Busy Busy Week (Part 1: 6/09-6/11)

Tuesday Jazz at Public will take the summer off but not before its final show on June 9. Florida native Ellen Whyte (now a resident of Portland, Oregon) brings her blues-soaked music to Middletown for a 6 p.m. show. Joining her for this East Coast appearance will be the versatile pianist Don DePalma, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Biggins, bassist Bob Laramie and drummer Trevor Davis (all familiar names to Tuesday Jazz fans.)


Should you decide to catch just the first set of Ms. Whyte's show, you can then head over to KidCity on Washington Street for the ARTFARM Shakespeare Sonnet Slam and Elizabethan Bash. Performers of all ages will take part in reciting, acting out, shouting, whispering, etc., a 14-line work by the Bard of Avon. Special guest host is Middletown resident and Channel 3-WFSB News anchor Al Terzi. Proceeds will go to underwrite the "Shakespeare in the Grove" production of "The Taming of the Shrew" to be performed July 16-26 at MxCC. For more information, call 346-4390.

Wednesday, Main Street goes "car crazy" for the 12th Annual Cruise Night from 4:30 - 8 p.m. The street is closed off from Washington Street to the South Green, there's entertainment, food vendors and some pretty neat looking cars. Rain date is 6/17.

Thursday, the Middlesex County Historical Society holds an Open House at General Mansfield's handsome domicile, 151 Main Street, to introduce its new executive director Deborah Dickson Shapiro. Many local know Deb as an attorney and President of the Russell Library Board, but she was a history major in college and loves the subject (and, especially, Middletown history.) The Historical Society Board will be on hand to launch its capital & endowment campaign. The event is free and open to all (plus you can walk through the fine Civil War exhibition.)

The Green Street Arts Center presents an "Evening of Screenplay Readings" Thursday at 7 p.m. The program will includes excerpts from works by Michael Ennis, Sara Hallisey, Kristen Kuzcenski, Guy Russo, and Mark Sabo. Both Hallisey and Ennis have been accepted into the 2009 CT Film Festival Screenwriters Immersion Program. For more information, call 685-7871.

Connie Crothers has had a long and busy career as an improvising musician. The pianist studied with the legendary Lennie Tristano (1919-1978) and has performed or recorded with drummer Max Roach, saxophonists Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh and a host of fine musicians. Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m., Ms. Crothers will sit down at the piano in the performance space of The Buttonwood Tree and be joined by percussionist/composer Kevin Norton. For ticket information, call 347-4957.


The cast of "Harvey" returns to the stage at Oddfellows Playhouse this coming weekend for 5 more performances of Mary Chase's subtly funny 1944 comedy about Elwood P. Dowd, his sister and her daughter and the 6'6" Pooka rabbit named Harvey that isn't really there (or is it?) This Connecticut Heritage Productions and Advocate Performing Arts Association joint presentation, directed by Peter Loffredo, has several strong performances (Michael Eck as the protagonist is but one of the stalwarts.) For those of you who know that CHP and Mr. Loffredo have a long history of presenting thought-provoking shows that often challenge audiences prejudices, "Harvey" is a fun diversion. Yes, there is a message here but it's handled with plenty of humor and a touch of tenderness. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. For reservations, call 347-7771.

Music & an Imaginary Rabbit

Tuesday Jazz at Public presents Lucy Blanco performing in front of a quartet featuring Don DePalma (piano), Jimmy Biggins (tenor sax), Bob Laramie (bass) and series impresario Trevor Davis (drums.) Vocalist Blanco performs much of the time in the Hartford area alongside pianists Paisley Ramirez or Warren Byrd. The music starts at 6 p.m.

As reported in the Eye last week (read here), the Russell Library Courtyard Concerts series begins this week on Thursday (have you noticed how many good concerts the Library has had over the years? - and every one of them free.) The Homegrown String Band performs the opening concert at 7 p.m. To find out more about this family and its music, go to www.homegrownstringband.com.

CT Heritage Productions, in association with the Advocate Performing Arts Association, presents "Harvey", Mary Chase's play from 1944 about Elwood Dowd and his imaginary friend, a 6-and-a-half foot tall white rabbit whose name is the title of the play. The production, directed by Peter Loffredo, features Javis Arnold, Joyce Blackburn, John Calderbank, Anne Cassady, Kelly DiMauro, Michael Eck, Nat Holmes, Christine Moore, Nicole Palmer, James Ryan and Melanie White. The show runs from June 4 through June 14 and takes place at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday both weeks. For more information and reservations, call 347-7771.

Music: Tonight through Saturday May 30

Tuesday Jazz at Public continues its Vocal Series with a new young singer from the Hartford area, Shenel Johns. Johns, who attends the Hartt School of Music has a strong group with her including Chad Selph (keyboards), Brian Jenkins (bass), Jovan Alexandre (saxophone) and the fine young drummer, Jocelyn Pleasant (pictured.) The music starts at 6 p.m. and, with a few breaks, runs until 9:30.



Thursday evening, the Russell Library presents the Roger Ceresi's All Starz in The Hubbard Room at 7 p.m. Based in Rhode Island, the 8-piece band plays blues, swing, r'n'b, and more, powered by the dynamite drumming of Joey Sullivan and a smoking 3-man horn section. Ceresi, who's been performing for over 3 decades, has a strong voice and a good feel for the blues. The Library should be rocking when the All Starz hit their stride. The event is free and open to all. For more information, call 347-2528, extension 135.

Friday, The Buttonwood Tree presents the Reminisce Jazz Combo, an ensemble led by vocalist Carol August and often featuring one of the finer musicians from the area, saxophonist/flautist Seb Giacco. Also in the group is pianist John Brighenti, drummer Buzz Loveland and bassist Bill Stillinger. Ms. August's repertoire covers a wide swath of popular music, songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett to more "modern" songs from Carole King and Billy Joel. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 347-4957.

Boney's Music Lounge, above the Fishbone Cafe, presents the blues on Friday night and jazz on Saturday. Playing the blues will be Sweet Daddy Cool Breeze, a quintet led by Wally "Sweet Daddy" Greaney, a fine blues harpist and vocalist. Saturday, The Drewids, a jazz trio led by bassist Drew Emer, returns to the Lounge for an evening of creative interplay. Guitarist Mike Baggetta will be on hand but not drummer George Schuller who broke his ankle several weeks ago and is out of commission for the next few months (not sure yet who is his replacement.) The music both nights starts at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 346-6000.

2 Good Guitarists, One Fine Voice

Tuesday Jazz at Public welcomes guitarist Sinan Bakir, his Trio and the fine young vocalist Nicole Zuraitis (pictured) for a 6 p.m. show on May 19. Bakir, who moved to Hartford from his native Turkey to study guitar, is rapidly becoming one the area's finer players. I had the opportunity to review his debut CD (read here) and it's an impressive first effort. Ms. Zuraitis, a native of Litchfield and recent graduate of New York University, is fluent in both jazz and classical music as well as appearing in operas and benefit performances. Her self-released debut CD came out last year and, while it's a bit tame, her voice is sweet and clear.

Joining her and Bakir will be the fine young pianist Craig Hartley (in town with Mario Pavone at Boney's Music Lounge a couple of weeks ago), bassist Matt Dwonszyk and drummer Jay Williams. You can watch a video of Sinan Bakir shot at his recent Buttonwood Tree gig by going to www.sinanbakir.com.

If you got something a little funkier in mind, head down to Boney's Music Lounge, 106 Court Street, on Friday May 22 for the Melvin Sparks Trio. Sparks has been lighting funky fires for over 30 years working with both jazz and r'n'b bands, including saxophonist Lou Donaldson back in the 1970s and more modern players and groups such as Derek Trucks, Galactic, and saxophonist Karl Denson.

His music doesn't swing as much as it percolates or snaps, with a bounce and swagger that is irresistible. Accompanying him will be organist Paul Wolstencroft and drummer Bill Carbone. Carbone, currently enrolled at Wesleyan working on his PhD in Ethnomusicology, also plays in Wes grad Matt Steckler's creative music ensemble Dead Cat Bounce and the reggae group known as Buru Style.

Sparks and company begin "rocking the lounge" at 8:30. For more information, call 346-1000.

Arts This Week (5/11-5/14)

Tuesday Jazz at Public, 337 Main Street, presents MDIII from 6 - 9:30 p.m. Led by vocalist Michael Dunham, the quartet specializes in r'n'b, Brazilian music, smooth jazz and, especially, the Stevie Wonder songbook. The III part of the group consists of Pete Hines (drums), Mike Nunno (bass) and Glenn Masso (keyboards.) Crowds have been quite good lately and so has the music - check it out.



The West African Drumming and Dance Concert at Wesleyan, originally scheduled for last Friday, will take place on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in (weather permitting) the CFA Courtyard. If the rain comes, the show will take place in Crowell Concert Hall. No matter the venue, the program will be visually and aurally exciting. The event is free and open to the public.

The Davison Art Center at Wesleyan reopens Tuesday at 12noon. The excellent Judith Joy Ross photographic exhibition continues through May 24. Gallery hours are 12noon - 4 p.m. every day but Monday. For more information, go to www.wesleyan.edu/dac.

The Ezra & Cecile Zilkha Gallery will reopen on Thursday of this week.

Wednesday evening at 7:30, The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street, presents "Evening Oasis", the bellydancing event that draws performers and audience members from throughout Southern New England. For more information, call 347-4957.

This item from The Russell Library:

The Literary Tea for the entrants of the Edna Ray and Benjamin Shenker Creative Writing Contest will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room of Russell Library, 123 Broad Street. The young writers submitted stories and poems about “The Funniest Thing That Ever Happened To Me!” All contest participants and their families are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

The guest speaker is Lisa Sherman who has been a middle level educator and consultant for more than 15 years. She currently teaches 8th grade language arts at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Middletown. She has a passion for empowering young adults to discover their writer's voice and believes that community partnerships, such as the one she shares with Russell Library, strengthen her ability to do so. For more information, call 347-2528, extension 135.

What's Goin' On (Part 1)

Vocalist Lynn Knapp brings her Quartet to Public Bar & Grill's Tuesday Jazz After Work series April 28 for a 6 p.m. date. Joining the fine stylist will be her husband Vin Knapp (drums), Don de Palma (piano), Jimmy Biggins (saxophones) and Steve Benson (bass.) Go early and then head over to City Hall at 7 p.m. for the Budget discussions. As you have already read, the Middletown Commission on the Arts will probably take a big hit when all is said and done (read here.) Granted, the proceeds from this year's Mayor's Ball is targeted for the arts but there are other conditions making it tough for grant recipients.

As most of us understand, it's not easy to put a value on the arts. Yes, there are ticket sales but that's the end result of a long process that starts with ideas, rehearsals, advertising, promotion, salaries (in many instances) and competition. Yes, we know when we walk out after a Chorale concert or an Oddfellows production or a night of dance at Wesleyan or see a video from the Green Street Arts Center or attend the city-wide Arts Exhibition or hear John Basinger's amazing work on "Paradise Lost", we know how good it feels to do those things in our home town. Think of the many people who come in from out-of-town. Many of them buy dinner in one of our fine restaurants and shop in out stores, pay for parking, and walk through the town. In a report to the Middletown Commission on the Arts, commissioner Joyce Kirkpatrick stated that the arts brought over $1,000,000 dollars to the city - and that was over 7 years ago!

If you can't attend the meeting but you want to help the cause, call or write the members of the Common Council (click here for more information.) The Mayor has spoken by presenting his budget and now it is your turn. No matter what happens this year, many of us involved with the arts in the area are really scared about 2010-11 budget, especially in light of the current recession. But, one year at a time.

Back to the events:
Poet-translator Linda Zisquit will read at 8 p.m. in The Russell House, 350 High Street, as part of the Jewish & Israeli Studies Program at Wesleyan. Zisquit, the author of 3 collections of poems, has translated the works of many modern Israeli poets including Yehuda Amichai, Yona Wallach and Rivka Miriam. She also edits an Israeli poetry magazine and runs ARTSPACE, a gallery for contemporary art in Jerusalem. Her reading is free and open to the public.





Toumani Diabate is a master of the kora, the 21-string harp unique to West Africa. He is among the first artists responsible for introducing this beautiful instrument to audiences around the world and has collaborated with with many renowned artists including Bjork, blues master Taj Mahal and jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater. Aside from being a player of exceptional virtuosity and creativity, he was born and has lived all his life in Mali's capital city of Bamako, where he is at the vanguard of a new generation of Malian griots (bards). The griots are constantly looking for ways of modernizing while still honoring their traditional music. Winner of the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album, Diabate also plays vital roles as bandleader, teacher, musical conservationist and composer.

Diabate is appearing at Wesleyan this Saturday evening May 2 at 8 p.m. as the final show in the 2008-09 Crowell Concert Series. He'll be leading his 11-member Symmetric Orchestra, an Afro-Pop ensemble that can and should rock Crowell to its core. Diabate is a stunning player and one will hear what sounds like American folk and blues music in his Malian songs.
The "Pre-concert talk" will feature Associate Professor of Music Eric Charry at 7:15 p.m. For ticket information, call 685-3355.

Tiny Joe Comes to Tuesday Jazz at Public

For years (from the 1960s through the 90s) "Tiny" Joe Eleazar was one of the more popular jazz vocalists in the Hartford area. He's a great "blues shouter" in the style of Jimmy Rushing (from Count Basie's Band) and has a repertoire of songs that stretches back decades.

Haven't heard or read his name in some time but he's coming to Public tonight (Tuesday April 21) to perform with a group featuring Don De Palma (piano), Bob Laramie (bass), Jimmy Biggins (tenor saxophone) and Tuesday Jazz curator Trevor Davis drums). They'll play from 6 - 9:30 p.m.

Here's a video of "Tiny" Joe in action: