Newtown Natives Rock Ridgefield

National recording artists and Newtown natives, Lucinda Rowe and Michael Connolly, will perform during the 3rd Annual Ridgefield Gone Country BBQ Festival, April 30th and May 1st. The festival, which features world-champion barbecue competitors, rides, games, and good eats for the entire family, twill be held at the historic Lounsbury House, at 316 Main Street in Ridgefield. Live local bands from throughout Fairfield County will perform on the outdoor stage during the festival, and play a multitude of genres like rock, country, jazz and funk.

First to the take the Festival stage on Saturday, April 30, will be singer-songwriter, Jerome Goosman of Wilton, followed by accomplished pianist Michelle DeAngelis of New Rochelle, NY. The classic rock band, Kings and Queens, of Schuykill County, PA, will rock the stage before turning it over to Bethel native Joe Pacelli and Danbury’s own Jesse Lynch, two multi-genre performers who play everything from reggae-funk and blues to Alternative rock and folk.

The Red Hots, a Danbury-based duo, will bring new life to jazz and blues standards with their blend of unique vocals, a ukulele/guitar mix, and driving percussion. Sloppy Joe and The Lunch Ladies, whose members hail from Fairfield, Westport and Weston, will wrap the Saturday line up with improvisational funk, salsa and rock.

On Sunday, May 1st, Woodbury native Erik Krieg will open the Festival with intimate guitar music. The indie Americana/Classic Rock/Country band from Danbury, New Incarnation, will play in the afternoon, while Newtown natives and award-winning songwriters Lucinda and Michael wrap the Festival with memorable pop and rock melodies.

Lucinda and Michael perform more than 200 shows per year, and have opened for artists such as Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Sophie B. Hawkins and numerous others. Recent tours have taken them to the Gulf Coast of Florida and Alabama, Nashville, Key West, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Boston. Their last radio single was a National Top 20 hit and their newest releases from their 2016 CD Release “No Boundaries” are being aired from Nashville to Connecticut.

More than 40 BBQ masters from across the globe will compete in this official Connecticut State Barbecue Championship, recognized by Governor Dannel P. Malloy in 2014. During the competition, guests will enjoy carnival rides (including a mechanical bull) and food from vendors carefully selected by the BBQ committee.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children under 12 years old. For a schedule of performers – and to purchase tickets – visit www.RidgefieldBBQCT.com.

The Ridgefield Gone Country BBQ Festival is a collaboration between the Ridgefield Rotary Club and the Ridgefield Community Center. The event will be held from 11am-9pm on Saturday, April 30, and from 11am-5pm on Sunday, May 1st at the historic Lounsbury House, 316 Main Street, Ridgefield.