Sweet Plantain brings its new Latin-Caribbean sound to the lower Hudson Valley as part of the Common Ground Coffeehouse series, Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 pm. A string quartet specializing in genre-blurring works by Latin American composers as well as original compositions and arrangements, Sweet Plantain has a unique and dynamic style that defies traditional definitions of classical string music by fusing Latin, classical, jazz, and improvisational forms.

This diverse quartet has performed with such notables as Marc Anthony, Mariah Carey, John Fadis, Tito Puente, David Sanborn, Little Jimmy Scott, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, as well as with the major symphony orchestras and Broadway productions.

Recent highlights include musical projects and collaborations with some of the world's leading artists. including renowned composer Ryuichi Sakamoto and choreographer, Bill T. Jones . The quartet also collaborated with Afro beat vanguards, Antibalas, to present a workshop for a Broadway musical about the life and music of the legendary African musician and activist Fela Kuti.

Sweet Plantain is committed to music education, and in particular, the musical education of New York's urban youth , as reflected in their string program at the St. Ignatius School located in the Hunts Point area of the South Bronx, one of the most underserved neighborhoods nationwide. They have designed the curricula to empower the students through musical forms representative of their community's cultural heritage, while at the same time exposing them to classic western forms. For more information about Sweet Plaintain, visit the artist website at: www.sweetplantain.com. For more information about this event, visit the Common Ground website at: http://commongroundfusw.com/ . Tickets for this concert are: Adults, $20; Students (Age 12+), $15; Kids under 12, free.

Playhouse on the Green presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show by Richard O'Brien

Oct. 24 - Nov. 9

Classic kitschy sci-fi and a rock n' roll musical phenomenon.

Friday Oct. 24 at 8 p.m., Saturday Oct. 25 at 8 p.m., Saturday Oct. 25 at midnight, Thursday Oct. 30

at 8 p.m., Friday Oct. 31 at 8 p.m., Friday Oct. 31 at midnight, Saturday Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., Friday Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.,

Saturday Nov. 7 at midnight, Saturday Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.

Tickets $32.

Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St., Bridgeport. Free parking available.
Box office: 866-811-4111 or purchase online: www.playhouseonthegreen.org.

PUMPKIN PATCH at The Shore Line Trolley Museum. October 18, 19, 25, 26, 11 AM to 4 PM.

Take the trolley and children select a little pumpkin to decorate. Toy train layouts, refreshments, and more!

Adults: $8, Seniors: $6, Children $5  203-467-6927,  17 River Street, East Haven, CT.

Thirty-six artists from fifteen different countries were selected to participate in this next outstanding biennial art exhibit Latin Views 2008, which opens on September 19, at 6:00 pm at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point Campus, located in the Branford House Mansion.   The Latin Views 2008 will be an extraordinary international celebration of art that will be sure to excite and entertain any art lover.  The exhibit will cover narrative, fantasy, myths, prophesies, spectacle, and the ambiguous territory between the real and unreal.  This exhibit is an invitation to the viewer to enter, explore, and immerse himself in the imaginary world of contemporary Latin artists, which is filled with emotions and imagery. The exhibition will occupy the entire gallery creating the ideal atmosphere to showcase these impressive works of art.   The Latins Views 2008 was curated by the directors and advisors of the LNVA jointly with The Griffis Art Center Board of Trustees and overseen by Julia Pavone, Director of The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art.  The artistic director of Latin Views 2008 is Sharon Griffis, who is also the Director of Griffis Art Center of New London CT and has extensive experience organizing exhibitions throughout Connecticut. Highlighted among the special events of this exhibition is a Panel Discussion organized by the LNVA that will be presented in association with The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at the Marine Science Building, University of Connecticut at Avery Point on the following day of the opening reception, September 20, 2008 at 1:30 pm. Since its inception in 2003, the Latin Views exhibits have greatly evolved and have become the leading medium offering international contemporary art to southeastern Connecticut.  The exhibit will run from September 19th to November 2nd, 2008.  The opening reception will be on Friday September 19th, from 6.00 to 8.00 pm and the panel discussion will be on September 20th at 1:30 pm.

A spooky lantern-lit tour of West Hartford's North Cemetery. Meet past residents of West Hartford- like the milkman who froze to death and the man who was decapitated by a train...

Greenwich Workshop Gallery is proud to announce a very special event with superstar artist James C. Christensen, and his two critically acclaimed artist daughters, Cassandra Barney and Emily McPhie. The evening commences with an artists’ talk presented by Christensen, Barney and McPhie titled “The Tree of Life and Other Good Fruit” at 5:00 pm at the Fairfield Community Theatre, 1424 Post Road. From 6:00-8:00 pm, immediately following the talk, the evening continues with the opening of “Tree of Life,” an exhibition featuring 30 new original works by the artists, at Greenwich Workshop Gallery, 1657 Post Road, Fairfield, CT. The event also marks the debut of Christensen’s stunning new book MEN AND ANGELS: THE ART OF JAMES C. CHRISTENSEN (Greenwich Workshop Press, Oct. 2008), the largest compilation of the artist’s works ever published, and the first collection of Christensen’s artwork to be released in over 15 years. Christensen will be signing copies of his new book at the gallery following the Community Theatre talk.

Best known for his whimsical paintings laced with universal themes, spiritual icons and delightful metaphors, James C. Christensen is one of the most widely recognized living artists in the U.S. today, with works collected and published world wide. James C. Christensen brings his world of imagination and creativity alive in his inspirational public talks.

Cassandra Barney’s artwork stands in a genre all its own, and has garnered wide critical and popular recognition. In the last 10 years she has been featured in over 100 exhibitions, in galleries and museums in North America.

Emily McPhie is one of the hottest emerging artists in America today. Garnering the attention of collectors and the media, the September 2008 issue “Southwest Art” profiled her as an up and comer in their annual 21 Under 31 feature.

Common elements connecting the art of Christensen and his two daughters appear to be rooted in their faith, their appreciation for life experience, and their penchant for self-expression. The term, “Tree of Life,” is found in multiple cultures and religions symbolizing interconnectedness, immortality, blessings and fertility, and holds particular meaning for this family of accomplished artists.

The events are free and open to the public. More information is available. Please call (203) 255-4613 or visit greenwichworkshopgallery.com

Join us on October 25, 2008 for our delicious bean hole baked beans and ham supper with homemade potato salad, cole slaw, and desserts, as well as rolls and beverages, at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church at 93 River Road (Rt. 181) in Pleasant Valley.  Seatings at 5, 6, and 7 pm.  Adults $10, Children 6-12 $5.  Reservations required.  Call 860-379-7764. 

TAG SALE

Lourdes in Litchfield is sponsoring a Tag Sale from

Thursday, October 23 - Sunday, October 26.

Thurs - Sat: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Sun: 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Great variety of items to be sold –

Household goods, books, games, toys,

clothing, glassware, clothing and much more.

For additional information: (860) 567-1041; lourdesshrinect@gmail.com

www.shrinect.org

We are located 50 Montfort Rd., Litchfield,

off Rte 118, ¼ mi east of Litchfield Green

Jonatha Brooke has been one of the leading singer-songwriters in the folk rock field since she first began recording. Billboard Magazine called Jonatha Brooke "one of the most gifted and unique artists of the decade." The San Francisco Chronicle said "Brooke has one of the most distinctive voices in the crowd of singer-songwriters, both as a writer and a vocalist."

And Rolling Stone Magazine said, "Brooke's fireplace folk may be just what battered heads and lonely hearts need." Who better to co-write an album of songs with than the quintessential father of all American singer-songwriters, Woody Guthrie. When Woody Guthrie died of Huntington's disease in 1967 he left behind a trove of unpublished lyrics, ramblings, notes and letters that his daughter Nora has organized into the "Guthrie Archives." Through a fortuitous meeting, Jonatha was invited in to peruse the "archives" by Nora, and the result is now a wonderful album of new songs with never before heard words by Woody Guthrie, and music by Jonatha Brooke. The album is produced by Bob Clearmountain and Jonatha, and includes Steve Gadd on drums, Christian McBride on bass, Joe Sample on Wurlitzer, fender Rhodes and Hammond B3, along with a couple of other special guests. "Every singer-songwriter since the dust bowl years has been influenced in one way or another by Woody, so it was a thrill to able to sift through so many of his writings, notes, letters, and drawings that no one else has seen," says Brooke. "But what was perhaps the most thrilling was realizing that I was truly being drawn in to his psyche, particularly during that period of time where Huntington's Disease was altering his life. I think I discovered a side of his writing that few have seen. I hope that these songs and new context to his work will resonate with a new audience." This will be Brooke's fourth solo studio release on her own label, Bad Dog Records. The album is scheduled for an August 2008 release. Jonatha first began writing and recording as part of the folk pop duo, The Story, originally signed to Elektra Records. She went solo in the late 90's and has been on her own both as a solo artist and independent label artist since then. Jonatha will be touring extensively in support of her new album titled The Works. Her solo appearances will showcase the best of the new Woody Guthrie "works," along with other songs from her extensive catalogue.

Westport Arts Center presents:

Optomism

Sept. 26 - Nov. 30

An exhibition examining the role of art as a form of political activism. Open to the public.

Gallery Talkback: Wed, Nov. 12, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

WAC Main Gallery

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.

Stamford Theatre Works presents Defiance by John Patrick Shanley

Directed by Patricia R. Floyd

Jan. 28 - Feb. 15

Set in 1971 in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, two U.S. Marine officers, one black and one white, are on a collision course over power, responsibility, and an affair with an enlisted man's wife. Performances on Tuesdays though Saturdays at 8 p.m.; matinees Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.; first Sunday and first Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tickets $25 to $43.

Stamford Theatre Works, 200 Strawberry Hill Ave. (campus of Sacred Heart Academy), Stamford.
www.stamfordtheatreworks.org / Box office: 203-359-4414

October 7 - 25 and October 30 - November 1

Westport Country Playhouse stages "Of Mice and Men," a classic drama by John Steinbeck. Tony Award-winning designer Michael Yeargen will be scenic designer, with the legendary Jane Greenwood as costume designer. $30 - $65. For more information and tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or for out-of-town callers toll-free at 888-927-7529, or visit the box office at 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, in Westport, CT. Information about the Playhouse is also available at www.westportplayhouse.org.