10/05/2026
Our involvement with the 100th anniversary of the Garde Arts Theater in New London, Connecticut centered around architectural uplighting and a couple of follow spots to help capture the essence of an opening night when the theater opened in 1926. Actually, a very simple request which became a little more difficult than I expected. The day started with four hours of order preparation and loading. Right after lunch I headed from Bridgeport to New London. Traffic was heavy, but according to my GPS, I would end up there on time. However, I did not expect to get a flat tire just 11 miles from the destination. This caused me to spend three hours on the highway, trying to get myself to the venue. A good Samaritan stopped with a jack and some tools. Ed was on his way to the beach with his kids and was kind enough to stop and try to help me. He was able to find the puncture and with some tools and hardware I had we inserted a screw to plug the hole. While it wasn’t perfect; It certainly slowed down the amount of air escaping from the tire. Then Solomon the house manager from the Garde Arts came with an air compressor, and I started to fill the tire with air. However his little portable unit would not keep up to the air that was required to refill this truck tire. Solomon took off and then returned with a air tank and we use that to fill the tire and then I slowly made my way up the highway and actually got to the venue. Upon arrival my tire was flat again. Then their crew and I set up all of the lights that you see in the pictures. Everyone that I met from the crew was extremely helpful! Once we got the lights up and running, I made my way to an auto parts store to find what I needed in order for me to be able to make it back home after the show. With about 45 minutes to closing I got everything I needed at a local O’Reillys. I used a plug kit, filled the tire up with a compressor that I purchased and by 9 PM I was ready to take a dinner break, a well earned burrito before going to break down the show 30 minutes later. The tire repair was 100% successful. The client was very happy with the lighting job provided and I was able to go home after the gig. I have to say that of all the venues that I’ve worked in these folks at the Garde Arts Theater were amongst the nicest people I’ve ever worked with! I don’t know what they put in the water over there, but whatever it is I hope they keep doing it because it was an absolute pleasure spending time working at the theater. Everyone from the security guards, to David Schultz, Jennifer Z, we’re all extremely helpful in making the night work with the least amount of consternation! Thank you Guard Arts for a night I won’t ever forget! 
