Weekends are Made for Fun Stuff

Friday December 18:
The big news is that a Middletown resident is a contestant on tonight's edition of"Jeopardy."  Roberta Fulton, wife of Don Ciosek, can be seen on the long-running (and fairly intelligent) quiz show, shown at 7 p.m. on WTNH-Channel 8.  You have to watch to see how she does but it sure is fun to root for a local person.

By now, you must have noticed the "ad" on the EYE for Frank Capra's classic "It's A Wonderful Life" being screened at 7 p.m. in the Goldsmith Family Cinema, Washington Terrace. Money raised from ticket sales goes to help Gilead Community Services of Middletown, an organization whose mission "is to provide a broad range of high quality health care and recovery support services in the home and community to improve mental health, physical well being, independence, and community integration for the individuals we serve."  For more information about the showing, call 860-343-5300 ext. 0.

Big weekend in the Performing Arts Center at Middletown High School, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Edward Cumming, music director, will take the stage at 8 p.m.. on both Friday and Saturday evenings for its "Holiday Spectacular."  The musicians and conductor will not be alone in this musicall endeavor.  Joining them will be the Hartford Chorale and the Connecticut Children's Chorus.  For ticket information, call 860-748-8169.  


The Buttonwood Tree welcomes the New York City-based quartet, The Argyle Effect, for an 8 p.m. show.  The foursome blends rock, pop, blues, and klezmer influences into a raucous mash that's fun and high-spirited.  To find out more about the band, go to www.myspace.com/theargyleeffect.

The final event of the Fall semester at Wesleyan's CFA is the very exciting and colorful West African Drumming & Dance concert, to be held at 8 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall. Students of choreographer and Artists-in-Residence Iddi Saaka and master Drummer Abraham Adzenyah join their teachers and special guest artists for an evening of excitement and colorful costumes.  For ticket information, call 860-685-3355 or go to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa.

NuDirexions returns to Boney's Music Lounge, located above Fishbone Cafe, for an evening of jazz-inflected funk and pop music.  They start at 9 p.m.

Saturday December 19:
The final edition of Holiday on Main Street has events for the whole family, starting at 10 a.m. with an Ornament Decorating Workshop conducted by Stephanie Huffaker in The Buttonwood Tree.  The day also includes Hay Rides, a visit from Santa Claus, and Holiday Story Time at Broad Street Books (11:30 a.m.)  For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 860-347-6924.

The Buttonwood Tree presents one of Middletown's classic bands, House of Moses.  Join brothers Thomas and Fred as they celebrate Randy's birthday along with guitarist Mick Bolduc, percussionist Ron Edens and several surprise guests.  It'll be a sweet evening of soul and light jazz.  The party begins at 8 p.m.  Call 860-347-4957 for more information.

Boney's Music Lounge presents the Liviu Pop Group. with special guest Toni Lynn Washington for 3 sets of blues music.  Loaded with emotion and a top-notch voice, Ms. Washington (based in Boston) has been singing for 4 decades, bringing jazz and soul influences to her large and varied repertoire.  The band and the chanteuse begin at 9 p.m.  For more information, call Boney's at 860-346-6000.

On a personal note, SEE! HEAR!, my column about music and arts that has been on the Hartford Courant website for the past 4 years, is closing down.  So, I have started a new blog, calling it STEP TEMPEST (named after a song by pianist/composer Herbie Nichols, 1919-1963.)  I'll use that space to review jazz and other music as well as concerts throughout the area. There's some great music being made all over the world and I'm lucky enough to come into contact with a small portion of it.  If you wish to check over and start a conservation, please go to http://steptempest.blogspot.com.