Arts Beat 1/30/2012

The Ripton Community Coffee House, a nonprofit community concert series, welcomes the Bluegrass Gospel Project on Saturday, at the Ripton Community House.

The Bluegrass Gospel Project has been impressing audiences with expertly rendered performances since its inception in 2001. The group has been called “one of New England’s premier concert acts” by Casey Rea in Seven Days in 2005. The Bluegrass Gospel Project brings together top-tier vocalists and instrumentalists (“Just try and find a better group of singers,” said Robert Resnik, host of Vermont Public Radio’s “All the Traditions” in 2009) to interpret a wide range of material, from Southern spirituals and Appalachian gems to contemporary songs by Brett Dennen and U2. The group is truly unique in that it presents a repertoire of music with a spiritual sensibility but without any religious agenda.

The Bluegrass Gospel Project has released five full-length albums and has appeared at hundreds of concert halls, festivals and churches throughout the northeast and nearby Canada. The band includes founder and musical director Gene White Jr. on fiddle, guitar and vocals; Steve Light on banjo, dobro, guitar and vocals; Colby Crehan, vocals; Paul Miller on guitar and vocals; Taylor Armerding on mandolin and vocals; and Kirk Lord on upright bass.

As always, the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with a one-hour open mike set, followed by the featured performers. Open mike performers are encouraged to call in advance and reserve one of the five open-mike slots.

Admission to the coffeehouse is $9 for adults, $6 for seniors and teens and $3 for children. The economically challenged may pay what they can afford. Refreshments benefit the Brandon Town Hall Restoration Fund. The Ripton Community House is wheelchair accessible but the restrooms are not. The coffeehouse is held on the first Saturday of each month, except August. For more information, contact Richard Ruane or Andrea Chesman at 388-9782.

MOTOWN REVUE AT THT

There will be a lively performance, “Motown II,” at 8 p.m. on Thursday in the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. This performance is the culmination of the Motown II winter term class at the college taught by Miles Donahue, featuring lead singer Chris Waller, who brings 25 years of show business experience to the stage.

Since 1992, Waller has become a highly sought-after vocal teacher and clinician. He has worked with Maurice Starr Productions and taught and worked with Bobby Brown for his 1992 Humping Around Tour as a vocal coach, and also worked in the company of Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men and TLC. Also during this time Waller performed as a solo artist and made feature performances with different local bands in the Boston area. He is known and requested for his Stevie Wonder performance impersonations.

Grammy Award-winning and Boston Globe jazz critic Bob Blumenthal says, “Discover a jazz treasure. Miles Donahue is one of the best-kept jazz secrets. Equally adept on trumpet and various saxophones and a composer of grace and originality …”

Student performers include Mohan Fitzgerald, Mike Gadomski, Liam Gluck, Patrick Hebble, Peter Moore, Grady Trela, Andrea Whittle and Dante Francomano.

Tickets $6, are available at the college box office only, at 443-6433 or middlebury.edu/arts/tickets.

TWO BROTHERS TAVERN

There will be two live musical performances this week at the Two Brothers Tavern located at 86 Main St. in Middlebury. Two Brothers’ Open Mike Night is back by popular demand. Hosted by Kai Stanley, the Open Mike Night will take place the first Wednesday of every month at 9 p.m. following Trivia Night. The stage is open to musicians of all kinds on a first-come, first-served basis, and the evening is free to musicians and audience members alike. Two Brothers Lounge and Stage is open to patrons 18 and older on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so please feel free to come over for Karaoke, Trivia and Open Mike nights.

Then, on Saturday, the tavern presents The John Cugno Band at 10 p.m. The John “Scooch” Cugno Blues Band was recently nominated for a BB Award from the Washington Blues Society in Seattle for “Best Traditional Blues Act 2011.” An accomplished drummer, guitarist and singer songwriter, Cugno played for years in Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Denver and Nashville clubs. He has performed with John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Jumpin’ John Sansone and many other well known blues and country artists. His powerful vocals are not to be missed. Please join Two Brothers as they welcome the band to the stage for the first time.

There is a $3 cover charge. For more information, call Two Brothers at 388-0002.

JEROME SHEDD: WAGNER

The Metropolitan Opera’s HD broadcast of Wagner’s “Götterdämmerung” will be seen at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater on Saturday, Feb. 11. Join Jerry Shedd at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association building on the Porter Hospital campus for a warm-up to that performance.

Shedd will conclude his series of talks on the “Ring” cycle with some insights into this monumental final work. He’ll sketch out the tragic story line, with emphasis on the clues embodied in the musical motives.

The event is free, but donations are welcome and benefit the Opera Company of Middlebury.

THE HIBERNATORS

The Hibernators will perform at Lincoln Peak Vineyard on Friday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., as part of the winery’s First Friday Series.

The string trio will play an upbeat mix of bluegrass, Celtic and country favorites. Their music surprises and gets toes tapping — like their bluegrass version of a Norah Jones favorite, “Creepin’ In.” The band features Bruce Catlin on guitar, Mitch Barron on upright bass, and Jeff Pratt on mandolin. Attendees are invited to bring a picnic or buy a Vermont cheese plate. Lincoln Peak wine is available by the glass; admission is free. Lincoln Peak Vineyard is at 142 River Road in New Haven. More information is at 388-7368 or lincolnpeakvineyard.com.

LIVE MUSIC AT 51 MAIN

Join 51 Main regular Dayve Huckett with special guest Russ Lawton on drums at 51 Main in Middlebury beginning at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Huckett’s hybrid style embraces a mixture of fingerstyle, rock, classical, jazz, folk and new music performed on steel- and nylon-string guitars. Lawton has performed with Trey Anastasio, Grippo funk band and Strangefolk and has appeared on “Austin City Limits” and the Letterman, Leno, Conan and Carson Daly shows.

All ages, no cover. For additional information visit www.go51main.com or phone 388-8209.