One Saturday. Two completely different ways to experience Fairfield.
Our Saturday started with the joyful chaos of PorchFest in Black Rock — live music spilling out onto the streets, people gathering with friends, and plenty of energy.
A few hours later, we were sitting on Jennings Beach in Fairfield, listening to live piano through wireless headphones as the sun began to set over Long Island Sound.
It was our first MindTravel experience, and the contrast couldn’t have been more perfect.
What Is MindTravel?
If you’ve never heard of MindTravel, you’re not alone. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect either!
Created by composer and pianist Murray Hidary, MindTravel is a live-to-headphones musical experience that combines improvisational piano, mindfulness and the natural surroundings.
Rather than sitting in a traditional concert venue, participants gather in a beautiful outdoor setting. Everyone listens through wireless headphones while the music is performed live.
The result is an interesting combination: you’re experiencing the music individually through your headphones, but you’re also sharing the experience with everyone around you.
And you don’t need to be an experienced meditator or particularly “spiritual” to enjoy it. You can simply sit back, listen and take in the setting.
Our First MindTravel at Jennings Beach
For our August 22 event, the setting was Jennings Beach in Fairfield, Connecticut.
If you’ve spent time at Jennings, you already know that there’s something special about being there in the evening. The beach opens toward Long Island Sound, and as the day winds down, everything becomes a little quieter- the natural beach sounds prevailing.
Add live piano to that setting, and the experience feels very different from a typical evening at the beach.
We brought beach chairs and blankets and settled in for the evening. The music was live and improvisational, so there wasn’t a traditional set list to follow. Instead, the piano seemed to become part of the surroundings — the Sound, the sky, the beach and the people gathered around us.
After the energy of PorchFest earlier in the day, it was a wonderful way to slow things down.
And that contrast actually became one of my favorite things about the experience.
One Saturday, Two Sides of Fairfield
This is one of the things I love about Fairfield.
You can spend the afternoon surrounded by energized music, neighbors and activity at an event like PorchFest, and then find yourself sitting quietly on the beach a few hours later.
You can spend a summer morning swimming or walking along the water, meet friends for dinner in town, take in live music, explore one of Fairfield’s many parks and beaches — or simply watch the sunset over Long Island Sound.
It’s not just about having a beach. It’s about having so many different ways to enjoy it.
For anyone considering a move to Fairfield, I think those lifestyle experiences are an important part of the story. The homes are certainly a big part of why people come here, but it’s what you can do once you close the front door that helps make a community feel like home.
What to Know If You’re Considering MindTravel
When MindTravel comes back to Jennings Beach (Friday, September 18, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM-Check EventBrite for tickets), here are a few things you may want to know before going:
Is MindTravel a concert?
It’s more intimate than a traditional concert. The music is performed live, but everyone listens through wireless headphones, creating a very immersive experience.
Do you have to meditate?
No! MindTravel incorporates mindfulness, but you don’t have to know how to meditate or follow a particular practice. You can simply listen to the music and enjoy the surroundings. Murray even invites you to walk around. Some people appear to doze off, others walk around capturing photos and video. The people-watching is actually part of the experience.
What should you bring?
For the Jennings Beach event, attendees were encouraged to bring a blanket, low chair or cushion, water and a light layer for the evening. Seating wasn’t provided, but blankets were sold at the entrance throughout the event.
Where is Jennings Beach?
Jennings Beach is located at 880 South Benson Road in Fairfield, CT, along Long Island Sound. It is one of Fairfield’s public waterfront destinations and a popular spot for swimming, recreation and enjoying the shoreline. It is one of the two largest (of the five) beaches in town, Penfield Beach being the other.
How long does MindTravel last?
The August 22 event was scheduled for approximately two hours, from 7–9 PM, with attendees encouraged to arrive early (though it’s not really necessary, as the headphones are available throughout, as long as you bought your ticket).
Another Reason to Love Fairfield
MindTravel was just one evening, but it was a good reminder of something I see again and again living and working in Fairfield:
The lifestyle here can be as energetic or as peaceful as you want it to be.
One day can include music pouring out of neighborhood porches, dinner with friends, a walk along the beach and live piano beneath the evening sky.
That’s a pretty wonderful combination.
I’ve put together a short video from our evening at Jennings Beach so you can get a feel for the experience yourself.
WATCH: A Sample of MindTravel at Jennings Beach in Fairfield, CT
(~3 min)
And if you’re curious about what it’s like to live in Fairfield — beyond the houses and real estate statistics — that’s exactly what I hope to share here on the Fairfield Beach Blog.
Because sometimes the best way to understand a place is to experience it.
Looking for more things to do in Fairfield, CT? Explore more Fairfield Beach lifestyle, local events, restaurants, beaches and community stories on the Fairfield Beach Blog, or send a comment or request below.
