The 2016-2017 Hirschfield International Film Series begins on Saturday at Middlebury College with the 2016 U.K./U.S. film, “Carol,” directed by Todd Haynes.
Set in 1950s New York, two women from very different backgrounds find themselves in the throes of love in “Carol.” As conventional norms of the time challenge their undeniable attraction, an honest story emerges to reveal the resilience of the heart in the face of change.
A young woman in her 20s, Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), is a clerk working in a Manhattan department store and dreaming of a more fulfilling life when she meets Carol (Cate Blanchett), an alluring woman trapped in a loveless, convenient marriage. As an immediate connection sparks between them, the innocence of their first encounter dims and their connection deepens.
While Carol breaks free from the confines of marriage, her husband (Kyle Chandler) threatens her competence as a mother when Carol’s involvement with Therese and close relationship with her best friend Abby (Sarah Paulson) comes to light.
The film will be shown at 3 and again at 8 p.m. in Dana Auditorium on College Street (Route 125). It’s free. Some of the films in this series may be inappropriate for children.
CONCERT
Brandon Music welcomes recorderist and flutist Anna Laufenberg and pianist Stefan Simrock at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Organized chronologically, the concert will begin with works from the late Renaissance and Baroque eras, featuring a range of voices from the recorder family — popular instruments of the time. Laufenberg performs the soprano, alto and G-alto recorders on works by Robert Woodcock, Jacob van Eyck and Arcangelo Corelli.
Moving to the Classical, Romantic and contemporary periods, the flute will appear as it did when the recorder lost popularity in the 19th century, with works by Jardany Pal, Emile Pessard, Eugene Bozza and Christopher Caliendo. Simrock will also perform solo piano works by Alessandro Scarlatti and Beethoven.
Laufenberg started playing the recorder as a child, developing a passion for the particular sweet and soft sounding instrument. She studied music at the Peter Cornelius Conservatory in Mainz, Germany where she received her bachelor of arts for recorder, piano and early childhood music education. Her passion is playing music of the Renaissance and Baroque era in which the recorder flourished and was popular all over Europe.
For many years she performed with the early music group La Fontegara in Mainz, playing on period instrument reproductions. In order to explore the music of the Classic and Romantic period she learned to play the Western concert flute that evolved from the single keyed wooden flute of the 19th century.
Stefan Simrock is a German scientist who is currently working at the international ITER project in southern France. Simrock grew up in Limburg, Germany where he learned to play the piano as a child, and later the organ. After receiving his Ph.D. in physics in Darmstadt, Germany in 1989, he joined the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, Va.
During this time he continued his studies in piano and pipe organ. Moving back to Hamburg, Germany, Simrock studied with Andreas Maurer on the North German Baroque organ. He has also studied the pipe organ, focusing on French Romantic organ music. Simrock is a member of the amateur musicians of haute provence where he regularly performs in recitals with piano solo, chamber music and accompanying singers.
Concert tickets are $20. A pre-concert dinner is available for $25. Reservations are recommended for the show and required for dinner. Venue is BYOB. Call 247-4295 or email [email protected] for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Road in Brandon.
TWO BROTHERS TAVERN
There will be three live music performances this week at Two Brothers Tavern located at 86 Main Street in Middlebury.
Join Two Brothers every Wednesday at 9 p.m. for the Open Mic, an evening of music, comedy or anything else. Two Brothers Lounge is a laid back atmosphere where collaborations and libations fuel creativity. Alternately hosted by Mark Sikora and Kai Stanley, come cheer on your friends or let loose on the stage. It’s free to enter, and there is no cover charge.
Then, at 6 p.m. on Friday, Two Brothers presents The What Dudes, an acoustic duo featuring King Arthur Junior on guitar/vocals and Zack “Birdman” Jepson on bass/banjo/ukulele/vocals. They play both covers and originals and are not to be missed. There is no cover.
Finally, at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Zephrus return to the Tavern’s stage with their tight arrangements of both classic and modern Rock. There is a $3 cover. For more information, call 388-0002.
LIVE MUSIC AT 51 MAIN 
There will be three live music events this week at Middlebury’s 51 Main. At 7 p.m. on Thursday, 51 Main presents 10 Strings, Dayve Huckett guitars/voice and Art DeQuasie upright bass. From Birdland to The Beatles, plus original music, you’ll hear songs from all over the musical map. Playing tunes from their new CD, “Live Around Vermont.”
Then, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Tim Brick takes to the stage. As solid a take on blue-collar Rock and Country as you’ll find in Vermont, Brick’s driving sound, tempered with a surprising vulnerability, makes him a true Vermont original.
Finally, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, the Bob Levinson Trio will perform. Levinson’s original music is influenced by Blues, Jazz and Rock going back over 50 years. Featuring Glenn Goodwin on bass and Felix Anderson on drums, you’ll find new worlds in old songs changing genres and rhythm.
Open to all ages, with no cover. For more information visit www.go51main.com or phone 388-8209.
KATHRYN MILILLO 
Edgewater Gallery on the Green will host an opening reception on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. for its September solo exhibition, “Kindsight,” from Proctor painter Kathryn Milillo. Light refreshments will be served.
Vermont’s unpretentious farmscapes and nearby glacial lakes remain a source of continual inspiration for Milillo. The rough edges of the mountains, polished by the earth’s turning over millions of years. The soft contours of the land and the spare, time-worn New England architecture bring a poignant sense of endurance and delight.
For more information on Kathryn Milillo and her exhibition “Kindsight,” call 989-7419, email [email protected] or visit www.edgewatergallery-vt.com.
MARK LAVOIE
Middlebury College Affiliate artist Mark Lavoie will give a concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday in Robison Hall at the Mahaney Center for the Arts on South Main Street (Route 30).
Lavoie’s unique acoustic style is reminiscent of the late harmonica legend Sonny Terry, who was his mentor. With 44 years of performance history and more than 35 harmonicas in his case, Lavoie plays his vast, authentic Blues repertoire with great range in this solo concert.
It’s free and the public is welcome.