Circus Tech Nite Opportunity

Want to help make something like this?

Tech Nite for the Children's Circus of Middletown is an opportunity for children, adults, and families to create collaborative art projects to be used in the final performance of the circus program. Tech Nite is a loosely structured art workshop with a focus on papier mache, painting, cardboard construction, carpentry, and sometimes sewing. It's a ton of fun, a low-pressure creative outlet, and features music, candy, and watermelon.

When: Every Mon and Wed 7-9pm, beginning Wed 7/10 and ending Mon 7/29.

Where: Remington Rand Building, North entrance (parking and entryway marked).

Who: All are welcome! Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Contact Ro Seidelman, Technical Director, with any questions: (914) 310-5231

Donations of the following are welcome and appreciated:

-cardboard larger than 3 ft x 3 ft.
-foam rubber/mattress foam
-non-oil-based paints
-spray paint
-fabric larger than 1 yd.
-coffee cans, tupperware
-paper towel and toilet paper rolls
-Tyvek
-dowels
-1x3s and 2x4s 4 ft. or longer
-newsprint
-drywall and wood screws
-misc. hardware
-painting and carpentry tools

The Circus Comes to Town

24th Annual Children’s Circus of Middletown to perform August 3

Design by Jason Leinwand

Oddfellows Playhouse and the Middletown Commission on the Arts present the 24th Children’s Circus of Middletown: The Circus of Science.  The one-time-only show will be presented on August 3 at 5 PM at Macdonough School, with a rain date of August 4 at 5 PM.
The talented young performers of the Circus of Science will bounce around like molecules in an atom, explore the elements of fire, earth, air and water, and of course a mad scientist or two.  The Circus of Science will explore a range of scientific subjects all the way from the dinosaurs and marine biology to string theory.  And of course many famous scientists, or at least famous scientist clowns, will be making an appearance.

The Children’s Circus is a 5-week, half-day program for 130 children ages 8-14 that has become not only a huge local event but also a national model for nonprofit municipal partnerships.  Over the five weeks, participants learn a huge variety of circus skills such as acrobatics, dance, juggling, unicycling, stilt walking, clowning, and visual arts.  After deciding on two areas of specialization, the participants train daily and perform for the camp at the end of each week.  For the last two weeks of the program, the participants are cast into featured roles in a circus act, and rehearse these acts before performing in front of over 1,000 people. The performance features the live circus band of local musicians led by Dirck Westervelt, costumes by Betsy Spiro, and scenic and prop design by Ro Seidleman.  

Photo by Andy Szegedy-Maszak

The Children's Circus offers an exceptionally unique program where the whole family and the entire whole community, can get involved in the making of something truly inspiring and special.  Jason Leinwand, this year’s circus director, is especially excited about the community focus of this arts program, “As the Technical Director I was fortunate to spend a lot of time building, paper macheing, painting, cutting watermelon and laughing with circus kids and their families during our bi-weekly tech sessions held in the evenings at the Remington Rand space.”  Leinwand goes on to say, “In my opinion, this is the essence of what the circus is. It's a place where everyone is welcome to participate. The circus is a place where all of our individual skills are collaged together to create an unbelievable spectacle that everyone can be proud to be a part of. We become a community of artists and over time, one big circus family.”

Photo by Andy Szegedy-Maszak

This year, Oddfellows is asking everyone to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Amazing Grace Food Pantry.  Bring a lawn chair and enthusiasm to Macdonough School and enjoy the spectacle.  The 24th Children’s Circus of Middletown: The Circus of Science will perform at 5 PM on August 3 at 66 Spring Street in Middletown.  Parking is limited to street locations, so carpooling is recommended. The Macdonough School lot is reserved for handicapped and elderly patrons.

Tickets are available at the gate for $5 for Adults and $3 for Students and Seniors.

The Children’s Circus is made possible by the Middletown Commission on the Arts, the Middlesex United Way, Stop and Shop Foundation, Peter Abare-Brown and Courtney Antonioli and Oddfellows Playhouse’s many generous supporters.  For more information, call (860) 347-6143.

For more information on programs, to register for classes or to purchase tickets to performances, call Oddfellows at (860) 347-6143 or log onto www.oddfellows.org. 

Oddfellows programming in 2012-13 is made possible through the generous support of the American Savings Foundation, the CDBG Scholarship Program, the CT Department of Economic and Community Development, the CT Department of Education, Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Fund, Elizabeth Carse Foundation, the Fund for Greater Hartford, the George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation, the Irving Kohn Foundation, the J. Walton Bissell Foundation, Liberty Bank Foundation, Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation, Middlesex County Community Foundation, Middlesex United Way, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, Middletown YSB, the National Endowment for the Arts, Northern Middlesex Cable Advisory Council, Pratt & Whitney—Middletown, Price Chopper Golub Foundation, the Stare Fund, Stop and Shop Foundation, Thomas J. Atkins Foundation, Triple Frog, LLC and WESU (88.1FM).

Adscensio! Tonight!

and Tomorrow!

The Traveling Circus presents Adscensio!
Directed by Dic Wheeler
Friday January 20 - 7:30pm
Saturday January 21 - 7:30pm
$15 Adults / $8 Students & Seniors

Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater
128 Washington Street
860-347-6143

The Traveling Circus Company is comprised of students that have spent many years in the Children’s Circus of Middletown and CT School of Circus Arts, training under the direction of Dic Wheeler (ARTFARM) and Joel Melendez and Heidi Kirchoffer (Matica Arts). The company is comprised of Middletown residents Richard Carnegie III, Denzell Dempsey, Evan Knoll, Zachary Moeller-Marino, Nathan Linklater, Chris Wilkins , Durham Resident Rebecca Weir, Hartford resident Malaika King and Cromwell’s Jasmine Peck.

Photo Credit: Rob McGuinness

Adscensio!

Rescheduled after being snowed out on Halloween night, the Traveling Circus' performance of Adsensio! is coming up soon!

Performances are Friday, January 20th and Saturday, January 21st at 7:30pm.
Adults $15, Students/Seniors $8

The newest circus from Oddfellows' Traveling Circus Company is called Adscensio, taken from the Latin word for progress or ascent. The circus explores the advancement of the human race through time by celebrating the great discoveries of history through the twinkling eyes of the circus. The nine performers, all between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, display their skills, training and vibrancy in a stunning collection of circus acts, including juggling, contortion, unicycling, roman ladders, acrobatics and physical comedy. The Traveling Circus is also available to tour and is currently accepting bookings. Inquiries can be directed to Matt Pugliese.

The Traveling Circus Company is comprised of students that have spent many years in the Children’s Circus of Middletown and CT School of Circus Arts, training under the direction of Dic Wheeler (ARTFARM) and Joel Melendez and Heidi Kirchoffer (Matica Arts). The company is comprised of Middletown residents Richard Carnegie III, Denzell Dempsey, Evan Knoll, Zachary Moeller-Marino, Nathan Linklater, Chris Wilkins , Durham Resident Rebecca Weir, Hartford resident Malaika King and Cromwell’s Jasmine Peck.

Students 12-20 interested in learning how to juggle, unicycle, stilt, balance, clown and perform acrobatics should be sure to catch the performance and register for the CT School of Circus Arts. Led by the creative circus artists of ARTFARM and Matica Arts, the program is the premiere youth circus program in the area. The winter/spring sessions focuses on training and skill development and concludes with the performance of an evening of original circus acts on May 25 & 26.

For more information, go to www.oddfellows.org or call (860)347-6143

Children's Circus Rises Like Phoenix with a Golden Nose

Oddfellows Playhouse, the Middletown Commission on the Arts and the Middlesex United Way present the 23rd Children’s Circus of Middletown: The Quest for the Golden Nose. The one-time-only show will be presented today (Friday August 5) at 5 PM at Macdonough School, with a rain date of August 6 at 5 PM.

Admission: $5 Adults / $3 Students and Seniors

Today at 5pm at Macdonough School (66 Spring St, Middletown) is the Children's Circus of Middletown. It really is an incredible event, and shows to highlight the spirit of Oddfellows Playhouse and the Middletown community. Much of what Oddfellows lost in the February 2011 collapse of the building at 505 Main St. impacted this program.

Over 130 students have worked over the last 5 weeks to put together this incredibly large outdoor performance, which will be witnessed by an audience of over 1,200.

The Middletown community has helped in a variety of ways - families and friends have helped sew and stitch costumes together, paint and build set pieces and puppets. Those who couldn't lend time and energy helped in other ways. On August 1st, Eli Cannon's Tap Room held a Craft Beer Tasting and BBQ, donating the proceeds to Oddfellows. Carrie Carella, General Manager of Eli Cannon's said, "We wanted to help our neighbors. The chaos of construction [Community Health Center next door] helped us realize how important support from the community is. We know the Children's Circus took a big hit when 505 Main St collapsed, destroying costumes and props. We can't sew or act, but we can do an event to help Oddfellows out in a financial way. We thought an event the week of the Circus made a lot of sense."

This is an incredible opportunity to enjoy a fun, community arts event and to support and encourage our young people who are giving us all an incredible gift in this performance. Your presence helps them realize how important they are to Middletown and the future of our community.

The Quest for the Golden Nose

The 2011 Oddfellows Children's Circus is in peril and at risk of closing, unless the young circus performers retrieve the "the golden nose." "The Quest for the Golden Nose" is based on the ancient Greek myth of Jason and the Golden Fleece. The Middletown Children's Circus has adapted the tale to show off their circus talents as they journey to retrieve the nose. In this tale the golden nose has given the circus years of magical success, but this year the gods have decided to test the performers to see if they are worthy to continue to keep the nose. The children have to make it through many challenges including windy boat rides, alligator filled swamps, bullfights, dragons and more.
Oddfellows Playhouse and the Middletown Commission on the Arts present the 23rd Children’s Circus of Middletown: The Quest for the Golden Nose. The one-time-only show will be presented on August 5 at 5 PM at Macdonough School, with a rain date of August 6 at 5 PM.

The Children’s Circus is a 5-week, half-day program for 130 children ages 8-14 that has become not only a huge local event but also a national model for nonprofit municipal partnerships. This year Steve Ginsburg, one of the founders of HartBeat Ensemble, joins the circus in his first year as director. Over the five weeks, participants learn a huge variety of circus skills such as acrobatics, dance, juggling, unicycling, stilt walking, clowning, and visual arts. After deciding on two areas of specialization, the participants train daily and perform for the camp at the end of each week. For the last two weeks of the program, the participants are cast into featured roles in a circus act, and rehearse these acts before performing in front of over 1,000 people. The performance also features the live circus band of local musicians led by Eric Kuhn, costumes by Betsy Spiro, and scenic and prop design by Jason Leinwand.

This year, Oddfellows is asking everyone to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Bring a lawn chair and enthusiasm to Macdonough School and enjoy the spectacle.

Tickets:
Adults $5, Students/Seniors $3

The Children’s Circus is made possible by the Middletown Commission on the Arts, the Middlesex United Way, Middletown Rotary, and Oddfellows Playhouse’s generous supporters.

Photos from the 5k Citizen's Bank Run Today

Read about the sponsors, participants, beneficiaries & volunteers in the earlier post here.

View from intersection of College and High Street.

Lap 2 runners are lead by police motorcycle and Citizen's Bank coordinator (right) as they round College Street.

Street performers from ArtFarm and Oddfellows keep the crowd entertained with acts on stilts, unicycles and tumbling.

Bounce house provided for children.

Middletown Republican Committee hands out free water and cookies on Main Street.

Chief Mc Mahon on bike patrol.

Middletown Kiwanis Club volunteers.

5K Charity Run Downtown Wednesday!

Wednesday Evening
July 20

Citizens Bank, The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business District, YMCA and Oddfellows Playhouse are sponsoring a unique family oriented festival and road race. The festival features Oddfellows street performers, ARTFARM’s Circus for a Fragile Planet, moonwalk, giant slide and extended hours at Kidcity Children’s Museum. Throughout the event, music and dancing entertainment will be provided.

Race Day Schedule: Citizens Bank, Main St.

4:30 p.m. Packet Pickup & Race Day Registration

6:30 p.m. ½ Mile Kid’s Fun Run

6:45 p.m. 5K Road Race

7:00-8:00 p.m. Post Race Celebration

7:30 p.m. Awards

Tech T-shirts to the first 500 5K entrants. The first 150 participants in the Kids Run will receive t-shirts. Showers will be available after the race at the Middlesex County YMCA. All participants are invited to enjoy our post race snack, live music, street performers and awards ceremony.

Corporate Team Competition Winning team gets to display the Pratt & Whitney Team Trophy until next year’s race. Teams can be of unlimited size – three fastest runners determine team time. Fastest team time wins. Companies can enter an unlimited number of teams. Team members must work for the organization. Applications must be sent together with a team roster. Prize for fastest team.

Awards Top three male & female finishers: 12 & under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+ and Wheelchair. The first male & female Middletown resident also receive awards. All finishers of the Kids Run receive ribbons.

Race Benefits
Receiving donations from recent races were the Northern Middlesex Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA of Northern Middlesex County, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Mentor Program, Amazing Grace, Art Farm, Middlesex Bike Club, Kiwanis Club, Oddfellows Playhouse, Warm the Children and the Ed Gorecki Memorial Fund.
Volunteers: Middletow Republican Town Committee & Kiwanis Club of Middletown will be among many other groups volunteering to provide support to runners.

Juggle Juggle Juggle

Today on the South Green from 6-7pm there will be a whole lot of juggling going on. How much?
Well, that depends! The Jugglathon is open to anyone that can juggle, and will include the members of Oddfellows Traveling Circus Company and The Connecticut School of Circus Arts, a collaboration between ARTFARM, Matica Arts, and Oddfellows Playhouse, is a premier youth circus organization based on giving teens the opportunity to hone circus skills such as juggling, unicycling, clowning, and acrobatics. In August, the CSCA will be sending seven members to the American Youth Circus Festival in Sarasota, Florida. The Jugglathon will help support the cost of flight, lodging and attending the festival for the students.

A full hour of sponsored juggling will take place. To get involved, one can juggle and get sponsors, then juggle for as long as they can; sponsor a juggler for a minimum of $1 per minute; or simply attend the Jugglathon – because this many jugglers will be pretty cool!

One Man's Trash is Another Man's...Costume?

In an effort to start replacing the props and costumes that were lost in the recent roof collapse of the Oddfellows storage space at 505 Main Street in Middletown, Oddfellows will be collecting donated items.

Donated items will be accepted at Oddfellows Playhouse at 128 Washington Street, Middletown on February 25, March 4 and March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sat., March 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“While all donations are appreciated, we simply can't keep everything,” said Matt Pugliese, Managing Director for Oddfellows. “Our designers, artists and technical director will select the pieces that will need,” he said.

All other items will be sold at a tag sale set for Sat., Apr. 16 at Oddfellows Playhouse. The proceeds from this tag sale will be used to offset the theater’s production costs.

“We lost over 2,000 costumes, including everything we need to costume 200 circus performers during the Children's Circus of Middletown,” said Pugliese. “At $100 a performer, just that alone is a $20,000 loss,” he said.

Financial donations may also be made to immediately help with the production costs of shows set to take the stage beginning with the Mar. 10 performance of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Financial donations can be made online or for more information regarding donated items or the tag sale, please contact Oddfellows' Production Manager Paul Revaz at (860) 347-6143 or paul@oddfellows.org.

All items are welcomed but these specific items are always in need:


MENS (all sizes)
• suits, jackets, slacks, khakis: all colors, but preferably black, gray, navy, and tan
• button down shirts, all colors, preferably white and light colors
• ties, all types and patterns
• dress shoes, all colors, preferably black
• top coats, preferably dark colors
• vests, tailored and knit in black, gray, and brown
• sweaters, pullover and cardigan, preferably black , gray, and brown
• vintage hats, any type, particularly felt fedoras, hombeurgs, bowlers, and newsboy types
• suspenders and belts, any type

WOMENS ( all sizes)
• suits, jackets, slacks, khakis all colors, but preferably black, gray, navy, and tan
• blouses, all types, all colors, preferably non-patterned
• skirts, all types, all colors
• dresses, non-formal, day wear
• dress shoes, all types, all colors, preferably black
• topcoats, preferably dark colors
• vintage hats, all types, all colors
• dress gloves

OTHER ITEMS
• plastic or wooden hangers, suit and pant hangers
• large plastic bins

PROPS
• old suitcases and travel accessories
• lamps and period looking items
• house wares
• old crates and boxes
• eyeglasses
• fake or prop food items
• any vintage items in general

Don't Worry ! "Eat's All Good"

Will Oddfellows’ unicycling pizza delivery team make it to your door in 30 minutes or less? Will our acrobatic chefs manage to keep all their eggs up in the air? Or will a giant army of ants overrun our circus picnic? Don’t worry! “Eat’s All Good”. The 22nd Children’s Circus of Middletown takes on the food pyramid and delivers a healthy, balanced circus of fun under the direction of Skyler Sullivan, with fantastic and delicious backdrops designed by Jason Leinwand, and some delightful dinner music provided by the circus band under the direction of Eric Kuhn. This culinary circus is guaranteed fun for the entire family.

Oddfellows Playhouse and the Middletown Commission on the Arts present “Eat’s All Good” the spectacular final performance of the 22nd annual Children’s Circus of Middletown. This one-time-only show will be presented on Friday, August 6 at 5 pm at Macdonough Elementary School.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and come and enjoy a gala spectacle that has become a summer tradition. “Eat’s All Good” begins at 5pm at Macdonough Elementary School, 66 Spring Street in Middletown. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Rain date for the performance is Saturday, August 7 at 5pm.

The Children’s Circus of Middletown is a 5-week half-day program of training in circus skills for young people ages 8 to 14. The Children’s Circus is part of the City of Middletown’s Kids Arts ’10, presented by Oddfellows Playhouse, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, with additional support and funding from the City of Middletown, the Middlesex United Way and the Middletown Rotary.

Summer Circus Fun

Well, it is June and summer is almost here. That means one thing in Middletown--well, other than Italian ice...Circus!

There are still spots available in the 22nd Children's Circus of Middletown. The half-day program runs from July 6 thru August 6. Spots are still available in both the morning session 9-11:30am or the afternoon session 12:30-3pm. Register by calling the Middletown Commission on the Arts at 860-343-6620 x201 or download the registration for here.

This 5 week, half day program culminates in a spectacular outdoor circus performance before a crowd of over 1,000. Children ages 8-14 will spend the first two weeks trying each of the circus skills including: clowning, balance, acrobatics, unicycling, stilting and juggling before focusing in two areas of specialization. The program takes place Monday thru Friday at Macdonough School with the final performance on Friday August 6 at 5pm.

And if you're worried about your vacation conflicts - don't be! Children that need to miss more than three days are not excluded from participating in the program.

Spring Circus Celebration!

This weekend, bring the family out to enjoy Oddfellows Playhouse's Spring Circus Celebration: A Teen Circus Double Bill. Featuring 6 new acts by members of the Connecticut School of Circus Arts at Oddfellows Playhouse, followed by the premiere of the Oddfellows Playhouse Traveling Circus' new show "Spring!"

Friday May 21 - 7:30pm

Saturday May 22 -7:30pm

Ticket Prices
Adults $15
Students/Seniors $8

Reservations are recommended - call 860-347-6143.

The Connecticut School of Circus Arts at Oddfellows Playhouse is an exciting new endeavor brought to you by Oddfellows Playhouse and artists from Matica Arts and ARTFARM. This year round circus training program offers students the opportunity to develop their skills as a juggler, stilter, acrobat and unicyclist under the guidance of a team of veteran circus artists.

Check out this video of Oddfellows' Traveling Circus creating their new show "Spring!" under the direction of ARTFARM's Dic Wheeler.

Major support for Oddfellows' 09-10 season comes from the CT State Department of Education, CT Commission on Culture & Tourism, The Stare Fund, Pratt and Whitney-Middletown, Aetna Foundation and the Middletown Commission on the Arts.

2009 Children's Circus T-Shirt For Sale

Oddfellows Summer Circus was a great success (see other post: can it link to it?) this past Saturday, with one snag. The official 2009 circus t-shirt wasn't there for sale.

So, if you are one of those people that wished they had the official t-shirt, you can call Oddfellows at 347-6143 or email at info@oddfellows.org. It is a very cool yellow shirt with a dark blue design (see picture). There are only a limited number available, so order quickly. Each shirt is $10, and you can pick them up at the playhouse at 128 Washington St. If you'd like your shirt mailed, it is an additional $3 shipping. You can pay with cash, check or credit card.

Sizes available as of August 4th at 3 pm:

Youth Medium: 1
Youth XL: 10
Adult Small: 6
Adult Medium: 5
Adult Large: 6
Adult XL: 2

Places to Go, People to See and Hear (7/31-8/02)

Friday July 31:
There are 3 major music festivals going on in Connecticut, each within easy driving range. No specifics here but there will be links to get you to each website.

The Great CT Traditional Jazz Festival takes place from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon at Mountain Ridge on High Hill Road in Wallingford. Scheduled is pianist Jeff Barnhart (pictured), Louis Ford & His New Orleans Flairs, Cornet Chop Suey, Wolverine Jazz Band, Galvanized Jazz Band, Blue Street, Festival favorites Igor's Jazz Cowboys and many other fine purveyors of jazz and swing. For more information including prices, directions and to discover how the Festival aids the Horns 4 Kids program, go www.greatctjazz.org.

If you like your jazz with a bit more "modern" feel (but not "avant-garde") you could head for the Litchfield hills for the 2009 Litchfield Jazz Festival, to be held Friday through Sunday on the grounds of the Kent School in Kent, CT. This year's lineup ranges from the traditional sounds of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to the brilliant Cuban-born drummer Dafnis Prieto & his Si O Si Quartet to vocalist/pianist Dena DeRose (pictured) to the lush sounds of vocalist Jane Monheit to the "world jazz" guitarist from Benin, Lionel Loueke, to the mainstream saxophone sounds of Houston Person (and much more.) Go to www.litchfieldjazzfest.com for the complete lineup, directions, and to learn more about the Festival's Jazz Camp. It's also the weekend for the the Connecticut Wine Trail's 2009 Wine Festival, to be held on the nearby Goshen Fairgrounds in Goshen. A good number of the wineries are located in the Litchfield hills - you can check out more at www.ctwines.com.

The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival actually starts tonight (Thursday) and runs through Sunday. Held on the grounds of the spacious Martin Park in East Hartford, this year's program features Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, the Allison Brown Quartet with Joe Craven, Goldheart, the James King Band, the Lovell Sisters, Natalie MacMaster, the Steep Canyon Rangers and many more. Headlining the show on Friday evening will be the Del McCoury Band (pictured) whose 2008 CD "Moneyland" brought together many different artists for a true social commentary on the foibles of the economic downturn and the culture of greed. Del is celebrating 50 years as a performing artist and is a true bluegrass legend. To find out more about the festivals and the fine lineup, go to www.podunkbluegrass.net/.

Meanwhile in Middletown, Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. at Spencer School, Westfield Street, the 21st Annual Children's Circus of Middletown, created by Oddfellows Playhouse and sponsored by the Middletown Commission on the Arts, presents "In Your Dreams." From the press release, "The show features over 200 young stilters, jugglers, clowns, unicyclists, dancers, and acrobats. Live music is performed by a 15-piece Circus Band, led by well-known local musician Dirck Westervelt. Come early and enjoy the offerings of the Pre-Show Carnival presented by Middlesex County Non Profit Organizations. Popcorn and pirates, crafts and music will keep you busy before the Circus begins."

For more information, call 347-6143. Rain date in Saturday August 1 at 12noon in the same location.

Saturday August 1:
The Middlesex Academy of the Performing Arts, located on the campus of Independent Day School, Laurel Brook Road in Middlefield, presents "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" at 5 p.m. Based on the characters created by the late Charles Schulz, the musical is light-hearted and features a catchy score by Clark Gesner. Tickets should be available at the door. For more information, go to www.middlesexacademy.org.


The Buttonwood Tree presents a bluegrass show of its own Friday at 8 p.m. 19 Strings, a quartet featuring Rob Blaney (banjo), his brother Jeff (mandolin, bass), Marianne Vogel (violin) and Willie Larsen (guitar), plays country standards, a bit of folk music, waltzes, spirituals, Bob Dylan tunes and even an Irish jig or 2. Call 347-4957 to reserve a seat for this, the last show of the Buttonwood's 2008-09 season.

Boney's Music Lounge welcomes back the very popular Melvin Sparks Trio for an evening of incendiary jazz/funk and r'n'b. Guitarist Sparks, drummer Bill Carbone and organist Matthew O. will play from 8:30 to 12midnight and, no matter, the temperature outside, the Lounge will be "smokin."