Submitted by The Buttonwood Tree
(February 22, 2024) — The following programs, concerts and events will take place at The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street in Middletown during the month of March, 2024. For further information, visit www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.
Friday, March 1, 2024: Story City Troupe. This recurring event is held every first Friday of the month. Hosted by Mike Isko. Presentation begins at 7:30 p.m.
A retired Public Defender, Michael Isko has been telling stories since 2015, and is thrilled to continue coming to the Buttonwood Tree to share them.
Admission link:https://bit.ly/3OEVvu1
Saturday, March 2, 2024: Singer-Songwriter RJ McCarty. Show begins at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15. Admission link: https://bit.ly/47iNHoh
RJ McCarty is a force of music. Intricate Folk/Americana-inspired songwriting supported by a diverse variety of instrumentation lays the ground for gritty, authentic vocals to paint over, which bring to life a surreal-yet-familiar world that exists within us all.
RJ cut his teeth as a kid in the music scene, and has lately been touring internationally in England, Canada, and the United States as an original act in support of his newest release: a self produced seven-track record upon which he played every instrument.
He can also be found touring as a multi-instrumentalist for the critically-acclaimed psychedelic folk band, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. Performing “with a little help from his friends,” drummer Chris Van Rooyen and bassist Matt Mondell, the concert offers an unforgettable night of music that is sure to move your soul.
Friday, March 8, 2024: Indie Group The Post Valley Green, with an opening set by Collinsville Singer-Songwriter Melanie Champagne. Show starts at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15. Admission link: https://bit.ly/3tFxzPU
The Post Valley Green is a three piece indie-Americana collective hailing from Middletown. Members include Jordie Nicholson, guitar and vocals, Jared Schmidt, violin, and Josh Hausman, drums and vocals. Since their formation in the early months of 2020, The PVG has released a slew of emotionally-driven, alternative-folk songs and are currently preparing their most prolific release to date.
Melanie Champagne is a singer-songwriter, artist, and art educator based in Collinsville. Her songs stem from personal experience and, as a result, offer a reflective and dreamlike quality to them. Currently she is recording an EP, performing and daydreaming while she finds her place in this world.
Saturday, March 9, 2024: Author and Composer Charley Gerard’s Broken Reed Sax Quartet. Show begins at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $20. Admission link: https://bit.ly/47mlKfi
Charley Gerard is a saxophonist, author and composer. He is a 2019 recipient of the prestigious New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America with the generous support of the Doris Duke Foundation.Charley started The Broken Reed Saxophone Quartet in 2002. As of 2023 there are two lineups: one based in Brooklyn and the other, in Connecticut. The Brooklyn group is Charley on alto sax, Lily White on soprano sax, Justin Flynn on tenor sax, and Dimitri Moderbacher on baritone sax. The Connecticut group is Charley on alto sax, Nathan Edwards on soprano sax, Malin Carta on tenor, and Matt Schmidt on baritone sax. Together, they transport their audiences with music from Mozart to New Orleans to Cuba, to the pages of poetry and popular culture. As its name implies, the group is as linked by its sense of humor as it is by its unique sound.
Wednesday, March 13, 2024: Charissa Hoffman, Joined by Jejune Jr. and Karen Hogg. Show starts at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $15. Admission link: https://bit.ly/3HZMlo9
Charissa Hoffman’s story is as eclectic as her instrument. A 6th-generation musician raised in Nashville, Tennessee, her path to music seemed inevitable, but her choice of instrument- the ukulele- came out of nowhere. As a young recipient of the David Chow Humanitarian award and director of the Uke Can End It campaign to combat human trafficking, her heart has always been for the vulnerable, the underserved, and the underdog instruments. Through the influences of genre-bending artists like Chet Atkins and Duke Ellington, she soon exceeded expectations for her instrument, establishing herself as a formidable chord-melody player and earning a spot as the first ukulele principal to be accepted to Berklee College of Music in 2017.
Friday, March 15, 2024: Indie Group Mother Juniper, with an opening set by A.F. Chimes. Show starts at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15. Admission link: https://bit.ly/3Ox1ZuM
A.F. Chimes adheres to a 3.13:.87 ratio of peanut butter to jelly when making a sandwich. This attention to detail may strike you as obsessive, but you will appreciate the same due diligence he applies to his songwriting. From songs about his cat to songs about keeping your chin up in a chin down society, you will leave his performance with the same energy and imagination of a child exiting a superhero movie. A.F. Chimes wants you to feel good because, no matter what your parents think, you are amazing. Mother Juniper is made up of dream story weavers, many myths, and a three-stringed street banjo.
Saturday, March 16, 2024: Singer-Songwriters Anne Marie Menta and Fred Arcoleo. Show begins at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15. Admission link: https://bit.ly/4a0e7xq
Anne Marie Menta hails from New Haven, where she has been a long-time favorite singer-songwriter. She comes from a family of three brothers where playing and listening to music was their greatest passion. In 1998, she released her debut album “Untried & True, ”followed by “When the Love Ran Deep” in 2004, and “Seven Secrets” in 2009. Her fourth collection, “Sky Tonight” was released in December 2019.Anne Marie accompanies herself on acoustic guitar, appearing solo or as part of an acoustic band. Her songs range stylistically from contemporary folk, Americana, acoustic pop to country and folk-rock, all featuring her warm vocals and solid guitar. The tunes reflect her wide influences and devotion to Joni Mitchell, Rosanne Cash, Emmy Lou Harris, Lucinda Williams, and Mary Chapin Carpenter, to name a few.Sober, hard-hitting, and fiercely original, yet cradled in tenderness, Fred Arcoleo’s award-winning “Rally Folk”! music invites audiences to confront the difficult truths of the current state of our world with composure, optimism, and determination, for as the Hopi people remind us: “We are the ones we are waiting for.” His last CD, “Today Again,” made its debut at #7 on the Folk DJ National Radio Charts and his newest album, “We Are Mighty: Sustenance for the Struggle” is just out.
Friday, March 22, 2024: Soul Songstress Waberi Jordan and Her Band. Show starts at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $20. Admission link: https://bit.ly/497gs8Z
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Waberi Jordan is a vocalist and songwriter whose signature is rooted in the Leimert Park Jazz Community of Los Angeles. Raised on a steady diet of straight-ahead jazz, at a time when R&B dominated the airwaves, Waberi’s sound bridges two pivotal eras of artistic expression.Waberi has also performed around the world with various bands and ensembles, from SoulBop (an L.A. based collective of jazz musicians), R&B to West African Drum and Dance bands; 50-piece Jazz Arkestras in L.A. and Europe to solo acapella sets. In 2009 Waberi released her debut album, The Trajectory of Starah. The accompanying video, “Sunflowers in my Garden,” premiered the same year, to critical acclaim. The song has become beloved worldwide. Her second video release, “Put it Right There,” was released in 2014, and as an added bonus, was co-directed and shot by Tim Russ, noted for his role as Tuvok in Star Trek: Voyager.2015 saw Waberi exchanging the West Coast for the East Coast and settling into playing shows in NYC with Grammy nominated artists and local artists alike.An opportunity came to play in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2017, during the Sundance Film Festival. Two on Tour was born, as a duo with long-time friend and collaborator Shena Verrett. Waberi will play two 45-minute sets at The Buttonwood Tree, joined by Ron Acosta, Nat Holmes, Scott Kessel, with bassist Derrik Bosse, and bassist Janet Denise.
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Friday, March 29, 2024: Musical Trio “Anything Goes.” Show begins at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $15. Admission link: https://bit.ly/4bEzFRd
“Anything Goes” is a local trio who love entertaining and enjoy sharing tales and tunes. Steve Azzaro and Marian Bairstow have been singing together for six years and enjoy performing a wide variety of selections, from folk, to classic American songbook tunes, and original songs. Steve has played folk guitar for many years. He was influenced by country and western music as well as folk music of the Weavers, Kingston Trio and other singer songwriters of the 60’s and 70’s. He is the lead singer in his barbershop quartet, Fireaway, and has performed with the Greater Middletown Chorale.Marian’s musical experience involved singing in ensembles. She has sung with Cappella Cantorum, various church choirs, and most recently, Shoreline Gospel.Bass player Bob Lee joined the group last year and has added a wonderful creative bass to the group’s sound.
The shows and concerts listed above are brought to you by The Buttonwood Tree’s generous donors and patrons, as well as the following organizations: Middletown Commission on the Arts, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Department of Community and Economic Development.
