Thursday, September 30. 2010
“Historian Bill McKone brings to light the life of Captain John Lonergran, Vermont’s Irish Rebel, a single most important Vermont Irishman of his generation. Lonergan's life weaves through the great events of the mid-nineteenth century Irish-American experience", says Vincent E. Feeney, author of Finnigans, Slaters and Stonepeggers: A History of the Irish in Vermont. Originally from south Texas, Bill McKone lives in northern Vermont at the foot of Mount Mansfield. The combination of his own Irish heritage, a deep interest in the Civil War, an MA degree in military history, five years residence in Canada, and a taste for Jameson whiskey convinced him that Lonergan's tale should be told. Join us, hear the story of this man’s history, and take home the book.
Saturday, September 25. 2010
Maple Jam sings a range of 4-8 part, a cappella jazz music, in close harmony. They perform arrangements by Gene Puerling, the Singers Unlimited, the Swingle Singers, the King's Singers, the Real Group, Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, to name a few. The arrangements are an assortment of songs by the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, and Billy Joel, plus jazz standards, pop tunes, and original works. We welcome back this jazz ensemble.
Friday, September 24. 2010
Don't miss the return performance of this talented trio, featuring Justin Perdue on jazz guitar, Jeremy Harlos on bass, and Travis Shores on the drums, playing original compositions. Come give them a warm welcome back at the Ball and Chain!
Thursday, September 23. 2010
For Morgan, The Typewriter Is Holy: The Complete, Uncensored History of the Beat Generation, Ginsberg was the locomotive for the group of travelers, addicts, loiterers, and seekers that came to be known as “beats” and who would act as catalyst for the late 1950s beatniks, as well as the social movements of the 1960s. The essential On the Road manuscript consisted of attached papers fed through Kerouac's typewriter like a roll of paper in an early word processor printer. Readers gain knowledge of the legendary lives and loves of this motley crew that changed the world. Morgan chronicles the mid-twentieth-century writers known as the Beats. During 1944–59, they produce three “holy” books of Beat—Ginsberg’s Howl, Kerouac’s On the Road, and Burroughs’ Naked Lunch— an important literary phenomenon of post-WWII America. Spend an evening listening to their journey and take home as signed copy of this central book about the period.
Saturday, September 18. 2010
You know them and love them, they're back and better than ever!
Friday, September 17. 2010
Nick Kaiser began making music as a violinist, studying the Suzuki method. Those early years were spent playing at the Interlochen National Music Camp in Michigan. Two years of cello studies followed before Nick turned to acoustic guitar. His writing is smart, firmly planted in the American folk spirit, acoustic rock, Celtic, blues and bluegrass/traditional. Prior to that, some interesting projects included two summers at Tanglewood as recording engineer for the Berkshire Music Center and Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 2007, Nick organized a fundraiser for the Addison County Community Action Group to help alleviate and draw attention to the shortage of affordable housing in Middlebury, Vermont. Now, with the kids grown and gone, Nick is reigniting his passion for performance, constantly smoothing and redressing “Almost True,” a demo-style recording of originals featuring harmony vocals, 6 and 12-string guitars, mandolin, keyboards and percussion.
Saturday, September 11. 2010
Teresa - engaging singer-songwriter who has toured the country sharing her music with fans in taverns, coffeehouses, and theaters - has made the trek up from Boston to Vermont and the Ball & Chain quite regularly. We welcome her back to hear her songs and stories (which she will happily share with the audience). Visit her website for information about her & her musical journey: www.teresastorch.com.
Saturday, August 21. 2010
This event has been canceled.
Thursday, August 19. 2010
Born in Germany, a retired film editor, Walter’s poems have appeared in The American Poetry Review, Barrow Street, and many others. A resident of New York City, Walter has summered in Vermont for many years. The American Book Review said of his poetry collection, The Jew’s Harp, “These are poems of an open spirit toward God and His people.” The book is a remarkable celebration of family, of tradition, and of living through terrible and wonderful times. The obvious themes are love and survival. The controlled lyric and narrative voice of the poems is that of a son, and grandson, speaking about his father, mother, wife, children and grandchildren; they speak of the agony of loss and the joy of retrieval; they speak of journeys, from Hitler's Germany, to Ecuador, to safety in America, and a new life. Join the celebration with this wonderful poet, and take home a copy of this amazing collection of his work.
|
