April 2008 Calendar
April 27, Sunday, 2 p.m., FREE
John Milton's Paradise Lost
In celebration of John Milton's 400th anniversary, John Basinger will be performing a different book of Paradise Lost every Sunday afternoon.
May 2008 Calendar
May 1, Thursday, 7 pm/6:30 sign up, FREE/Donations Accepted
Bob Gotta's Acoustic Open Mic
May 3, Saturday, 6:30 pm, FREE/Donations Accepted
Spoken Word Series: Poetry Open Mic
May 10, Saturday, 8 pm, $10 Suggested Donation
SPRING JAZZ FESTIVAL FEATURING: Fran Curley Ensemble
Fran Curley, originally from Waterbury CT, started playing drums at age 13 and had his first paying gig at age 15. Over the span of 30-plus years, he has played professionally in rock, funk, jazz, blues and wedding bands in Connecticut as well as in Berkshire and Hampshire Counties in Massachusetts.
Fran has studied with Buddy Rich taskmaster James Tansley from Bridgeport University and Ed Soph (jazz legend Clark Terry’s drummer for many years). He currently studies with Bob Weiner, a former faculty member at Berklee College of Music who toured extensively with Harry Belafonte. Fran has also performed percussion on premiers of a series of intergenerational works including Brothers and Sisters and Parents where he worked with world-renowned composer Neely Bruce (Chorus Master for the Connecticut Opera and Professor of Music at Wesleyan University) and Phyllis Bruce, co-author and Music Director at the South Church Music Program in Middletown, CT.
Fran Curley, drums
Charlie Towkars, reeds
Ben Koan, piano
David Cristopolis, bass
May 12, Monday, 7 p.m., Free Event
MxCC, Poetry Reading & Slam Event
Six MxCC students will deliver a poetry reading and slam of works. The students will read or perform works generated and honed in a creative writing course which they will complete this spring. The event is open to the public and being sponsored by the Student Senate. A question and answer period will follow the readings. For more information, contact Professor Christine Ruggiero, Assistant Professor of English, Middlesex Community College at 860-343-5878 or by email cruggiero@mxcc.commnet.edu
May 14, Wednesday, 7:30 pm sign up/8 pm performance, $5 Suggested Donation
BELLYDANCE
Hosted By Laura Lawton and Kitti Field. The Evening Oasis will stimulate your dancing urge with the sound of finger cymbals, zaghareets and enticing Middle Eastern music. We will be showcasing local belly dance instructors, students and the dance hobbyist. Featured guest instructor for each month.
May 17, Saturday, 8 pm, $10 Suggested Donation
SPRING JAZZ FESTIVAL FEATURING: Michael Logan Trio
Michael Logan, bass
Tomoko Ohno, piano
Greg Searvance, drums
May 24, Saturday, 8 pm, $10 Suggested Donation
Joe Flood
More info to come!
Stay tuned!
June 2008 Calendar
June 5, Thursday, 7 pm/6:30 sign up, FREE/Donations Accepted
Bob Gotta's Acoustic Open Mic
June 7, Saturday, 6:30 pm, FREE/Donations Accepted
Spoken Word Series: MEGA MIC!
Poetry Open Mic!
Open invitation to musicians and poets! Anything goes!
June 11, Wednesday, 7:30 pm sign up/8 pm performance, $5 Suggested Donation
BELLYDANCE
Hosted By Laura Lawton and Kitti Field. The Evening Oasis will stimulate your dancing urge with the sound of finger cymbals, zaghareets and enticing Middle Eastern music. We will be showcasing local belly dance instructors, students and the dance hobbyist. Featured guest instructor for each month.
June 14, Saturday, 12:00 noon - 2 pm, Free
CT Open House Day!
ANDY BUZZI - Playing guitar and singing in his own style the songs you like to hear along with a few originals, Andy is fun and lively. Refreshments - better then ever sale on books and more! Stay tuned, more info to come!
September 2008 Calendar
September 20, Saturday, 8 pm, $10 Suggested Donation
Gail Wade & Brooks Williams
Gail has been performing publicly since the early 1980s. Her first musical experience came while living in Brunswick, ME. Gail has appeared on stages both as a solo musician and, most recently, as a member of the former CT-based band, "The Hot Flashes".
A strong guitarist with a rich and soulful voice, Gail brings forth fresh renditions of folk, blues, Bluegrass and swing favorites. Though steeped in the roots of American music, her diverse array of influences enable Gail to handle the transition from one musical genre to the next, with a fluidity that will foster a true appreciation of her talent.
Brooks Williams is a stunningly soulful and blues-soaked guitarist. His musical vision encompasses blues finger picking, swinging slide, and rootsy flat-picking, and manifests itself in a hybrid of funky chords, walking bass lines, and fiery leads. With influences as diverse as John Fahey, Michael Bloomfield, and Joseph Spence, it is pleasantly difficult to pin Williams down. He’s a guitarist, a songwriter, and an interpreter. For example, Williams signature guitar riffs can be heard in between news segments on National Public Radio in the United States, his song Forget About Him is a mainstay on XM Radio, and his cover of the Blind Boy Fuller classic Weeping Willow Blues regularly brings audiences to their feet.
Brooks Williams is also one of the most entertaining and engaging performers on the circuit today. His concerts are legendary: a constantly evolving mix of blues, originals, ballads, and instrumentals, presented in a fresh and personable way. More than one audience member has been heard to muse about a Brooks Williams concert: Now there’s a musician who loves his work. From coast-to-coast, country-to-country, Williams and his guitars roll and tumble like nobody business. Visit the artist at Visit artists at their websites: www.brookswilliams.com www.gailwade.net
The Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street, PO Box 71
Middletown, CT 06457
860/347-4957
near@buttonwood.org
http://www.buttonwood.org
Tickets for all shows available at the door.
Door and Cafe/Bookstore open half hour before performance time.