This Week of Arts & Humanties (Part 1)

Tuesday April 13:
Although it was a fairly mild winter, some events ended up being postponed by bad weather.  One is being made up on this night.  Diana Ross McCain, whose book may have the longest title one has seen in a long time, comes to the Hubbard Room of The Russell Library to read from "It Happened in Connecticut: From Witchcraft Trails to the Invention of Modern Football, 25 Events that Shaped the Nutmeg State." The reading, sponsored by The Middlesex County Historical Society, commences at 7 p.m. and is free & open to the public.

One Book, One Middletown chose "The Soloist" by Steve Lopez at its choice for 2010 and there will be a plentiful number of events (see here and below) surrounding the book. On this night, The Free-at-Last Players present skits, poems, spoken word and more at 7 p.m. in The Buttonwood Tree.

Wednesday April 14:
Carol Schmurak leads the "One Book" discussion on this evening, showing the "60 Minutes" segment in which the author and his subject, Nathaniel Ayers, are interviewed about the book and the 2009 movie. The event takes place at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room of The Russell Library.

Thursday April 15:

 The Russell Library presents "An Evening with Ernest Hemingway", a one-man show starring Richard Clark, at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room.  Clark (pictured left in his Hemingway garb) has created a series called "Keeping History Alive" in which he portrays  figures such as Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, Clarence Darrow, John Barrymore, and William Shakespeare, helping audiences see these larger-than-life characters as human beings.  For this show, Hemingway reminisces about his life, from World War I through his final years (the author died in 1961.)  The program is free and open to the public.  For more information, call 860-347-2528, extension 135.

Catch "Bajari - the West Indian Culture Show" at 6 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall. The program  features a "colorful and fun display of the wide range of West Indian Cultural elements - Dance, Music, Poetry, and much more."  Tickets will be available at the door.

Friday April 16:
The Book Bower, inside Main Street Market, will hold a Book Discussion of "The Soloist" at 5 p.m. Discussion will be led by owner Linda Bowers. Musicians from the Chamber Music Program at Wesleyan are scheduled to perform.   

The Buttonwood Tree presents The Jolly Beggars, a sextet based at the Hartt School of Music/ University of Hartford, whose repertoire comes from the Celtic tradition.  Composed of Jeff DesRosier (vocals, mandolin, guitar), Matt Torcellini (vocals, percussion), Dave Uhl (vocals, bass), Chris Vece (vocals, whistles), Greg Wilfrid (vocals, guitar, piano) and Chris Jasinski (vocals, percussion), the group is fun to watch and listen to - the music can be so infectious, the "wee" performance space may have to make room for some dancing.  For more information, call 860-347-4957.  

Guitarist Amanda Monaco, a native of Wallingford, joins Middletown resident Noah Baerman (piano) and former New Haven resident Wayne Escoffery (saxophones) in a band they have dubbed Playdate (so named because the trio played together as students of New Haven's Educational Center for the Arts 20 years ago.)  Along with Baerman's Trio mates Henry Lugo (bass) and Vinnie Sperazza (drums), the 5 recorded a CD in late 2007 and it's just been released on the Posi-Tone label.  They're having a CD Release Party/Concert at Firehouse 12, 45 Crown Street in New Haven on this evening, playing 2 sets (8:30 and 10 p.m.) To find out more about the "live show", go to www.firehouse12.com. To learn more about the band, go to www.noahjazz.com.  

Here's a taste of Playdate, an Amanda Monaco tune entitled "Copper Tone" (courtesy of Posi-Tone and IODA Promonet:
Copper Tone (mp3)