Middletown
Connecticut
The Buttonwood Tree Happenings For June 2022
Arts and Entertainment
June 23, 2022
From: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural CenterThe Buttonwood Tree (TBT) remains dedicated to bringing music and art to our community in a safe manner, in person and through our ongoing Zoom programs which can be accessed via our website buttonwood.org. All programs listed are held at TBT unless noted. Seats can be reserved at Buttonwood.org. or by calling (860) 347-4957. Art Gallery and bookstore hours change daily, please call ahead. Volunteers are invited to apply! See us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter.
Feeling gratitude is key to a happy and successful life. We include "Moments of Gratitude" in all Buttonwood programs. It's simply a short time of sharing the things we feel grateful for to increase the positive energy among us and help us all feel a bit better.
We're excited to announce the launch of our new Shop on The Buttonwood website! We have a variety of high-quality products made with natural all-organic cotton, vibrant prints, and comfortable fits!
Recurring Programs:
Mondays @ 7 - 10 pm
Admission: $5
Participants can sing a song, share a story, or read a poem, anything goes! Our open mic provides a platform for emerging artists, comedians, and musicians to share their voice and talent with the community. Signups and doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Mondays @5:15 pm (NEW DAY and TIME)
Suggested donation: $5 - $10.
Easy and fun exercise for health and happiness! Hosted on the first and third Tuesdays of the month by local practitioner, Mylène, 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 includes light stretching, laughter exercises, a guided meditation, and short song for the health of your body. No mats are needed. Wear comfortable clothing. Some benefits of laughter yoga include heart benefits, lower cholesterol, reduced stress, strengthening of the immune system. Free / donations for TBT appreciated.
Acoustic Open Mic with Bob Gotta
Every Thursday @ 7 - 9 pm (First week of every month will be IN-PERSON, all others ZOOM)
Suggested price: $5.
Known as Connecticut's oldest continuously running acoustic open mic, hosted by Bob Gotta. Participants are in for a night of great songwriting and fascinating stories behind the songs. All are welcomed and encouraged to share their music! Signups and doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 21 @ 6:30 - 8 pm
Suggested donation: $5 - $10
Bring a drum and your friends to our monthly drum circle! Learn or improve your skill of improvisation and time keeping. Some drums will be provided.
Facilitated by Scotty Giffen. Circle will be held at the CHC Green.
Align with Source: A Spiritual Empowerment Workshop with Annaita Gandhy
All Saturdays @ 10:30 am to 12:00 p.m. HELD ON ZOOM
Registration: $10
Let us all hold only love in our hearts as we shower all key areas and our entire world with the purest love of Oneness. The Light within each one of us is required by Humanity, Our World, and Earth at this time. More than ever before, our world needs your Light and unconditional Love! Participants must sign up in advance to access the Zoom link. First class is complimentary, please email us for info.
The Human Room Open Voice Open Mic
Second Sundays 4-7 pm By donation
Join CC Arshagra in this monthly free-speech platform for all members of humankind. Nonprofits, individuals and all creatives are welcome to share here!
July Art Reception: “Sea Glass Creations & Mixed Media” by Eileen Anderson ft. Diane Soares
July 1 – July 31
Suggested donation: $15
Eileen Anderson, Reiki Master Teacher, will be exhibiting her artwork at The Buttonwood Tree from July 1 to July 31. There will be a reception on July 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. Eileen was a budding artist as a young child. She planned to major in art however, she was inspired to pursue a nursing career. She became a Reiki practitioner and practiced Reiki during the last 20 years of her nursing career, which led her to teach Reiki at The Buttonwood Tree in her retirement. Her artwork will be displayed along with her early World Book Encyclopedia paintings
Special Events
The Zinnvisible Ink Traveling Poetry Show
Friday, July 1 @ 8 – 10 p.m.
Admission: $15
Poetry and Music by Victoria Munoz, Naji Chester Payne (Poet Laureate of Portland, CT), and CC Arshagra
Victoria Munoz is a singer/song-writer, poet, and Music Therapist pursuing various genres in music performance and she uses these influences to create intuitive lyrical poetry inspired by the the world around her. Naji Chester Payne is the Poet Laureate of Portland, CT and the inspiration behind the poetry contest held at The Buttonwood Tree at this time. CC Arshagra is a longtime poet and artist who among other things, runs a multi-tiered open mic platform for The Buttonwood Tree. Katya Zinn is hitting the road to promote her new collection, Manic-depressive Pixie Dream Girl, out this June from Game Over Books.
Friday, July 8 @ 8 – 10 pm
Admission: $15
Anna is an accomplished singer/songwriter from CT who tours internationally and all across the country. Her music is about memory and meditation, streaked with tones of jazz, along with fresh interpretations of classic folk music, all while honoring a hope to enhance connection, humility, and joy among more and more humans.
Michael Winograd & The Honorable Mentshn
Saturday, July 9 @ 8 – 10 pm
Admission: $20
In the Summer of 2021, this band recorded what might just be their most recent album to date, Early Bird Special. Packed with the energy, passion, and drive that listeners have come to expect from The Honorable Mentshn, Early Bird Special delivers the schmaltz-drenched, hard-hitting Klezmer music that your soul craves, and gets you onto the dance floor. "Gypsy jazz" at its finest!
Michael Winograd - clarinet
Dan Blacksberg - trombone
Will Holshouser - accordion
Carmen Staaf - piano
Zoe Guigueno - bass
David Licht - drums
Saturday, July 16 @ 8 – 10 pm
Admission: $20
This show features Roemanry's jazz trio performing music of Thelonious Monk. Rosemary’s diverse abilities make her an in-demand musician and audio engineer. She currently lives in CT, working as a freelance audio engineer, teaching keyboard & music production at the Electronic Music Collective, and often collaborating with other musicians. Rosemary has released several projects both with her trio and as a solo artist.
Mike Borgia Blues/Rock Concert
Saturday, July 23 @ 8 – 10 pm
Admission: $15
Mike Borgia is a New York native singer/songwriter celebrating 3 decades of music with over 18 albums, national touring, and a musical style often compared to artists like Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) and Gary Clark, Jr. Mike has a robust 5-octave vocal range that crosses between genres of blues, rock, and folk nuances.
Friday, July 29 @ 8 – 10 pm
Admission: $15
The Far Trio is a New York City and Buffalo based band featuring Eamon Rahyn (vocal/bass), Drew Azzinaro (guitar) and Ethan Fox (drums) that strives to present soulful songwriting through an improvisatory jazz lens.
Far Trio brings together Eamon's soul-filled vocals and bass, Drew's guitar journeys and Ethan's worldly grooves. They have been concentrating on writing original music as well as creative arrangements of some of our personal favorites from John Lennon to Michael Brecker.
Saturday, July 30 @ 8 – 10 pm
Admission: $10
The trio plays a mix of originals and covers, everything from Jazz, Blues and Country. Rob DeSorbo, who leads this trio, has played for over 50 years with many different bands. Rick Stannard has been on the CT music scene since the late 70s. F & Blues, a top guitarist in CT, plays originals and covers throughout CT and RI. Mark Barrila has been a drummer for 50 years. He plays at countless venues in CT and brings his drumming skills to the next level at every gig. and electric music. Combined, Trio DeSorbo creates a mix from acoustic and electric music. They will take you on a trip through their history of music that will satisfy your listening pleasures.