Make Music Day at Russell Library this Thursday! June 21

This Thursday, June 21, is Make Music Day in Middletown! There will be music all over town! Russell Library will host four different events:

In the morning, at 11:00am, Barbara Arafeh will lead families with young children (ages 2-5) in fun and educational musical activities in our courtyard. 

At noon, Noah Baerman will play in the lobby with a band created spefically for this day: "

Stankeye Jones and the Vagabond Librarians!

Carolyn Halsted playing Clara, our piano. 

At 6:00pm, a piano recital of Carolyn Halsted's students will take place in the Hubbard Room. 

Directly afterward, at 7:00pm, Carolyn Halsted and Mara Bennett will present "Clara's Journey: Why Our Piano Goes to the Woods". 

The piano at Russell Library is named Clara, after the composer Clara Schumann. During the summer months, it is played at Noyes Rhythm Summer Retreat in Portland, CT. 

As part of the evening's program, Mara Bennett will present "A Day at Noyes Camp" -- including the "Morning Recreation Class" and "Evening Playtime". 

Mara Bennett has been a Noyes teacher for 15 years. She will involve the audience in some of the dances that are planned. 

In addition, Carolyn Halsted will play pieces of her own composition as well as several by Clara Schumann and three by Amy Beach. 

All programs at Russell Library are free. These programs are drop-in, no registration required. 

Sinan Bakir Jazz Trio Tonight at Buttonwood! Art Opening and Carolyn Halsted on Sunday

8 - 10 pm

Sinan Bakir – guitar, compositions

Matt Dwonszyk – bass
Cemre Dogan – drums

Rising jazz guitarist/composer Sinan Bakir made a name for himself in the music scene with his unique, creative and exciting approach on the guitar. Turkish born guitarist is striving for a fresh and clean sound and known for his highly energetic playing style. Bakir’s fresh sounding original tunes are an amalgam of rock & jazz stylings and driven by strong melodies combined with modern jazz harmonies. His all original debut album “On My Way”(2009) with Thomson Kneeland and Mark Ferber received great reviews from many respected jazz publications and music critics all around the world. While the album is having significant Radio and TV airplay Bakir is keeping busy playing Jazz festivals and regular gigs at NY and CT clubs .

REVIEWS

Bakir’s inspired soloing feeds off of the energy coming from his trio mates, with lines possessing laser-like focus.
Dan Bilawsky – All About Jazz

He is definitely on his way to becoming a creative voice in the world of jazz guitar.
John Vincent Barron – Jazz Review.com

Sinan has given us here is a blueprint of his soul, you’ll find eleven songs which embody a variety of shapes and tones.
Rob Young – Urbanflux

A nice mixture of slower-paced and faster material, played well. Bakir does indeed seem to be a young musician “on his way” and I will be interested to see where he takes his talent next.
Brad Walseth – JazzChicago.net

“On My Way” is a solid debut. It’s easy to put this music on and just let it play. The voice of the guitar one hears on the opening cut never wavers or falters throughout.”
Richard Kamins – Courant

$10 suggested donation. Stop by for a sample, or stay the evening - relax in the bookstore ...

SUNDAY, October 2:

In addition to our morning worship services at 10 and 11, and lunch with Food Not Bombs at 1pm, tomorrow we open a new art exhibit: Bill Revill: Land and Sea. Come by between 3-5 and meet the artist! Refreshments :)

7 pm - Carolyn Halsted offers a program of dance music for the piano including works by Chopin, Moszkowski, Brahms and Joplin. $15 suggested donation. All are welome! Refreshments :)