8/20/2005 - Mattatuck Museum Events

Fast Talking Dames -- Author Maria DiBattista, offers a lecture on her book, Fast-Talking Dames, on Thursday, August 4 at 1:00 p.m. Battista, a film scholar and movie buff will discuss the women of lively wit and brash speech who came of age during the Depression, including Katherine Hepburn, Irene Dunne and Barbara Stanwyck, with special attention on Rosalind Russell, who was born and raised in Waterbury. A $ 5 donation is suggested; Call 203-753-0381 x. 10 for reservations or more information.

First Thursdays -- Claudia Hughes and Frank Pisani to perform at First Thursday Event, Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St., Waterbury. Vocalist Claudia Hughes, accompanied by Frank Pisani on keyboard; jazz, blues and standard favorites; Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and access to some of the Mattatuck's exhibits. Admission is $2 for members and $10 for non-members. For more information, contact Peter Cunningham at 203-753-0381, ext. 20.

CPTV Documentary "Flood of '55", Wednesday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m. with Rich Hanley, producer of the film. Short discussion will follow. For more information, call the Mattatuck Museum at 203-753-0381, x. 10.

Community Discussion on the Flood of 1955, Thursday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. Hear firsthand accounts of the '55 flood from rescuers, Waterbury industrialists, community residents and the people who helped to rebuild Waterbury. Panel participants include Fran Brennan, former Director of the University of Connecticut, Waterbury, Dr. Pasquale Varanelli, who was an intern at Waterbury Hospital during the flood, Milton Grele, former President of Platt Brothers, moderated by Sherman London, a reporter for the Republican-American during '55 who was assigned to cover the flood and the historic visit of Rosalind Russell. Participants are invited to bring their memoires, photos and memorabilia to share. Please call 203-753-0381 x. 10 for reservations or information.

"His Girl Friday," starring Waterbury native Rosalind Russell with Cary Grant on Friday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m. in conjunction with the exhibit FLOOD! Rosalind Russell, who was born in Waterbury in 1908 and had her film debut in 1934, was in Four's a Crowd (1938) and The Women (1939), and is most memorable as the fast-talking reporter Hildy Johnson in His Girl Friday (1940). She was in Waterbury on the eve of the Flood of '55 to promote the world premiere of her movie The Girl Rush, and narrowly escaped the raging flood waters. His Girl Friday will be shown in the Performing Arts Center. Refreshments will be available for purchase. A $5 donation is suggested. For more information, please call 203-753-0381 x. 10.

Flood of 1955 Commemoration on the Waterbury Green -- Saturday, August 20, noon to 3 p.m. The community gathers to honor the events of the flood of '55. The Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries will begin with a prayer for those who perished, followed by speeches from local dignitiaries. Music will be provided by the Naugatuck Community Band, under the direction of Charley Marenghi. Tom Hill of WATR, accompanied by a videographer, will conduct informal interviews of those who remember the flood, to be archived for the Mattatuck Museum. Artist Marianna Hanley of Naugatuck will lead a community art project for all ages. The Northwest Region Convention & Visitors Bureau, Main Street, Waterbury, the Naugatuck Arts Commission, the Greate Waterbury Arts Roundtable, and other agencies are collaborating. Support for public relations has been provided by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism. Also, free admission to the Mattatuck all day, plus 28 banners depicting images of the flood will be  exhibited on the Waterbury Green. The banner project was supported by The Leever Foundation. For more information, please call 203-753-0381 x. 10. In case of inclement weather the event will be held inside the Museum.