Valentine’s Day Dinner, Tuesday, February 14, 5:00 – 10:00 pm

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with 51 Main. Our Caribbean-inspired menu is sure to please. Live music 7:30-10:00 pm with Raphael & the Latin Jazz Quartet. Reservations are encouraged. Call 388-8209. Middlebury College Student Special: First 20 couples–$15/couple (with wine, 21+ only), $10/couple (without wine). Other Guests: $45/couple (with wine, 21+ only), $40/couple

Green Drinks, Wednesday, February 15, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

GreenDrinks.org is a global movement aimed at connecting people informally in cities throughout the world for the purpose of brainstorming and networking on green topics in a relaxed, relatively unstructured setting. Middlebury’s version of Green Drinks meets the third Wednesday of each month at 51 Main and features door prizes, free snacks, drink discounts and themes. This month’s theme: green burial.

Blues Jam, Wednesday, February 15, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Join us every 3rd Wednesday for Blues Jam! Dennis Willmott from Left Eye Jump will provide lead guitar, bass, and drums and these guys will back you up or take a break and let you play. All musicians and blues fans are welcome! Everyone will get a chance to play.

Memoir Writers Circle, Thursday, February 16, 5:30 – 7:00 pm

Eileen Brunetto, Middlebury College Department of Geology Coordinator and a recent graduate of Goddard College’s MFA program, hosts this 4-week writing workshop where participants are encouraged to read, write and discuss memoir. The workshop will take place each Thursday, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. from Thursday, February 16 – March 8. Advance registration is required. A fee of $25 is due at first meeting. Space is limited. Beginning writers are welcome. Contact Eileen at eileen.brunetto@middlebury.edu or 989-8817.

Verbal Onslaught, Thursday, February 16, 9:00 – 11:00 pm

Drawing from our Middlebury community of faculty, staff, students, local community members and other special guests, Verbal Onslaught adds dynamic poetic and cultural diversity to our vibrant town nestled between the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks. Shy and Outspoken Poets, Storytellers, Writers, Artists, and Listeners are more than welcome.

Afro-fusion, Friday, February 17, 5:00 – 6:00 pm

A new ensemble plays a fusion of African and Western music. The group features Damascus Kafumbe (various Ugandan instruments); Kareem Khalifa (guitar); Carlos Velez (percussion); Ron Rost (keyboard); Glenn Goodwin (bass guitar).

The Raphael Groten Trio, Friday, February 17, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

Raphael Groten delivers original instrumental and vocal compositions backed by a distinctive finger picking style, sure to delight the ears and please the heart. Raphael’s World Guitar sound can best be described as a unique blend of folk, funk, and jazz, mixed with influences from around the globe, including Cuba, Brazil, and Africa. The trio features Raphael on guitars and vocals, John Thompson-Figueroa on upright bass, and Peter Torrey on drums.

Project Organ Trio, Saturday, February 18, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

With a repertoire that incorporates blues, jazz, soul and R&B, Project Organ Trio aims to reach beyond the scope of traditional jazz groups. Featuring Tyler Mast on the Hammond organ, Harrison Shulman on the electric guitar and Dan “Big Black” Ryan on the drums, P.O.T. plays what is hip and not what is expected. While rooted in the classic sounds of organ trios past, Project Organ Trio also brings original flavors and spices to the jambalaya that is “jazz” music.

Tuesday Talks, Tuesday, February 21, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

The Middlebury Chapter of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility invites all to its monthly event, Tuesday Talks, held the third Tuesday of every month at 51 Main. Tuesday Talks will feature a brief presentation in the form of a TED talk, Ignite talk, or presentation by a local business, all centered around what it means to run a ethical, successful business. The rest of the hour will be dedicated to socializing with drink specials and free appetizers. All are welcome (you do not need to be a member of VBSR). Questions? Contact Colin Davis at colind[AT]good-point[DOT]net or (802) 989-0895.

Jazz Jam, Friday, February 24, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

All jazz musicians and listeners welcome. Less experienced jazz musicians are encouraged to work on specific standards before calling one on stage.

Justin Levinson, Friday, February 24, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

With a catalog of songs covering everything from hooky piano pop to soul-baring alt-country, lyrics that range from corky to brutally honest all tied together by an undeniable passion for his craft, singer/songwriter Justin Levinson has won steady praise from audiences and critics alike since his 2005 debut. Five years and three acclaimed albums later, Justin maintains a solid presence that has seen him share the stage with acts as diverse as Apollo Sunshine, Serena Ryder, Band of Horses, The Verve Pipe, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Matt Wertz, Will Dailey, Anais Mitchell, Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors, Members of the Click Five, Ryan Cabrera, and Zox.

Mogani, Saturday, February 25, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

Come check out Mogani, a Jazz | Latin | Fusion sextet playing a funky fusion of hot Latin numbers, cool jazz classic and originals. The group features a veritable who’s who of the area’s finest musicians: Cobey Gatos, keyboards; Glenn Goodwin, bass; Michael Morera, saxophones; Justin Perdue, guitar; Daniel Scharstein, drums; Carlos Velez, percussion.