OUR FEBRUARY ARTIST:   LYNN C. FISHER

Artist’s Statement:

Artist: One, such as a painter, sculptor, or writer, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts. (yourdictionary.com)

HMMM, not a painter, sculptor or writer…

What I am is a woman who likes to sew, work with tools and take photographs.  My art quilts combine all of these talents using both traditional and modern quilting techniques; they represent a part of me that is deeply rooted in history.  The photographs chosen for this show are portraits of women; different ages, different activities, part of the complex tapestry of life, all connected by the simple fact that I’ve found them in front of the lens of my camera at one time or another.

Blink of an Eye is broadcast Tuesday nights at 11:00 pm on Comcast Public Access television channel 15

There will be 3 shows from the Anything Goes Open Mic which will air Tuesdays.

February 7,2012
February 14, 2012
February 21,2012

The 4th show, titled: “Me and Mine at The Buttonwood Tree”, will air on February28, 2012  and will be filmed at The Buttonwood Tree on Friday, Jan 13th.

Keep The Buttonwood Tree 
Alive & Growing!

Experience the  of Joining!

Why become a member?

The Buttonwood Tree (TBT) has served as a performing arts and cultural center for over 22 years. To serve you, we are dedicated to providing space and opportunities to support the creative endeavors of artists and potential artists. We are enriching the lives of those in our community and beyond. We offer a children’s art camp, performance space to local and international artists, an art gallery and much more! All of these enhance Middletown’s vibrancy and reputation as a destination for cultural and entertaining events. Your membership will serve to ensure our success! Our unique space on Main Street, in the former Arriwani Hotel, is quaint, cozy and filled with great positive spirit – yours will make it even better!
We offer special benefit packages to thank you for your support and generosity!

Anne-Marie Cannata
Executive Director

Membership at any level gives us all the assurance that the creative pursuits for which The Buttonwood Tree is renowned, will continue.
Be an asset to our community and commit to strengthening our investment for the future !
THANK YOU!

Our Mission

In part … To provide artistic and other cultural experiences, 
for audiences in Middletown, Central
Connecticut and beyond. 
To enhance commerce and create a 
community/cultural center.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

  PLATINUM / TREE LEVEL – $1000+ UP

• Your name or business can be recognized on our monthly calendar.

• Private use of TBT, up to 4 hours (per year)

• Receive an original, custom-designed, hand painted shirt by Nancy Ostrovsky

• “2 for 1”** beverage special

• Receive a pair of TBT logo mugs

• Receive 8 free Guest Passes

• 50% off TBT books & CDs

• Discounts at area restaurants & merchants

CLICK THE DONATE BUTTON TO MAKE YOUR DONATION ONLINE

  GOLD / TRUNK LEVEL – $500 – $999

• Receive an original, custom-designed, hand painted shirt by Nancy Ostrovsky

• “2 for 1”** beverage special

• Receive a pair of TBT logo mugs

• Receive 6 free Guest Passes

• 50% off TBT books & CDs

• Discounts at area restaurants & merchants

CLICK THE DONATE BUTTON TO MAKE YOUR DONATION ONLINE

  SILVER / ROOT LEVEL – $100 – $499

• “2 for 1”** beverage special

• Receive a pair of TBT logo mugs

• Receive 4 free Guest Passes

• 25% off TBT books & CDs

• Discounts at area restaurants & merchants

CLICK THE DONATE BUTTON TO MAKE YOUR DONATION ONLINE

  BRONZE / LEAF LEVEL – $25 – $99

• Receive a TBT logo mug

• Receive 2 free Guest Passes

• 25% off TBT books & CDs

• Discounts at area restaurants & merchants

CLICK THE DONATE BUTTON TO MAKE YOUR DONATION ONLINE

Membership BrochureFINAL. 11-10-11

In celebration of The Buttonwood Tree’s 23rd year and the opportunity for membership, on December 3rd:

Enjoy Debi Friedlander’s FREE art reception that will be taking place from 4-6 p.m.  Let the music of Eric Mintel’s Quartet sustain and thrill you beginning at 8:00 p.m., $15.00 cover.  Tschudin’s Chocolates will be available all day – a sight to behold and delicious too !

JOIN the excitement!  Help us launch our 23rd year by becoming a member!

What a year this was for the kids in KIDS ARTS !  We had dance, art, music and writing all to get creative with, and they really were creative! We were able to have 4 teachers who were highly skilled in their respective classes, and they all worked together beautifully! Our theme this year was UNITY, and they sure did a fine job coming together to produce an outstanding camp for these children!

We run this 5 week camp along with Oddfellows as they run their Circus camp, all sponsored by the Middletown Commission on the Arts. For children ages 6 to 14, it’s a great opportunity to have fun in the summer while learning new skills and developing their artistic abilities. (Sign ups start early through the Park and Rec office, and space is limited, so next year plan for it – and look for it around March.)

This year we had the most incredible counselors who helped our fantastic teachers!  We give kudos and our deepest appreciation to this year’s staff:

Teachers: Troubadour: Lauren Agnelli (newspaper) and Margie Warner (music)

Art Moves: Annie Grenier (art) and Patrick Hayes (dance)

Counselors: Lily Smith, Paul D’Antonio, Mark Adamiak & Tyler Sheil

Volunteers: Erin St. Pierre (administration),  Darrell Lucas (videography), Christopher Jankowski, KLJ and LaLa (musicians for The Big Reveal)

Our Sponsors: MIDDLETOWN COMMISSION ON THE ARTS, MacDonough School

Supporting businesses:

Brew Bakers, Fusion Bakery, The Coffeehouse Recording Studio, It’s Only Natural Restaurant, It’s Only Natural Market, O’Rourke’s Diner, Pedal Power, The Green Dahlia,  Illiano’s Restaurant & O’Rourke’s Diner.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!  Your support is vital!  We can’t do this without you! 

“THE BIG REVEAL”   – watch the kids perform!  August 3, 2011   Thank you for the video, Darrell!

Below is the link to the video of the KIDS ARTS program presentation held at MacDonough School!  ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Iy4o1A7SY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Friday February 24th, 2012
8pm $10

The Ricky Alfonso Group

Trumpeter and vocalist Ricky Alfonso pays homage to Miles Davis, Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and a unique and personal vocal style. Ricky has worked with many jazz luminaries including Mario Pavone, Fred Simmons, Ed Blackwell, Joe Fonda and the great Bill Barron while he was adjunct jazz trumpet instructor at Wesleyan University in Middletown CT.

 Trumpeter and vocalist Ricky Alfonso and his group will return to the Buttonwood Tree for another night of powerful and swinging jazz music. A perennial in the Hartford music scene, Ricky’s group showcases tight, joyful and uplifting jazz music guaranteed to please the well seasoned and casual jazz fans alike.

Ricky’s group will feature his original modern jazz compositions plus tunes by Miles Davis, Terrance Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock and a special tribute to the late, great Bill Barron. Joining Ricky will be Chris Casey on piano, Matt Dwonszyk on bass and Tido Holtkamp on drums. Join us for an evening of swing, bop and blues with some style.

Web site: Rickyalfonso.com

Saturday February 25th, 2012
10:30am to 12:00pm – Doors open: 10:15am
Suggested donation: $5

Annaita is a Spiritual & Holistic Healer who recently moved to Middletown, CT from India. Experienced in applying varied healing modalities to a wide range of situations, her primary focus has been to heal through empowerment.

In these inter-active workshops, Annaita shares her deep understanding of life, holism and spirituality enabling you to rise above life’s challenges, live a healthy, fulfilled & confident life.

You will explore simple concepts of living in awareness that: open you up to the wonders of life; discover who you are; let go of fear and all that keeps you stuck. You create your reality and as co-creator of this world, find out how you can bring to it and you, peace, harmony, health and abundance.

Life is never easy and change only happens when we change from within. In today’s climate of hardship, ill-health, corruption and inequality it is often difficult to see the Light. The purpose of this workshop is to empower you to see yours.

Be the change you wish to see. All you need is Willingness.

This week’s Topic: ‘Connecting to Crystal Wisdom’ 

A Workshop: Aligned With Source is an Inter-Active talk/workshop with a purpose of bringing understanding to life’s challenges and empowering us to deal with them.  Crystals are alive with powerful and beautiful energies. In this special workshop you will become familiar with & begin to understand the purpose & scope of a few.
You will awaken to the energies of these beloved Gems and learn how you can use them to benefit you.

Saturday February 25th, 2012
6:30pm
Suggested Donation:  $3-5   Food donations for  St. Vincent DePaul, Middletown also welcomed.

For More Info: www.riverwoodpoetry.org

Ngoma  is a performance poet, multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and paradigm shifter, who for over 40 years has used culture as a tool to raise sociopolitical and spiritual consciousness through work that encourages critical thought.

A former member of the SPIRIT HOUSE MOVERS AND PLAYERS with Amiri Baraka and the Contemporary Freedom Song Duo, SERIOUS BIZNESS, Ngoma weaves poetry and song that raises contradictions and searches for a solution for a just and peaceful world. Ngoma was the Prop Slam winner of the 1997 National Poetry Slam Competition in Middletown, CT and was published in AFRICAN VOICES MAGAZINE, LONG SHOT ANTHOLOGY, THE UNDERWOOD REVIEW, SIGNIFYIN’ HARLEM REVIEW,BUM RUSH THE PAGE/DEF POETRY JAM ANTHOLOGY and POEMS ON THE ROAD TO PEACE (Volumes 1,2 & 3)-Yale Press. He was most recently published in the new anthology LET LOOSE ON THE WORLD”(CELEBRATING AMIRI BARAKA at 75) He was also featured in the PBS Spoken Word Documentary, “The Apro-Poets” with Allen Ginsberg.

Ngoma has hosted the slam at the Dr. Martin Luther King Festival of Social and Environmental Justice Festival (Yale University-New Haven, CT) for the past 15 years. Ngoma was selected as a participant at the Badilisha Poetry Xchange in Capetown, South Africa in fall of 2009 His newest C.D “Poetry from a Smart Phone is a series of poems and music that were all written during the National Poetry Month 30/30 Challenge of 2011. All music and poetry written and performed by Ngoma with the exception of “The Crow On the Cradle”-Sydney Carter/Jackson Brown(Covered by Ngoma) “Ngoma’s Not Your Average String Thing -Vocals,Bamboo Flute,Electrik Violin,Acoustic Guitar,Yidaki (Didgeridoo) & Garage Band Tracks

For further info check out www.myspace.com/notyouraveragestringthing and www.Ngomazworld.com. His new CD available on www.CDBaby.com and www.iTunes.com.

“Cooking for Peace and Social Justice”

Food Not Bombs shares food about 1 pm in front of the Buttonwood. Anyone is welcome. Consider yourself invited to help us prepare vegetarian food at the First Church on 190 Court Street at 11:30 am.

www.foodnotbombs.net

FOOD FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT

New Open Mic on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month
7:30 – 9:30 pm
$5 suggested donation.

An open mic that will be filmed in its entirety to be aired on Comcast TV. Only those who agree to be viewed on TV should perform. All are welcome to participate as a performer or as audience. Produced by Ty Mapp and hosted by Chandra Williams