The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Weekend shows include Deni Bonet
MIDDLETOWN —The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, has scheduled the following shows and an art opening this weekend. Most performances require tickets, and advance reservations are encouraged. Call 860-3474957 or visit www.buttonwood.org
Thursday: Middlesex Drum Circle, 7-9 p.m., $5.
Friday: Deni Bonet, 8 p.m., $15. It’s no secret that Deni Bonet can rock a violin like nobody’s business. Or that she writes memorable songs that make you want to listen again and again and again. For years, Deni has been honing her craft as a violinist, singer, songwriter and performer. She is, simply, a musical total package. Her style ranges from pop to roots-rock to new folk. With a singular sound The Wall Street Journal calls “Sheryl Crow meets The B-52s,” it’s clear why Bonet traded her black recital duds for a pair of go-go boots and an electric blue violin. Rather than ply her trade in an orchestra, she’s found a way to fit her string skills into ultrahummable alternative pop, which the Journal noted is “catchy as any Top 40 radio song, but with occasional hints of adult depth.”
As she established herself as a solo act, Bonet impressed artists like Patti Smith, Lisa Loeb, Gin Blossoms, Cracker, Midnight Oil, The Saw Doctors, Fairport Convention, Marshall Crenshaw and Kansas, all of whom have invited her to open their shows. She spent several years touring the globe as the violinist in Cyndi Lauper’s band.
Saturday: The Mattabesset String Collective, 8 p.m., $15. The Mattabesset String Collective is a 5-piece acoustic ensemble playing an eclectic mix of bluegrass, blues, folk, mountain, country and rock, all in a string band style. The band has played in various configurations around central Connecticut for over ten years. Its present lineup includes Barry Chernoff (guitar), Marc Eisner (mandolin), Rebecca McCallum (fiddle), Gil Skillman (banjo, cuatro, and dobro) and Kevin Wiliarty (bass).
Oct. 1-30: Rosie Warren – Art Show Debut, “Pursue What You Love.” Opening reception, Oct. 11. Public is welcome; call the Buttonwood Tree for details and gallery hours. Rosie Warren is a self-taught UK-born artist with a focus on abstract style. A majority of her art features soft brush strokes overlaid with bolder colors. As a full-time engineer, Rosie spends most days pursuing her passion for art. The images in her pieces are not obvious, leaving it up to the viewer to use their imagination. The titles of of the pieces are chosen to help influence the perception of her pieces.
Oct. 1: Anything Goes Open Mic & Moments of Gratitude, 7-10 p.m., $5. Hosted by Terri and Rob Duo, Sign up starts at 6:30 pm, the open mic at 7:00 pm and goes to about 10:00 pm. $5 for entry. Around 8 p.m. during the open mic, share Moments of Gratitude. The Terri and Rob Duo is Terri Lachance and Rob Desorbo.
Oct. 2: Laughter Yoga with Myléne, 6-7 p.m., free. Laughter Yoga is a class that enables you to practice laughing so that when life happens and it gets difficult, you can laugh and change your perspective and state of mind. It involves child-like play with meditation and breathing exercises and laughing (no yoga mats needed). Some benefits of laughter yoga include: Easy and fun exercise for health and happiness, reduces stress instantly, strengthens immune system.
Oct. 4: Acoustic Open Mic with Bob Gotta, 7-9 p.m., $5. Be part of the oldest continually running Open Mic in the state. Hosted by the congenial Bob Gotta. Buttonwood offers a Steinway piano, full sound system, beverages and snacks and a friendly community.
Oct. 5: Story City Troupe, 8-10 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. Audience members are encouraged to participate; one or two will be randomly chosen to tell a story.
Oct. 6: Aligned with Source: A Personal Development Workshop & Meditation, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., $10. This Weeks Topic: What is Truth; What is Love; What AM I? 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.
Oct. 6: Laszlo Gardony and Christian Artmann, 8 p.m., $18. Join Christian Artmann and Laszlo Gardony for an exciting duo performance in celebration of Artmann’s new album “Our Story” (Sunnyside Records, 2018). Inspired by Gardony’s unique musical spirit. Artmann asked his idol personally for lessons at Berklee College of Music almost 20 years ago. Out of a studentteacher relationship grew a kinship and a blossoming musical conversation, culminating in a series of concerts and the recording of “Our Story.”
Oct. 7: Matisse Jazz Project, 6-8 p.m., $15. Teaching the Eye to Hear: Musical Reflections on Henri Matisse’s Jazz The Matisse Jazz Project is, as the name suggests, Jazz music inspired by the iconic cut paper collages of Henri Matisse, published in 1947. The 20 pieces composed by pianist Christopher Bakriges correspond to each of the Matisse Jazz cutouts and his writings.