In life, there are those who are fortunate enough to have a great talent. And then there are those who have two.
Bernie Williams displays his duo artistry – for baseball and jazz guitar – Sunday in Ridgefield.
First, Bernie, a White Plains resident, and his team of all-stars take to the field adjacent to the Ridgefield Playhouse for a Celebrity Softball Game at 1 p.m. with play-by-play courtesy of 100.7 FM WHUD’s morning personality Mike Bennett. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hillside Food Outreach and the Playhouse Arts for Everyone Program.
But after winning four World Series championships, making five appearances on the American League All-Star Team and capturing four Gold Glove Awards and the 1996 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award – all as New York Yankees centerfielder – Bernie’s real passion is music. He has topped the contemporary jazz Billboard Chart with No. 1 singles, recorded albums with guests as varied as Bruce Springsteen and Jon Secada and accepted an invitation to sit in with The Allman Brothers Band at their storied Beacon Theatre residencies. Bernie returns to the Playhouse stage with an 8 p.m. performance of pieces old and new that is underwritten by Anita and Nick Donofrio.
Before the concert, 109 Cheese & Wine will offer a complimentary wine- and cheese-tasting for a special art reception with National Art Museum of Sport painter Bernie Hubert as part of No. 109 Cheese & Wine Art. Bernie Hubert’s works will showcase the golden era of “Mickey, Willie and The Duke” – legendary 1950s New York centerfielders Mickey Mantle (Yanks), Willie Mays (New York Giants) and Duke Snider (Brooklyn Dodgers).
Tickets ($90 Gold Circle Meet & Greet; $65 orchestra, $55 mezzanine/balcony) include admission to the softball game. (Game-only tickets are $20 and are available by calling the box office at 203-438-5795.)
The Playhouse is at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street. For more, visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. And for more on Bernie, Renaissance man of charity, look for October WAG’s “Compassion” issue.
– Georgette Gouveia
