MIDDLETOWN — The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, has announced upcoming shows and events for the month of January.
Most events require tickets; reservations are encouraged. Go to www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.
Jan. 3: KAHANA Yoga, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. $18 admission or $108 for eight class card
Tiare Kahana has combined her passion for both hula and yoga to share the benefits of healing, pain management, improved health, and overall well-being. Students leave class relaxed, yet energized, and in “an island state of mind.” Kahana Yoga classes include: gentle yoga postures, breathing and relaxation techniques, basic meditation, mindful dance movements of Hawaii’s oral language tradition, known as hula, and the wisdom of ancient of yogic and Hawaiian philosophy. Hula Noho (seated hula) and chair yoga formats are offered so that this class is accessible to all levels.
Students learn about Hawaiian culture and way of life; and the true meaning of Aloha; how to “be” [present], breathe consciously, and let go of what is unnecessary; how to move mindfully, and pain-free, with calm and ease; how subtle shifts, both mentally and physically, can make all the difference; how to explore the power of centering, for balance, stability, and strength; and how to harness, facilitate, and channel positive energy (prana, chi, qi, “mana”-in Hawaiian) from nature to promote healing and well-being.
Tiare Kahana learned the art of hula in early childhood, as part of Hawaiian family tradition. Tiare is a perpetual student of hula, studying under Kumu Hula (Hula Master) Kawika Alfiche of Halau (Hula School) O Keiki’ali’I, and appeared as a guest dancer in his New York Times acclaimed production of “Ka Wa Hula: Sacred Hula” at Symphony Space in NYC, and at Wesleyan University. A certified fitness trainer and yoga practitioner for over 30 years, Tiare earned her Yoga Alliance RYT 200-hour certification, and Yoga4 Cancer certification, in 2017.
This class is for all levels. Hula noho (sitting) and Chair yoga formats are offered, so all levels can participate.
Jan. 4: Bob Gotta’s Acoustic Open Mic, 7-9 p.m. $5. Join us for the oldest continually running Open Mic in the State of CT!! Hosted by the congenial Bob Gotta. Buttonwood offers a Steinway piano, full sound system, beverages and snacks and a friendly community.
Jan. 5: Story City Troupe, 8-10 p.m., $10 admission. 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. This group is led by Sue Huggans and welcomes new members.
Jan. 6: Lost Acres String Band, 8 p.m., $10.
The listening room at The Buttonwood Tree is perfect to hear the delicate sounds of the strings and is intimate enough to see and hear everything with ease. Seats are $10 and limited so reserve yours today online at www.buttonwood.org or call for more information. Refreshments at available and there's plenty of free parking. Gordon Swift has played in fusion, rock, folk, and country bands, and he led an electric quartet playing original work in New York City for several years. He studied South Indian classical violin in India and holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University. Gordon blends musical influences from around the world into a distinctively American violin/fiddle style.
Paul Howard is a long-time member of the Americana/string band Last Fair Deal, with whom he has recorded four albums. Paul runs Valley Music School in Avon, CT and is a founding faculty member of the National Guitar Workshop with five music instruction books to his credit. He is an eclectic guitarist bringing influences from swing, old-time, bluegrass, and folk/rock music; he’s also an accomplished vocalist.
Jon Swift is a veteran of the New England bluegrass and roots music scene. He was a founding member of the popular bluegrass band Traver Hollow, playing bass and singing with the group for 13 years. He has also sung and played bass or acoustic guitar in several other groups, as well as performing solo. Appearing here on upright bass, Jon lays down a solid foundation for the band.
January 7: Artist’s reception for "Mystical Collage: Art as Spiritual Practice" by Flo Bartosiak, 2-4 p.m., free admission.
Bartosiak doesn’t consider herself a traditional artist. She’s not skilled at painting or sketching representational objects, but she finds collage a way of expressing a sense of inner connectedness that she explores through various images overlapping and flowing into each other. She discovered collage as an art form through her friend, Mylene Poitras, an expressive artist. It was part of a process they did every morning, beginning with meditation and followed by collage, which was also done in silence. Mylene would set a timer so they were aware that they needed to surrender to the art and allow it to flow through them without over analysis, perfectionism, or hesitation. Whatever they were feeling found it’s expression through images from magazines, pieces of material, feathers, rose petals, whatever was in the room and on the table to use.