Behind the Scenes Photos from Forum Music Fest

What happens when you bring three musical greats together for a live, unscripted Forum conversation? Nothing short of magic!

We'll be sharing some highlights and memorable behind the scenes moments from last night's Forum Music Fest over the coming weeks. In the meantime, enjoy these fantastic shots taken by the one and only Nick Caito!

Rock Legend Patti Smith autographs copies of her iconic album covers and new book, Just Kids.


Singer, Songwriter and former Fugees Producer John Forte signs autographs at the panelist meeting.




John and Patti get better acquainted during the panelist meeting.



Forum Founding President Richard Sugarman admiring Patti's poetry.



Connecticut YOUTH Forum members pose with panelists and moderator Bill Flanagan after the YOUTH Forum press conference. Check out this clip from their press conference!



Patti and John Forte swap their guitars during the sound check.


The panel takes the stage.


Patti is a Rock Star...from head to toe!



Patti looks on as John Forte wows the crowd with a powerful, inspirational performance.



John Legend's beautiful performance left the Forum audience speechless.


Patti Smith was so moved by her experience with members of our YOUTH Forum that she dedicated her performance to them. Rock on!



The perfect ending to an incredible evening-and season!


Check back soon for video clips from the conversation, and performances!

Some Revolutionary Thinking...

A taste of some of the the revolutionary thinking going on at the Forum on Friday...



Do you have a favorite moment? Want to see more? Let us know!

Doris and Richard Sugarman Honored by Hartford Magazine

Doris and Richard Sugarman in May 2009 , Photo by Wayne Dombkowski

Our own CT Forum Executive Director Doris Sugarman and Founder Richard Sugarman have been named by Hartford Magazine as two of Greater Hartford's 50 Most Influential People of 2009. This directory of "who's who" in Greater Hartford identifies people who have "helped shape the look, feel, culture and vibrancy of our area in a positive way."

The Sugarmans started The CT Forum in 1992 with the mission:

To encourage the free and active exchange of ideas in Forums that inform, challenge, entertain, inspire and build bridges among all people and organizations in our community.

For 18 years, they've been doing just that - whether it's at large, public Forums at The Bushnell theatre featuring experts and celebrities, or in schools and community organizations throughout Greater Hartford, or as active Board members for various area non-profits.

Without a doubt, the influence of this dynamic duo - if measured by their ability to be a catalyst for individual and community change, or to inspire and motivate others to act in positive ways - knows no bounds.

It ripples, starting in Hartford and extending far beyond, turning conversations into collaborations, ideas into actions, and individuals into communities.

We're all better for it, and the rest of here at The Forum couldn't be more proud.

Thoughts on Hartford...

I've been thinking a lot about Hartford lately.

I work here, and at The Forum part of our struggle lies in convincing people who live outside the city to come downtown for their entertainment - to convince them that it is safe, there is parking and it will be fun - we promise. And, I've been looking at moving from the 'burbs into Hartford myself, so on a more personal level I'm considering what the city has to offer; there really is a lot going on here, so why do we work so hard to convince ourselves that Hartford is a dead city?

I feel like some of that is changing.

Maybe it's the opening of the new Connecticut Science Center, which had it's exciting pre-opening celebration this past weekend and will celebrate its grand opening on June 12. Maybe it's The Hartford Party Starters Union (HPSU) that is working to bolster Hartford's public image and make it a cool place to work, live and (most importantly for them) party. Maybe it's the always funny, always informative website Hartford.com, which should flat out embarrass those who whine: "there's nothing to do in Hartford." Or maybe it's just a tipping point caused by these and the host of other things that go on downtown. Whatever it is, it feels like there is a lot to be excited about, and I'm not the only one who's been considering a shake-up of Hartford's image...

Last week Where We Live's John Dankosky blogged about his feelings on Hartford after a compelling conversation with Iran Nazario, an ex-gang member who started the group Peacebuilders to mediate disputes between teens and stop them before they become violent. Dankowski began by reflecting on the attitude of the city: "There's a strange mix of inferiority complex, blind hope, resignation and energy [in Hartford] that I don't think I've encountered anywhere else." But, he concluded, "I guess I'm just rooting harder for Hartford today. I'd really like the conversation to change."

I found that so fitting for my thoughts this week - it's not just the city itself that needs to change as much as it is the way we talk and think about it. So I guess today I'm just adding my voice to those rooting for the city to succeed and thinking about how I can be a part of that success.

Behind the Scenes of Food for Thought with Anthony Bourdain and Duff Goldman

Backstage at The Bushnell, there is a very small room that holds the signatures of the very big names that have graced the stage there. Ray Charles, Walter Cronkite, Al Franken, Carol Channing, Bernadette Peters, and hundreds more, including a slew of Forum panelists, have all signed their John Hancock on these walls.

Food for Thought panelists Anthony Bourdain and Duff Goldman couldn't resist!

Anthony accompanied his name with a bloody knife...

and Duff cheered it up with some hearts and smiley faces.


Stay tuned all week for more behind the scenes photos and stories
from Food for Thought!

Digesting Food for Thought

We are still digesting all the delectable, curious, and fulfilling moments of our Food for Thought Forum last Thursday...

• like when the Travel Channel camera crew arrived in our office Thursday afternoon and set up in our conference room to film a "Tony and Friends" podcast that will later appear on the No Reservations website

• and when Tony Bourdain and Duff "Ace of Cakes" Goldman nonchalantly strolled into our office and warmly greeted our small and adoring staff

• and the incredibly warm welcome Alice Waters received at Billings Forge, and how moved she was by the good and important work being done by their community
  

• and the many special moments that were experienced at Hartford's lovely Society Room...from eating the delicious food prepared by Blue Back Square restaurants and Whole Foods to the thrill Forum Friends experienced chatting up some of their favorite foodies
  

• and then, of course, The Forum itself - a packed house at the Bushnell, a full crowd at the live simulcast at the Wallace Stevens Theater, and a panel of Forum favorites, including Forum Fave and Connecticut's own Colin McEnroe

• Not to mention dessert: the oh-so-sweet back stage, off-camera, post Forum moments with our special panelists and friends

Like any highly anticipated and carefully planned meal shared with friends, we are still savoring the moments, bite by bite. Stay tuned for photos, videos, and all kinds of behind-the-scenes morsels sure to please.

In the meantime, you might wish to check out what others are saying:

Here's Colin's Sunday column in The Hartford Courant

And more Colin

And just a bit more Colin

And more from...

Fox 61

The New Haven Advocate

Fairfield Weekly

And blogs galore, including:

Eat Me Daily

Jules Pieri

Tasty New England


Were you there? At the Bushnell or the live Simulcast? What did you think?

More Forum Videos!

Here are a few more videos from last week's Forum God: Big Questions...Bigger Questions.


This moment in the Forum has induced some visceral reactions from people on both sides of the debate. While it may be uncomfortable for some, I think it worth revisiting because of the sincerity with which all parties make their points. Rabbi Kushner, Rev. Gomes and Mr. Hitchens answer the question, "Why do good things happen to bad people?




The question here,"Is the issue between believers and non-believers or between the religions?"

Forum Holiday Highlights

What happens when diverse groups of people from across the spectrum of our community get together for a little holiday merriment?


Pure magic.

Check out the photos and blog post featured on the Hartford Courant's website about The Connecticut Forum's 16th Annual Children's Holiday Party for more than 250 Hartford Elementary school children - an event made possible by the gracious support of Target Stores, the Hartford Marriott Downtown, Lincoln Financial Group Foundation, and our incomparable army of Forum volunteers.

Happy Holidays!

Hartford Youth React to City Curfew

In the wake of a disturbingly violent weekend in Hartford, the city has instated a city wide curfew effective tonight. Any minor under the age of 18 who is not accompanied by a legal guardian after 9:00 will be issued a written warning by police, and escorted to a community center where they must be picked up by a parent.

Members of The Connecticut YOUTH Forum react:

I’m against the 9:00 curfew for the youth of Hartford. All this curfew is going to do is make people more upset and I don’t believe that it will stop or even lower the crime rate in Hartford. People will still find away to get around it. That law will probably be enforced heavily for the first couple of weeks and then die down. Some teens like me either are involved with different programs or work. What happens if somebody is on their way home from work and is involved with different programs stopped by a cop? They’re not always going to believe that kid is coming home from work, so they will end up being arrested. I’ve heard on the news that they’re allowing kids under 18 to be out past nine along they’re with their legal guardian, but they will still question the parent.
Kyron, 16 Weaver High School


In a way I think it is going to help the crime rate but 9 pm seems too early. If the curfew was at 10 or 10:30 then it would be plausible to work with.
Earl, 17, Weaver High School


I believe that the nine o’clock curfew will not help or change. It is just an harsh punishment for the youth who are not involved and have never been involved in teen violence. Out of the youth population only a small number is connected with the violence that set about the Hartford curfew. It is not fair to the children and teenagers who are not involved. It is very unlikely that the teens now associated with violence and gang relations will abide by the curfew. So the ones most deserving of this punishment will not even feel its effects. If anything the teens will rebel against such demands and stay out later doing more violent acts. As for students like me who have sporting events, games, and study groups, or just want to go to the new late night showing of a new movie, we are the ones who will miss out. I myself have programs that end at 8pm and if it takes me an hour to get home waiting patiently for a bus I don’t want to be hauled off doing absolutely nothing. Further more the police have a lot of things on their hands like crime murder and the occasional drug lord. Do they really have time to patrol Hartford picking up children who have never done anything.
Marnise, 17, Sports and Medical Sciences Academy

Check out The Hartford Courant's Poll and get the community's opinion.