Panel Discussion by Authors Nancy Means Wright and Jennifer McMahon, Tuesday, October 11, 5:15 pm

Join 51 Main and the Vermont Book Shop for a panel discussion by Nancy Means Wright and Jennifer McMahon. These two Vermont authors talk about ghosts, murder, obsession, madhouses, and family secrets. Middlebury resident Nancy Means Wright is the author of two adult mystery series and two mysteries for young readers, one an Agatha Award winner and the other a nominee. She most recently penned The Nightmare: A Mystery with Mary Wollstonecraft. Barre resident Jennifer McMahon is the author of Don’t Breathe a Word.

Mamajamas, Thursday, October 13, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

The Mamajamas is one of Middlebury’s coed a capella groups. They are a young and lively group, with songs ranging from old classics like “Uncle John’s Band” and “Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard” to current songs like “Fireflies” and “Ride Wit Me.” They tend to enjoy mashups, and they simply love singing, for themselves and especially for audiences.

Middlebury Arts Walk, Friday, October 14, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

From 5 to 7 pm, downtown Middlebury will become a center for art, music, food and fun. Stores will remain open, becoming galleries displaying the work of dozens of area artists. Art will turn up in restaurants, on the town green, and in other exciting and unlikely places. This is a regular monthly event—visit downtown Middlebury on the second Friday of every month.

Art Opening: War In Voice, Friday, October 14, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

This summer, Danny Loehr ’13 and Bianca Giaever ’13 bicycled the east and west coast and interviewed veterans they met along the way as part of their project, War In Voice. Why did they decide to serve? What was it like coming home? Looking back, are they glad they served?  At 51 Main this month, they will present a photography exhibit.

Folk by Association, Friday, October 14, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

After ten years of performing as Folk By Association, Karen Krajacic and Jill Cowen have certainly traveled a long and interesting road together. They’ve now played hundreds of shows in 26 states, gaining a reputation for both their top-notch vocal harmonies and their grassroots approach to working as independent artists. …. With intricate harmonies at the forefront, Folk By Association embraces elements of folk, roots, bluegrass, jazz, and world music, weaving these eclectic traditions together in a unique, contemporary way. The duo uses multiple acoustic instruments, switching off between the guitar and mandolin, throwing in a banjo here, a toy xylophone there. Said to be both nostalgic and modern, soothing and energizing, Folk By Association is both a throwback and a surprise.

Middlebury Music United, Saturday, October 15, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

More info coming soon!

Green Drinks: Acorn Network Project Updates, Wednesday, October 19, 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 is Acorn Network Project Updates.

Blues Jam, Wednesday, October 19, 8:00 pm – 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.

Verbal Onslaught presents Brown Hips, Red Lips, Hot Skins, Thurday, October 20, 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Through spoken word poetry Maria Aponte-Gonzalez, NY-based Latina poet and performance artist, takes a look at Latina life and the meaning of love. Ms. Aponte is accompanied by NY-based musicians Chacho Ramirez and Dwight Brewster. Co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of the College, 51 Main, and Women’s & Gender Studies Program-Chellis House.

Jazz Jam, Friday, October 21, 7:00 pm – 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.

Bent by Elephants, Friday, October 21, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

Described by the Globe and Mail as “post-modern Billie Holiday blues,” Bent By Elephants is a groundbreaking orchestral-pop outfit from Montreal. Since they released their self-titled debut EP in 2009, Bent By Elephants has already toured from western Ontario to Atlantic Canada, appearing at festivals such as NXNE, Pop Montreal and the Hillside Festival. After charting on community radio across the country, being featured on CBC Radio and various pop culture blogs, BBE has established itself as a permanent fixture on the Canadian music scene.

The band’s debut full-length album This is Water was engineered at Breakglass Studios by Jace Lasek (Besnard Lakes, Patrick Watson, Land of Talk) and was self-released in May 2010. The album’s eleven tracks were recorded live-off-the-floor in only four days. The results capture the dynamic energy of the band’s “spontaneous and compelling” live performance (midnightpoutine.ca). Their sound benefits from the classical training background of members, but Bent By Elephants has crafted a style that is difficult to capture within genre. Instead, “Bent By Elephants are the rarest of things… a musical collective that specializes in restraint… the results are spectacularly intricate (iheartmusic.net).”

Trench Town Oddities, Saturday, October 22, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

The Trench Town Oddities is a 5-piece band consisting of Sean Harley(Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Steve R. (Backing Vocals, Lead Acoustic Guitar), Nick Kalil (Bass Guitar), Todd Harrington (Drums) and Randy Lalonde (Djembe, Bongos, Percussion). Playing an eclectic blend of pop, funk, rock, blues and reggae – often called Caribbean pop or rock reggae – listening to the Trench Town Oddities conjures up images of summer fun and beaches! A crowd pleaser for every age group.

The Freedom to Be Racist? Book Talk by Erik Bleich, Tuesday, October 4, 5:15 pm

We love freedom. We hate racism. But what do we do when these values collide? In this wide-ranging book, Erik Bleich explores policies that the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and other liberal democracies have implemented when forced to choose between preserving freedom and combating racism. Bleich’s comparative historical approach reveals that while most countries have increased restrictions on racist speech, groups and actions since the end of World War II, this trend has resembled a slow creep more than a slippery slope. Each country has struggled to achieve a balance between protecting freedom and reducing racism, and the outcomes have been starkly different across time and place. Building on these observations, Bleich argues that we should pay close attention to the specific context and to the likely effects of any policy we implement, and that any response should be proportionate to the level of harm the racism inflicts. Ultimately, the best way for societies to preserve freedom while fighting racism is through processes of public deliberation that involve citizens in decisions that impact the core values of liberal democracies.

Lac La Belle, Thursday, October 5, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Lac La Belle is an acoustic duo from Detroit, Michigan that juxtaposes the early decades of recorded rural American music with decaying Rustbelt aesthetic. A tradition is re-imagined- or maybe just resumed- in the ‘future-rustic’ swirl of accordion, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and resonator guitar. The instrumentation echos another era, but is employed for a music of now.

Jazz Jam, Friday, October 7, 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.

Dan HL, Friday, October 7, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

Dan HL likes to keep things simple. Here’re the basics:

1. He writes and performs all of his own music.
2. He was the primary songwriter and front man for Dear Havanah, and his first solo record will be released this fall.
3. He’s serious about his music, but doesn’t like to take himself too seriously.
4. He’s from New York, but is based out of Boston, MA.

In case that didn’t satisfy your thirst for information, here’s a bit more:

Dan HL is most noted for his crisp, soulful, unique voice, and his ability to write songs that are both honest and singable. He also plays guitar and harmonica, so you can call him a multi-instrumentalist of sorts if, in your opinion, the harmonica is actually counted as an instrument. Throughout his musical career, Dan has shared the stage with many notable artists,with his most recent success as frontman for Dear Havanah, performing with acts that include Alan Evans of Soulive, and Blackthought of the Roots. Dan is hard at work creating a new record, and is looking forward to getting back to performing live , his main focus, in the fall.

Justin Levinson Trio, Saturday, October 8, 9:00 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. “Juxtaposing upbeat melodies with often serious subject matter, Justin creates perfectly catchy tunes that nobody can resist singing along to”, says the Plattsburgh Pipeline. Dan Bolles of Seven Days notes Justin’s “knack for letter-perfect pop hooks”, while Snob’s Music blog has praised Justin’s capability of “penning lyrics that put a smile on your face with vivid imagery and clever turns of phrase, all wrapped up with a keen sense of humour.”

Panel Discussion by Authors Nancy Means Wright and Jennifer McMahon, Tuesday, October 11, 5:15 pm

Join 51 Main and the Vermont Book Shop for a panel discussion by Nancy Means Wright and Jennifer McMahon. These two Vermont authors talk about ghosts, murder, obsession, madhouses, and family secrets. Middlebury resident Nancy Means Wright is the author of two adult mystery series and two mysteries for young readers, one an Agatha Award winner and the other a nominee. She most recently penned The Nightmare: A Mystery with Mary Wollstonecraft. Barre resident Jennifer McMahon is the author of Don’t Breathe a Word.

Mamajamas, Thursday, October 13, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

The Mamajamas is one of Middlebury’s coed a capella groups. They are a young and lively group, with songs ranging from old classics like “Uncle John’s Band” and “Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard” to current songs like “Fireflies” and “Ride Wit Me.” They tend to enjoy mashups, and they simply love singing, for themselves and especially for audiences.

Middlebury Arts Walk, Friday, October 14, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

From 5 to 7 pm, downtown Middlebury will become a center for art, music, food and fun. Stores will remain open, becoming galleries displaying the work of dozens of area artists. Art will turn up in restaurants, on the town green, and in other exciting and unlikely places. This is a regular monthly event—visit downtown Middlebury on the second Friday of every month.

Art Opening: War In Voice, Friday, October 14, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

This summer, Danny Loehr ’13 and Bianca Giaever ’13 bicycled the east and west coast and interviewed veterans they met along the way as part of their project, War In Voice. Why did they decide to serve? What was it like coming home? Looking back, are they glad they served?  At 51 Main this month, they will present a photography exhibit.

Folk by Association, Friday, October 14, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

After ten years of performing as Folk By Association, Karen Krajacic and Jill Cowen have certainly traveled a long and interesting road together. They’ve now played hundreds of shows in 26 states, gaining a reputation for both their top-notch vocal harmonies and their grassroots approach to working as independent artists. …. With intricate harmonies at the forefront, Folk By Association embraces elements of folk, roots, bluegrass, jazz, and world music, weaving these eclectic traditions together in a unique, contemporary way. The duo uses multiple acoustic instruments, switching off between the guitar and mandolin, throwing in a banjo here, a toy xylophone there. Said to be both nostalgic and modern, soothing and energizing, Folk By Association is both a throwback and a surprise.

Middlebury Music United, Saturday, October 15, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

More info coming soon!

Vermont Book Shop Book Discussion, Tuesday, September 27, 7:00 pm

Join the Vermont Book Shop at 51 Main for a discussion of “Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals” by Hal Herzog. Pick up the book for 20% off at the VBS website or at its brick-and-mortar location on Main St. in Middlebury. Whether or not you have read the book yet, we welcome your participation.

Taylor Smith ’12, Thursday, September 29, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

When he’s not performing as a member of Burlington-based acts The Peasant Dramatic and Dr. Ruckus, Taylor Smith ’12 goes it alone with his eponymous six-string, dealing in impassioned folk and blues tunes which arc from tales of heartbreak and longing into, often, the philosophical and vision-like. With “raspy vocals and a flair for vivid imagery and storytelling,” this is music that you’ll find woven into your thoughts long after you stop listening.

Dayve Huckett, Friday, September 30, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Dayve Huckett’s repertoire spans from Zappa to the Beatles and from Sting to Tommy Emmanuel, as well as his own original music on classical, steel string, and electric guitars

Dustin Lowman ’15, Friday, September 30, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

Dustin Lowman ’15 is from Westport, CT. He’s been playing guitar for a little over four years, and writing songs for about half of that. He’s among the biggest Bob Dylan fans in the world, and it certainly shows in his music. This summer, he won a songwriting contest at the National Guitar Workshop. The first place prize was Martin guitar that he currently plays. And while Dustin has written over 150 songs, he loves the performance aspect of music most of all.

Middlebury Music United, Saturday, October 1, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

The Casual Ales formed in the fall of 2010, when Patrick (drums) introduced Mac (piano, rhythm guitar, vocals) to Mrig (lead guitar, vocals) and the three of them accidentally stumbled upon Cliff (bass, fiddle) while trying to navigate their way out of Coffrin. While academics, athletics, and not having the right key to the jam room has often made it a struggle to find time to practice, the group could not be more excited for their first ever gig. From the good old fashioned rock and roll of the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, and the Animals, to the songs by Kid Cudi and Asher Roth that you’ve probably never listened to, this band can literally play every song that they are about to play.

Yuki Takeda and York Kitajima will also perform tonight. This duo will be playing mostly jazz and bossa nova tunes, with Yuki on guitar and York on trumpet.

Freedom to Be Racist? Book Talk by Erik Bleich, Tuesday, October 4, 5:15 pm

We love freedom. We hate racism. But what do we do when these values collide? In this wide-ranging book, Erik Bleich explores policies that the United States, Britain, France, Germany, and other liberal democracies have implemented when forced to choose between preserving freedom and combating racism. Bleich’s comparative historical approach reveals that while most countries have increased restrictions on racist speech, groups and actions since the end of World War II, this trend has resembled a slow creep more than a slippery slope. Each country has struggled to achieve a balance between protecting freedom and reducing racism, and the outcomes have been starkly different across time and place. Building on these observations, Bleich argues that we should pay close attention to the specific context and to the likely effects of any policy we implement, and that any response should be proportionate to the level of harm the racism inflicts. Ultimately, the best way for societies to preserve freedom while fighting racism is through processes of public deliberation that involve citizens in decisions that impact the core values of liberal democracies.

Lac La Belle, Thursday, October 5, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Lac La Belle is an acoustic duo from Detroit, Michigan that juxtaposes the early decades of recorded rural American music with decaying Rustbelt aesthetic. A tradition is re-imagined- or maybe just resumed- in the ‘future-rustic’ swirl of accordion, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and resonator guitar. The instrumentation echos another era, but is employed for a music of now.

Jazz Jam, Friday, October 7, 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.

Dan HL, Friday, October 7, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

Dan HL likes to keep things simple. Here’re the basics:

1. He writes and performs all of his own music.
2. He was the primary songwriter and front man for Dear Havanah, and his first solo record will be released this fall.
3. He’s serious about his music, but doesn’t like to take himself too seriously.
4. He’s from New York, but is based out of Boston, MA.

In case that didn’t satisfy your thirst for information, here’s a bit more:

Dan HL is most noted for his crisp, soulful, unique voice, and his ability to write songs that are both honest and singable. He also plays guitar and harmonica, so you can call him a multi-instrumentalist of sorts if, in your opinion, the harmonica is actually counted as an instrument. Throughout his musical career, Dan has shared the stage with many notable artists,with his most recent success as frontman for Dear Havanah, performing with acts that include Alan Evans of Soulive, and Blackthought of the Roots. Dan is hard at work creating a new record, and is looking forward to getting back to performing live , his main focus, in the fall.

Justin Levinson Trio, Saturday, October 8, 9:00 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. “Juxtaposing upbeat melodies with often serious subject matter, Justin creates perfectly catchy tunes that nobody can resist singing along to”, says the Plattsburgh Pipeline. Dan Bolles of Seven Days notes Justin’s “knack for letter-perfect pop hooks”, while Snob’s Music blog has praised Justin’s capability of “penning lyrics that put a smile on your face with vivid imagery and clever turns of phrase, all wrapped up with a keen sense of humour.”

Book Talk by Leger Grindon, Tuesday, September 20, 5:15 pm

Join 51 Main and the Vermont Book Shop for an evening with Leger Grindon, Professor of Film Studies at Middlebury College. He talks about Fighters, Lovers and the Movies in his recent books Hollywood Romantic Comedy: Conventions, History, Controversies, a comprehensive study of romantic comedies from the coming of sound films to the present, and Knockout: The Boxer and Boxing in American Cinema. The Sept./Oct. issue of Film Comment says of Knockout: “With scalpel-like words that cleanly and completely dissect a quintessentially American genre, Leger Grindon’s Knockout…is, well, unbeatable.” He will read from his new books, answer questions, and talk about movies. He will be pleased to sign books available for purchase from the Vermont Book Shop.

Green Drinks: Food Storage, Tuesday, September 20, 7:00 – 9:00 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 Tuesday of each month at 51 Main and features door prizes, free snacks, drink discounts and themes. To suggest topic ideas, offer door prizes or sponsor refreshments or drink discounts, contact middleburygreendrinks@gmail.com.

Blues Jam, Wednesday, September 21, 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.

Scottish Infusion, Thursday, September 22, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Scottish music with a heavy dose of Latin, Funk and Jazz. Pianist Neil Pearlman (”I’m a fan!” –Alasdair Fraser) is rapidly distinguishing himself as a uniquely innovative artist in the contemporary traditional music scene and his newest project continues that trend.  Drawing on a wide variety of musical influences, Pearlman and his fellow musicians take traditional Scottish and Irish melodies to unexpected and exciting places.  High energy and grooving, their music may be difficult to classify but is anything but difficult to listen to.

Jazz Jam, Friday, September 23, 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.

Reggae Night with Selecta D-RO, Friday, September 23, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

Selecta D-RO has been at the forefront of the Reggae DJ scene now for nearly 10 years, hosting several radio programs and DJing live at clubs and festivals from coast to coast.   He is presently the host, DJ and creator of “Jah Works Radio”, a podcast that has recently become one of Itunes’ Top 20 Reggae Podcasts.  He has shared the stage with such reggae legends as Steel Pulse, Mykal Rose, Don Carlos, Anthony B, Pato Banton and Eek A Mouse.  Armed with 4 turntables, a mixer, sampler / sequencer and Kaoss FX Unit, Selecta D-RO will be twisting reggae and dub riddims to a new dimension during this night of reggae and live dub mixing.

Yuki Takeda & Friends, Saturday, September 24, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

It all started a year ago on a first-year hall in Battell. Yuki Takeda (alto sax, flute), Taylor Bickford (guitar), Felix Klos (piano), Brian Parker (bass), & Adam Schreiber (drums) are back again to play jazz and groove-oriented instrumental music, which ranges from introspective to laid-back to highly energetic.

Middlebury Musicians United Performance, Thursday, September 15, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Students from Middlebury Musicians United (formerly MMG) will perform. More details to follow.

Verbal Onslaught, Friday, September 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. Poets will be accompanied by a group of musicians from the Middlebury community; improvising musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and sit in.

Swing Noire, Saturday, September 17, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

Gypsy Jazz in the tradition of Django Reinhardt &I the Quintette of the Hot Club of France. “In a time when good jazz groups are hard to find, Swing Noire rises to the top as one of the best jazz groups playing around Burlington. Too often do we hear jazz ensembles that are highly arranged and dry of emotion. Swing Noire brings you into those smoky clubs of days past, makes you feel jazz the way it was meant to be felt, full of emotion and energy. If you yearn for the jazz clubs of New York and Paris in their heyday, Swing Noire is your type of jazz.” – Jennifer Crowell, First Night Burlington

Book Talk by Leger Grindon, Tuesday, September 20, 5:15 pm

Join 51 Main and the Vermont Book Shop for an evening with Leger Grindon, Professor of Film Studies at Middlebury College. He talks about Fighters, Lovers and the Movies in his recent books Hollywood Romantic Comedy: Conventions, History, Controversies, a comprehensive study of romantic comedies from the coming of sound films to the present, and Knockout: The Boxer and Boxing in American Cinema. The Sept./Oct. issue of Film Comment says of Knockout: “With scalpel-like words that cleanly and completely dissect a quintessentially American genre, Leger Grindon’s Knockout…is, well, unbeatable.” He will read from his new books, answer questions, and talk about movies. He will be pleased to sign books available for purchase from the Vermont Book Shop.

Green Drinks: Food Storage, Tuesday, September 20, 7:00 – 9:00 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 Tuesday of each month at 51 Main and features door prizes, free snacks, drink discounts and themes. To suggest topic ideas, offer door prizes or sponsor refreshments or drink discounts, contact middleburygreendrinks@gmail.com.

Blues Jam, Wednesday, September 21, 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.

Scottish Infusion, Thursday, September 22, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Scottish music with a heavy dose of Latin, Funk and Jazz. Pianist Neil Pearlman (”I’m a fan!” –Alasdair Fraser) is rapidly distinguishing himself as a uniquely innovative artist in the contemporary traditional music scene and his newest project continues that trend.  Drawing on a wide variety of musical influences, Pearlman and his fellow musicians take traditional Scottish and Irish melodies to unexpected and exciting places.  High energy and grooving, their music may be difficult to classify but is anything but difficult to listen to.

Jazz Jam, Friday, September 23, 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.

Reggae Night with Selecta D-RO, Friday, September 23, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

Selecta D-RO has been at the forefront of the Reggae DJ scene now for nearly 10 years, hosting several radio programs and DJing live at clubs and festivals from coast to coast.   He is presently the host, DJ and creator of “Jah Works Radio”, a podcast that has recently become one of Itunes’ Top 20 Reggae Podcasts.  He has shared the stage with such reggae legends as Steel Pulse, Mykal Rose, Don Carlos, Anthony B, Pato Banton and Eek A Mouse.  Armed with 4 turntables, a mixer, sampler / sequencer and Kaoss FX Unit, Selecta D-RO will be twisting reggae and dub riddims to a new dimension during this night of reggae and live dub mixing.

Yuki Takeda & Friends, Saturday, September 24, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

It all started a year ago on a first-year hall in Battell. Yuki Takeda (alto sax, flute), Taylor Bickford (guitar), Felix Klos (piano), Brian Parker (bass), & Adam Schreiber (drums) are back again to play jazz and groove-oriented instrumental music, which ranges from introspective to laid-back to highly energetic.

Verbal Onslaught: First-Year Orientation, Thursday, September 8, 9:00 pm

The First-Years are here! We will welcome them to Middlebury 51 Main-style with a little Verbal Onslaught. 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.

Middlebury Arts Walk, Friday, September 9, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

From 5 to 7 pm, downtown Middlebury will become a center for art, music, food and fun.

Stores will remain open, becoming galleries displaying the work of dozens of area artists. Art will turn up in restaurants, on the town green, and in other exciting and unlikely places. This is a regular monthly event—visit downtown Middlebury on the second Friday of every month.

Art Opening: From the Ordinary to the Absurd (and things in between), Friday, September 9, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Local residents Brian Slavin, Joe Schine, and Amanda Noel present, From the Ordinary to the Absurd (and things in between), for the month of September. Brian Slavin is busy in his “workshop” learning marionette making, pottery, metalsmithing and the art of being happy. He is showing his latest marionette, jewelry, a clay digeridoo, and sculpture. Joe Schine is showing recent studies of ordinary objects painted in acrylic on small panels. He is also showing pieces with a variety of materials, more zany in nature. Amanda Noel tells her stories through shapes, color & texture in her paintings.”I want to feed peoples souls though the visual sense. The abstract nature of the work demands that the observer takes away a feeling from the experience and not acknowledge that it looks like anything in particular.” Light refreshments will be served during the opening tonight.

Something with Strings, Friday, September 9, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

Something with Strings is a Burlington, Vermont based string band who strongly believes that deep down, everybody loves bluegrass. Formed four years ago, the band has worked hard to develop a unique sound that is bluegrass based, but also incorporates elements of blues, funk, metal and rock. Comprised of Adam Howard (guitar), Charlie Whistler (bass), Matt Francis (mandolin), Patrick Giblin (banjo) and occasionally Matt Vaughan (drums/Fat Baby/Scrambled Legs), Something with Strings creates a rich string based sound that is both familiar yet surprisingly unique all at the same time.

Judson Kimble, Saturday, September 10, 9:00 – 11:00 pm

Judson Kimble started playing guitar and composing his own music over ten years ago. He has been performing in various venues now for about four years. The solo acoustic instrumental guitar, to him, is one of a kind and can fully stand on its own. It is self-sustaining. It is its own language.

Verbal Onslaught, Friday, September 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.

Swing Noire, Saturday, September 17, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

Gypsy Jazz in the tradition of Django Reinhardt &I the Quintette of the Hot Club of France. “In a time when good jazz groups are hard to find, Swing Noire rises to the top as one of the best jazz groups playing around Burlington. Too often do we hear jazz ensembles that are highly arranged and dry of emotion. Swing Noire brings you into those smoky clubs of days past, makes you feel jazz the way it was meant to be felt, full of emotion and energy. If you yearn for the jazz clubs of New York and Paris in their heyday, Swing Noire is your type of jazz.” – Jennifer Crowell, First Night Burlington