January (Arts) Thaw (Mon - Fri)

Even if the temperature is not moving upwards (the promise of 40 by Thursday), the arts calendar in town is starting to fill out. 

Monday January 11:
The "Anything Goes Open Mic", hosted by J-Cherry, takes place at 8 p.m. in The Buttonwood Tree (right after the Wing Chun Martial Arts study group, scheduled for 6 - 7 p.m.) For more information, go to www.buttonwood.org. 

Last Friday afternoon on WMRD-AM's "Best of the Valley-Shore", I spoke with Sarah-Jane Ripa, artistic and educational coordinator for the Green Street Arts Center, about the GSAC's very busy Winter Schedule.  On this day, the "Balinese Dance" and "Yoga" classes begin while, on Tuesday, the "Flash Forward Photography Meetup" and "World Music Passport" series commence.  Call them at 860-685-7871 or go online to www.greenstreetartscenter.org/ to find out about these and the other exciting offering for January and February.

Wednesday January 13:
The monthly Belly Dance performance/workshop takes place at 7:30 p.m. in The Buttonwood Tree. For more information, call 860-347-4957.

Thursday January 14:
Also appearing with Sarah-Jane Ripa last Friday was Bente Petersen, curriculum director for the Middlesex Institute for Lifelong Education (MILE), a 3-semester (Winter, Spring & Fall) program held at Middlesex Community College. It's open to active adults 50 years and older - you can see their offerings at www.mileonline.org.  On this day at 1 p.m., Howard Wright (pictured left) presents "Simply Lincoln" - in the performer's words,

"The purpose of “Simply Lincoln” is for the audience to measure Abraham Lincoln’s greatness by listening to his actual words and unique use of the English language. The program’s accuracy and authenticity is dependable; all selected speeches, letters, and quotes are taken from Roy P. Basler’s definitive eight-volume set, The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. "  

To find out more about Wright's lifelong passion, go to http://.simplylincoln.com. 

 Friday January 15:

The Green Street Arts Center presents Vintage Notion, a trio based on Moodus composed of Chris DiSalvo, Johnny Barbi and Massimiliano Nikita Barbi.  They play an exciting brand of progressive and will do just that at 7 p.m.  For more information, call 860-685-7871.

The Buttonwood Tree hosts "POSITIVITY - HipHop by ConnectBeats" at 8 p.m.  3 performers - Elvee, DJ Berk and N.E.B - play live and mix beats, jams and raps for an evening of exciting music and fun.  Call 860-347-4957 for more information.