->Rasa String Quartet presents 'Impressions: East Meets West' at BMC
BRATTLEBORO - In a performance at the Brattleboro Music Center, the Rasa String Quartet will present "Impressions: East Meets West." The concert, set for Friday, April 5, at 7 p.m., will include a joyful celebration of the Lunar New Year in Chen Yi's "Shuo" and Jungyoon Wie's "A Popular Tune."
Also featured will be a fusion of East Asian folk music and the Western classical tradition, showcasing composers who embrace traditional folk music from around Asia, capturing the essence of each style through their own cultural lens. Performers are Maura Shawn Scanlin and Kiyoshi Hayashi, violin; Emma Powell, viola; and Mina Kim, cello.
Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door) and are available online at bmcvt.org, by calling 802-257-4523, or by emailing [email protected].
Jesse Brody in concert at The River Garden
BRATTLEBORO - Jesse Brody, aka Lepkoff, winner of the 2022 Vermont Blues Society Challenge, will perform on Friday, April 5, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the River Garden Marketplace, 157 Main St.
The first set will feature Brody's playing and singing bossa nova originals as well as classics by Jobim, Lyra, and others. The second set will feature originals and classics in the style of the 20s and 30s. Brody's songs are described as having "the sophistication of art song or the knee-slapping earthiness of 1930s-style blues. His lyrics can be romantic or humorous, witty or ironic, depending on the song."
'Zorro,' with live score, featured at Epsilon Spires
BRATTLEBORO - The silent swashbuckling classic film, The Mark of Zorro, live-scored by Ben Model, will be presented at Epsilon Spires on Friday, April 5, at 8 p.m.
This 1920 film, starring Douglas Fairbanks, launched the action-adventure movie genre, and even served as inspiration for the Batman comics. Fairbanks was "one of the silent screen's biggest superstars and brought his unique charisma and athleticism to a string of mega-hits throughout the 1920s," say organizers. Full of humor, stunts, sword fights, and action, The Mark of Zorro is "as entertaining and thrilling today as it was in its original release."
The film will be presented with a live musical score performed by silent film accompanist Model, performing on Epsilon Spires' historic Estey pipe organ. Model is a resident silent film accompanist for the Museum of Modern Art, the Library of Congress and, later this month, at the TCM Classic Film Festival. For tickets and more information, visit epsilonspires.org.
Committee hosts walk highlighting flood plain project
PUTNEY - On Saturday, April 6, from 1 to 3 p.m., join the Putney Wetland Stewardship Committee for a walk along the wetland portion of Sand Hill Road. Meet at the Sand Hill Road kiosk parking area.
The committee will show three town-proposed changes along the road intended to increase flood resiliency, Sacketts Brook floodplain access, and to improve wildlife habitat. The walk will provide onsite context for a presentation of the three options by Fitzgerald Environmental Associates on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. at the Putney Public Library. Rain date for the walk is Sunday, April 7, at 1 p.m.
Health care advocates to meet
SPRINGFIELD - Everyone is invited to the Vermont Workers' Center's "Health Care Is a Human Right Tour" on Saturday, April 6, at 1 P.M. at the Huber Building, 80 Main St.
According to a news release, the event seeks to find out "how the current health care payment system has affected your life, share what we have learned about why it is like it is, and talk about how we can change it."
The Vermont Workers' Center describes itself as "a statewide organization of everyday people fighting for economic justice and human dignity." For further information about the event, call 802-624-6116.
Order by April 9 for Chester's 2024 Tree/Shrub Sale
CHESTER - Chester Townscape's annual Tree and Shrub Sale has begun. This event offers good-sized, proven trees and shrubs at below regular nursery retail prices to help people beautify their properties.
Here are the seven 2024 shrub selections offered:
• Red Sprite winterberry (female for berries).
• Jim Dandy winterberry (male pollinator).
• Little Quick Fire hydrangea.
• Autumn Brilliance shadbush.
• Dwarf buttonbush.
• Firelight hydrangea.
• PJM Elite rhododendron.
All specimens are hardy and low maintenance, feature multi-season interest, and sport beautiful blossoms. Most are native. All appeal to pollinators and/or birds. Any one of these plants would also make a wonderful present.
Proceeds from the sale support Chester Townscape's charitable civic projects, such as the floral pots and bridge boxes that beautify the town for residents and visitors.
Buyers do not have to be Chester residents; but they do have to preorder and pay before April 9, then pick up the shrubs in early May from Main Street in central Chester. For more information, visit chestervt.gov/chester-townscape.html or contact Lillian Willis at 802-875-1340 or [email protected].
Senior Solutions, Windham Aging host listening session
WILMINGTON - Senior Solutions and Windham Aging are jointly hosting a listening session on the cost of living for seniors in the community on Thursday, April 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Old Firehouse, 18 Beaver St.
Organizers say this listening session is a community conversation to learn about and share thoughts on the needs, concerns, and ideas for caring for our older population.
"Residents face changing needs as they get older," they said in a news release. "The community will need more health care, adapted or different housing, help with transportation, more caregivers, and new ways of social engagement. The community needs to work together to share our ideas about how to adapt - both personally and with the organizations that serve Windham County."
Windham Aging has been holding a series of listening sessions throughout Windham County over the past few months. More are scheduled in the coming months.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.