Arts & More This Weekend (5/15-17)

Middlesex Community College, Training Hill Road, presents the Opening Reception for the 2009 Arts & Media Festival Friday from 6 - 10 p.m. in various locations around campus. The event showcases projects produced by MxCC’s Broadcast Communications, Fine Arts, Graphic Design and Multimedia students. In addition to the student film and multimedia projects screening, student works are displayed throughout the Jean Burr Smith Library, Pegasus Gallery and the Niche. For more information, call the main number at 343-5701.

The Buttonwood Tree presents the Dreschler-Martell Quartet Friday at 7:30 p.m. The foursome, led by bassist Tim Dreschler-Martell and featuring guitarist Nick Allen, percussionist Cody Altieri and the trumpet stylings of Chris Choeun, plays both straight-ahead jazz and funkier music. For more information, call 347-4957.

Saturday, the Russell Library presents the duo of Svet Stoyanov (percussion) and Moni Simeonov (viola) at 2 p.m in the Hubbard Room. Bulgarian-born Stoyanov (pictured left) is a winner of the 2003 Concert Artists Guild International Competition. He made his New York City debut at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall as a co-soloist, premiering the Phillip Glass "Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra." Mr. Stoyanov has performed as a soloist with the Chicago, Seattle, American Symphony Orchestras and The New York Pops, to name a few. He received his Master’s degree from the Yale School of Music. Simeonov, also born in Bulgaria, came to the United States to study music in 2007. He received a master’s degree from Yale University and now is the first violinist of the University of Southern California’s Thornton Chamber Orchestra. Not sure what the duo will play but be assured, this program will be well=played and fun to listen to. The event is free and open to the public.


Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., The Buttonwood Tree present singer-songwriter Gail Wade and the great folk-blues guitarist Brook Williams.
Wade's music is a pleasing blend of folk, blues, Bluegrass and swing favorites and fine original pieces. Williams plays acoustic guitar in just any style imaginable but mostly folk, blues and a generous helping of jazz. On this night, he'll be backing Ms. Wade but one should he might step out for a tune or 2 of his own. For more information, call 347-4957.

Sunday morning at 11 a.m., Brew Bakers, 169 Main Street, presents the soft folk-rock sounds of Dave Downs. Downs, who writes a good percentage of his music, accompanies himself on guitar. He's at the eatery the 3rd Sunday of every month so check him out.


Lest you forget, "Greening Our Valley" aka "Green Fest", will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Middlesex Community College's Chapman Hall, 100 Training Hill Road in Middletown. All ages are invited and admission is free. See here for more details.