‘Band Together’

If you walk behind the Metro North train station, past Archie Moore’s, a yoga studio and a small art studio, you will come across a red building. Across from this small, vibrant theater you will see “FTC” painted like subway car letters on a brick wall. You have come across an important gem among the Fairfield County community.

Fairfield Theater Company rests in the heart of downtown Fairfield and is considered a space that brings the community together. FTC is one of the top regional music theater companies in the country. Executive producer Andy Kadison described FTC as bringing a wide breadth of artist into one intimate room.

On Saturday, Oct. 5, FTC presented a benefit rock concert for the non-profit organization, The Pilot House. “Band Together” was the feature act of the night. Kadison describes “Band Together” as a group of musicians that work to bring music back to the people. “Band Together” encourages musicians to walk in the way of their intention, give back to the community and let their music do good.

The group of musicians were each hand-picked and represented different bands, but joined forces to cover rock hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. A little new school music found its way onto the set list with none other than “Rolling in The Deep” by Adele. Some covers they chose were popular songs by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Tina Turner. Through the intimate atmosphere, colorful lights and energetic performers, the children who represented The Pilot House lit up the theater with their smiles and enthusiasm. They clapped, danced and blew kisses to the band while they performed.

The Pilot House is an organization that provides programs and resources for families raising children who have developmental disabilities. The Pilot House programs promote skill-building, self-confidence, self-expression and, most important, fun with friends.

“Coming to ‘Band Together’ makes you proud to be apart of the community. The Pilot House kids look forward to it year around; we bring our daughters every year,” says the Ohlin family. Their daughter danced around backstage with head phones over her ears and pretended to play the drums with imaginary drum sticks. When asked who her favorite singer was she said “I love Michael Jackson!”

“This is the primary fundraiser for the Pilot House, we are so happy to be a part of it,” concluded the Ohlin family.

“Can you imagine this is going on in downtown Fairfield?” said lead drummer Theirry Arpino. The entire theater was clapping and singing and enjoying the music but, most of all, admiring the children who found their way on stage at the end of the night.

They were the true rock stars.