Sounds of SoNo was a live music event that took over Washington Street in September 2008. Sponsored by the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, City of Norwalk, and local businesses, the event featured art exhibits during the day. The stage, was set up at the end of the street, near Donovan’s, and the Tom Tom Club hit the stage.
Restauranteurs had been skeptical about arts organizations closing down Washington Street for festivals. Typically the tension between daily operations and weather dependent festival crowds is tough to navigate. Our event was different in that we worked with restaurants in the lead up and encouraged them to set up outdoor tables and chairs for outdoor dining. This proved to be a big boon to the restaurants, and the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency reported that they all broke records business wise.
Sounds of SoNo was the launch pad for a number of other events I produced, invigorating the Norwalk Arts Commission, an 80-member collective and advisory commission to the City.
