NY Yankees star Bernie Williams Brings a Celebrity Softball Game to Ridgefield on August 30

The famed Yankees centerfielder brings his music back to The Ridgefield Playhouse with his All-star band on Sunday, August 30 at 8 p.m.  It’s a brand new night of music with Bernie debuting new songs, along with a few surprises! 

Starting the day, Bernie and his team of All-stars will treat fans to an afternoon Celebrity Softball Game in the ballpark adjacent to the Playhouse at 1 p.m.,  with play by play announcing courtesy of 100.7fm WHUD’s morning personality Mike Bennett.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hillside Food Outreach and the Playhouse Arts for Everyone Program.

Although he’s won four World Series championships, five appearances on the American League All Star Team, four Gold Glove Awards and the 1996 American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award – Bernie’s real passion is music.  Since his retirement he has devoted his time getting back to those musical roots.  This evening of jazz guitar is generously underwritten by Anita and Nick Donofrio.  109 Cheese & Wine will offer complimentary wine and cheese tasting will take place in the lobby at 6:45 p.m. with a special art reception with National Art Museum of Sport Artist Bernie Hubert.  Bernie Hubert’s paintings will showcase the golden era of "Mickey, Willie and The Duke" - legendary New York Centerfielders!  This event is part of the No. 109 Cheese & Wine Art, Wine with additional sponsorship provided by Canine Training and Behavioral Services, LLC, Cultec and Blue Line Labradors with media sponsor 100.7fm WHUD.

Having topped the contemporary jazz Billboard Chart with #1 singles, recorded albums with guests as varied as Bruce Springsteen and Jon Secada, and having accepted an invitation to sit in with The Allman Brothers Band at their storied Beacon Theatre residencies, Williams instantly established himself as a formidable talent.  A modern-day multi-talented Renaissance man, Bernie Williams grew up in Puerto Rico where he learned classical guitar at an early age and was to focus on a career in music, that is until the Yankees drafted him.

The rest may be sports history, but Bernie Williams is also making his mark in the music world. He has developed a fresh style of jazz influenced by his classical music background along with Brazilian, pop and Latin rhythms. His albums include Moving Forward and The Journey Within. Williams has also written a book, Rhythms of the Game: The Link between Musical and Athletic Performance (2011).  Bernie Williams is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, both in his baseball career and in music. He performed at the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year tribute to Gloria Estefan and at the final home game played at historic Yankee Stadium in 2009.

                                         For tickets ($90 Gold Circle Meet & Greet; $65 orchestra, $55 mezzanine/balcony; All tickets include admission to the softball game; $20 game only by calling the box office), call or visit the box office at The Ridgefield Playhouse, (203) 438-5795.The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.