Summer Thursday Music Series: Dave Alves + J&R Seafood Raw Bar at Saltwater Farm Vineyard
Summer Thursday Music Series featuring Dave Alves + J&R Seafood Market raw bar brings live music, local wine and fresh seafood together at Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington on Thursday, August 20. Guitarist Dave Alves performs from 5 to 7 p.m., while Mystic’s J&R Seafood Market sets up a raw bar for the evening.
It’s a particularly local combination. Alves has been part of southeastern Connecticut’s music scene for decades, J&R was founded by Stonington fishermen, and Saltwater Farm occupies a piece of Stonington land whose history stretches back more than 350 years.
The Thursday series is designed as a casual summer evening rather than a formal concert. Grab a glass or bottle of wine, order something from the raw bar and find a spot overlooking the vineyard while Alves plays.
About Dave Alves
Dave Alves is a longtime southeastern Connecticut guitarist whose career has moved through rock, blues, jazz, funk and acoustic music.
He’s probably most familiar locally as a member of several regional projects and as a musician who regularly performs at vineyards, restaurants, festivals and other venues around southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. His playing allows him to move comfortably between familiar covers and more improvisational material, making the smaller vineyard format a natural fit.
Alves also performs in different configurations depending on the venue, from solo appearances to the Dave Alves Trio. For the August 20 Saltwater Farm date, he’s billed simply as Dave Alves, putting the focus on the more intimate side of his playing.
J&R Brings the Raw Bar
The other half of Thursday’s pairing comes from nearby Mystic.
J&R Seafood Market grew from a business started in 2016 by John and Richie, two former fishermen who grew up in Stonington and still live in town. Frustrated by what they saw as expensive, lower-quality seafood, they began using their fishing-industry relationships to supply fresher products to local chefs and markets.
It started with sea scallops.
The business expanded, and the founders’ oldest children, Allison and Andrew, eventually opened the retail J&R Seafood Market at 45 Williams Avenue in Mystic. The market now sells fresh seafood along with house-made chowders, prepared meals, seafood dips, sauces and other products. Seafood is delivered fresh daily and sourced from local waters whenever possible.
Raw bars have become another part of J&R’s business. Its catered raw bars can include oysters, littlenecks and shrimp cocktail, along with options such as tuna poke and shrimp-avocado ceviche. The exact selection available at Saltwater Farm hasn’t been announced, so consider those examples of what J&R offers rather than a guaranteed menu for Thursday.
A Vineyard With an Unusual Past
Saltwater Farm Vineyard has one of the more interesting backstories among Connecticut wineries.
The land’s agricultural history can be traced to 1653, when Walter Palmer established a farm on roughly 230 acres surrounding Wequetequock Cove. Portions remained farmland into the early 20th century.
Then airplanes arrived.
In the late 1930s, William J. Foster established a small community airport on the property called Foster Field, or Westone Airport. Its hangar was designed by Stonington architect and engineer John W. Lincoln, who was involved in the development of the Quonset hut.
After World War II, the property briefly hosted commercial aviation and flight training. The hangar subsequently went through a much less glamorous stretch as a warehouse, restaurant and manufacturing facility before sitting largely dormant.
Michael Connery purchased 108 acres in 2001 and began transforming the former airfield into a vineyard while preserving its aviation history. The first vines were planted in 2003, and the old hangar was eventually restored as the winery’s striking tasting room and event space.
The old airfield hasn’t completely disappeared, either. A grassy landing strip remains part of the property.
Wine, Seafood and a Thursday Evening
Saltwater Farm’s Thursday music series continues through September 3 this summer, with the vineyard remaining open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays and music beginning at 5.
Wine is available by the glass or bottle, along with a selection of Connecticut craft beer and other beverages. Saltwater Farm is not currently offering traditional wine tastings.
Cheese, crackers and other small bites are available for purchase, and guests may bring their own food. On August 20, of course, there’s another option: let J&R do the shucking.
No outside alcohol is permitted.
The performance is rain or shine. Indoor table reservations can be requested in advance, but the vineyard doesn’t reserve outdoor spaces. Leashed dogs are welcome outdoors, and children are welcome when accompanied by an adult.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Performer: Dave Alves
Special Food Vendor: J&R Seafood Market raw bar
Location: Saltwater Farm Vineyard
Address: 349 Elm Street, Stonington, CT 06378
Food: J&R Seafood Market raw bar; cheese, crackers and other small bites available. Guests may also bring their own food.
Drinks: Saltwater Farm wines by the glass or bottle, Connecticut craft beer and other beverages
Outside Alcohol: Not permitted
Weather: Rain or shine
Seating: Indoor table reservations are available by email. Outdoor space isn’t reserved.
Children: Welcome with adult supervision
Dogs: Leashed dogs welcome outdoors
Phone: (860) 415-9072
More Information
More information is available at the Event Website link below.
