Free Ritchie Parrish Ritchie Concert at MxCC November 14

The energetic and highly entertaining band, Ritchie Parrish Ritchie (RPR), comes to Chapman Hall at Middlesex Community College on Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m. for a free concert.  This is the only New England appearance for the Canadian band, and the event is open to the public, with free parking available on campus. MxCC will be collecting non-perishable food or monetary donations for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown at the door.  Please register for this event at http://mxcc.edu/rpr.

RPR is made up of Steve Ritchie, Al Parrish and Rob Ritchie, who were the former rhythm section of the Canadian “supergroup,” Tanglefoot, an iconic acoustic folk band that disbanded in 2009. RPR started to take form, building on the acoustic roots of Tanglefoot and adding electric bass, electric guitar and percussion (Beaker Granger).  In 2013, the band released its first CD, Trans Atlantic, and began touring throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.  Audiences love their trademark harmonies, original compositions, and energetic renditions of songs by legends such as Robert Plant and Bob Dylan. 

In a March 2013 review, The Beat Magazine said of RPR: "They sing raucously and passionately with big stirring harmonies....at times with roaring vigour at others with sparse intensity, creating many moods...songs full of humour, pathos and love."

“We chose to invite RPR to MxCC because Tanglefoot was popular among our local folk music community,” explained Adrienne Maslin, MxCC dean of students. “We have such a diverse population at MxCC with students of all ages and varying tastes in music, and we truly want to reflect that in the cultural opportunities we offer at MxCC.  Additionally, we want to expose our students and the community to different styles and musical genres they may not have considered.  This is such a wonderful opportunity for music lovers of all ages who want to experience a high-energy, first-class concert in a great local venue.”

The Buttonwood Tree Celebrates Woody Guthrie's 100th Birthday - GREAT weekend events coming your way!

Stop in at The Buttonwood Tree to take part in some (or all!) of the great events going on this weekend.  Visit our website or call at 860-347-4957 for more information.

Woody Sed
Friday October 26th 8-10 pm $15
& Saturday October 27th 4-6 pm  $15   ** SPECIAL MATINEE PERFORMANCE **
Reservations suggested - See "Woody Sed" online at www.buttonwood.org 

Come and enjoy a one-man play performed by Thomas Jones portraying the life, times and music of the great American folk hero, Woody Guthrie.

The play was born out of “the sheer astonishment” actor and musician Thomas Jones experienced learning about Woody Guthrie’s life — and its relevance to the world we live in today.
Woody Sed is loaded with songs, well known and obscure, with each song framed in a theatrical context. Woody Sed is a memory play, drawn in Woody’s own words with 19 songs and 25 colorful characters, interpreted and brought to life by Thomas Jones.

This is a special on the life, politics and music of Woody Guthrie, the “Dust Bowl Troubadour.” Born a hundred years ago on July 14, 1912, in Oklahoma, Guthrie wrote hundreds of folk songs and became a major influence on countless musicians, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger and Phil Ochs. While Guthrie is best remembered as a musician, he also had a deeply political side, speaking out for labor and civil rights at the height of McCarthyism.

Community Yoga
Saturday October 27th 8:30-9:45 am FREE

Ideal for Beginner and Intermediate

Guided by Yoga Instructor, Terri Johnson, RYT- Terri brings a deep understanding of the yoga experience to her classes. She will be teaching a unique and varied Vinyasa Flow style as it allows her to unify her appreciation of the benefits of the different types of yoga.

Classes are every Saturday in October

"Aligned with Source" Workshop for Empowerment
Saturday October 27th      10:30 am- 12:00 pm    $5 suggested donation
This week's topic: Your Buttons; Are They Being Pushed?     

In these inter-active workshops, Annaita shares her deep understanding of life, holism and spirituality enabling you to rise above life’s challenges, live a healthy, fulfilled & confident life.
You will explore simple concepts of living in awareness that: open you up to the wonders of life; discover who you are; let go of fear and all that keeps you stuck.

Workshops are every Saturday; no workshop Nov 24th.

Sirius Coyote - Halloween Special

Saturday October 27th   8-10 pm   $10 

Sirius Coyote is a multi-talented group of musicians, storytellers and instrument makers.
They  perform on over thirty different  ancient  and modern  instruments of the Americas
from their  impressive  display,  some of them hand  crafted by the  musicians themselves. Sirius Coyote will take you on a musical  journey to the  realms  of magical  sounds of  the
Americas from the oceans & tropical rainforests to the deserts & villages of the high Sierras.

On this occasion Sirius Coyote invites you to put on your fancy shoes and join in recreating the sights, sounds, smells and spirit of one of Latin America’s most important holiday, DIA DE MUERTOS. Latin America ’s Day of the Dead (November 1st and 2nd) is a festive celebration to honor the dearly departed. Unlike Halloween these spirits do not come back to haunt us, but rather to join us happily for a few hours, and warm their bones with music and friendship.


Food Not Bombs
Sunday October 28th 1 pm

Food Not Bombs shares food about 1 pm in front of the Buttonwood. Anyone is welcome. Consider yourself invited to help us prepare vegetarian food at the First Church on 190 Court Street at 11:30 am.

"Cooking For Peace and Social Justice"
www.foodnotbombs.net
FOOD FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT

Bookstore and Art Gallery open at 10 am  Mondays - Saturdays.  
Oct Art show:  "Who is Janine 2012?" Pastel Paintings. Exhibit runs through Oct 31.
605 Main Street. Middletown, CT            www.buttonwood.org              860-347-4957 




 

Double Bill concert tonight! Chris Castle and the Womack Family Band at The Buttonwood Tree

Touring musicians are making a stop in Middletown tonight for a fun-filled Roots/Americana/Folk show filled with youthful spirit, family camaraderie high energy and lots of strings! Only $8 suggested donation. Drop by for a listen anytime from 7:30-9:30pm! Refreshments available.

Chris Castle

Somewhere in the rich, fertile musical garden tilled by Darrell Scott, Ron Sexsmith and Ryan Adams, grows an obscure bloom named Chris Castle; a tunesmith of almost scary vision, narrative acumen and hooky instinct. Writing songs is utterly programmed into his DNA. He’d write songs even if he thought he didn’t want to.

- Rick Koster (The Day – New London, CT)

The Womack Family Band

It’s rare find. A quintet of twenty somethings, gathered ’round an Ella Fitzgerald record in a dimly lit room that smells of coffee and Nag Champa incense. Each one drawing a different piece of inspiration from the sounds popping off the vinyl, and each holding a record of their own, patiently waiting their turn to hear whatever gem they happened to grab on this particular night.

So goes a usual evening at the Womack house. The rest of the group’s time is spent rehearsing, recording new material, and performing more than 150 dates per year.

The Womacks are currently recording their new EP and backing Chris Castle on his trip to Levon Helm Studios. They’ll set out on the Drenched Earth Tour again in September, promoting their latest work as well as Castle’s Of God & Man (Beneath the Sun).

http://www.womackband.com/

Buttonwood Buzz - Blibbering Humdingers, the jazz bug, folk, writing, and politics!

submitted by The Buttonwood Tree:

The Buttonwood Tree was filled last night with folks young at heart of all ages! Musicians and fans alike came from Middletown, Canterbury, Trumbull and neighboring states to play, sing and dance to music inspired by J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter books. Never have we heard so much of the audience singing along in perfect harmony - it was glorious! The Blibbering Humdingers, a husband and wife duo from North Carolina, were the headliners, but Bella and Le Strangers, Lauren Fairweather and others also got the crowd to their feet clapping, singing and dancing!

Tonight the Tree won't be filled with bright blue-haired fans and crazy costumes (at least we don't think so), but it may be filled with jazz fans. Usually Saturday night is jazz night at Buttonwood, but this week its Friday, with folk on Saturday. Karen Frisk performs tonight with her jazz band of Kent Hewitt, piano, Genevieve Rose on bass and Jack Varanelli on drums. After studying classical piano and voice at Richard Donohue Studios, Karen was selected to tour Bavaria and perform with the Concordia Youth Choir sponsored through the Boston Conservatory. In her late teens the “jazz bug” bit her… swing, latin jazz and R&B filled her soul and the rest is history. She studied jazz piano with Merrill Doucette at the Hartford Conservatory and then moved on to study jazz/pop vocals and performance with Roberta Peck-Vater, a well known music educator and Capitol Records recording artist.

Saturday night, we are excited to present Diane Solomon as a special guest along with our good friend, Jim Paradis. Diane has an interesting history: she headed four major UK Theater concert tours of her own, toured with Glen Campbell on three European tours, and opened for a major Kenny Rogers’ tour in 1991. She starred in the network primetime series “The Diane Solomon Show” of the late seventies, which was a great success, and she quickly became a regular on British TV, with other specials of her own, and numerous guest appearances, including several Royal Gala Specials. She recorded 5 albums, appeared on countless radio shows, TV hosting, and musical theater productions.

Also on Saturday: Creative writing workshop with Eileen Albrizio at 1 pm and from 3:45 - 5:45: Ben Florsheim and Gabriela De Golia, Wesleyan students and interns with Organizing for America, a project of Democratic National Committee, lead an event to discuss the policy progress of the Obama Administration, our goals for the future, and community organizing strategies that will be crucial as we kick off the 2012 campaign.

For Reservations and more information: www.buttonwood.org Both shows start at 8 and light refreshments are available.

"Private Eyes" & Folk Music Too

If you did not get the chance to see the hilarious Theatre 4 production of "Private Eyes" at Oddfellows Playhouse this past weekend, buck up chum! - you have 4 chances this week and, as a bonus, you will be able to see the beautiful (and fairly new) Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.

Definitely an adult comedy, the 1997 Steven Dietz script contains a play-within-a-play, dream sequences, and clever staging.  The performances are mighty impressive and the use of music is smart (pay attention to the lyrics.)  Middletown resident Robert Resnikoff has one of the 2 male leads (Philip Gardiner the other) and Theater 4 co-founding members Mariah Sage, Jackie Sidle and Rebecka Jones the female parts - the other co-founder Janie Tamarckin directed the cast and crew.

Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday June 10 through Saturday June 12 and the final performance is Sunday at 3 p.m. For ticket information, go to www.thekate.org or call 877-503-1286.  Go and have a good laugh, you deserve it - know this as well, no oil was spilled in the performance of the show....well, maybe some salad dressing.

This Thursday (June 10), the Russell Library presents the duo Mustard's Retreat at 7 p.m. in its on-going Courtyard Concert Series.  Composed of David Tamulevich (guitar, voice) and Michael Hough (guitar, voice), the duo has traveled throughout the country, entertaining audiences young and old with its infectious blend of joyful music.  Over their 35-plus years, Mustard's Retreat has issued 11 CDs, all of which (and more), you can check out by going to www.mustardsretreat.com. 

The concert is free and open to the public. In case of rain, the show moves indoors to the Hubbard Room. 

Giving the Gift of Music (Local Heroes)

As we get older and our extended families....well, get extended by the additions of nieces, nephews and cousins, at Holiday times, one wishes to be creative with gifts. After all, not everyone wants to give a Wii or a scarf or sweater or a check.

Methinks it's a good year to give the smaller ones music. May I suggest the very enjoyable "Ranky Tanky" from Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem. It's a sprightly collection of tunes ranging from Cat Stevens' infectious "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out" to fun sing-alongs such as "Kee-mo, Ky-mo (The Magic Song" - originally recorded by Nat "King" Cole!) and Billy Jonas's silly but sly "Bear to the Left." Parents will like it because the music is not stupid - with goofy tunes ("Purple People Eater") and touching songs (Tom Petty's "Wildflowers") and nice folk tunes ("Morningtown Ride"), all played and sung with great feeling and joy. For more information, go to www.raniarbo.com.

Dave Downs, who is a dedicated songwriter and do-it-yourselfer, has just issued "Three Little Fishies (and Other Fables for Children Young & Old.") As usual, the CD is a family affair (Downs' sons helping with production and cover art) and features the "nouveau crooner" playing and singing songs that range from sweet sing-alongs like "Yankee Doodle" to "Yippi Ti Yi Yo" to "My Blue Heaven" to quiet tunes like "Little Man, You've Had a Busy Day" and more, all delivered in Downs' low-key yet appealing style. There's nothing phony or put-on, no over-blown production numbers or noisy clatter, just friendly songs that are fun to sing along with. For more information, go to www.davedownsmusic.com.

For the more mature members of your gift list, there's a fine new collection of tunes from the Swift Brothers (violinist Gordon and bassist Jon) and guitarist Thom Sayers - collectively, they are the Lost Acres String Band and their self-titled debut CD is an instrumental delight. From reels to waltzes, acoustic blues to "swing" tunes, the impeccably-played music is perfect for cold evenings around the fire or, when Summer returns, for sitting outside and enjoying nature. The music has great presence and is worth exploring. To find out more, go to www.gswift.com/LASB.htm.

Pianist/composer Noah Baerman joins his good friends and classmates Wayne Escoffery (saxophones) and Amanda Monaco (guitar) for Playdate, a hard-driving collection of jazz tunes and improvisations. Their debut CD, released on the Posi-Tone label, features Baerman's long-time Trio mates Henry Lugo (bass) and Vinnie Sperrraza (drums) - if you attended Noah's premiere of "Know Thyself" at Crowell Concert Hall this past November, you know how powerful this quintet can be. This program is pleasing, well-played, jazz that's long on melodic invention, filled with strong improvisations and creative interplay and blessedly free of clutter. Rumor has it the band will be celebrating the CD release in the New Year and this is music that needs to be heard "live." In the meantime, to find out more, go to www.noahjazz.com.

If music does not fit your gift "bill", you can browse the impressive wares at Wesleyan Potters or Harriett Amanda Chapman or Ursel's Web or give a gift certificate from any one of the fine area restaurants. Any way you decide, giving "local" has never been a better choice.

Music & Stories on the Radio (Promotional Message)

My guest this Sunday on "N'Shoma" is singer-songwriter-guitarist Lara Herscovitch. Her new CD, "Through a Frozen Midnight Sky", has just been released on her La Rama Records label. Produced by John Jennings (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tracey Grammer, John Gorka, Janis Ian, Ricky Skaggs), the disc features 12 new original songs plus a lovely take on "Here Comes the Sun."

Currently the Connecticut State Troubadour, Lara performs throughout the country, her songs laced with commentary on social issues, community, and civil rights as well as meditations on personal relationships.

The show airs July 5 from 11 a.m. - 12 noon on WMRD-AM 1150 (Middletown) and WLIS-AM 1420 (Old Saybrook - sorry, no streaming audio.) To learn more about Lara Herscovitch, go to www.laraherscovitch.com.

Music at The Mansion Series July 2009

The Friends of Long Hill Estate will once again host their ‘Music at the Mansion’ series in July at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. Concert dates are July 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd. The rain date for the concerts is July 29th. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission and seating is on the south lawn.

Back by popular demand, Eight to the Bar (pictured above) will open the series on July 1st. They were voted ‘Best Band 2008’ by Connecticut Magazine and ‘Best Jazz Band’ in the 2008 Hartford Advocate Readers Poll. Drawing their musical influences from American roots music: swing, boogie woogie, rhythm & blues, soul, and Motown, Eight to the Bar is known for its outstanding instrumentalists and sophisticated musical and vocal arrangements. For more information, go to www.eighttothebar.com.

The July 8th concert will feature Galvanized Jazz Band, a dynamic group of Connecticut musicians devoted to the energetic performance of hot Dixieland, New Orleans jazz, blues, rags, stomps, struts, spirituals, swing, and classic popular songs from the past century. Recognized by Connecticut Magazine as "Best Jazz Band in the State", the Galvanized Jazz Band is showcased at large Jazz Festivals throughout the state. To learn more about these fine musicians, go to www.galvanizedjazzband.com.

Making their first appearance at the Mansion and their only visit to Connecticut this summer will be Jay Ungar & Molly Mason on July 15th. Steeped in American Roots music, the duo is best known for their performance of Jay's haunting composition "Ashokan Farewell", the musical hallmark of Ken Burn’s PBS series, "The Civil War." The soundtrack won a Grammy and "Ashokan Farewell", originally inspired by Jay & Molly's annual fiddle and dance camps, was nominated for an Emmy. To find out more, go to www.jayandmolly.com.


The concert series will conclude with Planet Zydeco, a six-piece band that captures the essence of traditional rural-style accordion-driven dance music played in Southern Louisiana. Led by accordionist Rose Sinclair (who's worked with Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem), the group (also featuring 2 guitars, bass, drums and rubboard) plays a popular mix of up-tempo songs, as well as slower blues-inspired numbers and traditional waltzes. To learn more, go to http://planetzydeco.tripod.com.

All of the concerts will begin at 6:30 p.m. The grounds will be open for picnicking at 5:30 p.m. Parking will be at the Mansion, at the Wilbert Snow School, 299 Wadsworth Street, and at Mercy High School, 1740 Randolph Road. Concerts will be held in light rain or the threat of showers. Concerts will be canceled in the event of electrical storms or threat to the wellbeing of the musicians and their instruments. Information will be available on the Wadsworth Mansion website at www.wadsworthmansion.com or by calling (860) 347-1064.

The music series is co-sponsored by the Long Hill Estate Authority and the Friends of Long Hill Estate.

Music in Middletown

The Buttonwood Tree presents singer-songwriter Paul Sachs this Friday night (3/13) at 7:30 p.m. The New York City native is a "folksinger" in the style of early Bob Dylan and acoustic Bruce Springsteen. He does not ignore electric music but usually tours as a "solo" artist. Sachs' voice won't bowl you over but his songs have good melodies and strong hooks, telling stories that could be from your life. To find out more about this troubador, go to www.paulsachs.com.

Saturday night at 7:30, The Buttonwood will shake to the sounds of the Rosy Nolan Band. A dollop of country, a dash of rock 'n' roll, a punkish attitude, and some high energy riffs tempered by the occasional acoustic tune, all that and more will get on you on your feet and excited. 2 guitars, bass and drums with a hard-edged vocalist and songs that have power is what Ms. Nolan and Band have to offer. To find out about this singer-songwriter and hear some of her songs, go to www.therosynolanband.com. To reserve a spot for either or both shows, call 347-4957.

Middletown native Tom Callinan comes home Saturday night to perform with The Morgans for the Greater Middletown Concert Association's debut presentation in the auditorium of the new Middletown High School, LaRosa Lane. Callinan joined the group in 1973, several years after they first came together, bringing his great knowledge of Irish music and chanteys as well as his prowess on banjo, whistles and more. The concert, which also features step dancers from the Golden Harp School of Irish Dance in Bolton, begins at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, call 347-4887 or 346-3369 or email bmwa@aol.com. Ticket prices are quite reasonable and the music is very, very, good.

Fishbone Grill, 120 Court Street, presents The Drewids Saturday at 9:30 p.m. in Boney's Music Lounge on the 2nd floor. Led by bassist Andrew Emer, the quartet also features George Schuller (drums), Tom Beckham (vibraphone) and Mike Baggetta (guitar.) All 4 are fine improvisers so the music should be exciting. Call 346-6000 for more information.

Dave Downs, guitar and vocals, performs at 11 a.m. Sunday in Brew Bakers, 169 Main Street. Downs, who is a walking encyclopedia of folk songs and popular melodies from the 30s and 40s, as well as a good songwriter, keeps the mood light and easy. His voice can be described as "soft and sweet"and he won't "wow" the crowd with fancy guitar playing but Dave Downs' music will certainly make you feel good. For more information, call 852-0001. To hear songs from the CD in the picture, go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/davedowns2.

Buttonwood Doings

Singer-songwriter Deni Bonet comes to The Buttonwood Tree Friday February 6 to play her songs and share the stage with banjo man Curtis Eller (more about him later.) Bonet blends elements of rock, folk, country, blues, even a touch of hip-hop into her witty and accessible songs. She's recorded with Robyn Hitchcock, Sarah McLachlan, and the late Chris Whitley and appeared on stage with REM, Allan Touissaint and Warren Zevon (among others.) She plays fiddle and can really rock out when she wants to. To learn more, go to www.denibonet.com.

Curtis Eller is billed as "New York City's angriest banjo playing yodeler" and works hard to uphold his image. His songs may remind some of "protest music" from the 1960s, with influences like Phil Ochs and Dave Van Ronk. One hears touches of blues, country, folk, even reggae in his music. His website claims that he and his band (American Circus) attempts "to capture the spirit of the Hartford Circus Fire of 1944. Although there are sure to be many acts of heroism by performers and crew alike, ultimately it will prove to be the greatest disaster in circus history." Not sure if his band is coming but you can be the judge of these claims by sitting in the intimate performance space for this 7:30 p.m. show. To get a feel for Eller's music, go to www.curtiseller.com. For ticket information, call 347-4957.

Saturday night, it's more "Americana", folk and roots music, when Delusions of Adequacy returns to The Buttonwood for a 7:30 p.m. show. The quartet, composed of Mark Hoffman (guitar, banjo, harmonica, vocals), Denny Collin (bass, guitar, vocals), Cornelius (Con) Dowd (mandolin, dobro, guitar, vocals) and Jim King (guitar, vocals), is known for its fine vocal harmonies and strong musicianship.

The Buttonwood Tree: Rock, Roll, Sway & Shuffle

The Buttonwood Tree is in the midst of its "Vocal Summit Series", 6 shows over 4 September weekends spotlighting several different styles of American music.

This Friday night (September 19) at 7:30 p.m., singer-songwriter Lys Guillorn (pictured) heads a bill titled "Two Bands + Two Ukuleles = Lots of Fun!" Guillorn, backed by a small but powerful trio, writes songs that blend humor and wistfulness with folk, blues and rock influences. Opening the show is the duo of Portuguese singer-songwriter Rita Braga & Chris Carlone (they're the 2 with the ukes) whose music has a quirky, poppy, edge and, also, a touch of humor.

The following night, 2 more singer-songwriters will grace the intimate performance space. Gail Wade, a native of Maine now a resident of the Colchester area, performs her pretty yet poignant love songs. Her melodies are tinged with blues and jazz influences and she's got an engaging voice. Brook Williams (pictured) is, arguably, one of the most accomplished guitar players you'll ever see and hear. Over the past 2 decades, he's toured the country and pleased audiences with his eclectic repertoire, ranging from blues to folk to pop standards delivered with genuine emotion and his gentle yet handsome tenor voice.

Suggested donation for both shows is $10. For more information, call 860-347-4957 or go online to www.buttonwood.org.

This should be a good weekend for strolling up Main Street to The Buttonwood. You can, also, check out the new location (575 Main Street) for It's Only Natural Market, scheduled to open on Saturday.