Improvised music with Kit Demos - bass, analog synth / Stephen Haynes - cornet / Pandelis Karayorgis - keyboard / Curt Newton - drumset

Massachusetts: A Song of Itself presents the history of the Commonwealth told through the eyes of its marginalized and all too often forgotten people who influenced the growth and early struggles incurred in the formation of our Commonwealth.

Through passionate and creative storytelling, music, poetry and song, Regie Gibson, our State Poet Laureate, backed by a group of outstanding musicians, gives voice to a wide range of historical characters and their aspirations, hopes, and struggles, as he leads the audience on a journey from the early days of the English settlers interaction with the indigenous native peoples, to the introduction of slavery, the formation of the Commonwealth, and ultimately the revolution itself.

The program casts a critical eye on some of our most cherished illusions about the State’s creation story and asks the audience to rethink these myths to form a more historically accurate picture of how we came to be who we are.

The program is particularly relevant to what is happening within the state today, as we grapple with the attack of long-held beliefs of what it means to be an American and the resilience of the foundational elements of our state and country that our forefathers worked hard to create over 250 years ago.

Ensemble:
Regie Gibson: Literary Performance and Creator
Guy Medilow: Piano & Music Composition
Todd Brunel: Clarinets & Music Composition
Bithyah Israel and Rhea Gibson: Cellos & Music Composition
Curt Newton: Drumset
Rick McLaughlin: Double Bass

Presented by the West Stockbridge Historical Society

Debut! So new, the group doesn’t yet have a name. Tony Leva - sintir / Seth Meicht - saxophones / Curt Newton - drumset

Double bill featuring the legendary Dutch sound poet, electronic musician, and improviser Jaap Blonk, and Jorrit Dijkstra’s newest group project BLINK. Jaap Blonk will play a solo set and then in collaboration with BLINK.

BLINK is
Jorrit Dijkstra  |  alto saxophone, compositions
Nate McBride  |  bass guitar
Curt Newton |  drumset [subbing in for regular drummer Eric Rosenthal]
Eric Hofbauer  |  guitar
Gabe Boyarin  |  guitar

Presented by Non-Event. Double bill featuring the legendary Dutch sound poet, electronic musician, and improviser Jaap Blonk, and Jorrit Dijkstra’s newest group project BLINK. Jaap Blonk will play a solo set and then in collaboration with BLINK.

BLINK is
Jorrit Dijkstra  |  alto saxophone, compositions
Nate McBride  |  bass guitar
Curt Newton |  drumset [subbing in for regular drummer Eric Rosenthal]
Eric Hofbauer  |  guitar
Gabe Boyarin  |  guitar

Ellwood Epps - trumpet, trombone / Kelly Bray- trumpet / Scott Samenfeld - bass / Curt Newton - drumset

Ellwood Epps (trumpet, trombone), Kelly Bray (trumpet), Curt Newton (drums).

Part of a Boston South End Open Studios event.

Suggested donation of $10-20. For those who may experience difficulty climbing 4 flights of stairs, there is a freight elevator which can be accessed after climbing about 5 steps. If you'd like to use the elevator, you must contact me in advance.

Seth Meicht - saxophones / Eric Hofbauer - guitar / Nate McBride - bass / Curt Newton - drumset

Also on the bill: Saxophone Support Group and Fully Celebrated Orchestra

In being rich in American history, especially when it comes to the fight for independence, our state takes a back seat to no one. It is the same with our historic ability to endure historic hardship, turmoil and change--and emerge stronger as a result!

In this original, multi-part, literary and musical premier presentation, award winning literary performer and educator, Regie Gibson-- along with an ensemble of creative Massachusetts musicians and composers--- use music, poetry, storytelling and song to explore some of the most important historical events, ideals, inspirations, aspirations, and unsung persons that have shaped and challenged "we the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts" to live up to the better angels of our nature (in both welcomed and unwelcome ways). This will be a humorous, touching, reflective, and at times harrowing artistic experience that will take you from Massachusetts prehistory to our envisioned future. Come, hear the "Song of Massachusetts (after all, YOU helped create it).

Ensemble:
Regie Gibson: Literary Performance and Creator
Composer, Guy Medilow: Piano
Composer, Todd Brunel: Clarinets
Composer, Bithyah Israel and Rhea Gibson: Cellos
Curt Newton: Drums and Percussion
Rick McLaughlin: Double Bass

This is a closing performance for the two-day WBUR Festival. Information and tickets at https://www.wburfestival.org/