First Annual Home Tour a Grand Success
by Don Courtemanche, chair, Home Tour Committee

Several months ago The GNBAA Board of Directors decided to go ahead with the Alliance’s 1^st Annual Autumn Tour of New Britain Historic Homes to get the event started. With limited time to prepare, the hope was for a respectable first effort. What happened was the surpassing of all goals for the event. The success of the event despite the time constraints augers well for the Tour’s future.

Spectacular fall weather and buzz contributed mightily. The positive energy of the people walking around the West End Historic District and crowding into the homes was palpable. But the event raised more than the profile of one of New Britain’s wonderful residential sections and the spirits of hundreds of people. Over $4,000 was raised for the work of the Alliance. This surpassed the goal set by the Committee by over 40%. The money will be used as matching funds for a grant the Alliance received from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism to fund a part time Arts Outreach Associate to, among other things, extend the services of the Alliance into the towns of Berlin, Newington, Plainville, and Southington. 

Our thanks go out to all who helped to make this event such a success. In the first place are the homeowners who so generously opened their homes for this fundraiser and all the wonderful volunteers who staffed them. Our Committee worked very hard to make the Tour happen in a very limited period of time: Candice Brown, Mel Ellis, Fred North, Maura O’Shea, Dottie Salvio, and Becky Trutter. Stephen Hard, our Executive Director, went the extra mile as usual. We are especially grateful to our sponsors and hope that their association with this event and with the Alliance will benefit them as much or more than it has benefited us. A special note of thanks to our Palace level sponsors, The Herald and WNPR, whose marketing assistance made all the difference. Finally, to the hundreds of people who had such a great time supporting our work we say thank you! The Committee will be meeting to review the event and begin planning for next year. Several homes have already been offered to us for next year’s tour and lots of suggestions have been received; yours are welcome and can be made to any member of the Committee or by contacting our Executive Director. Stay tuned!

Newington Children’s Theatre Joins the GNBAA

The Newington Children’s Theatre Company (NCTC) is the latest arts organization to join the GNBAA. Formed in 1963 by the Newington Parks and Recreation Department, the NCTC has entertained thousands of people by touring throughout Connecticut and also performing in New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, and Virginia. NCTC is dedicated to: providing hands-on educational experiences involving the performing arts to children of the Greater Hartford area; fostering teamwork, commitment, self-esteem, and creativity among participating children; inspiring an appreciation of the arts, while developing leadership qualities and self-confidence in children through long-term involvement in the program; and bringing cultural enrichment to children and adults by performing throughout the region. Welcome!
 

GNBAA Executive Director Position Made Full Time
by Candice Brown, GNBAA President

DOWNTOWN GALLERY to Provide Opportunity for Holiday Gifts
by Stephen Hard for the GNBAA Gallery Committee

 Director

SAC Celebrates 25 Years and Hosts Another Friday
By Stephen Hard, GNBAA Executive Director

The mission of the Southington Arts Council is very simple: to raise cultural awareness. It is a mission this group of artists, teachers, writers, and members of the community has been pursuing now for 25 years. To help them celebrate, the Anther Friday program on October 26 is being held as a Silver Anniversary party. And what a party it will be! Delectable hors d’ oeuvres contributed by the Board and coordinated by Mel Ellis, live music by the Mocalata Jazz Combo, and an exhibition of Southington artistic talent will be on display. The SAC has also invited noted Southington illustrator, Bill Thomson, to be present and make a brief presentation on his work

There is a lot to celebrate. Over the years the Southington Arts Council has been responsible for many remarkable arts happenings in the area. For instance, the Connecticut Ballet Company performed The Nutcracker with local students in 1992. A number of years ago the Council put on an opera style cabaret with a New Hampshire Company. Perhaps the most fun of all was the performance of an innovative “Christmas Carol” by a modern dance group from Philadelphia. The Council also initiated “Mural Painting for Kids” at the Annual National Trails Day at Panthorn Park in Southington.

Among their ongoing programs, the Council sponsors a “Youth Art Exhibit” during the month of May for students aged 8 to 18 years. The program has been conducted for all 25 years in collaboration with the art teachers of the Southington School system. The Council also participates in and helps to support a Kids Entertainment Series and art exhibits for Local Artists. The Council sponsors yoga and meditation classes and each year awards a scholarship of $1,000 to a graduating senior who has participated in the cultural arts.

The Council works out of a space in the lower level of the Historical Society building at 239 Main Street, but makes a point to partner with schools, churches, and the Southington Public Library in presenting programs. The organization is staffed entirely by volunteers, chief among whom is Carole Milano, who was there at the beginning and still serves as President and Director of the organization. The SAC was awarded the “Special Recognition of an Arts Organization Award” by the GNBAA at Annual Meeting in May. The Another Friday celebration will be held 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at the First Congregational Church, 37 Main Street in Southington. All are welcome!

November 30 @ Hole in the Wall Theater

Hole in the Wall Theater will host Another Friday on November 30. The celebration is so late in the month because of a nervous director and a turkey. Hole in the Wall Theater opens its next play The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown on Friday, November 16. Obviously, they will have a lot with which to contend on opening night and felt a party just before the show was counter indicated. The next Friday we’ll all be recovering from Thanksgiving. Hole in the Wall is a fun place and it will be worth the wait. We are promised a brief sample of the play. It is an unusual two person musical that recalls the beginning and end of a five year marriage from both directions. A full performance of the play will follow the reception at 8 p.m.

December 14 @ The Art League of New Britain

The Art League of New Britain is humming and the GNBAA is pleased to sing along. Another Fridays at the League are always among the best attended Another Fridays and the best attended League openings. They are also always a lot of fun. There will be a lot to celebrate. The Art League continues to rejoice in the recently completed renovation of the Sanford B. D. Low Gallery. The NoeMarch Dance Company recently began offering performances and classes at the League. On December 14 an exhibition of Latino Artists will be opening to the public. Join us as we celebrate all the good things happening at the Art League and with the arts in greater New Britain.

Plainville Ensemble to Present Patriotic Program at Welte
Kathleen Marsan, PWE Executive Director

The Plainville Wind Ensemble will perform “Red, White, and Blue Forever” on November 11, 2007, 2 p.m. in Welte Hall of Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, to honor our veterans and those presently serving in the military. John Philip Sousa IV, the great grandson of America’s March King, John Philip Sousa, will emcee.  

The Marines from the Plainville Naval and Marine reserve Center will be present to accept donations of a new toy for their annual “Toys for Tots” program. The concert is free to the public. The Plainville Wind Ensemble recently performed at the Lake George Festival of Bands in New York. The Ensemble also hosted The Second John Philip Sousa Festival of Bands in May of 2007 and has performed with such artists as Greg Caputo, Fran Hall, Mark McNally, Dr. Daniel D'Addio, and Keith Brion. 

As ambassadors of music, the mission of The Plainville Wind Ensemble is to provide an educational, social and performing environment for local musicians in the tradition of the community band. The Plainville Wind Ensemble is a program of the Plainville recreation Department. This lively and talented adult concert and jazz band was awarded The Herald's "People 's Choice Award for Best Live Music" in July of 2005 and was featured in “Making Music” magazine in September 2006. For more information on the ensemble or John Philip Sousa IV, please log onto www.plainvillewindensemble.com or www.johnphilipsousaart.com.

HITW to Perform The Last Five Years
by Pan Riley, President, Hole in the Wall

Another Fridays

New Britain's award winning theater company will present The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown for the second show of its 2007-2008 Season. The production runs from November 16 through December 15, 2007, with an 8:00 p.m. curtain at 116 Main Street, New Britain. 

"The Last Five Years" is an intimate, two person musical that chronicles the five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress. The show uses a novel form of storytelling in which Cathy travels backwards in time, beginning the show at the end of the marriage, and Jamie travels forwards, starting with the couple's first date. Funny and wistful at the same time, the show captures some of the most heartbreaking and universally-felt moments of modern romance. 

Hole in the Wall newcomers Christopher deJongh and Stacy Constantine bring their considerable musical talents to the parts of Jamie and Cathy, and the pair will be accompanied onstage by a live three person band. Admission is by a suggested donation of $20.00.  For reservations call 860.229.3049.  Visit our website at www.hitw.org.