Who in the What is Poetry? With Susan Allison at Russell Library

Poet Laureate of Middletown Susan Allison

Who in the What is Poetry? is an open discussion and celebration of poetry for beginners, poets, experts, the curious and the frustrated. There will be time to discuss what we believe poetry is, read aloud some of our favorite poems, and workshop poems of our own. All are welcome to come join in, share, and learn about an ancient tradition that has survived into a thriving artform.

Susan Allison, Middletowns’s first Poet Laureate, wrote and read the poem, Here we are Now in a Moment Like this One in honor of the inauguration of newly elected city officials last November. This past February she visited the Russell Library on Take Your Child to the Library Day, reading a poem entitled Wild Blue that she had written for the occasion. 

Drop-in, no registration.

Here we are Now in a Moment Like this One, By Susan Allison

Mamoosan's Buttonwood tree, a sketch
from the Middlesex Historical Society.

At last night's inauguration of newly elected officials, our city's Poet Laureate, Susan Allison, read the following poem. She has graciously allowed us to reprint it here.
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Here we are Now in a Moment Like this One

In a moment like this one,
and there have been moments like this one,
in this place, at the great bend, beside the Quintucket,
The Great River. The Long tidal river.
It is autumn, when Mamoosan returned
every year to pay tribute
to his ancestors in Mattabeseck
and lived in a Buttonwood Tree.
There was a moment like this one
in 1784 when Jabez Hamlin
became the first Mayor of Midlletown,
and we have continued
in our small democracy within our
current global  catastrophe, where empires
fight violently in war, religion, racism…

In a moment like this one
and the one just before this one
and the moment  being newly created
minutely in time as we gather together,
and overlap, with differences and affinities.
We can say there are approximately
Forty Eight thousand of us
who live in Middletown,
some love Middletown,
some are trying to get out of Middletown,
some have with disagreements with
the landlord or the neighbors in Middletown
some, too many, are in poverty,  destitute,
disabled, discontinued, dying in Middletown.
I still have many heroes here in Middletown

In a moment like this one,
and we are making this moment,
we can say we have done our best,
or have tried, or have given up.
We celebrate, or we feel demoted,
and those of us who voted,
the devoted, accept
the rewards of hard work,
winning and losing
we’ve all been there
in our winning losing
outcome nation.
We can wonder if maybe we were wrong,
or maybe we are right. We are
wearing hoodies, suits, red or blue dresses,
dreadlocks, goodwill blue jeans,
scrubs, tattoos, and tweeds…
We are church loving, or food loving, car loving,
struggling, or just making it,
we strive in our fields, and are feisty in our politics.
We are artists, engineers, doctors,
students, teachers, businesses, banks,
We are Cambodian, Puerto Rican, Haitian,
Irish, Tibetan, Dominican, Italian,
African American, Polish, Swedes…
We are Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu,
Buddhist, Lutheran, Baptist, Zion, Pagan…
And everyone who is in this moment,
is making this moment.
Families and children in the moment.
Black lives matter in the moment.
Bread and gratitude in the moment.
Cultures clashing in the moment.
Some might ask, will it all be the same?
will it all be the same ol’ same ol’?
Maybe we were right maybe we were wrong.
Maybe we are opposed to or are afraid
of having those conversations. But

in a moment like this one we remember the turning leaves,
this season glowed in orchard brilliant reds,
designs of yellow, berry, wine against  bursting
oranges, ochre, brown, dangling neon scarlet
leaves caught in the light of the late day’s sun.
I must have taken fifty seven pictures of the red
Japanese Maple as it glowed in the dusk after twilight.
We all watched as the leaves
gradually loosened into the breeze
catching our breath and shortening our speech,
miraculously, through an incarnate spell of autumn leaf devotion
running wild beyond our ability to praise it
interrupting our agendas, and reminding us
how quickly things change.

In a moment like this one
we can see ourselves
and others in the light and shadow,
in our curious particle perception,  
through our lives of grief and wonder,
when we coalesce into a covenant of our cognition.
And I marvel how through all our differences
we still sit almost on top of each other,
blankets, children, fried dough, dogs,
on the Town Hall lawn along DeKoven,
to watch the fireworks over the river.
We are here for some reason,
and now I in my way,
and you in yours are
like the colors of the river, mingling currents
knowing and learning the ways we navigate
seeking place, or seeking a voice,
or recognition, we seek awareness
in our disparate ways, grateful
to meet an old friend on the sidewalk,
sometimes able to grasp
the city’s rare magnificence,
able to recognize in ourselves
and in each other our wholeness
in both our weakness and our strength.

Volunteers Get Some Love

O'Rourke's Diner treats Buttonwood volunteers to special dinner!

After O'Rouke's Diner officially closed for the day, Brian O'Rourke kept going to show his support for his North End neighbor. Gracious as ever on the Summer Solstice, he laid out a beautiful dinner party for the volunteers of The Buttonwood Tree. Anne-Marie Cannata, Executive Director of North End Arts Rising / The Buttonwood Tree, returned to the kitchen to help prepare and serve the meal.

Brian made special accommodations for vegetarians on the spot, but he warned everybody that there would be no cheesecake for anyone who didn't eat their brussels sprouts. And never so tasty a tiny cabbage was there ever served up in a Middletown dining establishment. Salad was fresh with house made dressing and fresh herbs, soup was rich, and everything was delicious. It really was a special way for the Buttonwood to say thanks to the people who have, in testament to the importance of The Buttonwood, donated their time, talent, energy, and services over the years. Anne-Marie would like to thank each and every person and hopes she has remembered everyone when she says that The Buttonwood Tree IS:

Eileen Albrizio | Mike Arafeh | Francine Augeri | Reverend Ronnie Bantum | John Basinger | 
Ed Biofore | Bill Biski | Abe Bobman | Lisa Bosco | Brian Burness | J- Cherry | Breanne Coates | Tom Cushing | Matt Donahue | Brad Devlin | Kelly DiMauro & daughter Kelsey | Mike D'Amico | Matt Earls | Matthew Evangelisti | Brad Devin | Deb Flynn | Ambur Fulse | Annaita Gandhy | Bill George | Bob Gotta | Tom Hahn | John and Jen Halfinger | Colin Haskins | Joe Hoyadilla | Ty Hunter | Jim Keating | Terri Klein | Kunle Mwanga | Kay Lani | Isaac Lichter | Roy Lisker | Topher Polack | 
Ian LaForce | Suzy Lampson | Laura Lawton | Roy Lisker | 
Dr. Maryott | Ted Paulsen | Topher Polack | Abby Reynolds | Paul Rice | Cocomo Rock | Erin St. Pierre | Phill Salafia | Ann Smith | Rev. Sandra Steele | Tim Sparks | Melissa Spencer | James Stoetzle | Dave Stott | Karen Swartz | Elizabeth Thomas | Ken Villines | Ashley & Sheryl Wescott | Terri Johnson & Martha Johnson | Dottie & Barry Ten Eyck | Fred Carroll

Here Stephan and Susan Allison talk about the origins of The Buttonwood Tree (TBT), now also called NEAR. The Allisons are pleased that TBT is thriving under Anne-Marie Cannata's leadership, and were delighted to receive the new TBT mug! The Allison's talk also focused on the original goals of The Buttonwood and some history and reminiscing. It was a great opportunity for the volunteers to learn some of the stories of the people and events and changes over the years.

As always, The Buttonwood has a full slate Thursday night and throughout the weekend with lots of great music scheduled. The details can be found at www.buttonwood.org

Celebrating Susan

Friends, performers, patrons, family and admirers gathered at the Buttonwood Tree and three other North End venues to honor the creativity, hard work and inspiration that Susan Allison has given to Middletown.

Celebrate a Visionary & Other Events (May 8-9)

It's been a tough, heartbreaking, scary and sorrowful few days but even as we mourn a member of our community cruelly taken from our midst, we must move forward.

North End Arts Rising celebrates the work and vision of Susan Allison on Friday May 8 with a gala fundraiser and evening of performances. Hard to believe but it's been 20 years since the poet/activist Allison came to Middletown to open Ibis Bookstore on Rapallo Avenue. Within 2 years, the place became a gathering place for writers and soon Allison and her husband Stephan began a performance series. The Buttonwood Tree soon began to book musicians from all over the country and world, many of whom only performed on college campuses or in larger urban areas. Plays were staged, poetry slams and more until that fateful May night when a fire broke out on the second floor and the building soon was reduced to ashes.

Through a lot of hard work and pounding the pavement, The Buttonwood Tree and bookstore moved to Liberty Commons (after a stint in the basement of Oddfellows Playhouse.) The new space at 605 Main Street, located on the first floor of what used to be the Arriwani Hotel, literally and figuratively rose from the ashes. While it's never been easy to attract local people to the North End (unless you're a brilliant chef in an old diner or have one of the best beer selections in the state), performers and poets love working in the intimate space and artists enjoy having their work on the walls.

To celebrate, 4 separate venues in the North End will take part in the festivities from 7 - 10 p.m. The Buttonwood Tree hosts Noah Baerman (piano) who performs with Joe Fonda (bass) and Kunle Mwanga (clarinet.) James Burr will also perform as will Kristen Graves (in a post-party mini-concert.) There will be a live and silent auction and perhaps Ms. Allison will favor the crowd with a poem or 2. A number of local restaurants are providing food for the evening. Across the street at MAC 650, saxophonist David Davis will host a musical party (with more food) featuring Melissa Spencer, Terry Woolard, Trevor Davis and Randy & Freddie Moses. Around the corner at the Realto Cafe on Rapallo Avenue, the Jarrod Caffey Jazz Trio will perform and attendees will be able to view a video of The Buttonwood Tree's early years. I understand there will be some dynamite food as well. The Gatekeeper Tavern, 73 Ferry Street, is the 4th venue and will feature a Traveling Poetry Troupe, music by the John Dixon Band, and Francine Augeri's verbal memoir of the North End. Lest we forget, there will be more food at this venue.

The blocks north of Washington Street have been maligned for years - I know there are issues - but look what has grown up and/or expanded in the 20 years since Ibis Bookstore and The Buttonwood took root. There are a slew of restaurants, a great Tibetan store, It's Only Natural Market, Michael Arafeh's Coffee House Studios, Middletown Framing, the Community Health Center, the Soup Kitchen, and other businesses. Let's hope the rain stops long enough for people to come and celebrate the vision of Susan Allison, her family and friends. For more information, call 347-4957 or go to www.buttonwood.org.

The Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company completes its 5-show run of Arthur Miller's "The American Clock" with 7:30 p.m. performances on both Friday and Saturday. For more information and reservations, call 347-6143.

There are number of events scheduled on the Wesleyan campus for this weekend including Friday's West African Drumming & Dance Concert at 3 p.m. and the Wesleyan Steel Band Concert Saturday at 1 p.m. (as well as several dance events.) Go to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa or call the University Box Office at 685-3355 to find out the status of these programs.

On Saturday evening, The Buttonwood Tree opens its doors to singer/songwriter Shandy Lawson. Opening the show at 7:30 p.m. will be the 4-piece rock band known as The Mountain Movers.

Also on Saturday, Boney's Music Lounge above Fishbone Cafe, 106 Court Street, welcomes bassist/composer Mario Pavone & his new Quartet. The Connecticut native and resident came into his own as a performer in the 1970s. After a long stint with saxophonist Thomas Chapin (ending in 1998 with Chapin's untimely death at the age of 40), Pavone began leading his own groups and is considered one of the finer players on the creative music scene. Joining him will be pianist Craig Hartley, saxophonist Kris Allen and drummer Curtis Torian. For more information, call346-6000.

Buttonwood Tree Celebration Extravaganza - Don't Miss It!

NORTH END ARTS RISING PARTY -

A TRIBUTE for OUR FOUNDER, SUSAN ALLISON

Friday May 8th 7-9pm

A Tribute to Susan Allison, Fundraiser, a four-venue indoor/outdoor

North End Arts Rising Party Extraordinaire to be held at:

The Buttonwood Tree - 605 Main Street

MAC 650 An Art Space - 650 Main Street http://mac650.blogspot.com/ (860)347-0834

Realto Cafe - 50 Rapallo Ave (860) 346-4569

Gatekeeper Tavern - 73 Ferry Street (860) 347-2883

It has been 20 years since Susan Allison opened the Ibis Bookstore which became The Buttonwood Tree and North End Arts Rising, Inc. and it's time to recognize her and all the hard work and dedication she has given to the arts community! Also, due to challenging economic times and changes in policy, city funding is no longer SECURE for 2009. While the hope and expectation is that the city government and Middletown's Commission for the Arts will still fund NEAR as best they can, it is now necessary to take steps to raise funds. This Party is part of The Buttonwood Tree's efforts to remain viable: To thank and recognize our beloved founder, to demonstrate to city leaders that there is great community support for the arts and our organization, to raise money for operating expenses eligible for matching funds, and to HAVE A REALLY FUN TIME TOGETHER!!

Entertainment Highlights:

* Guest speakers and poets

* Musical guests including Noah Baerman, David Davis, James Burr and lots more.

* Traveling Poetry Troupe

* Live and Silent Auctions

* Ongoing showing of DVD-video film of our early days at the Ibis, including Richard Kamins, Peter Loffredo, Anthony Braxton, Wesleyan folks, and many more. A real treat to see!

* Food provided by The Bridge, Typhoon, It's Only Natural Restaurant, Iguanas Ranas, Fusion Bakery, Public Market, O'Rourke's Diner, La Boca, Pho Vietnamese & others

* Door Prizes

* Special after-party MINI-CONCERT featuring KRISTEN GRAVES...

Call to reserve your tickets which are required at some but not all of the venues. 860-347-4957 Tickets are limited. Please note, as always, The Buttonwood Tree can only take checks and cash and is a nonprofit organization so general donations are tax-deductible and ALL supoprt is welcome

Susan Reads

Susan Allison was on her home court and among friends as she read from her new volume of poetry, Down By the Riverside Ways (Antrim House Books).

The Buttonwood Tree, which Allison founded first as Ibis Books in 1989, was the location for the book launch.

Anyone who knows Susan, understands her soulfulness and spirituality feeds a furious curiousity, and I for one, was pleased to learn that she bends that inquisitiveness to the creation of poems which are witty, musical, handsome and touching.

Allison only read a few (the "crowd pleasers" she noted), but dramatically, and invited those of us crowded into the Buttonwood Tree's performance space to join her in sampling the lovely h'orsduevres laid out for the occasions.

My apologies for the disastrously low-fi phone photos. After a long vacation, my camera battery was re-charging.

Important Message from The Buttonwood Tree - No City Funding for 2009

Hello Friends of The Buttonwood Tree!

We are pleased to announce:

NORTH END ARTS RISING PARTY

A TRIBUTE TO SUSAN ALLISON

In celebration of the 20th year since opening the Ibis Bookstore

May 8, 2009

(The Friday night of Mother's Day weekend)

Photo at right:
In 2006 Susan and Stephan Allison receiving honors from then-director of the Buttonwod Tree Anne Sabin.




Due to challenging economic times and change in policy, our city funding is no longer secured for 2009. Without this support it will be nearly impossible to receive other funding from outside sources, and so the likelihood that The Buttonwood Tree could continue would be slim. In our effort to remain open we have begun to plan a fund-raiser with our goals being to thank and recognize our beloved founder, Susan Allison, to show the city leaders that we have community support for our organization, to raise money that will be eligible for matching funds, and to have a really good time together! We'll have both live and silent auctions, door prizes, lots of entertainment, glances back in time, stories and surprises. We hope you'll show your support in some form and join us for the making of new memories while we relive some old ones :)More details to come...For now... please save the date... May 8th, 2009 (tentative time 7-10pm)





Thank you! from Anne-Marie Cannata, Executive Director


N.E.A.R., Inc. /The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center