Follow Your Art (2/09-12)

Tuesday February 9:
Lindsay Wright presents her Senior Recital at 7 p.m. in Wesleyan's Memorial Chapel.  Titled "A Violin Recital", the concert will feature works from Baroque to contemporary. The event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday February 10:

The Middlesex County Historical Society presents Diana Ross McCain at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room of the Russell Library.  Ms. McCain will talk about her book "It Happened in Connecticut: From Witchtrails to the Invention of Modern Football, Twenty-Five Events That Shaped the Nutmeg State" - in fact, you'll find out why Connecticut is named the "Nutmeg State." The author earned her Master' Degree in History from Wesleyan, has been a regular contributor to The Hartford Courant, Connecticut magazine and others, and currently head of the Research Center at the Connecticut Historical Society.  Her talk is free and open to the public.

Our local Historical Society also has a new website and it's an impressive upgrade. Go to www.middlesexhistory.org and take virtual tours of several exhibits, travel the Heritage Trail, and check the myriad ways to support the many activities of the group.

"The Evening Oasis" is the name of the monthly Belly Dance presentation at The Buttonwood Tree.  The demonstration and performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday February 11:

The Ring Family Israeli Film Series at Wesleyan continues with 2 episodes of the award-winning Israeli television series "A Touch Away" at 8 p.m. in the Goldsmith Family Cinema.  That's located inside of the Center for Family Studies on Washington Terrace.  The most-watched series in the history of Israeli television, the program is best described as "a contemporary Romeo and Juliet story which centers on two neighboring families in the Orthodox suburb of Bnei Barak: one ultra orthodox and the other secular Russian. Beautiful, religious Rochele is about to enter into an arranged marriage with a wealthy young bridegroom from the right family.  But then she meets handsome Zorik from Russia who moves into the neighbouring apartment while awaiting the arrival of his secular family from Russia. The forbidden love that soon develops between the young neighbors threatens the two families' deeply rooted cultural assumptions and beliefs." Preceding the screening, Professor Olga Gershenson (University of Massachusetts/Amherst)  will talk titled "Aliya to the Movies: Russian-Israelis On and Off Screens." The event is free and open to the public. 

Friday February 12:
This is the weekend for the Young Organ Virtuosi at Wesleyan, 3 concerts featuring both guest artists and students.  The opening concert takes place at 8 p.m. in Memorial Chapel and features Adam Pajan, who will perform works of Tournemire, Franck, Demessieux, Bach and Reger.  Pajan, Director of Music and Organist at Christ Episcopal Church in Guilford, is currently a Master of Music candidate in organ performance at the Institute of Sacred Music at Yale. The event is free and open to the public.  

Singer-songwriter Heather Maloney, whose CD "Cozy Razor's Edge" was issued late last year, brings her original sound to The Buttonwood Tree for an 8 p.m. show.  Trained as a jazz singer, Maloney has a facile voice and is developing into a top-notch songwriter - the tunes on her new release have a "rockish, Americana" feel.  Joining her are guitarist Joe Boyle and bassist Wes Brown (Wesleyan graduate and fine jazz player.)  To find out more, go to www.myspace.com/heathermaloneymusic. To reserve a seat or 2, call 860-347-4957.

Violinist Kersten Stevens (pictured here with President Obama) is the featured performer in the "Haiti Relief Gospel Extravaganza" taking place at 8 p.m. in Crowell Concert Hall.  Joining the fine musician will be the Yale Gospel Choir as well as a company of talented dancers and a variety of performers from Wesleyan University.  Her music blends jazz, funk, r'n'b, hip hop and more into an exciting and inspiring performance.  For ticket information, call the University Box Office at 860-685-3355. To learn more about Ms. Stevens, go to www.kerstenstevens.com. 

Boney's Music Lounge present the Liviu Pop Group featuring Dan Cipriano (saxophone) and Petey Hop (guitar) at 9 p.m.  The word "funky" would best describe the sounds emanating from the bandstand on this night.