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

June Art Show: "Maria Louise" By Maria Louise Debut solo show of paintings, sketches and mixed media original artworks. Reception feat Lady Liz on May 24th, 7-9 pm. Show is on display from May 24 - June 26.

Story City Troupe Friday, June 2 @ 8 pm $10

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. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll identify! Cloud 9 Improv with HATS Sunday, June 4 @ 7 pm $5

CLOUD 9 formed as an improv comedy performance team in June 2016. We perform short-form and long-form improv comedy for the pure joy of it. We hope to pass this joy and laughter around to delight and amuse our audience. Joining us this month is HATS

The members of HATS all fell in love with each other while studying at the Happier Valley Comedy Improv School. At first they were like, all shy around each other, until practicing Harolds together forced them to finally admit their true feelings. Featuring Mandy Anderson, Angie D'Amato, Sandy D'Amato, Tom Dworkin, Peggy Gruen, Dina Noto, Karin Perlman, and Sarah Wilson.

Sinan Bakir Trio "SB3O" Friday, June 9 @ 8 pm $15

Guitarist Sinan Bakir and his new Trio returns to The Buttonwood Tree to perform two sets of electrifying original music. Trio will feature new tunes, new arrangements and freely improvised pieces. Featuring: Sinan Bakir - guitar, Silvain Castellano - bass, George Mastrogiannis - drums World of Women’s Voices Saturday, June 10 @ 8 pm $12

A WORLD OF WOMEN'S VOICES is a powerful, unique, collaborative performance, featuring three artists - -SHARON GOLDMAN, BEV GRANT AND duo VILLA PALAGONIA - - who celebrate the power of women’s stories from around the world, from Italian folk tales and biblical stories to African women, New York immigrant history

(including the Triangle Fire), personal/childhood narratives and labor movement anthems. The evening offers audiences an enriching personal and community experience--not only through the stories told in our songs, which we artists knit together by illustrating how, even with our different backgrounds, we all are essentially connected, but also through encouraging the audience to sing along with us--and in some cases, dance! NEAR and Far Storytellers Sunday, June 11 @ 7-9 pm $10 This is a program of storytelling featuring an open mic opportunity for anyone in the audience during the first half with headliners for the second half. Double Bill: Stefilia’s Stone // Mary Bragg Friday, June 16 @ 8 pm $12

Stefilia’s Stone: Together, Carrie Rowan and Adrienne Fawkes create a dynamic display of original music infusing classical piano style with finger picked guitar, smothered with lyrical finesse, served up with a splash of indie, adult contemporary, and modern folk with a pinch of funk. All nestled beneath a layer of feminine harmonies that will lift you up to the heavens and remind you, angels do exist.

Mary Bragg: Nashville-based Americana artist with songs featured in Rolling Stone, Bluegrass Situation, and No Depression, which describes her music as "a magnificent collection of Americana." Uri Shaham: Farewell Tour Saturday, June 17 @ 8 pm $10 Uri Shaham is a CT-based Israeli jazz pianist, who cites Kenny Barron, Barry Harris, Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea as his main influences. Together with his trio (Jeff Guzinski on bass, Tido Holtkamp on drums) and with a guest appearance of Mark Kaplan on tenor saxophone, Uri returns to The Buttonwood Tree for a farewell gig, just before moving back to Israel after 5 years in CT. Comedy with Mark Normand June 22, 8-10pm $18. Presented by Paul Gregory Sponsored by McEwen Construction A naturally funny guy, Mark has done a Comedy Central HALF HOUR special, has appeared on TBS’s CONAN 4 times, Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Showtime’s “Live at SXSW”, INSIDE AMY SCHUMER, TruTv, Best Week Ever, MTv, Last Comic Standing, @Midnight and released an album with Comedy Central records titled “Still Got It”. This year, Mark took first place at the Great American Comedy Festival competition. In 2013, he won Caroline’s March Madness competition, beating out 63 other comedians. Mark was named one of Comedy Central’s Comics To Watch for the 2011 New York Comedy Festival. Mark was also named Esquire’s “Best New Comedians 2012”.

The Gage Brothers Friday, June 23 @ 8 pm $10

When Ohio-bred and based brothers Ben and Zach Gage sat down one Sunday afternoon in 2014 to kick around some harmonies and share their love of old folk tunes, the siblings had no idea at the time that this simple starting point would launch a speedy and successful musical path. The brothers were able to join forces with two of Cleveland’s superlatively talented locals, whom they also consider close friends and “honorary siblings”: Brendan O’Malley on mandolin, and Chris Volpe on banjo. “It has let us take our sound to the next rung on the ladder,” says Chris of the newly expanded group. “We are loving every minute of the climb.” Ben Rosenblum Trio Saturday, June 24 @ 8 pm $10

Ben Rosenblum (piano), Ben Rubens (bass), Ben Zweig (drums) Ben Rosenblum is a jazz pianist and composer based in New York City. A graduate of Columbia University and Juilliard School of Music, Ben is celebrating the release of his debut album, Instead, which features jazz greats Curtis Lundy and Billy Hart and was awarded 4/5 stars in Downbeat Magazine. Kerri Powers Friday, June 30 @ 8 pm $15

An Evening of solo acoustic, self-penned songs with New England Songwriter Kerri Powers with special guest Ed Larusso. “Powers is something of an anomaly. She’s like the music scene’s version of the protagonist in the film, “The Natural,” having spent the “prime of her career” out of the spotlight -- in her case, tending to her family -- only to return from absolutely nowhere to wow and amaze. Where Robert Redford made all the fans sit up and cheer with mammoth home runs, Kerri Powers is going to make people listening to this

album do the exact same thing with exceptional song writing and equally exceptional delivery.” -- Chip McCabe, Lonesome Noise

John Basinger - Paradise Lost Sunday, June 25 3-5 pm, Live performance of John Milton's Epic Poem of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Books to follow along are provided. Monthly Events Anything Goes Open Mic & Moments of Gratitude Every Monday 7-10 pm $5 Hosted by Paul Bozzi & Friends, Ashley Hamel, Paul Gregory or others. Sign up starts at 6:30pm, the open mic at 7:00pm and goes to about 10:00pm. During the open mic, we host Moments of Gratitude for about 15 minutes. We share our gratitude to build positive energy and encouragement! Intentional and Empowering Yoga Every Tuesday 1-2 pm Donations welcomed A fun, accessible and supportive Hatha Yoga class that brings awareness to breathe, intention to movement and an emphasis on inner wisdom and body positivity. Leave feeling connected and empowered! The Inverted Tree Yogi is rooted in the belief that both in yoga and in our daily lives we benefit by moving our roots, gaining new perspectives and nourishing that which is essential to us. Aligned with Source: Hosted by Annaita Gandhy Every Saturday 10:30 am - noon $10 suggested donation A Spiritual & Holistic Healer from India, Annaita seeks to empower, sharing her deep understanding of life, holism and spirituality, enabling you to rise above life’s challenges, live a healthy, fulfilled & confident life. Be the change you wish to see. Topics: June 3 - Affirming Your Intent June 10 - Free Will & Spirit's Choice June 17 - Open Questions June 24 - Channeling Higher Frequencies

Bob Gotta's Acoustic Open Mic Thursday, June 1 7-9 pm $5 Every First Thursday, Bob Gotta hosts acoustic Open Mic. This is the longest, continually running Open Mic in the state! Sign-up starts at 6:30. Bring your own instrument or play our piano or congas. Come play and be heard! Gallery Walk Thursday, June 1 First Thursdays thru October, 5-8 pm Free refreshments and map provided Self-guided walking tour of art venues and Eateries in Middletown Laughter Yoga 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, June 6 & 20, 6-7 pm Love Donations welcome Laughter Yoga is a class that teaches you to practice laughing so that when life gets difficult, you can laugh and change your state of mind. It involves child-like play with meditation and breathing exercises and laughing (no yoga mats needed). Some benefits of laughter yoga include: reduces stress instantly, strengthens immune system, keeps you in a good mood and cheerful throughout the day, oxygenates your brain and makes you feel more energetic, keeps positive mental attitude in difficult times, burns calories and even increases memory. Laughter yoga is hosted by Mylene Poitras on first Tuesdays and Felix Hart on third Tuesdays. Step Into the Vortex Tuesday, June 13 7:30-9:00 pm $5. Suggested donation NEW PROGRAM - held on second Tuesdays Anne-Marie & Mike McEwen offer leading edge information about the Law of Attraction, according to Abraham (Abraham-Hicks.com). Videos, Q & A, meditation and audience participation. Learn how to make the most of your life through deliberate intention and positive focus. Tai chi, Louise Hay & Dan Millman's The Life Your Were Born to Live may also be discussed. SHAKING the TREE Gong Meditation Held at MAC 650 650 Main Street, Middletown (across Main St from Buttonwood) Thursday, June 15 @ 7-9 pm $15 suggested donation (Third Thursdays) Andrew Prue creates a soothing atmosphere to relax and or heal the mind, body and soul. Prue uses many different sound tools and percussion affects including but not limited to; Gongs, bells, ocarinas, drums, horns, Shakers, Singing bowls and many other meditation items to create a soundship for you to take off in and travel to and from meditation land for two hours of total relaxation. So tell a friend, bring the family, bring a mat to lay down on or your zero gravity chair if you have one, a blanket and pillow if you wish, and as always please bring Good Intentions.

Crystal Bowl Sound Healing Tuesday, June 20 @ 7:30 - 8:15 pm Love Donations welcome Third Tuesdays. Hosted by Lou Sorrentino, sound healing combines psychological therapies with music to heal the body. With instruments such as Crystal Bowls crafted for perfect resonance, Lou restores energy flows to their proper states and bring peace to our bodies.

Middlesex Drum Circle Thursday, June 22 @ 7 pm HELD AT MAC 650 Art Gallery - 650 Main Street, Middletown $5 suggested donation Held on fourth Thursdays, led by Andrew Prue. A group of people that enjoy a good drum rhythm, especially when put into a circle. No reservations are necessary, extra percussion instruments will be available, though you are encouraged to bring your own.