Open Arts Alliance and The Wallace Center recently joined forces to celebrate the second annual Spring Follies, offering members of the Wallace Center the opportunity to share their talents—ranging from painting and writing to singing and dancing.
Host Abby Meyers, Donna Spellman Looks On during the second annual Spring Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Janice Riddell sang and played guitar at the second annual Spring Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Following the overwhelming demand for tickets to last year’s inaugural event, which filled every available seat in the meeting room at the Greenwich Arts Council, it became clear that a larger venue would be needed. Finding such a space in Greenwich proved no small task, but thanks to the generosity of Greenwich Town Hall, this year’s Follies found a perfect home. Participants gathered on the iconic Town Hall dais and performed in front of its signature blue mural, creating a setting as memorable as the performances themselves.
The evening featured beautiful vocal performances by Ginor Arcuri, Palma Buzzeo, Anne Marie Hynes, Janice Riddell, and Maryann Ferrara Ramos. Mariarosa Busani shared her original paintings, while Judy Natale presented her hand-painted icons. Beatrice Galinat both serenaded the audience on piano and recited an original poem. Mary Jenkins, Lee Paine, and Marcia Preston shared their written works, while Jean Pennicott delivered a stirring recitation of Roy Campbell’s “Tristan da Cunha.” Winona Mullis offered a deeply meaningful reflection on honoring the past while embracing the future. Christine Carmody and Steven Bonistall of the Wallace Center Café provided delicious refreshments for guests to enjoy following the performance.
Abby Meyers, a senior at Greenwich High School and a member of Open Arts Alliance’s Leadership Council, served as Master of Ceremonies. She was joined by Juliette Ross, a junior at Greenwich Academy and fellow Leadership Council member, for a touching rendition of “I Love You Truly” in tribute to the late Sylvia Gordon, one of the original Spring Follies participants.
Anne Marie Hynes sang with Marcia Preston at the second annual Greenwich Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Winona Mullis Read from her journal. Photo: John Curtis
Jean Pennicott read poetry at the second annual Spring Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Abby Meyers and Juliett Ross sang “I Love You Truly” in honor of Sylvia Gordon at the second annual Greenwich Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Mary Jenkins performed an original story at the second annual Greenwich Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Palma Buzzeo sang at the second annual Spring Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Mariarosa Busani presented her paintings with Abby Meyers and Juliette Ross helping out at the second annual Greenwich Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Maryann Ferrara Ramos sang at the second annual Greenwich Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Gino Arcuri sang at the second annual Greenwich Follies. Photo: John Curtis
Carol Nizlek Lindstrum, a Wallace Center member and third-generation Greenwich resident, attended the event and shared her reflections:
“Too many of us elders focus too often on what’s wrong. But Spring Follies participants reached out with confidence, talent, and courage to sing, play an instrument, read an inspiring passage or poem, and more. Imagine balancing on two canes to find the piano—and then playing it like Liberace—or hearing words of wisdom from the lips of a 102-year-old woman.”
The Spring Follies is, at its heart, about joy. Over the course of a nurturing and collaborative four-week process, each participant explores and shares what brings them joy—ultimately spreading that joy to friends, family, and the wider Greenwich community. For the second year in a row, Donna Spellman, with whom I have the joy of co-facilitating this program, and I left the evening with tears in our eyes and the widest possible smiles on our faces.
This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of Lori Contadino and Patricia Bykowski at the Wallace Center, whose dedication to some of the most cherished members of the Greenwich community is truly inspiring. As I shared at the end of the evening, whether you are a facilitator, participant, or audience member, the Spring Follies is a deeply therapeutic experience—one I hope continues as a cherished tradition in Greenwich for many years to come.
Beatrice Galinat played piano with Donna Spellman looking on during the second annual Spring Follies. Photo: John Curtis