Mid-Winter Arts Events (Part 2)

Thursday January 28:

The Ring Family Israeli Film Series at Wesleyan opens its 6-Thursday run tonight at 8 p.m. in the Goldsmith Family Cinema in the Center for Film Studies, Washington Terrace. First up is "Souvenirs", the 2006 documentary from Sharar Cohen and Harir Efrat. The synopsis from the Film Series staff reads as such: Shahar, an unemployed film maker, and his 82-year old Yemenite father, begin a filmed journey in search of his father's "souvenirs," left with local girls during his service in the Jewish Brigade while stationed in Amsterdan during the second World War. During this charming and funny trip--which starts in Israel, continues through Italy and Germany and ends in Holland with an unexpected discovery--some myths of bravery are questioned with compassion and without heartbreak."  The movie won a slew of awards and has been shown at festivals around the world.  Following the screening, film critic Laura Blum will speak about the Jewish Brigades, the only all-Jewish fighting unit in WWII (organized by the British Army.)  The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, go to www.wesleyan.edu/religion/hebrew/events.htm.

Friday January 29:

At 6 p.m., The Green Street Arts Center presents the premiere of "Our Elders, Our Youth", a documentary film that attempts to bridge the gap between the oldest and youngest generations of Middletown residents, while confronting the perceptions each side has about the other. Introducing the film will be former GSAC head Janis Astor del Valle and MxCC Professor of Videography Dan Nocera (both will also lead the post-film discussion.) For more information, call 860-685-7871.

The Buttonwood Tree presents the Homegrown String Band at 7:30 p.m.  Truly a family affair, the quartet features Georgianne (banjo) and Rick Jackofsky (guitar) and their daughters Erica (fiddle) and Annalee (mandolin.)  Everyone plays one or two more instruments, there is singing, dancing and a lot of joy. The family has released 4 CDs in its 10+ years and have venues throughout the United States.  Their blend of bluegrass, country, folk, blues and other rural music is quite entertaining.  To find out more about the family, go to www.homegrownstringband.com. To reserve a seat or 2, call 860-347-4957.

  "Heaven", the latest work from choreographer Morgan Thorson in collaboration with Alan Sparhark and Mimi Parker from the band LOW, can be seen twice this weekend (Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. in the CFA Theater at Wesleyan. This is part of the University's fine Break Ground Dance Series.  For a good description of the performance, click here. To read a review of the show from its New York City performance, go to

www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/arts/dance/27heaven.html.

Boney's Music Lounge presents the Liviu Pop Group featuring Ray Morant at 9 p.m.  Morant, a fine guitarist and vocalist, is the leader of the Ray Morant Soul Syndicate and a native of Hartford.

Saturday January 30:

The Riverwood Poetry Series at The Buttonwood Tree presents John Jeffrey and David Leff at 6:30 p.m.  Jeffrey, the editor of the internet-based CT Poet Newsletter, is an engaging reader whose work has been published in numerous journals.  Leff, former Deputy Commissioner with the Connecticut DEP, has written 2 fine non-fiction books, including 2009's "Deep Travel: In Thoreau's Wake on the Concord and Merrimack" (University of Iowa Press) - he's also an accomplished poet and fiction writer.  For more information, call 860-347-4957.

This missive from Professor/composer Neely Bruce: South Congregational Church, 9 Pleasant Street, will present an organ recital at 7:30 p.m by Brian Parks, director of music at the Higganum Congregational Church, and Wesleyan junior Matthew Sellier, to benefit the homeless of Middletown. The concert is part of an effort by ten churches in Middlesex County to call attention to the plight of the homeless and raise community consciousness of their needs. Donations of toiletries, blankets, sheets, towels, jackets, warm clothing and cash will be received.  The duo will perform music by Bach, Liszt, Messiaen, Mendelssohn, and Professor Bruce and by organist Parks. For more information about the concert, call 860-346-5006. For more information about the project to benefit the homeless contact Emily Bjornberg, Deep River Congregational Church at 860-526-5045.

Boney's Music Lounge welcomes back the Melvin Sparks Trio for an evening of incendiary funk, jazz, blues and hot jams.  Guitarist Sparks' unit features Middletown resident Bill Carbone (drums) and organist Matt O.  For more information, call 860-346-6000.