The entity known as Spyro Gyra is a marathon runner in the arena of contemporary jazz. For more than three decades, moving across a musical landscape marked by increasingly challenging terrain and accelerated change, they have maintained the well-deserved reputation as a viable and highly versatile creative force. Since their earliest recordings in the mid 1970s, they have maintained a fresh approach to their craft by borrowing from a range of sources and distilling them into an unmistakable signature sound. This innovative and eclectic sensibility has earned the band nine GRAMMY nominations overall, and has fueled the sale of 11 million records - including one platinum and two gold records. In the midst of the achievements and accolades, Spyro Gyra keeps moving, having logged over 5,000 high-energy performances in their prestigious and prolific career. The band passes another milestone on this long-distance run with the June 12, 2007, release of Good To Go-Go on Heads Up International. The album is the band's twenty-sixth of their overall career and their fifth release on Heads Up, following on the heels of the Grammy nominated 2006 release Wrapped in a Dream. Good To Go-Go scored two Grammy nominations of its own in December 2007. A new face in the Spyro Gyra lineup belongs to drummer/percussionist Bonny B (short for Bonaparte). The Trinidad native had been touring with the band for several months before they went into the studio to record Good To Go-Go, and the energy he brought to the party served as the catalyst for some fine tuning in the group's overall philosophy. Bonny B joins saxophonist and Spyro Gyra founder Jay Beckenstein, keyboardist Tom Schuman, guitarist Julio Fernandez and bassist Scott Ambush in the five-man lineup.

In 1972, Aztec Two-Step, whose name comes from a poem by beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, burst upon the scene with their self-titled debut album on Elektra Records. Since then Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman have spent a lifetime making music together as the folk/rock duo Aztec Two-Step. Their first album, along with their subsequent albums for RCA Records were staples of progressive FM and college radio and helped to bring the music of the 1960s into the 70s.
As their recording career continued, so did the critical acclaim. In 1987 Living in America, received the New York Music Award for Best Folk Album and was named in Billboard’s year-end critic’s poll. They have been praised in countless major US newspapers and magazines, including Rolling Stone, and have appeared on numerous TV and radio shows, such as the David Letterman Show, the King Biscuit Flour Hour, and World Café Live. In 1999 they were the subjects of the documentary, No Hit Wonder, which was aired on PBS. Of their 2005 release Days of Horses, the Boston Globe said “fans of the duo’s harmony-driven tunes and easygoing acoustic guitar riffs will recognize their James Taylor-meets-Simon & Garfunkel sound. What’s new is the mood. This album sits back on its haunches as Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman look back wistfully at American pop culture and their own ride through it.” 2007 saw several hallmark events for the duo. In June, Aztec Two-Step performed “The Persecution and Restoration of Dean Moriarty (On The Road)” at a very special Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival as the author’s hometown marked the 50th anniversary of the publication of On The Road. Also In June 2007, Real Simple, a popular national lifestyle magazine, named Aztec Two-Step one of the top five classic folk albums joining work by Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Tom Rush and Phil Ochs. The article cites the duo as “surpass[ing] Simon and Garfunkel for exquisite harmonies, musicianship and emotion.” Aztec Two-Step continues to impress audiences with intelligent songwriting, dazzling acoustic lead guitar, and inspiring harmonies. They are one of acoustic music’s most popular and enduring acts.

November 16 – December 23, 2008            Craft USA celebrates craft as art.  It is recognized as an exhibit of merit where original works of art made by hand are showcased.  This is the sixth year of the juried craft triennial competition/exhibition.  The competition draws over 1000 entries and over 400 artists from coast to coast working in various mediums such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, paper, wood, basketry and mixed media.   This year’s juror is Gretchen Keyworth, Director of the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA.  A notable figure in the world of contemporary craft, she has extensive experience in curating and advising prominent craft shows.  The Fuller Craft Museum underwent a re-branding in 2004/05 to become the preeminent craft museum in New England.  The museum has recently exhibited Joan Morris, Thomas Mann, Megumi Naitoh, Carter Smith, and Alan Klein.  Ms. Keyworth has independently curated many craft exhibitions such as GlassForms, Charles Kaziun Early Works and Traditional Paperweights.  In 2005, Ms. Keyworth was named one of ten people to watch in American Craft by The Crafts Report. GALLERY HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm; Sunday: 1 – 5 pm.

Westport Arts Center presents:
c2 = (CP + CL): Creative Connections = Creative Process + Learning Process

Friday, Dec. 5 - Jan. 11

Friday, Dec. 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. for Opening Reception

WAC Gallery

Curated by WAC's Education Manager, Danielle Cavanna, featuring Westport Arts Center's teaching artists, who have made signifigant contributions to our Connections program. The works that will be selected will directly relate to each teaching artist's work as an educator. For more information visit www.westportartscenter.org.

For more information, contact WAC at 203-222-7070, www.westportartscenter.org, or visit the gallery, M-F 10-4; Sat/Sun 12-4 at 51 Riverside Ave., Westport.

Artistry on the Shoreline Holiday Sale

October 20 - January 11, 2009

Visit our website at www.guilfordartcenter.org.

Now through Dec. 14 -

Holidaze: The Real Story of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas

Special exhibit at the Henry Whitfield State Museum

Learn why the Puritans did not celebrate Christmas, the myths behind the First Thanksgiving, and how All Hallow's Eve became a night of costumes and candy. The exhibit is available for viewing during regular museum hours and is included with museum admission.

Woodbury painter Matt Wood returns to nature’s essence
in “Pentimento” exhibition at Good News Cafe & Gallery

Woodbury artist Matt Wood returns to the essence of the subjects he paints from the natural world in his new exhibition titled “Pentimento,” showing through Jan. 5, 2009, at the Good News Cafe and Gallery, 694 Main Street South, Woodbury.

A native of southern California, Wood began his artistic odyssey with painting studies at the University of Iowa influenced by the work of Mauricio Lasansky. Wood notes that his own Polish and Russian heritage, and his marriage to Polish native Joanna Czaderna, have established a natural affinity for Lasansky’s passionate approach to the creative process that seeks to use art as a means to raise personal awareness.

Good News Cafe & Gallery is open from 11:30 am to 10 pm daily; closed Tuesdays.
 

The Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society presents its annual members exhibition at Hartford Fine Art, 80 Pitkin Street, East Hartford, beginning with the opening reception and awards presentation on Friday November 7, 2008 from 6-8 pm. This year's juror is David Dunlop, well-known to CPTV viewers for his thirteen-episode series Landscapes Through Time With David Dunlop, which debuted this year to rave reviews. His careful selection of 72 works in oil, watercolor, pastel and acrylic makes this the most exciting show ever for this talented group of artists. The public is cordially invited to the opening reception to share insights and a glass of wine with many member artists. All works will be for sale and a drawing will be held for one lucky guest to win an original painting by a member artist. The exhibit will continue through January 31, 2009. Please go to www.hartfordfineart.com for gallery hours and directions.

In conjunction with the annual exhibit, the Gallery will host a series of artist demonstrations and panel discussions on selected Saturdays in November and December, including a hands-on demo by David Dunlop himself on December 6 from 11-1. This is an opportunity for artists and art lovers alike to gain insights from several artists into the painting process. For a complete schedule of events, please go to www.cpaps.org.

Art Exhibition Reception and Musical Performance

Tuesday, November 18th 5 – 7pm
Free and open to the public

Clare Gallery is pleased to present Completing the Journey: The Art of Hospice Care,an extraordinary and powerful multi-media exhibition depicting the use of the arts in hospice care. Artists participating in this exhibition are constituents of The Complementary Therapy Team, a Connecticut VNA Partners organization. Along with the artists, professional musicians from The Complementary Therapy Team will perform original music during the reception.

Along with this exhibition there are also other programs that might be of interest to people dealing with loss. The first program, sponsored by the ministries of Women of Hope and Bereavement from the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry, is “Grief – Shattered and Mended: How Hopeful Women Survive” on November 12th from 5 to 9 pm. This Twilight Retreat includes dinner, a discussion on how women deal with grief, and a hands-on project. The cost is $15.00. The second program, sponsored by several Ministries of Pastoral Care is a “Service of Remembrance” on November 25th from 7-8 pm. If one would like more information on either of these programs, please call the Urban Center at 860-756-4034.

Free parking in Saints Lot across the street. Please bring ticket for validation.

Take Joy! A Celebration of Christmas Verse is the 2008 Christmas Open House of the Cromwell Historical Society and features each room of the Stevens-Frisbie House decorated in the spirit of Christmas Poetry.  Juleps & Viragoes, the living history department, will greet guests in the Parlour in mid-nineteenth century attire and refreshments will be served in the Dining Room.  The house will be open from 1 until 5 and 6 until 8 on Saturday and from 1 until 5 on Sunday.

So you think you know the whole story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his late partner, Jacob Marley?  Then you haven’t seen Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, playing November 14 through December 13 at Hole in the Wall Theater in New Britain. 

In Tom Mula's funny, irreverent spin on the Christmas classic, Jacob Marley sets out to redeem Ebenezer Scrooge's soul and, in the process, save his own.  Accompanied by a jaunty Hell-sprite called a “Bogle,” Marley embarks on a journey filled with laughter, terror, the power of redemption, and the promise of second chances.  Four actors play multiple roles in this highly theatrical holiday entertainment.  Dennis Hull directs. 

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol runs Fridays and Saturdays, November 14 through December 13, at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays, November 23 and December 7, at 2:00 p.m. at Hole in the Wall Theater, 116 Main Street, New Britain.  Admission is a $20.00 suggested donation.  Seating is limited, so please call (860) 229-3049 for reservations.  For more information, visit www.hitw.org.

The Middle River Gallery in Stafford Springs is proud to announce the opening of work by Ted Mikulski, a rising abstract expressionist.  The show entitled 'Literally Abstract' will open on December 13th from 4-7pm and will be up until February 2009.  Come see this exciting new artist and witness an awakening of the visual arts in Connecticut.  Visit TedMikulski.com to see some examples of his work. 

Middle River Gallery
58 Main Street
Stafford Springs, CT
860-684-6226
info@middlerivergallery.com

 Mario Pires will be showing a solo exhibition of his new series of paintings, titled "Visions from the Mundane Traveler." This series has a direct link to his Masters Thesis, which focuses on imagery from everyday society. There will be an Opening Reception on December 6th, 2008 from 2-4 p.m. at the Gallery at the Barney Library, located at 71 Main Street in Farmington, CT. The show will run through the entire  month of December. For more information about Mario Pires and his artwork, the artist will be available to take questions and comments at his exhibit Opening on December 6th. You may also find more information in the itowns section of the hartford courant online. Type in Itowns cover art to search article. Also, you may courant.comcontact him at mariopires@yahoo.com.

 NEW ENGLAND HOLIDAY TRADITION :: It's Christmas Eve in 1876. The shipbuilding industry isn't what it once was in Greenmanville, so the town is putting on a benefit production. They couldn't have chosen a better show, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. But things are not going as planned. Tonight, one prominent businessman must face the choices of his past.

This one hour moving performance walking tour meanders through our 19th-century maritime village covering approx. 1/2 mile of uneven terrain (including cobblestone, wood planking, grass, gravel, and stairs). Audience will walk or stand for the entire show. Please wear appropriate shoes.

If you require a wheelchair or have difficulty walking, please select a Red tour as accommodations have been made for flatter terrain and wheelchair accessibility. On Dec. 14th the red tours at 5:00 and 7:00 will also include a sign language interpreter. Red and green tours are identical in content and quality.

No strollers allowed. No photography or recording.

A $2 handling fee will be added to each ticket. Tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable.

Jennifer Jane Gallery has organized an art exposition with a cooperative of local artists in New Haven.

The best place around this holiday season to buy handmade, original gifts.

Original photography, paintings, stained glass, giclees, watercolors, jewlery, etc.

Located at ArLoW

838 Whalley Ave.

The Westville Arts District

New Haven, CT 06515

Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 - 6 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

www.GroupX20.com

ART@jenniferjanegallery.com

Support the Arts!

With the holidays coming, what better way to honor the spirit of the season than to support the Arts and Crafts Association of Meriden/Gallery 53 and its artists.

Give a unique, hand crafted gift to all the special people in your life.

Fabulous holiday items include oil paintings, pottery, jewlery, accessories and more.

Dec. 6 - 24

Reception on Dec. 6 from 2 - 4 p.m.; Holiday fun and hors d'oeuvres!

Gallery Hours: 12 - 4 p.m. Tues. - Fri. and Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Free parking is available across the street and there is easy access from I 84 and I 91. For more information visit www.gallery53.org or call 203-235-5347.

Lourdes in Litchfield – Christmas Festival Weekend - December 13 & 14.

Sat/13: 10 - 12 noon:  Gingerbread Nativity Scene Making. Young and old have fun assembling and decorating a nativity scene from gingerbread, candies and goodies. Call for reservation. Suggested donation - $30.00.

7:00 pm: Candlelight Christmas Caroling begins in Pilgrim Hall. Hot chocolate and homemade cookies to follow.

Sun/14: 3:00 & 4:00 pm: Living Nativity. Young people re-enact the Nativity with live animals and a choir of angels. Refreshments to follow.

Grotto Gift Shop: Open 10:30 – 4 pm everyday. Give gifts that express the true meaning of the season. For all Advent supplies, Fontinini, Willow Tree and much more.

50 Montfort Rd., off Rte 118, Litchfield, CT 06759. Just ¼ mi east of Litchfield Green.

For info. (860) 567-1041 ~ lourdesshrinect@gmail.com ~ www.shrinect.org

Connecticut high school students are challenged to write mainstream, mystery or fantasy fiction from source photography for the $1000 Grand Prize and publication with your byline in our e-magazine: Cum Laude, The Scholarly Evening Post. GOOGLE: stellar scholars aurora awards

The annual performances of Christmas Angelicus will again fill local churches with the glorious sounds of the season.  Come and celebrate!  This year's concerts will include traditional carols, new arrangements and music composed specially for the occasion.  Featured composers include Nicholas White, Paul Halley, David Willcocks, John Rutter, Morten Lauridsen and others.