The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
A month of music
Performing arts center schedules live concerts throughout March
MIDDLETOWN » There’s no shortage of choices for live entertainment at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center at 605 Main St., Middletown, for the month of March. Most events require an admission fee and tickets can be purchased in advance. For full details on any event or show, visit www.buttonwood.org or call the club at 860-347-4957.
March 4: Modern Riffs, 8 p.m., $10, $5 students. This Connecticut-based group showcases a unique, high-energy blend of experienced musicians and exceptionally talented young people. Performances are tailored to deliver the right combination of Jazz, Classic Rock and Swing that bests suits each individual audience.
March 9: Stand-Up Unplugged Live with Orlando Baxter, 8 p.m., $20. Orlando Baxter exploded onto the Boston comedy scene in 2005, and was quickly established as one of the areas hottest young comics. His fresh perspective and unique relatability soon made this former high school teacher a fan favorite and led to a string of finalist positions in a host of contests and festivals including The New York Comedy Contest, NBC’s ‘Stand Up for Diversity’, The Boston Comedy Festival, and The Montreux Comedy Festival in Switzerland.
March 10: Hiroya Tsukamoto with opening by Andrew Biagiarelli, 8 p.m., $12. Hiroya Tsukamoto is a one-of-a-kind guitarist and composer. He has been performing internationally including appearances at Blue Note in New York with his group and Japanese National Television. Hiroya released six albums. Andrew Biagiarelli’s music ranges in style from folk and blues to jazz-infused to reggae and calypso rhythms. A natural storyteller, he weaves a tapestry of songs and tales of his travels into his live performances.
March 11: Eric Mintel Quartet, encore performance, “EMQ Plays TV”, 8 p.m., $20. Since 2011 The Buttonwood Tree has been fortunate to host the EMQ in December for their special Charlie Brown Christmas concerts and Dave
Brubeck pieces. For this encore performance, along with some Brubeck favorites, EMQ will “Play TV” for us – taking Classic TV show themes and playing them as Jazz pieces. Join us for an intimate evening with one of the most enthusiastic entertainers around. As an added bonus, Lan Chi Restaurant, a first rate Vietnamese dining establishment just a bit down the street, is offering a 15% discount to ticket holders. Later, diners are entitled to a free beverage of their choice at The Buttonwood Tree. March 17: Pianist Satoko Fujii and bassist Joe Fonda celebrate acclaimed release, Duet, 8 p.m, $15. Trumpeter Kappa Maki also appears on the CD and will perform with Fujii and Fonda. March 25:Lisa Bastoni and Naomi Sommers, 8 p.m., $12. Lisa Bastoni and Naomi Sommers are two dynamic, accomplished songwriters in the Americana/folk genre. Accompanying one another on multiple instruments, as well as honey-sweet, closeharmony singing, they will play two sets of original music, interwoven with some of the traditional songs that have inspired them. March 31: Sassy Songwriters Carrie Johnson, Libby Johnson and Julia Russo, 8 p.m., $15. Carrie Johnson is a singer/songwriter whose own music crosses several genres – pop, rock and country but always with her signature style – strong vocals, memorable melodies, story telling lyrics and dynamic rhythm guitar playing. Libby Johnson started recording her follow-up to 2006’s acclaimed “Annabella,” between the trails (or trials) of living as a troubadour artist, moving from New York to a rural setting and back again, family life and various activist projects. In January 2010 Perfect View was released on the Wrong Records label. Sometimes wistful in tone, Perfect View’s sweeping moods encompass such life changes. Julia Russo is a singer/songwriter from the Hartford, CT area who is quickly generating critical acclaim. Having performed since a child, Julia starting songwriting several years ago and dropped her first full length CD of original music, “Hearts In The Water” in May 2016. Since then, Julia won The IMEA (International Music and Entertainment) Award for Best Folk Album of 2016, is the Connecticut nominee for Best Artist 2017 at the upcoming Pavoh Music Awards in Boston, MA (February, 2017) and is already a winner of the New England Pavoh award for young artists. Julia has been featured on Connecticut Style Acoustic Cafe (TV) and performs in the Connecticut and New England area regularly. April 22: Tetraptych, 8 p.m., $15. Tetraptych, a four-paneled painting where each panel can stand on its own. Grounded in the lineage of the modern jazz saxophone quartet, Tetraptych brings a breathing conversant quality to the music, where movement, playfulness, sensitivity, and deep groove are ever-present in an openhearted chemistry. The band includes Hery Paz on tenor saxophone, Bert Seager on piano, Max Ridley on bass and Dor Herskovits on drums. The band plays the music of pianist, composer and band leader Bert Seager, who has written tunes specifically to fit these musicians, their strengths and collaborative chemistry.
Regular events:
March 2: Acoustic Open Mic with Bob Gotta, 7 p.m., $5. Every First Thursday of every month, Bob Gotta hosts acoustic open mic. Sign-up starts at 6:30. Bring your own instrument or play our piano or congas. Come play and be heard.
March 3: Story City Troupe, 8 p.m.,$10. Story City is a troupe of storytellers based in the Hartford, CT area and trained by Matt Dicks, one of The Moth’s champion storytellers. Story City Troupe uses The Moth Formula: all are true, personal stories, often funny, sometimes amazing, poignant or ironic and based on a single theme for the evening. The troupe members range in age from their 20’s to their 70’s, proving you can come up with a good story at any age. March 4: Aligned with Source with Annaita Gandhy, 10:30 a.m., $5. 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. You create your reality and as co-creator of this world, find out how you can bring to it and you, peace, harmony, health and abundance. Each session ends in a powerful guided meditation. March 5:Past Life Regression with Dan LaRosa, 2 p.m., $20. For over 30 years Dan LaRosa has gained respect throughout the world as a Motivational Stage Hypnotist. His theatrical hypnosis performances are captivating, thought provoking and fun for all. In addition to demonstrating the funny and dramatic side of hypnosis, LaRosa has taught other people how to banish unwanted habits, dramatically improve sales and athletic performance, reduce stress, and increase personal power, through his motivating Live Your Dream workshops, and through personal hypnosis sessions. Dan is a master hypnotist and a certified Hypnosis Trainer for the National Guild of Hypnotists. March 5:Cloud 9 and Friends Improv, 7 p.m., $5. Cloud 9 performs shortform and long-form improv comedy for the pure joy of it. This month’s special guest is Fairfield of Dreams Improv Troupe. March 6: Anything Goes Open Mic & Moments of Gratitude, 7 p.m., $5. Hosted by Nora Camby, Paul Bozzi & Friends, Ashley Hamel, or Zillawatt. Sign up starts at 6:30 p.m., the open mic at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. during the open mic, we host Moments of Gratitude until 8:15 p.m. March 7:Intentional and Empowering Yoga, 1 p.m., donation. A fun, accessible and supportive Hatha Yoga class that brings awareness to breathe, intention to movement and an emphasis on inner wisdom and body positivity. Leave feeling connected and empowered. March 7: Step into the Vortex, 7:30 p.m., $8, with Anne-Marie and Mike McEwen. This workshop is based on the vast teachings of Abraham-Hicks, understanding of the Law of Attraction. Videos of Abraham-Hicks seminars will be shown and discussed. Audience participation is invited in an open forum. Topics will include The Vortex, The Power of Creation, Abundance, Wellness and Sickness, The Scale of Emotions, Love, Children, Addiction and the NEW 12 Step Program and many others. May also include easy-to-follow breathing routines, Tai Chi, and laughter and stretching exercises for a whole body and mind experience. March 11:Aligned with Source with Annaita Gandhy, 10:30 a.m., $5. 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. You create your reality and as co-creator of this world, find out how you can bring to it and you, peace, harmony, health and abundance. Each session ends in a powerful guided meditation. March 12: Near and Far Storytellers, 2 p.m., $10. A program of storytelling featuring an open mic opportunity for anyone in the audience during the first half with headliners for the second half. The featured tellers are Carolyn Stearns and Jim Harriman. March 13:Anything Goes Open Mic & Moments of Gratitude, 7 p.m., $5. Hosted by Nora Camby, Paul Bozzi & Friends, Ashley Hamel, or Zillawatt. March 14: Intentional and Empowering Yoga, 1 p.m., donation. March 14: CSA Song Development & Music Business Workshop, 7-9 p.m., $5. Bill Pere leads this informative, valuable song development and music business workshop.