Artist of the Month: Sopheak Chheng ’12

This month, 51 Main will feature photography by Middlebury College Senior Sopheak Chheng. For more, visit Sopheak’s website.

Cafecito Hour: Una China Latina Comes Out, Tuesday, December 6, 4:30 pm

Through a mix of spoken word, dramatic reading, and performance, Rosita Choy spins tales about growing up immigrant and Chinese in Chicano Los Angeles. Sometimes bittersweet, often funny, her stories begin with the intensely personal and offer commentary about immigration, race, class, and sexual orientation. Short readings to be followed by Q&A.

Cafecito Hour is distinctive for its informal series of presentations and discussions around special interest topics, drawing from our Middlebury community of faculty, staff, students, alumni and other special guests. The series is intended to provide an innovative and dynamic venue for individuals to present challenging topics that engage critical dialogue. We proudly serve Café Alta Gracia, organic fair trade coffee from Finca Alta Gracia in Dominican Republic. Co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of the College.

Charlie Hilbert, Thursday, December 8, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

New York City blues legend Charlie Hilbert has played the blues for forty years – from his time in the streets of NYC with harmonica master Nat Riddles to his recent performances with Adam Gussow, headlining Mundharmonikalive in Klingenthal, Germany, and teaching and playing at Hill Country Harmonica in Oxford, Miss. If you like traditional blues, harmonica, and slide guitar, with maybe a country or rock tune thrown in, come on down; you won’t be disappointed.

Meridith Messier ’15, Friday, December 9, 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Native Vermonter Meridith Messier ’15 plays covers and original songs on the guitar and ukulele.

Folk by Association, Friday, December 9, 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.

Lunch: Casual French Conversation, Saturday, December 10, 1:00 pm

For several months now, a group of community members have met at 1:00 pm on the second Saturday of the month to enjoy lunch and French conversation. They invite you to join them for this super casual, super chouette time.

Bain, McMahon, Eaton, and Williams, Saturday, December 10, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Local musicians David Bain, Paul McMahon, Bob Eaton, and Keith Williams are sneaking into our schedule for some quiet blues. A nice way to start your Saturday night!

Maiden Vermont After-Glow, Saturday, December 10, 9:30 pm

Maiden Vermont will perform at the Town Hall Theater and then drop by 51 Main for more music, food, and drink after the show. Get your tickets to see them at THT and join us for a little after-glow!

Bread and Bones, Thursday, December 15, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Bread and Bones is a Vermont-based acoustic trio performing original music with a strong traditional-roots foundation. Made up of Richard Ruane, Beth Duquette and Mitch Barron, their sound is characterized by imaginative two- and three-part harmonies over solid guitar and bass work.

Telling Point, Friday, December 16, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

Ask for the background of each member and you’ll understand how this Cleveland based duo came to have such an eclectic sound. Influences ranging from jazz and middle eastern to classic rock and new metal have caused Telling Point to classify their style as ‘Tribal Rock’. The commanding drums will keep you moving as the sensual vocals embrace you. The Telling Point Acoustic show provides listeners an intimate connection with the band. Each song is a story: personal, inviting. Whether it’s the djembe groove or the poetic lyrics, you’ll want to take this music in and let it touch you.

George’s Back Pocket, Saturday, December 17, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

George’s Back Pocket is a dynamic group of talented and seasoned musicians who come together to support singer-songwriter, George V. Nostrand, (a.k.a. George, by George!) in his musical adventures. The band’s sound fuses folk, bluegrass, rock, jam, blues, jazz, country and more into their original music as well as their choice of covers which they make sound like their own.

Vermont Book Shop Book Discussion, Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 pm

Join the Vermont Book Shop at 51 Main for a discussion of “Cleopatra” by Stacy Schiff. 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.

Verbal Onslaught, Thursday, December 1, 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.

Kafumbe, Khalifa, Velez, Rost, and Goodwin, Friday, December 2, 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).

Jazz Jam, Friday, December 2, 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. Attention Jazz Jam enthusiasts: This will be the last Jazz Jam until January. Jazz Jams in January will occur on Wednesday, January 11 and Wednesday, January 25, 8:00 – 10:00 pm.

Klos, Bickford, Donnelly, and Feier, Friday, December 2, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

Felix Klos ’14, Taylor Bickford ’14, Paul Donnelly ’15, and Joel Feier ’13 are here to play jazz and groove-oriented instrumental music, which ranges from introspective to laid-back to highly energetic.

Anthony Santor Jazz Group, Saturday, December 3, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

They’re back! Considered by many to be the hottest and freshest jazz in town.

Cafecito Hour: Una China Latina Comes Out, Tuesday, December 6, 4:30 pm

Through a mix of spoken word, dramatic reading, and performance, Rosita Choy spins tales about growing up immigrant and Chinese in Chicano Los Angeles. Sometimes bittersweet, often funny, her stories begin with the intensely personal and offer commentary about immigration, race, class, and sexual orientation. Short readings to be followed by Q&A.

Cafecito Hour is distinctive for its informal series of presentations and discussions around special interest topics, drawing from our Middlebury community of faculty, staff, students, alumni and other special guests. The series is intended to provide an innovative and dynamic venue for individuals to present challenging topics that engage critical dialogue. We proudly serve Café Alta Gracia, organic fair trade coffee from Finca Alta Gracia in Dominican Republic. Co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of the College.

Charlie Hilbert, Thursday, December 8, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

New York City blues legend Charlie Hilbert has played the blues for forty years – from his time in the streets of NYC with harmonica master Nat Riddles to his recent performances with Adam Gussow, headlining Mundharmonikalive in Klingenthal, Germany, and teaching and playing at Hill Country Harmonica in Oxford, Miss. If you like traditional blues, harmonica, and slide guitar, with maybe a country or rock tune thrown in, come on down; you won’t be disappointed.

Meridith Messier ’15, Friday, December 9, 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Native Vermonter Meridith Messier ’15 plays covers and original songs on the guitar and ukulele.

Folk by Association, Friday, December 9, 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.

Lunch: Casual French Conversation, Saturday, December 10, 1:00 pm

For several months now, a group of community members have met at 1:00 pm on the second Saturday of the month to enjoy lunch and French conversation. They invite you to join them for this super casual, super chouette time.

Maiden Vermont After-Glow, Saturday, December 10, 9:30 pm

Maiden Vermont will perform at the Town Hall Theater and then drop by 51 Main for more music, food, and drink after the show. Get your tickets to see them at THT and join us for a little after-glow!

Week of Thanksgiving

Sam Borrello, Wednesday, November 23, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Sam Borrello is an evolving guitarist whose show will be a mixture of jazz standards, funk and original compositions. Locally, he has studied guitar with Paul Asbell in Burlington and Helmut Kagerer at The Vermont Jazz Center. He also studied the clarinet for many years with Betsy LeBlanc and piano with Carl Recchia. Sam is currently enrolled at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where he is working on a dual degree in jazz performance and a master’s in music education. He studies with NYC-based jazz guitarist, Matt Davis in Philadelphia.

 

51 Main will be open on Tuesday, November 22 and Wednesday, November 23. We will be closed Thursday, November 24 – Monday, November 28. We will reopen on Tuesday, November 29.

Vermont Book Shop Book Discussion, Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 pm

Join the Vermont Book Shop at 51 Main for a discussion of “Cleopatra” by Stacy Schiff. 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.

Verbal Onslaught, Thursday, December 1, 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.

Kareem Khalifa & Damascus Kafumbe, Friday, December 2, 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Afro-fusion featuring Kareem Khalifa and Damascus Kafumbe. Kareem is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Damascus is Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Middlebury.

Jazz Jam, Friday, December 2, 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. Attention Jazz Jam enthusiasts: This will be the last Jazz Jam until January. Jazz Jams in January will occur on Wednesday, January 11 and Wednesday, January 25, 8:00 – 10:00 pm.

Yuki Takeda & Friends, Friday, December 2, 10:00 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.

Anthony Santor Jazz Group, Saturday, December 3, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

They’re back! Considered by many to be the hottest and freshest jazz in town.

The New Digital Storytelling: Book Talk by Bryan Alexander, Tuesday, November 15, 5:15 pm

Bryan Alexander is the author of, “The New Digital Storytelling,” in which he draws upon the latest technologies, insights from the latest scholarship, and his own extensive experience to describe the narrative creation process with personal video, blogs, podcasts, digital imagery, multimedia games, social media, and augmented reality–all platforms that offer new pathways for creativity, interactivity, and self-expression. He is the Director of Research at the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education, based at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. This book talk is co-sponsored by the Vermont Book Shop.

Green Drinks: Go Vermont & Ridesharing, Wednesday, November 16, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

GreenDrinks.orgis 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 we’ll hear an update from Ross MacDonald on Go Vermont and the state’s ridesharing program. Check it out ahead of time at www.connectingcommuters.org. Ross will walk us through how it works and how it’s been working. He’ll also tell you about how the state can help you set up vanpools and its links to other alternative transportation options.

Blues Jam, Wednesday, November 16, 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.

Middlebury College Faculty/Staff Gathering, Thursday, November 17, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Middlebury College Faculty and Staff are invited to gather informally for drinks and refreshments after work. Cash bar. Light refreshments provided by a work/life balance mini grant from the Sloan Foundation.

Arabic Poetry Reading, Thursday, November 17, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Students in their fourth year of Arabic will present readings of selected modern Arabic poems accompanied by their translations of them.

Verbal Onslaught, Thursday, November 17, 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.

Jazz Jam, Friday, November 18, 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.

Minor Tribal Scuffles, Friday, November 18, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

Minor Tribal Scuffles was formed in the shadow of a pig farm in rural Vermont with one heavy mission in mind: to make creative, genre eclectic, paradigm questioning, expressive, challenging music, but most of all, to infuse our love for the note, sharps and flats alike, into the fun of personal creation and delivery. The Scufflers hail as 5 friends from the center of the universe, Poultney VT. A Taun Taun slaps the ivory as a Fuzzy Circus Bear entangles his fur in a slab of wood and metal whilst simultaneously the local friendly neighborhood Drive Through Teller Lady wails unconventional flute jiving to the rolling funk of a bass bomb dropping Lounsbury leaving just enough room for Sir Noleon, a nobleman of chivalrous lineage, to break drum sticks by the cord.The pigs must be proud.

David Bain, Saturday, November 19, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

David Bain, who teaches creative writing at Middlebury, is a lifelong musician. During and after college in Boston, he was the first keyboardist for the legendary James Montgomery Blues Band, gigged with Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, Bill Colwell, Chicago Bob Nelson, and Tom Principato, and was the “blue-eyed soul brother” in a Roxbury R&B group. After, for more than 10 years he soloed in a New York cafe while getting a publishing and writing career underway. Locally, he has played and recorded with a number of county groups and holds the piano stool at the monthly 51 Main Blues Jam with Dennis Willmott and Left-Eye Jump. His solo piano and singing draws from all aspects of American roots music, from Fats Waller to Muddy Waters to Ray Charles to Louis Jordan to Randy Newman to Jerry Lee Lewis.

Mark Lavoie, Saturday, November 19, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

For more than 30 years Mark Lavoie has been performing for crowds both large and small. His passion for and commitment to music, particularly blues harmonica, is admired by the many musicians who have played with him. Mark enjoys spreading the word about harmonica music and is an active member of national groups working to preserve and promote the harmonica as an accessible, inexpensive instrument.

Week of Thanksgiving

51 Main will be open on Tuesday, November 22 and Wednesday, November 23. We will be closed Thursday, November 24 – Monday, November 28. We will reopen on Tuesday, November 29.

 

Michele Fay Band, Thursday, November 10, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

The Michele Fay Band is a mix of traditional, swing and bluegrass influenced music with rich female harmonies. Many of the songs are Michele’s originals, inspired by life in Vermont – past and present. Together, the four members put forth captivating sounds from upbeat fiddle tunes to thought provoking ballads. Michele sings with acoustic guitar and banjo, her husband Tim Price embellishes on mandolin, acoustic guitar and electric guitar, Lausanne Allen adds fiddle, whistle, and vocal harmonies, and Mike Santosusso drives the beat on upright bass.

Dayve Huckett, Friday, November 11, 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

Mogani, Friday, November 11, 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.

Lunch: Casual French Conversation, Saturday, November 12, 1:00 pm

For several months now, a group of community members have met at 1:00 pm on the second Saturday of the month to enjoy lunch and French conversation. They invite you to join them for this super casual, super chouette time.

AfroZep & Seneke, Saturday, November 12, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

AfroZep and Seneke have teamed up for a joint venture that mixes music and cultures to create a one of a kind experience. Their performance blends traditional West African drumming into original arrangement of the music of Led Zeppelin. AfroZep is a collective of Chicago-based musicians that perform a set of all Led Zeppelin songs that have been re-arranged with Afro-beat and Afro-pop influences. Seneke is a West African Percussion Ensemble that performs and teaches traditional forms of dance, song and music world wide. Both AfroZep and Seneke have recorded and performed all over the country, sharing their unique takes on both traditional and modern African music. Co-sponsored by 51 Main, Office of the Dean of the College, Rohatyn Center for International Affairs, and African Studies.

Folks, This Ain’t Normal: Book Talk by Joel Salatin, Sunday, November 13, 7:00 pm

Joel Salatin, the farmer featured in Michael Pollan’s bestselling Omnivore’s Dilemma and the controversial documentary Food, Inc. will speak at 51 Main. Salatin is the author of Folks, This Ain’t Normal: A Farmer’s Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World, which was recently published by Hachette Book Group. He has previously self-published several books of farming advice, including, Everything I Want to Do is Illegal: War Stories From the Local Food Front. Salatin is a third generation family farmer working his land in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley with his wife, Teresa, son Daniel, daughter Rachel and their families. The Salatin Polyface Farm, an organic grass-fed farm, services more than 3,000 families, 10 retail outlets and 50 restaurants through on-farm sales and metropolitan buying clubs. Salatin writes extensively in magazines such as Stockman Grass Farmer, Acres USA, and American Agriculture. A self-described, “Christian-libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic-Farmer,” Salatin is widely known for his innovative farming practices. Techniques such as his mobile chicken coop and rotational grazing are meant to maximize production within an integrated system. He strives to use methods that are environmentally responsible, ecologically beneficial, and sustainable, but also that honor “God’s creatures.” Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, has said, “Joel Salatin is a down-to-earth twenty-first-century pioneer, one of those rare contrarian thinkers whose words and work have the power to transform the way a generation thinks…This book is great fun to read. Sacred cows beware.” This event is open to the public and admission is free. 51 Main will not be open for regular service, but there will be complimentary light snacks and a cash bar. This event is organized by the Vermont Book Shop and sponsored by the Middlebury College Program in Environmental Science, Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest, Atwater Commons, and Dean of Curriculum.

The New Digital Storytelling: Book Talk by Bryan Alexander, Tuesday, November 15, 5:15 pm

Bryan Alexander is the author of, “The New Digital Storytelling,” in which he draws upon the latest technologies, insights from the latest scholarship, and his own extensive experience to describe the narrative creation process with personal video, blogs, podcasts, digital imagery, multimedia games, social media, and augmented reality–all platforms that offer new pathways for creativity, interactivity, and self-expression. He is the Director of Research at the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education, based at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. This book talk is co-sponsored by the Vermont Book Shop.

Green Drinks: Go Vermont & Ridesharing, Wednesday, November 16, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

GreenDrinks.orgis 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 we’ll hear an update from Ross MacDonald on Go Vermont and the state’s ridesharing program. Check it out ahead of time at www.connectingcommuters.org. Ross will walk us through how it works and how it’s been working. He’ll also tell you about how the state can help you set up vanpools and its links to other alternative transportation options.

Blues Jam, Wednesday, November 16, 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.

Middlebury College Faculty/Staff Gathering, Thursday, November 17, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Middlebury College Faculty and Staff are invited to gather informally for drinks and refreshments after work. Cash bar. Light refreshments provided by a work/life balance mini grant from the Sloan Foundation.

Arabic Poetry Reading, Thursday, November 17, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Students in their fourth year of Arabic will present readings of selected modern Arabic poems accompanied by their translations of them.

Verbal Onslaught, Thursday, November 17, 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.

Jazz Jam, Friday, November 18, 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.

Minor Tribal Scuffles, Friday, November 18, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

Minor Tribal Scuffles was formed in the shadow of a pig farm in rural Vermont with one heavy mission in mind: to make creative, genre eclectic, paradigm questioning, expressive, challenging music, but most of all, to infuse our love for the note, sharps and flats alike, into the fun of personal creation and delivery. The Scufflers hail as 5 friends from the center of the universe, Poultney VT. A Taun Taun slaps the ivory as a Fuzzy Circus Bear entangles his fur in a slab of wood and metal whilst simultaneously the local friendly neighborhood Drive Through Teller Lady wails unconventional flute jiving to the rolling funk of a bass bomb dropping Lounsbury leaving just enough room for Sir Noleon, a nobleman of chivalrous lineage, to break drum sticks by the cord.The pigs must be proud.

David Bain, Saturday, November 19, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

David Bain, who teaches creative writing at Middlebury, is a lifelong musician. During and after college in Boston, he was the first keyboardist for the legendary James Montgomery Blues Band, gigged with Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, Bill Colwell, Chicago Bob Nelson, and Tom Principato, and was the “blue-eyed soul brother” in a Roxbury R&B group. After, for more than 10 years he soloed in a New York cafe while getting a publishing and writing career underway. Locally, he has played and recorded with a number of county groups and holds the piano stool at the monthly 51 Main Blues Jam with Dennis Willmott and Left-Eye Jump. His solo piano and singing draws from all aspects of American roots music, from Fats Waller to Muddy Waters to Ray Charles to Louis Jordan to Randy Newman to Jerry Lee Lewis.

Mark Lavoie, Saturday, November 19, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am

For more than 30 years Mark Lavoie has been performing for crowds both large and small. His passion for and commitment to music, particularly blues harmonica, is admired by the many musicians who have played with him. Mark enjoys spreading the word about harmonica music and is an active member of national groups working to preserve and promote the harmonica as an accessible, inexpensive instrument.

Snake Mountain Bluegrass, Thursday, November 3, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Middlebury College teacher, Gregg Humphrey, and Middlebury construction company owner, Mike Connor, formed Snake Mountain Bluegrass about twenty years ago. At the time, both Gregg (guitar and vocals) and Mike (banjo and vocals) were living near Snake Mountain and someone asked them what style of bluegrass they played. “Snake Mountain Bluegrass,” was their immediate response and the name had been theirs ever since. They are joined in the band by Earle Provin (mandolin and resophonic guitar) and Mike Schuster (bass). Mike Schuster also works for Middlebury College as a Programmer Analyst while Earle owns Graph-X in Middlebury, a printing and signs business.

Kareem Khalifa & Damascus Kafumbe, Friday, November 4, 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Afro-fusion featuring Kareem Khalifa and Damascus Kafumbe. Kareem is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Damascus is Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Middlebury.

Jazz Jam, Friday, November 4, 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.

The Buskers, Friday, November 4, 9:30 – 11:30 pm

“Folk impurists” with a smart, distinct voice and a kitchen sink repertoire of influences from jug band and jazz to roots rock, “The Buskers tap the street music tradition for which they are named, then go much farther, with serious musicianship, a sense of humor, and energy to burn.” (Weirs Times) Their sound is defined by deep respect for the craft of songwriting and arranging and a shared love for the inventive possibilities of improvisation.

Closed for Private Event, Saturday, November 5, 5:00 pm – Late

51 Main will be closed starting at 5:00 pm for a private event.

Michele Fay Band, Thursday, November 10, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

The Michele Fay Band is a mix of traditional, swing and bluegrass influenced music with rich female harmonies. Many of the songs are Michele’s originals, inspired by life in Vermont – past and present. Together, the four members put forth captivating sounds from upbeat fiddle tunes to thought provoking ballads. Michele sings with acoustic guitar and banjo, her husband Tim Price embellishes on mandolin, acoustic guitar and electric guitar, Lausanne Allen adds fiddle, whistle, and vocal harmonies, and Mike Santosusso drives the beat on upright bass.

Dayve Huckett, Friday, November 11, 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

Mogani, Friday, November 11, 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.

AfroZep & Seneke, Saturday, November 12, 9:00 pm – 12:00 am

AfroZep and Seneke have teamed up for a joint venture that mixes music and cultures to create a one of a kind experience. Their performance blends traditional West African drumming into original arrangement of the music of Led Zeppelin. AfroZep is a collective of Chicago-based musicians that perform a set of all Led Zeppelin songs that have been re-arranged with Afro-beat and Afro-pop influences. Seneke is a West African Percussion Ensemble that performs and teaches traditional forms of dance, song and music world wide. Both AfroZep and Seneke have recorded and performed all over the country, sharing their unique takes on both traditional and modern African music.

Folks, This Ain’t Normal: Book Talk by Joel Salatin, Sunday, November 13, 7:00 pm

Joel Salatin, the farmer featured in Michael Pollan’s bestselling Omnivore’s Dilemma and the controversial documentary Food, Inc. will speak at 51 Main. Salatin is the author of Folks, This Ain’t Normal: A Farmer’s Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World, which was recently published by Hachette Book Group. He has previously self-published several books of farming advice, including, Everything I Want to Do is Illegal: War Stories From the Local Food Front. Salatin is a third generation family farmer working his land in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley with his wife, Teresa, son Daniel, daughter Rachel and their families. The Salatin Polyface Farm, an organic grass-fed farm, services more than 3,000 families, 10 retail outlets and 50 restaurants through on-farm sales and metropolitan buying clubs. Salatin writes extensively in magazines such as Stockman Grass Farmer, Acres USA, and American Agriculture. A self-described, “Christian-libertarian-environmentalist-capitalist-lunatic-Farmer,” Salatin is widely known for his innovative farming practices. Techniques such as his mobile chicken coop and rotational grazing are meant to maximize production within an integrated system. He strives to use methods that are environmentally responsible, ecologically beneficial, and sustainable, but also that honor “God’s creatures.” Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, has said, “Joel Salatin is a down-to-earth twenty-first-century pioneer, one of those rare contrarian thinkers whose words and work have the power to transform the way a generation thinks…This book is great fun to read. Sacred cows beware.” This event is open to the public and admission is free. 51 Main will not be open for regular service, but there will be complimentary light snacks and a cash bar. This event is organized by the Vermont Book Shop and sponsored by the Middlebury College Program in Environmental Science, Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest, Atwater Commons, and Dean of Curriculum.