Russell Library Announces Summer Concert

The Homegrown String Band Courtyard Concert
The Homegrown String Band will perform on Thursday, June 4 at 7 pm in the Russell Library Courtyard, 123 Broad St., Middletown. Georgianne and Rick Jackofsky and their daughters Erica and Annalee are a 21^st century incarnation of the traditional family band. They have been performing at bluegrass, folk and blues festivals, coffeehouses, schools, and libraries throughout the Northeast since 1997. Their repertoire consists of traditional and original music inspired by the rural string bands that recorded during the 1920’s and 30’s. Their concert includes a wide range of American folk music, from the driving rhythms of old-time dance tunes to the mournful sounds of mountain ballads and blues. You will be treated to the sounds of fiddle, guitar, mandolin, clawhammer banjo, banjo ukulele, mountain dulcimer, and jawharp, as well as some percussive flatfoot dancing. www.homegrownstringband.com In the case of bad weather, the event will be held in the library’s Hubbard Room.

Classical Guitar Concert with Neal Fitzpatrick
Classical guitarist Neal Fitzpatrick will perform on Saturday, June 13 at 2pm in the Hubbard Room at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Mr. Fitzpatrick is both an active soloist and chamber musician. He has performed in such diverse venues as The CT Classical Guitar Society, The Yale Center for British Art, the 92^nd Street Y in New York City, and at Woolsey Hall with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. He maintains a thriving private studio where he teaches both classical and jazz guitar. He earned his master’s at The Yale School of Music in 1998.

Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem Courtyard Concert
Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem will perform in the Courtyard on Thursday, June 18, 7pm at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. All of roots music is a stage for daisy mayhem, and this four-piece string band loves nothing more than choreographing a jubilant mix of traditional, original, and contemporary sounds. With Arbo's bewitching alto at the helm, stunning vocal harmonies, a 100% recycled drum set, fiddle, guitar, and bass, daisy mayhem "has a grand knack for pumping new blood into old music" (The Boston Globe).

Daisy mayhem celebrates America's rich musical past and brings it into the present with good humor, impeccable musicianship, powerful songwriting, and a clear love of playing together. Here are four musicians who pick up what's lying around - from tin cans to old songs and wry observations of modern life - and create something new. In the case of bad weather, the event will be held in the library’s Hubbard Room.

Courtyard Concert by JUST HARMONY
JUST HARMONY, an inspiring folk singing group, will perform on Thursday, June 25 at 7 pm in the Courtyard at Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Their music draws from many cultures, but is rooted in the folk revival of the 1960's and the American Jewish folk movement. Songs include new arrangements of familiar songs as well as newer and original compositions. The group -- Rick Calvert and Amy, Steve, Sarah, and Rebecca Eppler-Epstein -- use guitar, keyboard, banjo, flute, quena, and a wide assortment of rhythm instruments to drive their music. Their intricate harmony and musical arrangements alternately excite, intrigue, and soothe, and audiences are often drawn into singing along with the group. But JUST HARMONY's mission goes beyond the songs: their music is ultimately a conversation with their audiences, a discussion of what remains broken in our world and how to approach the work of repair with joy and energy. Share an evening with JUST HARMONY – and rediscover the link between music and life! In the case of bad weather, the event will be held in the library’s Hubbard Room.