First Look at a Busy Week (2/24-26)

Wednesday February 24:

The Russell Library presents "The Impact of Impressionism", the latest installment in its fine "Lunch & Learn" series.  Local artist Jackie Peterson will tell the story of the "Impressionist" movement, the group of artists who helped make their paintings popular and influential and display her own paintings.  Bring your lunch and the Library staff will provide beverages.  The event runs from 12noon - 3:30 p.m. and,, like all the Russell Library's arts offerings is free and open to the public.

The Buddhist Faith Fellowship of Connecticut presents Bernardo Bertolucci's 1993 movie, "Little Buddha" at 7 p.m. in The Buttonwood Tree. Starring Bridget Fonda, Keanu Reeves, and Chris Issak, the movie's storyline is described thusly by the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB): Lama Norbu comes to Seattle in search of the reincarnation of his dead teacher, Lama Dorje. His search leads him to young Jesse Conrad, Raju, a waif from Kathmandu, and an upper class Indian girl. Together, they journey to Bhutan where the three children must undergo a test to prove which is the true reincarnation. Interspersed with this, is the story of Siddharta, later known as the Buddha. It traces his spiritual journey from ignorance to true enlightenment. The event is free and donations are welcome.  To find out more, go to www.bffct.net/. 

Thursday February 25:

"Unexpected: Voices of Incarcerated Women" is a collaboration between Wesleyan students and inmates of the York Correctional Institute in Niantic.  Directed by Ron Jenkins, the script has been created from the writings of the inmates, many of whom worked with novelist and UCONN professor Wally Lamb (who will read from his latest novel, "I'll Fly Away" during Thursday's show.) Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday amd take place in the CFA Hall (the former CFA Cinema.)  For more information, call the Box Office at 860-685-3355.

Friday February 26:

Professor Neely Bruce presents "Three Sopranos and Three Pianos" at 7 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall. Using the poetry of e.e. cummings as his springboard (it's the final piece of the performance), Bruce has created a program that also utilizes the words of Emily Dickinson, Middletown resident John Basinger and the first public performance of “Five Songs From Fellowship Place”, a community in the New Haven area that works with people recovering from mental illness.  Joining Bruce will be vocalists Phyllis Bruce, Elizabeth Saunders and Laura Cook and pianists Erika Schroth and Nicholas Luby. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office number above or go online to www.wesleyan.edu/cfa. 

The Buttonwood Tree presents guitarist Robert Hill & Trio in concert at 8 p.m.  Joining him will be vocalist Joanne Lediger and bassist Mark Murphy for a program of blues, folk and more. To find out more, go to www.roberthillband.com. 

It will be a night of raucous blues at Boney's Music Lounge when Junior Krauss & The Shakes make their Middletown debut.  Krauss plays blues harp and is the vocalist while Andy MacDonald handles the electric guitar.  You'll hear influences from the heyday of Chicago blues as well as more modern players.  The joint gets "jumpin'" at 9 p.m.  To find out more, go to www.myspace.com/jrkraussandtheshakes.