelton to Harry Connick Jr. has performed.
The Sterling Opera House tours are scheduled for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 31.
Please note only a limited amount of people are allowed in the building at any one time.
Make your way to the Sterling Opera House Commission to arrange for a tour. The group will be selling some opera house related merch, as well.
DERBY 350 KEEPSAKES
If you want to take a piece of the Derby 350 celebration with you, there’s a solid line of Derby 350 merchandise to choose from.
* Derby 350 T‑shirts are $15.
* Derby 350 Hoodies are $25
* A Derby 350 Pewter Bell is $25
* A Derby 350 Holiday Ornament is $15
* A Derby 350 Medallion is $10
* A Derby 350 Magnet is $15
Derby Elks!
While Derby is turning 350, this year, the Derby Elks are turning 125!
The Elks will be offering tours of their stately building at 73 Elizabeth St.
“Come see a part of Derby’s history! Free tours of the Derby Elks Lodge — 73 Elizabeth St .in Derby on May 31 & June 1 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.,” the Elks wrote on Facebook. “It’s a hidden museum! Have a drink and purchase pulled pork sandwiches for lunch afterwards in the dining room. Walk to the Sterling Opera House from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to see their tours, too (only on May 31).
