The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Buttonwood Tree offers full lineup of shows
Jazz, folk, piano, vocalists to perform all month
MIDDLETOWN >> The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center, 605 Main St., has a full lineup of live music shows scheduled for the month of April, along with its regular offerings, including open mic, storytelling, yoga, meditation and healing sessions. For information and reservations, visit www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957.
Story City Troupe: April 7, 8 p.m., $10. Story City is a troupe of storytellers based in the Hartford 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.
Brian Friedland Duo, April 8, 8 p.m., $10. The Brian Friedland Duo plays original music with an emphasis on melody, narrative, atmosphere, and interaction. This concert would include some jazz classics, originals, and Brazilian Choros -- the cellist, Catherine Bent, has traveled and studied extensively in Brazil and is on faculty at Berklee.
Near and Far Storytellers, April 9, 2 p.m., $10. This Khalif and Charles Neville will perform at the Buttonwood Tree on April 14, 8 p.m. Reservations are suggested. This father/son duo is a rare treat to witness, and an extraordinary event in the intimate space of The Buttonwood Tree. is a program of storytelling featuring an open mic opportunity for anyone in the audience during the first half with headliners for the second half.
Joe List, Comedian, April 13, 8 p.m., $20. Joe List began his comedy career in Boston, Massachusetts in 2000 just weeks after graduating from high school. Since that time he has been featured on Conan and The Late Show with David Letterman. In 2015 List was a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and had his own Half Hour comedy special on Comedy Central.
Khalif and Charles Neville, April 14, 8 p.m., $20. Reservations suggested. This father/son duo is a rare treat to witness, and an extraordinary event in the intimate space of The Buttonwood Tree. Charles, the second oldest Neville brother, has the most diverse musical background. His experience on saxophone has included rhythm & blues, funk, jazz, be-bop, popular and even American Indian music. Khalif Neville, son of famed New Orleans Jazz musician Charles Neville, has come into his musical own. Studying with his father from a young age, he has always had an appreciation for Jazz, particularly BeBop.
The Kennedys, April 15, 8 p.m., $20. Reservations suggested. Pete and Maura Kennedy return for a lively, fun acoustic folk pop show. The East Coast natives met Story City Troupe perform Friday, April 7 at 8 p.m. Story City is a troupe of storytellers based in the Hartford area and trained by Matt Dicks, one of The Moth’s champion storytellers. Comedian Joe List comes to the Buttonwood on April 13 at 8 p.m. in Austin, Texas, joined forces with Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra for a couple of years, and set out on a road that, for two decades, has led them not only west but all over the US and the UK many times.
Ann Sweeten, Steinway Pianist, April 16, 6 p.m., $20. Reservations suggested. One of the most decorated pianists of the past decade with seven previous albums all ranking in the Top 5 NAR and ZMR Radio Reports, Sweeten is also one of the most played modern instrumentalists in The Kennedys will return to the Buttonwood on April 15 at 8 p.m. Reservations are suggested. The Brian Friedland Duo is scheduled for April 8, 8 p.m. North America.
The Painters featuring special guest Warren Byrd, April 21, 8 p.m., $12. The Painters return to The Buttonwood Tree with guest artist, Warren Byrd, playing all original music from their upcoming EP, as well as some of Byrd’s own original compositions. Their contemporary jazz music will be brought to new life with Warren’s voice on piano. This will be a great night of music, don’t miss this show!
Tetraptych, April 22, 8 p.m., $15. Say: “TET-truptick:” 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 everpresent in an openhearted chemistry.