Shakespeare in the grove

ARTFARM presents a free outdoor production of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night July 17 – 27, 2008, at Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Rd., Middletown. Performances are Thursday through Sunday, July 17 – 20 and 24 – 27 at 7 pm. All performances are preceded by headliner musical acts at 6 pm. On Sundays (July 20 and 27), performances are preceded additionally by a unique “EcoFestival” starting at 4 pm and featuring family-friendly circus and musical entertainment, interactive environmental activities and games, and area eco-vendors.

Shakespeare in the Grove is co-sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Division of Middlesex College. The production is made possible in part by generous support from Liberty Bank, the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, a City of Middletown Challenge Grant, Pratt & Whitney, the Middlesex County Community Foundation, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, the Aetna Foundation,the Middletown Foundation for the Arts, and donations from many individuals.

Shakespeare in the Grove and the ARTFARM EcoFestivals are offered to the public for free, but there is a suggested donation of $10 per person. For more information, call (860) 346-4390 or email info@art-farm.org

Directions
- A few miles South of downtown Middletown on Route 9, take Exit 11 (Rt. 155, Randolph Road).
- At the end of the ramp (for both N. & S. bound) turn right onto Randolph Road.
- Continue to the traffic light at the top of the hill & turn left onto Saybrook Road.
- Go a quarter of a mile & turn right onto Reservoir Road.
- Travel past the stop sign & then take the first right onto Training Hill Road. Your first left will lead into the MxCC Campus parking area.
- For more information call ARTFARM at 860-346-4390

ARTFARM of Middletown, CT has announced its roster of musicians who will be playing before each performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night for this summer’s Shakespeare in the Grove. These free performances will be held outdoors at Middlesex Community College July 17 – 20 and 24 – 27. Music starts at 6 pm each evening and the performance of Twelfth Night begins at 7 pm. Audience is encouraged to arrive early, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy a picnic and music in the beautiful grove overlooking the Connecticut River Valley. The Shakespeare in the Grove 2008 Music Headliners are supported by a grant from the Middletown Commission on the Arts.

The Festival opens on Thursday, July 17 with Rani Arbo and Andrew Kinsey of Daisy Mayhem performing their unique traditional and original sound on fiddle, bass and voice. On Friday, July 18 the five women of Nzinga’s Daughters will perform acappella spirituals and songs from the Underground Railroad.

Joe Fonda and Mike Mussalime, straight from being on tour in Europe, present classic and contemporary jazz on Saturday, July 19. And the first weekend closes on Sunday, July 20 with local singer-songwriter Eric Kuhn providing original music with more than a dash of humor and political commentary.

The second weekend of Shakespeare in the Grove opens on Thursday, July 24 with traditional music of West Africa performed by Afropop Worldwide Editor Banning Eyre and world musician Dirck Westervelt. Native American composer and performer Lee Mixashawn Rozie will offer traditional music and jazz on July 25, and Dave Downs performs traditional and old-time music on July 26. The Festival finale on Sunday, July 27 will feature the world famous Tibetan singer Dadon accompanied by Peter Moore.