Middletown DBD Events

Making Middletown More Bike & Pedestrian Friendly - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Hear about Middletown�s effort to develop a �Complete Streets and Bikeway Master Plan� and share your vision, ideas, and concerns.

Introduction to Foundation Directory Online - Monday, February 27, 2012

Learn how to get results for the Foundation Directory Online and review several other grants sources offered at the Russell Library, including one for individual grant seekers. There will be time for participants to search for their grant sources, you may save your results via a flash drive or email. (In order to participate effectively, keyboard, mouse and basic Internet searching skills are required). The Russell Library is a Cooperating Collection site for the Foundation Center in NYC.

The Ricky Alfonso Group - Friday, February 24, 2012

Trumpeter and vocalist Ricky Alfonso pays homage to Miles Davis, Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and a unique and personal vocal style. Ricky has worked with many jazz luminaries including Mario Pavone, Fred Simmons, Ed Blackwell, Joe Fonda and the great Bill Barron while he was adjunct jazz trumpet instructor at Wesleyan University in Middletown CT.

Trumpeter and vocalist Ricky Alfonso and his group will return to the Buttonwood Tree for another night of powerful and swinging jazz music. A perennial in the Hartford music scene, Ricky�s group showcases tight, joyful and uplifting jazz music guaranteed to please the well seasoned and casual jazz fans alike.

Ricky�s group will feature his original modern jazz compositions plus tunes by Miles Davis, Terrance Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock and a special tribute to the late, great Bill Barron. Joining Ricky will be Chris Casey on piano, Matt Dwonszyk on bass and Tido Holtkamp on drums. Join us for an evening of swing, bop and blues with some style.

Web site: Rickyalfonso.com

Godfrey Memorial Library - Sunday, February 19, 2012

Contact: Marcia Meyers marciarthur@sbcglobal.net
The Jewish Genealogical Society will be meeting at the Godfrey Memorial Library

Avery Sharp & Charles Neville Duo - Saturday, February 18, 2012

From New Orleans to New England - Avery Sharpe & Charles Neville

Avery Sharpe learned both electric and acoustic bass as a teenager, and studied with Reggie Workman at the University of Massachusetts. He played with Wynton Marsalis and Pat Metheny before joining McCoy Tyner�s sextet; from 1984 through 2002 he played with Tyner�s trio. He has also played as a sideman with Archie Shepp, Yusef Lateef, Ricky Ford, Joe Ford, and others. As a leader, he has releases on Sunnyside Records, and several albums on his own label, JKNM. Sharpe is remarkably versatile as a bassist. He plays both bass guitar and upright bass. His humming-and-bowing, � la Slam Stewart, as well as his chord work on stand-up bass, are signatures of his unique style.

Charles Neville�s saxophone work in his 50 year career has included rhythm & blues, funk, jazz, bebop, popular, and native American music. Best known for his work with his brothers in the New Orleans funk-pop group the Neville Brothers, he cites as influences Louis Jordan, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and Professor Longhair.
Neville has played with R&B greats including Johnny Ace, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Big Maybelle, James Brown, B.B. King, Bobby Bland and Ray Charles. At home in New Orleans, he played saxophone behind Allen Toussaint, James Booker, Ernie K-Doe and Huey �Piano� Smith.

Shinbone Alley - Friday, February 17, 2012

Shinbone Alley is three friends: Christopher Biase, Tyler Bussey, and Benedict Gagliardi.

The trio came together for the first time at the University of Connecticut in 2009, united by a shared interest in folk music, especially (but not limited to) Irish and American folk songs and fiddle tunes.

After months of informally trading songs and tunes, everywhere from hootenannies and farmer�s markets to small, lamp-lit house concerts, Ben finally got to thinking:

�Why don�t we start a band?� Thus, with an already-massive repertoire of traditional music in tow, Shinbone Alley was born.

Each of the three musicians brings something unique into the mix. As a youngster, Chris was instructed in the classical Suzuki method of violin; his interest in music hung on by a thread, and his rented fiddle inched ever closer to a blaze-of-glory, courtesy of the family fireplace. Yet, as fate would have it, the years to come would yield two invaluable sources of musical inspiration for Chris: the fiddlers Stacy Phillips and Joe Gerhard, who introduced him to various styles of traditional music. Before long, the young violinist was hooked. A couple fiddle camps and some useless New England Fiddle contest trophies later, Chris met up with Ben at UConn. The pair regularly attend sessions statewide and supply musical accompaniment for the UConn Irish Dance Club.

Tyler began playing folk music upon arriving at UConn in the fall of 2009. Primarily a guitarist, he was interested specifically in the folk music of Harry Smith�s Anthology, but through meeting Ben (and careful record collecting) he became enamored with the swirling, breathless melodies of traditional Irish tunes. A restless musical polymath, Tyler performs original, often highly experimental music when not playing folk tunes with Chris and Ben. He is often found performing his own hazy interpretations of old songs, occasionally accompanied by New Haven�s equally restless traditionalists, Dr. Caterwaul�s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps.

From the fateful first moment Ben heard traditional Irish music by listening to a tattered old cassette tape, he knew he must learn to play. After a few rash eBay purchases and innumerable hours of practice, he hit the CT sessions to build a tune repertoire. Throughout the years, many musicians across the state have informally mentored him, including the men of The Morgans, who sparked his initial interest. During his freshman year at UConn, Ben joined a well-established and enduring traditional Irish band, Full Gael, and continues to play regularly with them. Recently, he has had the privilege of playing with Robbie O�Connell and Dan Milner at the 32nd Annual Mystic Sea Music Festival. Ben is a savvy multi-instrumentalist, yet his first and still greatest passion is the concertina.

Fall in Love with Your eReader on Valentine's Day - Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Join library staff members in the library's Hubbard Room at 10:00 to explore the world of e-readers. Are you thinking of purchasing one of the new, popular eReaders that are on the market? Or, maybe you were given a Nook, or a Kindle or iPad over the holidays and still have questions about it. We will go over some of the different kinds of eReaders and how to use them to download free library books. There will be stations set up around the room for specific devices. Bring your eReader and your questions with you. Tip sheets will be available, as well as handouts on what to look for when purchasing an eReader. Registration is not required. Contact the Information Department at 860-347-2520 with questions.

Klekolo World Coffee - Monday, February 13, 2012

Klekolo World Coffee:

Cupid's Coffee - Free tasting of various drinks to be featured through February, presented by Martin Brown

www.klekolo.com

Anything Goes! Open Mic with J-Cherry - Monday, February 13, 2012

CALLING ALL POETS, MUSICIANS ��

The World�s a stage � the mic is OPEN!

This Open Mic is for YOU � the budding artist. Showcase your talents, nurture them with this supportive group. Recite a poem, sing a song, dance, read some spoken word, the microphone is yours for the asking. Community spirit prevails.

We have congas and a piano or BYO instrument. Ends around 9:30 � 10.

Refreshments available.

Songwriters Showcase: Diane Solomon, Paul Lombardo and Jim Paradis - Saturday, February 11, 2012

The star quality, crisp and polished emotion of Diane Solomon�s performance � the classical influence in the deep and soulful strains of Paul Lombardo�s voice and guitar � the romantic, sappy, and sometimes irreverent lyrical twists to Jim Paradis� music� These 3 seasoned songwriters are sure to have you laughing, crying and everything in between!

Russell Writers - Saturday, February 11, 2012

Each month of 2012 brings Russell Writers a writing challenge to spark the imagination. Of course, you are always welcome to write on any topic and in any format you choose, but we hope these writing prompts are helpful for those times when you are not sure where to begin.

Each participant will have a chance to read his or her work (please bring several copies) and have it gently critiqued by the other members. All writers, from beginners to the experienced, are welcome. Please join us!

For more information, contact Michele Rousseau at 860-344-8136 or shellywriter@sbcglobal.net, or call Russell Library's Programs and Publicity office at 860-347-2528 ext. 135.
This month's prompt: Develop a story or poem about things left unsaid and/or undone.

Alturas Duo Concert - Saturday, February 11, 2012

This Duo is one of the most engaging ensembles performing in the chamber music world today. The only group of its kind, they created the idea of playing South American and classical music by bringing together the unusual combination of the viola, charango and guitar. Their artistic virtuosity and audience rapport has made them a favorite with audiences and critics alike throughout North and South America. The Duo has performed in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Bolivia, throughout the US and Puerto Rico. They took First Prize at the 2006 New England International Chamber Music Competition, and won the 2009 CMA / ASCAP (Chamber Music America / American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Award for Adventurous Programming. (snow date is Saturday, February 25)

Friends of Russell Library - Friday, February 10, 2012

The Friends of the Library book sales will be held on the second Friday/Saturday of each month in the library Activity Room.

Theater - Friday, February 10, 2012

The Modern Riffs - Friday, February 10, 2012

An evening of jazz, classic rock and swing featuring the music of such artists as Michael Buble, Natalie Cole, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Chicago, Stevie Wonder, Chicago, Santana, and Steely Dan�delivered by a high-energy nine-piece group of experienced musicians and talented high school performers.

The Modern Riffs is a high-energy blend of experienced musicians and high school musicians who deliver the right combination of jazz, classic rock, and swing for each individual audience. Here are the members:

Alisha Kapur & David D�Auria ~ Lead Vocals

Kim DuBois ~ Bass and co-leader

Greg Matunas ~ Guitar

Connor Mccaffrey ~ Drums

Nathan Vanmeter ~ Keyboard

Corinne Cannon ~ Trombone & Vocals

Roz Goodrich ~ Trumpet

Bruce Phelps ~ Saxophone, Vocals & Leader

Music - Friday, February 10, 2012

RISK! - Friday, February 10, 2012

Two shows: 7pm & 10pm Creator Kevin Allison (MTV's "The State") will host two performances of "RISK!" featuring San Francisco-based comedian W. Kamau Bell (Comedy Central), as well as members of the Wesleyan community, dropping their "act" and telling their amazing true tales, showing sides of themselves that they never thought they'd dare to share in public. Watch a preview and hear podcasts from previous "RISK!" performances at www.risk-show.com. Watch videos of W. Kamau Bell at www.wkamaubell.com Co-sponsored by Desperate Measures Improv(e) Comedy and the Center for the Arts at Wesleyan University. "['RISK!' is] jaw-dropping, hysterically funny, and just plain touching." -Slate.com "W. Kamau Bell is ferociously funny!" -Robin Williams "W. Kamau Bell is the most important guy doing comedy right now. Do yourself a favor and go see him. He's got the most astute, hilarious and completely righteous material going and he's going to be a legend in his own lifetime like Richard Pryor and Lenny Bruce. Think Bill Hicks but slightly taller." -Margaret Cho "W. Kamau Bell is in the vanguard of a new era of American comedy for an unsettling, troubling, and strangely hopeful time. Firmly in the fearless tradition of Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, and Chris Rock. Comedy as common sense purged of the absurd hypocrisy that is Our America." -Vernon Reid of the Grammy Award-winning band Living Colour

Music - Thursday, February 09, 2012

Edwidge Danticat - Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Edwidge Danticat, The 2012 Millett Writing Fellow Edwidge Danticat is the author of Breath, Eyes, Memory; Krik? Krak! (a National Book Award finalist); The Farming of Bones (an American Book Award winner); and the novel-in-stories, The Dew Breaker. Her memoir, Brother, I'm Dying, was a 2007 finalist for the National Book Award and a 2008 winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography. Create Dangerously, her most recent book, is a collection of essays. She is a MacArthur Fellow and a recipient of the Langston Hughes Medal. 2011-2012 Spring Russell House Series organizers: Elizabeth Willis, Shapiro-Silverberg Professor of Creative Writing, Anne Greene, Director of Writing Programs, Amy Bloom, Kim-Frank Family Writer-in-Residence, Lisa Cohen, Assistant Professor of English, and Deb Olin Unferth, Associate Professor of English. Support for this series is provided by: Writing at Wesleyan, the English Department, the Annie Sonnenblick Fund, the Joan Jakobson Fund, the Jacob Julien Fund, the Millett Writing Fellow Fund, the Center for the Arts, and the Shapiro Creative Writing Center.