The Buttonwood's Busy Weekend

Singer-songwriter Elisa Flynn (above, photo by Mark Schwartz) is just one reason to check out the doings at The Buttonwood Tree this weekend. She appears at 8 p.m. on Saturday night (1/10) on a double bill with her good friend and fellow singer-songwriter Lys Guillorn. Though both will play solo acoustic sets (with several collaborations planned), one can't help but hear the rock influences in each performers' songs. However, one of the best ways to explain this music is to avoid obvious labels and just sit back and allow the songs to wash over you, just let the lyrics bounce around the brain. Suffice to say, Flynn and Guillorn are strong performers and the intimate surroundings of The Buttonwood are a perfect spot to hear and see the power of their music. Call 347-4957 for more information.

Starting tonight, The Buttonwood hosts "Women of Perception: Women's Weekend Conference." The events, spread over 3 days, include a play by Zelphia Hunter on Friday titled "Meeting Going on in the Ladies Room", a day-long series of workshops on Saturday (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) featuring music, mime, theater and more, culminating with a final meeting on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. To find out more about the conference, sponsored by Solid Rock Ministries and Reverend Sandra Steele, call 344-9640.

Also on Sunday, author Mensimah Shabazz will talk about her book "Sankofa: Learning from Hindsight" at 3 p.m. Ms. Shabazz, currently Director of Admissions at Middlesex Community College, is a native of Ghana and has worked and studied in many different areas throughout the world. A book signing follows the discussion. To get a glimpse of the book, go to www.walawisdom.com.

Last but not least, at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening, come hear the sounds of Jenna Bollard (vocals, guitar) and Lucas Chamberlain (guitar). The duo, members of the Boston-based band Rising Karma, performs original music with its roots in folk, blues, r'n'b and rock. Bollard, a Connecticut native and a student at the Berklee School of Music (as is Chamberlain), possesses a strong voice which works well on both the softer songs as well as the soulful rockers. The guitarist makes good use of bluesy riffs to give the songs its rhythmic drive. To get a taste of their music, go to www.myspace.com/risingkarma and www.myspace.com/jennabollard.