Fine Arts & Crafts in Bethel, Sat after Thanksgiving

Fast talking, always smiling, Bohemian wildman artist Mike Seri sent me this poster. He curated the first Pop Up Bethel show and i have to tell you it was wonderful. So why not do your Xmas and Kwanza gifting right here and support the arts. So check this out:

Pop Up Art - fabulous works right in Bethel

Pop Up Art, curated by local artist and poet Mike Seri, had a depth to it, of style and nuance. It had some amazing intricate engaging works, lots of whimsy, and plenty of opportunities to look into the human alter ego as well - in many different media.  I missed the opening, but enjoyed everything so much when I finally got to see it. The video above was produced by Take Notice Productions which has its own Youtube channel.

Artists in the show include: Erin Nazzaro, Frank Foster Post, Tarol Samuelson, Katie Bassett, Juan Andreu, David Teti, Eric Camiel, Leslie Pelino, Bibiana Matheis, Nicole Cudzilo, Juan Andreu, Michael Morris, Joseph Farris, Tara Burgess, Ival Stratford-Kovner, Judith Wyer, Suzanne Ross, Tanya Kukucka, Kathleen Benton, Keith Dube, FranK Kara, Chris Durante, Kenny Hess, Justin Buto, F. Henry-Meehan, Jim Felice

The gallery is opposite the Bethel cinema.

Video no long up I guess.

Watch "Pop Up Art Bethel - Contemporary Pop Up Art Gallery Reception" on YouTube

Paddies Day Part 2: Killian Troupe at Molten

Three heads are better than one they say. On Paddies Day evening I caught the first performance ever of a new trio: the Killian Troupe at Molten Java in Bethel. It's an acoustic trio where all three sing and write songs.



It's comprised of Richard King, (upper right)  Cassandra Mulcahy (upper left) and Jeff Smith (lower left). This was their very first show as a group. Though there are a few instrumental kinks to work out,  the result will be quite nice judging by Saturday's performance. Their vocal harmonies were wonderful, and they can also each take the spot light for a song or more or swap out instruments to lend variety to the show.






Each of these independent musicians/songwriters brings different strengths and skills to the group and this may play out well over the long haul:

• Jeff Smith  brings a relentless melancholy musicianship and songwriting to his own songs, that is emotive and somehow transcendent. He also brings guitar and mandolin, both accompaniment and lead.
• Cassandra Mulcahy, a music therapist, brings a counterbalancing joy and delight in life, an impish loving song-writing charm on guitar, keyboard and bass guitar chops too.
• Finally Richard King who bills himself as "The Old Picker" brings a lifetime of performing as a folk/country player. With it come a sense of pacing and that solid entertainer's patter to the audience which is almost always lacking in the shows of beginning musicians and songwriters who are so busy feeling their music that they forget they must be showmen too.

You can find out more, and click "like" on their Killian Troupe Facebook page where there are links to their individual pages.

Molten's new digs, and events

One notable thing that happened in January was the opening of Molten Java in its new location at 213 Greenwood Ave, in Bethel, CT. A lot of elbow grease went into this opening and it shows: everything is gorgeous.  This is a day shot of the front room.

There appears to be renewed interest in evening activities too. This was my vantage point for viewing last night's Open Mic - from the stairs you can see the whole room. Below, there was not a chair to be had with a view of the performers. It's a packed house these days. go early if you want a seat.

Nicholas Wells and his group played, Sal Saldagdo, Justin Virga, the host (whose name escapes me), young folks named Megan, Holly, etc. A few read poems.  Neal and Richard the old picker were there too. The list was long. I got a bit clastrophobic a little after nine and Henry Cort and I went home without playing. It was just as crowded the week before also. Maybe third is the charm.

There is a gallery upstairs and tonight from 6-8pm is an art show reception for Katie Bassett and Thomas Nackid whose work is up there right now.

At 8 Seth Lefferts plays. Might have to check that out since the Pears are not on....  Some events are sometimes listed here

Molten Benefit Bash - this Sunday Dec 18 Noon-10pm

Woohoo it's a nice line up for Sunday's music Marathon at Molten Java in Bethel.  (That's the existing Molten Java at 102 Greenwood, near Bethel Foods. (In the new year it will move to Dolan Plaza, 213 Greenwood.) For $5 you get a free cup of something and some great tunes!

Here's a link to a writeup of the event: http://www.ct.com/entertainment/music/shows/wtxx-local-musicians-throw-a-housewarming-party-to-celebrate-the-new-molten-java-in-bethel-20111213,0,7546758.story

Here's the linup of music:

Molten Java Jazz Trio 12-1:30pm
Marc Huberman – 1:30-2pm
Mar Walker – 2-2:30pm  <<<<<< me - ha!
Joey Vee – 2:30-3pm
The Hip Replacements 3-3:45pm
Seth Lefferts and the Side Effects 4-4:45pm
Amanda Bloom 5-5:30pm
Neil Corday 5:30-6pm
My Dad's Truck 6-7pm
Michel Rae Driscoll 7-7:30pm
Phoenix Tree 7:30-8:15pm
J.D. Hill – 8:15-8:45pm
Mr. Happy Cloud 8:45-9:15pm
Burnkit2600 til closing

Musical Marriage Proposal Seen At Molten

When you visit small locally owned venues, you just never know what might happen. I joined a friend for dinner last night at Molten Java, and we gabbed long enough so that a pair of musicians appeared and started setting up some interesting equipment.


Anna and Mike who may at times may call themselves, The Kitchen Sink Boogie or The Connecticut Vanilla Beans,  play a mean blues blend.  The instruments and voices have a nice back and forth conversational quality.  Sometimes one sang, sometimes the other - often doing music by blues greats, with an occasional harmonies, and some original songs thrown into the mix. Anna plays a Kirk Resonator with a flashy, silvery plate over the guitar's opening. Mike bends an all-electric with a whammy bar, a well-used slide and nice amp effects.

Then came the second surprise. About halfway through the evening, Mike began to sing an original song to Anna, and suddenly the lyrics said (more or less)  "I love you Anna B. I love you Anna B. I'm asking you to marry me....."  Then Mike stopped and presented Anna with a jewelry store bag and inside it was a box with an engagement ring...... Looked like a yes to me - a happy ending or rather a new beginning.

Some surprises always at an open mic

It's hard to know what open mic to attend. Lately they are multiplying.  This week I stayed close to home. I went to Molten Java's Thursday open mic which is run by J.D.Hull, shown iabove (on the right)

He opened the night as host, followed by Mr. Happy Cloud, Sean Ward who's quirky delivery is always jars my stodgy brain into writing poems. There was a rapper poet, a duet by some teen-agers, and  a number of other acts. I did three originals this week (Blow me away, Love Makes You Free, and The Marigold Song). Then a young fella named Luke in a plaid shirt came to the mic. He sounded pretty good. JD closed the night and during his last set a woman from the audience who'd been working on a laptop all evening, on the spur of the moment asked for song she knew. (She is on the left in the photo at the top.) Then she got up and sang it and sounded great! She is shown above. Don't know any names this week. If you do, add them in a comment below.

At Molten Java's mic: Nicholas Wells and group

I was really weary Thursday night and decided to stay close to home. I headed for Molten Java in Bethel, and among other folks at the open mic, I heard a really tasty ensemble before I left at 9:30. The singer-songwriter (on the right) is Nicholas Wells. He has a good voice and interesting material, well put together. He also had two very good players with him, and though I don't know their names, they really added a wonderful intricacy to his material. The skillful violin was always weaving around in a very organic way and the base anchored everything, kept it honest. Nice work all of you.

My Dad's Truck had Molten Jumpin' Again

On Saturday, September 10, I got to hear one of my favorite local groups. It's always a happy night when you get to hear My Dad's Truck, a Danbury based trio comprised of Susan Lang, Leif Smith, Bill Wisnowski. They play what they call "Free Range Acoustic," which is a wonderfully flavorful description of the smorgesborg of sound they offer. They have a great fan base of regulars who attend their gigs also.

"My Dad's Truck performs with rich harmonies, diverse instrumentation, and an improvisational spirit. All of the members play multiple instruments, which include percussion from around the world, bluegrass instruments, assorted reeds and horns, ukulele, accordion, guitarron (a fretless Mexican bass), acoustic-electric bass, mandolin, mandola, and, of course, guitar."

-- from their Facebook fan page  

My Dad's Truck at Molten - a good time and a sketch

My Dad's Truck is a fun and eclectic band that often plays at Molten Java in Bethel. I've heard them several times now, I enjoy Susan Lang's big bright vocals and Leif Smith and Bill Wisnowski's rumbly ones. They each play a whole collection of acoustic instruments to keep the sound changing and lively. (guitars, fiddle, slide guitar, acoustic bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, etc.) They call their style "Free-Range Acoustic"

This small mechanical pencil drawing I made in a little book while I was watching the band. I ripped it out of the book and scanned it at home, then digitally tweaked the hell out of it since the lines were so light and hard to see.

Molten Java Jazz Jam - cool jazz, hot coffee!

What a great night. I ducked out a bit early from Wed Poetry at the Blue Z in Newtown, (where a cool and crowded "Found Poem" workshop was in progress) and stopped at our old venue Molten Java (102 Greenwood Ave, in Bethel) which now has a Jazz Jam every wednesday night.  The music was great. It made me forget my worries, kept me tapping my foot. There were lots and lots of very talented folks of varying ages who took their turns playing sax, guitar, standup bass, drums and a keyboard player too. The pics represent just a few of the many players who shared their musical gifts!