Week in Review: May 15-21

ARTS

Bands from across the Tri-State area are in downtown Stamford on Friday night to kick off , a competition that will award one talented group an opening slot on Alive @ Five's roster, which will include headlining acts such as The B-52s, MC Hammer, "American Idol" winner Lee Dwyze and Third Eye Blind. Twelve downtown restaurants will played host to the competing bands, including The Fez, BUtterfield 8, , and . Patch spoke with four of the bands that performed.

BUSINESS/VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS

Mayor Michael Pavia, Public Safety Director Bobby Valentine and other top business and community leaders in the lobby Wednesday morning to announce that the city will be hosting a benefit on June 18 to benefit Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims. "Stamford on the Sound" will be held at the new Commons Park at Harbor Point in the South End and will feature food, wine tasting and a silent auction inside of a large outdoor tent. The proceeds from the event will benefit the Japanese American Association of New York.

GOVERNMENT

The Board of Finance a 17.37 average mill rate for the 2011-2012 fiscal year Tuesday night, thus, setting up a 1.75 percent property tax increase for city residents. The new rate means that Stamford homeowners will pay an average of $17.37 for every $1,000 of assessed value. The Board voted on the rate 4-2 with Robert Kolenberg and Kathleen Murphy opposing. Kolenberg told board members that he couldn't support the increase because he made a pledge not to raise taxes.

SCHOOLS

Appearing as a guest lecturer at Cloonan Middle School’s "Scholar Power" speaker series on May 13, Sharece M. Sellem, a mime and performance artist, her way into the hearts of students. Students were able to take Sellem's two-session interactive mime workshop after the assembly, where they participated in her "Mime-to-Music" program, complete with mime make-up and characteristic white gloves.