“Many of the celebrities who I have interviewed over the years including Les Brown, Artie Shaw, Frankie Laine, Connie Haines, and Frankie Carle have shared their own memories of performing at the Ritz. Their recollections, along with those of Adele Barry Chappell, daughter of Ritz founder Joe Barry, and Joey Zelle, leader of the Casa Ritz Orchestra until its final evening of operation, will be woven into the story of this popular spot where thousands of patrons enjoyed themselves for almost four decades.”
Two stand-out memories motivate Williams even more. “When I was program director at the Klein Memorial some years ago we brought the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in for a concert. I thought it would be a nice touch to have a full stage-sized color backdrop of the Ritz Ballroom behind the band. My bosses agreed and the audience was “blown-away” by the surprise!”
Another experience was witnessing the response from those watching the Ritz Ballroom float, sponsored by the town of Trumbull, in a Barnum Festival parade. The Ritz was recreated in great detail by Williams and crew right “up” to the mirrored ball and red and white tapestry ceiling. He remembers, “Adele and I were on one side of the float waving, First Selectman Kenneth Halaby and his wife on the other, while a five piece jazz band from Trumbull High School played In the Mood and several couples danced…all as we rolled along North Avenue and Park Avenues. Onlookers of a certain age got up out of their lawn chairs and for a moment they were transported back 50 or 60 years as their memories motivated them to cheer and dance in the street! What a thrill it was to bring the Ritz back for a moment to the Park City! To top it off, we were proud the float won the day’s highest award….Best In Parade!”
Williams wants this book to reflect the memories of all those who visited the Ritz. To that end, he seeks stories, photos, memorabilia and mementos from those in the region. Veteran patrons of the Ritz with first-hand memories, or the children and grandchildren, who have heard all the stories, are all welcomed to share. “These stories and pictures will make this book more personal and meaningful for all… resulting in what I plan to be a nostalgic, memory-laden read and loving tribute to the impact the Ritz had on its patrons and the region,” Williams comments. He encourages people to chat with relatives and friends over the holidays, spreading the word near and far, as he compiles what he hopes will be many responses to his appeal for information.
Those wishing to contact Williams with memories or photos may call (800) 529-8497, email to jeff@attheritz.org, or mail to 102 Aspetuck Trail, Huntington, CT 06484.
Jeffrey C. Williams, host of the weekly At The Ritz! radio show, producer of Ritz Ballroom dances and events, and publisher of the Bridgeport By The Sea calendar, announces his intent on writing a book on Bridgeport’s Ritz Ballroom titled Home of Happy Dancers! – a popular nickname of the old Fairfield Avenue dance hall.
“I have learned so much from those who went to the Ritz,” states Williams, “starting with my parents who met there. Hundreds of conversations over the years with all who have attended various events and dances I have staged in the region, and listener response to my radio shows, have encouraged and convinced me that interest is still strong about the Ritz. I feel the time has now come to consolidate it all into a book for both those who remember and those who wish to know more about this famous and important east coast music venue.”
At The Ritz!
Cabaret, Jazz, Swing, Broadway, Hollywood
Celebrity Interviews, Reviews, Commentary & More
Welcome to the Official Site of At The Ritz!
Here you will find information on our most current broadcasts & guests, a calendar of upcoming NYC performances & events and more interesting offerings. Live WVOF shows are downloaded on the Internet for encore play throughout the week. With a love of both the Great American Songbook and the artists, past & present, keeping this musical legacy alive, our show brings you the music you are looking for. Casual, comfortable chat and commentary is our trademark... along with insightful interviews of those involved in performance, production and promotion. While you peruse our website, you can easily listen to our most recent broadcast by following the TO LISTEN directions in this page's top right corner. Please tell your friends abou AT THE RITZ! ENJOY!
A SAMPLER of
ARTISTS INTERVIEWED
on AT THE RITZ!
LES BROWN, Sr.
BETTY BUCKLEY
ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY
BARBARA COOK
TONY DeSARE
CONNIE HAINES
LANIE KAZAN
FRANKIE LAINE
ANDREA MARCOVICCI
MARILYN MAYE
JAMES NAUGHTON
JOHN PIZZARELLI
MICKEY ROONEY
STEVE ROSS
ARTIE SHAW
FRANK SINATRA, Jr.
STEVE TYRELL
MARGARET WHITING
GENE WILDER
JULIE WILSON
TO LISTEN, CLICK "ON AIR" IN THIS SPOT ON OTHER WEB PAGES!
t.
AT THE RITZ!
NOW IN OUR 13th YEAR
"ON-THE-AIR!"
NOW IN OUR 13th YEAR ON-THE-AIR!
Scroll down for information on the new RITZ SUPPER CLUB!
BRIDGEPORT BY THE SEA
Once again, historic and colorful vintage postcards have been enlarged and integrated into a practical & collectible calendar. Those who grew up in the Park City or have a fondness for Bridgeport, Connecticut's largest city, will enjoy reminiscing with the wonderful images from the first half of the 20th century. Proceeds from calendar sales support our "At The Ritz!" program,website and activities.
For more information please click on the photo to left.
Click here to go to the Bridgeport
By The Sea website!
LATEST AT THE RITZ NEWS...NYC CABARET COMES TO CT!
Announcing the RITZ SUPPER CLUB at Cinzano's Restaurant of Fairfield. We will be showcasing TONY DeSARE, prolific vocalist and pianist, whose jazzy interpretations of the Great American Songbook have earned him rave reviews world-wide. Tony's original tunes are new additions to the songbook. This not-to-be-missed 9 P.M. cabaret show is preceded by a five-course dinner, all for the affordable price of only $65 (plus tax & tip).
Producer / Host.... Jeffrey C. Williams NYC Correspondant... Lynn DiMenna
2010 Calendars
BOOK TO BE WRITTEN ON FAMOUS RITZ BALLROOM OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT
TONY DeSARE Stars at the New
RITZ SUPPER CLUB at CINZANO'S
Click on our Ritz Supper Club page above for more details and to hear Tony. Please pass the word that
a new, affordable sophisticated entertainment option has now come to Fairfield County!
