Mid-July Goings-On (Part 2)

Thursday July 15:
No need to be bored tonight - in fact, you have myriad choices.
ARTFARM commences week 2 of "As You Like It" in the Grove of Middlesex Community College, Training Hill Road.  The show is a pleasing romp with plenty of comedy (both high and low) and fine performances.  Preceding the 7 p.m. curtain (such as it is) will be the music of Sirius Coyote - the long-running musical/story-telling trio with its roots in Central and South American folk styles. Thye'll begin at 6 p.m.  In case of rain, the music and play moves indoors to Chapman Hall.
The show runs through Sunday July 18.  Subsequent musical guests include Eric Kuhn (Friday), Nzinga's Daughters (Saturday) and Phil Rosenthal (Sunday).  Bring beach chairs, blankets, food & beverages and a sweater - yes, I know it's been 90 degrees just about every day but there's always a breeze up on the hill at MxCC.  For more information, call 860-346-4390 or go to www.art-farm.org. 

The North End will be buzzing this evening.  The Luis Lopez Herb Garden Concert Series returns with the Melvin Sparks Trio plus special guest David Davis.   Sparks, a guitarist who plays a funky blend of jazz, blues and funk, is a frequent visitor to the area (Trio drummer Bill Carbone is a Middletown resident) and the addition of saxophonist Davis, also a Middletown resident, should add even more spice to the mix. The Herb Garden is located at the corner of Main and Green Streets - the concert, free and open to the public, begins at 6:30 p.m. In case of rain, the concert will be presented on July 29.

Just down the street from the Garden is the Green Street Arts Center and that is where the Floating Theater Company New Works Festival will take place at 7 p.m.  Judging by the title of the program - "In Your Face - untamed & unapologetic" - one should leave the young ones at home.  All the staged readings are the product of local writers and the cast is made up of many recognizable faces from local theater troupes.  For more information, call 860-685-7860. 

The Center for the Arts at Wesleyan has been a forerunner in presenting new dance in the area.  7 years ago, the CFA bestowed its Emerging Choreographer Award upon Robert Battle and tonight they present the first of the last 2 performances by his Battleworks company.  Tomorrow night is the troupe's final performance because, in 2011, Robert Battle will assume the mantle of Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the most prestigious and influential dance troupes in the US (and the world.)  The shows take place at 8 p.m. in the CFA Theater.  For ticket information, go to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa or call 860-685-3355. 

Friday July 16:
The Buttonwood Tree welcomes Bill Pere, President of the CT Songwriters Association, for a 6 p.m. workshop.  The object of the program is to help fledgling songwriting navigate through the sometimes murky waters of getting their works published.  Following the workshop at 8 p.m. will be a CSA Open Mike and performances by Pere and Kay Pere. For more information, go to www.buttonwood.org or www.ctsongs.com.