Welcome to the Weekend

Lots to do in the area this weekend so here's a quick rundown.

The Connecticut Gilbert & Sullivan Society presents its annual production from Friday through Sunday in the auditorium of Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, 370Hunting Hill Avenue in Middletown. "Patience" is a satire of the "aesthetes", most notably Oscar Wilde, that was one of the duo's longest running shows. Much of the bite is lost on contemporary audiences but the music is excellent and, as always, CG&SS does a fine job of recreating the "scene" at London's Savoy Theater. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday as well as 2 p.m. on Sunday. For ticket information, call 1-800-866-1606. 50% of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to St. Vincent dePaul Place of Middletown (and Mayor Giuliano has pledged matching monies from the City.)

Phoenix Theater, a troupe based in East Hartford, presents "The Rocky Horror Show" over the next 2 weekends at Lidia's Reception Hall, 54 Washington Street, in Middletown. It's a marvelously goofy and campy show that combines science fiction with an improbable love story and does so with tongue placed firmly in cheek (but not in check.) Performances are 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday October 24 and 25 as well as Halloween Friday night (10/31) and Saturday November. There are 12midnight shows planned for all but Opening Night. For ticket information, call 860-291-2988 or go to www.phoenixtheater.us.

The duo of Tiffany Du Mouchelle (soprano) and Stephen Solook (percussion, voice), otherwise known as Aurora Borealis, plays a free concert at 2 p.m. in the Hubbard Room of The Russell Library, 123 Broad Street. Their music encompasses Broadway, World music, classical standards, folk songs and more. Both have impressive resumes and their work together and alone has been acclaimed by audiences and critics throughout the country. Seating is limited but the music is worth seeing and hearing. For more information, call 347-2528, extension 135.

The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street, presents Vange Durst & EV3 at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Vocalist-lead guitarist Durst writes the majority of the material and is ably abetted by Deb Piccolo (drums, percussion) and Michael Kurjan (keyboards.) Their music has touches of folk, rock, world fusion and more than a hint of funk. The lyrics are, at times, sassy and biting but always emotionally "real." The intimate performance space is a great way to hear this music. For more information, call 860-347-4957.