In Photos: Final summer concert in Fairfield serves as fundraiser for rare disease
By Jarret Liotta
on September 9, 2020 10:36 AM
-
Grandmother Mary Ann Hau, left, Bill and Emily Hau, and Bizzy, 10 months, all of Fairfield, enjoy the show at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
For 12 years now the Fairfield County-based group has done a benefit concert for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) at the Fairfield Theater Company in honor of lead singer Mike Vitanza’s late brother, Robert, who died from the illness.
“It was a struggle this year with finding a venue and really making it work,” explained Adam Kane of Fairfield, a volunteer supporter of the effort. “So far there are a good amount of people here, so I’m glad that they could do it.”
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaGrandmother Mary Ann Hau, left, Bill and Emily Hau, and Bizzy, 10 months, all of Fairfield, enjoy the show at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
For 12
... more -
Joe and Bev Valiante of Westport watch the musicians at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
“We’ve already had so much support,” said Paul Sirbono of Fairfield, a volunteer who oversees the merchandise table each year.
He said the Sherman Green location also brought the chance for walk-ins too, as well as annual regular supporters.
“I think it affords us and the town an opportunity to kind of come together,” Sirbono said.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaJoe and Bev Valiante of Westport watch the musicians at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
“We’ve already had so much support,” said Paul Sirbono
... more -
Band mates Nick Giaquinto, left, and Jack Good of Simple Jim share a jam at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Simple Jim performed a selection of hard-hitting rock songs, which reverberated across downtown and had the crowd smiling.
“We just wanted to keep it safe with being outdoors,” said Chris Coppola, drummer for the group.
lessPhoto: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaBand mates Nick Giaquinto, left, and Jack Good of Simple Jim share a jam at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Simple Jim performed a selection of
... more -
A supporter waits for the show to start at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaA supporter waits for the show to start at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Alyssa Moriarty of Fairfield and her daughter Mila, 19 months, share refreshments at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaAlyssa Moriarty of Fairfield and her daughter Mila, 19 months, share refreshments at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Hayes Dabrowski, 18 months, of Fairfield, gets a hand off from his dad, Drew, at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaHayes Dabrowski, 18 months, of Fairfield, gets a hand off from his dad, Drew, at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Fairfield native Julie Civale, now of Irvington, N.Y., and her children Nate, 2, and Camilla, 6, enjoy a pizza break at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
lessPhoto: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaFairfield native Julie Civale, now of Irvington, N.Y., and her children Nate, 2, and Camilla, 6, enjoy a pizza break at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield,
... more -
Father-son guitar players Jack, left, and John Good, perform with Simple Jim, along with bassist Chris Coppola at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaFather-son guitar players Jack, left, and John Good, perform with Simple Jim, along with bassist Chris Coppola at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Jane Carnevale, 3, of Fairfield, and her sister Caroline, 5, do some dancing at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaJane Carnevale, 3, of Fairfield, and her sister Caroline, 5, do some dancing at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Jo and Lorenzo Campofiore of Fairfield enjoy a bite before the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaJo and Lorenzo Campofiore of Fairfield enjoy a bite before the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Kids arrive, ice cream in hand, at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaKids arrive, ice cream in hand, at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Simple Jim drummer Mike Formato points out a friend to friend Octavian Chiriac of Fairfield before the show at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaSimple Jim drummer Mike Formato points out a friend to friend Octavian Chiriac of Fairfield before the show at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Volunteer Paul Sirbono of Fairfield helps with merch at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaVolunteer Paul Sirbono of Fairfield helps with merch at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
The Laden family of Fairfield looks for a spot to settle, including Steve, Leah, Josh, 3, and Juliette, 10 months, at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaThe Laden family of Fairfield looks for a spot to settle, including Steve, Leah, Josh, 3, and Juliette, 10 months, at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Teddy Dabrowski, 4, of Fairfield, waits for the music to start at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaTeddy Dabrowski, 4, of Fairfield, waits for the music to start at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
-
Lead singer Mike Vitanza of Simple Jim hits a high note at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Photo: Jarret Liotta / Jarret LiottaLead singer Mike Vitanza of Simple Jim hits a high note at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
Caption
Close
Grandmother Mary Ann Hau, left, Bill and Emily Hau, and Bizzy, 10 months, all of Fairfield, enjoy the show at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.
For 12 years now the Fairfield County-based group has done a benefit concert for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) at the Fairfield Theater Company in honor of lead singer Mike Vitanza’s late brother, Robert, who died from the illness.
“It was a struggle this year with finding a venue and really making it work,” explained Adam Kane of Fairfield, a volunteer supporter of the effort. “So far there are a good amount of people here, so I’m glad that they could do it.”
less
Grandmother Mary Ann Hau, left, Bill and Emily Hau, and Bizzy, 10 months, all of Fairfield, enjoy the show at the KJD fundraiser concert on Sherman Green on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Fairfield, Conn.