Spring Forward
 
It was many, many years ago 
when I tucked them into beds, 
bright futures and incandescent dreams, 
ready to light up at the touch 
of a spring-loaded switch

No, not my children, 
though they too, were bright... 
and lovingly covered as they slept. 
I mean slumbering bulbs, decades deep 
in a garden left behind...

behind the house, beside the house,
bulbs, buried, like treasure 
and placed like prepositions—
around the red, red house.

First, a circus of purples, 
crocuses, brilliant above rills of melting snow.
Daffodils next, in dense drifts 
will shine like gold doubloons—

Tulips follow, scarlet chalices
with luminous yellow flames, 
poised to set fire to spring.
Irises, soon will arise along with 
the buxom too-muchness of peonies.

In darkness, they wait, at woods’ edge 
ready to spring into bloom—
bright illume for someone else’s spring.


By Cheryl Anne Hale 2019
City of Middletown Poet Laureate

The Library Studio in Downtown Middletown Announces ‘Middletown on the Map’ Concert Series featuring Jay Hoggard May 10
                                                                                                           
Middletown— Trevor Davis of The Library Studio, announces that the Middletown Commission on the Arts is providing funding support for the Library Studio to collaborate with the Hartford Jazz Society for a concert series entitled ‘Middletown on the Map.’ Both concerts are free via livestream on the Hartford Jazz Society Facebook Page and the Library Studio Facebook Page, and will feature artists associated with Middletown. The second concert will feature world renowned vibraphonist Jay Hoggard and his quartet, streaming live on Monday, May 10, 7:00-8:30PM. 
 
Jay Hoggard has long ranked with the greatest vibraphone innovators. Jay’s music is positive, spiritual, uplifting, and happy. He masterfully draws on traditional and contemporary musical vocabulary to develop new direction for the vibraphone. Jay seamlessly blends jazz and gospel roots with African marimba rhythms. His performance repertoire represents the three B’s of the jazz tradition (Blues, Bop and Ballads) with original innovations. Joining Jay Hoggard will be James Weidman on piano, Yoron Israel on drums and Belden Bullock on bass.
 
Since June 2020, the Hartford Jazz Society has continued to present live jazz by streaming virtual concerts from the Library Studio. This includes their long running Paul Brown Monday Night Bushnell Park concert series and the virtual Monday Night Jazz series on a monthly basis. Their 60 Anniversary Concert and Fundraiser November 13 featured the Steve Turre Sextet. Turre has played with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Carlos Santana, and Ray Charles. He has been trombonist for the Saturday Night Live band since 1985.

The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center
605 Main Street / PO Box 71, Middletown, CT 06457
www.buttonwood.org / 860.347.4957  / TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter! 
The Buttonwood Tree's Art Gallery and bookstore are OPEN on Tuesdays from 2-5pm, and by appointment.

May Art Exhibition:
A series of paintings by Stefanie Karas

Stefanie Karas was born in Waterbury CT to loving parents Carl and Irena Karas who have been the biggest supporters of her artistic talents. Stefanie's journey as an artist began when her mom caught her doodling on her notepad at the age of 2. From that moment it was crayons, markers, art supplies, and art programs. Although Stefanie pursued swimming and music during college and the years after, in 2017 she decided to follow through with her art once again only this time, for her career. Currently, Stefanie paints commission pieces, teaches her own painting classes in person and online via Zoom and does face and body paint for kids parties, local events, and even adult private clients. More information about her can be found on her Facebook, her Instagram, @dubstefanoodle, or on her website www.paintandpartywebs.com.    

ARTFARM is seeking Black / BIPOC Performing Artists for a Production of

Where Are We Now?: Race, Pride, Class & Inequity - 2021 - The Movement

We are seeking BIPOC Artists for an in-person, outdoor production of this original Ensemble work, Where Are We Now?: Race, Pride, Class & Inequity
2021 The Movement  (WAWN)

WAWN has been developed from community dialogue and interviews. 
We are seeking theater, physical theater, movement, technical, vocal and healing artists to further collaborate on the development of this material and to create sacred space for
Ritual, Community Grief & Healing

Performances will be in Middletown at the end of June.
Rehearsals in Middletown begin in late May.

Please Send a Photo, Resume and if possible a link to a 1-3 Minute performance video(or video section)to info@art-farm.org
with “WAWN” in the Subject line.Non-Union. (can consider AEA Guest Artist contract) Paid Contact us for more info.