This Week at The Buttonwood Tree: June 30 - July 2, 2022

 

The Buttonwood Tree 
605 Main Street, in Middletown

June/July 2022

The Buttonwood Tree Presents:

Event descriptions are excerpted from The Buttonwood Tree online calendar. Click on event links in text for more information. 

 

 

 

Thursday
JUN 30

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Bob Gotta's Acoustic Open Mic (ZOOM)

 

Friday

JUL 1

  5:00 pm - 8:00 pm  

Middletown Arts Festival

  8:00 pm - 10:00 pm  

The Zinnvisible Ink Traveling Poetry Show

This event is a showcase of four prominent poets, three of which are local to Middletown, CT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday

JUL 2

 10:30 am - 12:15 pm

Align with Source Workshop - Discovering SELF; A Process of Surrender & Trust

 

 

 

For more information on Buttonwood programs, please see our calendar here.

 

Oddfellows Playhouse Presents Special Guest Performance "meSSeS"

Middletown, CT: Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater in Middletown will be presenting a special guest performer Janoah Bailin and his one-man show “meSSeS” taking place July 9th and 10th.

“meSSeS”, created by Mr. Bailin, is a unique experience which combines learning, entertainment, and teamwork. The performance will feature acts of juggling, unicycling, puppetry, and dance, while giving the audience the option to learn to juggle as they watch. The combination of silliness and meaning makes this performance enjoyable for all ages. 

The performances, which are open to the public, will take place on Saturday, July 9th at 7pm and on Sunday, July 10th at 3pm in the theater at Oddfellows Playhouse. 

Community organizations and presenters are enthusiastic about this production. Ian Bannon who is Executive Director of Mayo Street Arts says, “ Each time the house lights came up for another scarf juggling lesson, the audience progressively engaged more with each other, strayed and intermingled further from their seats, and reveled in the collective chaos of hundreds of floating scarves.”

Tickets for “meSSes” are $8 for adults, $5 for kids, and $15 for Big-Hearted Oddfellow, and may be purchased at https://oddfellowsplayhouse.ticketleap.com/messes/dates.

“meSSeS” is funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies. Additional support is provided by the City of Middletown and the Middletown Commission on the Arts.

Oddfellows Playhouse, founded in 1975, is Connecticut’s oldest and largest theater for young people. The Playhouse is located at 128 Washington Street in Middletown. For information about this production and other Playhouse programs, call (860) 347-6143, email info@oddfellows.org, or go to www.oddfellows.org.

 

PHOENIX IMPROV show on FRIDAY. Live! at The Buttonwood Tree

FRIDAY

Special Showing of The Buttonwood Ensemble 

The Phoenix Inprov Festival

June 24 @ 9:30 - 10:00 pm      

Support us as the Buttonwood Ensemble represents Middletown at PHOENIX, a national online improv festival. No fee, it's FREE! We just need you in the audience! From 9:30 to 10:00. Come and be part of the show!

Watch The Buttonwood Ensemble's insane movie pitches: New ideas for movies? Yes! ... But only one movie gets made tonight. Help us figure out next year's best Summer Movie.

~~~~~~~~~

Saturday                            

Wild & Blue

June 25
@ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm     $15

Americana band Wild & Blue is the father-daughter duo Steve & April Bennett. Their tight family harmonies and emotionally charged songwriting reminds us that the power of music connects us all, even in times of hardship. Steve and April take inspiration from the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Roger Miller.

In January 2021, Wild & Blue released its nationally charting debut album, Restless, to critical acclaim. The music video for their hit single,“Wedding Dress for Sale,” was featured on Country Music Television, Ditty TV, The Country Network, Americana Highways, Taste of Country among others. Follow along at wildandblueband.com and @thewildandblue!”

Physical Education Credits for Helping Others in Iowa~

Seen in a Facebook post from Artists for World Peace (AFWP). A high school in Iowa gives physical education credits to students who do yard work for seniors and disabled people. 

ATTENTION Connecticut high school administrators: Please consider setting up a similar arrangement in schools across Connecticut.

______________________________________________

AWP writes: "This is so brilliant, we just had to share! We love when a simple idea is such a Win-Win for all! Yay, Iowa!"

This Weekend at The Buttonwood Tree

Tom "The Suit" Forst

Friday, June 17th

8pm, $15

a red hot guitarist inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, this lifelong musician has an impressive resume with no intention of slowing down anything soon!

8pm, $15

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FUNDRAISER FOR "SMILES I CAN'T SEE"

   and 

 Guitar Giveaway

Saturday, June 18th

7 - 10pm  $15

TBT is hosting an open mic-type event that showcases many talented performers. Be sure to stop by! And think about donating to this wonderful charity started by Vincent Rodriguez!

Vincent has a history of generosity with other projects such as his free Guitar Workshop for Children in 2021.

Come & support this great group of artists & their cause. 

Riverfront Plan To Be Revealed

 

This Week at The Buttonwood Tree: June 16-18, 2022

 

The Buttonwood Tree 
605 Main Street, in Middletown

June 2022

The Buttonwood Tree Presents:

Event descriptions are excerpted from The Buttonwood Tree online calendar. Click on event links in text for more information. 

 

 

 

Thursday
JUN 16

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Drum Circle

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Bob Gotta's Acoustic Open Mic (ZOOM)

 

Friday

JUN 17

  8:00 pm - 10:00 pm  

Tom "The Suit" Forst

A red hot guitarist inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, this lifelong musician has an impressive resume with no intentions of slowing down anytime soon!

 

 

 

 

Saturday

JUN 18

 10:30 am - 12:15 pm

Align with Source Workshop

 

 

 

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Fundraiser for "Smiles I Can't See"

We will be hosting an open mic-styled event with showcases by many talented performers. Be sure to stop by and possibly give to this wonderful charity started by Vincent Rodriguez!

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on Buttonwood programs, please see our calendar here.

 

Happy Flag Day, Tuesday, June 14, 2022!

 Happy Flag Day, Tuesday, June 14, 2022!

What is Flag Day and how did Flag Day begin?

"Flag Day is a celebration of the American flag that occurs each year on the anniversary of the flag’s official adoption, June 14," according to the Old Farmer's Almanac article "Flag Day 2021: What Is Flag Day?" When the Declaration of Independence was adopted during the American Revolution the founders thought a national flag was necessary because each colony "had its own flag," according to the same article. Then on June 14th the Continental Congress issued a resolution that states "The flag of the United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white on a blue field …” However, an official announcement about the country's flag was not made until Sept. 3, 1777. 

The flag design represented the original thirteen colonies of the union with 13 white stars in a circle because of the belief that all “…colonies were equal,” according the Old Farmer’s Almanac article. In 1818 the flag underwent design changes and Congress decided “to retain the flag’s original 13 stripes and add new stars to reflect each new state that entered the union,” according to the same article.

Flag Day is an annual celebration even though it is not a federal or state holiday. The President issues a proclamation every year about Flag Day and proclaims the week of June 14th as National Flag week according to Britannica.com. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson and in 1927 President Calvin Coolidge started the tradition of issuing proclamations for a National Flag Day on June 14th. On August 3, 1949, Congress approved a resolution for a national observance of Flag Day and President Harry S. Truman signed the law according to the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs website's article "The Origins of Flag Day."

A Connecticut first? There is a belief that claims Connecticut resident George Morris “…organized the first formal celebration of the day in Hartford in 1861,” according to Britannica.com. 

In honor of the American Flag most cities and towns hold annual observances for the flag like parades & other activities. The flag is flown at all government buildings on this day and people are encouraged to fly the American Flag at their residences.

If you have not been vaccinated against the COVID-19 Virus, please get your shot. If you have, please do not forget to get your booster shot too and if you are eligible for a second booster get that one also. To find out how please go to https://www.vaccines.gov/

 

For more information about Flag Day please see the following websites:

https://www.almanac.com/content/flag-day-celebration-american-flag

https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagday.pdf

https://nationaltoday.com/flag-day/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Flag-Day

 

Again, Happy Flag Day.

 

Enjoy the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMR6d_9GsCQ&t=7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qQYwOmkXw&t=2s

 

"CENTURY OF DEVOTION" EXHIBIT OUTDOOR CONCERT AT THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ON SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022 AT 12 P.M.

 

The Sam Vinci Band march and play the Saint Sebastian's Feast Song "#7" in the "I Nuri" Processional During the Saint Sebastian's Church Festival. To the right is Sam Vinci. Photo By Frank LoGiudice

“CENTURY OF DEVOTION” EXHIBIT OUTDOOR CONCERT RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022 AT 12 P.M.

ARTICLE & PHOTO BY FRANK LOGIUDICE

 

 

The outdoor concert for the "Century of Devotion" exhibit featuring the Sam Vinci Band at the Middlesex County Historical Society was postponed on May 7th due to inclement weather.  It has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 12 p.m. stated Executive Director Dr. Jesse Nasta. It will feature songs from Melilli, Sicily and will be held in the backyard of the General Mansfield House located at 151 Main Street in Middletown. Sam Vinci and his band has been providing music for the Saint Sebastian’s Church Festival for seventy years.  The four band members performing on June 11^th are Vinci, Mike Proscino & Angelo Sapia of Middletown and Rich Shonty of South Windsor.  Please enter through the side gate in Spear Park from the corner of Main & William Streets.

People will be able to view the exhibit during and after the concert. The Middlesex Historical Society will be open until 2:30 p.m. on June 11, 2022.

In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held on Monday, June 13, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.  If it is raining Saturday, call the historical society at 860-346-0746 to confirm the new date.

 

The "Century of Devotion" exhibit will be on display until the Fall 2022 and the hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm- and by appointment from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

 

If you have not been vaccinated against the COVID-19 Virus, please get your shot. If you have, please do not forget to get your booster shot too and if you are eligible for a second booster get that one also. To find out how please go to https://www.vaccines.gov/

 

To see a preview of the Sam Vinci Band please click on the link below.

 

Enjoy the video

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtUtMRMXgb0

 

 

 

Rules to Live By: Ten "Commandments"

Excerpt from Smithsonian magazine issue from 2013.
File under Easier Said than Done. Or
Are we already too late?

Nobody Knows How to Interpret
This Doomsday Stonehenge in Georgia

We know where they are and what they say, but everything else is all hotly debated

Rose Eveleth

Contributor

September 10, 2013

---

hippazoid

In Elbert County, Georgia there’s a set of stones called the Georgia Guidestones. They were put there in 1979, with a set of ten guidelines, in eight modern languages and four dead ones, carved onto the slabs. But that’s pretty much all anybody can agree on about them, as Jill Neimark writes this week at Discover Magazine. How to interpret the guidelines, who put the stone there, and what people should do about them are all hotly debated.

On the stones are ten instructions:

1. Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
2. Guide reproduction wisely — improving fitness and diversity.
3. Unite humanity with a living new language.
4. Rule passion — faith — tradition — and all things with tempered reason.
5. Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
6. Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
7. Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
8. Balance personal rights with social duties.
9. Prize truth — beauty — love — seeking harmony with the infinite.
10. Be not a cancer on the earth — Leave room for nature — Leave room for nature.