Sublimely Spooky: Just Another Weekend in Ridgefield

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Is "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave" the greatest lyric in rock-n-roll history? Reasonable men may debate the matter, but there'll be nought but desperados in attendance at The Playhouse Friday night. That's when the Eagles tribute band Hotel California: A Salute to The Eagles takes to the stage. Showtime is at 8 p.m. There's more info on the Ridgefield Patch Calendar.

It's that spooky-kind-of-wondeful time again in Ridgefield! Halloween? No, the run-up to election day... Once again, Democrats and Republicans are jumping out from behind bushes, offering free stuff that you won't be taxed for later. Pretty scary! (But don't get used to it.) The Dems would like to dose you and yours with free coffee on Saturday morning at Coffee & Calling with Senator Chris Murphy to be held at DTC headquarters, 28 Prospect Street, in Ridgefield. According to their Patch Calendar Listing Here, they want you to:

Drop by for coffee and then help Senator Murphy, 111th district State Assembly candidate Aimee Berger-Girvalo, 139th district State Assembly candidate Ken Gucker, and 26th district State Senate candidate Will Haskell mobilize voters.

Sounds like they want you to work. Hey, what is this...?

The Repubs, meanwhile, will be fête-ing their faithful with Coffee and Politics from Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 56 Danbury Road, between Parma Deli and the UPS store. This Sunday, however, GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski will be in town, and according to the Republican Town Committee's website, y'all are invited:

"Bob will be at Steve's Bagels at 9:00 on Sunday morning and then on to the Early Bird at 9:30. Join us and meet Bob."

Not immediately clear was whether or not Bob is buying. Can't hurt you to ask. Be firm.

Much more straightforward are the intentions of the folks behind Family Day at Lounsbury House. They just want to entertain you and your kids, and the event is free. There'll be games, prizes, crafts, circus acts, balloon animals, an inflatable obstacle course, tours of The Big House itself, and -- of course! -- food trucks.

There's at least one person, probably more, working at Lounsbury House who likes Halloween just a little too much, based on all the effort that's been expended on their A Night of Wonder & Intrigue: All Hallow’s Gala slated for Saturday night at 7:30. Their Ridgefield Patch Calendar listing is promising "drinks, dancing, dining, casino, costume contests, creepy curiosities" and something about "all hell breaking loose," and, really, they had us at "casino." Maybe even "drinks."

Redeem yourself following whatever role you played in that whole hell thing on Saturday night by stopping by St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Sunday at 5 p.m. for their Evensong celebration. Evensong is a tradition of sung evening prayer that dates back to the Reformation and combines hymns, anthems and Anglican chant. The whole magilla lasts about 45 minutes, which means you will have time to toss a couple of cheese cubes from the post-celebration reception into a blazer pocket while you hightail over to Sarah's Wine Bar in Bernard's Restaurant for the truly musically transcendent part of your night out.

The absolutely stellar flutist Ali Ryerson will lead a trio in a performance that's the latest in SWB's Jazz Masters Series. Ryerson's music will transport you out of space and time -- which is what Halloween was all about, originally (look it up). Reservations are required, and Sarah recommends making them for 6:00 as the first set begins at 6:30 p.m.

Pictured: Hotel California: A Salute to The Eagles, provided