Oyster Fest, History, Barrett's, Gym Open, Viva Brasil!

The first weekend after Labor Day is always a busy one as Darien gets into serious party mode, gearing up for the productive time of the year. Make your weekend plans, folks:

• Darien Historical Society at 45 Old Kings Hwy. N., next to Goodwives Shopping Center, is throwing a "Closing Wine and Cheese Party" Friday, Sept. 6, to celebrate the closing of its exhibit on the history of the Tokeneke Association. The party starts at 6:30 p.m. and runs till about 9 p.m. and features music by Bob Woods All Stars. The party is free, but if you wish to make a donation, any donations of $25 or more "will be acknowledged with subsequent thank you letter for tax purposes."

• Barrett Bookstore is celebrating its big "reopening" reorganization of the store -- most things are in different spots, and they've made room for "middle readers" (kids younger than "Young Adult" readers) near the front of the store. You can get 10 percent off books on Saturday and enter a raffle for some neat prizes.

• The heavens appear to be smiling on this year's Norwalk Oyster Festival, this weekend, where the Village People are going to try again after being rained out at last year's Oyster Fest. In addition to bands, there are rides for the kids, food booths, other entertainment and general fun all around. (Hey, they've been doing this for 37 years, and they know how to give you a good time.) Always check out the pizza frites provided by St. Anne's Club, created on a patented device and with an organizational plan from Dominick Gurliacci, the late uncle of Darien Patch Editor David Gurliacci.

• "Dynamic Athletics CrossFit is proud to officially be opening our doors [Saturday] Sept. 7.  Please come join us to check out the space, ask us any questions you may have, and try a workout for a chance to win a free program!" -- from the event listing on Darien Patch. The new fitness studio is on the left side of Goodwives Shopping Center.

• "Viva Brazil! Saturday , Sept. 7 is Brazilian Independence Day! To celebrate this historic event, there will be [at Rodizio's Grill, 33 Broad St., Stamford] half price Caipirinhas and Limeades all day! Join us in our bar area for a $12 draft beer and our famous Slider plate, or dine in our restaurant and enjoy the “Full Rodizio” for $19.99 per person." -- from the event listing on Stamford Patch.

• On Saturday: "Whole Foods Market’s seven stores in southern Connecticut are inviting families to participate in a variety of fun events right in their backyards. At the end of each volunteer effort, families can enjoy a free salad lunch and learn about the healthy eating resources courtesy of Whole Foods Market’s Whole Kids Foundation. [...] The Darien store will partner with Green Village Initiative and the Darien Community Association where families will help clean and beautify the Association's new bird sanctuary trail. [...] When: Saturday, September 7th—9 a.m to noon. Where: Darien Community Association, 274 Middlesex Rd." Sign up here. -- from a news release issued by Whole Foods Market

• Buy tickets to see cabaret duo Judy Carmichael and Steve Ross at the Stamford Center for the Arts' Palace Theater at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7. Check out these prix fixe menus for restaurants you can dine at before the show: Bar Rosso — Columbus Park — Emme of Capri — Napa — Siena Ristorante

• SoNo Marketplace, 314 Wilson Ave., Norwalk, teams up with local craft beer brewers an Walrus+Carpenter or a 'Taste of the Beer Garden: Heat and Hops' event to benefit Norwalk firefighters from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday.