ARTFARM's Hamlet opens Wednesday!

ARTFARM presents a fast-paced 2 hour version of Hamlet for the 12th season of Shakespeare in the Grove. Bring a picnic, blanket or lawn chair and enjoy one of humanity’s greatest stories outdoors overlooking the River Valley.

Hamlet is a story for all times and all ages, and ARTFARM’s concise 2 hour version brings it to life for contemporary audiences. This Hamlet is not a procrastinator; he is an activist trying to make difficult choices and take effective action when faced with an unjust and illegitimate King. At the start of the play Hamlet is visited by his father’s ghost, who informs his son that he was murdered by his own brother, who has now married the father’s wife (Hamlet’s mother) and taken over his throne. The ghost demands that Hamlet take revenge against his murderous Uncle, and thus one of the great tragedies of the western canon is set into action.  ARTFARM’s signature physical style, fluid mastery of Shakespeare’s text, clear, concise storytelling, and a fabulous sword fight finale make this a production that will thrill everyone from Shakespeare scholars to third graders.

All performances start at 8 pm, but the Grove features open lawn seating, so patrons are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and arrive early to secure a good spot and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful Grove overlooking the Connecticut River Valley. Tickets may be purchased in advance through the ARTFARM website or at the door, and the ten show run features several special events, including:

Wednesday, July 12 is a Pay-What-You-Can Preview!

Friday, July 14 is the First Friday Festival, featuring live music by jazz pianist Noah Baerman and American Roots artist Rani Arbo preceding the performance at 7 pm.

Sunday, July 16 is Family Day, featuring fun family activities starting at 6:45. Kids 12 and under get in for  $5!

Friday, July 21 is Hamlet 20/20. Patrons ages 20 – 29 can see the show for $20 and attend a special pre-show reception.

Saturday, July 22 there will be a post-show Talk-back with the cast and director.

Hamlet runs July 12 – 16 & 19 -23 in the Cedar Grove on the Campus of Middlesex Community College. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for kids. In the case of rain the performance will go on indoors in Chapman Hall on the MxCC campus.

For more details about the production, contact info@art-farm.org, or click HERE.

Shakespeare in the Grove is co-sponsored by Middlesex Community College. Additional support is provided by the Middletown Commission on the Arts, Pratt and Whitney, the Community health Center and many generous supporters.

Cat Tales ~ Cat of the Week ~ BLAKE!!

Cat Tales ~ Cat of the Week!!

BLAKE!!

Gender: Male

Breed: DSH
Color:Black
Age:1 year old

Hello, I'm Blake, A.K.A. "Blakey". I am a truly sweet boy who is still kind of nervous around people and loud noises. I love to be petted, but you need to speak softly to me and be very patient. Once I know you, I will come out for attention and love. I do need a very quiet home with a patient person who will be okay with me being anxious at first and who gives me a lot of time to adjust to a new home. I would be okay with another non-dominant cat. I'd love a forever home as soon as possible.  I'm a young guy who deserves a chance at a real life, not the shelter life... please adopt me today!

​Web:   http://www.CatTalesCT.org/cats/​Blake-3

Phone:   860.344.9043

Email:   info@CatTalesCT.org

Watch our TV commercial:  https://youtu.be/Y1MECIS4mIc​

Public Hearings on Route 9, other DOT Projects Tuesday

The state Department of Transportation will hold two hearings on Tuesday July 11 at DOT headquarters in Newington to solicit public input on projects including a proposal to eliminate traffic lights on Route 9 in Middletown.

Governor Malloy and DOT officials announced plans for eliminating the lights and re-configuring traffic flow on Main Street and Route 9/Route 66 last summer, and held a local public hearing a few days later. (Full video of the hearing: click here.  Eye article here.)

Tuesday's hearings (one at 1pm, the second at 7pm) will address the DOT's "Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan" for the next four years which includes major projects such as Route 9, work on New London's Gold Star Bridge and other bridges throughout the state, the I-91/CT15 interchange in Hartford, statewide bus replacements, New Haven Line track replacement, and the Waterbury 'mixmaster'.

The extensive list in the plan document also includes line items for "MAT - ADMIN CAPITAL/SUPPORT EQUIP/SCV PROGRAM" for the next 4 fiscal years, a reference to the Middletown Area Transit bus service, which has been making headlines due to proposed route cuts and a financial crisis. ConnDOT is reportedly trying to assess and manage MAT's problems.

Public comment on the plan is open until the end of the month. If you can't attend one of the hearings, you can submit written comments to:

Mrs. Maribeth Wojenski

Transportation Assistant Planning Director

Bureau of Policy and Planning

Connecticut Department of Transportation

P.O. Box 317546

Newington, CT  06131-7546

Never Send a Dog to Do a Mom’s Job -- The Colonel Carries On #91

by Chaka and Genghis Khan

Epigraph: “A God who could not at once exist and not exist, and move at will between the two, would not be almighty, but a slave to Aristotle.” --Sir Harry O. Triggerman

The dark shading represents those who lie either about their age or about still being alive.

The books of the Koran are arranged by length, shortest first.

"A mortgage does not create a debt or obligation, it merely secures one."

JEET NO JEW means “Did you eat?” “No, did you?”

"If a picture is worth a thousand words, a graph can multiply that by negative one."

You can take the world as a given, or as a Given.

Diverse, Fun Buttonwood Events July 6-9

Wednesday, July 5th, 2017

605 Main Street / PO Box 71, Middletown, CT 06457

www.buttonwood.org / 860.347.4957

Bob Gotta’s Acoustic Open Mic

July 6 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm   $5

Join us for the oldest continually running Open Mic in the State of CT!!
Hosted by the congenial Bob Gotta. Buttonwood offers a Steinway piano, full sound system, beverages, snacks and a friendly, non-judgemental community.
 

Gallery Walk

July 6,   5-8 pm  Free
 First Thursdays thru October. Free refreshments and map provided. Self-guided walking tour of art venues and Eateries in Middletown.

Tiny Ocean & Indigo Soul

Friday, July 7 @ 8-10 pm $10

Hailing from Connecticut, Tiny Ocean formed serendipitously in the winter of 2016. Drummer and band catalyst, Jon Morse, brought guitarist, Jeremy Coster, and bassist, Keith together with singer songwriter, Kierstin Sieser, to work on some new music she was writing and it was love at first song. Tiny Ocean create a dreamy and intoxicating world rooted in Americana storytelling. They are currently working on their first EP.

Indigo Soul is a stripped down rhythm and voice trio serving up a tasteful repertoire of R&B, soul and light pop. This tidy little trio hails from the vibrant artists village of Chester in the beautiful CT River Valley. Featuring Carol Piro on lead vocals and shakers, Jeremy Coster on bass and Steve Fava on percussion and supporting vocals.

Aligned with Source Interactive Workshop & Meditation
Every Saturday, 10:30 am to noon.  $10 suggested donation 

A Spiritual & Holistic Healer from India, Annaita seeks to empower, sharing her deep understanding of life, holism and spirituality, enabling you to rise above life’s challenges and live a healthy, fulfilled & confident life.

Be the change you wish to see. All you need is Willingness.

This week’s topic: Belief & You   - What is Belief & how does it affect you?
Many of our choices are the result of our belief. Is your life working? Or is it possible a new belief can bring you the peace you seek?

The Castlefield Trio

Saturday, July 8 @ 8-10 pm  $10

The Castlefield Trio will perform at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center for the first time. The group will play two 45 minute sets.

The Castlefield Trio is a brand new trio with vocals/guitar, bass, and drums playing originals and covers – the vocalist/guitarist Sarah LeMieux has won “Best Jazz” in the CT Music Awards for the past three years.

The Castlefield Trio is a compact energy cell of musical power whose unexpected turns and combinations electrify the familiar, audience-pleasing jazz and blues they play so well. Featuring torch heartbreaker Sarah LeMieux on vocals and guitar, the exuberantly joyful Joe Casillo on bass, and the groovy, mathematical Andy Chatfield on drums, the Castlefield Trio manages to be playfully classy; polished but daring. Debuting in March 2017, the trio performs original songs by Sarah LeMieux, as well as carefully curated pop, jazz, blues, and rock covers, from The Police to Fleetwood Mac. Casillo’s seasoned studio, theatrical, and session experience rounds out this award-winning trio – LeMieux’s quintet has won the “Best Jazz” category in the Connecticut Music Awards three years in a row (2016, 2015, 2014); while Chatfield’s quartet “Stanley Maxwell” won the “Best Jazz Band” category in the Hartford Advocate’s “Grand Band Slam” three times (2010, 2009, 2007).

CLOUD 9
Sunday, July 9th   7-8:30 pm    $5.

Formed as an improv comedy performance team in June 2016.  They perform short-form and long-form improv comedy for the pure joy of it.  They hope to pass this joy and laughter around to delight and amuse their audience.
There will be special guests each month!

~               ~               ~

Stay tuned here and make sure to check our website's calendar for upcoming events. The following weekend we'll be joined by comedian Corey Rodrigues, and musical groups The Julian Gerstin Sextet and The Sissy Castrogiovanni & Ehud Ettun Jazz Duo. Summer nights are the best time to enjoy live music so make sure to save the dates and snag your seats in advance. 

www.buttonwood.org

Cat Tales ~ Cat of the Week ~ DeeDee!

Cat Tales ~ Cat of the Week

DeeDee

​Gender: Female

Breed: Domestic Short Hair

Color: Black & White

Age:7 years old

Hey there, they call me DeeDee. I’m a very friendly and affectionate girl and extremely playful. I would love a house to run around in!  I'd be happiest as the only cat so I can soak up all the love, but I would be okay sharing with another non-dominant cat. I’m FIV+ but please don't let that scare you. Humans and dogs can't catch this and it's very rare for non-aggressive cats to get it.  Plus, I’m otherwise a very healthy cat. If you are looking for a spunky but sweet cat, pick me! I have a lot of love to give. Can I give my love to you? Please adopt me today!

No DogsNo ChildrenFIV​

​Web:   http://www.CatTalesCT.org/cats/​DeeDee

Phone:   860.344.9043

Email:   info@CatTalesCT.org

Watch our TV commercial:  https://youtu.be/Y1MECIS4mIc​

Free Fiddlers Workshops at Russell Library Beginning July 8th

The Connecticut Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers Club (CBOTFC) and Russell Library will sponsor a 6-week, 2-hr, hands-on fiddling tutorial on Saturday mornings beginning July 8th and running through August 12th.

The sessions are offered FREE of charge, but you must have some experience playing the violin.  

Students will learn how to play traditional fiddle tunes by ear. Music CD’s and sheet music will be provided. Violins will be available on loan, but if you own a violin, please bring it with you.

After the final class students may participate in a 'slow jam” musical recital on August 19^th.

Registration is required. Please register online, at the Russell Library's events calendar, at www.russelllibrary.org. These lessons are offered to adult students who have played some type of violin or fiddle music in the past. For more information, call Russell Library: (860) 347-2520. 

The Connecticut Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers Club was formed in 1972 with the purpose of bringing back old time fiddling music for public enjoyment. The club has been playing fiddle music concerts throughout Connecticut for the past 45 years. The purpose of this summer’s fiddle workshop is to promote, encourage, teach and prepare fiddle players wishing to learn the traditional tunes, style and techniques played by CBOTFC. The goal is to promote, maintain and preserve the traditions of old time fiddle folk music!

Gillie & Welch Were Great -- The Colonel Carries On #90

I don’t know which is which, but Gillie & Welch were both great at the Palace in New Haven on Friday night, June 30.

I think the last time I was there was for a triple bill of Richard Thompson, David Bromberg, and Taj Mahal. After their individual sets, they came out for an ensemble encore: “Wooly Bully,” which includes the line, "Let's not be L-seven."

Fireworks Saturday!

This year's Independence Day fireworks will take place on Saturday, July 1, along the river. The Police Department has a list of parking and traffic restrictions, click on image to enlarge.

Buttonwood Events June 29th to July 2nd

June 28th, 2017

605 Main Street / PO Box 71, Middletown, CT 06457

www.buttonwood.org / 860.347.4957

Kerri Powers, with special guest Ed Iarusso

Friday, June 30 @ 8-10pm   $15  (Reservations suggested)

Come to the Buttonwood this weekend to hear New England pioneer, Kerri Powers, accompanied by pedal steel wiz Ed Iarusso showcasing the "homespun, sparse and understated" sounds of her new self-titled album.

Powers started playing professionally in local coffeehouses throughout her native New England, and went on to release several well-received albums in the new millennium, culminating in Faith in the Shadows in 2009. Two of her songs were later featured on the Fox series “Rescue Me” starring Denis Leary. After taking time off to get married and raise her young son she returned to performing, counting among her credits the Boston Folk Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, and Telluride Bluegrass Festival, among other prestigious gatherings. She’s also toured Europe while opening for Canadian singer/songwriter Fred Eaglesmith in The Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.

This flurry of activity recently culminated in a new self-titled album, her first effort in five years. With a track list that includes eight searing self-penned songs along with incisive covers of Janis Ian’s “Jesse,” and The Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody,” it ranks as Powers’ most accomplished collection to date. “The recording was a last minute decision,” she recalls. “The idea was to cut a couple of tracks simply to see how it would go.”

The results – a sound that’s homespun, sparse and understated — provide another ideal showcase for Powers’ intimate and expressive song writing, as well as her adroit ability to interpret the works of others.

Fully re-energized and excited about rebooting her career, Powers is looking forward to a return to touring both here and overseas. Clearly, the creative spark that was ignited so early on is fully fueled once again.

Sneak Peak at Kerri's new project:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch68nrw6-5c

Aligned with Source Interactive Workshop & Meditation
Every Saturday, 10:30 am to noon. $10 suggested donation

A Spiritual & Holistic Healer from India, Annaita seeks to empower, sharing her deep understanding of life, holism and spirituality, enabling you to rise above life’s challenges and live a healthy, fulfilled & confident life.

Life is never easy and change must come from within. In today’s environment of hardship, ill-health, corruption and inequality it is often difficult to see the Light. The purpose of this workshop is to empower you to see yours.

Be the change you wish to see. All you need is Willingness.

This week’s topic: Being the Light in the Darkness

CLOUD NINE Improv & Friends
Sunday, July 2 @ 7-8:30 pm $5

CLOUD 9 formed as an improv comedy performance team in June 2016. We perform short-form and long-form improv comedy for the pure joy of it. We hope to pass this joy and laughter around to delight and amuse our audience. Come for the laughs, stay for the friends.

~               ~               ~

Stay tuned here and make sure to check our website's calendar for upcoming events. The following weekend we'll be joined by musical groups, Tiny Ocean, Indigo Soul and The Castlefield Trio. Summer nights are the best time to enjoy live music so make sure to save the dates and snag your seats in advance. 

www.buttonwood.org

Environmental Networking Event At Artfarm's Shakespeare in the Grove July 20

The Rockfall Foundation and Artfarm are partnering on the next Meet Your Greens: Middletown

Green Drinks on Thursday, July 20 at 6 pm at the Pavilion at Middlesex Community College. This environmental networking event will include complimentary refreshments and an overview of the Grove, an outdoor amphitheater and trail on campus. The area had been previously supported by a grant from the Rockfall Foundation during its development. 

At 6:30 pm, Dic Wheeler, Executive Director of Artfarm, will lead a discussion of Hamlet the Activist in 2017: Making Choices and Taking Action in a Quest for Public Justice, drawing parallels to modern-day environmentalists. Dic is directing Hamlet for the 12th season of Shakespeare in the Grove. Meet Your Greens attendees can take advantage of $10 off vouchers for the 8 pm Hamlet performance. 

Middlesex Community College is located at 100 Training Hill Road, Middletown. For more info on the production, visit the www.art-farm.org. For information on Meet Your Greens, please call the Rockfall Foundation at 860-347-0340 or email info@rockfalfoundation.org.

Meet Your Greens: Middletown Green Drinks provides networking opportunities for anyone who is interested in making connections and exchanging news about emerging environmental issues to help keep Lower Connecticut River Valley communities green and growing. An official location of Green Drinks International, this informal monthly gathering of people drawn from the community, nonprofit groups and the business world offers time to brainstorm ideas and plant seeds for collaboration. All are welcome and there is no admission fee, unless otherwise noted.

Summer Meal Blitz at Russell Library This Friday at 9:00am

Do you want to help to end hunger in Middletown this summer? 

Starting next week, Russell Library will offer free, nutritious meals to kids and teens every weekday through the end of summer. 

From July 5 - August 25, lunch will be served Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri at noon and Wed at 1pm; a snack will be served Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri at 2pm and Wed at 3pm. Anyone 18 years of age and under can grab a bite in our Activity Room at those times.

We need volunteers to spread the word! Join us for a Summer Meals Blitz this Friday, June 30 at 9am in front of the Library. We'll pound the pavement to let the whole City know where hungry youth can get food while school is out. 

Sign up to help out at http://www.libraryinsight.com/eventdetails.asp?jx=ddp&lmx=%C7do%23%A3%AB&v=3

For more information about Summer Meals times and locations, visit http://www.endhungerct.org/summer-meals/.