Around the world in 45 minutes! Courtesy of Dennis Waring.

At the end of our session last Saturday, Rakesh asked me “how long do you think it took to travel around the world and get all those instruments? Do you think he did it in 80 days?” Our workshop leader Dennis brought instruments from Africa, Cuba, and folk USA - I’m pretty sure it’s taken him his whole lifetime to collect them and learn about them! On Saturday, we were lucky enough to have him share his knowledge, his instruments, and his enthusiasm with us.

Dennis Waring – demonstrating!

We sang, we danced, and we got to try a whole lot of cool percussion. Best of all, we got to see how music from different countries can be closely connected – even when those places are oceans apart.

Latin band – check out the maracas and the claves!

Our next event is February 26^th 10:30-1:00 at the Green Street Arts Center. The workshop will be on Song-dances from Folk USA! Come learn some fun group dances that have been around FOREVER in our very own U.S.ofA. Bring your singing voices and your stomping feet… and a little something for the potluck lunch.

For more info on CMI in general, please take a look at our page on the NEAT website: www.neatmiddletown.org/community%20music.htm

NEAT/WESLEYAN WINTER MARKET

The Farmers Market is back! Come out next Wednesday, February 16, 2011 from 11:00 am to 2:00pm at Fayerweather 202 (Beckham Hall) at Wesleyan University. The market is indoors but just as vibrant. Come browse and check out the fresh, nutritious, and affordable local produce. The farmers market will be accepting WIC, SNAP, Senior and FMNP checks. For more information, please visit the Wes Farmer's Market site, call (856)630-7000 or email wesleyanfarmersmarket@gmail.com or sroodojalvo@wesleyan.edu.

February NEAT Meeting

FEBRUARY NEAT MEETING TOMORROW

Join us for NEAT's February meeting, tomorrow, February 9, 2011 at the Green Street Arts Center at 7p.m. This is a very important meeting and your input is needed. Board Elections will be held at this meeting and NEAT's direction and initiatives for the year will be planned and discussed.

Child care is provided - Pizza will be served to the kids and adults

We will have announcements about upcoming programs and update residents about the safety of Main Street buildings.

We look forward to seeing you there.

CMI starts off 2011 with a some joyful noise!

On January 29^th 2011, the sounds of pirate voices, stomping, clapping, and rowdy singing echoed through the halls of Green Street. What could it be? Well, the Community Music Initiative of course!

CMI is back, with participatory music events every other Saturday through May. Our first event this year was a great success, with many new participants and a core of experienced community members, performing, volunteering, and making music. There was a special appearance by two of the Fiddle Kids, several energetic music games, a delicious potluck, and a joyful singing session focusing on call and answer songs, from gospel to kids’ songs to sea shanties (which is when the pirate voices happened).

Some photos of the awesome Fiddle Kids from Buru Style’s holiday concert in December. Aidan and Dermot (left) performed on January 29^th and Ani, Alana, Ivan, and Nora (right) will be performing at a CMI event in the next month – stay tuned!

The next event! Please join us this Saturday (February 12^th) for an exciting workshop by Dennis Waring, part-time Middletown resident and much respected musician and teacher. Dennis will be sharing his beautiful instruments with us and teaching about music from Africa, Latin America, and Folk USA.

All CMI Saturday events run from 10:30am-1pm at the Green Street Arts Center. Bring yourselves, your friends, and a little something for lunch.

Please contact NEAT anytime (860 346 4845) or email program coordinator Emily (emily@neatmiddletown.com). We’d love to hear from you.

MIDDLETOWN PARKING BAN

In anticipation of the snowstorm, Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano is declaring a parking ban effective at 12:00 A.M. on February 1, 2011. The Department of Public Works requests that you make arrangements to remove your vehicles parked on City streets. Should you need off-street parking, you may park at the following municipal parking lots:

Corner of Washington / Broad Streets (by Kidcity Children's Museum)

Broad Street (across from Russell Library)

Melilli Plaza (behind Main Street Market)

Parked vehicles on City streets must be removed by 12:00 a.m., or run the risk of being towed by Middletown Police at the owner's expense. If a vehicle is towed during the parking ban, you may claim the vehicle by contacting Middletown Police Dept. at 860-347-6941. All payments, i.e., the ticket and towing charge, must be paid at the Police Dept. before a vehicle is released.

The Mayor asks for everyone's cooperation. Due diligence will be exercised, but safety will remain a priority. Please help the Public Works Dept. employees to properly clear all City streets.

Questions? Contact Bill Russo, Director at 860-344-3407