Bluesman and blues/rock journeyman, guitarist and songwriter, Tom The Suit Forst is part of the Buttonwood Trees 30th anniversary celebration this weekend.

Bluesman and blues/rock journeyman, guitarist and songwriter, Tom The Suit Forst is part of the Buttonwood Trees 30th anniversary celebration this weekend.

Photo: Contributed Photo /

Bluesman and blues/rock journeyman, guitarist and songwriter, Tom The Suit Forst is part of the Buttonwood Trees 30th anniversary celebration this weekend.

Bluesman and blues/rock journeyman, guitarist and songwriter, Tom The Suit Forst is part of the Buttonwood Trees 30th anniversary celebration this weekend.

Buttonwood Tree celebrates 30th anniversary all weekend

MIDDLETOWN The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, an intimate listening room and hub of community arts and personal development offerings, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a first-ever 30-hour performance marathon and gala event, Oct. 18-19 in Middletown.

The event kicks off Friday at 4 p.m. with a free Community Harvest Party that will span indoor and outdoor locations on the block, and feature family-friendly activities, entertainment and a variety of fall-inspired snacks, treats, and drinks, in collaboration with local food and beverage partners.

Music and activities will take place inside the community room at the Community Health Center until 10 p.m., including a performance by three former State Troubadour: Kristen Graves, Lara Herscovitch and Kate Callahan; poet Kate Rushin and other performers.

The marathon moves to the Buttonwood Tree at 605 Main St., with a mix of samples of what the club offers, and a glance back at some of the interesting stories of the past. Highlights include a Story Share with Stephan Allison, Paul Howard, Joe Fonda, Laszlo Gardony, a family-focused interactive world music concert by the NY-based group, Heard and Kitty Kathryn. youth poetry led Elizabeth Thomas, a drum-based meditative session led by Craig Norton, piano by Greg Gaylord, Caroyn Halsted, Neely Bruce and Laszlo Gardony, Nortt End Memories by Brian ORourke and others.

The Buttonwood Tree, named after the Sycamore, will conclude the 30-hour festivities Saturday night from 5-10 p.m. at the CHC, with a A Syc Party Gala, including a rooftop performance by Badslax, a local funky jazz band. The gala will honor the performance venues roots with craft cocktails, custom food, dancing and a tribute to 30 years of providing world class performance events to the Central Connecticut region. Music and dancing to the World music band, Heard and DJ Manny with Face the Musiq.

American bluesman and blues/rock journeyman, guitarist and songwriter, Tom The Suit Forst, one of the most riveting and electrifying performers on the modern blues scene will emcee the evening and perform.

The Buttonwood Tree's Mission is to support the creative endeavors of emerging artists, nurture personal development, connect, educate, enrich lives and uplift people of all ages through the Arts.

Tickets to the gala and all-inclusive tickets also include a year's membership which gives members discounts to select shows at TBT and at restaurants and businesses in town as well as a reciprocal basic membership to the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford. Tickets may be purchased online at buttonwood.org. Call 860-347-4957 for more information.

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Buttonwood Tree celebrates 30th anniversary all weekend - Middletown Press