Much Ado Before Shrew

(photo by Pearse Pinch)

The ARTFARM production of "The Taming of the Shrew" opens next Thursday (July 16) and runs through the 26th. Before each of the 7 p.m. shows up in the Grove at Middlesex Community College (100 Training Hill Road in Middletown), there will be a short concert (6 p.m.) and the lineup has just been announced.


Opening night features guitarist Nancy Tucker, who creates music for younger audiences or, as she puts it, her show is a combination of "outrageous squeaky clean comedy, spirited guitar instrumentals and moving songs of human experience in her shows for people of all ages."

Friday July 17, guitarist Banning Eyre returns to the ARTFARM stage for a set of "Afro-Pop" and traditional West African music.

On Saturday July 18, a capella spirituals and music of the Underground Railroad will be performed by Nzinga's Daughters, a quintet based in the Hartford area.

The first week of shows comes to a close on Sunday and the musical guest Mixashawn, whose music is an exciting blend of traditional Native American music and jazz.

Week 2 opens on Thursday July 23 with the duo of Rani Arbo (vocals, fiddle) and Mark Erelli (guitar, bass, vocals.) Ms. Arbo, a Middletown resident, is well-known in the area as the leader of daisy mayhem while Mr. Erelli is a celebrated singer-songwriter with several excellent CDs.

Friday July 24, the duo of Michael Mussilami (guitar) and Joe Fonda (bass) will play jazz standards and originals with plenty of room for improvisation. Both lead their own ensembles and also play together in the guitarist's Trio.

Saturday July 25, Dr. Dennis Waring & Friends will play a lively set of world music. Dr. Waring, a former CT State Troubadour, ethnomusicologist, instrument maker and member of Sirius Coyote, is a fine reed player and interpreter of music from many different cultures.

The final show of the 8 nights features musician/artist/political activist Carlos Hernandez Chavez. Based in the Hartford area, Mr. Chavez works with the Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble and performs numerous solo shows.

As I stated above, the music starts at 6, the show at 7. On both Sundays, there will be an Eco-Festival with vendors, entertainment and information. Start-time for the Sunday events is 4 p.m. For more information about the 2009 edition of "Shakespeare in the Grove", go to www.art-farm.org or call 346-4390.