The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce continues to invovate, focusing on how a Chamber can foster meaningful change for the community and the businesses they represent.  In 2021 we significantly changed the route of the Art Festival and we also added a Performing Arts component to the 60-year-old Mystic Outdoor Art Festival. 

For the past decade, Anthony Caporale, had been producing a series of Off-Broadway musicals in Times Square, so when the Mystic Chamber asked if he’d be interested in bringing a performing arts component to the oldest arts festival in New England, he jumped at the chance.  Anthony said “Four years later, I get just as excited when annual preparations for the MOAF Performing Arts Stage are set to begin.  It's been a privilege working with the incredible array of world-class performers we've had the pleasure of featuring since the Performing Arts Stage debuted in 2021, and this year's new location in the Mystic River Park will allow even more festival-goers to enjoy performances.” 

Nicole DiMattei got involved in the festival through Anthony.  “As the first event I took part in post COVID, the MOAF Performing Arts Stage holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to its evolution each year! As a New York City Resident during that inaugural year, I stood on the stage at the beautiful Mystic Seaport, watching the sunset over the Mystic River, and honestly couldn't imagine a more picturesque place on earth. Three years later, I am now a resident of this amazing area (thanks to a real estate agent we met at the festival in 2021!), and thrilled with how we continue to grow each year.” 

The Chamber has set out to elevate the Arts in Southeastern Connecticut.  The Chamber has worked hard to increase membership of arts organizations and in the last two years we have signed up the Garde Arts Center, The United Theatre, The Granite Theatre, The Niantic Bay Playhouse, The Ivoryton Playhouse, La Grua and more.  Bruce Flax, President of the Chamber, was a huge fan of, and very familiar with the Garde Arts, from his daughter’s involvement in the New London Youth Talent Show.  He said “Jeanne and Steve are such a great voice for the Arts Community and New London and we are excited that the partnership will extend to the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival!” 

The Chamber has a vision of this Arts arc where, within a 20-mile drive of Mystic, we can connect to a very diverse Arts Community.  People coming to Mystic for a day or two can extend their stay longer and take advantage.  The Chamber will use its Go Mystic App and social media presence to spread the word and inform people. 

Steve Segal said “Presenting outside our walls has been considered for many years and when the Garde was approached about sponsoring the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival Performing Arts Stage it made perfect sense.

This meshed with our mission to present live music to a regional audience, while broadening the existing collaborative relationship already in place with the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.”

This year’s show has connected the region's top venues to the festival and with that, the 2024 lineup from their deep pools of talent.  We have invited Greater Mystic Chamber members from the Arts to produce or sponsor a show segment, moved the performance times earlier, and moved the stage into Mystic River Park. This will give art festival attendees the opportunity to take a seat and rest their feet throughout the day while watching some spectacular performances, for all ages.

This year, we are proud to present the Performing Arts Stage on Saturday, August 10^th presented by The Garde Arts Center of New London located in Mystic River Park on Cottrell Street. Performances will run from 11:00AM to 5:00 PM. 

This year’s performances feature a variety of local and regional performers including music and theater from across Connecticut and Rhode Island.  The 2024 line-up: 

Granite Theatre: Summer Camp Showcase - Rumpelstiltskin

The Granite Theatre is a year-round, non-profit theater located in Westerly, Rhode Island. They will be showcasing performances from their youth program's summer camp as well as their Theatre for Young Audiences production, "Rumpelstiltskin", which opens at the theater on August 15th. granitetheatre.org 

Knickerbocker Music Center: Arthur Migliazza, World renowned blues and boogie woogie pianist, and member of the Knickerbocker All Star band

The Knickerbocker Music Center, in Westerly, Rhode Island, recently celebrated their 90th Anniversary! Joining their sister organization, The United Theatre, they are creating a multi-venue regional campus for the Arts which provides space for weekly lessons, performances, and events. knickmusic.com 

La Grua Center: Bergin O’Malley, singer song-writer

La Grua Center is a non-profit cultural center in the Stonington Borough, offering a wide variety of concerts, art exhibitions, and speakers in a welcoming, acoustically distinctive space flooded with natural light and vaulted ceilings.lagruacenter.org 

The Garde Arts Center: Local artist Frank Colmenares

Recently recognized as an “Outstanding Theater in America" by the League of Historic Theaters, The Garde Arts Center was created in 1985 as a non-profit performing arts organization to save and reuse the historic Garde Theatre, one of the few remaining historic movie palaces in Connecticut. gardearts.org