| Thursday, January 4 at 5:30 p.m. |
Opening Reception: For Your Eyes Only |
Riveting political art by John Murphy. Wine and hors d’oeuvres served. Free. Exhibit runs through February 23. |
| Saturday, January 13 at 8:00 p.m. |
Mozart and the Whale |
This movie, starring Josh Hartnett, is based on the real-life love story between two savants with Asperger’s Syndrome, a kind of autism, whose disabilities sabotage their budding relationship. Proceeds will benefit The Autism Society of Connecticut. Author Jerry Newport, the inspiration for Josh Hartnett’s character, will attend the screening, sign books and discuss the film. Free and open to the public. |
| Tuesday, January 16 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
Vagina Monologues Casting Call |
This is an open call to women who want to be part of this powerful community production, directed by Julia B. Rosenblatt of HartBeat Ensemble. |
| Thursday, February 1 at 5:30 p.m. |
Opening Reception: Portraits |
Celebrity portraiture like you’ve never seen before. Sam McKinniss blends realism, expressionistic brushwork and latent queer humor to create stylized and compelling images. Wine and hors d’oeuvres served. Free. Exhibit runs through April 27. |
| Saturday, February 3 at 8:00 p.m. |
51 Birch Street |
51 Birch Street is the critically-acclaimed, first-person account of filmmaker Doug Block’s unpredictable journey through a whirlwind of dramatic life-changing events: the death of his mother, the uncovering of decades of family secrets, and the ensuing reconciliation with his father. This absorbing documentary spans 60 years and 3 generations, and weaves together hundreds of faded snapshots, 8mm home movies and two decades of verité footage. The result is a timeless tale of what can happen when our most fundamental assumptions about family are suddenly called into question. $10, $5 seniors, Charter Oak & Let*s Go! Members and students. |
| Saturday, February, 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Registration is at 10:30 |
Kami Liddle Bellydance Workshop |
Charter Oak Cultural Center & Bellydance Superstars
present a Kami Liddle Bellydance Workshop focusing on layering tribal fusion movements with control and precision.
This class will begin with posture and technique drills, focusing on executing movements correctly and gaining muscle memory which is crucial in layering. We will continue by layering these movements on top of each other and eventually working towards layering 3 movements at a time. These moves will then be put into combinations and a short choreography will be introduced. All levels are welcome, beginning and advanced variations will be offered.
$60 in Advance, $70 at the door.
To register for this workshop, please contact:
Laura Rozza
laura.rozza@charteroakcenter.org
860.249.1207 |
| Friday, February 9 & Saturday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. |
Out of Reach: Full Force Dance Theatre |
An evening of new and favorite works by artistic director, Katie Stevinson-Nollet. Including: Murder in the Red Barn, Duet excerpt from Time, Excerpts from We are not A Muse with guest choreography by Adam Miller, Two world premiers and more. Full Force Dance Theatre $20, $10 seniors, Charter Oak & Let*s Go! Members, $5 students.
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| Sunday, February 11 at 3:00 p.m. |
Tanat L’Vat Yiftach: A Ritual Commemorating Jephthah’s Daughter |
This moving ritual honors the memory of Jephthah’s daughter, a nameless woman who, according to the Bible, was sacrificed by her warrior father to fulfill a vow he made to God. Led by its creators, including Rabbi Donna Berman, this is a unique opportunity to be nourished, body, mind and spirit. Suggested donation, $5. |
| Thursday, February 15, Friday, February 16 & Saturday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. |
The Vagina Monologues |
A Valentine’s Day tradition. Directed by Julia B. Rosenblatt of HartBeat Ensemble. Ticket sales to benefit Interval House and My Sister’s Place. $15, $10 seniors, Charter Oak & Let*s Go! Members, $5 students. |
March 1 – March 31 |
Food Stamp Project |
Charter Oak, along with Center City Churches, is about to launch a very important program called “The Food Stamp Project.” The Food Stamp Project is designed to raise consciousness about the reality of hunger in Hartford. Our goal is to make sure that Center City Churches’ MANNA program has enough food and supplies to meet the needs of the growing number of hungry people they serve. Right now this food pantry, one of Hartford’s largest, runs out of food each month and has to turn people away.
Here’s what The Food Stamp Project entails: Participants will agree to live on a food budget of approximately four dollars per day, the maximum allotment provided on food stamps. They will have the option of living within these constraints for either one week or for an entire month. The program will take place in March, the month leading up to Passover and Easter, the month during which Lent will be observed, the month when the Jewish and Christian communities are thinking about liberation, new life and the commitment to the oppressed which is required of us.
WFSB (Channel 3) has signed on to cover the story. In addition, families and individuals who agree, will be filmed and included in a documentary about their experience. There will be a public screening of the film at Charter Oak. We are looking for donors to underwite the making of the documentary. For further information, please call 860.249.1207.
If you are interested in participating, applications will be available Friday, January 5 on our website (www.charteroakcenter.org) and at Charter Oak. The deadline for applying is January 31. Interviews with prospective participants will be conducted during the first two weeks of February and the names of those who are chosen to be a part of the Food Stamp Project will be announced mid-February.
We hope you will consider being a part of The Food Stamp Project and of the effort to alleviate hunger in Hartford. Together, we can do this. |
| Thursday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m. |
Opening Reception: Paintings and Travel Sketches by Sandy Parisky |
Working in pastel, gouache, watercolor and acrylic mediums, Sandy Parisky’s work includes architecture, landscapes and still-life compositions, many of which were painted while traveling in Italy, England, New Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Yucatan Peninsula. Wine and hors d’oeuvres served. Free. Exhibit runs through April 27. |
| Friday, March 2 at 8 p.m. |
Rock Yer Socks presents… |
A night of indie music with Purple Rhinestone Eagle (Philly), Pistol Resistance (Newington), Insect (NYC), Cargo Cult Revival (West Hartford) and Unenlightened Savages of America (West Hartford). Doors open at 7:30. $6, $5 with a can of food for donation to Hartford Food Not Bombs. |
Sunday, March 4
Doors open 2:30pm, Slam starts 3pm |
CT National Youth Poetry Slam Team Tryout |
CT National Youth Poetry Slam Team Tryout # 3 (last chance to try out for the team)
For more information log onto www.upwordspoetry.com
Questions to upwordspoetry@earthlink.net (Type ‘Youth Slam’ in the Subject Line) |
| Friday, March 9 at 8:00 p.m. |
Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom |
Originally produced in London and Off-Broadway in New York, both to much acclaim, Guantanamo is based on interviews with the families of men detained in Guantanamo Bay. This compelling drama puts a human face on the world’s headlines and asks the question: To what extent are we willing to sacrifice basic human rights for the sake of “national security”? This staged reading is directed by Anne-Lynn Kettles. $15, $10 seniors, Charter Oak & Let*s Go! Members, $5 students. |
| Saturday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. |
The Ted Hershey Dance & Music Marathon |
Ted Hershey’s vision was to make the arts a vital part of the life of his city. Workshops at various venues will continue during the week and culminate with three hours of extraordinary dance performed by over 20 different companies and ensembles. The Marathon is offered as a gift to his memory and to the community he nurtured. $20, $10 seniors, Charter Oak & Let*s Go! Members, $5 students. |
| Thursday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. |
Feminist Seder |
Enjoy an intimate evening with Rabbi Donna Berman exploring, through the lens of the Haggadah, what liberation means for women in 2007. $36, full dinner included. Space is limited. Call 860.249.1207 to RSVP by March 7th. |
| Thursday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. |
Mary Daly |
CANCELLED |
| March 23 and 24, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. |
Defense of a Lady - Defensa de Dama |
Defense of a Lady - Defensa de Dama – by Isabel Carmona and Joaquín Hinojosa, tells the story of a young women name Maria, who awaits the return her violent husband, Ulises, who has just been released from prison. She knows it will be an arrival full of revenge. The victim remembers her past inferno and is frightened by the prospect of the one still to come. Now, she must also deal with her sick and senile father. She is a woman trapped between two men who live a spiral of violence, disbelief and dependency. The play powerfully exposes the cruelties that millions of women in the world live and suffer because of domestic violence. All three of the actors have received Hispanic theatre’s highest award, the H.O.L.A. (the equivalent to the Tony Award) for best actor and best supporting actors, in both 2005 and 2006. In 2006 the director, Gabriel Gorces, won the H.O.L.A. for best director. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 seniors, Charter Oak & Let*s Go! Members, and $5 for students |
| Wednesday, March 28, 5:00–7:00 p.m. |
Paintings & Travel Sketches by Sandy Parisky
Wine & Cheese Reception: |
Working in pastel, gouache, watercolor and acrylic mediums, Sandy Parisky’s work includes architecture, landscapes and still-life compositions, many of which were painted while traveling in Italy, England, New Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Yucatan Peninsula. Wine and hors d’oeuvres served. Free. Exhibit runs through April 27. |
| Friday, March 30 & Saturday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. |
Present Company Included: Hartford’s Scapegoat Garden Celebrates 5 Years of Innovative Dance Theatre |
New and updated selections with a reprise of the company’s most accomplished work to date, Studies in Empathy. Compelling live performance accompanied by Scapegoat Garden’s imaginative video work, the photography of Connecticut-native Jennifer Cormier, a reception in the gallery and much more. $20, $10 seniors, Charter Oak & Let*s Go! Members, $5 students. |
Friday, April 13 at 8 p.m. |
Rock Yer Socks presents… |
A night of indie music with bands TBA. Doors open at 7:30. $6, $5 with a can of food for donation to Hartford Food Not Bombs. |
| Saturday, April 14 |
East Meets West: An Abstract Hip Hop/Tribal Fusion Summit |
CANCELLED |
| Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. |
What To Do Until Enlightenment: Healing Ourselves: Healing the Earth |
Stuart Alpert, co-creator of Body Centered Gestalt Therapy and co-founder of Hartford Family Instititute, lectures on how the understanding of inner experience can become a road-map for healing ourselves and the earth. In addition to talking about his book, Stuart will lead participants on an inner healing journey. |
| Thursday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m. |
La Piel de la Tierra/The Skin of the Earth
Opening Reception: Carlos Hernandez Chavez |
Created in the last three years, the paintings and photographic works honor the richness and beauty of Puerto Rico’s rain forest. For this work, the artist set up a remote studio deep in the mountain town of Guavate, taking a radical departure from his academic training, using the forest’s native vegetation as his medium, with a bold, primal-like approach, with his trademark palette of intense color.
La Piel de la Tierra/The Skin of the Earth shows how layers of meaning are embedded in an environment that both, supports our daily life events and activities, and protects us from knowing its true function. In this exhibition, Hernandez Chavez looks to the essential, unheralded beauty of our environment and to the personal landscapes of our bodies to show what is in plain sight, yet hidden within the fold of everyday activities.
Using traditional photographic techniques, the artist’s aesthetic explores the ages-old relationship between people and their environment.
Over the last twenty years, the artist has fashioned the human skin as his canvas, painting it with multicolored layers of light resulting in both, straight forward and intriguing, innovative images.
Largely known as a muralist and musician, the artist and his work have been featured in international exhibits and his murals and paintings are on permanent exhibitions and collections in his native Mexico, Greece, England, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.Wine and hors d’oeuvres served. Free. Exhibit runs through June 29. |
| Thursday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m. |
American Graffiti
Other Events TBA |
Exciting work of local graffiti artists, exploring the political and social climate through stencil art. Wine and hors d’oeuvres served. Free. Exhibit runs through July 27.
"How many corporate logos, advertisements, or labeled products do you come across in a day? What about those found on our clothing, on food, or even products that may come up in casual conversation? What are the messages these images send? What do they tell you to do, think, or feel? Corporations inundate and saturate our surroundings and psyches with the vandalism of their logos, images, and products."
"We seek to counter these commercial stains that taint our local landscape with “graffiti” that is thought provoking and challenging. Instead of the passerby viewing and internalizing a message presented by the corporate sponsors of our lives, perhaps when an observer views our art, they will take a moment to contemplate what it means to live in a world clouded by a dense fog of marketing images."
"Awareness can be a vehicle for change." - HUMAN street artists |
| Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. |
Gathering of the Tribal Moon |
Drummers, Dancers, Musicians and Others will gather every full moon to participate in a truly tribal experience. We will start with basic Middle-Eastern rhythms to get the dancers moving and see where we go from there. Please bring instruments, the desire to dance or the enthusiasm to share in a tribal experience. Extra drums and other percussion will be available as well. Free! Gathering of the Tribal Moon |
| Thursday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. |
VENUE CHANGE!
The Charter Oak Cultural Center’s 6th Annual Gala at the Hartford Marriott Downtown |
This will be a festive, elegant evening of fine food, fine wine and beautiful performance.
Anika Noni Rose, Star of DREAMGIRLS, will perform at the Charter Oak Cultural Center’s Sixth Annual Gala on May 10, 2007 generously hosted, once again, by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Cocktails, dinner, performance, dancing, unique live and silent auctions, as well as a stellar performance by Anika Noni Rose, will make this evening like no other. The event will take place at the Hartford Marriott Downtown.
Anika Noni Rose is a Bloomfield native and returns home to honor us with song, accompanied by the Savage Brothers Band.
Three outstanding community leaders will be receiving Charter Oak Cultural Center’s 2007 Vision Award at this year’s Gala. Henry M. Zachs, who will receive our Vision Award in Jewish Heritage for his extraordinary generosity and commitment to Jewish life in Greater Hartford. Sistah Nandi (Christine Dixon-Smith) of Sankofa Kuumba Cultural Arts Consortium, who will receive our Vision Award in Arts and Education for her commitment to bringing an appreciation of African history and culture to Greater Hartford youth. Luis C. Caban, who will receive our Vision Award in Social Justice for his dedicated leadership of Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA), working to improve the quality of life for the residents of the south side neighborhoods of Hartford
Black tie optional. Having fun isn’t. Tickets, $150. Call 860.249.1207 for reservations. |
Friday, May 11 at 8 p.m. |
Rock Yer Socks presents… |
A night of indie music with bands TBA. Doors open at 7:30. $6, $5 with a can of food for donation to Hartford Food Not Bombs. |
| Thursday, May 17, Friday, May 18 & Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. |
Spectrum in Motion Dance Theatre Ensemble: Dahil Sa Yo |
Share movement and music drawn from the world’s cultures with a contemporary interpretation by Charter Oak’s resident dance company. Dahil Sa Yo (“Because of You”) is a famous Filipino pop song, an expression of love and a welcoming of spring. spectruminmotion $20, $10 seniors, Charter Oak & Let*s Go! Members, $5 students. |
| Monday, May 28 at 8 p.m. |
jamie strange
gypsy jam |
After roaming the globe in true techno-gypsy fashion, jamie strange have come back home to film a set of their greatest hits in front of an appreciative audience. Angela Luna Grano (angelaluna.com), Chris Phillips, Johnny Steiber and James Petrus come together again to breathe life into the dynamic, award-winning, original band jamie strange followed by an electric gypsy tribal jam!
Refreshments will be provided. FREE! |
| Sunday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. |
Gathering of the Tribal Moon |
Drummers, Dancers, Musicians and Others will gather every full moon to participate in a truly tribal experience. We will start with basic Middle-Eastern rhythms to get the dancers moving and see where we go from there. Please bring instruments, the desire to dance or the enthusiasm to share in a tribal experience. Extra drums and other percussion will be available as well. Free! Gathering of the Tribal Moon |
| Thursday, May 31 & Friday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. |
Spectrum in Motion’s Student Performance: The Giving Tree |
An original contemporary children’s ballet inspired by The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. $5 suggested donation. |
| Thursday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m. |
Gallery Talk |
Gallery Talk with Carlos Hernandez Chavez - Discussion to follow with music and appetizers. Free |
Friday, June 8 at 8 p.m. |
Rock Yer Socks presents… |
Alps of New South Wales (Indie, diy electronic from Australia) has toured with XuiXui and Wolf Eyes, and now he's playing for you! John C. DeWitt (solo, indie rock from New Jersey). The new and improved Suicide Dolls from New London. Panda and Child of Manchester. And back again from PA, Endless Mike and the Beagle Club. These guys are starting to show up regularly in CT, and believe me- you don't want to miss them. This is going to be a killer show! Doors open at 7:30. $6, $5 with a can of food for donation to Hartford Food Not Bombs. |
| Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16 |
Dance Performance |
Tony Olivares—Dance performance Friday, June 15 and Saturday, June 16. More information coming soon. |
| Saturday, June 23 |
Nomadic Summer Spirit |
Charter Oak Cultural Center and
Gathering of the Tribal Moon present
Nomadic Summer Spirit in Hartford
June 23, 2007, 3 to 11 p.m.
Featuring an evening performance by Djinn, Brooklyn's own "East Coast Tribal" style music ranging from traditional Middle Eastern to an experimental blending of traditional instruments with electronics and beat boxing. Check them out at www.djinnnyc.com/
The evening also includes exotic world music performances with dancing and concludes with a tribal fusion music and dance djam guided by Djinn.
3:00 - 4:15 PURE (Public Urban Ritual Experiment) musician workshop
3:00 - 4:15 Jellyfish! squishy tribal dance workshop with Katie Bertsche
4:30 - 6:00 Intermediate dumbek workshop with Carmine Guida -- Embellishments, fills & soloing
4:30 - 6:00 PURE dancing workshop
6:30 - 7:00 Combined PURE dancers and drummers run-through
7:30 various dance/music performances featuring Nada Dum Ka, Sugati, Katie Bertsche, Milange Gitan, Joy Herbst and PURE
8:30 DJINN
10:00 The Djam That Came From the Deep! a tibal jam of deep sea magnitude - scuba-guided by DJINN
In efforts to help out fellow community members Alyssum and Jassamyn recover for their losses for ther tragic house fire (http://people.tribe.net/alyssum/blog), we are encouraging people to make donations to help them get back on their (dancing) feet. Donations can be made at Nomadic Summer Spirit or directly at alyssumclimbs@hotmail.com. There are also established wish lists at http://mygiftlist.com/giver_main.asp?frommgl=true&code=GUEST&buid=62210 and
http://mygiftlist.com/giver_main.asp?frommgl=true&code=GUEST&buid=62211
The evening performances are $15 general, $10 for workshop attendees, seniors, Charter Oak & Let*s Go Members, $5 for students.
Drum and Dance workshops are $15 - $25, sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds.
For tickets, directions, workshop registration and more information, contact:
Charter Oak Cultural Center
21 Charter Oak Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
860.249.1207
www.charteroakcenter.org
For updates and an open exchange of ideas for all facets of this event, check out our tribe on Tribe.net. http://tribes.tribe.net/nomadicsummerspirit
or updates on the various drum circles and tribal experience of Southern New England http://snedrumcircles.tribe.net
and http://NEtribaldance.tribe.net
Gathering of the Tribal Moon, a monthly tribal music and dance jam at Charter Oak Cultural Center, http://tribes.tribe.net/gatheringofthetribalmooninhartford
and information on PURE, the Public Urban Ritual Experiment visit http://www.puredance.org
as well as information about Milange Gitan here http://conntribal.tribe.net |
Friday, July 13 at 8 p.m. |
Rock Yer Socks presents… |
A night of indie music with ...Black Powder Fuzzbox and more bands TBA. Doors open at 7:30. $6, $5 with a can of food for donation to Hartford Food Not Bombs. |
