Much To Do on 12/05

There is so much to do in Middletown this coming Saturday that it really is mind-boggling. Want classical music? The Russell Library presents the Janaki Trio in the Hubbard Room at 3 p.m. (and it's free!) How about Gypsy-Jazz? No sweat, because, at 8 p.m. The Buttonwood Tree hosts Ameranouche, a trio that brings the music Belgian-born guitarist Django Reinhardt created in the 1930s. Maybe the soothing tones of the Wesleyan Gamelan Ensemble, I.M. Harjito, music director, is more to your liking. You're in luck as the group will present "Wayang Kulit" (Javanese shadow puppet theater) featuring puppet master Sumarsam at 8 p.m. in the World Music Hall at Wesleyan. Some people like jazz/funk with a healthy dollop of blues - they should check out the Liviu Pop Group and special guest Ray Morant (guitar) at 9 p.m. in Boney's Music Lounge above Fishbone Cafe.

Perhaps you want to take the children for Hayride down Main Street. If the weather's right, Santa and his friends will be down at the Chamber of Commerce Building from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. with a wagon (perhaps a sleigh) to offer families the opportunity to relax and see the town.

Lindy Hop or Swing Dancing more your style? Vinnie's Jump & Jive can hook you up with lessons for the former at 2 p.m. and get you moving out on the floor for the latter at 7:30 p.m. Perhaps you'd rather meet an author - The Book Bower, inside Main Street Market, welcomes Killingworth resident John Herbert who will read from his new book, "Rules Get Broken" at 4 p.m.

Need to feel the spirit of the Holiday season? First United Methodist Church, 24 Old Church Street, presents guitarist Nancy Romano and the Church choir in a "Holiday Music Festival" at 6 p.m.

And there is opera. Not just any opera, but Donizetti's "L'elisir D'Amore" ("The Elixir of Love.") The first of 2 presentations in the Greater Middletown Concert Association's Opera Series, the 1832 classic will be performed by the Connecticut Lyric Opera and the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Adrian Sylveen, music director, at 7:30 p.m in the Performing Arts Center of Middletown High School, LaRosa Lane. Starring Andrew Dorst (tenor) and Juarte Svedaite (soprano), the comedy is a favorite of fans all around the world.

The following synopsis comes courtesy of allaboutopera.com - The scene is laid in an Italian village, where a pretty and coquettish country belle, Adina, is amusing herself by keeping on tenter-hooks her two sweethearts, Nemorino, an honest young farmer, and Belcore, a recruiting sergeant from the next village. After much lively flirtation, matters are brought to a climax by a visit to the village of a quack, from whom Nemorino purchases a bottle supposed to contain "the Elixir of Love," but which is in reality only ordinary wine, since the quack, Dulcamara, not possessing the drug asked for, still desires the simple peasant's money. Being eager to put the Elixir to a good test, Nemorino swallows the whole contents of the bottle; with the result that the wine makes him half-drunk, so that Adina is shocked at his unseemly behaviour, and declares she will marry Belcore. The marriage contract is to be signed next day; and Nemorino, in despair, seeks a second bottle of Elixir from the quack, permitting Belcore to enter him as a recruit, in order to secure the bonus money, wherewith he is able to pay for the drug, the effect of which being still merely strong wine is, however, to place him still further in the black books of his ladylove. Next day, the village girls, having discovered that Nemorino' s uncle has died and left him a fortune a fact not yet known to the young manbegin to pay great attention to the now eligible farmer, who is much surprised, but takes advantage of the circumstance to rouse the jealousy of Adina who has much to the chagrin of Belcore postponed the signing of the wedding contract until evening. Seeing the girl looking dejected, Dulcamara, struck with remorse, reveals to her his deception of her sweetheart; and Adina, pleased with this proof of the true love and sincerity of the young farmer, decides to reward his faithfulness by granting him his heart's desire. Belcore reminds her that the new recruit, having spent part of his bonus money, must depart to take up his military duties; but when Adina herself repays the money, the disappointed suitor retires crestfallen, whilst the triumphant village belle bestows her hand upon the delighted Nemorino.

Ticket information can be found by going online to http://greatermiddletownconcerts.org/ticketing.htm or calling 860-347-4887 or 860-346-3369.

Contact information for the other venues:
The Russell Library: 860-347-2528, ext 135.
First United Methodist Church: 860-346-3689.
Book Bower: 860-704-8222.
Boney's Music Lounge: 860-346-6000.
Buttonwood Tree: 860-347-4957.
Wesleyan University Box Office: 860-685-3355 (online ticketing at www.wesleyan.edu/cfa.)
Vinnie's Jump & Jive: 860-347-6971, extension 3777.
Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce: 860-347-6924.