On June 16, the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County will be awarding its Mark Awards to local stand-outs whose efforts have helped to make our corner of Connecticut one of the best communities for arts and culture in the country. A just-released national report rated Fairfield County 15th on the Top 100 Most Arts-Vibrant Communities of 2025 (SMU DataArts).
The CAFC supports the gallery down the street, heralds the theatre downtown, partners with the museum your out-of-town visitors are ever impressed by, and enriches your local library. From an individual artist to a sixty-five-piece symphony orchestra, the Cultural Alliance actively links its members through one common belief: the arts have the power to transform communities and lives.
The newly appointed Executive Director, Douglas Laustsen, is a seasoned arts administrator with a proven track record in building cultural bridges big and small. According to Laustsen, “We live in a diverse region with so many amazing things to experience throughout it. Our impressive cultural national ranking didn’t happen by accident, and we’re delighted to celebrate some of those who have helped make this impressive mark.”
Join in the celebration at the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County’s colorful fundraiser in the garden of the Meadowlands at the Darien Community Association on June 16. For tickets and information, please visit https://culturalalliancefc.org/ . •
Wave a Heart for Kids In Crisis returns on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 6:30 to 10:30 PM at Silver Spring Country Club, bringing the community together for an evening of cocktails, dinner, and purpose. The event will honor Allison Stockell and feature emcees Amanda Gabbard and Michael McGuirk. Proceeds support the TeenTalk program in all Ridgefield high schools and middle schools, the Ridgefield Lighthouse youth group, and Kids In Crisis’ 24/7 wraparound support services. “We are proud to honor Allison Stockel for her lasting impact and grateful for our partnership with Ridgefield Public Schools, which helps Kids In Crisis offer 24/7 mental health support to Ridgefield students,” says Denise Qualey, MSW, Managing Director of Crisis and Clinical Services, Kids In Crisis, and 35-year Ridgefield resident.
For more than four decades, Kids In Crisis has provided emergency shelter, prevention education, and free, confidential counseling for children, teens, and families facing serious challenges. Their 24-hour Helpline (203-661-1911) offers immediate phone and in-person support, crisis intervention, and referrals whenever help is needed.
Learn more and purchase tickets at www.kidsincrisis.org.
Once again, 068 Magazine will publish an extended Have You Met? feature in our July/August issue. Being kind is always appreciated, but now more than ever, we’d like to highlight local people who give of their time and talent to make the 068-area the incredible community that it is. If you know of someone who you feel is making a difference, you can nominate them for inclusion in this upcoming article. Please send an email to editor@068magazine.com. Help us shine a light on those who are doing good in our neighborhoods!?
