The Buttonwood Tree Sizzles Saturday Night with La Hot Jazz

 

 

Last night at TBT the room was filled with music and words of healing energy and vibrations of love, Led by the passionate Margaux Modimo Hayes,  the audience and performers collectively exclaimed, "From your chakra to your mantra, we want the world to heal".  Intentions were of unity for our world, our community and even for this very event. And so it was that Margaux, together with partner Rich McGee III, invited to join them Mixashawn Rozie, Peter Onofrio and from the audience, Abu - Alvin Carter Sr. It was amazing to hear all these talented musicians bringing forth their years of experience in the spirit of unity and love. 

 

We never know what will happen at The Buttonwood Tree shows - often musicians will join us unexpectedly who add to the wonder of the evening. Ah, to be open to the spontaneity of Life - is pure Joy!

Tonight we open our doors to a richly talented group who plays music we are familiar with from the Great American Songbook and other tunes we love. Drop in for a sound bite or stay the evening! Wine, beer, Slambovian coffee, natural soft drinks and snacks are available. Bonus tonight: "Don't whine, do wine"!

La Hot Jazz

Saturday, July 26     8:00 pm - 10:00 pm  ($10 cash or check at the door)

The Buttonwood Tree will be sizzlin’ on July 26, when La Hot Jazz performs with sophistication and style. These seasoned musicians will add a unique flavor and charisma to The Buttonwood Tree’s jazz event. The band performs the Great American Songbook with a lineup of voice, upright bass, saxophone, drums, and piano.  Read more here:  http://www.buttonwood.org/event/la-hot-jazz/

The Buttonwood Tree is located at 605 Main Street, next to It's Only Natural market. www.buttonwood.org 860-347-4957  Doors open at 6:30 to reserve your seat.

Passionate Performers and Wesleyan Alumni Make The Buttonwood Tree Their Destination of Choice

We often hear of what's coming up at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center, (TBT), but what actually happened is often a mystery. Even its location seems to be a mystery, as countless folks come in saying they've "passed by this place for years and didn't know it was here". Trees hide the sign over the door of the small space which is located in the former Arriwani Hotel, next to It's Only Natural market. Once inside, a whole new world opens up to those who dare to enter. Between the eclectic books, local art, inviting atmosphere and exposed brick walls, Buttonwood has repeatedly been called a "hidden gem" in the heart of downtown Middletown.

Earlier this month an Italian beauty made her debut performance and she won the hearts of all in attendance. Sissy Castrogiovanni hails from Sicily and has been living in Boston for the past few years. She brought her band and added Evan Waaramaa on piano, a West Hartford native, whose family was delighted to see him perform with the dynamic group. Also in attendance was the new director of the Downtown Business District, Nicole Castrogiovanni. Maybe not related directly, they do share their family name and their first visit to TBT. Over a dozen people experienced TBT for the first time that night and at least one gentleman spoke to her in their native tongue, a bonus for them both. Singing in her Sicilian dialect didn't deter from the enjoyment of the music, but rather added to the flair of the jazzy tunes. Her voice too an instrument, was used expertly and expressively.

Owen McNally kindly interviewed the Italian songstress, but words can hardly capture the passion that was felt in the cozy space at TBT. She moved on stage using her whole body like an instrument, rising and falling in rhythm, floating and soaring with notes that tantalized and captured listeners' attention and hearts. Playing to the sax, their eyes locked, her voice matched its notes with perfect pitch and if you closed your eyes you might have thought there were two saxes in the room. One number she sang just to the piano, a love song that was a lovely as a flower blossoming and brought tears to more than one listener. When a performer with passion plays TBT, it is felt by all those who tune in and in that moment, we're all One. Those times are something special to be experienced, something so wonderful that people who can get quiet and into the moment, can treasure forever. Folks return from near and far to feel the magic that happens between performer and audience at The Buttonwood Tree, like in no other place.  

One pair of patrons knows the value of the irreplaceable, treasurable moments available at The Buttonwood Tree, and they traveled to Middletown from their home on Long Island, NY simply to spend the weekend at TBT. Wesleyan alumni, Dick Einhorn, and his lovely wife, Susan, have been regular attendees at TBT for a couple of years. They enjoyed the classical guitar music of the students from the Hartt School of Music as well as the jazz guitar of Sinan Bakir. It's a family affair at TBT, that night Bakir's son came along as he often does for his dad's regular appearances.

Music is not the only gift that flows from TBT, as the Einhorns know. They attended a show last October featuring members of Cotton Hollow Rising where Cece Borgenson told the audience how they got their band's name, and talked about the treasure of Cotton Hollow Preserve in South Glastonbury. In between shows at TBT, the Einhorns enjoyed the natural beauty of the Preserve, satisfying their curiosity born of that October concert. Often coming to Middletown for Wesleyan events and catching one show at TBT, this weekend they came mainly "to experience The Buttonwood Tree". Smart folks those Wesleyan folks, and talented too as this Saturday's concert with the Mattabessett String Collective will reveal.

See Owen's story here: http://wnpr.org/topic/jazz-corridor

This weekend TBT hosts five events: 
Friday,     8 pm, Orice Jenkins Jazz http://www.buttonwood.org/event/orice-jenkins/
Saturday, 10:30 am, Aligned with Source workshop: http://www.buttonwood.org/event/aligned-with-source-19/
                8 pm, Mattabessett String Collective: http://www.buttonwood.org/event/mattabesett-string-collective/   (Reservations suggested)
Sunday,   1-2 pm Food not Bombs (Free vegetarian community lunch)
                4-7 pm Celebrating Tommy Moses: http://www.buttonwood.org/event/celebrating-tommy-jakula-moses/    (Call us to participate)

CANCELED: Tonight's film and Saturday's Yoga and Qigong classes are all canceled

The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center is run by North End Arts Rising, Inc., a nonprofit organization located at 605 Main Street. www.buttonwood.org   860.347.4957
Volunteer opportunities are available. 

This Weekend at The Buttonwood Tree

Saturday Night is Dance Night
Richard Ruotolo & Meadowe Music!

The Buttonwood Tree
605 Mail Street
Middletown, CT

It's Saturday Night!
Everyone get up on the dance floor!

One of the hottest bands in the area, Richard Ruotolo & Meadowe Music generates energy and excitement everywhere and every time they perform.

This dynamic band comprises anywhere from three to eleven very talented musicians: Ruotolo is featured on the vibraphone and percussion. The group performs Jazz, classical favorites, Italian, R&B, funk, fusion swing, soul, latin/salsa and pop songs. And Richard Ruotolo & Meadowe Music also perform Ruotolo’s original compositions.

Come dance the night away, tonight, at 8 p.m.

There's always something happening at the Buttonwood Tree, just across the street from It's Only Natural market, at the corner of Main and Liberty in Middletown. On New Year's Eve, the lights were lite, The Tree was packed, and spirits were high.


Exit 43 Performs Inspiring Sing-Along Tunes

On Friday night, Exit 43 entertained energetically. Executive Director Anne-Marie Cannata reports, "we had a small audience, but those who were here had a great time! One regular patron said he was at home, nice and comfortable, but decided to come to the show. He said it was 'well worth coming out for.' Three people joined as new members, and folks came from all over the state--Derby, Burlington, Meriden, Fairfield, and Westport."

Exit 43's sing-alongs got people singing and clapping. The group played a song for the solstice and other familiar folk and folk-rock song, including their version of Richie Havens' "Freedom," which generated lots of energy.

Photos by Anne-Marie.

Serious (But Fun) Lessons From A Clown

For a world-renowned professional clown, Jef Johnson can be a pretty serious guy. He smiles and laughs with ease, but sounds at times more like a philosopher.

Johnson, who has performed on Broadway and taught workshops to Cirque du Soleil performers, will give a free talk entitled "Q&A: Expectation, Hope and Promise" at The Buttonwood Tree at 8pm Thursday night.

Then he’ll lead a 3-day workshop this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. . The cost is $50 per person for the 3 days - down from $200 thanks to a grant from the Middletown Commission on the Arts.

“Making it affordable, we’re hoping to attract a wider range of people”, said Johnson.

That wide range of people includes not only clowns, actors, and performers, but anyone else with a creative urge, or anyone who wants to get closer to what they enjoy doing. “We get actors, olympic athletes, painters, florists” he said.

Johnson’s workshops are not just about clowning. They’re also about eliminating the pre-judgment and self-expectations that often hinder the creative or spiritual flow. That’s where the clown comes in, although a more Eastern/European idea of the clown than that presented by Ringling Bros., et al. (Click here to see an example of Johnson's performance.)

“The clown - not the circus clown - is a pure being encountering the world naively.” That naive state is where Johnson tries to lead people in his “Creative Awakening” workshops. The idea is to react to the world in a more direct way, not only as a performer but even as audience. “We’ve lost the ability to be [just] witnesses. We go in as critics. Why does this exist?” Johnson asks. “I’m investigator as much as teacher--more of guide.”

That guidance includes exercises that are really games. “Play” is a key concept, trying to tap into that child-like wonder. “Play is what happens when there is no social consideration,” he says. “Play can emulate social relationships but can be more primary than that, can be just about experience. When we play, even as strangers, [people] can in 5-10 minutes find a very balanced way of presenting a solution to a problem. I can provoke them into creative problem solving.”

Middletown resident Aryn Kyer is one of the people responsible for bringing Johnson to town (he lives in Mexico and teaches worldwide.) She also helped get the grant from the MCA. “I wanted to share the work with everyone that I love, share it with my friends. I wanted to make it the world I live in everyday.”

Jef Johnson Middletown Workshop receives MCA Grant

Creative performance pioneer Jef Johnson returns to Middletown with a new workshop titled "Expect Nothing" December 16-18 with supplemental funding provided by the Middletown Commission on the Arts, sponsored by The Buttonwood Tree. Regularly $200, with support from the MCA, Jef is able to offer this 20-hour workshop at a reduced rate of $50.

Creative Awakening Workshop: EXPECT NOTHING

"Man's nature is to establish predictable circumstances and to hold tight to the daily manner of maintaining that predictable 'reality'. The desire to attain the approval of others has resulted in a society motivated by judgment and fear. Creativity requires freedom from rigid constructions and formulas. It requires presence and participation...without the guarrantee of any special benefit. To offer myself to the world, I must first remember how to experience the world without expectation, without arrogant assumption and without fear of rejection." - Jef Johnson


Who is Jef Johnson?

Jef Johnson is a leader in the field of performance theory. His research focuses on naive experience, consciousness, play, patterned behavior and social identity. He is a principle artist in the Broadway and International touring company of Slava's Snowshow. He has also worked with Cirque du Soleil as clown, special artistic consultant and workshop director. He has been investigating personal perception, performance and play for the last 25 years and has more than 20 years of experience working in live performance. He has given Master Classes, Conferences and Workshops to many organizations, theaters and universities including Cirque du Soleil, Slava's Snowshow, Circo Sentido, Circo de Mente, Camp Broadway, University of Houston, University of Pennsylvania, Colombia University, University of Minnesota, CUNY, SUNY, NYU, UNAM, UDEM, UQROO, and CENART. He is director of Mascara/Clown and is on the faculty of the Nouveau Clown Institute in Barcelona, Spain. Currently he is in Mexico, conducting research into the nature of human consciousness, creative association and social performance. Drawing from Clown, Mask and Butoh, his work has initiated deeper investigation into the primary essence of human experience, character and performance.

Workshop Details

The workshop runs Friday, December 16 from 6-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday, December 17 & 18 from 10 am – 6 pm, at 100 Riverview Center, Lower Level. This space has been generously donated by Harding Development Group in Middletown. Regularly $200, with support from the MCA, Jef is able to offer this 20-hour workshop at a reduced rate of $50. For more information contact Aryn Kyer at Arynky@gmail.com.

Talk at The Buttonwood Tree

In addition, Jef Johnson will give a talk entitled "Q&A: Expectation, Hope and Promise" that is free and open to the public at The Buttonwood Tree at 8pm on Thursday, December 15th. The Buttonwood Tree is located at 605 Main Street in Middletown.

International Peace Day, Sept 21 - Drum for Peace at Harbor Park

PEACE lovers unite! The TIME IS NOW! Drum up a beat to lift us together in unison as we focus on something positive - PEACE on Earth! The Buttonwood Tree invites You to join us, along with drummers from First Church of Christ, Congregational to drum for peace and join in this Global community on International Peace Day. Around the world at 2 hours before sunset, people shall gather, intending peace on earth. We shall take down the Big Drum that hangs in our bookstore and gather in Love and Light at Harbor Park to start the beat for this special moment in history. Join us anytime from 4:30 – 7pm. We will have a few extra drums and chairs but invite you to bring your own, of any sort, and peaceful intentions. Location is at HARBOR PARK - Near the newly redone Mattabesett Canoe Club. You can come by boat! Join us in spirit if you can't make it to the river. Photos will be taken and submitted to the global community at http://www.timeisnowsummit.com/

Drums also fill the air Friday night with a world premier concert of TIBETAN SINGING BOWLS with Native American Flute and Guitar. This concert will focus on the deep spiritual sounds of the Tibetan Bowls and Native American Flutes with the timely addition of Jazz guitar and drums later in the set to bring the listener up to a sonic climax of the highest order.

Emile de Leon is one of the world’s foremost experts on Tibetan Singing bowls as well as a professional jazz drummer. He will bring his personal collection of antique bowls from the Himalayas for you to experience live and in person at this concert. The Tibetan Singing bowls are well known to inspire and transport the listener to other states of mind and being, never failing to amaze. Emile, whose CD Mystic Bowls is known globally and has been featured in holistic shops throughout India and Nepal, has appeared on TV and radio with the Tibetan Bowls and has performed extensively, and is the premier venue in North America for these incredible instruments.
www.templesounds.net
www.knightpeople.com

This special performance by Emile de Leone will be held at The Buttonwood Tree starting at 8 pm. TBT is located at 605 Main Street - on the corner of Liberty St near It's Only Natural market. Reservations are suggested and are offered at a reduced cost online at www.buttonwood.org

A Time for Gratitude ...

As Mother Nature's winds and waters subside, I find myself counting my blessings, again and again. Besides my home remaining solid and safe and not losing electricity, I'm grateful for the support of many in town who contributed to our 5 week summer camp. Sponsored by the City of Middletown's Commission on the Arts (MCA), as part of their KIDS ARTS program, this camp has been run in tandem with Oddfellows Playhouse for over 20 years! While Oddfellows' culminates with the Children's Circus, we finished up this year's program with "The Big Reveal". It was a great time as the kids presented their work, and they excitedly performed their best for the Mayor, the MCA and their friends and family. I am honored and grateful to be part of this Middletown tradition.



I would like to thank those who continue to support the Arts, even and especially in these challenging times. Along with our major sponsors: the MCA, Johnson Consulting and The Middlesex County Community Foundation, we also have the support of many local businesses. Many of them contributed to our newspaper, "The Friendly Times" which was created by the kids, and can be found at the Chamber of Commerce and other places along Main Street. Look for their advertisements, created by the kids! A hearty pat on the back to O'Rourke's Diner, Illiano's Restaurant, Fusion Bakery and The Green Dahlia, who also donated to "The Big Reveal" and helped to make the kids' night a special one. Thank you also to Jon Romeo, Kelly Swan, Jeremy Hungerford and Jay Jay Johnson, who were extremely kind and helpful when we invaded their space at MacDonough School for camp.

I am grateful to live in a city which recognizes the need for artistic education, and hope we continue to develop the natural talents of our youth. We are truly blessed here in Middletown for the richness of good people and I am especially grateful to two people who volunteered their time to making our program the success that it was. Erin St. Pierre served as an administrative assistant and substitute teacher, and Darrell Lucas volunteered to videotape the kids at camp and The Big Reveal, producing a terrific VIDEO SHOW which can be found on our website. Also there are more photos and the names of all the sponsors and the awesome teachers and counselors who contributed to our KIDS ARTS camp. (buttonwood.org) - THANK YOU!

Sincerely,
Anne-Marie Cannata
Executive Director, North End Arts Rising, Inc.
(The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center)
Middletown, CT