Arts News & Other Events

Received a note from poet/playwright Jean Wertz, a Middletown resident, saying that her son, Joel Marsh Garland (pictured left), appears in the new Jennifer Aniston/Gerard Butler movie "The Bounty Hunter." Garland, a 1993 graduate of Middletown High and an Oddfellows Playhouse alumnus, has appeared in a number of television shows including the new FX series "Justified", which premiered last night, "Life on Mars", "Law and Order" and more. "The Bounty Hunter" opens nationally this Friday.

Friday March 19:
The Friends of the Russell Library holds its "bag book" sale Friday, Saturday and Monday inside the Library.  Bags are $3 on the first day and go down $1 each day.  Money raised by the sale of the books, VHS movies, CDs and more (many of which have been "best sellers") goes to help the Library purchase new books and sponsor quality programs.  For more information, call 860-347-2528, extension 135.

German-born singer/songwriter Jann Klose comes to The Buttonwood Tree to perform his acoustic "pop rock" at 7:30 p.m.  Along with an active music career, Klose has also toured with several Broadway shows including "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Jekyll & Hyde" as well as some work in operatic chorus. What one will notice is his strong and facile tenor voice, his articulation and the poetry in his lyrics.  For more information, go to www.jannklose.com.  To make a reservation, call 860-347-4957.

Rock and roll rules the night when Fishbone Cafe/Boney's Music Lounge presents Tony Rome & Swagger at 9 p.m.

Saturday March 20:

The Russell Library's Spring Saturday Performance Series gets off to an impressive start with a 2 p.m. concert featuring flautist Claire Chase. Ms. Chase, co-founder of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) in 2001, with whom she has performed, recorded and toured internationally, received her B.M. from the Oberlin Conservatory. Her 2009 debut solo CD, "Aliento", features music by Jason Eckardt, Edgar Guzmán, Dai Fujikura, Marcelo Toledo, Nathan Davis and Du Yun and displays her impressive use of electronics. She has also appeared on recordings by composers Ha-Yang Kim and Mario Diaz de Leon.  Her bio says that her repertoire ranges from "Bach and Brahms to Boulez, Saariaho, Zorn and beyond." Should be a fascinating afternoon of music.  The event, which takes place in the Hubbard Room, is free and open to the public.  For more information, go to www.clairechase.net.

The Buttonwood Tree welcomes the Ron Freshley Band for an evening of swing, bop, modal & latin-flavored compositions. The saxophonist's band features Karl Rausch (guitarist), Keith Rausch (drums) and Mark Dunlap (bass.)  The music begins at 8 p.m.


Boney's Music Lounge presents the return of Shakedown, the Grateful Dead tribute and Jam Band extraordinaire. They'll turn on their musical lovelight at 9 p.m.

Future Attractions:

Playdate, the quintet featuring Middletown resident Noah Baerman (piano), Wallingford native Amanda Monaco (guitar), former New Haven resident Wayne Escoffery (saxophones) and the rhythm section of Henry Lugo (bass) and Vinny Sperrazza (drums), will play 2 sets of original music on Friday April 16 at Firehouse 12, 45 Crown Street in New Haven.  The group's debut CD came out early this year on Posi-Tone Records.  In their teenage years, Baerman, Monaco and Escoffery were classmates at the ACES School in New Haven and have maintained a musical relationship ever since.  They'll play 2 sets, 8:30 and 10 p.m. - to find out more, go to www.firehouse12.com and click on the "calendar" link.
Here's a sweet taste of the band's "Copper Tone", courtesy of Posi-Tone Records and IODA Promonet.
Copper Tone (mp3)