Weekend Update (arts-wise)

Thursday June 17:
The Cypress Restaurant, 1265 South Main Street, presents live music on its back patio on Thursday and Saturday evening.  This week, it's the duo known as Two Big Guys a.k.a Mike and Eric performing at 7 p.m. on Thursday.  Saturday, the Basically Blues Band returns to play its infectious repertoire of blues and rock tunes at 7:30 p.m. - in case of rain, the musicians and the music move indoors. For information, call 860-346-3367.

Friday June 18:

The Buttonwood Tree presents the duo of Anne & Pete Sibley at 8 p.m.  New England natives, the duo has lived in Wyoming for the past decade.  Their music is a sweet blend of folk, bluegrass and traditional material, utilizing guitars and banjo behind Anne's lovely voice and their close harmonies. They have issued 4 CDs with the latest being 2009's "Coming Home."  1% of their annual sales is donated to sustainability-oriented initiatives in the Jackson Hole/Teton region - if you have ever been there, you can understand why they would work to preserve the natural beauty of the area.

Reservations are a must - call 860-347-4957 and be part of the lovely evening.

Saturday Friday 19:
The Book Bower, inside Main Street Market, welcomes Dr. Robert A. Linden, who will talk from and sign copies of his new book, "The Rise and Fall of the American Medical Empire: A Trench Doctor's View of the Past, Present and Future of the U.S. Healthcare System."   To quote the author: "The text discusses four of the major problems facing our current medical design: the impending death of primary care, healthcare insurance and system reform, pharmaceutical industry infiltration into the practice and science of medicine, and dilemmas in medical malpractice." Dr. Linden has been involved in primary care for over 3 decades. The event begins at 4 p.m. and is free. For more information, call 860-704-8222.

The Eternal Perks Coffeehouse, located at the Grace Lutheran Church, 1055 Randolph Road, presents an evening of music by the Grace Musicians and Joyful Noise.  For more information, call 860-346-2641.

Pianist-composer Sunna Gunnlaugs comes to The Buttonwood Tree with her Quartet.  Ms. Gunnlaugs (pictured left) hails from Iceland and has been active on the international jazz scene for almost 2 decades.  She first came to the US in 1993 to study at William Paterson College in New Jersey. Being so close to New York City, she spent many a weekend at jazz clubs in the Big Apple and then moved to Brooklyn in 1996.  She and her husband, drummer Scott McLemore, moved back to Iceland several years ago where they both teach and are raising a family.  Thanks to grants from the Icelandic government, they are "on the road" for a short tour in support of her new CD, "The Dream."  Rounding out the band is saxophonist Loren Stillman and bassist Dan Fabricatore. Opening the show at 8 p.m. will be Middletown resident Noah Baerman who will forego his usual Trio to "hit" with McLemore and Fabricatore.  To get a taste of Sunna Gunnlaugs' creative oeuvre (so far), go to www.sunnagunnlaugs.com.  Jazz fans and music lovers, call 860-347-4957 to save a seat for this fine gig.