Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days & Nights of Summer

After last weekend's busy schedule of events in the area, Wesleyan throws its artistic hat in the ring with CFA Days and Nights, a series of talks, concerts and a film series.  As you will read, there's other things to do as well.

The fun on campus starts today (Tuesday June 29) with an "Arabic Music Lecture-Demonstration" at 12:10 p.m. in the CFA Hall (sorry for the short notice.) Violinist/vocalist/composer Sami Abu Shumays (pictured left), a member of the Arabic-American ensemble Zikrayat, will perform and discuss different musical styles (including maqam) and get the audience involved.  Zikrayat just issued its 2nd CD, "Cinematic", a mix of new music and re-arrangements of popular songs and dance instrumentals from Egyptian movie musicals of the 1950s & 60s.  The event is free and open to the public.  The CFA Hall is the old CFA Cinema, located next to the Zilkha Gallery.

 Also tonight, the Summer Sounds on the South Green begins its annual Tuesday concert series (running through September 7) with the first of 2 appearances by the Middletown Symphonic Band. Music Director Marco Gaylord will conduct his charges through a program that wil feature musi from the classic "South Pacific."  The concert, free and open to the public, begins at 7 p.m.  In the instance of rain, the program moves indoors to South Congregational Church.

Thursday July 1:
The Luis Lopez Herb Garden Series begins its Summer 2010 run at 6 p.m. with the Hartford-based Shaded Soul. A hip-shaking and smooth blend of Motown, Stax, rock and roll and more is on the group's musical agenda.  The vocalists are sharp and the musicians know how to stoke the rhythmic fire so be prepared to dance.  The Garden is located at the corner of Main & Green Streets. The event is free and open to the public - in case of rain, the show will take place on August 5. 

The Annual CFA Courtyard Concert takes place on this evening and 7 p.m. and it's a good one.  Burkina Electric, a sextet that blends traditional West African music with contemporary electronica, will fill the Courtyard (off High Street next to the Davison Art Center) will many fascinating sounds. The band is comprised of Maï Lingani, a star in Burkina Faso because of her unique voice and charismatic stage presence, sings in Moré, Dioula, Bissa, and French. Wende K. Blass, one of Burkina's premier guitarists, contributes soulful guitar melodies. Electronicist/VJ Pyrolator has been one of Germany's most inventive pop musicians and a top producer ever since the days of the "Neue Deutsche Welle" some 25 years ago as a founding member of bands D.A.F. and Der Plan, while New York-based drummer/electronicist Lukas Ligeti is one of the most up-and-coming concert music composers internationally. Known for his nonconformity, diverse interests, and imagination, he has received commissions from prominent groups such as the Kronos Quartet and the Bang on a Can All Stars. Vicky and Zoko Zoko are skilled dancers/choreographers who bring high energy and sharp moves, and also contribute powerful vocals. The music swirls, the costumes are colorful, the sound exciting and the event is free!!  In case of rain, the concert moves indoors to the CFA Theater.

Here's a taste of the group's sound (courtesy of IODA Promonet:
Sankar Yaaré (mp3)

Also, the annual Naturalization Ceremony takes place at 1 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Middletown City Hall. Presided over (this year) by the Honorable Warren W. Eginton, Senior District Judge, United States District Court, District of Connecticut, the event is a wonderful affirmation of the freedom and liberties people seek by coming to the United States (and that many of us take for granted.) The new citizens come from around the world, including Albania, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, India, People’s Republic of China, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, South Korea, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.